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Old 12-31-2008, 05:10 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
444 posts, read 1,615,173 times
Reputation: 185
We have been here long enough now to get our heads and wallets out of the casinos.

If you could comment on the following local attractions, maybe we can find something new to do this Spring. Thanks.

Petty Driving Experience: where they drive you for 3 laps at 160 mph for $92 bucks.
By the way, if you care at all about the NASCAR track they have a terrific tour in a track owned van for 6 bucks. Best experience for the price we have had here.

Colorado River Rafting: Haven't been able to find the price of this one yet. The 1 day trip with lunch.

Guided Mt. Charleston trip ... go on our own or sign up for tour?

Valley of Fire Guided trip ... go on our own or sign up for tour?

Lake Mead paddle wheel boat tour ... I guess they have several, like day/night, meal/no meal. We dont really want the one with the Dam stop.

Is there a Jet Boat tour in that area or Colorado River?

How far away is Grand Canyon ... tour or go on our own?

Any rare finds we might have overlooked? We are seniors so no hiking or bungee jumping please.
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Old 12-31-2008, 05:40 PM
 
Location: Kingman AZ
15,370 posts, read 39,113,750 times
Reputation: 9215
Check with the Hacienda Hotel at the Dam for the one day trip...I thin kit goes from there.
Valley of Fire......go on your own... a beautiful drive out I-15 thru the VOF and back on North Shore Road. Watch for wild horses on North Shore.
Paddle Boat Tour......the dinner tour is the best.
Grand Canyon South Rim....5.5 hours drive.... call 1.800.the train for rates on the Grand Canyon Railway from Williams to the Canyon and back plus bus tour of the canyon.
Don't bother with West Rim...it's over hyped and not worth the trouble.
North Rim is spectacular....in the Summer....Closed in winter....Stay at Jacob Lake unless you can get into the North Rim Lodge.
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:19 PM
 
Location: Henderson
113 posts, read 328,611 times
Reputation: 60
Valley of Fire = go on your own. Here is an informative page http://www.parks.nv.gov/pdf/VOFBrochure.pdf (broken link)

The Grand Canyon - Totally skip the "grand canyon west" The South Rim for me has been 4 hours, no tie ups at the dam. There is a West Rim drive at the south rim which offers nice spots, goes to Hermits Rest. I think that is now closed for cars, just the shuttle. My advice would be to book an historic cabin or hotel. These would include the el Tovar, Thunderbird/Kachina or Maswik. at this website Grand Canyon tours, accommodation, vacation. Hotels, camping, cabins, lodges. - Make A Reservation: Check Availability & Book Online Stay a few days. Don't stay in Tusayan.
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Old 12-31-2008, 06:25 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,355,457 times
Reputation: 5520
Quote:
Originally Posted by RedRockAAAA View Post
We have been here long enough now to get our heads and wallets out of the casinos.

If you could comment on the following local attractions, maybe we can find something new to do this Spring. Thanks.

Petty Driving Experience: where they drive you for 3 laps at 160 mph for $92 bucks.Haven't done this but would love to if I could.
By the way, if you care at all about the NASCAR track they have a terrific tour in a track owned van for 6 bucks. Best experience for the price we have had here.

Colorado River Rafting: Haven't been able to find the price of this one yet. The 1 day trip with lunch.If this is the trip below the dam, it's not exactly white water. For Colorado white water rafting in the Grand Canyon you'd have to make reservations a year or two in advance. For the part of the river you're talking about you can go to Willow Beach and rent your own boat. Then you might want to go from there up river a little ways and take advantage of the natural hot springs, of just do some fishing.
Guided Mt. Charleston trip ... go on our own or sign up for tour?I've never heard of a guided tour at Mt. Charleston but I suppose someone would come up with one for tourists. It isn't necessary though. Just drive yourself up there. There are only three roads so you can't get lost. Either take the Lee Canyon Road (Hwy 156) and visit the ski area, then come back down to Hwy 158 and drive over to Kyle Canyon. Make a right at Kyle Canyon Road (Hwy 157) and visit the Mt. Charleston Lodge, maybe for lunch or dinner. Then return to U.S. 95 and back to town via Kyle Canyon Rd (157). Or do it the opposite way. Doesn't matter.

Valley of Fire Guided trip ... go on our own or sign up for tour?Go on your own. Explore. Have a good time. No need for a tour. Afterwards...or before...visit the Lost City Museum at Overton. Take your own food and plenty of water.

Lake Mead paddle wheel boat tour ... I guess they have several, like day/night, meal/no meal. We don't really want the one with the Dam stop. Probably not a bad idea if you don't have a boat. You could rent one but unless you're experienced it could be dangerous on Lake Mead.
Is there a Jet Boat tour in that area or Colorado River? Can't help you with that.

How far away is Grand Canyon ... tour or go on our own? Since you live here my advice is to go on your own to all of the local attractions. The south rim is about 4 - 4½ hours by car. This should be your first priority. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, all Americans should see the Grand Canyon...or was that Yellowstone Nat'l Park? Either one, he was right. BTW: The Grand Canyon is best on the north rim, but that part is closed in winter.

Any rare finds we might have overlooked? We are seniors so no hiking or bungee jumping please.
You have overlooked the main day trip, or easy weekend, for locals. You should plan to go to Zion National Park and you can go at anytime of year. You'll pass through St. George, Utah, which is a great getaway. You can do it one day, but it's a nice weekend trip. About 50 miles further north on I-15 is Cedar City, UT. If you like plays you'll love Cedar City in the summertime. Even if you don't like plays the scenery in Southern Utah is spectacular. This hasn't been updated yet for 09, but that's all right. Welcome to the Utah Shakespearean Festival There's a lot more but this is already too long.
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Old 01-01-2009, 03:07 PM
 
Location: Here and there, you decide.
12,908 posts, read 27,995,060 times
Reputation: 5057
the petty driving experience sounds interesting, but i would want to drive.
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Old 01-01-2009, 07:51 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
444 posts, read 1,615,173 times
Reputation: 185
Airics

They let you do the driving also. Several years ago, you behind the wheel for about 10 to 15 laps ran $400. My son did it in Dover Deleware and loved it.

As I am now 60 and have a lot of back problems (and out of shape), I thought I'd take the passenger route. Give it a shot. You'll never regret it.
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Old 01-01-2009, 08:00 PM
 
Location: Here and there, you decide.
12,908 posts, read 27,995,060 times
Reputation: 5057
i'd love to, problem is that i don't trust my eyesight.
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Old 01-02-2009, 01:12 AM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,355,457 times
Reputation: 5520
You know that Carroll Shelby's plant is out there too. I don't know if you can get tours but that would be interesting if you could. I drove by one day and there were hundreds of Cobras sitting out there. Waiting to be shipped I guess.
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Old 01-02-2009, 01:22 AM
 
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
12,686 posts, read 36,355,457 times
Reputation: 5520
November through about mid May is the best time to see Death Valley. Especially in April/May when we've had a wet winter and the wild flowers are in bloom. Scotty's Castle is nice tour too.

I imagine this is a good time to visit China Ranch Date Farm too, or maybe it's best after a harvest. http://www.chinaranch.com/
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