Despite the fact that Las Vegas is located slap bang in the middle of the desert, there is lot of wildlife to be seen on the strip. Granted, not much of it is (if any) is local, but it is worth searching out all…Read More

Despite the fact that Las Vegas is located slap bang in the middle of the desert, there is lot of wildlife to be seen on the strip. Granted, not much of it is (if any) is local, but it is worth searching out all the same.

-Flamingos and Friends-

If you are on a budget, head to the Flamingo hotel where you will find a flock of their namesake pink birds amongst other things. You can wander around the gardens of the hotel spotting giant fish, turtles and many other birds and it is quite pretty. There are lots of signs telling you a bit about the creatures you will find and a little bit about them too.

-Lions At MGM Grand-

There are currently two lions living in the enclosure at the MGM Grand and you can walk through a glass tunnel to get a good view. It’s a very busy exhibit so you may have to queue to get to the front. There is also a gift shop nearby where you can get all manner of souvenirs. There is a sign on the front that tells you when the feeding times throughout the day are.

-Secret Garden-

The Secret Garden and Dolphin enclosure at the Mirage Hotel is a tribute to Siegfried and Roy. Even though they no longer perform at the resort, their famous white tigers are still here and form the star attraction at the zoo. It's quite a big zoo and there are some fun animals here including the playful dolphins and it is a nice way to spend a few hours. Entry is around fifteen dollars a person so it's not for those on a budget.

-Sharks and Fish-

If you head up as far as the Mandalay Bay resort you'll find their star exhibit in the Shark Reef aquarium, which is probably not worth the entrance fee unless you are specifically interested in aquariums. A much better bet is the huge aquarium at the end of the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace, which is free to observe and has some pretty big fish in it.Close

When you think of shopping in the US, you wouldn't necessarily think of Las Veags straight away but you should because it really is a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking for bargain basement offers or high end designer wear, you'll find a mall to…Read More

When you think of shopping in the US, you wouldn't necessarily think of Las Veags straight away but you should because it really is a shopper's paradise. Whether you are looking for bargain basement offers or high end designer wear, you'll find a mall to entice you in Sin City.

-The Forum Shops-

This mall is the original one in Las Vegas and is located in the Caesar's Palace hotel. Apparently it is the most successful mall in the whole of America and i think that is probably because it is a tourist attraction as well as a shopping mall. Even if you aren't into shopping, it is a great place to wander round and admire the amazing attention to detail. It is a much more accessible mall than many because it isn't lined with mega expensive designer stores, but rather with a collection of designers and high street favourites such as Abercrombie and Fitch. It is generally always quite busy although, like everything in Las Vegas, it is big enough to accommodate the crowds.

-The Grand Canal Shoppes-

This mall is based at The Venetian hotel and is modelled around the Italian city. it is a very pleasant place to wander round and soak up the quite accurate Italian atmosphere. There is a grand square designed to be like St Mark's Square and it is lined with restaurants and coffee shops so is a great place to rest a while. The shops here aren't as many or as varied as in The Forum, but there is a nice collection none the less.

-Las Vegas Outlet Centre-

This is a huge outlet centre located around three miles south of Mandalay Bay at the end of The Strip. It has over 150 shops and a huge car park so is very easily accessible. The prices are supposed to be lower than usual, but you have to look fairly hard to find the real bargains. It is full of high street favourties like Levi's and Reebok.

-The Fashion Show Mall-

Located at the Northern end of The Strip just opposite the new Wynn Las Vegas hotel, this was the first shopping mall built independently of a hotel. You can spot it a mile off because it has a huge disc thing outside that is perhaps supposed to look like the rim of a fashion hat, but it doesn't! The difference between this mall and all the others is that it has the big department stores as well. So if you are a fan of Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Sak's Fifth Avenue, then this is the mall for you.

So, take a break from the gambling and the over indulging on food and get some exercise whilst pounding the streets of the many shopping malls in Las Vegas.Close

When you think about Las Vegas, you automatically think about spending money because of the gambling and the big budget shows, but Las Vegas doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact there are a lot of things in Las Vegas that you can do for…Read More

When you think about Las Vegas, you automatically think about spending money because of the gambling and the big budget shows, but Las Vegas doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact there are a lot of things in Las Vegas that you can do for free.

-Bellagio Fountains-

The huge man-made lake in front of the Bellagio hotel transforms into a free show throughout the day. It is probably one of the most iconic things in Las Vegas and is definitely worth a visit. The show consists of canons shooting water into the air to music and it is sort of like a dance. The music is well thought out and we particularly enjoyed it when the jets of water shimmied to ‘Luck Be A Lady’. The show takes places every thirty minutes during the day and every fifteen minutes once the sun has gone down. It lasts about eight minutes and is better after dark.

-Mirage Volcano-

This is another free show that takes place outside of a hotel and is well worth a watch. It takes place on the hour every hour from 8pm and lasts about fifteen minutes. There is generally a crowd of people waiting before it starts so if you want to get a good front row place you are better getting there around ten minutes early. The display is excellent and will please all ages of visitors.

-Lions At MGM Grand-

There are currently two lions living in the enclosure at the MGM Grand and you can walk through a glass tunnel to get a good view. It’s a very busy exhibit so you may have to queue to get to the front. There is also a gift shop nearby where you can get all manner of souvenirs. There is a sign on the front that tells you when the feeding times throughout the day are.

-The Sirens of TI-

This is a pirate related performance that happens in front of the Treasure Island hotel twice a night. It is again very popular and lasts a lot longer than the other shows at about half an hour. It involves singing, dancing and two huge pirate ships moving towards each other for the ultimate firework accompanied finale. To be honest I thought it was pretty lame and about halfway through I began to wish that I wasn’t in the inescapable middle of the crowd. Other people seemed to enjoy it though so maybe it was just me.

-The Fremont Street Experience-

Away from The Strip (but close enough to get a fairly cheap bus ride there) you’ll find Fremont Street in old Las Vegas. It is absolutely definitely worth making the effort to get here because the light show is fantastic. Every hour on the hour, all of the lights go out on the casinos on Fremont Street and the roof lights up in a show that will entertain you no end. The roof is actually a huge arch that is covered in over two million lights and the street is lined with huge speakers. You might get a little bit of neck ache, but it is worth it!

So like I said, Las Vegas doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact it can be the exact opposite and you can still have a great time in fabulous Las Vegas!
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There are so many options for dining out or eating on the go in Las Vegas that it is hard to know where to start, but here are a few suggestions:-Eating at a Buffet-Buffets are one of the dining experiences that Las Vegas is famous…Read More

There are so many options for dining out or eating on the go in Las Vegas that it is hard to know where to start, but here are a few suggestions:

-Eating at a Buffet-

Buffets are one of the dining experiences that Las Vegas is famous for and there is no shortage of options. Probably the most famous, and arguably the best, is the Buffet @ The Bellagio. We actually tried to go to this one twice but the queue the first time was so long that we opted out that time. We found that going a bit later the following day (after 8pm) meant there was no queue at all. It was worth it when we got in there because the choice was amazing – fresh shellfish, a carvery selection and a counter full of puddings that will make your eyes pop! It’s not as expensive as you’d imagine either at around $30 per person. The surroundings are surprisingly basic and plain though.

We also enjoyed the buffet at The Flamingo, which is cheaper, plainer but no less plentiful. Like the Bellagio, this one had a long queue to get in before 8pm, but unlike the Bellagio, you could pay an extra $5 per person to skip the line. The buffet here is about $20 per person (excluding the queue-jumping fee), which is extremely reasonable I think considering the choice of delicious food that is available.

-Finer Dining-

There are again lots of choices for something a bit more upmarket, no matter what nationality of food you are in the mood for. I can heartily recommend the restaurant at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower in Paris hotel. The food is absolutely delicious and well prepared. I had salmon and it was perfect. It’s not cheap though and the service is lame to say the least. The lady that served us was not very welcoming and in fact was quite rude. Annoyingly because there was more than five in our group, we were forced to give a 20% tip. Nevertheless the food and the general atmosphere were good enough to make up for this.

-Food on the Go-

As you would expect, there are so many fast food restaurants on and around the Las Vegas strip that you are indeed spoilt for choice. There is a McDonalds restaurant right next to Hurrah’s hotel that is very popular but large enough to accommodate this. If you can’t decide exactly what it is you want, you can head up to New York, New York where there is a food hall. Here you can grab Chinese, Italian or American food and there is a fairly large area to eat it.

-For Those with a Sweet Tooth-

Again you are spoilt for choice here too, whether it is sweets, cakes or ice creams that float your boat, you’ll find it in abundance on the strip. One of the most popular places to get sweets is from the M&M shop where you fill find your favourite chocolates emblazoned on all manner of souvenirs. The star of the show though is the help yourself area at the back where M&M and M&M Peanuts are sorted into colours and, quite literally, on tap. If you prefer jelly beans head across the road to New York, New York, where you’ll find the Jelly Belly shop, fronted by a huge Statue of Liberty made from jelly bean sweets.

If cakes are your favourite, there is a great little patisserie type shop in the entrance to the Bellagio where the choice is mouth-watering. Always one for a bargain though, I have to tell you that you can head across the road to the coffee shop in Bill’s Gambling Hall and Saloon, where you will find exactly the same selection of cakes for a much lower price!

So, like I said, you are spoilt for choice, no matter what you want in Las Vegas. Even here I have only covered a small selection of the options available, there is so much more and most hotel rooms will have a free magazine inside them that lists almost every eating establishment in the city, so it is worth picking one of those up if you can.
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When you think of Las Vegas, you instantly think of an adult's playground because you have to be over 21 to enjoy everything that it offers right? Not so. There is a lot to do for younger visitors as well. In fact even more so…Read More

When you think of Las Vegas, you instantly think of an adult's playground because you have to be over 21 to enjoy everything that it offers right? Not so. There is a lot to do for younger visitors as well. In fact even more so since Las Vegas changed its image from gambling mecca of the world to the resort mecca of the world. So what will the kids love?

1. Circus Circus

It's all in the name really. This hotel at the bottom end of the strip is designed with children in mind. The main part of the building itself is in the shape of a big top and everything inside brings you all the fun of the circus. When you first enter, you are hit with the sights and sounds of the gambling floor, but beyond that is a children's haven. Right at the centre is a theme park which includes roller coasters that will thrill the big kids and smaller rides for the little ones. Upstairs the area is lined with all of the games and stalls that you would see at a fairground and in the centre is a stage where there are numerous shows throughout the day. We particularly enjoyed the magician who was both funny and entertaining.

2. New York, New York

At the other end of the strip is the huge New York themed hotel. Inside is everything you would associate with the big apple, from gift shops selling New York memorabilia and typical New York burger stalls. Upstairs from the main gaming hall is the thing that will please children no end. There are lots of games and rides to keep children of all ages entertained. For the thrill seekers there is the huge outdoor Manhattan Express roller coaster which isn't cheap at $14 a ride, but my husband says is quite a thriller (I was too sensible to find out!).

3. Outdoor shows

The fountains at the Bellagio are entrancing for people of all ages, but I imagine that children would really be mesmerised by the dancing water cannons that are accompanied by familiar music. It takes places every thirty minutes during the day and every fifteen minutes after dark and is free to watch.
For something that really packs a punch head down the Mirage where you can see the volcano that erupts every hour after darkness and is again free. it lasts about fifteen minutes and begins with the sound of the jungle to build up the anticipation.
The third thing you can see for free is the Sirens of Treasure Island, which is a show put on twice a night and revolves around two pirate ships. it's pretty lame really, but it's accompanied by fireworks and the like. it is a fairly long show though at half an hour and children's interest may wane.

4. Shopping

When I asked my fourteen year old niece what her favourite thing about Las Vegas was she excitedly replied that the Coca Cola and M&Ms shops 'were amazing'. Both of them are enormous shops that cover five floors and are filled with more branded merchandise than you can shake a still at. I didn't understand the point of them myself, but they were filled with excited children who had bags of pocket money burning holes in their pockets!

5. Wildlife

There is plenty of wildlife related fun to be had and it will please children no end. If you are on a budget, head to the Flamingo hotel where you will find a flock of their namesake pink birds amongst other things. You can wander around the gardens of the hotel spotting giant fish, turtles and many other birds and it is quite pretty.
Head to MGM Grand to see the lion habitat in which two lions are housed. It's a very popular attraction though and can be hard to get a good view unless you are prepared to elbow your way through to the front!

So, it isn't just for adults by any stretch of the imagination. There is a lot to do for children too and not all of it has to cost the earth either.Close

Las Vegas has never appealed to me as a destination in its own right...it never stole my soul like Rome...or my heart like Paris...or mind like New York. In fact the sole reason for passing through was it proximity to the main reason for my…Read More

Las Vegas has never appealed to me as a destination in its own right...it never stole my soul like Rome...or my heart like Paris...or mind like New York. In fact the sole reason for passing through was it proximity to the main reason for my trip.

When I lived in the USA there were two places I wanted to visit and never had the chance...both are iconic of the US - New York and the Grand Canyon. I had the oppportunity with my studies to go to New York, but I concluded work or studies were never going to fund a trip to the Grand Canyon.

So I planned a trip...and the nearest 'large' airport where I could get a well-priced ticket to was Las Vegas. Oh well I thought...Vegas is supposed to be an experience in itself.

Landing on in Vegas during the Labor Day weekend, meant Vegas was crowded. I decided I would take a shuttle to my hotel...and we sat in snarled up traffic...the Strip was bumper to bumper. The next morning having not yet adjusted to the time change I was up at a time when many people in Vegas were just thinking of going to bed. I was on the Strip walking early...a few joggers...the odd straggler making their way home from the night before...and a handfull of people in search of coffee.

It meant it was a good time to 'sightsee' and wander in and out of the various resorts and not have to push and shove. But in the bright morning light everything just looked tawdry. The flamingoes in the garden at the Flamingo just seemed sorry and pitiful...the inside of the hotels seemed dark...the canals at the Venetian oh dear...

I was glad to make my tiredness to escape back to my room for a nap...even if it was an off-strip resort...and didn't head out anywhere before leaving for the part of the trip I was actually looking forward to.

On return...I stayed one night at one of those standard chain hotels...and you could have been in any city that night...we ate at the brewery opposite...which again could have been in any city. It certainly didn't look or feel like Vegas.

But then as I had two days to put in before my flight I had booked a cheap deal for a Strip hotel...when I had been booking it, the thought going through my head was that Vegas equated to the Strip, and that staying there was part of the experience. I slightly regret my decision except for the ease of access to public transport.

I dropped my bags...had a wander...and the Strip depressed me nearly as much as the first time. So I decided to escape...shopping at the Outlets...so I caught the bus...and bought a pair of trainers...then a stop at Town Center and lunch...but the heat was getting to me...so I had to return to the Strip...and retreated to my room.

A few hours passed...and my stomach was grumbling...so I had to venture out on the Strip again...dinner and a trip to Walgreens for supplies. But I retreated back...the casino held little appeal...flashing lights, noise, smoke...it didn't seem like a pleasant way to send the evening...never mind the fact I struggle to ever feel comfortable with gambling.

I had one full day left...ugh...I debated escaping Vegas...but I was feeling tired...and knew any tour like to Grand Canyon South Rim would just leave me shattered...and I had to hit the ground running when I got back. So having enjoyed coffee...I wandered the shops...ate lunch...and went to watch a film back in my room.

All in all...the best part about my Vegas trip was the part that was un-Vegas part...and my room in the Strip hotel which was the nicest of my trip.

Vegas simply came across as fake - helped by Paris, New York, Venetian, pirate ship, castles. The lights and constant noise provide sensory overload, meaning it was difficult to process the lack of substance to the place.

The only reason to return...the airport...but I'll not be spending time on the StripClose

Lake Mead & Hoover DamLocation: Border of Arizona/Nevada. 32 miles/45 minutes East of Las Vegas (I-515 South to 93 South)Hint: For a more picturesque drive take 147/166 East to 93 South. It’s only slightly longer at 43 miles.On a previous trip,…Read More

Lake Mead & Hoover Dam
Location: Border of Arizona/Nevada. 32 miles/45 minutes East of Las Vegas (I-515 South to 93 South)

Hint: For a more picturesque drive take 147/166 East to 93 South. It’s only slightly longer at 43 miles.

On a previous trip, I had been to Hoover Dam and taken the tour down into the bowels of the beast. My better half lacked this experience so when we drove from Los Angeles (just under five hours away) to Las Vegas I figured we may as well visit this massive structure -- right after I lost $50 in sports book, found 99 cent Margaritas and a $3.99 steak special.

[Note: It took us five hours to drive from L.A., but the return home was another story. As the weekend starts to wind down, the traffic amps up. It took us nearly seven hours to get home.]

We were greeted in the parking lot (on the Nevada side) by friendly ground squirrels, and that’s when my better half revealed that she has a touch of claustrophobia -- and in no way was she going down into that over-sized death trap. But, she wanted to walk from Nevada to Arizona in 10 minutes so we continued.

Under the parking structure is a small snack shack serving the usual fare and bathrooms. But, keep your eyes peeled as you stroll down the sidewalk. On your left is small plaque. It’s dedicated to "Nig", the dam dog. He hung around the construction site for several years, befriending workers, until February 21st, 1941 when a truck backed over the sleeping black shepherd.

Hoover Dam is 721 feet high and 1,244 feet long, one of the world’s largest dams. It was built between 1931 and 1936, and was originally known as the Boulder Dam (it’s very close to Boulder City, Nevada), but was later changed to Hoover Dam (after the 31st President). As you walk between states look over the edge of the guard rail, the concrete seems to go down forever.

As we were walking back, we changed sides so that we could now look at the lake. Lake Mead was formed by the building of Hoover Dam and is the largest reservoir in the U.S. The blue water extends 112 miles and holds approximately 28.5 million acre feet of water. And, that’s when I saw a very noticeable line of white rock surrounding the lake. I hadn’t noticed this five years earlier.

Curious, I asked a park ranger who was walking by. He explained that was the difference in water levels. The white rock is newly exposed to the elements so it hasn’t weathered like the darker rock above. It seems that Lake Mead, the largest reservoir is also the reservoir being drained the fastest. The water irrigates 650,000 acres in Southern California and Arizona, and we sell water to Mexico to irrigate 400,000 acres. The line of white rock was just the water level dropping over the last five years, and he said mildly, "You should’ve seen the lake in 1997. It was nearly double what’s here now."

Still deeply disturbed by this information, when we returned to our hotel I Googled further into the matter. In February 2008, two researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography released a startling report: at current water use and climate shift, the lake could be bone dry by 2021, and unable to produce hydro-electric power by as early as 2017. And it seems we only have ourselves to blame. The average American consumes 159 gallons of water daily while more than half of the world’s population lives on just 25 gallons.

That night, as we headed out to what we heard was the "best" buffet in Las Vegas, I started counting the fountains of the casinos, and gave up when we hit the Bellagio. All of that water (22 million gallons), in an eight-acre man made lake, just shooting up into the air, 460 feet, to various music, lit up by multi-colored lights. (Note: The Bellagio lake is replenished every year with twelve million gallons of fresh water.)

Did You Know? This enormous lake was named for Elwood Mead, the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1924-1936.Close

It seems that in recent times, the introduction of the 'Time Share Salesman' to areas like Las Vegas and Reno is nothing new. When I spoke to friends about it after our experience, more than one of them came out with 'Yes, I experienced…Read More

It seems that in recent times, the introduction of the 'Time Share Salesman' to areas like Las Vegas and Reno is nothing new. When I spoke to friends about it after our experience, more than one of them came out with 'Yes, I experienced something similar last year on my trip to...'

Unfortunately, we arrived in Las Vegas after a 7 year hiatus and being in the middle of a round the world trip with no knowledge of this whatsoever.

For me - this was the catalyst which brought Vegas down significantly in my opinion. There were many aspects of change which meant that - for me - it was no longer the greatest destination I had ever been to, or one of my favourite places to go. But this one was the icing on the cake.

It's very possible that - as a traveller - those reading this may already be well aware of the 'Time Share' scams and salesmen that now haunt these resorts and holiday destinations. But because many of you may not - I'll walk through the entire experience that we had.

We arrived in Las Vegas late in the evening to what had been the first hotel we ever stayed at in the city - Excalibur. We chose it to pay homage to our first stay, (and because it was cheap) and were very excited to return once again. We had flown from New Zealand to LA a couple of days before, then rented a car and drove through the desert to the city of sin.

We checked in, hot and exhausted carrying all of our bags. We were trying not to be too hasty in our awareness that the entire place seemed much more run down than it had been the last time we came; or that the staff were much, much less welcoming.

After getting our key, we turned to walk to our rooms and a member of Excalibur staff (wearing staff uniform) came up to us and asked us how long we were staying. When we said three nights she grabbed me by the arm, turned to a tourist desk to the side and said 'Comp these guys.'

Now, in the Vegas we came to 7 years ago - getting comped for no reason more than staying a few days in a hotel was a viable possibility, and so feeling very pleased we walked over to the desk.

We were told that we were getting a complimentary breakfast at a new hotel and $175 worth of food and gaming vouchers. We were talked through what all of this was, how they could be used anywhere in Las Vegas and were as good as cash. All we needed to do was give them some money (I don't actually remember now how much it was, but it was either $25 or $50.) just to reserve our place. We were told that they were promoting a new hotel, and that all we would have to do was take a few minutes after the breakfast to have a look around.

We were tired, and though it's not the kind of thing we usually would do, we knew we were going to spend at least the amount that we were investing on food and gaming (and I think shows were also included...this was the main thing they focused on in telling us about it, what shows and restaurants we could go to and how far the vouchers might go...) so we said yes.

We handed over the money, they asked which breakfast time would be best for us 8, 9 or 10 - and then gave us a receipt

And the simplest way to describe this is a flat out lie. We arrived at the location which was suppose to be a hotel and was instead a shabby little office room 15 minutes drive from the hotel. (Luckily we drove ourselves and weren't one of the people waiting on the bus - who had a lot more waiting to do.) There was no free breakfast, no hotel tour, no hotel even.

What we had stumbled into was a Time Share seminar. We were made to wait in the room with everyone else, with ridiculous promotional music playing and really shabby salesmen walking about making people fill out forms about travel habits and giving everyone name tags.
Had we not already given them the money we had - we would certainly have left right then. We were told it would be no more than an hour, so we decided that we would stick it out.

There was not even any free breakfast. There was a table with bad donuts and pastry, worse coffee and a juice like drink. In the end we were stuck there for 3 solid hours of our first day in Las Vegas. We told the salesman right up front that we were not interested - we were in the middle of a round the world trip and that as we currently had no residence; we were not looking in any way to purchase time share.
He was as pleasant as a man can be in that position - we went and looked at a property, came back and were hassled again. After 2 hours we gave him a final and solid, 'No.' and were then talked to by his boss - a man who was very obnoxious and pushy and downright condescending. We were as brutally honest as is possible to be with him, and were then left sitting in the room for almost 45 minutes waiting to be given our vouchers.

When he finally returned, we were taken to another room - supposedly to get the vouchers and discovered that it was yet another room, with older sales men who gave us new, cheaper figures for timeshare. Another half an hour passed before we were finally, begrudgingly, led to the room where you get vouchers. Here there was another half an hour wait with a lot of angry people. When we did finally get them, we had to choose what we would use them on and where - so they were not like cash at all.

The whole thing was a horrible scam - tainted my entire feeling of Vegas, and I will never again stay at the Excalibur or any of the MGM hotels because of it. Close

Day Trips from Las VegasAlthough Las Vegas is in a pretty grim, polluted setting, there is good to great scenery close at hand. Several day trips to some fine western scenery are possible from Las Vegas, and at least one, Zion National…Read More

Day Trips from Las Vegas

Although Las Vegas is in a pretty grim, polluted setting, there is good to great scenery close at hand. Several day trips to some fine western scenery are possible from Las Vegas, and at least one, Zion National Park, is a must. Las Vegas is about a three hour drive from Zion National Park, one of the world’s greatest scenic spots. We consider a trip to Las Vegas to be an extension of a trip to Zion..

The Grand Canyon is too grand to fully appreciate from the ground. A sightseeing trip by plane, or even better, by helicopter, is best. In additon tto air tripsform Las Vegas, there are bus also one day trips, but it’s more than 600km round trip, so there can’t too much time at the National Park. Go by air, or rent a car and take 2 or 3 days.

3) A visit to Valley of Fire State Park requires a car. The Valley of Fire has strange rock formations, mostly red rock, and is 40 miles straight north by I-15. Make it a loop drive by returning along the shore of Lake Mead. Be sure to go to the Visitor’s Center and take the dead end side road that runs uphill behind the Visitor’s Center. There are several scenic short walks from tteh parking areas along this road.

4) Red Rocks are about 20 miles straight west of Las Vegas. Technically closer than Valley of Fire, there isn’t much difference in driving time and Red Rocks is a more stressful drive, seeming to go on forever through the suburbs. Getting to the Valley of Fire is all Interstate.

5) The Mojave National Preserve is one of the most outstanding areas of the vast Mojave Desert. There are forests of Joshua Trees, one of the strangest cacti, 600-feet high sand dunes, mountains, deserts, ghost towns and semi-ghost towns, dormant volcanoes, mines, and vast lava flows. A few thousand feet higher than Las Vegas, the Preserve is just a tad cooler, but still very hot in summer.

A note on red rock counttry: Las Vegas is located near the erratic boundary between the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau, once the greatest desert on Earth when it was more than three times larger than today’s Sahara Desert. Desert sands thousands of feet thick were then covered by water and transformed into sand stone. When the prehistoric sea retreated and uncovered the rock, rains colored the rock by carrying disolved minerals into them. Today, the dominant color of the rock is deep red—rust from iron oxide–with bands of pink, white and yellow, and even an occasional green and purple. If you live in a landscape of gray rock, red rock country will be a remarkable change.

6] A 2-3 day trip. One of Las Vegas’ best features is that Cedar Breaks National Monument and Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks can visited in 2 days with Vegas as the Gateway City. Add one more day and take in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or Capitol Reef National Park.

First, let me explain why you should give up gambling for a couple days to take this trip from Las Vegas. Do it because it is the most spectacularly scenic 2 days of sight seeing you will ever find anywhere. Frankly, anybody who visits Las Vegas without doing this side trip is a fool. Forget gambling, shows andshopping; this drive is THE reason to go to Las Vegas.

DAY ONE: The route, which is best driven as specified for the finest views: Start North from Las Vegas on I-15 to Cedar City, UT. There is a decent lunch buffet on the way in Mesquite at the Oasis Casino for about $10.

At Cedar City, take UT Rt 14 to Cedar Breaks National Monument. There are two routes from Cedar Breaks to Bryce Canyon National Park. East on UT Rt 14, north on US 89, east on UT Rt 12 is the fastest, but UT Rt 143 to Panguitch, then south on US 89 to Ut Rt 12 is a bit more scenic except during the fall colors when it is a lot more scenic (see journal Fall in souther Utah).

Stop at Red Canyon on Rt 12 for a short visit.

At Bryce, head first to the Sunset Point Overlook. Next best views are at Inspiration Point, then Sunrise Point. Spend the first night at or near the park–convenient, but more expensive than Panguitch–or in Panguitch for lower rates.

I take an informal poll of people I meet who have been to Sunset Point. I ask, "Can you think of anywhere you have been in the world with a more specular view?" The answer is 100% "no."

Reasons to stay at Bryce Canyon Lodge: Although the Lodge is not on the edge of the cliff, it is a short walk to both Sunset and Sunrise Points, two of the three most impressive overlooks in the park. The Hoodoos stand out best when there are lots of shadows–at sun rise and sun set. Moreover, the soft, red tinted light produced when the sun is near the horizon accentuates the colors of the rocks. It all looks even better at sunrise and sunset. Although the Lodge is one of the most expensive hotels in the area, it is worth springing for at least once so you can experience
these views under optimum conditions, and while you are there, be sure to head over to the rim after dark to see a display of stars like you never imagined possible.


DAY TWO: Go south on US 89 to UT Rt 9 to Zion NP, about one hour away. Once you reach Zion Valley (the Visitor’s Center), it is about a three hour drive back to Las Vegas.

In allocating your time in Zion, a Biblical place more or less meaning Heaven on Earth, and a pretty good description of this Park (see my extensive journal on Zion for details): The bus ride round trip from the visitor center–1 ½ hrs. with no stops. The best stops: Zion Lodge, Big Bend, Temple of Sinawava, Court of the Three Patriarchs

The best short hikes: 1) Middle Emerald Pool, 45- to 90-minute (depends on how much you want to linger. We linger a lot.) route from Zion Lodge; 2) Get off the bus at Weeping Rock stop and walk uphill for 10 to 15 minutes (do not take the turn to the left for Weeping Rock), turn around and return; 3) River Walk 50 to 70 minute route.

WHERE TO EAT: Zion Park Lodge, smack in the middle of Zion Canyon at one of the most scenic spots in the Canyon, has a decent breakfast buffet with grand views out the widows. Lunch is also decent, with the same grand views, but for the last several years, we have opted for lunch at Casa del Sol—from the visitor center, head down canyon, leave the park, cross the bridge, and it is the second building on the left. Casa del Sol is mostly sandwiches, including have Buffalo burgers, and a great outside seating area.

I noted above that visitors justifiably find Bryce to be the most spectacular view in the world, so it is hard to explain why Zion is even better, but it is something like the difference between getting wasted in binge drinking or sipping a fine burgundy with tenderloin served with Sauce Bernaise for diner. The first blows you out, the second creeps up with elegance and ultimately delight. More than three times as many people visit Zion as visit Bryce each year, and most of the visitors are people who live within a day’s drive. Why do you think the people who live in this land head to Zion? No matter how much you are taken with Bryce, and taken you will be, don’t linger. As the Bible says, "hie thee unto Zion" (or if it doesn’t, it ought to) just as fast as you can. We live in northern Utah and we spend our time like this: 2 or 3 trips to Zion every year. Once every 3 years to the Grand Canyon and Bryce. The only thing wrong with our schedule is that there are not enough trips to Zion.

WHEN TO VISIT: Fall and spring are best because summers are very hot. Winter is great for Bryce and Zion because crowds are way down and you can drive into Zion Canyon instead of having to take the park bus; the road to Cedar Breaks is closed—snow depths at the overlooks reach more than 30 feet.
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There are various options one has for transportation around Las Vegas and the areas within day-trip distance. Let's start from arrival into the area by air...All flights into Las Vegas are directed though the McCarran International Airport, which sits conveniently just off the southern end…Read More

There are various options one has for transportation around Las Vegas and the areas within day-trip distance. Let's start from arrival into the area by air...

All flights into Las Vegas are directed though the McCarran International Airport, which sits conveniently just off the southern end of the Strip in the heart of the city. This very modern airport provides all the tools a traveler will need during their stay, and easy access to every option of transport. (You can even kick start your Vegas stay off right, by enjoying the casino right there in the terminals).

Like most modern cities, transportation options are numerous from taxis, limos, private shuttle, public buses, and a limited monorail, although there is no metro system in Vegas such as subway or L-train. Signs are easy to navigate throughout the airport to guide you to which type of transportation you desire, and if you still need help, don't hesitate to ask one of the many info desk attendants located throughout the departure gates.

If you plan to stay in and close-to the Strip during your stay, it's recommended to take a taxi to your hotel, and then walk or taxi during your stay. There are also many hotels that offer free shuttle systems throughout the Strip 24 hrs a day - so be sure to talk with your concierge about these options, which can save you taxi fares during your vacation. For a taxi to/from the airport plan to pay $10 - $25 depending on the location of your hotel (southern end vs. northern end). Shared airport shuttles are a little cheaper around $8 - $15, and if you want to arrive in style by stretch limousine plan on paying anywhere from $50 to $100.

Since this journal focuses on day-trips around the Vegas area, I want to concentrate on rental car options. As most international airports, McCarren offers the best pick-up and drop-off locations for any traveller looking to rent a car during their stay. All the major companies are available to choose from on the airport campus and most offer very comparable rates, so you don't have to spend too much time shopping around.

If you plan on taking longer trips like to the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park, it's worth looking at a car or SUV with a little power (or maybe even four-wheel drive), as drives in the desert (sometimes with unpaved roads) require more than a standard compact automobile. Also, don't worry about driving in the heart of Vegas, as even though traffic is slow and crowded, it's not too stressful and most casinos offer ample parking for guests.

Tips for car rentals:
- If you're staying for less than a week, check to see if a weekly rental is cheaper than, say, 5 days.
- Be sure to rent a car with unlimited milage as many of these day trips are a few hours (and a couple hundred miles) away.
- Even though you want a car with a little power, still be aware of the mpg, as you want a car as efficient as possible because some gas stations in the desert are few and far between (i.e. on the drive to the western ridge of the Grand Canyon)

• Airport Website: http://www.mccarran.com/
• Las Vegas Transportation: http://www.vegas.com/transportation/Close