Another one headed for Las Vegas

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Off to LV tomorrow for a quick two-night professional trip. I won't have a lot of spare time but nights should be free. I'm staying up toward the Summerlin area. Any suggestions for food or entertainment welcome.

I am somwhat morbidly curious to see just how bad it really is in this city of supposed financial devastation. I have a good hunch it will be well hidden from the casual traveler, unlike someone in the housing market or looking for a job.

 

[audreyh1]

Well, I almost said I have never been to Las Vegas, but last spring (before the big crash) I did drive the motorhome through it heading north, after driving the motorhome across the Hoover Dam.

Not being a gambler or a show aficionado, I never had any desire to go to Las Vegas. I had never even been inside a Casino until we got the motorhome. But as Casinos have handy RV parks, we have stayed at a couple - one in Mississippi on the gulf, and one on an Indian Reservation in CO and another reservation in WA. Out of morbid curiosity I had to walk through them just to see what all the fuss was about, dragging a very complaining husband behind me who hated the noise, lights and smoke but refused to allow me to walk unescorted.

DH can't stand them so I doubt I'll ever go in one again.

The sad thing about the reservation casinos is it seems to be mostly local Indians playing.

Audrey

 

[bbbamI]

It's been three years since I've been to Vegas, however I have been there many times. I enjoy the casinos...I guess it's all them there 'purty' lights.

I suggest you contact a limo service and see what type of packages they offer; your concierge should be able to assist you in this matter. This way you can see the purty lights, and enjoy a beverage or two in comfort and safety.

 

[TromboneAl]

Off to LV tomorrow for a quick two-night professional trip.

You shouldn't have any trouble finding professionals.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Well, I almost said I have never been to Las Vegas, but last spring (before the big crash) I did drive the motorhome through it heading north, after driving the motorhome across the Hoover Dam.

Not being a gambler or a show aficionado, I never had any desire to go to Las Vegas. I had never even been inside a Casino until we got the motorhome. But as Casinos have handy RV parks, we have stayed at a couple - one in Mississippi on the gulf, and one on an Indian Reservation in CO and another reservation in WA. Out of morbid curiosity I had to walk through them just to see what all the fuss was about, dragging a very complaining husband behind me who hated the noise, lights and smoke but refused to allow me to walk unescorted.

DH can't stand them so I doubt I'll ever go in one again.

The sad thing about the reservation casinos is it seems to be mostly local Indians playing.

If you assume that LV is the "Strip" and only that, I agree with you.

Though I did have a colleague who lived there and he said that he would get down to the strip maybe twice a year tops, usually when friends were visiting. He lived in a very nice suburb and found it to be excellent desert living, like Tucson or Phoenix, but less expensive. Lots of outside stuff with Red Rock Canyon and Mt. Charleston for hiking, Lake Mead, Northern Az natural attractions.

Then again, they're running out of water, housing is filled with short sales, and even the casinos are hurting badly.

 

[bbbamI]

Then again, they're running out of water, housing is filled with short sales, and even the casinos are hurting badly.

Thanks Rich...TX doesn't sound so bad now....

 

[megacorp-firee]

Off to LV tomorrow for a quick two-night professional trip. I won't have a lot of spare time but nights should be free. I'm staying up toward the Summerlin area. Any suggestions for food or entertainment welcome.

I am somwhat morbidly curious to see just how bad it really is in this city of supposed financial devastation. I have a good hunch it will be well hidden from the casual traveler, unlike someone in the housing market or looking for a job.

The Beatles tribute at the Mirage is pretty good. I think Bette Midler is now playing at Caesars in place of Celine. Any of the Circ de Solei shows are entertaining.
Lots of good food in LV, check out Chowhound.com website for recommendations.
If you haven't been to vegas or haven't been there lately, then you would probably just find walking into a bunch of the casino's interesting. Bellagio and Venetian are nice on the high end. Excalibur and New York New York on the mid to low end. Go downtown, Fremont St. at night and see the free show every hour, look up.
Have a great time.

The casinos are a lot less crowded than usual. All of the residents are complaining about home values. Still a lot of 'hawkers' on the street trying to get you to check out their 'professionals'.
Be sure to support the local economy.

 

[audreyh1]

In early 2008 we drove up the western edge of Nevada on or way to OR via US95. In mid 2008 we returned across the northern edge via I-80.

Other than the Reno area, our general impression was - wow, what a lot of endless nothing wasteland! Almost no green, dry, treeless. Who the heck would live here voluntarily?!?!

I don't know if I could bring myself to drive across NV via I-80 again. We need to return to spend some time in Death Valley though - we drove into the eastern entrance at sunset one evening after camping for a night, but didn't have time to do more.

Audrey

 

[walkinwood]

Have a great trip.

If you haven't left yet, take a small tripod or beanbag to rest your camera on. LV is great for night photography.

 

[M Paquette]

Other than the Reno area, our general impression was - wow, what a lot of endless nothing wasteland! Almost no green, dry, treeless. Who the heck would live here voluntarily?!?!

I guess it depends on your job. Some folks found it pretty useful...

 

[Orchidflower]

I just heard on tv the other day that Summerlin was originally the property to Howard Hughes before it was built up. Just an interesting factoid for 'ya.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

I just heard on tv the other day that Summerlin was originally the property to Howard Hughes before it was built up. Just an interesting factoid for 'ya.

Just back from Summerlin and I heard that, too. It is actually a very attractive set of small villages with town centers, etc. The natives are amazingly apathetic about the "strip" and view it as an ATM for the city and county.

I liked it from what little I saw and heard (it was a work trip). Especially the fact that it is 45 minutes to Mt Charleston, 90 minutes to St. George, 4 hours to the Zien, Bryce; 90 minutes to the Grand Canyon, 4 hours from Los Angelas and the ocean. I concluded that LV as a real community gets a bad rap from the Strip.

Most important is that I won $200 in 15 minutes at the roulette table.