doing a family trip to Vegas, and one day we are doing hoover dam and West rim of the grand canyon.

was thinking zion national park the other day, but curious on any recommendations otherwise, or trip experiences of anyone who has done zion. the main canyon looks shuttle only, but there are other areas you can drive. if we dont do the shuttle, is the drive worth it? if not there. other ideas?

Those are some pretty long day trips except for Hoover Dam. Gold Strike Canyon is next to Hoover Dam and takes you to the river below the dam and there are some hot springs along the way. Valley of Fire State Park is north twords Zion, but much closer.

Freemont Street is great for people watching, probably kid safe until 10:00 and lots of things to do not just gambling.

in the city we are doing a penn and teller show and probably the mob museum, and maybe a few other ideas still to-be-determined.

Yes grand canyon is a longer drive, but not sure when we would have the opportunity again

I've been to Vegas probably 20 something times. I've done all the Casino stuff (strip and downtown). I've done the Hoover Damn (pretty cool). I've done all the golf etc. One thing that still stands out is dirt buggy riding out in the desert. I wasn't at all excited for it during a friends bachelor party but I had a blast! They picked us up from the hotel, drove us to the desert, did a safety brief and guided us on a pretty gnarly trip. Just something to think about.

The biggest waste was shooting Machine guns. Talk about very little bang for your buck.

I would take the time to hike the narrows. It is a really unique and fun experience

If you and the kids walk up behind some nuns on Fremont Street DO NOT ask them to turn around.

I've been to Vegas once. The valley of fire day trip we took was the best part of the whole trip.

You didn't say if you're driving or flying. If you're driving there is a train that goes to the Grand Canyon from Williams AZ. Drops you off right at the South Rim and with the shuttles you can 4 or 5 different spots and have lunch somewhere before it goes back to Williams, that's about 3hr from Vegas. We got lucky and it snowed the night before so the Canyon looked extra cool. Petrified Forest is also a cool spot, I 40 goes right through the middle of it as you come into Arizona.

Can also go west to Death Valley Nationa Park

Nvm....not in a day trip

If Narrows hike is picked, have your group read up on it…. water levels can make that a very challenging hike

alvtimes said:

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If Narrows hike is picked, have your group read up on it…. water levels can make that a very challenging hike

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Unlikely to hike the narrows on a day trip from Vegas

Mt Charleston is less than an hour from the strip. You can hike to just under 12k ft

I made a list of outdoorsy things to do last time I went with my wife. We wound up hanging out in the hot tub at the Venetian instead.

So I didn't actually do the things on the list…

But you can kayak the Colorado river below Hoover dam down to a cave. That looked like fun.

The glass walkway over the west edge of the grand canyon is also not too far, but my wife absolutely refused to even consider that one.

And several of the hiking trails already mentioned.

Outdoors because racetracks are outdoors - Shelby American museum and "factory" have tours at like 10am every weekday out near Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Maybe 5-6 cool Shelby cars in the "museum." Probably a pass unless you really like Carroll Shelby and his cars though.

AggieOO said:

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Mt Charleston is less than an hour from the strip. You can hike to just under 12k ft

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This is the way, especially for some much cooler weather than on the strip if you're going during the summer!

Pro tip for Hoover dam tour.
1. Show up early before the tour buses.
2. there is a short tour and a long tour. Do the longer tour, you will see a lot more.

Rock climbing in Red Rock Canyon is a lot of fun…and very close.

Been to Vegas a bunch, don't know how old your kids are, but there is a Bronco Roadeo on Mt. Potosi, it is a 4 hour or so guided off-roading adventure where you are driving. Its only about a 30 minute drive each way, so its a 5-6 hour deal all in. Along those same lines there is a place called Dream Racing where you get to drive a Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche, etc around a race track with an instructor. There's a Red Rock Canyon scooter tour if you want something super chill. And its already been mentioned but the dune buggies are a blast, but if the wife doesn't like sand in her ass then she might not like it.

Drive over to Hemenway Park after your Hoover Dam tour and see all the Bighorn Sheep. They just hang around the park and are super chill. It's on our list when we go in October.

I did one of the Grand Canyon tours summer of 23 (went to Vegas solo for a bowling tournament). Got picked up at either Treasure Island or the Trump Hotel. Stopped at Hoover Damn, one of the lake parks, a spot close to GC to see Joshua trees, and then the Canyon spot that has the skywalk. They have a couple of options of tours while at the GC, and I think a meal was included. All told was probably a full day, was back in time to walk to the Strat, go up to the top and have dinner before the sun set.