Ideas for GF's parents to keep them in Vegas?

Here is the deal... my girlfriend's parents recently retired and bought a sweet 45 foot RV and will be spending the next several years cruising around North America.

My girlfriend is a teacher and is off for the last two weeks in March, so her parents would like us to meet up in the Grand Canyon. I think the GC trip would be fun, but would rather it be about 7 days, as opposed to 12. The cheapest flights are on 3/19 and they'd like to leave immediately, but I'm a huge college hoops fan and the tourney starts on 3/21. Hence, I am looking for things to keep them occupied in Vegas, so I can stick around for at least the first day of the tourney, ideally the first weekend.

The are super laid back, but not gamblers at all. They will make no bets. They are in their late 50's. They are foodies, but will probably not want to spend more than $50/each for a decent meal.

Her dad is a retired Boeing programmer, who exclusively wears tie-dye shirts and chef's wear pants. He likes alternative history books, Dr. Who, steam punk, photography, graphic novels, and military history.

Her mom was an accountant, likes to read, walk, and cook. She will likely join an activity that is of particular interest to her husband.

So far, I think they would be in interested in the Neon Museum and Atomic History Museum, but help would be greatly appreciated.

I did not like the day trip to Hoover dam. Some do

Maybe a drive up Mount Charleston if you do not see that type scenery.

Red Rock park for walk and photography or another good park in Vegas area.

Look for shows at 50% off. Some of the members here that live in Vegas can give you better info than me. I quit flying there all the way from Florida after we got Casinos here.

Have fun!!

Best comedy show in town, imho is MAC KING
in the afternoon at Harrah's. Usually 2 for 1
tix can be had, sometimes there is one in the
ACG.

Another cool thing slightly off the beaten
path is the PINBALL MUSUEM, where for
2 bits you can play the cool old vintage
machines.

Blue Man Group.

Quote: deedubbs

Here is the deal... my girlfriend's parents recently retired and bought a sweet 45 foot RV and will be spending the next several years cruising around North America.

My girlfriend is a teacher and is off for the last two weeks in March, so her parents would like us to meet up in the Grand Canyon. I think the GC trip would be fun, but would rather it be about 7 days, as opposed to 12. The cheapest flights are on 3/19 and they'd like to leave immediately, but I'm a huge college hoops fan and the tourney starts on 3/21. Hence, I am looking for things to keep them occupied in Vegas, so I can stick around for at least the first day of the tourney, ideally the first weekend.

The are super laid back, but not gamblers at all. They will make no bets. They are in their late 50's. They are foodies, but will probably not want to spend more than $50/each for a decent meal.

Her dad is a retired Boeing programmer, who exclusively wears tie-dye shirts and chef's wear pants. He likes alternative history books, Dr. Who, steam punk, photography, graphic novels, and military history.

Her mom was an accountant, likes to read, walk, and cook. She will likely join an activity that is of particular interest to her husband.

So far, I think they would be in interested in the Neon Museum and Atomic History Museum, but help would be greatly appreciated.

Are they burned out on Las Vegas already? There are at least two nights worth of things to see and experience walking up and down the Strip and visiting Downtown.

Nellis AFB is a short hop away. I think they have a visitor's center. Red Rock, and even Bryce Canyon are within a days drive too. There are "ghost towns" to explore. The Mob Museum just opened. Lake Mead Recreation area is still an awesome place, even with the lower water levels. Do they enjoy fishing?

One of the active members on this board, DJTeddyBear, was working on a tourist attraction map that may give you more ideas.

Have you mentioned your interest in the tournament to your girlfriends folks? They may be more accomodating than you fear, and might enjoy providing you the time to enjoy it.

I took my kid to Atomic history and the Alien museum. Atomic history was the better half for sure. The Alien part was almost like a low-budget haunted house. But the Atomic museum had much better stuff to look at. I couldn't recommend the Alien half, but if they are into the nuclear stuff, there some neat stuff in there to look at and to think about.

Hoover Dam and the new Bypass bridge are definitely worth the trip in my opinion. It's only about an hour and a half by car, or maybe even a little less. Most of the big strip casinos offer bus rides out there ( through a tour operator) if you don't want to drive, for what I remember was a reasonable fee. I found that helpful and easy as the bus driver had lots of good tips about what order to do things in. They also drop you off right at the door pretty much. One ticket included the bus ride and entrance to the dam/museum.

Edit: I think the Wizard himself posted a review of the new bypass bridge here a while ago but I can't find it...Im sure it's here somewhere. But duty calls back to work. Alas.

Quote: vendman1

Edit: I think the Wizard himself posted a review of the new bypass bridge here a while ago but I can't find it...Im sure it's here somewhere. But duty calls back to work. Alas.

The review is in the "Articles" section here.

I heartily reccommend the Dam tour for anyone who hasn't been there before. Driving a 45 ft. RV there may be worth the price of admission alone.

Quote: Ahigh

I took my kid to Atomic history and the Alien museum.

It's not an Alien museum, but a side exhibit at the ATM. In 2010 they had battlefield art, made mostly with bullets, shells, shrapnel, etc. It changes every year or so, I gather.

Quote: JohnnyQ

Best comedy show in town, imho is MAC KING
in the afternoon at Harrah's. Usually 2 for 1
tix can be had, sometimes there is one in the
ACG.

Another cool thing slightly off the beaten
path is the PINBALL MUSUEM, where for
2 bits you can play the cool old vintage
machines.

I agree with both of these. Mac King is very entertaining. Since the couple are not gamblers they will not be Total Rewards members. If they sign up at Harrah's the new member's packet includes 50% off coupons for the Mac King show.

I encourage everyone to see Mac King because I thought he was a great entertainer and his show, being in the afternoon, does not seem to draw big crowds. His humor is on the cheesy side but in a good way. Some of his magic was very impressive. Also my wife got on stage and kind of screwed up one of his tricks but he recovered and made it even better. I first heard about Mac King from Penn Jillette who plugged Mac as the best magic show in Vegas. Penn and Teller is also highly recommended but very conservative types might find them offensive.

Quote: jml24

Penn and Teller is also highly recommended but very conservative types might find them offensive.

I should guess their aim is to offend everyone :)

Their commedy is a bit hard to get used to. It's hard to define, too, but "mean" would be a good start. Their stage magic skills are good, particualrly Teller's, but not spectacular. What I really like is when they show what they do, though I know it's mostly thumbing their noses at the magician's dictum never to reveal secrets.

And of course they hold a special place for B5 fans. They appeared once on the show, though they get mentioned once more, as the commedy duo "Rebo and Zooty," in the episode "Day of the Dead."

I have enjoyed some of the shows in the Casinos that did not have the most famous named show or entertainer so there might be something to be said for shopping value too (as in a lower priced decent or good show). Again, look for those half priced discounts on off days. Sunday-Thursday.

Have fun too!! That is one purpose for Vegas.