Los Angeles & Las Vegas - tips and advice

[munitalP]

I have been requested to present a paper at a conference in Las Vegas in October. I have decided that the trouble and strife will be accompanying me assuming her job will give her the time off.

Im looking for some advice on what to do. We are not really night club people or Rodeo Drive people (although a few would argue that after last night ) and SWMBO has never been state side. We are also budget conscious as our planned China holiday is close as well.

Tentative plans are:

14 Oct MEL/LAX
16 Oct LAX/LAS - no time selected yet
21 Oct LAS/PHX - I am really hoping my mate will pick me up in his work vehicle - you reading this George, the G3 will do fine!
23 Oct PHX/LAX/MEL

So, I must be in Vegas on the 17 to 19 for the conference. I must also at some stage visit Din Tai Fung restaurant in LA (cross another off my bucket list) and Phoenix is a visit to an old friend and does not need organising.

Day trips:

LA - Day 1 will be doing the usual - Hollywood, Bubba Gumps (Santa Monica Pier) for lunch, but keeping a reasonably close proximity to the Hilton Airport.

Recommendations for SWMBO during my conference days in LAS? Safety is priority if she is out on her own. Our nights will be easily sorted out 17 to 19 as well.

I look forward to suggestions

munitalP

 

[munitalP]

Oh yeah, another thing, I was going to default to the Hilton in Vegas, stayed there last year at the same time and enjoyed it, but if anyone can suggest something else? Opposite hard rock cafe, there are some high rise buildings set slightly back off the strip - they have angles that make your eyes water when looking at them. They also have a monorail. Does anyone know which hotel chain they are?

munitalP

 

[serfty]

I think the LV Hilton is to re-branded soon - not sure of the timing (check the FT HHonors forum).

 

[david-au-2000]

LV Hilton is handy for the Las Vegas Convention Centre and especially if your conference in in the Hilton, but other than that it's a bit of a dive, some of the older rooms are really three stars.

I try to avoid the casino hotels if I can, unless they have an excellent rate. There's a Ramada (?) hotel just next to the LVCC, on other side from the Hilton. No casino, nice and easy. The problem is that either way, you're well away from the 'downtown' part of Vegas.

As for things to do there's really not much if you're not into the party scene apart from the obligatory walk along the strip to ooh and ahh at the casinos, outdoor shows, Bellagio lake and fountain etc. Head to the Fashion Show mall, just past Treasure Island and across from Wynns, for some great shopping. The other good shopping is at the outlets malls which are a taxi ride or bus ride away.

If you can get a day off catch a bus to the Grand Canyon, it's amazing and well worth seeing, if you're short on time but long on money catch a helicopter ride out there.

Of course there are plenty of shows, including something like 400 different Cirque de Solei shows!

 

[samh004]

I presume you have your nights sorted, which is a shame as that's the only thing about Las Vegas I know about (well, restaurants) and would have recommended Aureole. However if SWMBO is into The Beatles and/or Cirque du Soleil, then I think there's a special show on with music by them. That'd be pretty cool to see!

 

[kiwitripper64]

we just came back from LA-death valley-vegas-Zion trip. The one thing you really have to see is the Getty Museum. The grounds are fantastic, the buildings fantastic and the art is fantastic. We arrived early and only spent 4 hours there, but could have stayed all day. Free entry but you pay for the car park.
Santa Monica was fun, but the water was cold. Rodeo drive was empty, really ghost town empty in mid to late afternoon. 13 yr old daughter thought it was great to try on a $600 pair of shorts. The Holywood walk is fun and had a "familiar" feel to it, weve all seen it on TV etc. But there isnt a lot else to see there. We got off the plane at 6.30am, went to the hotel, dropped off luggage had brekky and went to Universal studios for the day. Lots of fun and adrenilin and no chance for afternoon jetlag.
Great drive up to death valley and Furnace Creek is a real oasis. I am not sure what the temp will be. Then another day driving from Furnace creek to see more death valey then on to Vegas.
We stayed at Paris. Great central location, good rooms, reasonable rates. Surcharge for internet as usual, but we declined and spent money on average coffee and free internet at starbucks. Parking is free at most hotels, so a rental car may be cheaper than a few cab rides.
Pink jeeps do a day trip from LAS to death valley.

We didnt go to the Grand canyon this time, but it is a must see. Its a big drive from vegas, and we flew from Boulder just outside vegas to the south rim grand canyon airport and stayed a night at the south rim. Accommodation is popular and should be booked soon. We didnt have time to walk to the bottom, but had a walk down and around and really got to see the scale.

hope this is helpful.
have a great trip

 

[Kendall Roy]

16 Oct LAX/LAS - no time selected yet

Hire a Mustang soft-top and hit the freeway. Only takes a tad over 4hrs and it's quite a breathtaking drive.

 

[munitalP]

Hire a Mustang soft-top and hit the freeway. Only takes a tad over 4hrs and it's quite a breathtaking drive.

Done that drive in a Dodge Challenger. Having just sold a BMW Convertible, the thought of driving 4 hours with the roof down is not what I would consider to be a deal maker.

The drive is remarkable though, I remember driving past a copper on the side of the road at 90+ (with the other traffic) and he was just ignoring everyone

There's some pics in a previous trip report of that drive, and the Dodge if I recall correctly.

Did you stop at the UFO town? - I dont remember the name - I just stopped for fuel, but said I might come back one day and explore...

 

[Ewing]

Hire a Mustang soft-top and hit the freeway. Only takes a tad over 4hrs and it's quite a breathtaking drive.

Agreed.

I haven't done it in a mustang (the person I was with wanted to do it in a stupidly large SUV so I let him), but I've done the trip in reverse and it was awesome. It also gives an opportunity for a detour via the Hoover Dam

Zzyzx Road was the most random sight on the journey.

 

[docjames]

Hire a Mustang soft-top and hit the freeway. Only takes a tad over 4hrs and it's quite a breathtaking drive.

That's what i was going to suggest (remove mustang and insert car of your preference - although the mustang is a good choice, available through Hertz!).

Might be a decent option given you're not tranistting LAX but staying in LA for 48hrs. By the time you factor in returning to LAX, waiting, delays etc, then the (albeit faster) trip from LAS to the hotel, the 4hr trip in the car is almost easier. Certainly that's what I'd do (providing the car hire rate wasnt stupidly expensive).

 

[High Horse]

While it is a bit of a splurge, my husband and I did this tour Star Treatment with Oldies Cars & Tours which gave us an excellent overview of the city (we saw HEAPS in four hours) and most importantly the driver gave us heaps of local information and history.
I agree that the Getty Center is definitely worth a visit.

And in Vegas, there is great shopping to be had at Fashion Mall and at Premium Outlets. I am not a shopper, but this place was fantastic.

 

[Robert K]

There is a outlet mall that you can get to on the bus.

the Bellagio spa is nice.

there's a very nice chinese/mexican fusion place in the cosmopolitan
China Poblano, Las Vegas Chinese & Mexican Cuisine at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas

roller coaster at NYNY is always a hoot.

The monorail is not as efficient as it can be. the stations are set a block back from the main strip, so i wouldn't recommend it for hotel hopping.

If you want to see shows, make sure you get tickets early. you can get up to 50% off if you get them i think 14 days in advance.

 

[VirginiaF]

If you and your wife like shopping, you're heading to shopping heaven. Lots of outlet malls there mean that you can buy designer goods/clothing for Target/Kmart prices (even better with the high Australian dollar). But in LA and LAS, it would probably best to get a rental car. Gas is cheap. Driving is not so scary once you get over the shock of turning right and seeing six lanes of traffic coming at you on the "wrong" side of the road. In fact the US has a great turn right on red rule - maybe something worhtwhile introducing in Australia (well, modified for free left turns). I also found driving with a passenger meant you can use the "diamond" lanes - like transit lanes. It's amazing how few people use them - can get you past freeway slow down spots very well.

If you're not wanting to wander too far from LAX Hilton, there is Fox Hills Mall at Culver City (sure, it's Westfield's), or (if you want something different) there is Venice Beach boulevard, and then there is Venice Canals Walkway, or you could visit some of the nearby beaches - El Segundo, Redondo for a relaxing time by the sea.

For LAS accommodation, depending on whether or not here are any big conventions in town, it should be buyer's choice. Check out Las Vegas Deals | Las Vegas Special Offers and Las Vegas Deals, Las Vegas Show Tickets, Las Vegas Hotel Deals | LasVegas.com. If you don't mind walking through acres of gambling, staying at casino hotels gets you a lot of bang for buck - rooms and food (essentially subsidised by the gamblers). Also, staying on the strip means getting around is a lot easier (although if you have a car, that would be even easier). I think you'll find you can do way better than the Hilton. You may want to also think about a condo - you get lots of room, good pool facilities, and no gambling parlours to walk through (which usually means smoke free too). As mentioned on AFF - you may want to check out the bed bug registry too, before you confirm your accommodaiton: Bed Bug Registry - Check Apartments and Hotels Across North America

For shopping there are a number of outlet malls in LAS - look them up. There is one just outside of LAS, on the way to LA, which is not too bad, and two a short drive off the strip. With the additional baggage allowance flying in/out of USA, you'll be able to fit lots in your bags.

As others have said, if you're going to go all that way, you'll not want to miss out on the Grand Canyon. Nothing else like it. A day trip is the very minimum (and it will be along day - start at dawn (flying in at dawn is a pretty amazing sight especially seeing the helicopters way down in the canyon), get back by dusk if you buy a "fly-in-and-see" trip - quite a few on offer). Lots of other "day" things to do too - obligatory picture by the LAS sign, Bellagio fountains, Neon Museum, Hoover Dam (or boat ride on Lake Mead), Atomic Testing Museum. If you are sports orientated, there is golf (quite a few courses - even a PGA tour one at Rio Secco Golf Club, Henderson), and if you are really game, you can fire off a few rounds of an AK-47 (or a variety of other lethal weapons) at The Gun Store (can be expensive) or Las Vegas Gun Range & Firearm Center.

Have a great time!

 

[NM]

I'd be renting a car and heading out of Las Vegas and making a bee-line for The Grand Canyon - even if just for a day. It's about a 6 hour drive each way, and if you can spare 2 nights, enjoy a full day on the south rim to experience the sights. For me, that is far more interesting than the happenings at the casinos, restaurants and night clubs on "The Strip".

 

[elbarto]

Oh yeah, another thing, I was going to default to the Hilton in Vegas, stayed there last year at the same time and enjoyed it, but if anyone can suggest something else? Opposite hard rock cafe, there are some high rise buildings set slightly back off the strip - they have angles that make your eyes water when looking at them. They also have a monorail. Does anyone know which hotel chain they are?

munitalP

That would be city centre. One of the hotels is a madarin oriental, and the rest aren't chain hotels. I looked at vdara when I went there but they are all suite rooms so if your taking the kids you'll have to get a two room suite. There is also aria and te metropolitan in the complex and a few others I think. One of the towers is being demolished sometime soon because of dodgy rebar installation so depending on when that happens city centre might not be the nicest place to stay.



Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Snowmoo]

cough Cat Dolls lounge at Ceasars. Busty Croupier's and stage dancing. Beers and Women, I don't think it can get any better

 

[serfty]

I think the LV Hilton is to re-branded soon - not sure of the timing.

From Las Vegas RJ Jun 29: (Hilton terminating franchise agreement with Las Vegas Hilton - Business - ReviewJournal.com)

Hilton Worldwide confirmed Wednesday it has terminated its franchise license agreement with the Las Vegas Hilton.

The termination of the agreement with Colony Resorts LVH Acquisitions LLC, owner and operator of the Las Vegas Hilton, will be effective on Jan. 1, 2012, a Hilton Worldwide spokesman said. ...

 

[UP4014]

Done that drive in a Dodge Challenger. Having just sold a BMW Convertible, the thought of driving 4 hours with the roof down is not what I would consider to be a deal maker.

The drive is remarkable though, I remember driving past a copper on the side of the road at 90+ (with the other traffic) and he was just ignoring everyone

There's some pics in a previous trip report of that drive, and the Dodge if I recall correctly.

Did you stop at the UFO town? - I dont remember the name - I just stopped for fuel, but said I might come back one day and explore...

Rachel Nevada - space ship and rent-a-car in the same pic Nevada | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[munitalP]

I'd be renting a car and heading out of Las Vegas and making a bee-line for The Grand Canyon - even if just for a day. It's about a 6 hour drive each way, and if you can spare 2 nights, enjoy a full day on the south rim to experience the sights. For me, that is far more interesting than the happenings at the casinos, restaurants and night clubs on "The Strip".

With this trip a little over 3 weeks away, i have decided to do a 1 day grand canyon side trip. The GC skywalk looked interesting right up till I read "no cameras" and I could by pics at $30 each. Meh....

So, are there viewing areas I dont have to pay for a photo from? Looking on google, there seem to be good value tours from vegas, but I will have a car, so might as well drive myself.

cheers

 

[munitalP]

having just posted that, i found... http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2011SRFallGuide0823.pdf