Going to Las Vegas, is it worth it to see the grand canyon?

[buck]

Well the fiance and I are going to Las Vegas for 4 days for her dads BDAY this coming weekend. We have a couple of days to ourselves, and i have never really seen that part of the country. We would just be renting the car for the day though. So for one day, what is the best way we can spend our time sightseeing around there? Is it around 4 hours to the grand canyon? Is it worth it? Should i just stay in vegas, ditch the old lady and get a hooker? On another note, i have been to vegas only once a while back and just stayed on the strip. Any thoughts are appreciated.


*edit*
Fixed the title for those who dont read this thread.

 

[ViviTheMage]

google map that beotch!

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
google map that beotch!

I did it, and it shows about 4 hours. I want personal thoughts.
I even fixed the title for you.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
google map that beotch!

I did it, and it shows about 4 hours. I want personal thoughts.

about roads and stuff + traffic?

get a GPS

I only saw Las Vegas from atop of a mountain, never been to it, haha.

 

[NuclearNed]

I've driven from Vegas to the canyon a couple of times, but by different routes both times. My wife got sick while on the route you will probably take, and it took us close to 10 hours to make the trip one way (she had to stop and puke frequently). If that hadn't happened, I believe the trip should have taken 4-5 hours.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
google map that beotch!

I did it, and it shows about 4 hours. I want personal thoughts.

about roads and stuff + traffic?

get a GPS

I only saw Las Vegas from atop of a mountain, never been to it, haha.

Myspace is back up, you can go now.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
google map that beotch!

I did it, and it shows about 4 hours. I want personal thoughts.

about roads and stuff + traffic?

get a GPS

I only saw Las Vegas from atop of a mountain, never been to it, haha.

Myspace is back up, you can go now.

eh?

I don't have a myspace

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I've driven from Vegas to the canyon a couple of times, but by different routes both times. My wife got sick while on the route you will probably take, and it took us close to 10 hours to make the trip one way (she had to stop and puke frequently). If that hadn't happened, I believe the trip should have taken 4-5 hours.

Any regrets (other than the wife getting sick)? Did you think you shoulda just stayed in town?

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I've driven from Vegas to the canyon a couple of times, but by different routes both times. My wife got sick while on the route you will probably take, and it took us close to 10 hours to make the trip one way (she had to stop and puke frequently). If that hadn't happened, I believe the trip should have taken 4-5 hours.

Any regrets (other than the wife getting sick)? Did you think you shoulda just stayed in town?

The canyon is definitely worth the drive, although the southern rim (the one closest to Vegas) is kind of crowded and congested during peak season. My recommendation would be to start out from Vegas early so you will have plenty of time at the canyon. The drive from LV to the GC is extremely scenic, so you will probably spend some time just gawking at roadside stuff.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Go to the canyon but don't just stop at the observation points and climb back in your airconditioned car. Pack a lunch and hike down into the canyon a ways, climb a rock, eat lunch and listen to the world around you. Vegas will still be there later.

 

[Zolty]

I have made the trip from the Grand Canyon to Vegas on a friday, took about 6 hours to get to the strip. We were on the south rim area, it was nice really scenic. I suggest spending a night there.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I've driven from Vegas to the canyon a couple of times, but by different routes both times. My wife got sick while on the route you will probably take, and it took us close to 10 hours to make the trip one way (she had to stop and puke frequently). If that hadn't happened, I believe the trip should have taken 4-5 hours.

Any regrets (other than the wife getting sick)? Did you think you shoulda just stayed in town?

The canyon is definitely worth the drive, although the southern rim (the one closest to Vegas) is kind of crowded and congested during peak season. My recommendation would be to start out from Vegas early so you will have plenty of time at the canyon. The drive from LV to the GC is extremely scenic, so you will probably spend some time just gawking at roadside stuff.

Thats what i was shooting for. I only saw one obvious route to the GC, is that the one you took and would recommend?

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Go to the canyon but don't just stop at the observation points and climb back in your airconditioned car. Pack a lunch and hike down into the canyon a ways, climb a rock, eat lunch and listen to the world around you. Vegas will still be there later.

Yes we are the type that would definately take our time.

Originally posted by: Zolty
I have made the trip from the Grand Canyon to Vegas on a friday, took about 6 hours to get to the strip. We were on the south rim area, it was nice really scenic. I suggest spending a night there.

I wish we could .

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I've driven from Vegas to the canyon a couple of times, but by different routes both times. My wife got sick while on the route you will probably take, and it took us close to 10 hours to make the trip one way (she had to stop and puke frequently). If that hadn't happened, I believe the trip should have taken 4-5 hours.

Any regrets (other than the wife getting sick)? Did you think you shoulda just stayed in town?

The canyon is definitely worth the drive, although the southern rim (the one closest to Vegas) is kind of crowded and congested during peak season. My recommendation would be to start out from Vegas early so you will have plenty of time at the canyon. The drive from LV to the GC is extremely scenic, so you will probably spend some time just gawking at roadside stuff.

Thats what i was shooting for. I only saw one obvious route to the GC, is that the one you took and would recommend?

The quick route is to the southern rim. It is a really nice drive, and the southern rim is very scenic, although like I mentioned before it can be a little crowded. I definitely recommend this route.

The other route I have taken is to the northern rim. It is a considerably longer drive. We broke it up by seeing several things on the way, making it a trip that took 2-3 days. Highly recommended (even more than the south rim), but I'm guessing that you probably don't have this amount of time.

 

[blurredvision]

I did this same exact thing this time last year with the wife. We vacationed in Vegas, and spent one day to see the Grand Canyon. We rented a PT Cruiser convertible, and drove down through Kingman and the Hoover Dam, across I-40, then hit the straight shot road up to the South Rim. It was definitely damned close to a 4 hour drive from the strip to canyon edge, although it was great for us, since we'd never even been anywhere near a desert. All of the new sights, what little there was, was new to us.

We thoroughly enjoyed the drive, and even pulled over a couple of times for 5 minutes to take pictures. If you do decide to take this drive, be absolutely sure you time your trip back to be able to catch the sun setting over the mountains. Just a beautiful sight. I can share a panorama that I took on our way back later once I get home if you'd like.

Once at the South Rim, there's not much to do besides visit the guest center, and look out at a couple of different spots. We expected to see all kinds of stuff, but there isn't much past the initial gawking of the massiveness of the canyon until you actually plan out some hiking down into the canyon itself.

I don't want to type out too much right now, but if you have any questions, please ask.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I did this same exact thing this time last year with the wife. We vacationed in Vegas, and spent one day to see the Grand Canyon. We rented a PT Cruiser convertible, and drove down through Kingman and the Hoover Dam, across I-40, then hit the straight shot road up to the South Rim. It was definitely damned close to a 4 hour drive from the strip to canyon edge, although it was great for us, since we'd never even been anywhere near a desert. All of the new sights, what little there was, was new to us.

We thoroughly enjoyed the drive, and even pulled over a couple of times for 5 minutes to take pictures. If you do decide to take this drive, be absolutely sure you time your trip back to be able to catch the sun setting over the mountains. Just a beautiful sight. I can share a panorama that I took on our way back later once I get home if you'd like.

Once at the South Rim, there's not much to do besides visit the guest center, and look out at a couple of different spots. We expected to see all kinds of stuff, but there isn't much past the initial gawking of the massiveness of the canyon until you actually plan out some hiking down into the canyon itself.

I don't want to type out too much right now, but if you have any questions, please ask.

YHPM.


Thanks Ned.

 

[alien42]

i drove from vegas to the hoover dam and then north through the valley of fire and it was a great day trip.

 

[IBuyUFO]

Probably worth it. Now, if you asked about Hoover dam I would have to say no. That place is boring.

 

[buck]

I am getting excited, thanks for all the responses.

 

[Audiotherapy]

i drove from vegas to GC last year during august. it was just freaking hot and dry everywhere even if you have the AC cranking on high.
the grand canyon was fun at first. after the wow factor, its just meh... probably better if you go on a tour and have them show u where the good spots are.


If you do decide to drive, pack plenty of water/food/gas for the road trip.

 

[EagleKeeper]

You have PM from a local.

Other locals
MaverickBP
So (native - UNR)

 

[xanis]

I drove from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon last year in April. It was a very long but awesome drive. Luckily we had a nice comfortable car ('06 Lincoln Towncar) to get us there. Prepare to go fast and see a lot of brown.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
You have PM from a local.

Other locals
MaverickBP
So (native - UNR)

TY sir and one coming back.

 

[pyonir]

If you are one of those people that are going to bitch about paying $25 to see "a hole in the ground" then don't waste your time. If you can appreciate the awesomeness (and i mean that as in awe inspiring) of the entire area...then by all means go. I've been there like 4 times now (live in Phoenix) and i LOVE it every time...it's the best taking someone that has never seen it before..because they just stand there in awe.

I've never done the hiking thing...and really should though.

 

[ultimatebob]

Do a helicopter tour instead. They're more fun!