2 days in Vegas what to do/see
Discussion
as part of next year's holiday we've got a '4-day' stop-over in Vegas (in reality this is actually only 2 full days as we're flying in on day 1 and flying out early PM on day 4) and were trying to get a plan together so we can 'see the highlights'.
Never having been anywhere near there my immediate thought is to hire a car for days 2 & 3 and do a d.i.y. visit to some of (as a quick off the top of my head bunch of ideas):
Hoover Dam
Grand and/or Bryce Canyon
Joshua Tree
Death Valley
what would you lot recommend (not just WRT the above but other ideas)?
Never having been anywhere near there my immediate thought is to hire a car for days 2 & 3 and do a d.i.y. visit to some of (as a quick off the top of my head bunch of ideas):
Hoover Dam
Grand and/or Bryce Canyon
Joshua Tree
Death Valley
what would you lot recommend (not just WRT the above but other ideas)?
The Hoover Dam is just on the edge of town, so easy to visit and/or as a stopoff on the way to the Grand Canyon.
You can also combine the Dam with a loop past Lake Mead into the Valley of Fire park - as seen on many tv shows such as Top Gear.
The drive to the proper south rim of the Canyon is 4 or 5 hours each way, so a complete day just to do that - maybe not the best use of the time unless you have a fundamental opposition to spending time in casinos.
Death Valley is closer and can be done as an easier day trip, when I did it I went via the Rhyolite ghost town which is close to one of the northern entrances to DV and worked my way back down to the 'Star Wars' lookout. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite,_Nevada
I've been to Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon in the past, but not as trips from Vegas, so no idea how practical either of those trips would be.
As for Vegas itself - it's just wandering about admiring the 'neon', trying to win your fortune, catch a show or concert, have a posh dinner, etc.
You can also combine the Dam with a loop past Lake Mead into the Valley of Fire park - as seen on many tv shows such as Top Gear.
The drive to the proper south rim of the Canyon is 4 or 5 hours each way, so a complete day just to do that - maybe not the best use of the time unless you have a fundamental opposition to spending time in casinos.
Death Valley is closer and can be done as an easier day trip, when I did it I went via the Rhyolite ghost town which is close to one of the northern entrances to DV and worked my way back down to the 'Star Wars' lookout. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyolite,_Nevada
I've been to Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon in the past, but not as trips from Vegas, so no idea how practical either of those trips would be.
As for Vegas itself - it's just wandering about admiring the 'neon', trying to win your fortune, catch a show or concert, have a posh dinner, etc.
If you're short of time you could visit the Grand Canyon via a small airplane trip or land at the bottom in a helicopter - everyone was scrambling for the front seats behind the pilot, but they loaded us in weight order and I was at the back and had the best views.
If you're going to Bryce, you may as well visit the Grand Canyon via the North Rim and incorporate a visit to Zion National Park. When I went years ago, something like 7% of visitors visited the North Rim and that has now gone up to 10% with a small amount of development such as the Skywalk. I went to the South Rim a few years after that and I much preferred the North Rim.
Death Valley. Yeah nice, but a little samey meh. Just be careful to stock up on supplies and fuel when you can. We nearly ran out of fuel and got to the fuel station 1 minute before they closed for the evening.
If you're going to Bryce, you may as well visit the Grand Canyon via the North Rim and incorporate a visit to Zion National Park. When I went years ago, something like 7% of visitors visited the North Rim and that has now gone up to 10% with a small amount of development such as the Skywalk. I went to the South Rim a few years after that and I much preferred the North Rim.
Death Valley. Yeah nice, but a little samey meh. Just be careful to stock up on supplies and fuel when you can. We nearly ran out of fuel and got to the fuel station 1 minute before they closed for the evening.
I've visited Vegas a lot, both as a destination and a starting point for the south-west US and the Utah National Parks - which are some of the most fantastic places on the planet IMO and deserving of multiple visits.
Both Zion and Bryce in Utah are amazing, and are within a days drive of Vegas, but you would spend a lot of time in the car, particularly for Bryce, which personally I think is too far for a comfortable day trip. Zion will take you about 2.5 hours each way, but access to the valley itself is via a shuttle bus system. Depending upon when you visit you may have to queue for a while, and also find parking difficult as the visitor centre car park quickly fills up.
If you want to see the Grand Canyon, I would take a sightseeing trip on a plane. You will get a much better and lengthier view, with less of your precious two days wasted on driving what are (from memory) not terribly interesting roads to the south rim.
Joshua Tree is "ok", but not worth the long return drive from Vegas just to visit it, given the time you have. Death Valley is a super interesting place, but again a pretty long return trip to get there, drive a decent way through, see some of the key sights and overlooks and then head back. Personally I'd save it for a trip from Vegas through to San Fran, including Yosemite.
It's not 100% clear, but I think this is your first time in Vegas. If that's the case, my itinerary would include seeing some of Vegas itself in the evenings, with one evening on the Strip and the other downtown in Fremont Street. For your daytime activities I'd probably do Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park on one day, and a drive into Red Rock Canyon and a Grand Canyon Plane trip on the second.
There are plenty of places to hire cars, and you could get something cool like a V8 Mustang. Alternatively I've found companies like Viator pretty good for day trip itineraries.
For all of the "sin city" and "24 hour party" image, much of the mainstream tourist parts of Vegas have closed down by about 1am. The casinos are open 24h and you can always find somewhere to drink, but your company is likely to be somewhat less salubrious. There's a pretty sleazy underbelly to the city (which having visited a lot, I've perhaps inevitably experienced first hand), so do have your wits somewhat about you, and don't leave drinks unattended.
Both Zion and Bryce in Utah are amazing, and are within a days drive of Vegas, but you would spend a lot of time in the car, particularly for Bryce, which personally I think is too far for a comfortable day trip. Zion will take you about 2.5 hours each way, but access to the valley itself is via a shuttle bus system. Depending upon when you visit you may have to queue for a while, and also find parking difficult as the visitor centre car park quickly fills up.
If you want to see the Grand Canyon, I would take a sightseeing trip on a plane. You will get a much better and lengthier view, with less of your precious two days wasted on driving what are (from memory) not terribly interesting roads to the south rim.
Joshua Tree is "ok", but not worth the long return drive from Vegas just to visit it, given the time you have. Death Valley is a super interesting place, but again a pretty long return trip to get there, drive a decent way through, see some of the key sights and overlooks and then head back. Personally I'd save it for a trip from Vegas through to San Fran, including Yosemite.
It's not 100% clear, but I think this is your first time in Vegas. If that's the case, my itinerary would include seeing some of Vegas itself in the evenings, with one evening on the Strip and the other downtown in Fremont Street. For your daytime activities I'd probably do Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Valley of Fire State Park on one day, and a drive into Red Rock Canyon and a Grand Canyon Plane trip on the second.
There are plenty of places to hire cars, and you could get something cool like a V8 Mustang. Alternatively I've found companies like Viator pretty good for day trip itineraries.
For all of the "sin city" and "24 hour party" image, much of the mainstream tourist parts of Vegas have closed down by about 1am. The casinos are open 24h and you can always find somewhere to drink, but your company is likely to be somewhat less salubrious. There's a pretty sleazy underbelly to the city (which having visited a lot, I've perhaps inevitably experienced first hand), so do have your wits somewhat about you, and don't leave drinks unattended.
Hoover Dam is easily doable and worth it. We enjoyed going up the Stratt Tower the view of the city was amazing. Fremont Street for a couple of hours in the evening. Ubers are uch cheaper than the limos outside of the hotel & dont foget if you want a couple of drinks before you gom out in the evening sit at a slot machine and they will bring them over.
some excellent ideas/advice there chaps - appreciated 
As it was mentioned I will say that this will be our first trip to Vegas, in fact our first trip to the West(ish) Coast full-stop, his is just a bolt-on/stop-over which will precede our cruise hence the (relatively) short stay. WRT gambling etc not really our bag - but it seems silly not to have a (VERY) little flutter whilst there neither of us are drinkers either so that's another issue out of the way.
Will check the show schedule a little later in the year, had a quick look earlier and there didn't seem to be a huge amount - but as we're there 1st thing after New Year I guess it's either 'off season' or schedule swap-over.
As it was mentioned I will say that this will be our first trip to Vegas, in fact our first trip to the West(ish) Coast full-stop, his is just a bolt-on/stop-over which will precede our cruise hence the (relatively) short stay. WRT gambling etc not really our bag - but it seems silly not to have a (VERY) little flutter whilst there neither of us are drinkers either so that's another issue out of the way. Will check the show schedule a little later in the year, had a quick look earlier and there didn't seem to be a huge amount - but as we're there 1st thing after New Year I guess it's either 'off season' or schedule swap-over.
Honestly, forget Bryce, Zion, Joshua Tree. You can't begin to do them justice on a day trip from Vegas. For my money and in no particular order:
- Helicopter ride to GC via Hoover Dam.
- Take in a show
- Just wandering round the Strip. Yes it's tacky but it's also quite an amazing place. You can easily fill a day just walking around, watching the Bellagio fountains, gawping at the sheer awfulness of the Venetian and Caesar's Palace
- Hire a Corvette and get out to Red Rock Canyon
- Go to a range and fire some big guns
DodgyGeezer said:
As it was mentioned I will say that this will be our first trip to Vegas, in fact our first trip to the West(ish) Coast full-stop, his is just a bolt-on/stop-over which will precede our cruise hence the (relatively) short stay. WRT gambling etc not really our bag - but it seems silly not to have a (VERY) little flutter whilst there neither of us are drinkers either so that's another issue out of the way.
This sounds quite similar to what we did about a month ago, Vegas, LA, then a cruise to Mexico, while I enjoyed most of it I would go back....to any of it.Our time in Vegas was pretty much tied up with out wedding, but in general we just did lots of walking about the 'strip' which if I'm honest is just a bit 'meh', going from hotel to hotel just seeing who's outdone who with the levels of 'why', but fun in a cheesy sort of way.
I wouldn't recommend walking from the 'new strip' to Fremont, it's further than you think and gets quite dodgy quite quickly, although you do get to go past the Pawn Shop from the TV show.
The Deuce Bus which goes from one end to the other is a better option, Fremont looks more fun than 'new Vegas' at night.
No mater how old you are have ID on you, we both got IDed in the supermarket buying Champagne for the room, we both turn 50 this year.
We had hoped to do a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon but unfortunately it was cancelled due to the wind.
What we though was if you have traveled to the big hitters in Europe, Vegas is like buying it from Wish, not quite right, a bit smaller, and a lot busier.
I would recommend getting married there though.
Mercdriver said:
You are on PH so maybe a car fan? Try the car museum on the hotel on the strip, sorry forget its name.
That was at Imperial Palace, and is long gone.IP has had two further names since and has been totally re-done.
There's still the Shelby museum and workshop further down Las Vegas Blvd, and there's tours around Counts Customs and the other TV show that does rusty cars. (Although I have only done the Shelby shop).
As above, I'm not sure there's much fun to be had just wandering between resorts for the sake of it - there might have 25 years ago when they were all themed, but now they are all just fake luxury. Intead work out a few bars/attractions/etc what you want to spend time at.
Agree too on the walk from The Strip to Downtown, once you are north of Wynn there are more and more empty lots and homeless etc. I like walking in general but wouldn't waste the time and just get the bus or Uber.
There is a somewhat gentrified district between The Strip and Downtown with a load of independent bars and restaurants - almost like a real city! - when you are bored of all the chain or celebrity restaurants in the casinos.
Edited by Truckosaurus on Thursday 11th May 12:44
deckster said:
Honestly, forget Bryce, Zion, Joshua Tree. You can't begin to do them justice on a day trip from Vegas. For my money and in no particular order:
I second this if you only have 2 days do Vegas.- Helicopter ride to GC via Hoover Dam.
- Take in a show
- Just wandering round the Strip. Yes it's tacky but it's also quite an amazing place. You can easily fill a day just walking around, watching the Bellagio fountains, gawping at the sheer awfulness of the Venetian and Caesar's Palace
- Hire a Corvette and get out to Red Rock Canyon
- Go to a range and fire some big guns
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