There is so much to do in Las Vegas and the surrounding area, that we want to leave you with time to do what you would like. To that end, we have set up a tour of the solar power plant and Hoover Dam on Friday. We are limited to 20 people, so let Michelle know if you would like to go. Her email is: lilsis74@sbcglobal.net
Also, list of attractions in the area continues to grow. Link to the Las Vegas tours page to see individual tour operators. You can explore tour options, or rent a car and do your own thing.
Special Interest Events
2009 Diecast Super Convention at the Circus Circus Hotel, Feb. 13 - 22, more information is at: http://www.spinyourtires.com/
Las Vegas Activities
Take the monorail between the casinos on the strip. Catch one of the many Vegas shows. Try a ride 900' to the top of tower at the Stratosphere, watch the Dancing Waters at the Bellagio, experience Freemont Street downtown, take a ride on the canal at The Venitian, or stop by the Forum Shops at Ceasar's Hotel. Each of the hotels has it's own theme, and just checking out some of the hotels can fill a day!
Major Scenic Attractions and Tours
National Parks: If you drive to the national parks listed below, the entrance fee is $25.00 per vehicle, or $12.00 for a person, bicycle or motorcycle, except Death Valley, which is $20.00 and $10.00 respectively. The passes are good for 7 days.
Bryce Canyon National Park 240 miles
Death Valley National Park 140 miles
A luxury 4 X 4 trip to Death Valley with a stop at Ghost Town of Rhyolite on the way can run $169.00 and up.
Grand Canyon National Park 275 miles
There are sightseeing trips at all price ranges, depending on what you would like to see, how you want to get there, or what you want to spend. Each option can come with extras of course.
By airplane, a quickİ hour narrated flight that hits the South Rim and gives views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, can be found starting about $110.00.
By helicopter over the Grand Canyon's West Rim, descending below the rim, and flight over Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, the 3.5 hour tours start at just over $200.00.
Other tours include a landing at the bottom of the canyon with champagne lunch for $269.99, or combinations of travel by airplane, helicopter and boat with lunch provided, etc.
By bus (or luxury motor coach), there are options for full day or half day tours. The cheapest I found for a half day South Rim tour, with light lunch, was $85.99. A full day tour with a stop at Hoover Dam (not the full Dam tour), and lunch can be had for $85.99. There are combinations that will run upwards of $200.00.
By Hummer, the full day tour from one company includes lunch at the Canyon, the Hoover Dam, the Joshua tree forest, and the Hualapai Indian Reservation, for $189.00.
Hoover Dam 33 miles
If arriving at the dam by vehicle, parking is $7.00 cash, then the self-paced Powerplant Tour is $11.00 for adults. The 1 1/2 hour guided Dam Tour is $30.00.
Tours can start as low as $31.00, and the trip can be combined with Rainbow Canyon or Lake Mead for a bit more. There is a Discovery Tour that takes you into the dam itself.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area 25 miles
London Bridge 153 miles
The new location of the London Bridge is on Lake Havasu. Next to the bridge is an old English town. A tour to London Bridge combined with Oatman Ghost Town and Hoover Dam would run $183.00.
Rainbow Canyon 153 miles
Self-guided tour takes about 2 hours and highlights petroglyphs, geologic features and natural resources.
Tours can be combined with other attractions, and start at about
Valley of Fire State Park 55 miles
The Nevada State Park charges $6.00 for entrance to see the ancient petroglyphs and sandstone formations of this area in the Mojave Desert.
Luxury SUV tour can run $124.00, ATV about $147, or Dune Buggy about $194.
Zion National Park 158 miles
Some of the tour operators have Bryce Canyon on its own or combined with Zion. A full day to Zion and Bryce can run $130.00.