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Old 04-19-2023, 04:13 PM
 
Location: Boston, MA
3,961 posts, read 5,704,017 times
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My family and I just got back from trip to Las Vegas. It was the first time visiting the city as part of a combined Las Vegas-Arizona trip and the first time any of us experienced a desert climate. None of us were mighty gamblers so we quickly left the casino after losing just a few dollars; we were a lot more interested in sightseeing, which we did a lot of.

Some highlights:

Springs Preserve: Please do not be shocked to hear this but I consider the Springs Preserve to be a major must-see in LV . It kind of reminded me of the Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, CA with its combination of botany and art, only this time a combination of botany, science, culture, and history. There are few places that have this wide of a combination. The exhibits are both informative and entertaining. There was an architectural exhibit of a sustainably designed home, a sustainable product trading center, a teaching garden, and numerous interactive exhibits at the Origen Museum. We spent only half a day at the Preserve but one can definitely spend an entire day there.

The Strip: Like a combination of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Times Square, at times ritzy and glamorous, at other times rather tacky and touristy depending on which part. Some of the casinos like the Mirage, Venetian, Caesars Palace, and the Bellagio (which we visited) are opulent while others looked plain and boring. The huge screens and neon lights are meant to attract attention I suppose but I found the whole spectacle too grandiose. I suppose lovers of gambling, high end shopping, and high end entertainment will be attracted to such a place and I am glad I visited the Strip but in the end, it simply did not thrill me. The Fashion Center Mall was the one place I kind of enjoyed though I was surprised by how quiet it was during a weekday.

Greater Las Vegas itself (outside of the Strip and incl. Paradise, Henderson, etc.): A lot like LA I felt. I swear much of the architecture looked the same as Los Angeles. The streets and avenues were equally as wide and the traffic went quickly but I did not witness as much aggressive driving as I typically do back East. I still found LV a bit too auto-centric however. Clark County does promote public transportation at least in the Strip and other tourist areas with the Deuce and express routes but without dedicated bus lanes, it's hard to run efficient service in the crowded Strip. Elsewhere in Vegas, one pretty much has to rely on local buses, many routes of which do not run frequently. Too bad there is no ultra-modern futuristic subway or overground rail line running up and down the Strip to match its high end attractions. That would really help because it is hard to find free and inexpensive parking on the Strip.

Chinatown: More like a pan-Asiantown, this was our principle go to place for dining including dim sum. We patronized two restaurants and the food was authentic. The prices were a bit more expensive than back here in the East though that might have had to do with supply chain logistics. A waitress at one of the restaurants told us that more Chinese have moved to LV in recent years and that is no surprise given how expensive the cost of living in LA, San Jose, San Francisco, and elsewhere has become.

Hoover Dam: Very picturesque. We did not stay to do the whole tour but there was more than enough information to take in from the exhibits all around. The Colorado River levels looked very low however.

Albertsons: This supermarket company bought our Star Market and Shaws chains a few years back so we decided to pay a visit to the parent store. The one we visited was very clean and grocery prices were decent. We also visited a Safeway across the border in Arizona, which is also owned by Albertsons. We even got to earn points from both stores that could be used back home.

We spent the rest of our trip visiting Arizona and the Grand Canyon so that was pretty much what we did in LV. It was all fun still and I am happy to have visited.
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Old 04-20-2023, 11:01 AM
 
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Thanks for the trip report, it was very informative! I'm glad you went off-Strip and saw other things/attractions. I agree the Springs Preserve is a gem.
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Old 04-27-2023, 03:31 AM
 
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I was just out in Vegas for a few days from NYC (where I'm from) and explored the area by car interested in a possible move someday.

Was floored at how beautiful the outskirts are, especially down around Henderson/Green Valley. Of course Summerlin. But also the NW corner up by Providence? Some amazing views. I also drove thru Enterprise, which was a waste land of nothingness. Wasn't crazy either about I guess the Fort Apache area they call it?

But overall I'd say I prefer Vegas to Florida due to the great asthetics with the mountains as well as Grade A nightlife that a NYer would really appreciate.

And, of course, the proximity to plain ole scum and wackiness in the downtown area that warms my NYC heart.
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Old 04-27-2023, 11:54 AM
 
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My SO and I looked briefly at Florida and decided we couldn't take the humidity. Not to mention the alligators!!
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Old 04-27-2023, 12:17 PM
 
26,116 posts, read 48,720,528 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johninvegas View Post
My SO and I looked briefly at Florida and decided we couldn't take the humidity. Not to mention the alligators!!
Over the years we visited FL several times. Decided against it due to the heat/humidity combination, the bugs, and the hurricanes. There are some worrisome issues derived from the hurricanes; high cost of homeowners / flood insurance, lax building codes in some older homes make them even more expensive to insure, and the escape routes in case of a hurricane. Overall FL presents more issues than we want to deal with.

To me, the Phoenix area is like FL, friendly to retirees and without the humidity, bugs and hurricane issues.
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Old 04-27-2023, 02:38 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
1,592 posts, read 1,664,233 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by islanders2021 View Post
I was just out in Vegas for a few days from NYC (where I'm from) and explored the area by car interested in a possible move someday.

Was floored at how beautiful the outskirts are, especially down around Henderson/Green Valley. Of course Summerlin. But also the NW corner up by Providence? Some amazing views. I also drove thru Enterprise, which was a waste land of nothingness. Wasn't crazy either about I guess the Fort Apache area they call it?

But overall I'd say I prefer Vegas to Florida due to the great asthetics with the mountains as well as Grade A nightlife that a NYer would really appreciate.

And, of course, the proximity to plain ole scum and wackiness in the downtown area that warms my NYC heart.
Lived in or near Chicago for many years, Naples, FL for 5 years, I couldn't stand the humidity (and the hurricane that hit while I lived there).

I moved to Vegas and lived in Providence for a while. Now I live in the Seven Hills area of Henderson (89052). I like both areas, and of course Summerlin. Other areas to see are Desert Shores and Southern Highlands.

If you want to see some amazing scenery, drive through Utah to Grand Junction, CO. I just did and couldn't stop saying "WOW" and "OMG"!
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Old 04-27-2023, 04:24 PM
 
1,600 posts, read 1,996,218 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by movin1 View Post
...If you want to see some amazing scenery, drive through Utah to Grand Junction, CO. I just did and couldn't stop saying "WOW" and "OMG"!
It is jaw-dropping scenery
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Old 04-27-2023, 06:12 PM
 
244 posts, read 194,783 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by movin1 View Post
Lived in or near Chicago for many years, Naples, FL for 5 years, I couldn't stand the humidity (and the hurricane that hit while I lived there).

I moved to Vegas and lived in Providence for a while. Now I live in the Seven Hills area of Henderson (89052). I like both areas, and of course Summerlin. Other areas to see are Desert Shores and Southern Highlands.

If you want to see some amazing scenery, drive through Utah to Grand Junction, CO. I just did and couldn't stop saying "WOW" and "OMG"!
Can you post some photos? Did you drive via 15 to 70?
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Old 04-27-2023, 06:46 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
1,592 posts, read 1,664,233 times
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Yes, I-15 to I-70. Sorry, no photos. It was a quick trip for work and I just wanted to get there and back home. It's an 8 hour drive if you only stop for gas and lunch. There are so many places where to stop and spend time, you would have to plan where to stay to see everything. Not many towns on the route and many say "no services", which means no gas, food or lodging. I don't know how people live there, but it sure is beautiful. It looks like a different planet.

Lots of pictures here:

https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

Last edited by movin1; 04-27-2023 at 06:56 PM..
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