The wife and I are planning on going and staying in Vegas. The wife's not a gambler, but LV has become a lot more tourist/family friendly, IMO, and she will love the shows. I've got an old HS buddy that has lived there for the last 20 yrs. and he wants us to stay with them, but I like the idea of being on the strip until all hours of the night. I'm not a huge gambler, but really love the sights at night. It really is a beautiful thing to behold.
I'm going to PT now, and one of the therapists said her and her hubbie are going and that plane tix are over $600 each for that weekend out of DM. I haven't started checking yet, but KC, Omaha, or MInn. might be more reasonable. Or maybe in your case, fly into SD and rent a car/van for a wk. or two with the savings?
I've done the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon thing, and it's really worth it, IMO. Never went to the bottom of GC, (went with mom and dad when I was young and they weren't into it), but heard it's great if you're into a fuller experience.
Another benefit of staying at one of the hotels is the golf. I've visited my friend out there several times and played some very nice courses, a lot of them are comped of very reasonably priced depending where you stay...
Have a great time, no matter what. Maybe we'll run into each other. I'm sure there will be a pretty good selection of Cyclone themed events!!!!
Plus, I can't wait to see that new stadium! Now I even have a reason to see the Titans on the road outside of the Midwest.