Flagstaff – Mammoth Lakes
Second stage of the October 2014 west-coast loop, rental car throughout. From Flagstaff we went to the Grand Canyon South Rim — including a Papillon helicopter — then Page for Antelope Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas. Stayed at the Stratosphere (the 'space needle') and walked the Strip from tip to tip, including Fremont Street under the canopy of lights. It felt a bit run-down, with people living in the streets. Came back in 2025, stayed at ARIA — the city seemed much more modern and affluent — and went to the Sphere for Alice in Wonderland. I still wouldn't recommend more than one or two days. Then through Death Valley National Park and a night in Mammoth Lakes. Next: Tioga Pass into Yosemite, on to San Francisco.
- Attraction
Grand Canyon South Rim
Visited: Oct 5, 2014
Arrival notes: Rental car from Flagstaff
- Attraction
Papillon helicopter tour
Visited: Oct 5, 2014
How I got there: Other — Helicopter over the canyon
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Papillon helicopter tour.
- Attraction
Antelope Canyon
Visited: Oct 6, 2014
How I got there: Car — Rental car from the Grand Canyon
- Historic marker
Hoover Dam
Visited: Oct 7, 2014
How I got there: Car — Rental car from Page
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Then Las Vegas.
- Lodging
The STRAT
Visited: Oct 7, 2014
How I got there: Car — Rental car from Hoover Dam
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The Las Vegas 'space needle'. Then the Strip tip to tip.
- Attraction
Las Vegas Strip
Visited: Oct 8, 2014
How I got there: Walk — Walked tip to tip
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A bit run down then, with people living in the streets.
- Attraction
Fremont Street
Visited: Oct 8, 2014
How I got there: Walk — Walk
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The street with the ceiling and lights.
- Attraction
Death Valley
Visited: Oct 9, 2014
How I got there: Car — Rental car from Las Vegas toward Mammoth Lakes
- Lodging
Mammoth Lakes
Visited: Oct 9, 2014
How I got there: Car — Rental car through Death Valley
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One night. Next: Tioga Pass into Yosemite.
- Lodging
ARIA
Visited: Oct 1, 2025
How I got there: Other
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Came back in 2025. The city seemed much more modern and affluent.
- Attraction
The Sphere
Visited: Oct 2, 2025
How I got there: Walk — From ARIA
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Alice in Wonderland. Still wouldn't recommend Vegas for more than one or two days of touring.
Route summary: Grand Canyon South Rim → Papillon helicopter tour → Antelope Canyon → Hoover Dam → The STRAT → Las Vegas Strip → Fremont Street → Death Valley → Mammoth Lakes → ARIA → The Sphere