How many days to spend in Vegas?

Hi

my boyfriend and I have just bought rtw trip London (flight) Vegas (surface) LA (flight) Cook Islands ...

We need to apply for US visas now and one of the documents they want us to provide is a proof of payment for first couple of days in America. So we want to book some hotel in Vegas, but don't know how much time we want to spend there. We have had no time to think about itinerary yet. We are going on this rtw trip in 7 months so there will be plenty of time to make a propper plan but in 5 days we are going on US embassy to apply for visas and we need to have booked some hotel by then.

How many days would you spend in Vegas if you were there (in Vegas and in LA) for eight nights together? We thought 4 night in Vegas, then 2 nights somewhere between Vegas and LA and 2 nights in LA could be ideal? Is Vegas good enough to stay there for four nights?

Has anyone done simmilar Vegas and LA trip? What was your itinerary?

Thank you, Jana and Tomas

Jana,
Most of our visitors spend 3 days in Vegas. I would stay 3 nights, midweek if at all possible. Try here for some room rates on the dates you will be here. Many of our smaller hotels have very attractive rates midweek. Look at the Sahara Hotel, Circus Circus, Imperial Palace, Riviera on the Strip. Look at Plaza Hotel and Las Vegas Club downtown. Send me a PM if you have questions.

Jana and Thomas

We spent three nights in Vegas and it wasn't long enough. Just taking a wander through most of the major hotels, will take at least that amount of time. As previously mentioned, book Monday to Thursday if at all possible, as there is a huge difference in rates compared to weekends.

I'm one of those people who think Vegas is SO over-rated, therefore three nights and four days of walking up and down the strip is probably fine. ( Think about it...most themed hotels are based on iconic REAL Europe...The Venetian, Monaco, Paris Hotel, Ceasar's Palace, Excaliber, etc.) The Tropicana is probably your best bet for a realitively inexspensive hotel with a lot of Vegas charactor, (and a great pool).

I've been to Vegas at least 50+ times, (and would really choose to visit the Giant Redwoods anytime over Vegas), but if your heart is set on it.... Our favorite places to go is the Irish Pub, "Nine Fine Irishmen", located in NY, NY, (across the street from the Trop), and having dinner in the small version of the Eiffel Tower restaurant whilst overlooking the fountains of Bellagio at dusk.

My suggestion would be to take the "extra" couple of days and go down to San Diego or up to Santa Barbara along the CA coast to get a much better perspective of California than just LA, or....do the side trip to the south rim of the Grand Canyon which is only a few hours away from Vegas.

Thank you all for yours respons. About the Vegas - we thought that Vegas would be our base for five days. In the city itself we would spend no more than couple of days and then we would try some one day trips to surroundings, such us Grand Canyon for example. Is it possible to make it there and back in one day by bus or train? And are there any other must see places around Vegas? Thank you

Jana,
You can easily daytrip Death Valley or Zion Nat'l Park from Vegas with a rental car. The Grand Canyon is about 5 hours drive away, not really practical for a one day adventure. I drove a British couple to GC, touring Hoover Dam first, then travelling over Route 66 between Kingman and Williams. Overnite in Williams, full day at the GC and back in Vegas about 10:00pm that nite. I have photos of this trip in my gallery. You can fly down to the GC from Vegas, but it is over $200 each for the day. There is a 15 hour bus trip to the GC, perhaps that might work for you.

Another possibiolity to consider would be to go to Grand Canyon, then continue on to either Monument Valley or (better for someone coming from/returning to Las Vegas), Lake Powell and Zion.

Go to either the north or south rim of the Grand Canyon (I'd suggest the north in your case), then continue on to Lake Powell and return via Zion-- (or do this in the opposite direction).

Head north on I-15 as far as St. George, Utah, then turn off and head east on Utah
State Hwy 9. At Hurricane, take the south road (Utah State Hwy 59 to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, then return via the north road (Utah State Hwy 9) that comes back into Hurricane through Zion. The rest of the route to take is as follows:

(1) Utah State Hwy 59 will become Arizona State Highway 389 once you cross the state line.
(2) Stay on this road to Fredonia.
(3) At that point, get on US Highway 89S (89 South) heading south. Get off on Arizona State Hwy 67, and go to the Grand Canyon. (Note that this road is closed from November to April, so go to the south rim during this time instead)
(4) Return on Arizona State Hwy 67 back to US Highway 89S, and go south once again until you get to US Highway 89N (89 North).
(5) At this point head the opposite direction (north) on this highway up to Page, Arizona and Lake Powell.
(6) Head west (north) on US Highway 89N to Kanab where 89N merges with 89S and becomes just 89.
(7) Go about 10 miles on US Highway to Mt. Carmel, Utah, where you will get on Utah State Highway 9 going west.
(8) Go through Zion National Park on this highway, coming out at Hurricane, and then back to St. George, Utah
(9) Take I-15 back to Las Vegas, Nevada.

I'd say you could do this in 3 days (1 day Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon), 1 day over to Page, Arizona or the Lake Powell Resort, and then 1 day back to Las Vegas (this will be the longest day's drive).

If, on the other hand, you just want to see other stuff close-by to Las Vegas, consider the Red Rocks area or a day drive out to the Death Valley and back (a full-day's trip).

Take water no matter where you go. This is the desert, after all--and book ahead--especially for the north rim--which fills up months in advance. go to the nps.gov website for this.

Enjoy

tajpostcz

A week or so would be nice for you as a couple to stay in Vegas. It's a great and sensational place to visit but 4 nights for you guys, I think its wont be enough.
Am sure you guys would want to spent more time and enjoy Vegas when you get there. You'll be surprised the places that you you can visit.

LA is a great place to visit, a week would be cool and nice to spent. I've been there a couple of times and I loved it. Am slo sure you're going to like it as well.

I cannot remember well my itinarary so I really owe you that one.

-snip-

[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. ]

I spent 7 days in Vegas and wasnt very sure i would like it BUT it was fantastic and we easliy filled up 7 days. If you just want to see the main attractions then 5 days is fine. We did a gran canyon flight which took a day and then spend another day at the outlet malls. Im going back next year cause i know there is so much more to be seen there.

Central located cheaper hotels on the strip are the Imperial Palace and Bills. Excaliber is further down the strip but easy to walk to places if the weather isnt too hot. Circus Circus is on the strip but a bus ride away from the main strip.

If you want any tips just ask away.

Wow, I am surprised that so many people are suggesting so much time in Vegas. I find more than 3 days in Vegas, and I want to be anywhere else. Perhaps I just have a low tolerance for bright neon lights and binging slot machines.

As usual on a topic like this, Calcruzer and Vegasmike provide excellent advice.

Greg