What to do in Vegas and Laughlin when you don't like casinos?
Feb 10th, 2006, 05:35 AM
#1
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What to do in Vegas and Laughlin when you don't like casinos?
A friend and I (women in our 40's) are flying into Las Vegas and staying at Harrah's in Laughlin the second week in March for four nights. The lodging and flights cannot change.
We are attending a softball tournament and will have a couple days of free time, as the kids will be playing mostly early morning and late night games. We will have a car with a GPS but are not familiar with the area. We don't like casinos or glitz. Shopping is okay for a few hours - we like antiquing, flea markets. Any recommendations? Besides shopping, any other interesting sites? Museums, nature? We are not interested in shows at the casinos.
Thanks!
We are attending a softball tournament and will have a couple days of free time, as the kids will be playing mostly early morning and late night games. We will have a car with a GPS but are not familiar with the area. We don't like casinos or glitz. Shopping is okay for a few hours - we like antiquing, flea markets. Any recommendations? Besides shopping, any other interesting sites? Museums, nature? We are not interested in shows at the casinos.
Thanks!
Feb 10th, 2006, 06:28 AM
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Why not visit Hoover Dam? It's quite amazing, and scenic in the daytime. You don't have to take the tour, you can just drive there and park. The road runs across the top of the dam. If you continue on to Arizona you will be in the desert pretty quickly.
As far as museums, there is a branch of the Guggenheim in Las Vegas. It is located in the Venetian Casino Hotel. The Bellagio has a fine art collection as well (heavy on the Picassos if I remember correctly).
Many of the Casinos offer access to their pools and spas (for a price, of course). Try the Mandalay Bay, their pool is supposed to be excellent.
Laughlin is not near the center of Vegas- it's quite far. You will have to drive for quite some time to reach Las Vegas. It's 96 miles.
As far as museums, there is a branch of the Guggenheim in Las Vegas. It is located in the Venetian Casino Hotel. The Bellagio has a fine art collection as well (heavy on the Picassos if I remember correctly).
Many of the Casinos offer access to their pools and spas (for a price, of course). Try the Mandalay Bay, their pool is supposed to be excellent.
Laughlin is not near the center of Vegas- it's quite far. You will have to drive for quite some time to reach Las Vegas. It's 96 miles.
Feb 10th, 2006, 06:45 AM
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Laughlin is next to beautiful Lake Mohave and the Colorado River. Perfect in March for scenic boat trips and water sports. The Topoc Gorge south of Needles is an impressive sight.
The ghosttown at Oatman is fun too.
The ghosttown at Oatman is fun too.
Feb 10th, 2006, 01:12 PM
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Thank you QC and logandog for your suggestions. You have given me some unique ideas - I'd forgotten that the Hoover Dam was out that way. Logandog - I like your siteseeing suggestions. Never been to Needles, nor spent time on the Colorado River or Lake Mohave. Thank you!
Feb 10th, 2006, 01:52 PM
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If you like antiques, you might want to check out the "London Bridge" that's about 60 miles south of Laughlin; it spans Lake Havasu (which was created by Parker Dam, the deepest dam in the world).
I heard that the London Bridge was the most expensive "antique" purchased at it's time (about $2.5 million, sometime in the mid- to late-1960's). The buyer thought he was buying the Tower Bridge, and was somewhat disappointed when he discovered it was a different bridge. But it was built in something like 1830, and was deemed an "antique" purchase for tax reasons. It's the largest "antique" in the world.
I heard that the London Bridge was the most expensive "antique" purchased at it's time (about $2.5 million, sometime in the mid- to late-1960's). The buyer thought he was buying the Tower Bridge, and was somewhat disappointed when he discovered it was a different bridge. But it was built in something like 1830, and was deemed an "antique" purchase for tax reasons. It's the largest "antique" in the world.
Feb 10th, 2006, 02:03 PM
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Also a drive through Red Rock Canyon about 30 miles West of LV is an interesting diversion. A very nice place to hike, or jog if you like. Also a scenic flight over Grand Canyon either fixed wing of helicopter.
Finally, don't miss Hoover Dam.
Finally, don't miss Hoover Dam.
Feb 10th, 2006, 03:54 PM
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If staying in Laughlin definitely take a trip to Oatman..shops, food gunfights and burros wandering around..go thru Oatman and few goldmines behind town..some antique shops across river in Bulhead..busineses there tho open and close daily..also behind Laughlin is some an area area called Xmas tree pass..pretyy back there..but need 4 wheel drive, petroglyphs back there too...and of coursde there is the River and the Lake..and I second the motion for Red Rock Cyn or Valley of Fire outside Vegas..really worht seeing but no where near Laughlin..probably an outside swap meet in Bullhead still too..other than casinos/river not a whole lot to do tho...movies and bowling on laughlin side also..Harrahs has a nice beach area too
Feb 10th, 2006, 04:29 PM
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Jolie - I forgot about the London Bridge - good one!
spokane - Red Rock looks nice but I do thinks it's a little out of the way. Thanks, though.
kin - thanks for the tips on Bullhead City. That's actually where the tournament is being held. Good to know there is something nearby. Many thanks.
spokane - Red Rock looks nice but I do thinks it's a little out of the way. Thanks, though.
kin - thanks for the tips on Bullhead City. That's actually where the tournament is being held. Good to know there is something nearby. Many thanks.
Feb 10th, 2006, 05:44 PM
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The GPS will help but you may want to get some good maps of NV and the surrounding states and take a long look at them before arrival. That way you will have a heads up as to where you want to go since you will be busy with the softball games and the kids. If someone in the groupe is a member of AAA they can help with the maps and tour books......
