Las Vegas and Grand Canyon

[Patty3]

Ok, I need your input. My DH has to attend a conference in Vegas in September for 5 days. He wants me to go along and then after the conference, he wants to go to the Grand Canyon. He wants to leave the conference on Friday, drive to the Canyon, spend all day Saturday there and drive back on Sunday and catch a plane home on Sunday. I told him that he was rushing it and that one full day is not enough, is it? His conference is at Bally's, isn't that one of the dumpier hotels? So you can tell I am not really sure I want to go. Is there enough to keep me occupied while he is at the conference without gambling and spending alot of money? If you think it is worth it to go, where do you recommend staying for one night that is close enough to the Canyon that I will not feel like all I am doing is driving. I hate to sound ungrateful for the opportunity, I am just not sure what I want to do.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I haven't been to Vegas in a while but last time I went (5 years ago) Ballys was quite nice. It may not be as upscale as the Bellagio or Venetian but it's nice.

The canyon is gorgeous. I can't remember where my family went when we went though as it was a long time ago.

 

[CEDmom]

We got back from Vegas about a month ago. We stayed at The Flamingo which is right next door to Bally's. We were there for 5 nights and I didn't gamble once. Between the pool and checking out the sites at the different resorts there was plently to do. We didn't really go into Bally's but from what I saw of the outside it looked nice and it's very centrally located. There's lots to do and see that doesn't cost anything.

I do think that your plan entails a lot of driving. There are tons of Grand Canyon tours that leave from Vegas some may even offer overnight options. I'd go for something like that rather than spend 2 days driving.

One site I used to find free stuff on was http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php

I wouldn't rush back to Vegas anytime soon but it was fun and definitely something worth seeing. Also, the monorail just started running and I think Bally's is one of the stops.

 

[chyam]

I think you should go.........the Grand Canyon is beautiful and I would think that it would be in all it's glory in Sept. The tourists will be gone. I have seen it in the winter and the summer and have wanted to go back in the Fall. You know you shouldn't feel cooped up in Vegas, there is so much to do there besides gamble, you could probably even take a couple of tours yourself....perhaps Hoover Dam and Lake Mead? From what I remember it is not a bad drive from Vegas to there anyways. Perhaps check into staying at one of the parks lodges for the night. Seeing the canyon at different times of the day also is awe inspiring.

 

[Dax]

Bally's is a very nice resort. It is not a dumpy place at all. also as previously mentioned, there is TONS to see and do...you might not want to lose that many days going to the Grand Canyon. But it is worth it to go though. Go, have fun!!

 

[WDWFAN9]

My DH and I went to Vegas and the Grand Canyon this past Easter. We left Vegas early one morning, toured Hoover Dam and drove to the GC. It is about a 5+hr drive. We stayed at the Bright Angel Lodge right in the National Park, it was really cool. We enjoyed the sites from the area behind the Lodge the first evening, and the next day walked the rim in one direction. The GC is absolutely amazing, words just are not adequate to describe such an awesome sight! We left about 3PM to return to Vegas. It was definitely worth the trip!

 

[LuvTigger]

Bally's is a great location, right on the Strip, close to lots of things. Also, there is a monorail that runs along the Strip now that just opened, so you could ride that to get around. Like everyone else said, there is lots to do without betting a dime.

Some shopping ideas are Caesar's Palace Forum, Aladdin, and the Fashion Show Mall, all on the Strip. The resorts are beautiful too, I could spend a long time just browing through each hotel and admiring how beautiful they are.

 

[Patty3]

Thank you all for your advice. I have decided to go but I have also had DH switch the flights around so that we can have more time at the Grand Canyon. I will be looking into lodging availability at Bright Angel Lodge, thanks for the recommendation!