Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2014

Seldom_Seen_Kid

StuieUK34 wrote: »

see u there, were there for 5 nights from 28th !

We have still to book our other 14 nights, but the money saved on the 2 free MC night means I can now book the 1 bedroom suite in Signature for part of our stay without going over budget.

Also thanks for posting the info about the 0161 311 3111 number. I made 2 calls at work using it (never got through to speak to anyone unfortunately), and 1 call on my mobile.

John259

I thought it might be handy to post some distances (by normal public roads) from Las Vegas to various towns and places of interest.

The places close to Las Vegas are intended as possible suggestions for anyone visiting the city but also wanting to explore the surrounding area.

The distances to places further away might be useful to anyone planning a road trip holiday that includes Las Vegas on their route.

There's more information about each of these places on Wikipedia, where relevant the national and state parks web sites, and YouTube.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, NV 23 miles
Hoover Dam, AZ/NV 32 miles
Mount Charleston, NV 43 miles
Valley of Fire State Park, NV 56 miles
Death Valley National Park, CA 118 miles
St George, UT 123 miles
Zion National Park (Kolob Canyons), UT 161 miles
Zion National Park (Zion Canyon), UT 164 miles (my own personal top choice for somewhere to visit from Las Vegas)
Cedar City, UT 174 miles
Twentynine Palms, CA 179 miles
Joshua Tree National Park, CA 182 miles
Cedar Breaks National Monument, UT 198 miles
Big Bear Lake, CA 210 miles
Flagstaff, AZ 252 miles
Walnut Canyon National Monument, AZ 260 miles
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 264 miles
Bishop, CA 269 miles
Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim), AZ 269 miles
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, AZ 269 miles
Sedona, AZ 274 miles
Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim), AZ 275 miles
Antelope Canyon, AZ 285 miles
Wupatki National Monument, AZ 293 miles
Montezuma Castle National Monument, AZ 299 miles
Porterville, CA 332 miles
Capitol Reef National Park, UT 362 miles
Sequoia National Park, CA 375 miles
Monument Valley Tribal Park, AZ/UT 424 miles
Merced, CA (via Bakersfield, CA) 444 miles
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV 449 miles
Arches National Park, UT 457 miles
Dead Horse Point State Park, UT 469 miles
Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky), UT 471 miles
Yosemite National Park (Yosemite Valley), CA (via Bakersfield, CA) 482 miles
Cortez, CO 492 miles
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 503 miles
Merced, CA (via Bishop, CA and the Tioga Pass) 512 miles
Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM 517 miles
Yosemite National Park (Yosemite Valley), CA (via Bishop, CA and the Tioga Pass) 527 miles
Durango, CO 538 miles
Montrose, CO 571 miles
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO 583 miles

As Jack Kerouac wrote: "Such an enormous country, you realize when you cross it"

photome

Thanks John

Its good to see someone else from Norwich with a love of Las Vegas.

Where do you normally fly from

John259

photome wrote: »

Thanks John

Its good to see someone else from Norwich with a love of Las Vegas.

Where do you normally fly from

From Norwich Airport to Schiphol, which I found to be a far more pleasant option than the London airports. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get away in recent years though due to various circumstances.

photome

John259 wrote: »

From Norwich Airport to Schiphol, which I found to be a far more pleasant option than the London airports. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get away in recent years though due to various circumstances.

I keep alternating between Norwich and the London airports depending on price, have to say it is great landing back at Norwich and being indoors within half hour of touching down (would still be waiting for cases in London), dont enjoy the 2 changes though!

Hope you can get back there soon, what part of Norwich are you from. I am in the east side of the city

John259

photome wrote: »

what part of Norwich are you from. I am in... (edited out at user's request)

Please forgive me if I'm a bit rude but being brand new to this forum I'd prefer not to be specific, let's just say north of the city.

photome

John259 wrote: »

Please forgive me if I'm a bit rude but being brand new to this forum I'd prefer not to be specific, let's just say north of the city.

I have just edited my post although not sure what I am worried about but just realised you have quoted me :eek:, maybe you could edit my quote or delete from your post

John259

photome wrote: »

just realised you have quoted me

Done - tin foil hats firmly in place!

terryrees

evo1 wrote: »

So myself and 7 friends go to Vegas next month (11th -19th) and are wondering a few things - if anyone can help that would be brilliant.

Firstly, is there any news on the zip wire across downtown? I've seen lots of blogs and review websites stating early 2014 but no confirmation.

Would it be better to book excursions and activities before hand or when we're in Vegas? I'm worried about availability if we don't book in advance, however one of the lads believes it's cheaper to wait until we're out there due to the amount of booths and reps trying to sell deals - lower prices.

We also arrive in time for the Manny fight at the MGM - not holding out much hope of getting a ticket so can anyone recommend a decent place to watch the fight?

thanks all :T

As far as excursions and the like are concerned, I would recommend you have a look at Groupon, Travelzoo and Living Social as they have some good offers on there. Otherwise, when you know what you want to do, google it with "discount" as you can often find offers. I would be very surprised if you are able to find the same things cheaper whilst in Vegas. Last year a couple of friends decided that they wanted to see the Grand Canyon and booked it on the strip and there was no bargaining them down. They could have got it a LOT cheaper if they'd booked ahead.

ferf1223

evo1 wrote: »

Would it be better to book excursions and activities before hand or when we're in Vegas? I'm worried about availability if we don't book in advance, however one of the lads believes it's cheaper to wait until we're out there due to the amount of booths and reps trying to sell deals - lower prices.

agree that it depends on what you mean by excursions and activities, how flexible you would be on timings and as terryrees said you can find discounts for many are available pre-booking before you go. In some cases maybe you would find a bit cheaper when you are there but for anything that anyone has their heart set on I would normally just book in advance. That has the benefit of locking it in in terms of timing too so you can plan other things around it...

Vegas does tend to be the sort of place you go with a lot of intentions and get on the plane home with a list of things you never go to. One of the nice things about the place is you can go with very little planned and find your time is filled naturally...but it's also a dangerous place if there are a lot of things people really want to do as time can just vanish.

One day I swear we will get up that Eiffel Tower...20+ trips down and it hasn't happened yet, but it will. Eventually.