steve8

I've seen other posts in the past and did a search but didn't find much so here goes.
Going to Spring mountain mid September and wondering what I should do while I'm there?
Short version is I'm going alone with my Wife's blessing as she can't travel. This is a lesson to spend your money and enjoy yourself as whatever money I have doesn't do me nearly as much good as we hoped for.
Live in Mass and I've never been west.
I can take a few extra days and wondering what I should do. Seems crazy not to see the grand canyon?
Thoughts/comments?
Doing this alone seems like why bother?

rawbar

I just went from MA last month also solo. Grand canyon is a bit of a haul but if you don't mind the drive, go for it. I did hells kitchen, pawn stars shop, lake Mead, Hoover dam and a ghost town. Then took my rental mustang off roading near the ghost town. Also matched my Hyatt globalist status to mgm gold to caesars diamond to use for a free carnival cruise. I stayed at Hyatt Silverton away from downtown when not at spring mountain.

Chemdawg99

What to do with your spare time in Pahrump won’t be as daunting as you might think. I don’t know how old you are, but there are plenty of nice restaurants in the area, some you need reservations for, but that’s not a problem.

The classes run from 8am and end at 4pm (IIRC). I socialized with my classmates at the clubhouse the second evening I was there (day 1 of the course). The last day you will be scrambling to get back to Vegas to catch your flight unless you spend the night in Vegas and fly out the next day like I did.

Chemdawg99

I might add that coming from the East Coast to West Coast (I live in Bel Air, Maryland) will throw your body clock off. You might want to rest and stay hydrated vs. spending too much time sightseeing.

rawbar

I think he means days before and after. There's nothing to do in pahrump unless you spend big $$$ on what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

Chemdawg99

Understood. This is why I asked how old he is. I’m 52 with bad knees and took my wife with me. Other than hanging with my classmates at the clubhouse and doing dinner in Pahrump during the course, I didn’t do anything other than rest and stay hydrated. The day before, I chilled out with my wife and did dinner in town. The day after, my wife and I visited a couple of casinos in Vegas.

WalterSobchak

Chicken Ranch or Sheri's Ranch some nice brothel choices. When in Rome🤷‍♂️🤘🏻

rawbar

Some amazing off roading near old gold and silver mines. I'd probably have spent more time on those had I rented something different. Had a few top gear Rubicon moments.

duckvett

First let me say I'm sorry your wife can't travel with you, that would certainly take the fun out of the trip for me.
While in Pahrump, you MUST have dinner and wine at Symphony.
Attending the Corvette Owner's School at Spring Mountain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, enjoy it.

rawbar

My wife would have been bored out of her skull at spring mountain. Especially with temps of 110-115. Too hot to use the pool or even be outside.

wfoZ06

Take those extra days, drive north through Zion NP, hike up the Virgin River and onto the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and rent a cabin. That is less than a 5-hour ride from Vegas. On the way back you can either retrace your trip and visit Bryce Canyon, or head over to Page and Lake Powell before swinging down through the South Rim for a loop back to Vegas. You will be hooked on the west.

steve8

Thanks for the replies so far.
I'll be 63 a week before I go mid September/in pretty good shape.
Flying in and staying at spring mtn the night before the first class, then leaving who knows where when the second class is over.
While I have my Wife's blessing, I'll feel guilty staying too long. 3 days extra max.
Not to drone on, but enjoy today and what you have.
Thx again.

Chemdawg99

Unless you have everything planned out already, I highly recommend not arranging your flight for the day the class ends. It’s a good 50+ mile drive to get to Vegas and a little longer to get to the airport. I’d get a hotel in either Vegas or Pahrump and fly out the next day. It’s a lot less stressful that way.

jbc1995fb

You could go to a Raiders football game....if you're in town on Sunday Sept. 18th. Too bad you aren't going to Spring Mountain in December when the Raiders play the Patriots.
As others mentioned you could go to Hoover Dam. I've been several times and it's pretty cool and worth seeing even if the water level is at record low. It's about 1.5 hours from Pahrump.

You could go to Count's Kustoms ---- TV show Counting Cars. I've been and it's neat to see some of Danny's cars.
Las Vegas Custom Hot Rods & Choppers - Count's Kustoms. (countskustoms.com)

The Strat (formerly the Stratosphere) - Skypod - The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod - Las Vegas, NV

The High Roller - Ferris Wheel - The High Roller - Las Vegas Observation Wheel | The LINQ Hotel (caesars.com)

I've been waiting for the MSG Sphere to open, but that won't be until 2023. MSG Sphere | Las Vegas Sphere | Madison Square Garden

Melvinne

You could always stop by In-n-Out Burger, if you haven't had it previously. Having lived in California for a while, it's a staple. Probably on the way out of Vegas heading to the venue. I've been to Vegas enough times, though I am staying on the strip the 21st after the course before flying out on the 22nd (September).

There is literally anything to do in Vegas, just depends on how much $ you have to blow.

I'll make a note of Symphony in Pahrump – thanks for the suggestion.

dohabandit

Does anyone know if there is a computer racing sim game with a spring mountain map included?
I would really like to practice a little before hitting the actual track out there.

Chemdawg99

Closest thing I can recommend is to watch this video:


A couple of things…

1. There is more than one track.

2. Just listen to the instructors and have fun. Nothing else matters.

NA Screamer

When class is over on the second day, hop into your rental car and drive to Zion Lodge (https://www.zionlodge.com/). Spend your three nights there. On your first full day drive to any sites in the park you want to see and do some short hikes. On the second day, get up early and drive to the Grand Canyon North Rim (2:45) and take the short walk to Bright Angel Point. You can get back to Zion mid-afternoon and see anything else you want to see there. Or just spend all your time in Zion. You could also drive on to Durango or Telluride and fly out of there.

switchlanez

Or do a Hoover Dam tour if you're more into manmade technical marvels than natural marvels. Maybe re-watch the first Transformers movie first to get pumped about it. And it's a much closer drive. Eat the local Cuban food in the Vegas suburbs. Big Cuban population in Vegas so the food is genuine. Peruvian and Brazilian BBQ are great too. There's also an Asian district with genuine food. Lookup what conventions are going on in Vegas, maybe one might interest you. Sometimes they're free or cheap to enter and always have goodie bags. Good place to make contacts or get a heads up on what's coming in whatever industries you're into (tech, comics, music, guns, adult films and meet some film stars lol). But don't drive yourself there, take Uber. Or park somewhere off the Strip where there's plentiful parking (like in neighborhoods) then take Uber if the walk is too far. Parking on the Strip is a nightmare or expensive depending on how much convenience you want to afford. If you have a few extra days, Airbnb it to save money from a hotel. But hotel is worth it if you like to indulge in buffets which are endless in Vegas or want convenient access to slots, etc.

72vetteman

My wife and I arrived one day early and we checked out "Battlefield Vegas", it's an armory with lots of weapons, tanks, and armored vehicles on display, located in Vegas near Circus Circus. Also, we drove out to Death Valley to see the desert and mountains, pretty cool (not really, since it's 200 feet below sea level and holds the record for the hottest location in the U.S., something like 124 degrees). We spent the last night at the Bellagio before returning to Atlanta the next day.