Trip ideas for Vegas and Grand Canyon in 7 days
 

We are an active retired couple who plan to fly to Vegas, take in the sights for two or three days, pick a glitzy but not break the bank hotel, then somehow get to the Grand Canyon with a stop at Hoover Dam. We want to spend a couple days at Grand Canyon South Rim, take a moderate hike or half day raft trip, then down to Flagstaff and back to East Coast. Any recommendations on hotels in both locations, activities at Grand Canyon, transportation between Vegas and GC, and also GC to Flagstaff. We want 3+ or four star hotels, like the glitter, good food and shows, but not gambling. On a plus moderate budget. Trip planned for early Sep 2012. Anyone read any similar trip reports also? Thanks!

If you have 7 days, please go the extra hour to get to Sedona. There's far more there (in my opinion at least) than in Flagstaff.

If you are 62 or older make sure you have a lifetime senior pass. If not buy it on the way in to Grand Canyon and also ask for a mirror hang tag.

It's not just good you national parks. If you do go to Sedona there are national forests all around. If you decide to park and walk in the Bell Rock area you hang the hang tag from you mirror and there's room for the pass to fit in and be visible.

I assume you are flying into Vegas??? Personally I would pick up a rental car, leave, see your other places and then return to stay. Why? Do the running around part first and then rest in Vegas. If you hike in Grand Canyon, Sedona and etc. it is nice to have a few days to enjoy the pool, read, check out the glitter of Vegas and relax.

In Vegas you should look at the Bellagio and Venetian. Two great options.

You can also go to Zion, and do a lazy / easy hike there too if you are active! The red rocks are amazing!

If you don't want to break the bank at LV Hotels. I've just come back from M Resort in Henderson, the rooms are larger than even Aria..hehee hotel hopped while in LV! It's like 10 minutes from the strip. Its a smaller hotel, you get from parking to your room so quick! The B Studio buffet is great, especially with their desserts from Baby Cakes!

oh and other notes... Monte Carlo has the Lazy River if you want like staying by the pool.

But I've read before Mandelay Bay has a nice pool area, and a roof top pool -- dunno about this ... but maybe someone else can confirm that.

The shows are pricey. I've seen Cirque du Soliel's Mystere, they say its their original show (not sure I'll google that later) and it was amazing.

I suggest you see 'O' ... since that only shows in LV. I have not seen it but next time!

David Copperfield.

Wait MGM just remodeled their rooms...you may want to do that.

I also suggest buying tickets ahead of time. Other wise you may not get seats together. But if you don't mind that is ok. You can go to 1/2 price tix at the Coke bottle store for cheaper tickets. I'm ok with not sitting with my friends....you are enjoying the show anyways. You can chat about it later! :D

Hello, have you considered Paris Las Vegas? They have a romantic atmosphere and entertaining shows as well. Private message me if you'd like to read an article on most romantic hotels in Las Vegas

My husband and I just took his parents on this exact trip in May. This was our itinerary:
Day 1: Vegas, stayed at Bellagio, very nice
Day 2: took iconic "Vegas sign" pic early, before tourist buses showed up. Then drove to Hoover Dam, did the tour. Then drove to Grand Canyon, stopping in Williams(iconic route 44). Stayed in El Tovar in GC park, would highly recomend it. saw sunset at GC.
Day 3: woke early for sunrise at GC, breathtaking, then toured most of the South Rim. We then left out through the Desert view entrance/exit and headed toward Sedona. stayed at the Hilton, was alright.
Day 4: toured Sedona, would recomend this, very nice town and people, and red rocks are beautiful. on our way to Phoenix, there is a great restaurant right off highway, known for its pie(cant remember name), so we stopped there. we flew out of Phoenix at end of day.

hope this helps!