Las Vegas

[jensantuit]

DH and I are heading to Las Vegas in about a week for the first time and we are very excited. I was wondering if anyone has any advise about where to eat, activities, or any advise in general about Vegas.
Thanks in advance

[jcvalenti]

Lucky you - I love Vegas, and now is a good time to go. How long are you staying, and where are you staying ?

On the strip, there are a lot of free "shows" to check out. You absolutely must catch the pirate show out front at Treasure Island, and the Fountains at Bellagio. Both are optimally viewed from lounges inside the hotel, which means you need to get there early and request a seat to watch the show ... but both are fun to watch from the street too.

Of the different resorts, all are unique and many deserve to be toured. The ones I would make sure to visit are the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Paris and The Venetian. The Rio is also very unique and fun, and just a hair off the main strip.

If you're gamblers, my favorite places to play on the strip are Bellagio, The Flamingo (fun and lower table limits) and O'Shea's (dive bar, but always have $5 craps tables, which is a fun way to learn the game without losing a lot).

As for places to eat, some of my favorite restaurants are Del Monico @ The Venetian (Steak House), Aureole @ Mandalay Bay (modern cuisine with an amazing wine list) and Picasso at Bellagio.

I really don't have time to see any shows in Vegas, so I can't help you there ... I spend all of my time drinking and gambling.

[Zippy 1]

Have a great time in Vegas!! Do be careful. It can be a little overwhelming. We have stayed at Excalibur and loved it. They have a nice dinner show called "Tournament of the Kings". Be sure to take in the foutain display at the Bellagio. It is best at night but runs during the day also. It is fun just to walk the strip and walk in all the hotels and check them out. At MGM Grand you can see the lions. They also have a very nice Rainforest Cafe. We ate there in January. The Mirage has a nice tour of Sigfreid and Roy's Secret Garden. Down past Hard Rock ther is a nice outdoor market that has live music at night (free). Don't be overwhelmed with sticker shock - everything is very expensive. But you can get deals on shows. Watch for the people trying to give you a free gift - they are selling time shares. Keep you money close to you especially when out at night. We have been to Vegas 3 times in the last year for business and have had a great time. Set a certain amount you plan to gamble with before you leave and stick to it. It is very easy to get carried away. We saw a man loose $1500 at one table in one turn. They have good guide books at the airport and in the hotels. They are fun to read and let you know what is going on while you are there. We are headed back July 4th weekend for a bowlling tournament. Can't wait. Enjoy! You can pm me if you have any specific questions.

[jensantuit]

Thank you for your help. We are staying at New York New York for 2 nights, it is a quick getaway weekend. We will definitely be doing the roller coaster at the hotel. We are going to see O at the Bellagio one night. Thanks again.

[jcvalenti]

New York New York is fun. They have a nice indoor NYC streets theme. It's a short walk from there to Mandalay Bay, which is one of my favorite places to gamble (and they have a great group of bars/lounges, including Rum Jungle which is a blast.

Since you're going for such a short period of time, basically just wander the streets - it's fun just to people watch and wander through the hotels.

Plan on going to the East side of the strip (across the street from NY NY) and just walking all the way north to the Venetian. It's a long walk, but very fun ... make an afternoon out of it. You can even enjoy a relaxing indoor gondola ride once you get to the Venetian ! When you walk back, do it along the West side and you'll have seen just about every big property out there.

And it might just be me, but I wouldn't waste too much of your time in the older places (Excalibur, Luxor, Stratosphere, etc). Many of them are showing their age and simply don't compare to the camp, fun, or sophistication of the newer properties.

[Mulan]

Two places we enjoy eatting at is Gallagher's Steakhouse in NY/NY and Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay) at Ceasars Palace.

[RAIDER]

I would recommend Artistes Point in Paris its a superb restuarant .
Grand Canyon is a must but dont go on the Skywalk as its a rip off as they wont let you take your own cameras on . We went on a boat trip on the Colarado river and that was real fun and very relaxing

We stayed at Caesars and saw Elton John last year . You cant go wrong with the Cirque de Soliel shows either .... Have fun

[jensantuit]

Thank you for your help, we leave in about 5 hours and can't wait.

[Magic Smiles]

We are going for our first time 2 - 7 Aug. I can't wait and we are staying at the Mandalay Bay. Thank goodness that it has a lazy river as that is where I will be during the heat of the day. As we are not gamblers what would be a MUST DO? We will have 4 adults and 3 under 18 kids in our group.
We have decided against the Grand Canyon as it is too much driving and this is only the 1st part of a 18 day trip.

[jensantuit]

We just got back a couple days ago and had a great time. We did a tour to the Hoover Dam which was a great tour that we booked through the guest services at our hotel. It was a 4 hour tour and our guide Mike was excellent. We did the Cirque du Soleil show "O" at the Bellagio which I would highly recommend, we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower at night. We also watched the water fountain shows at the Bellagio. It was fun to walk through the different resorts, and take it all in. A helpful hint would be to wear comfortable shoes. Have fun.

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Recommendations for Activities:
1) Take the evening Grey Line bus tour.
2) Buy "The Deuce" $5.00 daily tickets to jump on-off city buses all day.
3) Go to end of Strip and visit resorts in turn.
. . . New York, New York (good)
. . . MGM (fair)
. . . Caesar's (very good)
. . . Mirage (fair)
. . . Venetian (very good)
4) Spend time in the shops at Cesar's and especially The Venetian.
5) Freemont Street - the original Vegas

Our Recommendations for Shows:
1) Love - the Cirque/Beatles show at the Mirage (expensive)
2) Terry Fater - the ventriloquist at Mirage (moderate)
3) Fountains - the Bellagio (free)
4) Marti Gras - shows and overhead floats at the Rio (free)
5) Blue Man Group (moderate)

Our Recommendations for Food:
1) Too many good eats to mention
2) Get a discount book from vegas.com, the official city site

[DeniseMB]

Everytime we visit Las Vegas we always make sure we stop at Ellis Island Casino & Brewery.
It is a block behind Ballys. It is on the corner of Flamingo Rd & Koval Lane.
They have a wonderful steak dinner, that includes salad, baked potato, green beans & choice of beer or home-made root beer. ALL for $6.95.
It is not on the menu, Ask for the steak special.
They also have a hearty breafast, 24 hrs a day.

[Magic Smiles]

Everytime we visit Las Vegas we always make sure we stop at Ellis Island Casino & Brewery.
It is a block behind Ballys. It is on the corner of Flamingo Rd & Koval Lane.
They have a wonderful steak dinner, that includes salad, baked potato, green beans & choice of beer or home-made root beer. ALL for $6.95.
It is not on the menu, Ask for the steak special.
They also have a hearty breafast, 24 hrs a day.

Thanks for this tidbit. I just wrote in down in my trip book. Will definitely be looking for it.

[DeniseMB]

Dear Magic Smiles,
Since you are staying at Mandalay Bay you can walk like an Egyptian over to The Luxor & see The Carrot Top Show, ( actually gets good reviews) 1/2 price tickets should be available. regularly $60 - $70. per person.

Comedy Stop At The Tropicana is very good. 1/2 price tix usually available, regularly $21.96 per person, includes 2 drinks, lasts about an hour.

MGM Grand, Lion Habitat, free 11 am to 10 pm

Bills Gamblin' Saloon, (formerly Barbary Coast)
features Big Elvis...very good free show, not sure of the times

Auto Collection at Imperial Palace, $8.95 pp, but can usually get a free ticket out front or ask someone inside. 1/2 price tix in magazines also.
They also have dealertainers here from noon to 4 am impersonating Marilyn Monroe, Elton John, Elvis etc.

Harrah's...Carnival Court, free Mardi Gras entertainment, drinks are cheaper inside though. Cook E. Jar performs on weekends here.

Bellagio...Conservatory & Botanical gardens free.....Fountains free...Richard McDonald Art Gallery free 10 am - 11pm

Mirage...volcano erupts free
I also believe it is here, if you play the slots, free donuts in the morning, small sandwiches during the afternoon.
Lobby Aquarium behind check in desk..free

TI at the Mirage..pirate battle...free

also, Capriottis Sandwiches, just off the beaten path of the North end of strip..on Las Vegas Blvd & Sahara Rd. $9.00 to $10.00 sandwiches can easily feed 2 people, possibly 3

Hope this helps

[Magic Smiles]

Thanks DeniseMB for all of the great ideas. Into my trip book they go.

[DeniseMB]

The Golden Gate (downtown) has shrimp cocktail for .99 cents 11 am to 2 am.

Depending on the age of the kids they may like Fly Away Indoor Sky Diving. I have tried this twice. I loved it.

[thrillme]

Some of the biggest and latest lessons we learned the last time we were down there:

1. Ride the Duece. A car isn't really necessary...This is $5 a person and good for 24 hours...it's a double decker bus that rides up and down the strip...it will even take you to the Rio and downtown. Saves you lots of stress driving in the crowded streets and having to worry about your car. About $10 for the two of you will get you from the airport to your hotel.

2. If you see some people coming toward you wearing "tuxes" without jackets...give them the "Thumbs Up" sign...they want to sell you a time share. I think you might be able to get tickets out of them if you listen to their speil but I don't know if the tickets would be to a show and time you want to go...The "Thumbs Up" sign makes them smile and go away.

3. Do NOT miss the Treasure Island show or the Volcano at the Mirage. Both are free and very well worth it.

4. If you like Seafood...WOW...the RIO has a FABULOUS seafood buffets Fridays (and Saturdays I think)...The buffet line fills up fast...hubby and I took turns playing machines and waiting in line...they have a neat Aerial show that comes around inside the casino near the buffet. Cool to watch if you're standing in line. It's a little pricey but boy did we put away the crab.

5. Don't miss the Freemont experience downtown. Really unique light show (starts sometime at night)...the Duece will take you there.

6. Enjoyed the dinner show at the Excalibur...very neat.

7. If you're playing a machine...the waitresses will provide you with free drinks.