vallumlj

I am going to las vegas at the end of the month and i want to see the grand canyon and the skywalk and if possible the dam. The trips seem to vary in price. I have seen one but it only flies over the dam and lands in the canyon is it worth walking around the dam. They also do self drive trips with a hummer that seems a bit of fun would any one recommend this.

any help would be good, any other trips worth doing.

Thanks

swampster

iTrader: (1)

I personally think the dam is worth walking around and doing the tour.. in fact for me (it's subjective of course) I thought Hoover Dam was the highlight.

You could just do the trip yourself, get a hire car, drive out there.. it's not that long a drive, could also take a visit to Lake Mead the same day.

I wouldn't drive to the Grand Canyon itself... not unless you have loads of time to spare or are planning an overnighter there. While it is doable, it is probably further than it looks and a very long day if you're driving. Beware some of the excursions from LV only take you to the very far western end of the Canyon and not to the main 'south rim' which is near the airport.

Sonic'

Hire a car and drive yourself

we have done that a few years on the run now and well worth it

The Sky Walk part of the Canyon is only about an hours drive away, unlike the 6 hour each way drive that we did, but again that was well worth it

Leslie

Its worth just looking over the edge of the Hoover Dam! It is a long drive to the Grand Canyon but it is an unforgettable sight, I wouldn't miss it myself. We drove there overnight, easy run but took about 6 hours.

There is a mountain not far outside L Vegas, I have forgotten its name, maybe Mount Washington, but I am guessing. That was a good drive up there to see the view and thare was a cafe at the top.

Les

swampster

iTrader: (1)

You mean Mt. Charleston Leslie!?

That's is definitely worth a visit. If nature/scenery etc is your thing then.. Red Rock Canyon and Valley Of Fire are also worth a mention and of course... Death Valley. In truth there's not a lot at Death Valley other than a tick in the box to say you've been there.. Although the 'nearby' Calico Ghost town is interesting.

CaptainJohn

If you`re going to do a trip while in Vegas book this one :

Pink Jeep Tours - Grand Canyon Drive, Fly & Float

Highly recommended .

Or as has already been said hire a motor and drive yourself

Leslie

Yes thats the one Swampster, Mount Washington is one of the highest mountains in the Nevada Desert further north. When we were in Death Valley, a couple walked well out into the dried salt lake at the lowest point in the northern hemisphere and it was pretty obvious to all the spectators what they were up to!

Les

Sonic'

That wasn't me

I really enjoyed Death Valley, and would go again and do the other side

wrx-ian

You must do the Hoover Dam. Is an amazing feat of engeering

Sonic'

Yep Hoover Dam definately worth a visit





And the canyon

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Steve, now you've got me thinking about doing the Grand Canyon It's occurred to me that hiring an RV (or motorhome as we call them ) might be an option as we like self catering. However the American versions look like coaches and I imagine they're horrible to drive

Sonic'

Possibly Sal, but the roads are so big and straight there arent any twisties

I did have to drive back in pitch black through blizzard snow from the Canyon for at least 100 miles or so, but at least I was in a Mitsubishi Gallant

Leslie

We were driving a "rent a wreck" that we hired from a garage just opposite Nellis AFB just north of Vegas. We drove it for a week and reckoned it was reliable enough! There was snow going north from the interstate to the Grand Canyon with a good covering on the road. That old banger was pretty entertaining on that lot believe me It also got to LA/San Diego and back the next long weekend that we had off too. All for $10 a day forces rate! It did not even have a fuzzy dashboard.

Les

john_s

iTrader: (1)

As others have said, I'd recommend hiring a car and driving out to the Hoover Dam (think it took about 20-30 mins).

We drove out to the Grand Canyon too... worth allowing a full day for that; I think it took us about 4 hours from Las Vegas.

Freak

The Gun Store

swampster

iTrader: (1)

Yep definitely should be on your hit list

stevebt

iTrader: (8)

If you want to go to the grand canyon and walk on the skywalk its a 300mile drive from vegas, You can get a bus or helicopter ride and see the east rim but its 200 miles from the proper part of the grand canyon. I drove down to malibu when I was in vegas 300 mile journey as well but its LA so hollywood, disneyworld and muscle beach

scooby-tc

iTrader: (2)

When i went 2 years ago i really fancied doing the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam trip but it worked out quite expensive at the time so we decided to take a tour of all the Hotels/casinos on the strip and beleive me that was a sight to behold.Some of these places are out of this world.Ive heard the helicopter trip at night is an awesome experience aswell and a trip to Freemont Street for the light displays is a must

BooSH

Definatly the gun store, you'll be amazed at how much they don't care, basicly here's the gun, here's the rounds, keep it pointed down the range and crack on !! At one point when i was in the gun store, the guy left us alone and we had two massive hand cannons, one in each hand western styleeee blasting away but when the guy came back he ws less than impressed and kicked us out, we weren't gonna argue as he was a big guy and had a **** load of guns !!!!! Well worth it though and they have some awesome automatic rifles there.
Also get yourself to the Voodoo Lounge and order some cocktails that have smoke pouring out of them like dry ice when they've been poured, brilliant although a little expensive, and just remember there's no windows or clocks in them damn casinos so you can find yourself spending alot of cash and getting extremely pissed like me, i was only there for 3 days but spent about a grand there, was well worth it.
AND go on the rollercoaster on the top of the building, also skydiving was equally as good and good value.

RON

I did a few of these things 2 years ago, drove from Denver though, so a little different, the 'touristy' bit of the canyon is ok, but not half as good as the drive i did, yes, DRIVE to the bottom, there is one road, well, track, thats on Indian land, so you get a permit to drive it, you'll need a 4wd though, as the last 1/2 mile is in water!!
The went to Hoover dam, and did the tour, unrivaled numbers..... you just can't quite figure it out..... then went to vegas, and flew back to the canyon, helicoptered to the bottom, then got on a boat and did an hr ride up the river... awesome....... took this pic of the dam on the way out..... just remember, that that 'little' dam, is actually 1/4 mile wide!!!

salsa-king

oh the shy walk, we did that trip a year last November as the were building the structure, its at the west rim, 3hrs drive from Vegas.

well worth going there as its on the Indian reservation,


HoneyMoon469.flv - Video - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
this was Jo, eating (again) with a view you can only imagine.




Vegas is ace though... make sure you get a meal at the top of the Stratosphire



you get the best view of Vegas






Phil

jods

Freemont Street was entertaining

Leslie

Isn't that where they have all those free slots?

Les