Who's been to Las Vegas?

[Sputnik]

Anyone here been to Las Vegas for a vacation? We are going for a 5 day trip to Vegas in April... but there's so much info on where to stay, what to do, where to eat, that its almost overwhelming. Any info is appreciated.

[keithvibe]

LOL... my wife and I were married there in 03 and honeymooned as well.We stayed at Harrah's only cuz it was in the middle of the strip, equal walking in either direction and you will do a lot of walking.If I had to pick which hotel to stay at again it would either be Treasure Island or Mirage. Both are great hotels and if you really like a nice pool hands down is the Marage.There are a ton of things to do... we did the gondola ride in the Venetian, seen all the free shows and watched the fountain in front of the Balligio.My wife regrets not seeing the blueman group. I don't! lol We seen the shark reef at Mandalay Bay. Waste of money in my opinion. Cab rides are going to be expensive... I believe the tram is now working look in to ridding that instead of using cabs. You could always use the city buses.. but we found they are usually PACKED! I wanted to see Hoover dam but that was a full day trip. If you want to blow an entire day doing that do so.Do see Masquerade Show in the Sky at the Rio. good show and free!We spent a full week there doing nothing but site seeing. There are a lot of good night clubs if that's your thing. I don't think I spent more than 100 gambling. As far as food goes... just about every place we went was great. Average prices and all you can eat. My wife and I ate at the Garden Café. but it has since been remodeled and is now called Café at Harrah's. Bit on the expensive side 15-25bucks per person but it's all you can eat.We did have a blast at Madame Tussauds Interactive Wax Attraction out side of the Venetian.

[Sputnik]

Good info!The Mirage is actually my first choice, and the hubby just said I could book it if I wanted it.

[CAN-AWD-VIBE]

I can vouch for the Mirage... great hotel and great location.Vegas is a blast... I'm trying to get there in April or May myself.

[keithvibe]

Just make sure when you book the room that you ask for a room facing the strip if it's your first time there. We didn't do that and had to use the newlywed card to get a different room facing the strip.

[n2ho]

We've been in Vegas 3 times, beautiful place, last time in 2004 for 2 weeks, end of September - beginning of October. Even if you go for 5 days, I would recommend to rent a car vs public transportation. It's a bit more expensive, but gives you freedom to see more and enjoy more without extra stress and tiredness. Parking is free almost everywhere (except downtown, and even there fee is very liberal), and there is no problem to drive. There are plenty of awesome surroundings - Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Mount Charleston, Death Valley (this one is far, about 150 mi, but highway is excellent and I was there in 2 hrs).Where to stay - depends of your wallet, requirements and again if you have a car it became not so important to stay in the center. I love Mirage, we've spent a lot of evenings there listening live music and enjoying dinners. Last time we've stayed in Stardust, the room was nice and clean and prices were modest. Again, its entirely personal. Restaurants are good in most hotels and having car you are free to go anywhere anytime, and sometimes off the Strip you can find better and cheaper place.I have some photos of Vegas here in the gallery:http://ak438.myphotoalbum.com/...vegasHave a nice trip, enjoy!George

[blake31]

i agree on the car rental. we've been 3 times and rented a car 2 of those times. way more flexibility with a car. car rental is usually cheap too, like $20-$25/day. we liked being able to drive out to red rocks and mount charleston (which is a nice break from the heat, it was 102 on the strip and probably 70 up on mt. charleston). lots of good hiking on mt. charleston. hoover dam was another good trip. haven't gone to the grand canyon yet, but maybe the next time we go out there we will.the last hotel we stayed at was the south coast (i think they just changed to the south point). it was brand new (very clean and plasma screens on the bedroom wall) and cheap (like $69/night compared to $200 on the strip), but it was 4 miles south of the strip, but since we had a car, no big deal.

[ToolGuy]

Just got back for work and I was there once before... Stayed at New York, New York and went to the wedding we were there for at MGM. For my work trip I stayed at the Marriott, nice because it did not have a casino. The show was at the Vegas Convention Center 1/2 block from the Marriott.We walked to the strip from the Marriott and walked through The Wynn and the Venetian. The Venetian was incredible! And saw the "sexed up" Treasure Island show, not for kids anymore!I am glad I went once in my life to see it but will not go back unless it is for work I suppose. Had a $30 steak by myself at the hotel, prices are crazy there! I am not a gambler so maybe that is why my wife and I are not into it. Nice to see though since so many movies are based off of it.

[ArcsVibe]

Make sure you have a nice walk along the strip! You will not believe the "light" show you will see. Have fun!

[4X4CHICHI]

We rented a car while we were there. Good idea if you want to sight see, like lake meade. the hoover dam. When you go, make sure to go to the Imperial car museum. if you are a car enthusiast at all, it is awesome. My wife, who isn't a car buff even liked it. Here is a link to some free passeshttp://www.imperialpalace.com/autos.php#Don't forget to check out Freemont city, The light show is great.

[n2ho]

Blake31, that was exactly my point, having rental car you'll be able to find better and cheaper place to stay and eat except of all other conveniences.I am not a gambler myself nor my wife, we've spent last time on gambling maybe around $50 - just for fun. But all these man made wonders in the middle of the desert - one should see them! And this feeling of 24 hours holiday around. It was a nice break from the real life.For me, living in New York, was also point of interest "the gun store", it's about 3 miles off the strip, you can take and shoot many pistols and automatic rifles right there (driver license needed only), they have indoor range. http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/

[msmyer]

I went a few years back. Here's the link I posted. If you have any questions/suggestions let me know.http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=7597

[n2ho]

Interesting, unfortunately your photos are not accessible.

[4X4CHICHI]

Hey, I didn't know sputnik was a lady.

[n2ho]

Not only a lady, but a good photographer either! (lol)

[vibe-04]

Quote, originally posted by n2ho »For me, living in New York, was also point of interest "the gun store", it's about 3 miles off the strip, you can take and shoot many pistols and automatic rifles right there (driver license needed only), they have indoor range. http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/WOW I was going to mention the same place (I think it was) but I wasn't sure if others would appreciate the experience beyond the violent connotation. Being a Canuk, we don't get to play with many guns so we went to an indoor range and tried an Uzi and a 9 mm. What a hoot! It was a blast watching my wife trying to lean into a sub-machine gun and burst out a clip! I know firearms but for my wife it was her first time to actually feel a machine gun and a hand gun. It was the strongest lasting memory, something we can't do a home! We also met some very nice locals who helps us shoot. Very friendly people.

[n2ho]

Quote, originally posted by vibe-04 »It was the strongest lasting memory, something we can't do a home! We also met some very nice locals who helps us shoot. Very friendly people.Absolutely!

[Mavrik]

I've been there. Had a great time, saw some shows. (family oriented ones I might add ) Hope would know better then I what places are good. My memory isn't the best.

[Mase]

Vegas is only a 2.5 hour drive away for me so I went about 6 times last year. I'm about to go again next week.I personally like to stay at the Flamingo. I've found it to be the cheapest, nice place to stay on center strip. I've gotten it for as low as $60 a night (during the weekdays, of course). Plus it's right next door to O'sheas casino that has $1 drafts from 2am-8pm, and plenty of TV's to watch any games. There's also an angry leprechuan that'll get up on the bar every 15mins or so and pour free shots down people's throats. Just listen for his annoying whistle.The Margaritaville restaurant next door is also pretty cool to visit. Every hour after 6pm, a girl will slide off the top of a volcano into a large margarita glass. Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville plays and all kinds of performers dance around the restaurant. Adrian, the margarita diver girl, is very nice and cool to talk to also.I've also tried about 4 of the top 10 buffets there. They're pricey ($30+/person) but I usually eat my money worth. I like the Bellagio, Rio's lobster & seafood, and Mandalay Bay's brunch.At some point, you'll have to visit the old downtown strip. Mermaids has some cheap mixed drinks. A 44oz margarita for $12 with an extra shot for $1 should keep you occupied for a while. The light show starts at night out there too. Stay away from the in-casino cafe's and buffets in downtown. They're not that great. There are a bunch of shops and restaurants that line the downtown block that look good though.As far as travel goes, I actually prefer to take the cabs. You can pick them up anywhere and they're a good source for information. If you talk to them you'll find that they'll give you coupons and free rides. They'll give you their card to call them the next time you need to be picked up. It's still nice to tip though.As far as the strip goes, it's pretty expensive anywhere you go out there. Gambling is tight, watered down drinks may as well offer a credit plan with your tab. But it's nice to walk through the casinos just to see how amazing the design and attention to detail is. You'll be amazed at the Venetian shoppes.Clubs. "The Beach" by on convention center drive is decently fun. It was punishingly loud and beers are seriously $9 each but the atmosphere is crazy with waitresses dancing on the bars, throwing napkins, and dumping shots down people's throats. Coyote Ugly in NY, NY was alright. There are no chairs or tables so you're standing all night. The fun thing is the waitresses hold men vs women contests for free drinks and get the whole crowd involved. Expect to get picked on if you go there.The piano bar, also in NY, NY is a fun place to hang out if you're not into the big club scene. Just get a table, have a few drinks, and enjoy the dueling piano-playing comedians. Expect to get picked on there too.Rum Jungle in Mandalay Bay is pretty fun but very expensive. Sometimes it can be hard to get in on the weekends and impossible on big event weekends like this weekend. I liked it because of its clean atmosphere and more "upscale" crowd. Not as many losers to bump into.Well, I think that's enough info from me for now. If you need any specific information about stuff, let me know. I'll try to help you out.

[808 Vibes]

It is something you have to experience for yourself. I heard all the "ooooooh Vegas!" from everybody here (people here love Vegas, I guess because it's a vacation people can do for the weekend rather than interisland.) Though I didn't understand all the hype. Fake volcano?! If they really wanted to make that place family oriented, they'd do something about all the smut advertising littering the streets. Yes, the taxis get VERY expensive. We took a taxi to PetSmart/Petco/Joann's on Rainbow Blvd. because I wanted to shop at specialty stores that we don't have here. The taxi cost $30+. Good luck getting a taxi going FROM Lake Mead area back to the strip, so we found the bus stop...I think it was $1.50. The buffets (about $25-$30) were SO good though. To me, the bestthing about Vegas is the FOOOOOD! I still think of the buffets! If you want Chinese for breakfast, Waffles for dinner...you got it What we did was we did online searches before we left-places to EAT, shop, sightsee. Wear walking shoes because you will do a lot of it. I only won $125 on the wheel of fortune machine; my boss' sister said she won a couple hundred and her boyfriend won $2500 playing blackjack in January. My hon's mom won a couple thousand in December. Have fun and I hope you win lots of money!

[ZubenElGenubi]

I'm gonna end up sounding like the grumpy old man on this, but "I've got that T-shirt" and have no desire to go back. However, I think I can offer some advice that might make your stay memorable...in a good way.I spent 24 hrs in Vegas during a road trip in 2000 and four days there in 2006. That last trip was an eye-opener in more ways than I care to describe.1) Rent a car if you're interested in seeing some of the area around LV (Hoover Dam, Red Rocks Canyon, Valley of Fire), but you don't need one in town. Wear good walking shoes or use the monorail. Consider buying a 10-ride ticket (you can share with another rider); it'll save you time and money overall.2) Unless you're at Bellagio, don't pay extra for a room facing the strip. You'll get plenty of views during your sightseeing and the noise at night can be a PITA. (We stayed at the Monte Carlo and there was this outdoor vendor across the strip that played loud music until 5:00 AM. Fortunately, my wife and I stayed on the other side of the hotel, but my brother and his wife got no rest.).3) I'm not big on the shows, but "O" got the best reviews from our group that went. Skip the Star Trek Experience at the MGM Grand unless you're a green-blooded Trekkie.4) Go to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage. If you're an animal lover, it's worth every penny.5) Find out if there are any musical acts touring through Vegas during your stay. You might be treated to a better concert than in your hometown. We saw Aerosmith & Lenny Kravitz at the MGM Garden Arena...one of the best concerts I've ever seen. 6) Make a date to see the fountains at the Bellagio. If it's cold, get some hot chocolate in the hotel and then find a nice snuggling point on the railing. Do this early in your trip because you might want to go back again...and again. They do shows every 15 minutes from 8-midnight.7) If you're a music history buff...check out the memorabilia at the Hard Rock Café and Casino. If you don't like crazy-go-nuts partying, go early in the day. If you DO like crazy-go-nuts partying, this is the place to go at night.8) Bring a light jacket...it can still be cool in April (snowed there last year) and the winds can get up there.

[n2ho]

Plenty of good advices. The last (but not the least) is: go to the library and take travel books, there are tons of them about Las Vegas. You'll find everything you need in those books, about hotels, food, entertainment and so on. It's good to be prepared.

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by 4X4CHICHI »Hey, I didn't know sputnik was a lady.I wouldn't call myself a lady - thats too polite for me. I am a woman though!

[Sputnik]

Wow lots of good stuff in this thread! Thanks all!

[Atomb]

see my suggestion in this thread:http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=15002

[AKLGT]

I love Sin City! check out the Blue Man Group! awesome show! also, we enjoyed the Knights of the Round Table dinner theater at the Excalibur (if you like that sort of thing). Check out the NYNY rollercoaster, lots of great shopping, tons of night life and clubs, great food, lots of shopping, etc. be sure to stop by and watch the dancing fountains at the Bellagio, art museum inside, Shark exhibit at Mandalay Bay, Pirate show (free) at Treasure Island, etc. there is just so much to do there! you will have a great time.

[Sputnik]

Yay! I booked our Vegas trip - well the flights at least. I saved close to $1000 by changing the date by one day.

[n2ho]

Congrats! Enjoy the trip!GeorgeEiffel tower in Vegas:

[AKLGT]

BellagioNYNYMiragetons of fun! you'll enjoy it!

[Sputnik]

Nice pics!We are staying at the Mirage. I also found a day tour of Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon (a long day tour) which I think we will do. I want to pack as much into my few days as possible.

[Sputnik]

So I booked the one day bus trip to Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. I also bought Beatles LOVE tickets. And for the hubby we will also be going to the Star Trek place at the Hilton. The rest is wide open... so where are good places to eat? I understand there is a huge selection of restaurants and a lot of them owned by "celebrity" chefs. I think it'd be cool to go to some of them since we don't have anything like that in Ottawa.

[AKLGT]

there is so much to do in Vegas. just remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! LOL

[808 Vibes]

I think every major hotel on the strip had really good buffets...Close to $30 a person, so go back for seconds, thirds... then walk walk walk it all off because you'll be doing it again the next day.

[WaveAction]

i'd love to go to vegas..watched "frontiers of construction" and they were showing how they made all these buildings down there