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The Dam - is it worth the time?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by sammowhammo, May 6, 2013.

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  1. ATXTX

    ATXTX VIP Whale

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    My sister & I are meeting up in Vegas. She's only been once for a convention off strip & I'm kind of nuts about Vegas. She can only stay for 2 1/2 days. I was thinking on our first full day we'd go see the Dam in the AM (rent a car). I went to the Dam pre 9/11 so the tour is from what I understand very different now...

    Is it worth a half a day to go see the dam? I'm thinking we will head downtown later that day - maybe do neon museum &/or Mob Museum and then take in Fremont.

    So dam - opinions ... Especially if you've been a wile ago and recently

    Thanks!
     
    When we Were Young
  2. Kc4400

    Kc4400 Tourist

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    I went prior to 911, it was interesting. We took a bus tour, so travel time to pick up at a few places made it seem like a long time and we were bound to the tour schedule. So, you are probably best taking the car. Since you only have 2-1/2 days in Vegas and your sister has only been once, there may be more on strip to see. Like my Grandpa told me the first time I went to Vegas, it is a big pile of rocks in the desert that will be there forever, so you will always be able to catch it on a future trip if time does not allow this trip.
     
  3. DBear

    DBear VIP Bear

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    If she's interested in architecture and history, then sure it is. It's a huge attraction. Your only limits are time with 2.5 days. You could easily spend all that time without leaving the strip, especially if its her first time on it. It all depends on personal tastes. I know my first trip, I definitely wanted to see Hoover Dam, but I had a week to fit it in. If all you 2 wanna do is drink and party all day long, I wouldn't bother leaving the strip. If you think this may be the only trip to LV, at least for a while, then sure, take the opportunity to see it.
     
  4. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    I only went cause I couldn't walk anymore; I was not expecting much and found the dam to be awesome. Nice when that happens once in awhile. That being said. I agree with DBear above; there is so much to see downtown or on strip, I think i WOULD save the dam for another time.

    Jimbo338
     
  5. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    Yes.

    Bill
     
  6. NickyDim

    NickyDim Hockey is life

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    Better than the Dam is the O'Callaghan-Tillman bridge. Get off 93 just past the Hacienda(which has a cheap breakfast if you get there by 10:30 and $1 craps) and drive 1/2 mile to the parking lot. It's an amazing site with a pedestrian walkway, 900' above the canyon floor, and 1500' in front of the dam. What a sight. We've gone to the dam a couple of times, but never stay for the tour. 15 minutes on the dam itself and you'll be impressed but also ready to go back to the hotel. Park on the Arizona side. Short walk and it's free parking.
     
  7. dmr

    dmr Registered Abuser

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    I would recommend both the dam and the bridge.
     
  8. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    If you go, take the damn tour and ask lots of damn questions.

    Lots of damn history in that thing. Amazes me how they built that thing. Would never get done today with unions and osha rules.
     
  9. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    View from the bridge. The white ring is the falling water level in Lake Mead and that is from 2010, it is still falling.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 7, 2013
  10. mdee

    mdee VIP Whale

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    Is Hoover Dam worth it? Yes!
    However, if she's only been to Vegas once and stayed off strip and only has 2.5 days to spend I would say No!
    The Dam isn't going anywhere. It will be there on her next trip. There's plenty for her to see and do on the Strip.
     
  11. AceTen

    AceTen Low-Roller

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    The dam is super cool, go!!
     
  12. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Don't go with a hangover. Looking down...not good.
     
  13. AceTen

    AceTen Low-Roller

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    HAHA! I wonder how many people have puked on the dam??? I bet quite a few!!
     
  14. flysrb

    flysrb Hey Now!

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    Hey Now!

    we loved it...
    gotta check out the gift shop too...
    kitch-city...
     
  15. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    The dam is awesome in many ways. The mind numbing scope of building something of that size and scope in the middle of nowhere in the heat is almost too much to believe.

    If I did not see it for myself i would not believe that such a feat of raw toughness would have been possible by modern men.

    Its too awesome to pass up.

    There is also a casino that is near to it that has a good deals on buffets. They have a little movie theater in the casino that shows a free movie every 10 minutes or so about the dam. old and grainy but informative.
     
  16. ATXTX

    ATXTX VIP Whale

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    Your Grandpa is a wise man. I am thinking that logic also applies to some of the other things I would love for her to see/do that day, especially after reading through everyone's opinions & pictures...


    Oh the bridge - I forgot about that - good tip on the breakfast too - thank you.

    Until I saw your pictures and remembered how impressive that monument to human achievement is I thought "meh maybe I'll put it off" but I think we need to make time to see it. She'll get the idea of the casinos pretty quick... when can she see the Dam again - I don't know... Thank you for taking the time to post those photos Joe.

    And a big thank you to everyone - I really appreciate you guys. Somehow I have to survive Karaoke the night before - but will definitely take the no hangover advise haha.
     
    When we Were Young
  17. ATXTX

    ATXTX VIP Whale

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    Good point - I forgot how stunning it is.
     
    When we Were Young
  18. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

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    First trip my brother and I went out since I had never been, loved it.

    Second trip, we skipped it.

    Third trip, we skipped it.

    Fourth trip, it was my gf's first time out, so we all went, loved it.

    Fifth trip, just me and my brother and I didn't even ask if he wanted to go- I knew he'd say no

    Sitxth trip, I was solo and I went by myself and spent about 3-4 hours out there looking around. I guess you can say I love it out there.

    BTW- what happened to the goats? First trip there was 2, second time out there was 1, and this last trip in feb I couldn't see any.
     
  19. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Very well put!!!!:nworthy:
     
  20. martay

    martay Low-Roller

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    The dam is fine, but budget at least six hours total if you go. In my opinion, way too much time on a 2.5 day trip -- and the drive isn't fun or interesting in any way.
     
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