nelsonian

DH and I are heading back to NYC for our grandson's 1st birthday on 3rd June. We are flying into LAX on Monday 27th May 19 with Air NZ, and then flying Alaska Air to Las Vegas. (A bit worried about this as only 3 hours between arriving and the next plane leaving.) We have never been to Las Vegas, thought it worth seeing at least once, and it is on the way to the Grand Canyon which is what we want to visit. We really only have one full day in LV as we plan on hiring a rental car on the Wednesday morning 29th May and driving to the Grand Canyon. We have accommodation booked that night at Bright Angel Lodge. We are going to drop off the rental car and fly out of Phoenix on Sat 1 June 19.

Would appreciate any ideas and tips that would help with this trip. Also suggestions where to stay in the Sedona area on the Thursday night. We have booked a motel near Phoenix airport on the Friday night.

Thanks for your help.

emalloy

Hopefully your layover will be plenty for this trip. If you wanted to maximize your time for Grand Canyon, you might want to spend the second night in Vegas towards the Arizona side of town to avoid some traffic in the morning, especially if you are planning to stop at Hoover Dam on the way.

When you leave GC, head east on 64 and stop at the overlooks then head south on 89 and visit Wupatki, a Native American ruin before heading to Sedona. Do drive down through Oak Creek Canyon on the way to Sedona.

WhereAreWe

Vegas looks best at night. I'd recommend you force yourself to walk the Strip for at least an hour on Monday night (in spite of jet lag) just to see it. Tuesday, visit Hoover Dam or anything else that sounds interesting. That would allow you to bypass Hoover on Wednesday morning and head straight to the Grand Canyon.

Pick up the rental car on Tuesday morning (this would allow you to visit Hoover Dam on your own and anything else without paying for someone else to drive you around). If you're bored with Las Vegas after one night, or find that it's not to your liking, drive to Williams or Flagstaff and stay overnight there. That would give you a shorter drive to the Grand Canyon on Wednesday and allow for more time in the park. If you want to spend Tuesday night in Las Vegas, you still have that option even if you have a rental car. None of the casinos charge for parking so you'd just be paying an extra day on the rental but at least you have options depending on your interests.

Emalloy's route for Thursday is perfect.

Phoenix airport is only 2 hours from Sedona. I would spend Friday night in Sedona if your flight is early afternoon or later.

tomfuller

I agree with emalloy. If you don't want to spend a second night in LV, head out to the Hoover Dam Lodge outside Boulder City. The lodge is only 2-3 miles from the dam. Drive across thew dam to the Arizona side and park in the second or third parking lot (free). The parking garage on the Nevada side is a ripoff IMO.
On the way back up from your visit to the dam, stop at the parking lot where you can get to the walkway on the big bridge that is above the dam. There is a great view of the dam from the walkway. Also on the walkway are markers for the apex of the bridge and the Nevada-Arizona state line.
Next to the parking lot for the Hoover Dam Lodge, you can take a helicopter ride out over Lake Meade and the dam.

Barbara

Phoenix airport is only 2 hours from Sedona.

True, unless there's an accident on I-17, then it could be hours longer.

nelsonian

Thanks for the replies, we will probably see a show in LV on the Tuesday night so will stay the second night there. Good idea though to maybe go to the Hoover Dam on the Tuesday. Our flight on the Saturday is at 1pm, it was 12pm but already there has been a flight change. We could stay another night in Sedona instead of staying by the airport. Something to think about.

crefloors

Depending on your show, book it early, they sell out very fast. Wear you most comfortable shoes, Las Vegas is nothing but concrete and tile and things are farther apart than you think because the hotel grounds are so huge.

Really quite a bit to do in Las Vegas that is kind of fun. They have a neon sign museum. Those signs are almost non-existent anymore. A few more are listed there.

https://www.visitlasvegas.com/experi...eums-in-vegas/

willowjane

How much were you looking at spending in Sedona for lodging? I have some suggestions but not sure of your price point.

nelsonian

Willowjane we are fairly budget type travellers,, xo around 120- $150 US.

Barbara

I always recommend the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas. It's very interesting. I don't know if anyone ever goes as it's not at all Las Vegas-y!

https://www.springspreserve.org/

sludick

For Sedona you might look at Los Abrigados. It's right at Tlaquepaque, where there are some interesting shops and places to eat. We stayed there for a week with friends a few years back and enjoyed it. It's also a timeshare, so is condo-style and has some grills, etc. Looks like the rates for your dates are showing $139/night.

https://www.diamondresortsandhotels....a?mkc=GOOGLEUS

MichelleY

We have seen 2 Cirque du Soleil shows: “Mystere”and “O”. Both were wonderful. Friends have seen Terry Fator and thought he was terrific.

willowjane

I think the Los Abrigados is a nice place as recommended above and so is Arroyo Pinion Hotel. Both are within you price point in Sedona. A show I love in Las Vegas was Rat Pack - but you had to love those guys and that era of humor and music. Very inexpensive and I thought a very good show. Have fun on your trip.

nelsonian

Thanks Willowjane and other posters for your advice. I think we would like the Rat Pack, we do love Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Frank Sinatra. Also seriously thinking of a Cirque show, decisions, decisions!!