Las Vegas - Non-usual things to do in Vegas? Maybe for a pop-the-question getaway?

This topic doesn't seem to fit the other forums, so if I mis-posted feel free to move :)

I'm going to be hitting Vegas with my girlfriend in early April. She is originally from Eastern Europe and has only been to the USA once. Her travel is limited to Russia, Finland, New York City, and once to Cyprus. Its her birthday and I am planning a trip to Vegas. I'm thinking maybe between 7 and 10 days, not sure.

I've been to vegas tons of times and I have a few ideas of things to do, but since there is SO MUCH to do, I'm interested in suggestions. She is not a gambler. I want to treat her to a vacation she will love but not spend my life savings doing it :) I figure to spend maybe $2-3k over and above the cost of airfare, hotel and car rental. This is quite a special occasion for us since it's her 30th birthday, and we have not seen each other for a long long looong time. Its sort of a 'reunion' trip for the two of us, and is quite special - you never know what can happen in vegas with those all-night chapels :) (wink).

-I was thinking a day trip through the Valley of Fire (is the weather nice in April? As I recall, it is quite warm)
-Maybe a day trip to the Hoover dam (haven't been post-9/11 so maybe its all locked down down or is more of a tourist trap than ever before?)
-Maybe ATV riding in the desert? (never tried this - is it fun?)
-I saw Mystere and IMO it was the best show I've seen. I have seen several but never O at Bellagio. I want to hit at least one show, thinking Mystere unless someone has a better suggestion?
-Of course the rollercoasters and rides are fun
-These used to be a restaurant called Bacchanal at Caesars. I LOVED it. But sadly, its gone. It was people walking around dressed as romans and they just fed you huge amounts of food on a big platter. It was one of the most memorable dining nights I ever had. I am not one for going to a nice restaurant just to be seen or to impress, so if I am gonna spend the dough, I want something unique that we'll enjoy - something 'different' than just fois gras, truffled everything and aloof waitstaff. Suggestions?
-Kinda sorta thinking of one of those heli trips to do rafting on the colorado river. Or maybe the burro ride down to the water from the rim. Are either of them worthwhile or just tourist traps? Is that new skyway out over the canyon done yet?

What else do folks recommend? We're both relatively young, energetic, adventurous. Just looking to ENJOY the time without rotting our brains and wallets sitting at a blackjack table until 3am, ya know?

FT has a very lively Las Vegas Forum. So, I'm going to move this thread to that forum. Please follow there.
Thanks..
Obscure 2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

Here are a few ideas -

Sagebrush Ranch offers sunset dinners after a horseback ride. They also have breakfasts if you like to get up early: http://www.sagebrush-ranch.com/tours/dinner.html

This side trip to the Grand Canyon will take you out of Vegas for a night or two. Drive to Williams AZ about 4 hours from LAS. Visit the Deer Farm and spend the night for the morning train into the Grand Canyon. You can choose to spend an additional night in the Grand Canyon or return the same day on the train and make the drive back to Vegas. http://www.thetrain.com/

Closer to Vegas is Red Rock Canyon http://www.desertusa.com/redrock/

Rent a boat or take the paddlewheel dinner ride at Lake Mead. One of the boat rides I think stops at Hoover Dam to include that tour. http://www.sunsetcities.com/lake-mead-marina.html

Something very unique - Take a one day Uzi Class! http://frontsight.com/courses/uzi-submachine-gun-training.asp
This facility is featured in a reality TV show on the Versus channel VS. It is shown on Friday's and Sunday's if you want to see what they are like. Look for Front Sight Challenge Sunday 2:00PM Eastern time or Friday's 5:30 PM Eastern. Go to http://www.versus.com/findversus/ and enter your zip code to locate your local VS Network channel to find Front Sight Challenge.

You are also a few hours away from Death Valley http://www.nps.gov/archive/deva/scottys1.htm

I remember seeing on one of the Casino tv shows with a couple that took a helicopter ride out to somewhere in the Canyon and had a picnic there. That was arranged by their host, but I'm sure you could figure out the details if it seems interesting.

I've not stayed in one, but how about a night in a cabin on the rim of the GC?
Pop the question, if you wish, watching the sun rise over the canyon, weather permitting.

Flying back by plane is a long hassle, so have reservations in an upgraded room at Bellagio, Paris or similar, try out the furniture in the room :) then dine while overlooking the Fountains of Bellagio. ^

You could always take her to the Chicken Ranch (chickenranchbrothel.com) over the hump in Pahrump. :D

Edit: Link probably not work friendly.

See O instead of Mystere. It's a lot more romantic. Nothing romantic in the least about crying baby jokes, in fact, it's a little creepy. But maybe that isn't in Mystere any more, it has been a few years.

Girls like foie gras and truffles. Sorry. The Bachanal was not a romantic thing. It was more in the category of cheesy fun, like the Liberace Museum. At least one decent tasting menu with wine options, if you please! :) But if you do want some cheese, I believe the Excalibur is still having the medieval jousts where you dine and watch guys on horses joust with each other. You'd better have a sense of humor, but it's fun.

You ought to leave a day or two and some budget for shopping. A half day for spa if she likes spa.

Since you're not into gambling, only want to see one show, and don't like fine dining, I'm not sure that I'd spend this entire trip in Vegas. Maybe keep it to three days to Vegas and then go somewhere else. Grand Canyon is an idea that others have suggested. Sedona might be worth considering too. 10 days is waaaaaay too long to be in Vegas if you don't gamble. Besides the rather obvious fact that you're missing the entire reason for the place to exist. Kind of like going to Orlando but you don't want to indulge in any theme parks.

Drive to the top of Mt. Washington. A few minutes from Vegas. Fascinating to go from hot desert to cool mountain (with some killer views) in the space of a few miles and a few minutes.

Take her to Petrossian in the Bellagio, order some Russian caviar, Iranian will do, and a bottle of Dom Perignon to get her into the mood: - after you finish the Dom, pop the question. :p

One thing I want to try is a Segway tour (I think they are downtown in the Freemont area). When I go on my next trip there, I am going to check into it. I have always wanted to try a Segway.

Drive to the top of Mt. Washington. A few minutes from Vegas. Fascinating to go from hot desert to cool mountain (with some killer views) in the space of a few miles and a few minutes.

Are you talking about Mount Charleston? With the lodge and ski resort?
http://www.mtcharlestonlodge.com/

I've never heard of Mount Washington and would like to know more if I am missing something.

Thanks.

Check out this place,
http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/

Its a windtunnel that simulates sky diving. The website has pictures of what it looks like. If you are young and energetic, it is a cool, unusual thing to do in Vegas. The website usually has a coupon you can print out as well. Its also not too far from the big hotels on the strip.

Also, for couples I think O is a better show to see than Mystere,

drnp

There used to be a restaurant called Bacchanal at Caesars. I LOVED it. But sadly, its gone. It was people walking around dressed as romans and they just fed you huge amounts of food on a big platter. It was one of the most memorable dining nights I ever had.

just a point of reference, but The Bacchanal (http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/caesars-atlantic-city/restaurants-dining/the-bacchanal-detail.html) is still alive at Caesars Atlantic City.

There is also that wind tunnel thing that simulates skydiving which is really fun to do. I don't know that I would call it romantic, but it is different. And the Hoover Dam isn't all that romantic either, but I thought it was extremely cool.

Going to the top of Eifel Tower at Paris Casino, and seeing a panoramic view of las--there is a restaurant on top, I've never tried it so I can't comment about the food; ditto for the Strasosphere Tower. But a French setting is always more romantic.

For a show, I would suggest Danny Gans. It seems like no one outside of Las Vegas has ever heard of him, but the man is incredible. Impersonator, singer, comedian, etc. Tickets are $100 per person.

Mike

The Mirage has The Beatle's LOVE by Cirque de Soleil, which is a GREAT show to take any girl to (Soleil, the Beatles, AND a love theme . . . you can't lose!). They have pictures and previews on their website (http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/love/intro/intro.htm?sa_campaign=internal_click/redirect/love).


If she's the geeky type, the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton is also great, and the roller-coaster like rides are nice for the cling factor. Plus it has its own monorail stop, so easy to get to from anywhere on the Strip.