Going to Vegas Saturday

[RotorHead]

Kathleen and I are flying out to Las Vegas Saturday for a week of vacation. Her mom is turning 70 and all of her family is meeting out there to celebrate. She has a couple of brothers that live there. We're staying at the Flamingo through Tuesday night. Saturday through Tuesday night will be spent in Vegas doing the usual stuff and hanging with her family.

The original plan was to fly back to Atlanta, pick up the Jeep and head out to Camp Jeep. Camp Jeep decided to cancel this year and Kathleen had already scheduled time off from work so we had to decide what to do in place of Camp Jeep. We decided to see some of the surrounding sites since I have never been out there. This is the part that I get to plan and the part I'm looking forward to the most.

I have tried to find a place to rent a Jeep, but Thrifty is the only place I found that lists them. When you book the rental, you only get Jeep Wrangler or similar, even when calling, so we'll see what I can do when I get there.

The plan so far is to drive out to the Grand Canyon, stopping by the Hoover Dam on the way. We'll probably hike one of the trails partially down the Canyon. Most of them are about 13 miles or so round trip descending almost 5000 ft, so unless you plan to camp at the bottom or are in super physical condition, you're not going to do this in one day. We'll probably hang out in this general area for Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday, we'll head over to Sedona taking scenic roads and stay Thursday night in that area.

Here's where I need you help. We have to be back at the airport Saturday around 6:00. Do any of you guys that are familiar with the area have any advise or must see's that you could clue me in on?

[Chris Hyde]

Have fun and be safe!

[BigJerm]

never been before but hope to one day! O and dont you come back married and drunk from Vegas....

 ;D

[Ben H.]

Vegas!

The Hoover Dam is really cool to see. Try and take one of the tours. You can't do the hard-hat ones anymore but it's still cool to see the inside.

[Will]

Have fun!

[Krawler00]

No advice except stat out of the casinos. Do the hike and camp, I hear that is an awesome expierience!

[DOUG]

Mike, you definitely want to do the canyon if you don't mind the drive, the Damn is a great story (the bypass ducts are massive), and you're sure to see some F-22's in the sky if you venture south of town. 
Surely you're going to spend at least 1 night on the strip.  If you do, check out Harrah's outdoor circular bar/live band area.  It's right on the sidewalk off the strip, 100 feet in.  The bartenders make guys in the the movie "Cocktail" look amateur.  I've seen 40 shot glasses stacked, and poured across 40 cups at the same time there.  Just hope there is a Bachelorette party at the bar!

[ghostdancer308]

Here is what I hear from the thousandaires I work with-
  Take the Helicopter tour of the dam. You pay a little extra and have a picnic along with it. If at all possible, go down to Old Vegas I believe its called. Its 12$ cab ride. It has that arch/picture show that I hear is cool. I had this vacation locked on for the wife and myself this past May. She decided she wanted to go to the Bahamas, so we ended up at Atlantis Resort. Give those a shot and see you at Tellico! Have a good one. Glen

[RotorHead]

No advice except stat out of the casinos. Do the hike and camp, I hear that is an awesome expierience!

Sorry, meant to quote,  but modified you post instead. Here's what I meant to post.

Going to check into it, but from what I've read, you have to book camping almost a year out.

[RotorHead]

Mike, you definitely want to do the canyon if you don't mind the drive, the Damn is a great story (the bypass ducts are massive), and you're sure to see some F-22's in the sky if you venture south of town. 
Surely you're going to spend at least 1 night on the strip.  If you do, check out Harrah's outdoor circular bar/live band area.  It's right on the sidewalk off the strip, 100 feet in.  The bartenders make guys in the the movie "Cocktail" look amateur.  I've seen 40 shot glasses stacked, and poured across 40 cups at the same time there.  Just hope there is a Bachelorette party at the bar!

The first half of the week will be spent on the strip.

[RotorHead]

Here is what I hear from the thousandaires I work with-
  Take the Helicopter tour of the dam. You pay a little extra and have a picnic along with it. If at all possible, go down to Old Vegas I believe its called. Its 12$ cab ride. It has that arch/picture show that I hear is cool. I had this vacation locked on for the wife and myself this past May. She decided she wanted to go to the Bahamas, so we ended up at Atlantis Resort. Give those a shot and see you at Tellico! Have a good one. Glen

Looked into the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, but haven't checked into a tour of the dam. The price isn't as bad as you would think. I might do it, but I don't want to spend too much Jeep money. Still might do it anyway. I haven't flown in a helicopter since my army days.

[GIJoe4500]

The Grand Canyon is freakin' awesome!  Sedona ain't half bad.  If y'all are into motorcycles, there is a Harley Davidson rental place in Sedona.  1 block down from Subway.  The dam is kinda cool...but after bein' there for about 15 minutes, I got bored.