How is Vegas in December? Suggestions for fun things to do?
I currently have planned a trip to Las Vegas, from December 11 - 17th. We got a cheap timeshare which looks pretty nice, for a week (cost less than $300 for the week). and SW non-stop flights from the east coast, non-stop, for a very reasonable price, and we used a $200 SW voucher too. (The 18th, prices go way up).
I have until about 5 tomorrow to cancel all this, so I’m trying to decide if it’s a good idea or not.
We are thinking we might also go to Zion Natl park for an overnight, and It looks like There are some other great hiking options within easy driving distance of Las Vegas.
We would like to see a show or 2 (if we do the 2 shows we want to see, O and David Copperfield, we are doubling our trip price).
Am I crazy to be thinking about this?
We typically cut down a Christmas tree, so that may not happen this year.
Our kids won’t come home until the next week.
About tickets: we were happy getting tickets the day of the show through tickets for tonight http://www.tix4tonight.com/. They have booths in Vegas and we went to the booth when they opened in the morning for best choices.
Went with my sisters in early December a few years back. It was great. Not crowded. Easy to get into shows. Lots of great holiday displays and shopping.
I had a conference in Vegas the week after Thanksgiving last year. The weather was very pleasant, although chilly at night. My H came, and he stayed busy in the daytime around the Strip (we didn’t have a car). At night, we went to shows … Penn & Teller, Cirque du Soleil Ka, and Blue Man Group. There are plenty of fun shows all over Vegas. We liked just walking and watching! (We don’t gamble, but we still had fun just hanging out.)
Zion, although driving is doable, you would need very advanced reservations to stay in the lodge. You would be tired after the drive and after the explore. It is beautiful, but it can be fatiguing.
Vegas may be rainy or full sun. You never know! It’s a gamble! The shows are phenomenal! I like shopping at the outlet malls.
We loved Zion. I’d check with Zanterra to see if there are any openings for lodging in Zion. Keep checking, in case folks change plans and an opening comes up if there aren’t any initially. Would definitely want to stay a nite there, as driving there and back in one day would be tiring and not allow you to enjoy it.
Anytime is a good time for Vegas. We like the spas, shows, the restaurants and buffets, lounges with live music, museums (mob, wax, pinball, neon, atomic testing, auto, etc.), pools, rides, etc. Lots to do at any budget.
I just got back Sunday from Vegas! We love it…anytime is a great time. We’ve only been in November and January! It’s such an adult Disneyworld. I didn’t want to go to bed each night. It was just a blast. They are putting up decorations now, so it should be very pretty!
We saw Human Nature Jukebox. I’d never heard of them and they were extremely talented. DH was skeptical, but really enjoyed them, too. We also saw Absinthe…avoid if you are easily offended. It is over the top WRONG…but we laughed the whole time.
We love the Petrossian at Bellagio fir cocktails and people watching! Go to the Mandarin Bar was a great view of the strip at night. I say go, you won’t regret it.
There is lots of great hiking close to town. The closest is at Red Rock Canyon. It has many trails for all skill levels, or a scenic loop drive if you just want to enjoy the views. About a hour’s drive out of town will get you to Valley of Fire, or the trail heads in the area around Hoover Dam. Lots of different types of scenery to choose from. Mt Charleston also has good hiking, but may be too snowy at that time of the year.
See some holiday lights - cheesy, but fun! Ethel M Cactus Gardens, Las Vegas Speedway, and Opportunity Village all offer terrific displays.
Many hotels and shopping areas go all out with a winter holiday theme between Thanksgiving and New Year. The Linq Promenade has holiday music, a light show, and decorations. It even snows every half hour at night. The Park has decorations, carolers and an ice rink. Crystals, The Fashion Show, Town Square, Downtown Summerlin - all of these shopping areas have fun decorations. The Cosmopolitan also has an ice rink.
If you go see O at the Bellagio, make sure to allow enough time to stop by the Atrium. Located adjacent to the hotel lobby, the Atrium is an indoor garden which features seasonal displays throughout the year. It is always amazingly beautiful. Also stop by Jean-Philippe Patisserie right down the corridor from the Atrium to see (and smell!) the world’s largest chocolate fountain.
OP here. We are going. We plan to do lots of hiking, assuming the weather cooperates.
Our splurge will be to see O. If anyone knows of a way to get discounts, please let me know.
We plan to take one overnight to Zion, mid-week. I haven’t decided if we will book that ahead of time, or if we will wait and see what the weather is like.
You could try tixfortonight for discounted O tickets. If you’re willing to take the risk of not getting in, you could also try to get standby tickets.
Beware of cheap O tickets, though. Some vendors will sell tickets at a discount, but not make sure that you are aware that the seats are in the splash zone, or in areas with limited visibility. If you check the show’s website, you can find out the locations of the less desirable seats.
OP back. We arrived Sunday. We hiked red rock canyon Monday. We did Valley of Fire today, and then went to check out Hoover dam and walked the “new” memorial bridge near it to get a different perspective. We are heading to Zion Early tomorrow, and staying at Zion Lodge. We haven’t decided if we will head to Bryce Thursday and then drive back to Vegas, or if we will spend 2 days in Zion. We paid for a week on Vegas (but it was a great deal), and may only wind up actually spending 3 nights here, if we choose to do an extra night in Zion or Bryce.