Whats the stratospher like? Is it on trolley route, does trolley run all the time?
What about Alexis Resort Hotel (off strip) how far to main strip? Is it nice?
Whats transport like to get out to see things off strip?
Is there Plane/heli rides to Grand Canyon, how long, how much? I know it's a lot of Qs but please help with what you can we are close to booking. Cheers

Going to the Stratosphere is worth it. You'll need to take a taxi. You ride up an elevator a few hundred stories to a lookout point with panoramic views of the city in every direction. Don't know much about public transportation but if you're staying a while it may be worth it rent a car for a day and take a drive to Red Rock Canyon. I think the helicopter rides to the crand canyon are a few hundred dollars. You could also opt for a SUV day tour that takes you to Hoover Dam, No Rim, & Joshua Tree Nat'l Park. That runs about 200pp also. Also there are greyhound bus tours for less, around 100pp. Have not been to the Alexis park but it is located a few mins from the strip. Will need a taxi unless there is a shuttle. Have you considered using priceline so you can get a casino directly on the strip? Have fun!

An SUV day trip from Las Vegas to Joshua Tree National Park? That's about 250 miles. I don't think this would be anyone's idea of a reaonable day trip.

Hi, Lynn, if you want to stay at the Stratosphere it's on the trolley route, and the trolley runs every 15 minutes, and it's not much cheaper then a bus. There are buses running along the strip 24 hrs. It's a nice hotel with lots of young people staying there and well worth the savings.

To know how much a Canyon ride search the Internet for Las Vegas tours, and you'll get a choice of companies with all the rates (and maybe times?) published.

Day tours to Joshua Park? Never heard of them out of Vegas. Are you confused with the Death Valley, Miranda?

ANYHOW...

There are other rides in addition to the rollercoaster at the Stratosphere. I rode the one at NYNY and liked it quite a lot. I think there is also one at the Sahara, but I am unsure about that.

One thing you can try for transit, is a lot of the casinos have free valet parking. If you don't want to walk or take the shuttle you can drive on one of the streets BEHIND the strip and go up & back that way. Just be careful if you have to cross the strip.

I never found taxis all that expensive, esp when compared to San Francisco.

I think the suggestion to go to Red Rocks is great! Definitely do that.

I find that Las Vegas always seems to take more time than I think it will.

I had hoped that the registration would help encourage more civility on these forums. I hope this will be just a glitch in an otherwise, more friendly posting.

Statosphere: we have been to LV twice a year for years and I have to say we have never gone to the Stratosphere. It is waay down at the end away from the big hotels, and sort of old fashioned and not appealing to us.
Trolly: Don't know about trollies but there is a very nice tram that goes from Ballys to Mandalay Bay, stopping at other hotels. Cabs are cheap and easy to get at any hotel.
To see anything off strip, it is easy and cheap to rent a car for a day or two.
We always get a car for a day and go to Red Rock Canyon. It is great. Lake Mead/Hoover Dam are also good for a day out of the Strip area. If it is in the summer, Mt Charleston is good for gettin away from the heat. All are within an hours drive from the Strip. We always thought that the Grand Canyon was too far for a day trip.

I have been to Vegas at least 2 X's a year for business in the last 7 years and have stayed and visited every hotel.
Do not stay at the Stratosphere. In my opinion, it is a complete dump and it's far from everything on the strip. If it's the roller coaster you want, go to NYNY or do a quick trip to Stratosphere just for that.
If you want the view that you get from the top of the stratosphere, go to the Voodoo Lounge on top of the Rio hotel. Great music & outdoor patio with view of all the lights in Vegas. If you can, stay on the strip--Mirage, Caesars, Treasure Island, Venetian, Bellagio--all in the center. Best pools at Caesars and Bellagio.
Mandalay Bay is nice, but too far from everything.
Any and all are better than the Stratosphere.

I too for one was hoping for more civility; it seems that the post that contain any criticism of another poster or even the one who questions a poster about their not so charming posts gets deleted. I guess thats good and that it will eventually make this a "true" travel forum; just make sure your post contains no criticism whatsoever of others. I guess that includes this post?

Thanks smokyboy. To Faina: www.adventurephototours.com does tours to the NW rim that takes about 10 hrs. You travel through BLM (indian owned) land which makes the ride shorter. Drives straight to Grand Canyon & on the way back stops through Joshua Tree and finally a stop at Hoover Dam. I'm not one for the driving either but am terribly arfaid to fly in helicopters = )

I would visit the Stratosphere if you're interested in the ride or view from there, but would NOT recommend staying there.

It's too far from the main part of the strip for a first time visitor and not near anything else you'll want to see or do. The trolly/bus will add up, even for a family of 4, and won't be worth the savings in my opinion.

If your on a budget, you can try out these perfectly fine hotels that are more budget oriented but all have GREAT locations:

Flamingo Hilton (great pool)
Barbary Coast (no pool)
Bally's
Harrah's

Depending upon how crowded Las Vegas will be when you are there, Aladdin and Monte Carlo sometimes have some great deals, but i think the list above is your better bet!