Q. I am planning a road trip from Moab, Utah, to Canyonlands, Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon, then Lake Mead, AZ.
I'm looking for good hotels (and your experience) for:
- between GlenC and GrandC (maybe in Tuba City, Cameron, or elsewhere)
- between GrandC and Lake Mead (maybe in Tusayan, Flagstaff, or elsewhere)
Thank you!
I'm looking for good hotels (and your experience) for:
- between GlenC and GrandC (maybe in Tuba City, Cameron, or elsewhere)
- between GrandC and Lake Mead (maybe in Tusayan, Flagstaff, or elsewhere)
Thank you!
A. Between Glen Canyon Dam (Page, AZ) and Grand Canyon, probably the best place to stay is the hotel at the Cameron Trading Post. This is located beside the Little Colorado River gorge where highway 64 to Grand Canyon Village branches off of 89A between Page and Flagstaff. Cameron is a real authentic trading post with an interesting selection of Native American blankets and jewelry (plus the usual touristy stuff). The rooms in the lodge section are modern, clean and reasonably priced and the cafe has good food (they are famous for their huge Navajo Tacos).
Tusayan is the little tourist settlement just outside of the park gate for the Grand Canyon that has a number of chain hotels. It is a place to stay while you are visiting the park, but not really 'in between' if you are looking for a mid-way point between GC and Lake Mead. Although the hotels at Tusayan are fine, I prefer the lodges inside the park itself because they are much more convenient (don't have to go through the lines at the park gate each time you want to go to your room). All the lodges inside the park are ran by Xanterra and reservations can be made online.
As far as a good place to stop between Grand Canyon and Lake Mead...
Flagstaff is the largest town along the way (about 1.5 hours from Grand Canyon and 3.5 from Hoover Dam). Flagstaff has a wide range of hotels and cafes including all the major chains. If you are looking for something a little different, the historic Monte Vista Hotel in the historic downtown is a neat place and within walking distance of cafes, shops and art galleries. The Monte Vista was once a show place hotel in the 1930s and 40s and used by movie stars filming in the area (scenes from Casablanca were filmed here).
A half-hour west of Flagstaff, is the smaller town of Williams which has a few hotels and cafes (and a small historic district). This is also where the Grand Canyon railway starts from. Further west are the small towns of Ash Fork and Seligman whose lodging options are limited.
The next best option is the town of Kingman where US93 to Lake Mead branches off of I-40 (about 1.5 hours from Lake Mead and 3.5 hours from the canyon). Kingman has a fairly large assortment of chain hotels as well the historic Brunswick hotel in the old historic downtown area near the railroad tracks. Nearby is the El Palacio Cafe - an excellent family run Mexican food restuarant.
Tusayan is the little tourist settlement just outside of the park gate for the Grand Canyon that has a number of chain hotels. It is a place to stay while you are visiting the park, but not really 'in between' if you are looking for a mid-way point between GC and Lake Mead. Although the hotels at Tusayan are fine, I prefer the lodges inside the park itself because they are much more convenient (don't have to go through the lines at the park gate each time you want to go to your room). All the lodges inside the park are ran by Xanterra and reservations can be made online.
As far as a good place to stop between Grand Canyon and Lake Mead...
Flagstaff is the largest town along the way (about 1.5 hours from Grand Canyon and 3.5 from Hoover Dam). Flagstaff has a wide range of hotels and cafes including all the major chains. If you are looking for something a little different, the historic Monte Vista Hotel in the historic downtown is a neat place and within walking distance of cafes, shops and art galleries. The Monte Vista was once a show place hotel in the 1930s and 40s and used by movie stars filming in the area (scenes from Casablanca were filmed here).
A half-hour west of Flagstaff, is the smaller town of Williams which has a few hotels and cafes (and a small historic district). This is also where the Grand Canyon railway starts from. Further west are the small towns of Ash Fork and Seligman whose lodging options are limited.
The next best option is the town of Kingman where US93 to Lake Mead branches off of I-40 (about 1.5 hours from Lake Mead and 3.5 hours from the canyon). Kingman has a fairly large assortment of chain hotels as well the historic Brunswick hotel in the old historic downtown area near the railroad tracks. Nearby is the El Palacio Cafe - an excellent family run Mexican food restuarant.
Is it possible to eat at a Disney resort restaurant without staying at one of the resorts?
Q. For instance, would it be possible to eat at 'Ohana if you were staying at a hotel out of Disney World, even if you made reservations?
A. Yes! You can visit any of the several Disney resorts, even if you're not staying there. You can take advantage of their shops and restaurants, but not their pool. I love walking around different resorts. There are several table service meals at the hotels, and for these I highly recommend making reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE or visiting disneyworld.com. But there are counter service restaurants at many (but not all) of the resorts too, which are nice, because they offer cheap meals (no reservations necessary) with a change of scenery. Some of my favorite counter service restaurants are Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian, Captain Cook's at the Polynesian, Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary, and the Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge. All of these resorts can be reached by boat from the Magic Kingdom, or you can take a monorail ride to all but Wilderness Lodge. If you need help, a cast member inside the resort will be happy to direct you to the right place. All of these resorts have great shops, too, so you can be sure to visit those as well.
What is something fun to do in Las Vegas if you are under 21?
Q. I am 20 and i am going with my girlfriend this weekend, besides swimming in the hotel pool and shopping what else is there to do? Please don't answer like, Don't go or It is not a place for people under 21...please no dumb answers. Thank you.
A. The usual things you will want to see for FREE in Vegas are:
1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in from of the Bellagio hotel. It usually runs every 15 minutes in summers starting at 3:00 PM; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different (there are more than 20 different tunes choreographed) so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. ALSO, go inside the Bellagio hotel to its lobby and view the beautiful glass sculptured ceiling AND the seasonal floral arrangements in the Atrium.
2. The âSirens of TIâ show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel; it runs every 90 minutes starting at about 4:30 PM.
3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight.
4. Go down to Freemont Street and see the light show. There are usually 3 or 4 different shows, starting after dark (about 8:30PM) and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each.
5. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Masquerade in the Sky show. It runs every 60 minutes starting about 3:00 PM; the last show starts at 9:30 PM..
6. Go to the MGM Grand hotel to see the Lion habitat.
7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy used.
8. Go in Caesars Palace and walk through the Forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) then take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium. Then continue on through the shops to the second fountain and wait for the show to start.
9. Go into the Flamingo hotel to see their animal habitat with flamingos and penguins.
10 The Excalibur hotel also has a free show starting at 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.
11. If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "Star Trek The Experience"; it cost about $25.
SHOWS:
If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and the show at the MGM, "KA". These will cost about $90 to $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, look for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets; have never done this but see people doing it. I also recommend Gladys Knightâs show at the Flamingo and also the George Wallace comedy show at the Flamingo.
WHAT TO DO:
People go to Vegas to sightsee as well as gamble. You can see most of the stuff on the Strip by walking, so you don't need a rental car. There is a free monorail between Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrahs Hotel to the RIO Hotel that runs every half hour. There is also a free bus that you can get outside the Barbery Coast Casino that will take you to the Orleans and some other off strip casinos.
Plan which hotels/casinos you want to visit each day so you can make the most of your walking and the free monorails and scuttles. When you get there you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" , âShowbizâor "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the Strip and city with the hotels marked, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel.
SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island, or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south of the Strip (just past the airport) to the outlet mall. For more shopping, drive south on I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border ... about 45 miles) and there is a big outlet mall and some casinos.
DINING: The hotel coffee shops and buffets are now much more expensive than they were years ago. So, if you want to eat for less try one of the Denny's for meals (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino and another across from the Monte Carlo hotel/casino). There are also McDonald and Burger King on the Stip near Harrahs. You can get breakfast and dinner buffets a few dollars less at the Imperial Palace hotel/casino and at the Gold Coast hotel/casino. Buffets cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Freemont St hotel/casinos. Some hotels have food courts. There is a food court in the Monte Carlo hotel/casino, one in the NY, NY hotel/casino, and in the Palms Hotel (across the street from the RIO. There is an Outback Steak House in the Casino Royale Hotel and another across from the RIO. There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Ceasers Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Romaâs, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one in the Stardust hotel/casino, one on Freemont St and another on Sahara Ave near Paradise Rd.
MOVIES: There are movie theaters in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the Strip across the street from the Monte Carlo hotel, near the MGM hotel.
BOWLING: If you like to bowl, there are alley's in The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino (beside the RIO) and in the Orleans Hotel Casino. .
ACT LIKE A KID: If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and rides for those with a strong heart at the top of the Stratosphere Casino/hotel. The Circus Circus Hotel/casino has arcades and an indoor amusement park. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke World experience that has all type video games
OTHER THINGS:
RED ROCK CANYON: Its about 20 miles West of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you can pick up that street at the north end of the Strip) Its a scenic drive-through park. Go early, not in the heat of the day; there's no shade.
HOOVER DAM: Drive about 30 miles southeast of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam; the National Park Service offers tours there (@ $15.) and its interesting stuff. Go on past Hoover dam to Boulder City and then to Lake Meade for a swim and/or to visit the new casino there. Also, there are tour companies that will take you on a cruise of the river below Hoover Dam. Check the web sites below.
VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK: Drive about 35 miles north of Vegas on I-15 and go to Valley of Fire State Park, another scenic park area.
ZION NATION PARK: Itâs a long drive (about 2-3 hours), but you can drive North on I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.
DEATH VALLEY: If you like to visit National Parks, drive about an hour and a half south of Vegas on I-15 and take RT-127 to Death Valley National Park (total drive may be 3 hrs each way).
GRAND CANYON: The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 long hard hours on mostly two lane roads with trucks and campers (only a short way on I-40). You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, like 6:00-7:00 AM. That will put you there about noon and you will have 4 or 5 hrs before starting back and getting back to Vegas about 11:00PM. I recommend staying overnight at the Canyon (there are plenty of motels near there, like Best Western, Ramada, Quality inns) and drive back the next day.
1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in from of the Bellagio hotel. It usually runs every 15 minutes in summers starting at 3:00 PM; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different (there are more than 20 different tunes choreographed) so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. ALSO, go inside the Bellagio hotel to its lobby and view the beautiful glass sculptured ceiling AND the seasonal floral arrangements in the Atrium.
2. The âSirens of TIâ show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel; it runs every 90 minutes starting at about 4:30 PM.
3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight.
4. Go down to Freemont Street and see the light show. There are usually 3 or 4 different shows, starting after dark (about 8:30PM) and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each.
5. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Masquerade in the Sky show. It runs every 60 minutes starting about 3:00 PM; the last show starts at 9:30 PM..
6. Go to the MGM Grand hotel to see the Lion habitat.
7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy used.
8. Go in Caesars Palace and walk through the Forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) then take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium. Then continue on through the shops to the second fountain and wait for the show to start.
9. Go into the Flamingo hotel to see their animal habitat with flamingos and penguins.
10 The Excalibur hotel also has a free show starting at 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.
11. If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "Star Trek The Experience"; it cost about $25.
SHOWS:
If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and the show at the MGM, "KA". These will cost about $90 to $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, look for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets; have never done this but see people doing it. I also recommend Gladys Knightâs show at the Flamingo and also the George Wallace comedy show at the Flamingo.
WHAT TO DO:
People go to Vegas to sightsee as well as gamble. You can see most of the stuff on the Strip by walking, so you don't need a rental car. There is a free monorail between Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrahs Hotel to the RIO Hotel that runs every half hour. There is also a free bus that you can get outside the Barbery Coast Casino that will take you to the Orleans and some other off strip casinos.
Plan which hotels/casinos you want to visit each day so you can make the most of your walking and the free monorails and scuttles. When you get there you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" , âShowbizâor "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the Strip and city with the hotels marked, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel.
SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island, or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south of the Strip (just past the airport) to the outlet mall. For more shopping, drive south on I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border ... about 45 miles) and there is a big outlet mall and some casinos.
DINING: The hotel coffee shops and buffets are now much more expensive than they were years ago. So, if you want to eat for less try one of the Denny's for meals (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino and another across from the Monte Carlo hotel/casino). There are also McDonald and Burger King on the Stip near Harrahs. You can get breakfast and dinner buffets a few dollars less at the Imperial Palace hotel/casino and at the Gold Coast hotel/casino. Buffets cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Freemont St hotel/casinos. Some hotels have food courts. There is a food court in the Monte Carlo hotel/casino, one in the NY, NY hotel/casino, and in the Palms Hotel (across the street from the RIO. There is an Outback Steak House in the Casino Royale Hotel and another across from the RIO. There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Ceasers Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Romaâs, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one in the Stardust hotel/casino, one on Freemont St and another on Sahara Ave near Paradise Rd.
MOVIES: There are movie theaters in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the Strip across the street from the Monte Carlo hotel, near the MGM hotel.
BOWLING: If you like to bowl, there are alley's in The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino (beside the RIO) and in the Orleans Hotel Casino. .
ACT LIKE A KID: If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and rides for those with a strong heart at the top of the Stratosphere Casino/hotel. The Circus Circus Hotel/casino has arcades and an indoor amusement park. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke World experience that has all type video games
OTHER THINGS:
RED ROCK CANYON: Its about 20 miles West of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you can pick up that street at the north end of the Strip) Its a scenic drive-through park. Go early, not in the heat of the day; there's no shade.
HOOVER DAM: Drive about 30 miles southeast of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam; the National Park Service offers tours there (@ $15.) and its interesting stuff. Go on past Hoover dam to Boulder City and then to Lake Meade for a swim and/or to visit the new casino there. Also, there are tour companies that will take you on a cruise of the river below Hoover Dam. Check the web sites below.
VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK: Drive about 35 miles north of Vegas on I-15 and go to Valley of Fire State Park, another scenic park area.
ZION NATION PARK: Itâs a long drive (about 2-3 hours), but you can drive North on I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.
DEATH VALLEY: If you like to visit National Parks, drive about an hour and a half south of Vegas on I-15 and take RT-127 to Death Valley National Park (total drive may be 3 hrs each way).
GRAND CANYON: The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 long hard hours on mostly two lane roads with trucks and campers (only a short way on I-40). You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, like 6:00-7:00 AM. That will put you there about noon and you will have 4 or 5 hrs before starting back and getting back to Vegas about 11:00PM. I recommend staying overnight at the Canyon (there are plenty of motels near there, like Best Western, Ramada, Quality inns) and drive back the next day.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment