In April, 2012 we took an off-season trip to North America's great Wild West to see Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon.Being from the Midwest, Las Vegas always seemed so far away but yet it was one of those places that we both wanted to experience at least once in our lives. When we relocated to Texas, we took advantage of our location - still, SO far from Nevada, but it was closer now than when we were in Indiana - and drove out west for a week to cover it all... the Dam, the Canyon and the Vegas strip. We left Austin on a Saturday and started our drive to west Texas. Road trips can create the feeling of extra long vacations but with a fuel-efficient car, it just makes everything more affordable. Plus, neither of us had really experienced the southwest so driving allowed us the opportunity to see so many things first hand. Making our way to Nevada, we stopped in New Mexico and Arizona to see the Painted Desert. By Sunday, we were in Vegas and our hotel had convenient vehicle parking for the week. We did take our car out twice, once to drive off the strip to Hotel Rio for their rooftop bar and a second time to explore Old Vegas over on Fremont Street. By Thursday, we checked out of Planet Hollywood and headed to the Dam and the Canyon. There were lots of tour companies taking day trips from Las Vegas to the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon but we were really happy to have our own transportation which allowed us to go at our leisure. The Strip Details: Since we were willing to stay during the week as opposed to Friday-Satuday nights, we scored a sweet 30% off deal for our strip facing room at Planet Hollywood. The promotion was only good for Sunday-Thursday stays and could only be made through PH's website. (CHEAP TIP: Remember to check specific hotel websites to snag special deals, don't just use Kayak or cheaphotels.com.) We had an amazing view and could see all of MGM/New York as well as the Bellagio Hotel's water ballet that we watched every night before bed. We spent 4 nights in LV at Planet Hollywood and that was by far enough time to see everything. We had gambled (very little, we were awful/unlucky!), caught four wonderful shows, ate at a Las Vegas buffet, rode the gondolas at the Venetian, posed at the "Fabulous Las Vegas" sign, walked through Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, and danced the nights away at some Vegas clubs. By Thursday, we were ready for a break! We checked out of our hotel and drove east to the Hoover Dam. The Hoover Dam Details: We could have stopped on the way in but we were very ready to see Las Vegas and decided to save the Dam for the return trip. Our time there was around 90 minutes. We walked across the highway bridge to see the Dam from afar as well as viewing it up close on the Hoover Dam property. We did have to pay to park once we were inside the Dam but the parking was majorly convenient. There are lots of things to look at and the Hoover Dam has a walking tour but we decided to skip that and head to the Grand Canyon. Leaving the Dam, we continued to the west rim of the Grand Canyon to experience the Skywalk. The Skywalk was only 5 years old when we went so it was very well advertised and we decided to visit that. After our experience there, we both decided we wish we would have done more research on which rim is best for first timers. Regardless, the Canyon was magnificent and we made it there just in time for the sunset over the Colorado River. We were speechless at God's creation. The Canyon Details:
First of all, the drive to the skywalk was intense! The Grand Canyon is very protected so you can't actually drive to it. You have to make your way onto the park property and once there you park and have to pay admission to see the canyon, walk the skywalk, and be transported to and from the rim. That part was easy, expensive... but easy. The rough part was the two hour drive on a makeshift road literally stuck between cacti and wildlife on government property. It was eery and rather exhausting driving back after the sun set. We were both on high alert for coyotes, elk, and mountain lions! But it was all very worth the views! After the sun had set, we headed back to our car and drove back to Texas, without stopping! We had originally planned to stop that night after visiting the Canyon and start fresh in the morning. However, by the time we came across a populous city, we both felt we had enough energy to keep going. We took turns resting and driving and made it back to Austin by Friday evening. We spent the rest of the weekend sleeping! Until Next Time, C + D
3 Comments
Danielle
3/6/2015 01:04:23 am
Oh, awesome!! Once you get on the road, leaving Las Vegas, you should see signs for the Hoover Dam. I hope you get to visit, it's pretty cool. And Vegas is a blast - Have fun!
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12/5/2020 12:12:02 pm
Wow!! The pictures and the detailed writeup about Vegas is just mind blowing. Amazing trip you had. Vegas Tours is a good place to book hoover dam tour as they offer confirmed reservation when you book online. Go and enjoy the trip !!
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