Wife wanted to go to Vegas, we booked long ago and got a pretty good deal.

What with the ‘rona, how are things? Not a big gambler. Never been there this time of year.

Suggestions?

Edit to add...

So we flew in Friday night, by the time got baggage, rental car, checked in it was almost 8 pm. Stopped at In and Out for dinner on the way to the hotel. Just as good as we remember from living in CA in the 80’s.

I spent Saturday at Valley of Fire park while my wife visited with an old friend.

Best thing about trip, is being able to sit in a restaurant to eat. That is not avail back home, even when allowed at reduced capacity most of the places are still take out/delivery only.

Second best thing, “KoMex” Korean/Mexican fusion restaurant. Big thank you to Beanhead for the recommendation. We had lunch there today and plan on going back for lunch tomorrow. Place has fantastic food and great service.

As far as dining at The Cosmo, we made use of our $125 in room credits with brunch at “Wicked Spoon” buffet. Amazing! Bacon, eggs, snow crab, sirloin roast, herb roasted pork shoulder, fried chicken, banana bread, apple cobbler, baked apple French toast, mimosas, Bloody Mary, coconut macaroon, and chocolate chip cookie. The buffet had a lot of other stuff too, that’s just what I ate!

Dinner last night was at “Holsteins”, an upscale burger place in the hotel. We split a burger, garlic par, fries, and onion rings. A little pricey, but in line with Vegas prices and very good as well. Breakfast was “Eggslut” high end sandwich’s. Also good and reasonably priced.

Thanks to corsair for room advice, we are on the 41st floor and great view of fountains. They do make noise, but sounds mostly like fireworks and thunder. Don’t hear music at all.

Goose5- M&M was a hit with the wife, unfortunately the custom printer was out of service so no custom M&M’s.

Loving the lack of huge crowds, only line was for the rental car and that wasn’t even that bad.


Decided against Battlefield Vegas, in part for cost but also time constraints. Going to Shark Aquarium at Mandalay Bay instead, some wife and I will both enjoy.

Heading out tomorrow not sure what we will fill the day with...



Update 12/25 - Posted pics from Valley of Fire in "the Gallery" forum:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...6031561/m/1020089774

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 911Boss,

I was there in august. Went to the Shelby plant and Mini museum, free. Very cool if your into muscle cars. Went to the Mob Museum. Get a AAA discount if you can. Was worth the $25 or so per person. Hoover dam was closed. The exit is closed, Can’t even drive down there to walk/ drive across.

Wife just got back from there with her sister 2 weeks ago. Not a lot open, no shows, concerts, etc. food has gotten very expensive. Can go on day tours to the surrounding areas, otherwise it’s pretty much just gambling. Good prices on hotels, right now.

We usually take a drive to Red Rock Canyon and hang out there for a few hours whenever we go to Vegas.
Right now, rather than pay at the gate, you have to pay in advanced to reserve a day/time.
https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10075177

Do you like sushi?

JP

Go to old Vegas.. Fremont Street and walk around. If you like Pawn Stars you can stop in the shop on your way down. There are so many options for food but I really liked Giada Italian place (unfortunately she wasn’t there)

Pinball museum. Play the vintage games at vintage prices. Weera Thai on W Sahara.

Not sure if you are into craft beer.
When ever my wife and I go on vacation we always look for breweries with tasting rooms to visit.
When we were there in 2012 for the Shot Show we found a brewery on the way back from the Hoover Dam. If my memory is correct it was called Boulder Dam brewing.
I see looking for other breweries there are several in the area now. Not sure who may be open or even still be in business due to the virus. If this is something that might interest you, you might want to call before you try to visit them to make sure they are still open.
Have fun.

Good luck -- we were heading out in Dec. and cancelled our trip.

The NV GOV is a typical Dem 'SHUT IT DOWN' idiot.

they announced 'new' tighter restrictions last week for a three week duration.

----------------------------

This article is a little old, however, it points to the issue of rising crime that has occurred in connection with the lockdowns.

Many Vegas residents are concerned with working in the area as a result.

https://www.rgj.com/story/news...lombardo/5924679002/

There's a viewing area for Hoover Dam that doesn't require you to drive to the dam. It's just on the NV side of the I-11 bridge (aka the Hoover Dam bypass). I've never stopped there, so I don't know how easy it is to find before you miss the turn and cross into AZ. But I'm pretty sure it's just a parking area and then footpath to the observation point.

Also check out Valley of Fire State Park - the best kept secret of LV. I got married there behind the visitor center.

I don't think it's a good time to go, Covid is changing everything. Without shows and minimal dining it's just gambling but maybe that's why you're going. If you like the outdoors, head to Red Rock Canyon and even Valley of Fire is not far away.

My wife and I always went for the shows / entertainment and dinners. Without the shows, I am not sure we would bother going.

The one reason I would consider is to use as a springboard to outdoor activities in the desert; Red Rock, Grand Canyon, etc.

Now, if neither of you have ever been, you can easily kill a few days just walking the strip and checking out the hotels. Just walking around taking pictures in places like Bellagio, Wynn and others is pretty cool for a first visit.

The dining scene in LV is pretty spectacular. Lots of unique but, also quality places to eat at or, try. I can list out a bunch but, better you provide your preferences or, willing to try. Vegas is an international destination so, you're going to get a pretty big variety from a number of authentic ex-pats who've moved there serving up familiar dishes from where they came from. I usually include a splurge dinner; doesn't need to be stuffy and pretentious but, nothing wrong with going deep on a quality meal and a lively couple of hours to enjoy.

National Atomic Testing Museum is probably one of the most underrated attractions within Las Vegas. If you're a child of the Cold War or, simply fascinated with history, science and military, this place will hold you captive for a solid 2+ hours.

Zions NP is about 2.5 hours away.

The Grand Canyon is an easy puddle jumper flight from Vegas. Vastly superior to sitting in a bus for hours. Drive to Boulder City Airport, fly out to the canyon. Take the Helicopter tour. When you get back from that, they take you to the major South Rim overlooks. Then you fly back. Makes for a nice day.

Just be prepared, you'll likely have some turbulence in the puddle jumper.

I've used Vegas as a starting point and base for trips out that way. If you staying in Vegas and want some day trips to outdoor places I would look at these.

Valley of Fire

Really enjoyed some short hikes in that area.

http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire

Death Valley
-Badwater Basin
-artist's palette

Red Rock Cayon
I found Red Rock gets more crowded than the other places but is very close to Vegas.

The other stops are easy day trips though.

I was there just as Vegas was shutting down at the start of these. Our hotel closed the day after we left. If you like the outdoors I would concentrate on that and less the strip with everything going on now.

With cooler temps, this is the time of year to do some outdoor stuff.

https://www.battlefieldvegas.com/

You ought to get in at least one Manly activity

If you play golf several top notch facilities in the area such as Bali Hai Golf Club, TPC Vegas, Paiute, Royal Links etc....

If you like cars, Counts Kustoms, Welderup Garage,

Visit the Trump Hotel, you won't see more gold anywhere in the world except Trump Tower in NY.

One of my favorite spots is Death Valley. Despite the name, there's very little Covid there.

Go see Hoover Dam and take the tour inside, if they are running it. Walk across Hoover Dam into Arizona. It's amazing to take in. (edit, I see in the second post its closed. Too bad.)

If you don't feel like doing anything, just sit in one of the Casinos and watch people. It's weird, what appear to be respectable people really do seem to lose their sense of shame there. You will see some stuff there you won't forget. They're probably even freakier with masks on.

Or you can just walk the strip in the evening and collect all the hooker cards people pass out. No way that's shut down. You can get a whole stack of them. Most people just drop them on the ground and the strip is littered with them after dark. My wife and I watched an old Asian man collect a seriously big stack of them. It was hilarious.