Arizona, New Mexico & the Grand Canyon Trips (Lonely Planet, 1st Edition) - Aaron Anderson [88]
Qua Baths & Spa
A homage to ancient Roman bathing rituals, with social spa-going encouraged in the tea lounge. 731-7776, 866-782-0655; www.harrahs.com/qua; Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S; 6am-8pm
Shark Reef
Two thousand submarine beasties call M-Bay’s walk-through aquarium home. 702-632-4555; www.mandalaybay.com; Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S; adult/child $16/11; 10am-11pm, last entry 10pm;
Springs Preserve
Forward-thinking eco-museum takes visitors on an incredible trip through historical, cultural and biological time. 702-822-7700; www.springspreserve.org; 333 S Valley View Blvd; adult/child $19/11; 10am-6pm, trails close at dusk;
Stratosphere Tower
High-altitude thrill rides cost extra, but they’re pretty much worth it. 702-380-7777; www.stratospherehotel.com; 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S; adult/child $14/10; 10am-1am Sun-Thu, 10am-2am Fri & Sat, weather permitting;
TI (Treasure Island)
Laugh at the hilarious “Sirens of TI” show, in which feisty, bad-girl buccaneers clad in lingerie do battle. 702-894-7111; www.treasureisland.com; 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S; admission free; shows usually 7pm, 8:30pm, 10pm & 11pm
Venetian
Graceful bridges and flowing canals almost capture the romantic spirit of Venice. 702-414-4300; www.venetian.com; 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S; admission free, gondola rides $12.50-60; 10am-10:45pm Sun-Thu, 10am-11:45pm Fri & Sat
EAT & DRINK
Beauty Bar
Swill a cocktail and listen to live bands and DJs inside the salvaged innards of a 1950s beauty salon. 702-598-1965; www.beautybar.com; 517 E Fremont St; admission free-$10; usually 9:30pm-late Sat-Thu, 5pm-late Fri
BLT Burger
French-trained chef Laurent Tourondel dishes up haute reinterpretations of classic Americana. 702-792-7888; www.bltburger.com; Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd S; mains $12-18; 11am-2am Sun & Tue-Wed, 10am-4am Mon & Thu-Sat;
Fireside Lounge
Strangely spellbinding hideaway inside a old-school round-the-clock coffee shop. 702-735-4177; www.peppermilllasvegas.com; Peppermill, 2985 Las Vegas Blvd S; admission free, mains $8-23; 24hr
Restaurant Guy Savoy
Intimate, mod French dining room is the sole US outpost of three-star Michelin chef Guy Savoy. 702-731-7286; www.guysavoy.com; Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S; tasting menu $190-290; 5:30-10:30pm Wed-Sun
SLEEP
Golden Nugget
Generously cut, almost gorgeous rooms for anyone hip to the downtown scene. 702-385-7111, 800-846-5336; www.goldennugget.com; 129 E Fremont St; r $69-250
MGM Grand
There are plenty of rooms and suites to choose from at the world’s largest hotel. 702-891-7777, 800-929-1111; www.mgmgrand.com; 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S; r $80-500;
Palms Place
All-suites condo hotel and co-ed spa lets you flaunt your VIP status in style. 702-932-7777, 866-942-7773; www.palmsplace.com; 4321 W Flamingo Rd; ste $159-749
Wynn Las Vegas
Five-diamond resort rooms are bigger than your apartment, and come with all the little luxuries. 702-770-7100, 877-321-9966; www.wynnlasvegas.com; 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S; r $199-515
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.vegas.com
www.visitlasvegas.com
LINK YOUR TRIP www.lonelyplanet.com/trip-planner
TRIP
1 Four Corners Cruise
29 Ghosts of the South Rim
31 Hualapai & Havasupai Journey
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Return to beginning of chapter
Fantastic Canyon Voyage
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WHY GO Take the slow road to Arizona’s biggest attraction and weave your way through the heart of cowboy country. Along the way, discover where hippies and New Age followers have claimed whole towns, and get ready to spill your drink when you finally lay eyes on the greatest hole on earth.
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TIME
4 – 5 days
DISTANCE
400 miles
BEST TIME TO GO
May – Nov
START
Phoenix, AZ
END
Grand Canyon
ALSO GOOD FOR
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Head out of Phoenix on Grand Ave (Hwy 60) and notice how the industrial boulevard