Has anyone ever made the treck from Vegas to see the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon? If so:

Is it worth it?

How much does it cost?

How far is it from the strip?

How much time needs to be set aside?

Im going to Vegas next month and although Ive been there plenty Ive never made that trip. Also, was thinking of seeing the show "Love" any thoughts on that? Thanks.

I haven't seen "love" but have been told its the best of all the Cirque shows out there by someone that has seen most of them. If you've seen many Cirque shows, then don't bother w/ Ka' (the one at MGM). O was pretty good, but after seeing a lot of the stunts at other Cirque shows, Ka' losses some of the typical Cirque 'magic'. yeah there is a huge moving/vertical wall climbing thing that is cool, but there isn't the multiple stunts w/ people flying 50' off the ground that knocks you off your feet.

My Wife went out to the Grand Canyon on some sort of travel package when she was out there 5 years ago, I think they had to leave pretty early and didn't get home until late afternoon. She did enjoy it, but unless your willing to give up a whole day it may not be for you. However, since you've been to Vegas several times, it could make for a nice diversion from the typical.

I've only seen the Grand Canyon from the window of a plane, but it was definently awe inspiring. I don't think I've ever heard somebody say otherwise, one of those things you've got to see to believe if you will.

As far as Hoover damn, It probably depends on what interests you. To some its a huge engineering marvel with a great history, to others its a large concrete wall.

I went to Vegas back in January. If he's still there, go see George Wallace at the Flamingo or Wayne Brady at the Venetian. I didn't get to see either show unfortunately, but both have gotten great reviews.

Where are you staying out there? Stayed at Harrah's myself, and it was OK, but certainly nothing special (ditto for the casino downstairs).

I went to Hoover Dam last month. First time I'd been there in many years. Wasn't what I remembered with all the security measures and restricted areas. About a 40 minute drive from Vegas.

If you want to do it with more style I think you can signup for helicopter tour for about $300 per person. Which includes tours of the Dam and the Canyon.

I also hit the Las Vegas Speedway which I enjoyed more than Hoover Dam. Take a ride around the track with a 70 year-old granny behind the wheel of the van. Tour the luxury suites. Only about $8 I think.

There's also the Richard Petty driving experience at the speedway if you need the rush of 600hp. A friend of mine signed up and I think it was a couple hundred bucks. Although he kept referring to it as the Tom Petty driving experience. Speeding Tour Bus anyone?

It is well worth the trip just to see the Grand Canyon. I know the park entrance fee is $20 per car. If I remember right the trip is a little under 5 hours to the south rim. I would plan on spending at least a day at the canyon especially if you like hiking. There are some nice easy trails along the rim or if you're looking for something a little more challenging you can do a day or overnight hike into the canyon. The Hoover Dam is worth at least seeing if you're in the area but like Iguana mentioned they have a lot of security measures in place now.

One thing I should mention....I am a civil engineer and an avid hiker/backpacker (hiked the canyon 3 times and have spent over 15 nights in the bottom near the Colorado River) so the combination of those 2 places is like heaven for me!

Since I live in northern Arizona, I have to cross the Dam everytime I go to Vegas, it's pretty neat but with the water being so low it kind of spoils some of it.

the tour is still pretty cool where you go down inside the dam, expect to spend the better part of the day there and at lake mead which is right before the dam.

The helicopter ride into the dam is awesome, esp when the pilot drops from the top of the dam straight down to the bottom of it.

What it cool is to watch transformers before you go and then compare how much they had to do with CG to make it look full of water.

As for the Grand Canyon, the glass skywalk is awesome but very expensive ($75 per person last time I was there) and very scary, nothing like standing on a piece of glass overhanging the canyon.

If you are into any type of motor sports the Speedway and dragstrip is a must see, if your there on a weekend there is usually something going on there, I got to drive the new nissan GT-R there before the were released to the public. there also is a bull ring circle track there also.

A low budget activity for a afternoon- late evening is going downtown and seeing the 6 block long TV and watching some of the things they have going on there, also check out the pool at the golden nugget, the have a shark tank in the middle of it that you can slide through.

if you need some suggestions on things to do there send me a sitemail and I can share some more cool things, I only get there about every other month now but used to make the drive there every day for work and a little play.

i went to a conference in vegas about 10-15 years ago and i had an extra day so i rented a car and drove to Hoover Dam. I'm glad I did it... It was amazing.

I also played golf at an indian reservation about 30 minutes out of town. While there I noticed there was a nearby mountain with snow at the peak, It was february but was 50-60 degrees in vegas and since i was living in new orleans at the time, was fascinated by moutains and snow.

So I drove up the mountain (it wasnt as close as it looked, but still within 30 minutes of the golf course.) and sure enough, there was snow! blew my mind. not too long after that, i moved to upstate NY. snow does not excite me quite as much now.

listen to baloo he is on point

Love no, George Wallace HELL no...Wayne Brady meh. I've seen him twice and he was better the first time -- his new show is a lot of singing, and not as much improv. Which is fine, but maybe not worth 90 bucks.

Ron White will be at the Mirage a couple days next month -- the 12th and 13th IIRC (he's pretty good live), and Craig Ferguson will be there the 4th and the 5th. He's actually so damn good live that I had to fight off looking up flights to Vegas to see him (just saw him a week ago and nearly ****** myself).

Also June 12th, the Rescue Me Comedy Tour hits the Hard Rock out there -- saw this the last time it rolled around and it was VERY worth it. Don't know if you watch the show, but Denis Leary alone is worth the price of admission there.

I got a $1000 says once you get there you forget about all that **** above and never leave the tables :)

I agree with daveymac although there are alot of other cool things to do such as going to the Ferrari dealer inside the Wynn casino, or walking the mile loop of stores inside Planet Holloywood.

sometimes just doing the stupid tourist things can be a fun diversion from just gambling, I think by the time you get there the new hard rock club will be open on the strip and it's always cool to check out their casino with all the memorabilia they have, plus they have the coolest bar right in the center of the casino.

There's so much more to do in Vegas then just gambling, but if your single and want to lose your money and have fun check out planet hollywood, there you can play blackjack and watch the gogo dancers not more then 3 feet from your table, it's a total distraction but a great way to lose your money and enjoy the sites at the same time.

Wow...thanks for all the suggestions and comments, I'm thinking that helicopter ride/tour might be the way to go, it cost $400.00 but the descrition was amazing.

To answer some questions.

Staying at Caesars, I go to Vegas twice a year so no this isnt my first trip. However, as Davey so elequantly put it, I typically gamble almost the entire time I'm there so trying to expand the horizons a bit. So far here is the plan:

1) Arrive Thursday night June 24 - check in - go to Prive

2) Friday - Day cash game (Poker Caesars) - 7:30 show for Love (Was the plan) - Drink gamble at night.

3) Saturday - Poker tournament either WSOP event OR Bellagio Cup. That day is my birthday so at night we'll go to dinner (open to suggestions of good steak houses) then out maybe Pure.

4) Sunday Rehab at the Hard Rock and Gambling

5) Monday Was thinking Hoover Damn/Grand Canyon - That Tom Petty (kidding) driving experience sounds awesome; they have one here that I've always wanted to do but never have, but I heard the experience is amazing;

6) Tuesday - Recover and take red-eye back.

As you can see there as alot of gaps in time which need to be filled. I know the World Cup is going on at that time so Ill probably watch some of that.

Go to Sapphire. First time (and only time) I went to Vegas I ended up there. It was the weekend of the Mayweather/Marquez fight. I don't feel like I'm exaggerating, but it seemed like 200+ girls in there. Gary Payton sat next to me and we shot the sh*t for a while. The girls are very aggressive there. Felt weird to be jumped on right when you walk in the door. But, if you are single and into the clubs like that, its an easy way to spend an hour or two...and a couple hundred bucks real quick!

By the way, what is your game of choice? I prefer 3 card poker, not much thinking involved and I've always won (at any casino I've played at).

Quote: Originally Posted By ardthomp on 5/14/2010
By the way, what is your game of choice? I prefer 3 card poker, not much thinking involved and I've always won (at any casino I've played at).

Poker, Craps, go fish (j/k)...Black Jack but not in vegas since we have it here...3-Card poker is a ton of fun but can get expenssive when your not winning and trust me you dont always win! I love craps though...