To Vegas or Not?

[stripedelete]

Vegas is more fun with a group.  Go now.   If it's a fun group, talk them into New Orleans for new years eve - the other great group trip.. 

[Shakey]

I thought I'd give a look at the forum before going to bed, cause we're going to Vegas tomorrow morning, and I found this thread!
We'll be staying at the new Hotel, The Cosmopolitan. I have to be there for business Wed-Thurs, so I'm leaving early with the wife and daughters (18-20), to go see a couple of shows and the Grand Canyon. I've been a couple of times before, saw Love every time, big Beatles fan! But I wanted them to see it too, while the girls still tag along.
They go back home on Tuesday... and on Friday, I rented a car to drive down to Scottsdale for the auctions!
So here's a question to locals: which is the best route from Vegas to Scottsdale, the 40, then 17, or 40, then rte 93?
Anything to see on the way (I do not have time for the detour to go standing in a corner, in Winslow, Arizona, unfortunately...)
Thanks!
Ben

I've done the drive from Las Vegas to Scottsdale a number of times.  Personally, I am not a fan of the Interstates and prefer the secondary routes.  I suggest the 93.  Not too many trucks along that route and if you do encounter some traffic there are plenty of passing lanes every couple of miles.

If time is not a concern and the family doesn't get down that way too often, you could also consider taking the 95.  Once you get to Needles, CA you jump on the 40 for a few miles and can either take the CA 95 or the AZ 95.  If you take the CA 95, go to Vidal Junction and make your way over to Parker to collect the 72.  If you take the AZ 95, you will pass by the old London Bridge - kinda neat to see.  A bit out of the way and not so direct but the desert scenery is beautiful and something we don't have in Canada.

When in Scottsdale, take them to Maestro's Ocean Club for dinner - fantastic!

[chargermike]

i go to vegas every year for the nascar race. the strip is ok for a little bit. but for a non gambler like me i like freemont street.  dont really like vegas much but they put on a great race week. but worth seeing one time. if you want to save money stay off the strip. hotels or motels are way cheaper off strip. a room is a room. lots of nice cheap places to stay. i rented a nice place two blocks off the strip. 80 a night instead of 200 a night.

[bakerhillpins]

Just booked the flights so we are Vegas bound...    I'll try to grab some pics and let you all know how it went. 

Hrm.. time to start keeping an eye on CraigsList for chargers for sale in the Vegas area. 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I've never been to Excalibur or Circus Circus, but they and the New York New York are among the most "cartoonish" of the hotels and should be avoided.  I stayed in the Monte Carlo, and I wouldn't characterize it as adults-only, probably because it's relatively inexpensive.  I've stayed at the Luxor too, but I don't remember much of it since I went with Ponch and we ended up drinking beer until I got the courage to ask the waitress for her digits (i.e. most of the night).  

...good times, good times.

I'd definitely stay away from Circus Circus and Excalibur. One time I was at CC and I saw a lady changing a diaper practically on the casino floor.  

Try the Wynn, Mandalay, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock (though it's off the strip) or any of the new ones at City Center (the Aria is pretty nice from what I'm told).

You doing anything for MATS this year?

Thinking about going, but nothing's set in stone yet. It's the weekend before Spring Fling too.

Why...thinking about making the trek?

I'm considering it.  Nothing is set in stone for me either, but I'd rather not just go out there and poke around alone...

[Ponch ®]

I've never been to Excalibur or Circus Circus, but they and the New York New York are among the most "cartoonish" of the hotels and should be avoided.  I stayed in the Monte Carlo, and I wouldn't characterize it as adults-only, probably because it's relatively inexpensive.  I've stayed at the Luxor too, but I don't remember much of it since I went with Ponch and we ended up drinking beer until I got the courage to ask the waitress for her digits (i.e. most of the night).  

...good times, good times.

I'd definitely stay away from Circus Circus and Excalibur. One time I was at CC and I saw a lady changing a diaper practically on the casino floor.  

Try the Wynn, Mandalay, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock (though it's off the strip) or any of the new ones at City Center (the Aria is pretty nice from what I'm told).

You doing anything for MATS this year?

Thinking about going, but nothing's set in stone yet. It's the weekend before Spring Fling too.

Why...thinking about making the trek?

I'm considering it.  Nothing is set in stone for me either, but I'd rather not just go out there and poke around alone...

no more poking around for you, kid. 

I should know in a couple of weeks if im gonna swing the trip...i gotta talk to my associates as well.

[Montreal Wing Car]

I thought I'd give a look at the forum before going to bed, cause we're going to Vegas tomorrow morning, and I found this thread!
We'll be staying at the new Hotel, The Cosmopolitan. I have to be there for business Wed-Thurs, so I'm leaving early with the wife and daughters (18-20), to go see a couple of shows and the Grand Canyon. I've been a couple of times before, saw Love every time, big Beatles fan! But I wanted them to see it too, while the girls still tag along.
They go back home on Tuesday... and on Friday, I rented a car to drive down to Scottsdale for the auctions!
So here's a question to locals: which is the best route from Vegas to Scottsdale, the 40, then 17, or 40, then rte 93?
Anything to see on the way (I do not have time for the detour to go standing in a corner, in Winslow, Arizona, unfortunately...)
Thanks!
Ben

I've done the drive from Las Vegas to Scottsdale a number of times.  Personally, I am not a fan of the Interstates and prefer the secondary routes.  I suggest the 93.  Not too many trucks along that route and if you do encounter some traffic there are plenty of passing lanes every couple of miles.

If time is not a concern and the family doesn't get down that way too often, you could also consider taking the 95.  Once you get to Needles, CA you jump on the 40 for a few miles and can either take the CA 95 or the AZ 95.  If you take the CA 95, go to Vidal Junction and make your way over to Parker to collect the 72.  If you take the AZ 95, you will pass by the old London Bridge - kinda neat to see.  A bit out of the way and not so direct but the desert scenery is beautiful and something we don't have in Canada.

When in Scottsdale, take them to Maestro's Ocean Club for dinner - fantastic!

Thanks for the responses, guys" I'm in Vegas right now, since I need to be here for a trade show next week, the hotel is paid for  by my employer, so I,m on the Strip, in a new hotel, the Cosmopolitan...
I'll do the drive to Scottsdale by myself, the girls and wife will have left by then, since I need to work (a little bit!).
I was also figuring on taking the smaller roads, but I don't have much time, so the hour saved by the Interstate would be valuable...
Thanks again,
Ben

[gtx6970]

Having been to Vegas 3 times total, I've always found something new and neat to see or do. Hoover dam is a sight to see, but if you've been once thats all you need.

Last time I went was 2009 over Halloween weekend, WOW what a sight. To call it visual overload  would be a huge understatement and NOT a for kids weekend. We stayed this last time at the Monte Carlo, got my wife and my sister drunker than monkeys at the Hard rock right across the street. Which has an outdoor 2nd or 3rd floor  balcony overlooking the street and I highly recomend it for the view  for a few drinks with old OR new friends . My only real advise take your camera everytime you leave the hotel room, if not you WILL wish you had it. FYI, you are not allowed to take any pictures inside any casino .

Vegas is a blast, and if you go and don't have a good time, you need to have your pulse ck'd

We are actually thinking about going back again  over halloween weekend this year.

[jar1292]

Halloween weekend i beleave is the world finals at the drag strip unless the canged the dates this year. that is when it has been the last few. thats the best two things in the world rolled into one!

[mauve66]

MATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bakerhillpins]

Back from Vegas for a week now and just catching back up. Spent a hunk of change but the wife and I enjoyed ourselves so no big deal. Lots of stuff that we didn't get to do but if we go back next year we will pick up where we left off.

Highlights:
Seeing Circus O at the Bellagio.
Dinner at YellowTail in the Bellagio.
The Piano Bar under Harrah's
The Titanic exhibit at the Luxor.
Gambling at the Golden Nugget on Fremont St.!
Watching the Superbowl in a suite at the Bellagio. (no so much that the Packers won )
The Brunch Buffet at the Wynn.
Walking through the Venetian/Caesars Palace/Cosmopolitan. The bar in the Cosmo was really cool. It was inside a chandelier.
The Eiffel tower in Paris.

here are a few pics, I'm sure you have see them all before. That's me enjoying the sunny day (after leaving -10 deg NH) with my back to the Bellagio.