where outside of Vegas?
 

spending two or three nights there, and will have another three nights before returning to NYC. <BR> <BR>Anyone have any suggestions of a direction to head, maybe towards skiing, maybe to some hip and fun place by car, perhaps mountain climbing, peyote taking, tennis playing, water skiing? Is Lake Mead cool? <BR> <BR>We can even do Fear and Loathing outside of las Vegas, a different place each night. <BR> <BR>Time to kill, time to have fun and explore! <BR> <BR>J

You need to let us know the time of year when you will be visiting. First, I would just spend the whole time in Las vegas. There is more than enough to occupy your time for at least a week. There are numerous tours to Lake Mead, Grand Canyon, etc. Freebie tour to Laughlin. You can play tennis, golf, etc.

arriving on March 28, checking out April 3rd, which I think is a Saturday night. <BR> <BR>But isn't there a place we can drive to within three hours and hang out? <BR> <BR>I like to travel, experience, and just prefer not to be in Vegas the whole week. <BR> <BR>It's like if someone asked me where to go outside of New York, I'd say take a train one day to Philadelphia then to Baltimore, maybe to D.C, back to the apple. Yep, two nights in Manhattan would do it. <BR> <BR>so I'm asking the same thing.

I see where you are coming from. I can't really think of any outstanding places to visit within 3 hours and I know that area like the palm of my hand. Of course it depends what you find interesting. For tennis and gold, Las Vegas is the best in the area. It will probably be too cold for water skiing at least for me it would be. Of course you could possibly get some real warm weather. One possibly would be a visit to Death Valley. It is kind of interesting and the time of year is perfect. The Grand Canyon is an excellent choice but doesn't fall within your 3 hour radius.

Should have been "tennis and golf" not "tennis and gold" though that may be true also.

Let me articulate more. I live in Manhattan. <BR> <BR>if someone from Vegas was visiting New York and had a week, again, I'd say be in the apple from Thursday night through Sunday and then head up to the Catskills, or to the Hamptons or to the Jersey shore, maybe Philadelphia. <BR> <BR>While of course, one could easily be in Manhattan for a month or a year for that matter, and never run out of things to do, think there is more than Manhattan to see within a week. <BR> <BR>No golf, just tennis. <BR> <BR>We like funky restaurants, with local flavor. <BR> <BR>So no chains, local ribs, southwestern food. <BR> <BR>Should we head into Arizona or California? <BR> <BR>What is with Needles? <BR> <BR>J

The farthest we got outside Vegas was 1/2 hour, not three, but definitely worth the trip -- Red Rock Canyon. Rent an SUV (or even without is pretty cool) and spend the day hiking and exploring. Have fun!

Jordan: <BR> <BR>Las Vegas is not NYC. The west is much more spread out then the east coast. For quite some distance, the countryside is pretty well the same no matter which way you travel. Red Rock Canyon is an option. I personally would do Death Valley but to each their own. <BR> <BR>Needles is a small non descript city on the border of AZ and CA at the Colorado river. It is definitely a waste of time to visit. <BR> <BR>I am in no way trying to discourage you or knock the area. I have lived most of my life in the desert. I love Las Vegas. However the desert areas around Las Vegas are pretty boring and barren. There are some neat rock formations but they are hardly worth a special trip. The most interesting desert areas of the US are in AZ around Phoenix but that is too far. <BR> <BR>Everybody has a different view of the countryside in this area. Some people think it is boring and ugly while others are fascinated by the desert. <BR> <BR>The road ( I-15 ) into California is one of the most boring drives you will ever see in your life. There is absolutely nothing but vast wastelands. The road into AZ is not much better until you go quite a long ways. Flagstaff and Sedona in AZ are well worth visiting but they are past your 3 hour radius. Think of Las Vegas as being an oasis plunked in the middle of nowhere. <BR> <BR>As far as restaurants go, you will find anything that you want right in Las Vegas. I suggest that you visit the web site: &lt; www.lvol.com &gt;. It has great info on Las vegas and a great BBS. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world and has something to suit all people. There are restaurants where 2 people can eat for &lt; $4.00 to where a meal for 2 will cost &gt; $600.00. There are many names that you should recognize like "Spagos". <BR> <BR>One option that you may want to try are the tours. That is a great way to see the area and pretty inexpensive. Any Las Vegas travel guide will have tons of them listed. They pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel. They even have a free one day tour to Laughlin, NV that includes a free buffet lunch/dinner. There are no obligations or catches. <BR> <BR>Good luck to you.

It may be hard for a "city rat" (meant, in the best sense) to comprehend, but them's really "wide open spaces" out there. I felt the same way too...fine, see a little of LV, but let's hop in a car and see what else.....Surprise! there is NO what else. We headed for that Red Canyon (or whatever the name was) - it was a good hour out of Las Vegas, and the temp was around 100. When I exited the freeway and saw we had another 20 mile or so drive over a totally deserted gravel road, and I hadn't had the brains or forethought to pack so much as a bottle of water, we went to Plan B, and headed right back to Vegas. If your budget permits, hop a flight to LA or SF if you want to see something else...but seeing anything but gray desert just isn't possible within 3 hours of LV.

Jordan - For 'action' stay in Vegas. If you want solitude and a 'get back to nature' approach, and away from man-made places, then Death Valley in CA or Zion in UT would be ideal. Closer to Vegas, suggest you head to either Valley of Fire State Park or Red Rock Canyon. The suggestion to catch a flight to SF or LA may be more what you had in mind.

Jordan: <BR>How frustrating to be continually told to stay in Vegas. Many I'm sure will not understand, but I spent 3 nights in Vegas and it was WAY TOO MUCH! I'll never return - not my cup of tea. I like to see the naturally geography and outdoors attractions of the country and history much more. We took the Red Rock Canyon drive which is moderately interesting - and I'm from a plains state - been to the rockies in Colorado too many times I guess. I looked into driving to Zion National Park in SW Utah when we were in Vegas - it's about 3 hrs. according to several maps I looked at. Haven't been to S. Utah before, but my parents love it. Might be something for you to look into - Utah has some of the most unusual and interesting geography in the country.

I agree that Las Vegas is not everybodies dream vacation. However 40 million visitors a year would seem to suggest that some people like it. <BR> <BR>My suggestion is don't visit Las Vegas if it is not your cup of tea. As I have said repeatedly, the attraction of Las Vegas is Las Vegas itself. It is not a very good choice of locations if you intend to use it as a base for short trips. San Francisco, San Diego, etc. are much better choices if that is what you want.

Our family is planning to visit Las Vegas the same week, and I agree, I don't want to stay there the whole time. It's an awesome place, but.... I want to see other places too! <BR> <BR>We're staying for 4 nights and then driving to San Diego. There's plenty to see and do there. The beaches and the bay sound terrific! (I'm under the impression it's about a 5 hour drive.)

Jason, here you go. Definitely go to southern Utah. End of March is a nice time to visit Zion. It's about a 3 hour drive. I lived in Utah for 11 years and am a southern CA native, so I know what I'm talking about. Zion is awesome and you should see and hike it. If you want to cover more ground, go up to Bryce also. It's about 2 hours further, but at 8,000 ft., so it would still be cold. If you like serious hiking there is plenty to do at Zion. If not, you can do easy beautiful short hikes, get some great photography at sunrise, and enjoy the funky little town of Springdale right outside the park. It has a couple of interesting galleries and a couple of fun local watering holes. PS: Personally, I hate LV and prefer Mother Nature's attractions. Have fun!

My first reply didn't work. Zion is great in spring. If you like serious hiking there's enough to do for 3 days. If not, do some easy sight seeing, sunrise photography (it's worth getting up for!!!!), and enjoy the tiny town of Springdale just outside the park. They have a couple of interesting galleries, a couple of fun local watering holes and several B&Bs and motels. I lived in Utah for 11 years and Zion is one of my favorite places. It's awesome and you should see it. <BR> <BR>Alternative: head west and ski at Mammoth. There is tons of snow this year (as usual) and they will be open at least through Memorial Day weekend. Yes, really. I've skied there on the 4th of July. E mail me if you want details.

Hi Jordan- Well you can't compare Vegas to NYC- you are staying out in God's country - the big wide open West and its BIG! Lots of no mans land in between cities. My daughter goes to school at UTAH state University, 5 hours drive north and comes home thru Vegas. The landscape North of Vegas gets prettier and more unusual the further North you drive. Red red rocks, red dirt, deep gorges full of water. We went on a tour and saw Brigham Young University and some of the other campus's and Temples. If you've never seen a Mormom temple, wow! Salt Lake City with its huge Lake and awesome ski resorts is beautiful. My daughter goes to school in Logan- another hour North and in the Mountains. One hour north of that is Bear Lake. Met an 11 year old Indian girl there that sold me magnificent handmade turquoise jewelry for $5 a necklace. I still look at them and twirl them in my hand. We took some boys from Holland to Vegas and then on a tour of Hoover dam and them over to Grand Canyon for a night.A lot of kids your age like the Colorado River and Laughlin. Think you can rent jet skis or just camp and hangout. Its hoppin in the summer. And if anyone is interested-- the Winter Olympics committee is looking for college kids to work at the Olympic site in Salt Lake- my daugher thinks its once in a lifetime chance and is doing it. If you attend a college or University maybe they can tell you where to apply. <BR> <BR> So..Jordon- look up Utah on the internet- there are some national parks of interest within a 3-4 hour drive of you, if you head North. If you've never seen the Grand Canyon- go! <BR>later- Tricia

Go to see the Hoover Dam - take the tour - it's a leisurely drive out of Vegas. Lake Mead is okay for renting jet skis, etc. Go rock climing in Red Rock Canyon, another short trip outside of Vegas. Then go on to Mt. Charleston. Want an interesting restuarant in Vegas (not strip - near UNLV) try Mammounia's. Mid-east fare in a very unique setting. Go see the Fremont experience downtown Vegas - last show is at midnight - it's pretty nice. Enjoy Vegas for what it is, don't fight the decadence, revel in it. By the way, Emeril's is in the MGM Grand Hotel is you want some fabulous N'Orleans cookin'.

Hey Jordan--If you go to Red Rock Park, a bit farther down the road from there is this bizarre petting zoo . In there, is a great little basic food (burger, fries) cafe--talk about "funky" and "local flavor" Trust me, this is like no zoo you've ever seen! Also, take previous writer's advice; enjoy LV as a very unique place , glitzy and fun and crazy--I never thought I'd love it , but went last year for four days, never a dull moment(and I don't gamble!!) Bon voyage. <BR>

Jordon, <BR>Lake Mead is amazing and not just for jet skis. We rented a houseboat for 3 nights. The scenery is high desert mountains and plateaus. The water will be cold that time of year but if the temperature is high, a quick dip is refreshing. There are very few boats on the lake, so you can have lots of privacy! You can easily spend an entire day on the lake with a rental boat or jet ski. It's most beautiful at dawn and sunset. Ditto the comments on Red Rocks. There is a very small ski area just northwest of Vegas at Mount Charleston.