Las Vegas Over the Holidays

[DBLYES]

Hi. It has been sometime since I have posted. We plan to Grand Desert over the holidays. Do you think we will need to rent a car? It is our first time in Vegas. Is there anything we should look out for? Also interested in low-cost family events? Appreciate your help?

 

[DaveNV]

Hi. It has been sometime since I have posted. We plan to Grand Desert over the holidays. Do you think we will need to rent a car? It is our first time in Vegas. Is there anything we should look out for? Also interested in low-cost family events? Appreciate your help?

It depends on what you want to do. If you ONLY want to do the central Las Vegas Strip area, you can probably walk. Many locations now charge for parking. When we stayed at the Grand Desert, we walked to the MGM Grand complex, and onto the Strip from there. But it was a long walk. It's probably a half mile or more to the Strip from the Grand Desert property, and longer if the road is blocked for some reason. If the weather is cold, or it's dark, it may be a lot less pleasant to do so, and perhaps not safe at night. Taking an Uber or Lyft will get you around, if you have a specific destination in mind, but they can be expensive. Traffic can also be tough on the Strip, so driving may not be such a good idea. If you have kids with you, they're going to get tired easily. Check out this map. The Grand Desert is in the center-right edge.

Also, going from one casino complex to another is a deceiving distance. They are VERY far apart.

Good luck!

Dave

 

[Janann]

Do you think we will need to rent a car?

As mentioned above, it depends on where you are going. You will have easy access to taxis, and Uber/Lyft. Check out the buses, which are always an adventure. The most popular bus for tourists is called "The Deuce." https://www.rtcsnv.com/news/were-back-hop-on-the-deuce-to-travel-up-and-down-the-las-vegas-strip/

There is also the monorail. According to Google Maps, you will be about 0.8 miles from the nearest station by foot. https://www.lvmonorail.com/

Because this is your first trip, I would skip the car. Driving and parking in Las Vegas is a hassle. If you are going somewhere like Hoover Dam and you don't want to go on a group tour, then you should consider renting a car for only a couple days.

You mentioned family friendly activities...what are the approximate ages of the people in your group?

 

[DBLYES]

As mentioned above, it depends on where you are going. You will have easy access to taxis, and Uber/Lyft. Check out the buses, which are always an adventure. The most popular bus for tourists is called "The Deuce." https://www.rtcsnv.com/news/were-back-hop-on-the-deuce-to-travel-up-and-down-the-las-vegas-strip/

There is also the monorail. According to Google Maps, you will be about 0.8 miles from the nearest station by foot. https://www.lvmonorail.com/

Because this is your first trip, I would skip the car. Driving and parking in Las Vegas is a hassle. If you are going somewhere like Hoover Dam and you don't want to go on a group tour, then you should consider renting a car for only a couple days.

You mentioned family friendly activities...what are the approximate ages of the people in your group?

Thanks. They range from 19 to 32.

 

[DBLYES]

It depends on what you want to do. If you ONLY want to do the central Las Vegas Strip area, you can probably walk. Many locations now charge for parking. When we stayed at the Grand Desert, we walked to the MGM Grand complex, and onto the Strip from there. But it was a long walk. It's probably a half mile or more to the Strip from the Grand Desert property, and longer if the road is blocked for some reason. If the weather is cold, or it's dark, it may be a lot less pleasant to do so, and perhaps not safe at night. Taking an Uber or Lyft will get you around, if you have a specific destination in mind, but they can be expensive. Traffic can also be tough on the Strip, so driving may not be such a good idea. If you have kids with you, they're going to get tired easily. Check out this map. The Grand Desert is in the center-right edge.

View attachment 42793

Also, going from one casino complex to another is a deceiving distance. They are VERY far apart.

Good luck!

Dave

Thanks. Dave

 

[Janann]

Family activities:
Ziplining at the Linq (Fly Linq)
Ziplining at Fremont Street (Slotzilla)
Visit the Pawn Stars store if you like the TV show https://gspawn.com/
Visit the top of the Stratosphere hotel for the view. If you are into thrill rides or bungee jumping, this is the place!

Keep in mind that walking through just one big hotel and getting to the next one takes more time than you think. If everyone wants to see a few hotels you can chew up a lot of time.

 

[ejp]

I highly recommend visiting Bellagio for of course the fountains and the conservatorium with the winter themed "Cola" Christmas display. It is so magical and it's free. Also if up in downtown Vegas check out the 6 Story High flame throwing Mantis, originally presented at the Burning Man festival located in the Container Park in Downtown Vegas. We've also enjoyed the Mandalay aquarium, PINBALL warehouse (fun for all ages) quarters to play games there, go to the Mob Museum, take a helicopter ride over the strip at night, enjoy the Linq Promenade and check out Caesar Palace's forum shops and the free attraction showcasing the Olympus God's water and light show.

 

[DaveNV]

Thanks. Dave

Just checked: Google Maps says it's about .8 miles from the Grand Desert to the front of the MGM Grand complex. Across LV Boulevard from there is New York New York, which has some rides your kids might like. If they're 19 to 32, maybe not. Diagonally across LV Boulevard from MGM Grand is the Ex Caliber, then the Luxor pyramid. Further south is Mandalay Bay, which has a lot to see and do. By the numbers, from Grand Desert to Mandalay Bay is approaching two miles.

I'm thinking some sort of transportation will save your feet and time. Uber and Lyft might be the easiest way to go, since you can call for what you need, when you want it.

Dave

 

[Skipper Scooby]

You will also have to consider the cost of the ride from the airport to the resort and back to the airport if you don't rent a car.

If you rent a car, I HIGHLY recommend driving about 1 1/4 hour northeast of Vegas off of I-15 to go to the Valley of Fire State Park. It is a huge park with beautiful red sandstone colored rock formations. Red Rock Canyon which is about 25 miles west of Vegas is nice too, but not as nice as Valley of Fire. I personally wasn't impressed too much with Hoover Dam the time I went there. If you go there, you will also have to pay for parking on top of the price for the tour tickets.

 

[Ty1on]

As mentioned above, it depends on where you are going. You will have easy access to taxis, and Uber/Lyft. Check out the buses, which are always an adventure. The most popular bus for tourists is called "The Deuce." https://www.rtcsnv.com/news/were-back-hop-on-the-deuce-to-travel-up-and-down-the-las-vegas-strip/

There is also the monorail. According to Google Maps, you will be about 0.8 miles from the nearest station by foot. https://www.lvmonorail.com/

Because this is your first trip, I would skip the car. Driving and parking in Las Vegas is a hassle. If you are going somewhere like Hoover Dam and you don't want to go on a group tour, then you should consider renting a car for only a couple days.

You mentioned family friendly activities...what are the approximate ages of the people in your group?

I discourage pleasure visitors from using the Las Vegas monorail. It was built for, and is great for, conventioneers that want to get from one of a handful of properties, all on the East side of the Strip, to the Convention Center. While it does stop at or adjacent to a few properties on that side of the Strip, its location is in the very back of each of those properties, between an eighth and a quarter mile from the actual Strip. So if you wanted to go from MGM to Venetian, you walk about an eighth of a mile from the heart of the casino floor to the monorail platform, ride the monorail to the Harrah's/Linq platform, walk about an eighth of a mile from the platform to the Strip (the monorail is closer to the Strip here than at MGM), and then walk an eighth of a mile over to Venetian. The same exercise can be done between any two properties that have monorail stops on-property or nearby.

MGM Corporation has a private "tram" monorail that goes from Mandalay Bay to Excalibur. This is GREAT if you are at Mandalay Bay and want to attend an event at T-Mobile Arena. The monorail travels along the front side of the properties, and you can get off at Excalibur, walk across a pedestrian bridge then through NYNY to a back exit that lands you in the Park in front of the arena. Or take a bridge and then directly take another and you are in MGM. There is also a very short tram that travels between Bellagio and Aria/Park MGM, great for T-Mobile access from Bellagio.

 

[Ty1on]

Just checked: Google Maps says it's about .8 miles from the Grand Desert to the front of the MGM Grand complex. Across LV Boulevard from there is New York New York, which has some rides your kids might like. If they're 19 to 32, maybe not. Diagonally across LV Boulevard from MGM Grand is the Ex Caliber, then the Luxor pyramid. Further south is Mandalay Bay, which has a lot to see and do. By the numbers, from Grand Desert to Mandalay Bay is approaching two miles.

I'm thinking some sort of transportation will save your feet and time. Uber and Lyft might be the easiest way to go, since you can call for what you need, when you want it.

Dave

From NYNY, across the ped bridge and into the tram that will ride you to the front of Mandalay. Mandalay Bay is a huge spread so there will be much walking inside that property alone.

 

[Rich S]

Hi. It has been sometime since I have posted. We plan to Grand Desert over the holidays. Do you think we will need to rent a car? It is our first time in Vegas. Is there anything we should look out for? Also interested in low-cost family events? Appreciate your help?

Congratulations on your first trip to Las Vegas! You should have a wonderful time as there are so many different things to do. I won't go into all the different things because there are so many and people have different interests. I think there were some great ideas already posted. I just wanted to give you a tidbit to help you decide whether or not you want to rent a car. Based on the ages you indicated 19-32 the walking should not be a problem.

The Grand Desert is located approximately on the corner of Koval and Harmon. Top Golf is directly across the street. If you walk up Harmon you will be on the strip in about 6-10 minutes depending on how brisk you walk. Many people staying at the Grand Desert make that walk because it takes you directly to the strip. You will see the Miracle Mile shops which is a huge underground mall with shops and restaurants. If you walk and make a left on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd) you will head towards the MGM, New York New York, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and those hotels. If you make a right, you will see many shops and businesses the strip is known for.

The Grand Desert offers a free shuttle from the property to Harrah's on the strip. It runs on a schedule about every 15 minutes. This will give you an opportunity to see Ceasar's Palace, the Bellagio, Treasure Island, and the shops underneath the Venetian hotel. If you plan on spending a lot of time on the strip then renting a car is not really necessary. If you want to take excursions away from the strip then you may want to rent a car on a daily basis it will be cheaper in the long run.

 

[DBLYES]

Family activities:
Ziplining at the Linq (Fly Linq)
Ziplining at Fremont Street (Slotzilla)
Visit the Pawn Stars store if you like the TV show https://gspawn.com/
Visit the top of the Stratosphere hotel for the view. If you are into thrill rides or bungee jumping, this is the place!

Keep in mind that walking through just one big hotel and getting to the next one takes more time than you think. If everyone wants to see a few hotels you can chew up a lot of time.

Thanks.

 

[DBLYES]

Family activities:
Ziplining at the Linq (Fly Linq)
Ziplining at Fremont Street (Slotzilla)
Visit the Pawn Stars store if you like the TV show https://gspawn.com/
Visit the top of the Stratosphere hotel for the view. If you are into thrill rides or bungee jumping, this is the place!

Keep in mind that walking through just one big hotel and getting to the next one takes more time than you think. If everyone wants to see a few hotels you can chew up a lot of time.

Thanks

 

[DBLYES]

Congratulations on your first trip to Las Vegas! You should have a wonderful time as there are so many different things to do. I won't go into all the different things because there are so many and people have different interests. I think there were some great ideas already posted. I just wanted to give you a tidbit to help you decide whether or not you want to rent a car. Based on the ages you indicated 19-32 the walking should not be a problem.

The Grand Desert is located approximately on the corner of Koval and Harmon. Top Golf is directly across the street. If you walk up Harmon you will be on the strip in about 6-10 minutes depending on how brisk you walk. Many people staying at the Grand Desert make that walk because it takes you directly to the strip. You will see the Miracle Mile shops which is a huge underground mall with shops and restaurants. If you walk and make a left on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd) you will head towards the MGM, New York New York, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and those hotels. If you make a right, you will see many shops and businesses the strip is known for.

The Grand Desert offers a free shuttle from the property to Harrah's on the strip. It runs on a schedule about every 15 minutes. This will give you an opportunity to see Ceasar's Palace, the Bellagio, Treasure Island, and the shops underneath the Venetian hotel. If you plan on spending a lot of time on the strip then renting a car is not really necessary. If you want to take excursions away from the strip then you may want to rent a car on a daily basis it will be cheaper in the long run.

Thanks very much

 

[DBLYES]

Congratulations on your first trip to Las Vegas! You should have a wonderful time as there are so many different things to do. I won't go into all the different things because there are so many and people have different interests. I think there were some great ideas already posted. I just wanted to give you a tidbit to help you decide whether or not you want to rent a car. Based on the ages you indicated 19-32 the walking should not be a problem.

The Grand Desert is located approximately on the corner of Koval and Harmon. Top Golf is directly across the street. If you walk up Harmon you will be on the strip in about 6-10 minutes depending on how brisk you walk. Many people staying at the Grand Desert make that walk because it takes you directly to the strip. You will see the Miracle Mile shops which is a huge underground mall with shops and restaurants. If you walk and make a left on the strip (Las Vegas Blvd) you will head towards the MGM, New York New York, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and those hotels. If you make a right, you will see many shops and businesses the strip is known for.

The Grand Desert offers a free shuttle from the property to Harrah's on the strip. It runs on a schedule about every 15 minutes. This will give you an opportunity to see Ceasar's Palace, the Bellagio, Treasure Island, and the shops underneath the Venetian hotel. If you plan on spending a lot of time on the strip then renting a car is not really necessary. If you want to take excursions away from the strip then you may want to rent a car on a daily basis it will be cheaper in the long run.

Thanks and everyone has been very helpful

 

[DBLYES]

From NYNY, across the ped bridge and into the tram that will ride you to the front of Mandalay. Mandalay Bay is a huge spread so there will be much walking inside that property alone.

Thanks.

 

[DBLYES]

You will also have to consider the cost of the ride from the airport to the resort and back to the airport if you don't rent a car.

If you rent a car, I HIGHLY recommend driving about 1 1/4 hour northeast of Vegas off of I-15 to go to the Valley of Fire State Park. It is a huge park with beautiful red sandstone colored rock formations. Red Rock Canyon which is about 25 miles west of Vegas is nice too, but not as nice as Valley of Fire. I personally wasn't impressed too much with Hoover Dam the time I went there. If you go there, you will also have to pay for parking on top of the price for the tour tickets.

Thanks. We will probably focus on the strip for this trip.

 

[DBLYES]

From NYNY, across the ped bridge and into the tram that will ride you to the front of Mandalay. Mandalay Bay is a huge spread so there will be much walking inside that property alone.

Thanks.

 

[Tkhalaska]

We've been going to Vegas for about 25 years. For the last 10 or so we usually stay 4-6 weeks, almost all in various timeshares. We have stayed in pretty much every timeshare on and off the strip, and the Grand Desert is in our top 3. It is an easy walk to the strip, or you could take their shuttle to Harrahs which is always easy to catch- just make sure you know when the last one runs. Suggestions for things to do:
Bellagio conservatory/arboretum
Golden Steer steakhouse
Resorts World- very new large casino, we have not yet been in there but are planning on it.
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil- at the MGM so a reasonable walk to/from the Grand Desert. Check the web or publications for discounts.
Illuminate- new show at The Strat, have not seen it yet, it is on our list to do our next trip in January 2022 ( staying at Polo Towers this time) We are planning on taking the monorail from MGM to the Sahara stop for transpo.
Ellis Island- very close walk to the Grand Desert. Very much a locals casino with the best dark beer in town and an excellent BBQ. Have karaoke ( you will have to check the nights they have it) where you will see a very interesting lot of people.
Downtown- either take the bus or uber, see the lightshow and enjoy the street performers. Lots of choices for casinos with low table minimums, you could try the Main Street Station Buffet, we have not been there since they reopened but they were one of the best before the shutdown.
High Roller wheel at the Linq ( could co-ordinate with dinner at Battistas Hole in the Wall for an old Vegas vibe)

All this can be done with no rental car. There would be other suggestions if you did have a car, or if there were specific interests ( foodie vs gambler vs entertainment vs hiking/outdoors vs history/museums).

Hope this is useful and helps make your visit fabulous!

 

[DBLYES]

We've been going to Vegas for about 25 years. For the last 10 or so we usually stay 4-6 weeks, almost all in various timeshares. We have stayed in pretty much every timeshare on and off the strip, and the Grand Desert is in our top 3. It is an easy walk to the strip, or you could take their shuttle to Harrahs which is always easy to catch- just make sure you know when the last one runs. Suggestions for things to do:
Bellagio conservatory/arboretum
Golden Steer steakhouse
Resorts World- very new large casino, we have not yet been in there but are planning on it.
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil- at the MGM so a reasonable walk to/from the Grand Desert. Check the web or publications for discounts.
Illuminate- new show at The Strat, have not seen it yet, it is on our list to do our next trip in January 2022 ( staying at Polo Towers this time) We are planning on taking the monorail from MGM to the Sahara stop for transpo.
Ellis Island- very close walk to the Grand Desert. Very much a locals casino with the best dark beer in town and an excellent BBQ. Have karaoke ( you will have to check the nights they have it) where you will see a very interesting lot of people.
Downtown- either take the bus or uber, see the lightshow and enjoy the street performers. Lots of choices for casinos with low table minimums, you could try the Main Street Station Buffet, we have not been there since they reopened but they were one of the best before the shutdown.
High Roller wheel at the Linq ( could co-ordinate with dinner at Battistas Hole in the Wall for an old Vegas vibe)

All this can be done with no rental car. There would be other suggestions if you did have a car, or if there were specific interests ( foodie vs gambler vs entertainment vs hiking/outdoors vs history/museums).

Hope this is useful and helps make your visit fabulous!

Thank you. This is very helpful.

 

[DBLYES]

I would like to Thank everyone who gave me advice. We just came back from Vegas and enjoyed it there. We were there for New Years. Thanks again