First trip to Vegas...any tips? (1 Viewer)

[John Besse]

Blue Man Group, gambling, free drinks and a prostitute and your trip will be complete

 

[Dave Falasco]

Hi, Michael. Obviously I'm not the guy to answer your question definitively (I started the topic!), but I wanted to point out that the Hilton seems to be pretty far from the actual strip. That's where I am staying, and someone estimated a little further up that it's about three miles from there to Bellagio, which is in the middle of the strip. I don't know if the Hilton has some sort of shuttle, but if you stay at MGM, you'll at least be right in the middle of the action.
Not sure how much of a factor that is, but I thought I would point it out at least.
And thanks again for all the suggestions, everyone! Already my plans have changed so much based on your input. I was really worried that we wouldn't find enough things to do for a whole week (seeing as how we aren't big gamblers), now I wish we were going for two!

 

[Randy_Sh]

My wife and I met some college friends out in Vegas this past New Year's.

We stayed at Paris (across the street from Bellagio) and really didn't gamble much. There is a ton to see and do just walking around the casinos. It seems that one is more opulent than the next.

We walked thru all of the newer casinos just to people watch. Had dinner at one of the Bellagio restuarants and were seated right by a window overlooking the fountains. Very cool at night.

Went to dinner at the Rum Jungle in Mandalay Bay one nite. That was the biggest people watching experience...basically a Brazilian Steak place specializing in Rum drinks that turns into a club after 11.

Oh yeah, just for the hell of it, we went to Jubilee in Bally's-traditional Las Vegas dancer show. Lots of topless showgirls, etc. What's Vegas without showgirls?

Really we didn't have enough time to go out to the Grand Canyon, Hoover dam-that's next trip.

One thing, the guys who stand on the corners and past out the "adult entertainment" cards are kinda pain. After the first day or so, we just started to take all of them and saw who hand the biggest collection of cards...

Oh well, have fun. Vegas was even grander than I even imagined...this is only having been to Atlantic City for comparison...

 

[Joel Mack]

Here's a question I've had for awhile:
Do the various Strip casinos (not to be confused with Strip clubs. That's another story, entirely ) take each others' chips for table games, or will I be required to cash-in/out every place I stop?

 

[Shawn C]

.

Do the various Strip casinos (not to be confused with Strip clubs. That's another story, entirely ) take each others' chips for table games, or will I be required to cash-in/out every place I stop?

Yes. You have to cash out at the same place you won the chips.

 

[Dave Falasco]

Well, tomorrow's the big day. My wife and I have reservations for Emeril's place on Sunday night, tickets to "O" on Monday night ($$$ yikes!), we are going to the Grand Canyon on Tuesday and stopping at the Hoover Dam on the way, staying overnight at one of the lodges there, then driving down route 89A to Sedona where we will take a pink jeep tour through the desert. Then back to Vegas on Wednesday night, and we'll play it by ear Thursday and Friday. I have printed out all 22 pages of this thread to bring with me, and I hope to talk her into seeing Blue Man Group with me (so far she has proved resistant...:frowning. So that's the big plan!!
Thanks again to everyone for all of your help. Like I said, I will have this list with me so hopefully we can take in even more of your suggestions as time permits. I'll let you all know how we make out...

 

[Chris Souders]

Hi,

I'll be going to vegas over memorial day.

Have the evening events planned... O, Blue Man Group, and the La Cage drag show.

I did a travel deal over expedia and picked the excalibur hotel which I'm starting to regret now that I read this site and it has been called cheesy and to avoid it.

Is it really that bad? Is it dirty? Should I spend extra on fees and costs to go elsewhere? I can't imagine I'll be spending too much time there. I'm not the kind to lounge around the hotel, so as long as it is decent I'm sure I'll be fine with it?

Also, any thoughts on these helicopter tours of the grand canyon? There's one I'm looking at for 300 something... tours G.C., Hoover dam, and Lake Mead by helicopter. Lands in Grand Canyon for champagne brunch. Sounds nice.

Thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[Francois Caron]

Chris, as a hotel, the Excalibur is most likely a decent bet. After all, you're not going to Las Vegas just to visit the hotel rooms.
As an entertainment venue, The Excalibur is VERY cheesy! The medeival(?) tournament is interesting but not that much of a big deal unless you love to see the splatter of balsa wood. As for the wizard and dragon show in front of the hotel, you can skip it. It's simply dumb and not even close to the quality of the volcano presentation in front of the Mirage. Treasure Island's pirate attack however is a definite must see as has already been mentioned.
A question to those who have visited the Paris casino. Does the staff really speak French over there? Or do they just know a few key words?

 

[Michael Mathius]

Trip report!
We spent the first two days at the Las Vegas Hilton and then the next five days at the New York New York.
The NY NY was a very happening place. I'm not really into gambling but did have fun gambling. No one told me just how much losing I would be doing in LV. I lost all my money until the last day I when won it all back. So I did leave Vagas a winner since I atleast broke even.
It was very nice to see the different hotel setups. I really liked the NYNY, Pasis, Venitian, Mandallay Bay and Bellagio. Next time I will stay at the NYNY again. NYNY really ave you the feel of NY.
We did a buffets for the fist four days but then I got tied of them. Bellagio was sure good. We then ate at the America restaurant in NYNY and the food at the Kahunaville at TI was great.
The free shows at the Treasure Island, Bellagio and the Mirage were fantastic. The shark exhibit at the Mandayllay Bay and the dolphins at the Mirage were also very good.
We also drove to the Hoover Dam and to the Grand Canyon which was more grand than we could have ever imagine. The drive to Canyon was especially nice for me since it reminded me of driving in the hills of the Caribbean.
Thanks to you guys we went to the south rim instead of the north rim. It took us just under four hours to drive to there.
We had our two old daughter with us so we were no able to do any of the shows. But next trip we will not bring her since most places only accepted kids from five and up.
Thanks to everyone for all the information which made my trip a wonderful experience.
Dave, I hope you had as much fun as we did.
Viva Las Vegas.