hunterblu

My spouse and I found a good airfare to Las Vegas arriving 9/8/06 around 9:30pm and departing 9/13/06 around 11 am, and that's as far as we've gotten in planning. There are so many options and things to do in the area. I'd like some input / ideas.

We'd like to stay in Vegas maybe 1 or 2 nights (the 11'th and 12th, or maybe just the 12th) and are interested in seeing O at the Bellagio or Le Reve at the Wynn. There is a La Reve show 9/11 but there's not an O show that night, so if O is the show to see we'd have to change the night(s) we stay in vegas to 9/8 9/9 or 9/10. We'd also like to see Dana Carvey who will be performing 9/9 at the Mirage. We're not really into gambling and drinking. We like comedies and shows and are open to suggestions for what to see. Our hearts are not set on any of the aforementioned shows.

The night(s) we stay in Vegas we're thinking about rooms at either Wynn, Bellagio, or Venetian, or Treasure Island. The first 3 choices are based on photographs and Treasure Island is based on practicality.

Outside of Vegas, we've never been to the Grand Canyon, so we'd like to do that. I see where the South Rim and North Rim are both about 4-5 hours drive away, so we thought maybe we spend the night near the Vegas airport 9/8 and then drive somewhere, either towards the North Rim or towards the South Rim, and find a place to stay 9/9 and 9/10 while we explore the Canyon areas. I've looked at hotels in St George, Lake Havasu, and Springdale, Utah. But am not sure which way to go. I also thought about Sedona. We don't want to spend our short vacation driving all the time, though, and if the red rocks near Vegas are just as fascinating as Zion, Bryce or the Grand Canyon then we'd like to know that.

That's basically it, so far. Any ideas / suggestions? Thanks.

hunterblu

Another question--

Is it an easy drive from Vegas to Springdale, Utah at night? Our flight arrives around 9:30 pm in vegas, so it would be midnight before arriving in Springdale, which we can certainly do, as long as its not a hard drive at night for someone not familiar with the area.

lifelist

As you are probably aware, Bellagio/Wynn/Venetian are in a different class than Treasure Island. However, the dates you're looking at staying is mid-week, so you have a chance at good rates at the higher class hotels. I'd probably just stay where you intend to see your show. I've only seen O, but I thought it was fantastic and the fountain-view rooms at the Bellagio are great. I don't really think you can go wrong with your hotel choices.

For a first time visit to the Grand Canyon, I would go to the South Rim. The North Rim is very nice, but doesn't have the facilities, attractions, or viewpoints that the South Rim has.

There's no advantage to staying near the airport the first night as the strip is only minutes from the airport. Just look for the best deal that first night if you're only going to crash and then head out early.

In terms of accommodations at the Grand Canyon, I would go for something in the park or just outside the park gates. St. George is too far from anything, and Springdale is good as a base for Zion, but not for the Canyon.

The road to Zion is mostly interstate highway, so it's easy to travel - it's a straight shot to St. George. After St. George, the road winds a bit, but not too much.

I'd probably do the following:

9/8 - Arrive Vegas - o/n Vegas
9/9 - Drive to South Rim, G.C. - stop by Hoover Dam - o/n park hotel
9/10 - G.C.
9/11 - Drive back to Vegas - o/n Vegas
9/12 - Vegas
9/13 - Fly Home

Two nights in Vegas might be best. If you're driving back 5 hours, then go to a show, and then have to get up early to catch your flight in the morning, you may find yourself rather tired by the end of it all. However, if you have the stamina to do all that, then by all means add another night to the Canyon area and spend only one in Vegas.

The Red Rocks area of Vegas is quite beautiful, but is really only an early evening drive through the park. One could also visit Valley of Fire State Park, which is quite good. However, none of these are in the same class as Zion, Bryce, or Grand Canyon, IMHO.

Lori

Two nights in Vegas is not much considering you arrive at 9:30 p.m. Your plans sound a little ambitious to me, but that is just my opinion.

As the other poster said the Vegas airport is, for all practical purposes, on the Strip. You do not need an airport hotel in that city !! The Bellagio and Wynn's are high end hotels and not worth the money (if you have a budget) for one night, particularly if you arrive that late. Treasure Island is a mid-rate hotel and if budget is a concern there is absolutely nothing wrong with T.I. We stay there often (as well as at the Mirage because we like the location).

La Reve is having lots of production problems and is going to undergo a complete overhaul. Steve Wynn has not done well with the shows at his hotel for one reason or another. I would not waste money on La Reve at this point. O is probably your better bet, altho the new Beatle's/Cirque show at the Mirage ("Love") is supposed to be fantastic (I will see it in Oct. on my next trip up). The new Vegas version of "Phantom of the Opera" is also supposed to be fantastic, another I will see in Oct. I can't wait to see how it stacks up against the "orginal" version.

You can drive to the Grand Canyon in about 4.5-5 hours. Go to the South Rim and stay overnight.

I would just plan on Vegas for a few days and then the Grand Canyon. The weather will be hot in early Sept. and if you are not used to the heat it will be rather uncomfortable.

No matter if you say you are not into gambling and drinking Vegas is a fun place to spend a few days. Just wandering around the big hotels and seeing their unique sights is fun.

TheWeasel

I'd suggest staying in Las Vegas the first 2 nights for sure, then either spend the 10th in LV or drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim.

You'll still be able to see Dana Carvey on the 9th, and you can decide to stay in town on the 10th to see "O" or not. I think you can get away with just 1 night at GC. If you're not hikers, and are only interested in looking at the views, you might find yourself getting really bored if you spend an extra day there. Stay in LV the last night and explore whatever you missed the first couple of nights.

hunterblu

Thanks for the replies.

Is the drive from las Vegas to the South Rim a scenic drive?

What kind of places are there along the way? Or is it desolate?

utahtea

The drive to the S. Rim is more on the desolate side. Kingman has a Old Route 66 museum.

You wanted to know if the red rocks near Las Vegas compared to Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon. Yes & No. Yes these parks have the same kind of beautiful scenery but on a larger scale and no, because the scenery is a little different.

If you don't want to spend a lot of time in the vehicle on this trip, why not just go to Zion Naitonal Park and stay in Springdale. Springdale is right at the gate of Zion. Beautiful views of the canyon and it will give you time to relax and just enjoy the scenery in Zion.

Utahtea

Braunsky

The drive to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is not scenic, other than the drive over Hoover Dam right at the start, but the Canyon is spectacular. However, if you have not made reservations at the GC, you may not be able to get a room in the park at this late date. They are booked a year in advance most of the time. You might have to stay outside of the park. You'll want to time your arrival and departure so that you can see a sunrise and a sunset if at all possible. If you can stand helicopters or small planes (and not everyone can), you might check into a one day or overnight tour from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. They are expensive, but you'll save on auto rental, gas, food, and time driving. As for hotels in Vegas, Ballys and the Flamingo are going to be more moderately priced, with a great location. Check them out at the Harrah's web site (www.caesars.com) for price and availability. Bellagio and Mirgage are at www.mgmmirage.com. "O" is a great show, but very pricy & Bellagio reserves the best seats for guests of the hotel. We saw it from seats close to the back and still enjoyed it tremendously. Check on reservations asap. Mystere, the older Cirque show at Treasure Island is also terrific, and is less expensive. We've seen Mystere three times. Have fun!

TheWeasel

"However, if you have not made reservations at the GC, you may not be able to get a room in the park at this late date. They are booked a year in advance most of the time."

I just checked - there were rooms available at the S. Rim every night.

As for the drive, it depends on your definition of scenic. Some people love the desert, but most would classify the drive as desolate with nothing much to look at.

placeu2

I have to second utahtea's recommendation. With that time frame, I would skip GC and go for Zion. If you feel the need to see more, spend a day at Bryce as well. Short drive from Zion.

At that arrival time in Vegas, McCarren will be crazy busy. Plan on a significant wait for luggage, van shuttle and a long line at the car rental place. IMHO, you will be fortunate to leave there by 11pm. Vegas to St. George is an all interstate drive and should be no problem at night. St. George to Springdale (Zion) is a decent 2 lane road but will be less traveled, less populated and dark...it depends on your comfort level.

Braunsky

There may be a few rooms available at the GC on the dates you specified, but check now and reserve now. They can go quickly. You might get lucky but why wait? I have driven to the South Rim three times from Vegas. In my opinion it is not a scenic drive except going over Hoover Dam and when you get to the Canyon. I had difficulty getting rooms at the GC we wanted even booking ten months to a year in advance. The only lodge with any rooms on the 11th is Yavapai, and only at Yavapai and Thunderbird on the 12th. (Check www.xanterra.com - official site for the company running the GC lodges) Red Rock Canyon near Vegas is beautiful, we've been there many times, but not anywhere near the same class as the Grand Canyon. That may be enough for you this trip, however. Do some research, decide what looks good to you, and don't depend just on people posting to Fodor's!

yuelulu

I'd recommend Mystere or Le Reve over O or Ka. Just preference. I think it is a better value and better show. Either way, book early and book directly through the hotel or website. You can still cancel I believe 24 hrs before showtime (24 or 48 not sure).
With so much planned, paying extra for Wynn,Bell, or Ven seems a waste, you'll never be there. I'd save the money. TI, Mirage, Paris, MGM, would do you just fine.
The airport is only a 10 minute drive so don't sweat that.