Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest and lowest place in US and during summer temperature can reach 35-50C (100-120F), so you must be prepared. Park administration recommends drink at least 4 liters (1 gallon) of water. It is up to you how much you drink, but in your car you should have some water for emergency. It is quite remote place and don’t expect huge crowd of visitors, except some more popular places like Badwater or Devil’s Golf Course. It can take hours till you see another car. I bought 10 liters water container just in case.

Also fill up your fuel tank before going into park. Some years ago it was couple gas stations in the park at Stovepipe Wells Village and Furnance Creek. But now only the one at Furnance Creek is working.

The last thing you should do before going to Death Valley – check for road closures. During my visit Artists Drive, Twenty Mule Team Canyon and Titus Canyon roads were closed, at Zabriskie point were road works and was no stopping allowed, so I was forced adjust my itinerary accordingly.

Death Valley NP is 350km (220 miles) or 3.5 hour drive away from Bakersfield. From Death Valley to Las Vegas is another 220km (140 miles) or 2.5 hour drive. Expect to be in Vegas at late night as it easy to spend all day in the Death Valley and wait for sunset to watch how colors of surrounding mountains are changing.

What to do and to see it depends on situation in the park. As I mentioned earlier some places were inaccessible during my visit, but here are some interesting places:

• Ubehebe Crater – it erupted more than 300 years ago.

• Scotty’s Castle – Spanish-style mansion in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon.

• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes – 30 meters (100 feet) dunes rising near Stovepipe Wells village.

• Salt Creek – this salt water is home to a rare pupfish.
• Titus Canyon – one of the largest and most scenically diverse canyons in the park. Small part of this drive can be accessed by regular car from West side.
• Artist’s Drive – 14 km (9 miles) scenic loop drive through colorful volcanic formations.
• Natural Bridge – 800 meters (0.5 mile) hike to massive rock span across canyon.

• Badwater – lowest point in North America. It is 86 meters (282 feet) below sea level.

• Devil’s Golf Course – incredible formations of rock salt.
• Dante’s view – one of best places to see Badwater basin from the top of 1.7 km (5500 feet) peak.
• Twenty Mule Team Canyon – 4 km (2.5 mile) one way loop drive through badlands.

• Zabriskie Point – colored badlands. Good place to stop during sunset before heading to Las Vegas

All these places are accessible by regular vehicle. Check Death Valley NP website for additional places if you drive high clearance car, but for day visitor it will be more than enough.

Las Vegas

The last stop for today is Las Vegas. You know how it is said: “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”? 

Just head to the Strip as all entertainment is located there.  Most popular free attractions on the Strip are:

• The volcano at “The Mirage”
• The water fountains at “Bellagio”
• The Sirens of TI night show at Treasure Island (daily at 5:30pm (fall/winter only), 7pm, 8:30pm, 10pm, 11:30pm (spring/summer only)
• The Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain at Caesars Palace (every hour on the hour Sun – Thu,  10am – 11pm,  Fri and Sat,  10am – midnight) .

Check what shows are during your visit and don’t lose all your money at casino

The post US West in a week. Day 3. Death Valley and Las Vegas appeared first on Vi Travel Tips.

Travel to the USA is an opportunity to see the entire world in just one country.  In this amazingly diverse place, a melting pot of culture, landscapes and thrilling cities can be found.  Climates vary from desert to tropics to arctic, with everything in between, making this the ideal country to explore on vacation. With a country so vast, it’s impossible to visit every destination; but there are some places, however, that everyone should see, and things everyone should do before they die, and the US is one of the best places to do and see them all.

‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ is a popular saying, but you won’t want to leave the memories behind when leaving Las Vegas, Nevada. Wild, wonderful and over-the-top, Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations in the world for its variety of excitement, entertainment and attractions. Feel like a visit to a tropical island in the city of casinos? Mandalay Bay offers a 1.6 million-gallon aquarium stocked with sharks that have never walked the Strip. Intrepid visitors with a SCUBA certificate can even dive with the sharks, perhaps risking the loss of more than just their money at the tables. Those that prefer to stay around less intimidating “guests” can head to the Flamingo Las Vegas and gawk at the many species that inhabit their aquatic wildlife habitat, highlighted by their flock of Chilean flamingos of course. The HGVC Flamingo suites (which are actually timeshares) are also located here and can be rented at really affordable rates online. Rather stay high and dry? Take a day trip and marvel over the majesty of the Grand Canyon.

Las Vegas may be one of the wildest cities in the world, but New York is the city that never sleeps. The Big Apple is the place to go for world-famous Broadway shows, restaurants and opportunities to shop at some of the most exclusive, and expensive, boutiques in the world. Dizzyingly tall modern buildings surround older architecture that nestles bravely between the skyscrapers, creating a fascinating blend of old and new. When you’ve had enough of the city’s hustle and bustle, head out into the Hudson Valley and explore the lush green rolling hills and charming vineyards of wine country. Visit wineries for tastings, toasts and some of the finest food New York has to offer.

Vast expanses of sparkling white sand, clear, warm, azure waters, friendly natives and luxurious resorts bring to mind a tropical paradise.  Miami attracts millions of visitors every year for its warm, lazy days, shopping, nightclubs, culture and glamor. South Beach is known for its annual wine festival, while music lovers will flock to the Winter Music Conference. Museums, historic architecture, and breathtaking scenery make Miami a must-visit destination.

Further north and decidedly more rugged, Alaska is truly one of the final frontiers. Wild and wooly, with days that last for months at a time, Alaska offers the intrepid traveler chances to fish, hunt, or just hike the wilderness. Photography buffs, skiers and hikers will find Alaska enchanting. The comfort-seeker may want to consider a cruise of Alaska instead, to enjoy both the benefits of a luxury vacation and brief excursions onto the mainland to explore Alaska’s natural beauty. With the Northern Lights shining their eerie beauty over the breathtaking beauty of its vast landscapes, Alaska is the stunning crown jewel of the United States.

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