Hoover Dam & Las Vegas
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2008
1
33
58
Trip End
Apr 19, 2009
Las Vegas,
Nevada,
United States
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
On our way back from the Desert lands, we crossed over the Hoover Dam. Security has been tightened due to the fear of a terrorist attack, with the need for all cars to pass through check points when entering from either side. A new highway is under construction as well as a new bridge which will take you over the canyon instead of over the Dam. Interestingly the border for Arizona and Nevada runs right through the centre of the dam.
The water levels looked pretty low, and we have to say it wasn't quite as big as we'd envisaged. That said it is still an amazing piece of engineering for its time. Finished in 1935 and standing 726ft tall, the dam's art-deco style looks dramatic against the desert landscape. We stopped and took a few shots from the numerous view points before heading on the 40 or so miles to Las Vegas.
Las Vegas
Our second visit to Vegas, it's a great place to visit at least once in your life time, don't be put off by thinking this is just a gambling Mecca, it is so much more. The strip is where the main concentration of hotels are situated, however there are a few older hotels located in the original downtown area. My tip would be to stay near to the strip as this is where most of the action is. Our hotel, the Desert Rose, provided us with a very comfortable stay just behind the strip for an amazingly low price of just £40 a night for a high quality self contained apartment. Breakfast and early evening snacks and drinks were included in the price!
We enjoyed the company of Tim, my eldest brother and his wife Teresa for a few days.
Hoover Dam, NV & AZ
They had first called into New York for a few days before flying over to Vegas, and were enjoying every minute! We had a great few days playing the slots, visiting the attractions, a comedy club as well as enjoying a well needed chill out session, don't laugh now; this travelling malarkey is hard going, especially when you are driving thousands of miles!On our last evening here we met up with an ex colleague Helen and her fiancé John who had come out to Vegas to get married, we enjoyed an evening with them over a few beers and had a delicious dinner at the Spice Market, which is downstairs in the Planet Hollywood Hotel. Unfortunately we would be on our way to LA, when Helen & John tie the knot so were able to witness the union. I'm sure it will be fabulous, especially the setting and hour north of Vegas in the Valley of Fire. "H & J, we wish you a long and enjoyable life together. Enjoy you're the rest of your trip; we hope the UK celebrations go well too".
Vegas gambling kicked off in a small way back in the 1930's when gambling was legalise in the state of Nevada. Throughout the 1940's big names such as Frank Sinatra and Liberace arrived on stage, building the popularity of Vegas. This trend continues with countless Broadway shows and big names such Elton John and Cher topping the bill at Caesars Palace. The real building boom didn't actually occur until the 1990's when the MGM Grand mega resort was built. To this day Vegas has been on a building spree, not just on the strip but the whole of the city, and is in fact the fasted growing metropolitan area in the USA.
Welcome to Las Vegas
Just now there is a boom in new hotel and condo buildings, with some of the old entertainment features such as the Mirage Volcano and Treasure Island Battle undergoing refurbishment, so my advice would be to give it a year to settle down before visiting. The city never sleeps, but hotels are very well soundproofed, as long as you're room is not next to the ice machine, lifts or air conditioning units! (Tim and Teresa didn't get much sleep on their first night!). Don't be put off by the thought of non stop noise, just ask for a quite room. This is America at its most brash, with neon lights, hotels with in excess of 4000 rooms and casino's that appear to go on for miles. Accept it for what it is and you will have an amazing time.
Some tips!
· The strip is longer than it looks! You will try to walk everywhere once! But believe me in heat often exceeding 100f you'll not manage it for too long. Don't panic Double Decker buses (The Deuce) run up and down the strip 24/7 and are just $5 for a 24 hour pass. The downside is the bus can take an hour to travel the strip as it stops at most hotels, keep this in mind if you are trying to catch a show.
· Most hotels are good quality; you really don't need to pay much more than £50 a night for a hotel room. Remember everyone can access all the hotels facilities so it's only a room you are paying for. Hotel rooms will be higher on Friday and Saturday nights, so save money by visiting Sunday through Thursday.
· Buffets are excellent value but you will tend to gorge! There are plenty of other restaurants to suit all pockets. Recommended buffets are at the Rio, Belagio and the Spice Market at the Planet Hollywood Hotel.
· The Grand Canyon is at least a 4 hour drive away, if time in limited, book a tour that takes you out by plane, there are many combinations available on line which can be booked before arriving.
· There are two good outlet malls a miles off either end of the Strip, they sell designer clothes through to everyday wear, they are great value, often half of UK prices. So come with a half empty suitcase and shop when you arrive!
· I would personally recommend you see the desert parks of Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon whilst out this way, it's a long way to come just for Vegas, or at the very least take a city stop over on the way here or back.
· Be sure to visit Fremont Street, in the down town area. Once it's dark the hourly laser display is fantastic. The Deuce bus will take you here, too far to walk!
