Vegas in August
Discussion
Hi, just managed to use up a companion voucher to fly to Vegas in August, only a 5-night stay, but i didnt want to lose it as I had paid £15000 for it
Any recommendations on Hotels and places to visit?? will have a car, maybe the Grand Canyon, defo some outlet shopping, but mainly just wandering around the strip.
Any recommendations on Hotels and places to visit?? will have a car, maybe the Grand Canyon, defo some outlet shopping, but mainly just wandering around the strip.
We did the Grand Canyon in a helicopter it was brilliant. We were driven to the hoover dam, got a chopper from somewhere near there. Landed in the Grand Canyon then flew back at night over the vegas strip when it was all lit up.
I wouldn’t bother with a car, especially if it is your first time. Lots to see just walking around the strip. Wear comfortable shoes!
You have also got freemont street downtown, it’s worth a visit if you haven’t been. Mob museum is there if you fancy that.
We aren’t gamblers but when in vegas we have a dabble. We just set a daily budget and when it’s gone it’s gone. Sometimes we go back to the room with more money than we take out. Only one winner in vegas though…
I wouldn’t bother with a car, especially if it is your first time. Lots to see just walking around the strip. Wear comfortable shoes!
You have also got freemont street downtown, it’s worth a visit if you haven’t been. Mob museum is there if you fancy that.
We aren’t gamblers but when in vegas we have a dabble. We just set a daily budget and when it’s gone it’s gone. Sometimes we go back to the room with more money than we take out. Only one winner in vegas though…
I was in Vegas last year in Aug. It was 49° C, that seemed a tad warm, hence 'hell month' as I have heard it called.
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets was far cheaper for stuff than anywhere on the main strip.
Next time I would be tempted to stay in one of the cheaper hotels on the basis that the rooms in many of the pricier places are a bit tired now (I am sure there are exceptions) and for the most part the only time you are using the room you will be asleep and all the interesting stuff to gawp at is open to people just walking in anyway.
Definitely do a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon, dawn is the best time as the temp is still cool and there can be some good light, especially over the painted desert. Maverick was also the bunch I went with and they were very good.
Go see a show or two and obviously have a mooch around the hotels, as mentioned good footwear is genuinely a must.
While I was there, some sort of veterans meet thing was going on in The Venetian so I got to have a chat to some really interesting old gents about their times which I really wish I had made more time for.
I was there to pick up a bike from Taco Moto Co who are based there (incredibly friendly and helpful and did an awesome job on my bike, can 100% recommend them if anyone is into that sort of thing).
Car? Meh, no point. Not unless you are renting something really exotic.
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets was far cheaper for stuff than anywhere on the main strip.
Next time I would be tempted to stay in one of the cheaper hotels on the basis that the rooms in many of the pricier places are a bit tired now (I am sure there are exceptions) and for the most part the only time you are using the room you will be asleep and all the interesting stuff to gawp at is open to people just walking in anyway.
Definitely do a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon, dawn is the best time as the temp is still cool and there can be some good light, especially over the painted desert. Maverick was also the bunch I went with and they were very good.
Go see a show or two and obviously have a mooch around the hotels, as mentioned good footwear is genuinely a must.
While I was there, some sort of veterans meet thing was going on in The Venetian so I got to have a chat to some really interesting old gents about their times which I really wish I had made more time for.
I was there to pick up a bike from Taco Moto Co who are based there (incredibly friendly and helpful and did an awesome job on my bike, can 100% recommend them if anyone is into that sort of thing).
Car? Meh, no point. Not unless you are renting something really exotic.
Cosmo is one of the best hotels IMO. Location, service and food.
The fountain view rooms are worth it.
Depending on time of year and offers you can sometimes get parking included with in and out for the room rate. (Aug good chance as its low season)
The Hoover Dam isn't far by car - about an hour - if not less traffic depending.
The south rim is much further, its a good 3 hours from the dam. So 4hr from Vegas.
You can do the west rim from Vegas in about 2.5 hours but to be honest I think its worth the extra to the south rim.
As above the Premium Outlets is the place - its not huge but its big enough - a lot of it is outdoors so be aware in August.
You may also find things are not as cheap as the UK. FWIW.
The fountain view rooms are worth it.
Depending on time of year and offers you can sometimes get parking included with in and out for the room rate. (Aug good chance as its low season)
The Hoover Dam isn't far by car - about an hour - if not less traffic depending.
The south rim is much further, its a good 3 hours from the dam. So 4hr from Vegas.
You can do the west rim from Vegas in about 2.5 hours but to be honest I think its worth the extra to the south rim.
As above the Premium Outlets is the place - its not huge but its big enough - a lot of it is outdoors so be aware in August.
You may also find things are not as cheap as the UK. FWIW.
As others have said, north outlet mall for outlet stuff.
Other shopping in "miracle mile" across from bellagio, fashion show mall at north end of main strip.
Hotel-wise, depends on what you're after. And if it includes the weekend- Vegas gets a lot of drive-in weekenders from California etc so prices go up.
Upscale-ish party vibe? Cosmopolitan
Full on high end luxury? Wynn (end of strip though)
More old school resort? Bellagio or ceasars (bellagio nicer,imo)
Smoke free? Park MGM (Vdara also, but no casino in it)
Mega resort that has everything? MGM Grand
Themed? Paris/NYNY/Luxor/Excalibur
Let us know what you're going for in a hotel. No end of options. Fremont is good to visit, less so to stay. Lots of stuff down there though, neon boneyard, mob museum, punk museum,etc. Bit "American blackpool" though.
Restaurants out the wazoo. Prices are high, but not Disney level high, and tend to be good quality. Reviews are your friend.
Shelby museum/ factory very south of Vegas, pinball hall of fame (playable and massive) opposite Mandalay bay to the south also.
Use the car to go to places like hoover dam etc. Canyon a bit far for driving (but can be done, it'll be along day though). You won't need a car on the strip.
Sphete is unique (for now)
Plenty of shows and stuff, get tickets online from the likes of vegas.com rather than paying full whack at box office.
If you're a first timer, stay in the main block of stuff on the strip. 5 days will give you sensation overload, you might save money somewhere cheaper, but thats not "value" imo. There are mid-strip hotels at all prices, and none are "s
tty" - even the likes of Excalibur is a proper hotel, just when compared to the likes of bellagio etc it's a bit trashy!
Heat wise it's dry, so very manageable. Just remember to hydrate.
M.
Other shopping in "miracle mile" across from bellagio, fashion show mall at north end of main strip.
Hotel-wise, depends on what you're after. And if it includes the weekend- Vegas gets a lot of drive-in weekenders from California etc so prices go up.
Upscale-ish party vibe? Cosmopolitan
Full on high end luxury? Wynn (end of strip though)
More old school resort? Bellagio or ceasars (bellagio nicer,imo)
Smoke free? Park MGM (Vdara also, but no casino in it)
Mega resort that has everything? MGM Grand
Themed? Paris/NYNY/Luxor/Excalibur
Let us know what you're going for in a hotel. No end of options. Fremont is good to visit, less so to stay. Lots of stuff down there though, neon boneyard, mob museum, punk museum,etc. Bit "American blackpool" though.
Restaurants out the wazoo. Prices are high, but not Disney level high, and tend to be good quality. Reviews are your friend.
Shelby museum/ factory very south of Vegas, pinball hall of fame (playable and massive) opposite Mandalay bay to the south also.
Use the car to go to places like hoover dam etc. Canyon a bit far for driving (but can be done, it'll be along day though). You won't need a car on the strip.
Sphete is unique (for now)
Plenty of shows and stuff, get tickets online from the likes of vegas.com rather than paying full whack at box office.
If you're a first timer, stay in the main block of stuff on the strip. 5 days will give you sensation overload, you might save money somewhere cheaper, but thats not "value" imo. There are mid-strip hotels at all prices, and none are "s
tty" - even the likes of Excalibur is a proper hotel, just when compared to the likes of bellagio etc it's a bit trashy!Heat wise it's dry, so very manageable. Just remember to hydrate.
M.
It's very expensive and designed to take every dollar fron you'r pocket. Go with the mindset that it's going to cost and you'll be fine
Grand Canyon is a must in my book and the south rim is further but better but it is very much a full day (4+hrs drive) but it is an 'easy' drive and not like doing long trips here in blighty.
Hoover Dam tour is also a must and not that far out.
It will be fking hot so prepare yourself. Was 110⁰F when we were there but again it's a dry heat meaning that you're not being screwed by the humidity.
Grand Canyon is a must in my book and the south rim is further but better but it is very much a full day (4+hrs drive) but it is an 'easy' drive and not like doing long trips here in blighty.
Hoover Dam tour is also a must and not that far out.
It will be f
king hot so prepare yourself. Was 110⁰F when we were there but again it's a dry heat meaning that you're not being screwed by the humidity.
Been there a couple of times and 5 nights sounds a long time - we found 3 nights about right.
Helicopter ride from town via Hoover Dam to the Canyon was a tick in the box but my wife hated the ride.
Have seen shows there which were what they were.
Stayed at Bellagio ( quite nice ) but last time stayed at Caesar’s Palace and had a suite in one of the Towers which was amazing. Not sure I’ve ever had a bathroom with in and out doors separately !
Helicopter ride from town via Hoover Dam to the Canyon was a tick in the box but my wife hated the ride.
Have seen shows there which were what they were.
Stayed at Bellagio ( quite nice ) but last time stayed at Caesar’s Palace and had a suite in one of the Towers which was amazing. Not sure I’ve ever had a bathroom with in and out doors separately !
shirt said:
17 nights seems extreme... what did you get upto in all that time?
Mainly a poker trip, a stab at a few WSOP events, made day 2 in everything I played and made money in 2 events, sadly not big money.When not playing poker spent some time lounging around the pool and eating nice meals!
We stayed at Fontainbleau and the Wynn. I actually prefer the fontainbleau but its probably too far out of centre strip for a first time visit recommendation!
We stayed at the Wynn encore last time we went, lovely hotel & rooms.
Fashion show mall for shopping as well as the outlets already mentioned.
Go see Penn & Teller at the Rio, they are brilliant or any of the other great shows /concerts.
We took a flight from a private airport on the outskirts of town across the Hoover Dam and landed at the canyon airport near the south rim.
Great experience but if you are nervous, its a bumpy ride due to the thermals from the desert & canyon (thats what the pilot told us) helicopters are more comfortable in this regard apparently.
August will be very hot, we went early September and although it had cooled, it was still 100 degrees plus every day.
Fashion show mall for shopping as well as the outlets already mentioned.
Go see Penn & Teller at the Rio, they are brilliant or any of the other great shows /concerts.
We took a flight from a private airport on the outskirts of town across the Hoover Dam and landed at the canyon airport near the south rim.
Great experience but if you are nervous, its a bumpy ride due to the thermals from the desert & canyon (thats what the pilot told us) helicopters are more comfortable in this regard apparently.
August will be very hot, we went early September and although it had cooled, it was still 100 degrees plus every day.
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