Viva Las Vegas

[SaharaSunset]

I've booked a trip to Vegas next May - 3 nights and 4 full days - and now I'm trying to put an itinerary together.

I definitely want to go to the Grand Canyon but I'm aware this will take up a whole day.

What else is there that is a MUST do on the trip?

This is why I always disagree with people who say a week in Vegas is too long. If you're planning trips then it's really not and there's lots to see around Vegas.

I would just stick to the grand canyon and if possible splash out on one that gets you there quickly (helicopter rather than bus etc). And you'll see the Hoover dam etc when flying over.

Red Rock is really nice but if it's your first time and you've only got 3 nights personally I'd stay and enjoy the strip/downtown.

@leghairdontcare I agree with you and would have loved more time but we are stuck for time as going between DH's work

What are the top hotels/restaurants you would recommend?

Other than the Grand Canyon, I would spend most of my time on the Strip but definitely spend half a day or so in downtown Vegas. The Neon Boneyard and Mob Museum are worth checking out and if you're brave there's the zip line on Fremont Street.

You can't go wrong with most of the main hotels on the Strip especially towards the South and Centre. I'be stayed at Caesars Palace, NYNY, Planet Hollywood and the Luxor and had no complaint.

Don't miss the duelling Pianos at NYNY, that's a bargain for a night out!

Where are you staying? I've stayed at MGM Grand and loved it. Go Tom watch the Bellagio fountains at night time, catch the bus to Fremont Street for retro Vegas. Catch a show or two. We didn't do swanky restaurants as we had our DDs with us and were in a budget! Be prepared for the scorchin g, windy heat!

The zipline on Fremont St is a must-do, be daring and do the upper line as it's amazing says she who almost bottled it and had to be persuaded not to go back down in the lift by a staff member

I have stayed in the NYNY and Hard Rock Hotel. Both great. The steak house at the Hard Rock was amazing. We did Grand Canyon but hired a car and drove ourselves. Bellagio Fountains and Freemont Street are a must, but other than that we mostly just hotel hopped on the strip. They are all so different and they are huge so it takes a lot of time.

We did 4 days and did the following:

-Valley of Fire 1/2 day
-Grand Canyon South ridge (full day, went to Hoover Dam on the way)

• Fremont Street one evening
• Went to a gun range
• did a show one night
• did happy half hour on the eye thing (was only there this year and already forgot what it's called!)

Food wise we did a buffet at the Wynn, ate at the Peppermill one night, and Nacho Daddy but ate quite cheaply for the rest.

The rest of the time we spent walking up and down the strip, we went into all the major casinos.

So yeah we did plenty in that time, just didn't get much time to relax!

Catch the hypnosis show one night at Miracle Mile - it’s the funniest thing we’ve ever seen. You might even be one of those who get hypnotised.

@Soontobe60 we're staying at the Bellagio as my husband has always wanted to stay there

@purpleolive did you book things like the gun range before you got there? Or any of your nicer meals?

@SaharaSunset no we didn't. We went to American Shooters as we didn't want to go to gimmicky one like Battlefield, we've shot before so wanted something locals use, being mid week it wasn't overly busy. Peppermill we went at 5 just before it gets busy and the Wynn we went at lunch time so again wasn't as busy, don't think you can book buffets? Only thing we booked in advance was our show and our car hire (oh and the the wheel thing as we found a cheap deal on groupon).