Poll - 2019-09-18 | Las Vegas Advisor

This is the second survey we're conducting based on your selections from the choice of polls in a previous preview and it's one we've never conducted before. We're interested in learning about day trips you've taken or would like to take, and your favorite trips if you've taken a number of them, for possible coupon solicitations and potential coverage in the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter.

We're defining day trips as close enough to go there and return to Las Vegas in one day. So yes, that includes the Grand Canyon South Rim (the round-trip bus trip is grueling, but you don't spend the night outside of the city). Same with Death Valley, and Zion and Bryce national parks, though at 530 miles round-trip, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a stretch.

As such, we've organized the trips not alphabetically, but geographically; the closer the destination, the higher on the list.

Thanks for participating -- and especially thanks to all of you who offered the excellent suggestions that have become part of this poll.

2794 Total Votes

Hoover Dam

12% (323)

Red Rock Canyon

11% (302)

Laughlin

7% (198)

Valley of Fire State Park

7% (193)

Lake Mead

6% (177)

Mt. Charleston

6% (159)

Boulder City

4% (122)

Death Valley (side trip to Rhyolite)

4% (112)

Zion National Park

4% (108)

Primm

4% (103)

Grand Canyon South Rim

3% (96)

Pahrump (including one or both wineries)

3% (95)

Mesquite (and Bunkerville)

3% (81)

St. George, Utah

3% (71)

Oatman, Arizona

3% (70)

Bryce Canyon National Park

3% (70)

Grand Canyon West Rim

2% (66)

None of the above; I always stay in Las Vegas.

2% (53)

Spring Mountain State Park

2% (49)

Seven Magic Mountains/Jean/Terrible Herbst

2% (47)

Joshua Tree National Park

2% (47)

Colorado River raft trip

2% (46)

Techatticup Gold Mine and Eldorado Canyon

1% (37)

Goodsprings

1% (31)

Rachel, NV (stop at Pahranagat NWR)

1% (23)

Desert National Wildlife Refuge

1% (22)

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

1% (18)

Hollywood/Universal Studios

1% (17)

Overton (Lost City Museum)

1% (16)

Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend

0% (10)

Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area

0% (9)

Caliente-Panaca-Pioche (Rainbow Canyon)

0% (9)

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge

0% (8)

Dixie National Forest

0% (6)

Analysis

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and votes. These results are almost exactly what we expected.

One little surprise is that though the top vote-getter, Hoover Dam, accounted for 12% of the total, Boulder City, which is on the way, recorded less than a third of the number of votes. Of course, now that I-11 bypasses Boulder City entirely, it becomes a side trip to the dam. Still, it's definitely worth a stop on the way to or from; the town has a unique history, most of which is readily accessible at the Boulder Dam Hotel, which also houses the Hoover Dam Museum (free), and it's more like Arizona than Nevada.

Of course, Red Rock Canyon is the second-most popular day trip, only 20 minutes from downtown. But not too many people bother to drive the extra few minutes out to Spring Mountain State Park, though it's worth the trip. You'll hardly remember you're minutes from the Strip out at this idyllic ranch at the base of the sheer Spring range.

And speaking of state parks, we were also happy to see Valley of Fire State Park only a couple of slots below Red Rock. Yes, it's three times as far, but it's also three times as extensive and spectacular (in our humble opinion; it's our own favorite day trip from Las Vegas and has been for more than 30 years).

Beyond the top dozen or so, the choices fall predictably in terms of distance, accessibility, and renown.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Comments

Sandra Ritter Sep-18-2019

And your question is?

I see no question. Is it: What day trips have you taken? Do you plan to take? Do you take every visit to Las Vegas? Something else?

Deke Castleman Sep-18-2019

Right

Excellent comment as usual, Sandra. Thanks for pointing out a definite lapse -- what's a poll without a question? We've added it in the top graf.

O2bnVegas Sep-18-2019

presents a question

When LVA solicits for possible coupons, which aggregate is most significant?  

For example, should Red Rock Canyon 'win' hands down in the voting, does that tempt the RRC powers to offer a coupon, or would they decide they get our business anyway thus no need to offer a coupon?

Asked another way, when presenting all or several votes in comparison, what data is of interest to management for offering a coupon?

Bottom line, what makes these guys want to offer coupons?

Deke Castleman Sep-18-2019

Thanks for the QoD

That's a really good question, Candy. Can't really be answered in a comment, but it'll make a great Question of the Day as we start working on the 2020 MRB (can you believe our deadline for getting the coupon book to the printer is less than 90 days away?). 

I can say here that a lot goes into these decisions, and not just from the casino or tour/daytrip destination side; a lot more vendors want to be in the book than we allow, 'cause there's limited space and we don't accept any old offer (that either sucks or is available in lots of other places). 

So we'll work up an answer for a QoD and explain all that goes into it. Thanks for asking!

Marty Sep-18-2019

Nevada National Security Site...aka Atomic Testing Site

This is well worth the trip.  Combine it with a trip to the Atomic Testing Museum.  If you really want a "wake up call" go to the museum first.    You have to sign up in advance and be approved to go.  I've done it once and would definitely do it again.  Extremely education to see what we have done in basic ignorance.  "Duck and cover"?....Duck under a wooden desk.  I am not being critical but I grew up with "Duck and cover".

Marty Sep-18-2019

Coupon

My previous comment was meant to what I think people need to see/be aware of rather than anything about a possible coupon.

Ray Sep-18-2019

day trips

While we enjoy going to Laughlin, we prefer to stay overnight (good hotel and comp deals). Also by staying overnight we can go to Oatman and even some of what my wife likes in Bullhead City. We also fill up the tank in BHC. So our favorite day trip is Boulder City. There is plenty to do there plus we can always stop at the Clark County Museum on the way there or back. I'd say the same about Mesquite, where we would stay for a night or 2 on the way to or from Vegas.

[email protected] Sep-18-2019

Side Trips

I've taken quite a few of these (8 checked).  Most have been with Pink Jeep Tours, who really do a great job.  I like the relatively small vehicles so that the group isn't overly large.  I've seen them on your site, so coupons or deals would definitely be appreciated!

William Nye Sep-18-2019

other places to visit

Neon Museum, Mt. Wheeler hiking, Wayne Newton home tour, Ethel M brief tour sample cactus garden, Nevada State Museium, Wetlands, Spring Preserve, Kingman, Az Rt. 66 Museum.  Just examples.

Robert Byrne Sep-20-2019

Worth an overnight stay

We've been coming to Vegas from the Uk since 2003 at least once a year and usually include a side trip to one or more of the places listed above. However although the places in the top half of the list are easily do-able as day trips, most of the places in the lower half are really too far from Vegas to do in a day - we prefer to stop at least one night in those places to enable us to really appreciate them. I've ticked the ones we've done as day trips, but we've also done Death Valley, Zion, Rainbow Canyon, Joshua Tree, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon South and North Rim(nearly got snowed in there), Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell and Monument Valley.

Jeffrey Small Oct-05-2019

2 1/2 hour drive

Another interesting drive is to SELIGMAN, AZ.  Named "The birthplace of historic route 66"  the historic district contains some original buildings as well as old cars, souvenir shops, casual restaurants and lots of other artifacts.  Since you pass through Laughlin on the way this makes an interesting day trip.  And some stretches of the original Route 66 remain--amazing to see how narrow the famous road was!

Linda Burnett Oct-05-2019

What about baseball?

The last two times I’ve been to Las Vegas I’ve attended a baseball game in Summerlin at the new Aviators Ballpark.

Linda

Poll : 18 September - 01 October 2019

Analysis

Comments