ottotheboar

Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam well worth the trip. You can rent a car and drive there. Try to get the car at the hotel as they try to get you to pick up at McCarren and ding you with the airport charge.

Jerseygirl

Several past threads on what to do and see in the Vegas area. Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon...

Jan Alaska

We did a flightseeing tour of the grand canyon which was about $140 each and great. Also don't miss the fountains at the Belaggio.

N1cky

First time we went to Vegas we stayed at The Paris and had a fantastic room overlooking the Bellagio fountains, first 10 times they went off we were 'oooh look at the fountains', by the end of the trip it was 'bloody fountains are going again'


It could be snowing in Vegas at that time of year, I seem to remember it was quite heavy over Christmas a couple of years ago.

There are also tons of things to do in the hotels that don't involve going to the casino

cranston

+1. I stayed there this August

Dougster75

We went about Jan 19th this year and found it pretty warm generally - t-shirt/light jacket weather - but we may have been lucky and that was a bit later than you. Stayed at New York New York - place was quite cool but the rooms were very basic. Stayed at the Aria on next trip in March and that was much nicer. Slightly back from the strip but only by 100 metres (so a cab ride for most of the clientele).

Money-wise, probably depends entirely on your personality. You can lose a lot very quickly if you are impatient and don't get very lucky but you can stretch a small amount endlessly if you have a bit of luck and play boldly but carefully. We found the cheapest table minimums on the strip at Paris ($10 blackjack). Sometimes the cheapest way to drink in Vegas is to gamble slowly with free drinks...

Enjoy!

Doug.

Sancho_p

That was a rarity. Worst snow in LV for 30+ years, and 2 days later it was 58 degress F. That said it can get cold at nights, dipping below freezing.


Cheapest Blackjack in town is at Hooters on Tropicana, just over from the MGM, at $3 minimum. Many places have $5 minimums too.

For free shows I would add the Volcano outside the Mirage and the Pirate Show outside Treasure Island.

if youre a fan, don't miss Big Elvis singing for free at Bill's Gambling Hall.

tonrob

We did a side trip to Zion NP, stopping off at Valley of Fire SP along the way. Absolutely excellent trip, as long as you enjoy sort, steep hikes. Views were simply stunning, and I much preferred this to the (in my opinion over-rated) Grand Canyon, as in the smaller parks you can more easily get right in there and enjoy the park rather than just look in from the rim. Much more reward for the same amount of effort, and it's closer too. If you do Zion then it's best to stop overnight in the charming little gateway town on Springdale, UT - look on Tripadvisor for places to stay.

Edit: bonus in January will be lack of crowds.

Valley of Fire - an hour or so from Las Vegas:







Zion National Park - under 3 hours from Las Vegas:

HotCoffee

Wow, thanks for all the information, guys!

And for those photos of Zion Park. It certainly is stunning.

I went to the Grand Canyon in 2000, but it's certainly something you couldn't get bored of doing so I will see if that can be fitted into the schedule.

I guess I'll just take a mixture of clothing, to be on the safe side.

I'm not a big spender - I'm really quite disciplined - so don't envisage going too crazy in the casinos. But as it is a form of entertainment, I don't mind losing a bit of cash (a couple of $100), for the thrill of the potential win.

Englishman43

Tonrob - Is that a pic of Angels landing , bit hairy going up there toward the top isn't it ?

O.P - I have to go to a convention there once a year and always stay at the Wyndham Suites, off the strip but very nice.

scrubbedexpat097

Why do you think PG enjoyed her stay there

tonrob

Just a tad! The exhilaration at the top was only marred by the realization that we had to come down again...

Poppy girl

I know you will think I am kidding but I never used the pool or knew that there was a naked pool I swear,but I had better to go back just to make sure you are correct

Jerseygirl

I remember the wave pool was pretty cool and the lazy river.

Poppy girl

I normally get out there on business trips, so see no more then the bar and casino and the bedroom I never hardly use pools at hotels!