7 days - Vegas, Grand Canyon...?
Apr 25, 2010, 2:20 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA, USAir, UA
Posts: 868
And just to take the complete opposite tack from everyone...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'd spend my first day recovering in Vegas.
The second taking the aerial tour of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, saving a whole day spend in the car getting there....using the rest of the day for a half day visit to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
The third day I'd head Northwest, and explore Death Valley, spending the night in Mammoth Lakes in California.
The fourth day I'd slip into Yosemite "through the back way" which should have the aspen groves on the eastern Sierra in full autumnal colors, and stay the night in Yosemite Valley, which will be much less overrun with tourists being well after Labor Day.
The fifth day I'd drive South through the Sierra foothills ascending again to see Sequoia National Park, staying in Giant Forest.
The Sixth day, I'd head for LA staying somewhere in the Northern Suburbs like Castaic or Santa Clarita.
Last day to hit a few LA landmarks (Hollywood? Beach? Studio tour?) and then fly out from LAX.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++
You'll miss the some of the spectacular deserts.....but include some of the most amazing mountains.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I'd spend my first day recovering in Vegas.
The second taking the aerial tour of the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas, saving a whole day spend in the car getting there....using the rest of the day for a half day visit to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
The third day I'd head Northwest, and explore Death Valley, spending the night in Mammoth Lakes in California.
The fourth day I'd slip into Yosemite "through the back way" which should have the aspen groves on the eastern Sierra in full autumnal colors, and stay the night in Yosemite Valley, which will be much less overrun with tourists being well after Labor Day.
The fifth day I'd drive South through the Sierra foothills ascending again to see Sequoia National Park, staying in Giant Forest.
The Sixth day, I'd head for LA staying somewhere in the Northern Suburbs like Castaic or Santa Clarita.
Last day to hit a few LA landmarks (Hollywood? Beach? Studio tour?) and then fly out from LAX.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++
You'll miss the some of the spectacular deserts.....but include some of the most amazing mountains.
May 3, 2010, 6:19 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Las Vegas,NV
Programs: AA Plat HH Diamond
Posts: 99
For Las Vegas visitors I might add a couple of suggestions:
1. Hotel room rates jump wildly. What might be $79 on Thursday, might be $179 or $279 on Friday/Saturday. Cheapest is always Sunday through Thursday, compared to Friday and Saturday nights.
2. The Las Vegas Review-Journal (the newspaper) does an annual reader survey called "The Best of Las Vegas" which might be helpful. Go to
www.LVRJ.com and then Entertainment and click The Best of Las Vegas on the drop-down screen
3. A private monthly publication by Anthony Curtis (about $45/yr) has a web site that offers a lot of free advice. Go to
www.lasvegasadvisor.com
1. Hotel room rates jump wildly. What might be $79 on Thursday, might be $179 or $279 on Friday/Saturday. Cheapest is always Sunday through Thursday, compared to Friday and Saturday nights.
2. The Las Vegas Review-Journal (the newspaper) does an annual reader survey called "The Best of Las Vegas" which might be helpful. Go to
www.LVRJ.com and then Entertainment and click The Best of Las Vegas on the drop-down screen
3. A private monthly publication by Anthony Curtis (about $45/yr) has a web site that offers a lot of free advice. Go to
www.lasvegasadvisor.com
Last edited by lvtrader; May 3, 2010 at 6:45 pm Reason: improved instructions to get to The Best of Las Vegas
May 6, 2010, 9:46 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,474
Phoenix isn't necessary or desirable as a stop, but Sedona could certainly be. It's just south of Flagstaff and absolutely gorgeous country.
Mon - Arrive LAS
Tue - Drive to Grand Canyon
Wed - Grand Canyon
Thu - Sedona, drive back to LAS
Fri - LAS
Sat - LAS
Sun - LAS-LAX (via flying/driving/etc.)
Mon - Arrive LAS
Tue - Drive to Grand Canyon
Wed - Grand Canyon
Thu - Sedona, drive back to LAS
Fri - LAS
Sat - LAS
Sun - LAS-LAX (via flying/driving/etc.)
Forget Phoenix as it's too far from LAS.
May 7, 2010, 9:15 am
#19
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
You actually have a few options not mentioned
1) You can fly direct from LA to Flagstaff- daily flights
2) You can fly direct from Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. This is a less than an hour flight and it is very scenic and narrated, when you get to S. Rim the tour they line up is very generic and there are not any rental cars available. I suggest googling "private grand canyon tour" and you should be able to find a company that will give you a great tour and be able to accommodate for your travel needs.
1) You can fly direct from LA to Flagstaff- daily flights
2) You can fly direct from Vegas to Grand Canyon South Rim. This is a less than an hour flight and it is very scenic and narrated, when you get to S. Rim the tour they line up is very generic and there are not any rental cars available. I suggest googling "private grand canyon tour" and you should be able to find a company that will give you a great tour and be able to accommodate for your travel needs.
May 7, 2010, 9:22 am
#20
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 12
Worst Idea possibl
I highly suggest this itinerary. Be sure to allow a whole day for the drive to the Grand Canyon. You can actually stay overnight in Flagstaff on Tues and Wed night. If you feel like driving through Sedona on the way back to LAS, you definitely can visit "Red Rock Country". Another option is to drive through Prescott, which is more of an "Old West" town and was the capital of Arizona for many years before it became a state.
Forget Phoenix as it's too far from LAS.
Forget Phoenix as it's too far from LAS.