I'm coming to Las Vegas - please answer my questions!

Factual Questions
1

After many years of thinking about it, I’m finally determined to visit Las Vegas this summer (probably August, maybe July).

My sister would like to come too. (We are both British teachers in our fifties.)
I like watching poker, CSI, eating, rollercoasters and shows.
She likes scenery, shopping, eating and shows.

I’ve seen Dmark’s website (well done that man :slight_smile: ), but wonder if Dopers could help us out with specific answers…

  1. Which airport do we fly to? Is it peak season for air prices? What security constraints are the US authorities currently putting on UK travellers?

  2. What sort of temperatures and humidity apply at that time of year? Do we need sunblock? Is a tracksuit suitable for Las Vegas?

  3. We don’t want to drive at all. Where is it sensible to stay in Las Vegas, given our interests? What does it cost? What public transport is there?

  4. My sister would like to see the Grand Canyon. How could she get there + back?
    What else is worth seeing? Hoover Dam?

  5. I’d like to watch the WSOP 2007 (but not play!). When is it on? How do I book? What does it cost?
    Is there any chance of interacting with CSI? (Bear in mind that I play chess, computer games and roleplay. Gil Grissom is my hero!)
    Are there any chess clubs or events in the area? (I’m seriously good!)

  6. We like all sorts of food. :smiley: What sort of budget should we allow for?

  7. Any general advice for elderly UK tourists? (Based purely on US TV shows, I expect to be lured into danger by beautiful women. Whilst tempting :cool: , I think I would rather leave that for another day…)

2

I have the same questions, but want to go there next month. What type of weather should I expect? Any big conventions coming to town that I should avoid?

3

It is going to be over 100°, and as high as 116°. Very low humidity.

Why? Once you experience the heat, you are not going outside. Hoover dam is cool once you get inside, but that canyon can be 10-15° hotter than Vegas. Trust me, you will be spending very little time outside.

4

If you do go, please tell me what it was like! :slight_smile:

5

Temperature averages for Las Vegas.

6

McCarren International Airport - LAS

Transportation Security Administration

US Customs & Border Protection

Others have provided info. Las Vegas is Hot in July/August. Think open collared shirts, slacks and possibly shorts.

Driving around and in Vegas is not that bad. If you don’t drive, your choices are very limited. The best way to see Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam is to drive there. Otherwise, see Visit Las Vegas official site

I believe CSI is filmed in Los Angeles.

Big.

I suggest some serious web study of the official tourist site, travel sites, airline sites, etc. Ignore CSI. It’s been my experience Vegas isn’t like that. Vegas is an adult playground with all the good and bad attached to it. FWIW, the drivers are southern California attitude. :slight_smile:

7

I am under the impression that DMark LOVES to talk about Vegas and would be happy to answer some questions via email (not sure if his email is in his profile, or if there’s one on his site).

Not to say that this thread shouldn’t stay open and you couldn’t get good answers here…but DMark would be my go-to guy if I was planning my first trip to LV :slight_smile:

8

Why not? I’ve been to Vegas many times and being outside during the Summer is awesome! As cliché as it sounds, it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Hot air with little humidity doesn’t feel nearly as hot as hot air with lots of humidity. I feel much more comfortable outside in the Summer in Vegas then I do here in NJ.

9

Did you see the OP’s location? I may be wrong, but I don’t think they are used to that kind of heat in Perfidious Albion.

I feel much more comfortable just about anywhere than in New Jersey.

10

Looks like you’re gonna miss the Las Vegas International Chess Festival by about a month: http://www.lvchessfestival.com/

11

Clark County Chess Club: http://www.clarkcountychessclub.com/

Other chess clubs in the area: The United States Chess Federation

12

I just did this trip earlier in last year (I live in California, me and my Girlfriend drove across to Vegas and onto Utah). To be honest I’m not a big fan of Vegas, after a couple of nights I got pretty bored. I don’t know if the myth about Vegas being cheap if you don’t gamble was ever true (any info on that dopers out there ? was Vegas crazy cheap back in the day, because they subsidized everything and made their money at the tables ?) but its certainly not now.

But the Grand Canyon and the other scenery around there is mind blowing. Maybe it’s just me, but it amazed me that Vegas is so packed, and yet these amazing sites just “down the road” (by SW standards :slight_smile: )were pretty much deserted (the Grand Canyon itself was pretty busy but the other sites were pretty empty). We did the North Rim of the Grand Canyon its about a 5hr drive from Vegas. For me, coming from the UK, those long desert road trips are an experience in themselves, although driving round Vegas is a pain. The other National Parks around the North rim are definitely worth seeing, you drive though Zion on the way to the North Rim, and Bryce is 2/3 hours North.

13

General comments for OP and others:

  1. remember to convert the Temperature over to the scale they use in UK.

2.same for money

3.save for driving
Remeber that we “yanks” have everything backwards :slight_smile:

14

Actually reading the OP a bit more…

Tempratures will be crazy hot (but not humid) but of course all the casinos, etc have A/C. I would recommend getting somewhere in the middle of the strip if you don’t have a car, though prices will be higher. The first time we went we stayed at the Luxor which was on the strip by a little way off to the south so took a while to get to the main section of the strip, the second time at Treasure Island and it was much easier to get around as it was slap bang in the middle. If you are on “the Strip” you can get anywhere else on the strip by Monorail or Shuttle bus. I believe WSOP is held at the Rio which is a little way off the strip, though there is a shuttle bus there (and you can of course get anywhere by taxi).

In terms of saftey to old downtown area (the original center of vegas, what is now the center or “the strip” is a modern addition) is very dodgy though I hear they have done a bit to clean it up. The other thing I remember is timeshare touts everywhere (offering free meals, shows, etc.).

I’ll repeat what I said in my last post that it would be a real shame if didn’t see the Grand Canyon and the other scenery around there. It is spectaular and completely unique, (unlike Vegas, which is just a cheesy over the top expensive version of Blackpool IMHO :slight_smile: )

15

McCarran International Airport. You’ll have to check the TSA’s website for travel restrictions to the US generally. As for prices, I’m more familiar with them going OUT of Vegas than TO Vegas, sorry.

Typically temperatures in the 40’s C (100’s F), but minimal, as in 10% or less, humidity. DEFINITELY bring a sunblock, at least SPF 45. A tracksuit would probably be uncomfortably hot that time of year, especially if it’s made of synthetic material. Polo shirts and shorts are fine in most places, with Dockers-type pants for the evening.

Stay on the Strip, then, possibly at Treasure Island or the Venetian. Their websites will have room rates, no doubt.

The CAT bus system has at least one and possibly two buses that run up and down the Strip; they run continually depending on traffic.

You can take a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon or other flying scenic tours. There are also bus tours, but it’s about a five hour drive to the Canyon from here. If you do drive, you’ll cross over Hoover Dam to get there; the tour of the dam is nice, IMO, especially if you’ve never done that sort of tour before.

No idea there. I’d google and go from there.

Your choice, honestly. I can (and have, in a different thread, will try to find the link and post it later) recommend restaurants with per-plate charges as low as US$10 per person and up. If you eat solely on the Strip, plan for a per-plate of at least US$20 per person. Note that in the US, you will USUALLY get at least one side dish with your entree; appetizers, drinks, and desserts will cost extra.

Do NOT carry large amounts of cash. Use credit cards or traveler’s checks where you can, and carry maybe US$50 or so for incidentals.

16

Given that we’ve had overnight lows below freezing for the last week (VERY unusual), I can’t even begin to tell you what to expect, weather-wise. I’ve seen February temps range as high as 80’s F, but I’d check weather.com for the weeks leading up to your trip for a more up to date forecast.

As for conventions, Winter CES just ended, so I think you’re okay on that front.

17

Yep, that was true. And in parts of Vegas (downtown, vs. the Strip) it still is, more or less. There’s at least one place downtown where you can STILL get a 99 cent shrimp cocktail.

The Strip has gone high-end and high priced, IMO. Which is one reason I generally stay off of it.

18

Another thing to note that confused me when I first got to the US is “entree” means main course not appitizer (and the reverse problem confuse my GF when we went to Paris over new year :slight_smile: )

19

I recently opened a thread about Vegas as well. It concerned what there is to do, you may find it useful. Vegas for non-gamblers

20

Dear All,

Thanks for a super response!

I’ll e-mail all this to my sister, and get back to you with her questions…