Spouse alone in Las Vegas
 

My husband will be attending a convention in Las Vegas from May 20 - 23. We are staying at Caesars. During the day when my husband is in meetings, I can do whatever I like. I need suggestions. I like tours, museums, unique restaurants, and experiences that you just can't find anywhere else. What would be safe and fun?

Does this imply that you've never been to Vegas before??

There are some 'blocks' on the strip that can take you a good hour or more just to browse. The people-watching both indoors and outdoors is probably better than most anywhere else you'll visit. You'll be continuously baffled at the obviously high cost of the opulent structures all over.

Just roaming through "The Venetian" hotel can take hours.

If I were you, I would (in this case only) let yourself just land in Vegas with NO scheduled itinerary for your days, and let the winds carry you where they may.

Don't forget that if you simply STOP at some point (to rest, eat, or whatever) the sightseeing is still great as others continue to revolve all around you.

During daylight hours the strip is pretty safe ~~ the worst you'll find are people trying to hand you little placards for some sort of porn.

Just have a good time and turn up without a plan just this once...

Quite honestly all of 'Vegas is an experience you can't find anywhere else. Vegas is pretty much safe, just use commmon sense (i.e., hold on to your purse and stay alert in crowds)

Wander the Forum shops at Caeser's, have lunch at Spago's (and watch the people go by). Check out the Venetian, sit in St. Mark's plaza and have an ice cream (or lunch or whatever). Visit the "artsy" Guggenheim/Hermitage collection at the Venetian. For tacky fun visit Tussard's at the Venetian.

Enjoy the Eiffel Tower at the Paris, have lunch at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris if you have time.

Spend time at the Bellagio and enjoy the fountains, the conservatory and it's lovely flowers. Enjoy a crepe at the crepe shop (darn, I cannot remember it's name right now but the crepes are wonderful).

If you like animals visit Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage and see the tigers and lions as well as dolphins.

You can also take a tour out to Hoover Dam. I am sure the hotel will have materials on that in the lobby.

Visit Wynn's new hotel if you are down that end of the strip.

Really, it's an endless list .. it all depends on what you like to do.

As for museums, there are several, but be forewarned that they are small. The Venetian has a Guggenheim/Hermitage branch, and the Bellagio has a small art gallery. There's also Madame Tussaud's wax museum, and the Liberace museum in town. The dolphins at Mirage, IMHO, are very neat to watch. If it's not too windy, you can play ball with them!

You might also enjoy a tour of the Hoover Dam and Ethel M cholocate factory. Several companies do half-day bus tours.

For more recommendations, check out www.cheapovegas.com

Caesar's is one of my favorite hotels. Be sure and get a Palace Tower or Augustus Tower room!

The M&M museum! :)

Valley of Fire is absolutely gorgeous. My husband and I drove there last time we were in Vegas and it was extra special for him because he'd never really been to a desert environment before. I know bus trips go out there.

I'd people watch at the sports book. And maybe gamble. And shop.

I have had the same dilemma one week later each May/June for the last 6 years...I sit at the pool, work out, get a massage - and do some gambling. The time really passes by! The weather is usually gorgeous too. Have fun.

I did the same thing a couple of years ago, and I had a great time wandering around by myself while my DH was at the conference. I never felt unsafe, but I never wandered off of the Strip. There is so much to see at the various theme hotels, that will keep you quite busy if you try to see as much as possible. I enjoyed the free concert in "Saint Mark's Square" at the Venetian - singers in fancy costumes singing light Italian opera and other Italian songs, with several musicians accompanying them. Very lively and a lot of fun. The huge aquarium at Ceasar's Palace is pretty neat - I happened to be there when a diver was in the tank hand feding the fish, which was pretty entertaining to watch (particularly the rays). Be sure to bring some comfortable shoes, as the hotels are big, some are pretty far apart, and you'll be doing a lot of walking!

In fact, DH is going to another conference there in about three weeks, and I'm tagging along again. We're flying out early to spend a few days in Arizona beforehand, in Sedona, Page, and the Grand Canyon. We're also going to visit Valley of Fire. Since I'll be on my own again in Las Vegas during the day, I've been doing a littlke research, and I found a company that will take you on a horseback ride in Red Rock canyon, if that interests you. Here's their website:

http://www.cowboytrailrides.com/adventure-rides.html

There's also a day trip that is a smoothwater raft trip through Black Canyon from the base of Hoover Dam, which looks pretty neat. I'd be tempted to do that, but we're planning to take the raft trip on the Colorado that goes from the base of the Glen Canyon Dam while we're in Arizona. Here's their website:

http://foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=130

I know there are several tour companies that run trips to Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, and Hoover Dam.

I think a lot of the casinos have gambling lessons you can take in the afternoon, if that interests you. I didn't gamble last time, but I was thinking about taking a blackjack lessson and trying my luck this time, if I'm brave enough.

There's a magic show at the Trpicana in the afternoon that sounds like it's pretty good, from the review I read.

Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll have a great time. I'm looking forward to going back.

I once spent a fabulous afternoon at Mandalay Bay's spa while my husband was in meetings. Bliss!