day 1
arrived 7pm vegas time really hungry and worn out food on the plane wasnt up to much at all.
our bags came off the carosel within 10 mins and we were on a shuttle bus to our hotel which wasnt far at all from the airport.
checked in to the alexis park resort which is opposite the hard rock, first impressions very clean which was a good start, took less than 5 minutes to check in.
our room was a crown suite set on 2 floors, 1st floor small kitchen with a fridge, microwave & coffee maker. toilet, and a living area with tv.
2nd floor was bedroom with a king size bed, flat screen tv & bathroom there was also a hot tub set into the stairs, again the room was very clean.
dumped our suitcases and went to the hard rock cafe for dinner the food was ok but we were that hungry i dont think it would have mattered. found out about the free shuttle bus which runs from the hard rock to the strip every half hour from 11am to 9pm.
went back to the alexis and had a brief explore of the grounds which were very well maintained. there are 3 pools 2 of which have hot tubs. went to bed and slept for 12 hours.
day 2
had a decent sleep the bed was very comfy had a shower wasnt the best of showers but did the job. had breakfast in the hotel a little greasy but not too bad.
went out to explore came across the miracle mile shopping centre and keen to pick up some bargains, walked round all of the shops amazing the price difference to the uk, other half went ugg crazy and i think i must have come home with at least 50 t-shirts. went back to our hotel and dumped our bags.
we were still very jet lagged but decided to explore the strip first impressions were a bit dissapointed couldnt really understand what all the fuss is about, it was still daylight though, went to 46 at flamingos i really enjoyed a steak here although the waiter thought i was crazy because i asked for it very well done. back to our hotel and slept for another 12 hours the heat really knocked us out.
day 3
again we had a really good sleep, i had read somewhere about this hotel being so close to the airport that it was very noisy with all the planes passing over i have to say this did not disturb us once. again we had breakfast in our hotel this was for convience if nothing else.
made our way to the lv outlets, shopping here was excellent some of the stuff i bought was timberland boots $60, calvin klien t-shirts 2 for $15, gap hoodies $19, ralph lauren fleece $50, i was really impressed with this.
we had seen an advert on tv for ihops (international house of pancakes) and as there was one nearby tried it, we had pancakes with strawberries and cream also crepes this was good for deserts but not so good for savory as we found out at a later date.
we went back to the hotel to dump our bags and then to give the strip another go it was going dark by this time and the strip had really come alive first thing to hit us was all the sex sellers flicking cards at us the strip is lined with these people quite an experience and a lot to take in.
went to the mgm saw the lion habitat cant quite grasp how big these hotels are, went to the rainforest cafe for dinner this is quite a fun place and the food wasnt bad although my other half compared her pizza to an iceland frozen one. we then went to watch the bellagio fountains wow is all i can say. back to the hotel and bed.
ill post more tomorrow
day 4
were just about getting over our jet lag today and its the first of our tours.
picked up at the hotel at 9am by pappilon tours we took a short bus ride to boulder city airport where we took a small plane to arizona, the plane journey was quite bumpy but only took an hour but better than a 2.5hr bumpy bus ride.
whilst we were waiting to board the helicopter the guides realised the were too many people so me and other half were quickly upgraded free of charge to a bigger, quieter, smoother helicopter this was an extra bonus. the helicopter ride was 30 mins only felt like 5, we flew over the dragon corridor and the north rim, back on the bus we did a tour of the south rim the guides are very knowlegable and there was 2 stops for plenty of photos. the grand canyon is an amazing experience and dosnt look real on the photos. back to the airport and on our small plane this tour was very well organised and i would highly recommend it. take binoculars.
day 5
picked up at 11am to go on the atv tour this was booked through look tours again i would recommend this company. we were driven to an old quarry mine and split into 2 small groups we were given a safety briefing and shown how to operate the atvs, these are very easy to use if you have never been on one before. then we were kitted up with helmet, gloves and goggles, the guides were excellent again,my other half was very nervous and they were very patient with her. we were on the atv for about 2hrs the scenery was absoultly breath taking and there was plenty of time for photos. bottled water was supplied throughout the tour this was an awesome day
day 6
today we went to the premium outlets this was good but much prefered the lv outlets a lot of the shops are the same but the main difference is the premium outlets are outside and the heat is just to much to shop in.
went back to the hotel and lounged in and around the pool.
day 7
early start today picked up at 4.30am white water rafting on the river colarado again this was booked through look tours and i would highly recommend this was a big highlight if not the highlight of the holiday.
started of with a long bus journey to the west rim of the canyon with a couple of stops on the way. arrived at the canyon and given life jackets there was 8 to a raft plus our guide ray who again is very knowlegable, we were told to sit on the edge of the raft and hold tight :yikes. started off with a couple of small rapids but went up to grade 7 the water was icy cold and you really had to hold on for your life i am getting goose bumps thinking of this. after about 30 mins we got off the raft to do a brief nature hike we climbed up the canyon using ropes and a rope ladder to a waterfall this place really is a wonder of the world. back on the raft to shoot more rapids.
we stopped for lunch which was a cheese and ham baguette sauce was supplied in seperate sachets this was a very small detail but made a massive difference to me as i dont like sauces so i was very impressed, crisps, nuts, cookies, soda and bottled water were supplied throughout the day. back on the raft we continued with a smooth water trip this gave us chance to take in the scenery and appreciate the canyon from the bottom. if you go on this tour take an under water camera. after approx 1.5hrs we left the raft and boared a helicopter which took us back over the canyon and to our waiting bus. this was a 16 hr day and it was worth every single second.
2 more days ill do them later
were just about getting over our jet lag today and its the first of our tours.
picked up at the hotel at 9am by pappilon tours we took a short bus ride to boulder city airport where we took a small plane to arizona, the plane journey was quite bumpy but only took an hour but better than a 2.5hr bumpy bus ride.
whilst we were waiting to board the helicopter the guides realised the were too many people so me and other half were quickly upgraded free of charge to a bigger, quieter, smoother helicopter this was an extra bonus. the helicopter ride was 30 mins only felt like 5, we flew over the dragon corridor and the north rim, back on the bus we did a tour of the south rim the guides are very knowlegable and there was 2 stops for plenty of photos. the grand canyon is an amazing experience and dosnt look real on the photos. back to the airport and on our small plane this tour was very well organised and i would highly recommend it. take binoculars.
day 5
picked up at 11am to go on the atv tour this was booked through look tours again i would recommend this company. we were driven to an old quarry mine and split into 2 small groups we were given a safety briefing and shown how to operate the atvs, these are very easy to use if you have never been on one before. then we were kitted up with helmet, gloves and goggles, the guides were excellent again,my other half was very nervous and they were very patient with her. we were on the atv for about 2hrs the scenery was absoultly breath taking and there was plenty of time for photos. bottled water was supplied throughout the tour this was an awesome day
day 6
today we went to the premium outlets this was good but much prefered the lv outlets a lot of the shops are the same but the main difference is the premium outlets are outside and the heat is just to much to shop in.
went back to the hotel and lounged in and around the pool.
day 7
early start today picked up at 4.30am white water rafting on the river colarado again this was booked through look tours and i would highly recommend this was a big highlight if not the highlight of the holiday.
started of with a long bus journey to the west rim of the canyon with a couple of stops on the way. arrived at the canyon and given life jackets there was 8 to a raft plus our guide ray who again is very knowlegable, we were told to sit on the edge of the raft and hold tight :yikes. started off with a couple of small rapids but went up to grade 7 the water was icy cold and you really had to hold on for your life i am getting goose bumps thinking of this. after about 30 mins we got off the raft to do a brief nature hike we climbed up the canyon using ropes and a rope ladder to a waterfall this place really is a wonder of the world. back on the raft to shoot more rapids.
we stopped for lunch which was a cheese and ham baguette sauce was supplied in seperate sachets this was a very small detail but made a massive difference to me as i dont like sauces so i was very impressed, crisps, nuts, cookies, soda and bottled water were supplied throughout the day. back on the raft we continued with a smooth water trip this gave us chance to take in the scenery and appreciate the canyon from the bottom. if you go on this tour take an under water camera. after approx 1.5hrs we left the raft and boared a helicopter which took us back over the canyon and to our waiting bus. this was a 16 hr day and it was worth every single second.
2 more days ill do them later
day 8
we realise that were running out of time fast theres so many things we havnt seen yet.
back at the miracle mile last bit of shopping other half gets another pair of ugg boots.
we took the monorail to the stratosphere went to the top of the tower and had a starbucks and watch the world go by the view from here is amazing we didnt go on any of the rides something which i regret now.
next stop circus circus a taxi driver told us they have circus acts on here so we went to have a look, when i saw the stage i thought it looked very blackpool but we sat down anyway to watch it filled up very quickly, the act was a juggler and actually very good glad that we stopped here.
next stop mandalay bay shark reef this we thought was very impressive again well worth a visit.
day 9
we had booked a gun tour through top gun tours we did the full monty package and i am glad we saved this for the last day.
the guns we shot were
mp5
uzi 9mm
m3
walther 9mm we had 25 shots each with these guns.
pump action shotgun 5 shots.
.44 magnum 6 shots.
desert eagle 3 shots.
the 2 handguns we shot had a really big kickback and is nothing like what you see on tv, the shotgun was really loud, firing the machine guns the shells come back at you, we were supplied with safety glasses and ear protection. be prepared for some bruising around the shoulder.
we were the only ones there so had the place to ourselves and the instructors undivided attention he mentioned that at the weekend the place is packed with ques out of the door so mid week is perfect for tourists.
they give you a t-shirt to shoot as a souviner also your paper targets , they have bin laden targets if you prefer.
also lots of photo opportunities with all the guns you shoot.
we went to new york new york next i thought this was one of the smaller hotels but it was the roller coaster that had attracted us you really get thrown around on this and almost 2 weeks later i still have a bruise really good fun though.
next stop treasure island cant come to vegas and not see a show, we had booked tickets for cirque de solis mystere the talent and strength of these people is unbelivable. we choose this show for the acrobats and it didnt disapoint really really enjoyed this.
feels like there was still loads we didnt see or do can you believe we didnt gamble there is so much more to vegas than gambling also wanted to watch ufc but missed this by about 10 days 2 reasons to go back
we had taken £1700 each and empty suitcases we came back with £350 each and full cases and had the time of our lives.
we realise that were running out of time fast theres so many things we havnt seen yet.
back at the miracle mile last bit of shopping other half gets another pair of ugg boots.
we took the monorail to the stratosphere went to the top of the tower and had a starbucks and watch the world go by the view from here is amazing we didnt go on any of the rides something which i regret now.
next stop circus circus a taxi driver told us they have circus acts on here so we went to have a look, when i saw the stage i thought it looked very blackpool but we sat down anyway to watch it filled up very quickly, the act was a juggler and actually very good glad that we stopped here.
next stop mandalay bay shark reef this we thought was very impressive again well worth a visit.
day 9
we had booked a gun tour through top gun tours we did the full monty package and i am glad we saved this for the last day.
the guns we shot were
mp5
uzi 9mm
m3
walther 9mm we had 25 shots each with these guns.
pump action shotgun 5 shots.
.44 magnum 6 shots.
desert eagle 3 shots.
the 2 handguns we shot had a really big kickback and is nothing like what you see on tv, the shotgun was really loud, firing the machine guns the shells come back at you, we were supplied with safety glasses and ear protection. be prepared for some bruising around the shoulder.
we were the only ones there so had the place to ourselves and the instructors undivided attention he mentioned that at the weekend the place is packed with ques out of the door so mid week is perfect for tourists.
they give you a t-shirt to shoot as a souviner also your paper targets , they have bin laden targets if you prefer.
also lots of photo opportunities with all the guns you shoot.
we went to new york new york next i thought this was one of the smaller hotels but it was the roller coaster that had attracted us you really get thrown around on this and almost 2 weeks later i still have a bruise really good fun though.
next stop treasure island cant come to vegas and not see a show, we had booked tickets for cirque de solis mystere the talent and strength of these people is unbelivable. we choose this show for the acrobats and it didnt disapoint really really enjoyed this.
feels like there was still loads we didnt see or do can you believe we didnt gamble there is so much more to vegas than gambling also wanted to watch ufc but missed this by about 10 days 2 reasons to go back
we had taken £1700 each and empty suitcases we came back with £350 each and full cases and had the time of our lives.
Many thanks for the trip report. It certainly shows that you can enjoy Vegas without gambling.
Looking forward to reading your next report when you make the return journey!
luci
Looking forward to reading your next report when you make the return journey!
luci
Thanks for the report Iam goin out on the 26th December for the new year sounds great.
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
-
best time to go to las vegas
Posted by iloveholidays1703 in America/Canada Discussion Forum
-
1st time to Vegas - please help!
Posted by SC2004 in America/Canada Discussion Forum
-
Cheapest time to go to Las Vegas
Posted by clairel69 in America/Canada Discussion Forum
-
First time to America - Las Vegas
Posted by charlie in America/Canada Discussion Forum
-
First Time Visit to Las Vegas ...... Some advice please
Posted by sno125patrol in America/Canada Discussion Forum