Planning my trip to the West Coast (Las Vegas related)

[CRAFTY]

Back again. I've reached Day 9 in my planning schedule. We're heading off to Vegas that day.
I'm thinking of spending 3 days there: to relax a little at the hotel 'cause Day 6 to Day 9 will be pretty rough on my parents & grandma (going to the Grand Canyon & Bryce Canyon during those days: lots of driving, walking, heat, etc...).

Day 9: drive from Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas (261 miles - 4h drive)
--> arrival at the hotel: kick back, maybe hit up the Strip for a while in the afternoon and check out the Fremont Street Experience later in the evening.

Day 10: Las Vegas
--> hit up the Las Vegas Strip. Check out some hotels/casino's (The Wynn, Caesar's Palace, Luxor, Bellagio, The Mirage, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, ...)
---> chilling at the hotel

Day 11: Las Vegas (Hoover Dam)
--> I'm thinking of paying a visit to Hoover Dam. I checked the website. Shit looks pretty impressive. Probably gonna take the Hoover Dam Powerplant Tour ($15). It's a 2 hour tour. It looked pretty cool in Transformers. What do you guys think? Is it worth a visit?

1. Other than that, is there anything else worth visiting in Las Vegas? Is Downtown Las Vegas worth seeing apart from Fremont Street?

2. While staying in Vegas, what hotels would you advise me to stay at? I'm looking for something comfortable (swimming pool for example) and not too far from the Strip. I would've liked to stay at a hotel like the Luxor, MGM or something, but I'm taking a wild guess that the hotels on the Strip are expensive as hell. Am I right? I haven't really started checking out the prices for hotels in Vegas, but I thought I'd ask it here rightaway, since some of you will have been there already.

Thx in advance for the feedback!

[smegma]

Crafty, when you come back can let me know how your hotel was @ Bryce Canyon?

And if you visit Yosemite Park, can you let me know that too?

[CRAFTY]

Sure. Why? Did you have any negative experiences over there perhaps?
And I still have to google Yosemite Park to see if it's worth our time. I think I'd rather spend an extra day in the LA-area than visiting Yosemite Park. I'll see...

[smegma]

Sure. Why? Did you have any negative experiences over there perhaps?
And I still have to google Yosemite Park to see if it's worth our time. I think I'd rather spend an extra day in the LA-area than visiting Yosemite Park. I'll see...

I wanted to go this year with a friend, but he couldn't do it financially, so the plan is to go next year instead.

[CRAFTY]

I see, but keep in mind that I'm not going THIS summer. I'm going on this trip NEXT summer ('09).

Btw, where are all the LA cats on this forum? I'm sure most of you have gone to Vegas a few times already. I'd really appreciate some suggestions/tips/feedback/... Thx!

[smegma]

oh ok... we can go together then!

[Floydness]

if you have some extra bux on u, I highly suggest going to see some shows. Go see Zumanity, KA, The Beattles Love, Mystere, or any other show by Cirque Du Soleil.. AMAZING!

[Retro]

Vegas is tight. I went with my friends and it was just a crazy weekend. MGM i think is affordable but I don't rememeber. I don't really remember the weekend lol.  Come with A LOT of money, I am still paying off my credit card. We just went clubbin every night. I dono if that would be possible if you're going with your family. But you can hit up some shows, they are expensive too and are always sold out. With Vegas you have to plan everything ahead, cause everything is either sold out or has long waiting lines.

Yosemite is ok. Its basicly getting in touch with nature. There are waterfalls, trees.... If you want to relax then hit up Yosemite, but if you want a little more action go to L.A. for an extra day.

[CRAFTY]

^^^^Thx for the feedback, guys.
And yeah, I was planning on going to one of those Cirque Du Soleil shows.

Keep the feedback coming please.

[Floydness]

Ok so if you're planning on going, go to the one at MGM (The Beattles Love) or in New York New York (Zumanity) both really great shows. If you gamble def dont go to the slot machines, and if you do play "wheel of fortune" lol its the best one. Yeah theres so much to do in Vegas just make sure you have money. Also, if you love food and you're on a little bit of a budget go to "The Orleans" hotel and eat at their buffet.. BOMB

[CRAFTY]

Gambling is not even an option to me. The house always wins anyways. You might as well literally burn money.
Thx for the tip about the buffet at The Orleans hotel. Do you have to stay at the hotel in order to eat in their restaurant or can anyone just walk in and eat there?

[Floydness]

anyone can come.. it doesnt matter with any hotel you can just go to the buffet you dont have to stay there.

[CRAFTY]

Alright, cool.
Thx for the tip!