[olecapt]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I agree with you that Catalina is worth a trip, but seeing it once is about all Carol and I needed. While waiting for the ferry to Catalina, see the Queen Mary and the Russian submarine which are right there at the same dock.

What about Newport Beach and Balboa Island. Lots of good spots along the Pacific in SoCal, and it gets pretty cool, especially at night.

Well true in a way...but not in others. You have likely never been to the Isthmus or Cat Harbor. In soem ways far more interesting than Avalon.

How about a day snorkeling on the reef at Emerald Bay? Green gorgeous water with extensive but navigable kelp beds. I have actually snorkeled their with a mess of yellow tail. OUt at the west end the visiblility exceeds the best you can get in Hawaii. Ever see the bottom in 150 feet of water.

Or go snorkel with the nurse sharks...if the mad bull harbor seal has not eaten them all. Or swim the grottos. Blue green and exciing.

Hike from the Isthmus to the west end. Certain to see Buffalo. But maybe even the local fox. About the size of a cat.

Even in Avalon...walk back to the conservancy and check out the local flora...long walk but worth it.

YOu could easily spend a month at Catalina jsut getting a feel. I was not kidding when I said I had been there a few hundred times. I probably have a couple of thousand hours just snorkeling the coast;

[ParkTwain]

Thumbs way up for the Grand Canyon North Rim. Cabins or lodge, everything requires a reservation. Lounging on the patio at the lounge is great. The kids will like the cabins. Food (dinner) is great at the lodge every night, though expensive. Walk out to the rim at night with the ranger and count the stars. Hiking is great. Horses or donkeys to ride, take your pick.

[lvkewlkid]

I don't know since we never leave much, but sometimes we'll take the drive to Baker and eat at the Mad Greek and then walk around the town, go to the general store, Saturday we went to Goodsprings and went to this thing at the Pioneer Saloon, it was nice and humid there, Laughlin is also fun to go to, although it is just like Vegas but on water...Those are the places we go to for day trips...

[5kingsinvegas]

Any places in New Mexico within the weekend time frame that would be good for kids? Something more on the cultural side vs the entertainment side.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

Any places in New Mexico within the weekend time frame that would be good for kids? Something more on the cultural side vs the entertainment side.

Chaco Canyon is very interesting. And I think Mesa Verde is a bit far but that's worth the trip too.

[yellowsnow]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Some of my favs have been mentioned like Zion and Great Basin. If you like to hike, do Wheeler Peak in Great Basin, 13,000+ elevation. Or if not that ambitious there are many great short hikes in Zion, Great Basin, Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef...all Nat'l Parks within your six hour limit. Take your camera. They are spectacular. Zion and Cedar breaks are only 3½ hrs. One of the best Mexican restaurants around is in the tiny town of Springdale, UT, at the entrance to Zion. A nice little town with a funky 4th of July celebration worth seeing. Lots of motel rooms there and B&Bs.

Of course the best getaway in the world is the Grand Canyon. 4½ hours to the south rim, but it may be too hot in summer, so go to the north rim. It's a little further, but higher, therefore cooler, and prettier since there are trees. Can't get there in the winter unless you can do 40 miles on X/C skis but the best part of the canyon.

Here's a link: Grand Circle - Your Guide to Exploring the Southwestern United States

Mammoth Lakes, CA, is a great getaway that is six hours from Vegas. It's in the southern end of the Sierras and is one of the best ski resorts around. Close to June Lake and the Devil's Post-pile Nat'l Moneyment. A really fun place to just hang out. Also a funky small town 4th of July celebration worth seeing. The parade follows the fireman's pancake breakfast. Ummm. Nice hikes and fishing in the area in summer. High up and cool. It's also close to the eastern, and really high, entrance to Yosemite Nat'l Park. There are at least three Nat'l Parks that every American should see that are relatively close to Las Vegas...First is the Grand Canyon, then Yellowstone and Yosemite. I wouldn't go to Death Valley in the summer, but from about mid October to May it is well worth the trip.

Here is a little known day trip not far from Pahrump, and well worth the drive. Just not in the summer. China Ranch Date Farm

A couple of other day trips to cool off: Of course, Mount Charleston from US-95, but most people don't know about the road up the back side from Pahrump. You should be able to do it the family car but check with the rangers first just in case. It is a dirt road. Be sure to stop and look at the 150 year old charcoal ovens if the vandals haven't destroyed them. I haven't tried it in years so I don't know if the road is still open over Wheeler Pass. If so you'd need 4x4. It travels all the way over the mountain between Pahrump and US 95 on this side of the range. Look for deer and elk and, you'll never be this lucky, but maybe a mountain lion. A ways along that road past the community of Cold Springs is deer Springs campground. A nice place for a picnic if you can get there. The rangers didn't always maintain the road so at times it was only passable by 4x4. Like I said, I haven't done it in a while.

Thanks! I've never heard of the date farm before. I will be checking it out. I love fresh dates!

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by lvkewlkid

I don't know since we never leave much, but sometimes we'll take the drive to Baker and eat at the Mad Greek and then walk around the town, go to the general store, Saturday we went to Goodsprings and went to this thing at the Pioneer Saloon, it was nice and humid there, Laughlin is also fun to go to, although it is just like Vegas but on water...Those are the places we go to for day trips...

Next time you go to Baker take a short side trip over to Kelso Station.

Kelso Depot

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by 5kingsinvegas

Any places in New Mexico within the weekend time frame that would be good for kids? Something more on the cultural side vs the entertainment side.

New Mexico is getting into a long weekend, and if you drive, maybe four days at least; but there is enough to do there for a lifetime. We lived there for 2½ years. We were out just about every weekend and didn't do everything we wanted to do. Of course there were a lot of repeats. Here is one thing that gives me chills to see.

ABQjournal: 'Inscription Rock'

El Morro National Monument - El Morro National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Chaco Cyn is a little difficult to get to, but well worth a trip. You have to take a washboard road for about 30 miles to reach the ruins. You might consider making it a camping trip. There is a camp ground for RVs with a bathroom. No food or other services at all though.

[RedWingsFan]

Originally Posted by WOHR

Since we live in the biggest tourist attraction, where can we go for a nice family weekend trip within 6 hours and not be an amusement park or zoo! Of course it has to be 20 degrees cooler than here Where do the locals take off to in the summer????

There are some great places to go for weekend trips! Here's some of the ones we loved:

Monument Valley - absolutely beautiful
The Grand Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Mount Zion
Santa Barbara
Phoenix

[Chest Rockwell]

I don't know since we never leave much, but sometimes we'll take the drive to Baker and eat at the Mad Greek and then walk around the town, go to the general store

That might be the funniest thing I've read on this board so far!

October's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a great family trip. You might want to fly though, since it's a 10-12 hour drive. Old Town in Abq. is great fun too, and they have some of the most amazing food in the world. New Mexican food is very underrated. There's a great gondola ride to the top of the Sandia Mountain range as well.