Las Vegas for Independence Day

[Blues]

Has anyone done it?
I've been to Vegas several times but this year am deliberately going to join in the Independence Day celebrations. I understand that they do fireworks "big time". Has anyone done it, and where would be the best vantage point? I'm guessing the restaurant on top of the Stratosphere would be quite cool, but i was disapointed with the food last time i was there.

I haven't decided which hotel to stay at, which may be determined by what entertainment they have going on, or whether they have a cool rooftop bar as a viewing point.

I'm planning on driving down to Phoenix afterwards - any good routes or "must do's" on the way?

Many thanks

[kazste]

Might not help, but I was in philly once for independence day and the atmosphere was incredible. I expected a bit hostility to be honest but as usual if not even more so all the Americans wanted to chat and offered drinks. Was really a very cool day.

[LilCat]

We will be in Vegas from July 9th onwards. How long will you be there for?

[sawman]

It will be HOT in July,

Route from LV to phoenix, head south turn off interstate at Kingman, pick up route 66, through seligman, williams and flagstaff, you could take in the grand canyon too. Head south from Flagstaff via sedona to phoenix.

[Blues]

Thanks zKazste and sawman.

Cat we are leaving from Phoenix on the 9th. What rotten timing

[zhead]

THEhotel @ Mandalay Bay has a great rooftop bar with outside terrace which would be FANTASTIC for the fireworks - it looks practically all the way up the strip.

Although it is a little 'out of the way' at the end of the strip, it also has a great pool area

Now I just need to get myself in gear and get my flights booked

[HOGEPH]

The Mix Lounge at the top of the Mandalay Bay hotel, as suggested.

http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mixlounge.aspx


Ideal for post wedding drinks, as I found out....

Edited by HOGEPH on Thursday 13th January 09:38

[Stu R]

I'll also be there with the OH for 4th July. First time in Vegas for the Independence Day fanfare but not the first time in the states for it. It'll be superb if you can deal with Vegas temperatures - we were there last year in July and it was hot hot hot! I don't mind it so much but the Missus couldn't stand it outside for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time.

[Blues]

zhead said:

THEhotel @ Mandalay Bay has a great rooftop bar with outside terrace which would be FANTASTIC for the fireworks - it looks practically all the way up the strip.

Although it is a little 'out of the way' at the end of the strip, it also has a great pool area

Now I just need to get myself in gear and get my flights booked

I stayed there on my first ever visit to LV. A sand beach and wave machine in the pool IIRC

Get those flights booked!!!

[nonuts]

There is the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio that is 51 stories up and looks down the strip, there is also a bar at the top of the Cosmopolitan hotel from what I've just read (althought it's brand new).

[bmwdrivernigel]

4th July?

Vegas?

Fireworks?

Wonder if I can tie this in with a little roadtrip I have planned for July?

[Blues]

So, BMWwreckerNigel and Mr nonuts, are you two buggers coming then?

[bmwdrivernigel]

Blues said:

So, BMWwreckerNigel and Mr nonuts, are you two buggers coming then?

Might be...just got to get a route planned for the time we are there, and accidentally be there on the 4th

Anyone booked hotels yet? I still get various deals from the Venetian that I might look into.

[nonuts]

Blues said:

...Mr nonuts, are you two buggers coming then?

As you well know I've wanted to go to Vegas for my 30th and that's been the plan for ages and 4th July was the backup plan if people couldn't make my birthday, however other things might get in the way of this for me now.

[Blues]

bmwdestroyernigel said:

Might be...just got to get a route planned for the time we are there, and accidentally be there on the 4th

Anyone booked hotels yet? I still get various deals from the Venetian that I might look into.

We are flying into Phoenix, having a couple of days r&r in Scottsdale, then heading up to Vegas for a few days, before heading back to Scottsdale. We will fly one way, and drive the other, but this depends on who else is out there, and at what time. Is Phoenix on your route plan?

nonuts said:

Blues said:

...Mr nonuts, are you two buggers coming then?

As you well know I've wanted to go to Vegas for my 30th and that's been the plan for ages and 4th July was the backup plan if people couldn't make my birthday, however other things might get in the way of this for me now.

Surely not Your induction with that large American corporation has delivered you a significant dose of the ghey! Man up, grow some, and get those flights booked, How can we celebrate your big birthday if you are not there?

I reckon we need to discuss the logistics over a beer or few

[bmwdrivernigel]

We are lokking to fly into somewhere on the 1st, pick up a fine automobile and then bugger off into cowboy country (Yeefkinghaaa) then fly back on the 13th/14th. Apart from that not a clue

[Blues]

bmwdrivernigel said:

We are lokking to fly into somewhere on the 1st, pick up a fine automobile and then bugger off into cowboy country (Yeefkinghaaa) then fly back on the 13th/14th. Apart from that not a clue

We fly into PHX on 30th. Do that, and we can take a couple of days r&r, a couple of days driving up to Vegas, and then get stuck in!!

BA fly direct

[bmwdrivernigel]

Blues said:

bmwdrivernigel said:

We are lokking to fly into somewhere on the 1st, pick up a fine automobile and then bugger off into cowboy country (Yeefkinghaaa) then fly back on the 13th/14th. Apart from that not a clue

We fly into PHX on 30th. Do that, and we can take a couple of days r&r, a couple of days driving up to Vegas, and then get stuck in!!

BA fly direct

Got someone on the case as we speak

[Blues]

bmwdrivernigel said:

Blues said:

bmwdrivernigel said:

We are lokking to fly into somewhere on the 1st, pick up a fine automobile and then bugger off into cowboy country (Yeefkinghaaa) then fly back on the 13th/14th. Apart from that not a clue

We fly into PHX on 30th. Do that, and we can take a couple of days r&r, a couple of days driving up to Vegas, and then get stuck in!!

BA fly direct

Got someone on the case as we speak

Perfect!

[LilCat]

Blues said:

bmwdrivernigel said:

Blues said:

bmwdrivernigel said:

We are lokking to fly into somewhere on the 1st, pick up a fine automobile and then bugger off into cowboy country (Yeefkinghaaa) then fly back on the 13th/14th. Apart from that not a clue

We fly into PHX on 30th. Do that, and we can take a couple of days r&r, a couple of days driving up to Vegas, and then get stuck in!!

BA fly direct

Got someone on the case as we speak

Perfect!

We fly into SFO on the 2nd. Stay there for 4 nights then drive down to LA for one night before going to Vegas on the 9th for 4 nights then across to NYC for 4 nights.

Reckon we can fit a SAS meet somewhere?