Las Vegas or ????

[Kiwi cop]

The itinerary for next years U.S road trip is firming up.

Houston, Nashville, Louisville, Chicago then onto Route 66 for three weeks.

We have two nights that originally were scheduled for Las Vegas, however our last visit there in 2018 was the disappointment of the trip.

We both caught a head cold, didn't make the pre-paid walking tour of Fremont St (and there is a question mark hanging over Karen's ability for more than short walks after several weeks in a car given her slightly reduced lung function) due to getting caught up in traffic congestion, and the factor of a weekend towards the end of May. The benefit would be that I get to spend my birthday on Vegas

Some social media feeds have me thinking of cancelling Vegas and spending the two nights in Flagstaff with side trips to National Monument, Sedona and Prescott for the scenery.

So what do the rest of you think?

 

[luvsmiths]

Id cancel Vegas-

Your plan B sounds like a lot more fun!

 

[CH4]

I live in the Vegas suburbs. Go to Flagstaff.

 

[LVSteve]

I live in the Vegas suburbs. Go to Flagstaff.

This x1000

 

[RobertJ.]

I don't drink or gamble, and Vegas is my favorite place to vacation. We always rent a car and stay in a condo, and in a two-week stay might go to the strip once or twice. If my wife wants to gamble we usually go to Red Rock Casino. The draw for me is plenty of things to do within a short (100 miles or so) drive. The draw for my wife is a pool with a lazy river, a good book, and lots of wine and sun.

But if you only have two days, and considering your past experience, I'd go with choice #2. And when you said "National Monument" did you mean Monument Valley? If so, then definitely choice #2!

 

[RobertJ.]

Okay, I just saw in the actual poll that you specified Monument Valley. This will be one of the highlights of your trip. I did this photo in B/W to look like an old John Wayne movie:

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Monument Valley is one of the few places that I call Spiritual.
Goulding’s Lodge and the View Hotel are right near.
The View, East looking rooms front right into the Valley.
Hampton at Kayenta to the S excellent choice.
N and a little E, Desert Rose at Bluff, Utah also excellent.
You pay an entry fee to the Navajo Nation and drive your car around a marked loop around the Valley.
Or you ride one of the numerous tour trucks leaving from all over.
The initial hill down into the valley has been rough every time I’ve been there. Smoother dirt roads when you get down.
Here are the Three Sisters.

 

[sigp220.45]

I spent years on the Navajo reservation. I love the place, and I would encourage you to take some time there. There are trading posts that get very few white visitors. Save up a few bucks (more than a few) and consider a real Navajo rug.

Skip Vegas.

 

[MRB1]

I'd drop the first four septic tanks and get on with enjoying the Route 66 trip.

 

[raljr1]

Sedona can be a pretty spiritual place as well

Robert

 

[lihpster]

Vegas or Monument Valley? If they were statues, Monument Valley would be Michelangelo's David and Vegas would be a wax figure of Pee Wee Herman. Go to Flagstaff.

 

[Nevada Ed]

10 years ago I would tell to to check out pier 39 or Fisherman's warf in San Francisco
for some great sea food and fun places with things to buy.

Now the "Bums" have taken over the streets and you are lucky to not
have your car broke into or stolen, when left alone.

Dolly World ??

 

[swsig]

If you visit the Prescott/Sedona area, be sure to check out nearby Jerome. It is a "modern" ghost town, abandoned in the 1950s, that is slowly sliding down the mountain it sits on. It has been slightly repopulated by a few artsy-craftsy types. I visited there not long after it was abandoned, and it was a very interesting place.

PS: Ask the locals how "Prescott" is pronounced. It's something like "Presskit" or "Presscut", but not "Presskawt".

 

[yaktamer]

Vegas was better when the mob ran it.

 

[robvious]

Vegas used to be a cheap vacation... free booze & food to keep you gambling... kinda pricey now... interesting if you like people watching... just remember all the lights are paid for by losers.... Flagstaff/Sedona would be my pick.

 

[dmar]

The itinerary for next years U.S road trip is firming up.

Houston, Nashville, Louisville, Chicago then onto Route 66 for three weeks.

We have two nights that originally were scheduled for Las Vegas, however our last visit there in 2018 was the disappointment of the trip.

We both caught a head cold, didn't make the pre-paid walking tour of Fremont St (and there is a question mark hanging over Karen's ability for more than short walks after several weeks in a car given her slightly reduced lung function) due to getting caught up in traffic congestion, and the factor of a weekend towards the end of May. The benefit would be that I get to spend my birthday on Vegas

Some social media feeds have me thinking of cancelling Vegas and spending the two nights in Flagstaff with side trips to National Monument, Sedona and Prescott for the scenery.

So what do the rest of you think?

Depends on what you like to do. If you like night life, gambling, lot's of gambling, and prostitution everywhere you walk, go to Vegas. Personally, I'd go plan "B," and head to Flagstaff, Monument Valley, etc. Great things to see, and far less crowded. For me, Vegas is okay for a night, but then I want to get the heck out of there...

 

[dockmurgw]

Is none of the above an option? The four cities you list are sorta the worst of the worst as far as crime goes. If you're into that type of setting...big cities, congestion and crime then I suppose you're on the right path. If you're looking for a more peaceful road trip then head East. Check out the Great Lakes, the Adirondack region in NY, VT, NH, head to the Maine coast, venture up through the Canadian Maritimes...so much to do, so much natural beauty to see.

 

[DesertFox]

Avoid Vegas. Drive safe, enjoy Monument.

 

[Marshwheeling]

If I had to go to Vegas, the way I would do it is, rent a car, go to Wal Mart and buy some camping gear, drive to Death Valley and camp out, return the rental car to Vegas, return the camping gear to Wal Mart and return home.

 

[RobertJ.]

If you like night life, gambling, lot's of gambling, and prostitution everywhere you walk, go to Vegas.

This made me laugh! Because of course, when you think "Las Vegas" you think debauchery of all sorts. To be fair, though, if a person only spends a couple of days and spends it all on the strip, that's mostly what you'll see. I haven't seen any prostitution, unless you count the card slappers or the moving billboards.

But if you you get to spend an extended amount of time there you'll realize there are so many cool things to do in that area. My favorites (that I do every time) include Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead Natl. Recreation Area, Tecopah Hot Springs (in Tecopah, Ca.) and Valley of Fire State Park. One of my other favorites is visiting the ghost town of Rhyolite which is about two hours north. Last time we went we made an excursion to Zion Natl. Park for a two-day stay. Anyway, that's why I like going.

But I voted for Monument Valley in the OP's poll, since he only has a limited amount of time.