Hey peoples,

Im going to be flying to Las Vegas in March/April time next year for my brothers wedding. I think Im going to be in America for a fortnight so need to find some things to do, cause I dont really gamble and Elvis just really isnt my thing.

I was thinking about going to see Penn and Teller cause I read they perform in Las Vegas. Anybody know if the Blue Man Group perform?
I was also thinking about going to a gun range, since we dont have guns here like you do it would be fun. And a trip to the grand canyon, all touristy things. Does anybody have any ideas of other things to do? How far away is California, is it within driving distance as Id like to see Yellowstone or Yosemite, the one with old faithfull in it?

Take it easy
Ripple

Well, Los Angelas is 299 miles from downtown Las Vegas. about a 6 hour drive. Yellowstone is either Wyoming or Montana. I'm never sure as I've never been there. You can book Grand canyon tours from any one of the many companies that have them. Just pay attention to the signs you'll see when you go out to look at all the lights on the strip. There is always circus-circus for non-gambling fun. They have a carnival midway with all kinds of games. Not just video games, but things like a 'Dime Toss' and water pistols that pop balloons to win a stuffed thing.
I think the blue-man group are on tour at present. Penn/Teller I belive are at the RIO hotel on Flamingo road just off the 'Strip'.
Good luck!

Thanks Matt! Ive got a whole fortnight to do stuff with so am bound to end up at Circus Circus, sounds like sun

Thats what I'm here for. ;)

Ripple:
One place I would suggest , The tour of Hoover Dam.
It is a truely awsome piece of engineering.......Dennis

Yellowstone with Old Faithful is in Wyoming, more than a thousand miles away. Yosemite, a beautiful park, is an 8 hour drive to the North, and before you reach Yosemite, along Highway 395 in California, there are many beautiful spots, such as just west of Bishop there is Lake Sabrina, also north of Bishop is Mammoth Lakes and the June Lake Loop, all very beautiful, and a 6 -7 hour drive.For something a little closer, you might want to try the San Bernadino Mountains just outside of Los Angeles, a 4 hour drive. There is Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, a couple of beautiful spots, but you might want to check to make sure that the fires are no longer going on in that area.

As for closer to town, be sure to go out to Hoover Dam, a must see. If you like roller coasters, we have a few in town, and also a very nice one out at Primm, which is just a 30 minute drive south on I-15. For the best view of the entire city, go to the Stratosphere Tower and pay the 10 bucks to go to the top.

If you want a quiet picnic, or a great meal at altitude, may I recommend Mount Charleston. It is a 30 minute drive to the North on I-95 and Highway 157. Make sure your gas tank is full, and if you are going for a picnic, that you have your food with you, as there is no gas or store on the mountain. You can have a quiet picnic at Deer Creek, or you can follow Highway 157 to the end and have a nice meal and drinks in the Mount Charleston Lodge.

You can also do a lot of hiking at Mount Charleston. If you dont want the altitude, you can take in Red Rocks State Park 20 minutes west of Downtown. Just follow Charleston Blvd all the way west to the mountains. For something with a a little less people, you can go to Valley of Fire State Park, which is about 30 minutes North on I-15.

Well, thats all I can think of now, I am sure I have left out a few things. Any questions, dont hesitate to ask.

I suggest you visit a Peter Lik gallery while there.

I suggest you visit a Peter Lik gallery while there.
Ummm. While he is where? Please tell us where it is.

Also another popular Hippy visit within a 12 hour trip of Las Vegas is: Sedona Arizona. Off Highway 17A between Flagstaff and Phoenix. Home of the spritual vortex, and lots of artists.

Ummm. While he is where? Please tell us where it isWhile in Vegas. There are 3 galleries in Vegas. One at the Venetian, one at Caeser's Palace, and one at Mandalay Bay.

Ceasars eh? Hell. I can get there on my scooter-chair! I'll have to check that out myself.

There was an excellent thing to do in Vegas tonight, and that was to go see Trans Siberian Orchestra at the Events Center in Mandalay Bay. WOW, what an excellent show. 2 1/2 hours of total excellence. This is a band that has quality musicians, excellent stage and light show, crystal clear sound, just everything about the show was an A+. Its been awhile since I was in the Events Center as I usually dont attend big arena shows. For the Mandalay Bay, I am more of a House of Blues person. But I am sure glad I attended this show, even though I had to park at the Luxor, as Mandalay Bay's parking garage filled quickly, due to maybe about 8,000 people attending this show.

I didn't even know they were coming to Vegas so soon. I expected them around the 18th or 19th of December. Glad you enjoyed the show. I've heard thier sounds on TV commercials. They are good.

I got lucky and won 3rd row seats from 97.1 The Point. And they are more than just good, they are the best thing on tour at the moment, in my opinion anyway.

The point? no crap?! It's a fantastic show I'm sure.

there was a Beatles Cirque show at the Mirage, and the Blue Men at the Luxor. I'm not sure what's going on there now. Vegas is ALWAYS changing

Also as mentioned above see who's playing ant Mandalay's House of Blues. I've seen a few good bands there.

The point? no crap?.Yeah, 97.1 My favorite local radio station now that KKLZ 96.3 has changed their format. And the Point is always giving something away, and I also do know many of the dj's that work there.http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/newsmilies/sifone.gif

Also as mentioned above see who's playing ant Mandalay's House of Blues. I've seen a few good bands there.House of Blues hosts many good concerts, but I am more partial to the Station Casino blues shows, Wednesday night at the Sante Fe, and Thursday night at the Boulder Station. You can usually see the same band twice in 2 nights if you desire, and both are free shows.
I have seen some great bands their, including Walter Trout, Joe Bonamasa, Chris Duarte, Coco Montoya, Wishbone Ash, etc. , all for free.

Nothing's free in Vegas... unless ya live there

Some of the lounge acts are still free. (As long as you're buying drinks I guess!) For us who live here, it still isn't free!

The Wednesday night concerts at the Santa Fe and Thursday night concerts at the Boulder Station are absolutely free. Yes, they serve drinks, but you are not obligated at all to buy any. I have gone in on many occasions and not spent a single penny and have enjoyed the 3 hours of music.

Spamalot at the Wynn is great, more than a bit pricey, especially if you want decent seats tho. Blue Man Group is absolutely fantastic, I saw it a month ago and it's at the Venetian right now. My boyfriends tickets were comped so I don't know the price range, but whatever it is, it's worth it, trust me. Percussion sounds give me a horrible headache that with in a few hours progresses into a migraine... and I STILL watched the entire show. KA is at the MGM grand and is absolutely beautiful and Zumanity at New York New York is gorgeous also. I would also recommend the drive to sedona. Sedona is gorgeous... look for a place called Grasshopper Point if you go.. it's a secluded little creek that's not very touristy, I love it there, I went there alot while I was pregnant so it's also a fairly easy hike.

Well, I did it again. Won more concert tickets from 97.1 The Point. Will be going to the Joint at the Hard Rock again this Friday to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. Havent seen them in about 4 years or so, so I am looking forward to it. Afterwards, I think I will drive over to the Sand Dollar Blues Lounge and catch the last couple of hours of my favorite local boys, Scott Rhiner and the Moanin Blacksnakes. Hey, Fridays were made for rock n roll, lol.

Our Ski areas are open now. Expecting up to 12 inches fresh pack overnight!

Update on my trip to Vegas for my brothers wedding. Were going on a tour, so flying to LA, then in an anti clockwise direction heading to Vegas, San Fransisco then back to LA. I cant wait, 3 months to go :D

San Francisco is my favorite city and in my opinion, one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. When there, if you have the time, you want to go to Fishermans Wharf, Ghiradeli Square, Golden Gate Park, SF Zoo. Those places are must sees, and then there is so many other places to go and things to see as well.

Also! Forget about seeing 'Lance Burton" for a week or two. I'm sure most of you have heard that there was a major fire at the 'Monte Carlo' where he appears.