Some of you may remember my previous post that my husband and I are going to Vegas the end of May, arriving early on the 28th and leaving lunchtime the 31st. With 3 full days, I'm wondering if there would be a consensus on whether I should rent a car one of the days (probably the first since we wouldn't be able to get into our hotel at 9 am) to visit Hoover Dam or any of the nearby parks and spend the other 2 days on the strip, or if there is enough to do to stay in Vegas the entire 3 days. We don't really gamble - might do a few slots to say we did it - so that won't take up any time and are looking forward to seeing the hotels' exhibits. We'll be going to the Eiffel Tower Restaurant one night and to one or 2 shows.

Also now that I think of it, I was also wondering if the $20 trick I read about has worked for anyone at Bally's and if it did, what I would be upgraded to from the room with a view of the strip? Or does it only work if you have booked the lowest room to begin with?

Any wisdom for me? Thanks!

I would definitely rent a car at least one of the days. You could drive out to hoover dam or red rock park.

I can only take about two days on the strip, so I always rent a car to go other places- downtown Vegas, Hoover Dam, the red rock park. One time we even took the back road along the lake up to St George in Utah.

If you don't gamble, 2 days would be plenty on the strip! I needed a break from all the lights, noise ans cigarette smoke after the first full day. You could drive out to Zion National Park for a long day trip (about 2 hours and 15 minutes each way); there are also some other parks closer to the strip. The drive out to Zion is definitley worth it!

You should definitely rent a car for a day trip to Valley of Fire (UT 167), Red Rock Canyon, and/or Hoover Dam.

We visited Zion NP a few weeks ago. It's a wonderful place, but I believe it is too much for a day trip. We stayed overnight in Springdale, UT.

I believe that giving $20 to a reservation clerk in LV is like throwing $20 out the window (or gambling with it). They have seen it all; they are a cynical bunch.

Thanks for the info!

Did I read somewhere that most hotels (specifically Ballys) have car rental desks? If so, is it a hassle to actually pick up the car? I originally thought to get the car at the airport to make things easier, but maybe I should follow the suggestion to break up the time on the strip. That sounds wise to me.

At either Valley of Fire or Red Rock, are these primarily destinations to drive around to see the rock formations or do people generally park and hike? How long would anyone recommend spending at either? Happytrails...you said 'and/or' Hoover Dam. Could I do one of the parks and Hoover Dam in one day and get back without killing myself in time for a dinner at a nice restaurant? Is that pushing it too much and should I choose just one? If I choose one, would it be a half day trip? I don't have a feel for driving/touring times yet.

You would want to hike. There is a lot of good hikes to be done. Ranging from several short 1 hour hikes to longer 10 hour hikes. There is enough to do there for several hours.