Las Vegas Vacation Advice Please!

[joeparaski]

Ok, me and my wife are going to take a one week vacation to Vegas at the end of July to the first week of August. We don't gamble, so all our money will go towards shows and visiting places like the Grand Canyon.

There is simply too much information overload on the net. Can any of you Polkies give me some tips and advice on getting the most bang for the buck by suggesting which tour operators to go with and especially what to avoid.

Please help me out here, I want to make this a great experience for my wife and sort of say "thank you" for putting up with my overindulgence with audio stuff.

Joe (anxiously waiting your responses)

[Willow]

Do you know which hotel you'd like to stay at?
I'm guessing you'll fly direct from MTL?

I'll tell you one thing bring your most comfortable shoes.
There are many shows, I think there are 3 if not more different Cirque du Soleil.
Tons of shopping at Cesars and the Venetian.....

I was there on business about 6 yrs ago, we had to visit most of the hotels. So shoot away with questions I'll do my best to remember.

[markmarc]

Watch Chevy Chase in "Vegas Vacation", then do the exact opposite of Clarke Griswald!

[dorokusai]

Eat at someplace tasty and/or famous in Vegas(e.g. Lupo/The Palm), ride the roller coaster on top of New York New York, see a show(e.g. Cirque/Lance Burton/Blue Man), recreate the ending of Oceans11(Bellagio), hit Lake Mead for a day of boating, sun or jetskiiing....Hoover Dam....Red Rocks....screw gambling.

Enjoy yourself.

[Willow]

be prepaired to be handed porno flyers as you walk up and down the strip.
go to Fremont St at least once.

There are quite a bit of free shows at each hotel.

Rent a limo from the airport, from what I remember it was just a bit more then a cab.

[xsmi]

Take the Sunday Morning Bruch cruise on lake Mead. Eat at Delmonicos Steak house in the Venician. Make sure you go to The Rio for the best FREE show in Vegas. Catch the Aquarium in Mandelay Bay. There is plenty to do in Vegas without Gambling. I was there 4 mos. in 2001-02 i only gambles twice... the first night and the last night.

[Willow]

I spent 20$ just to say I gambled in Vegas.

[steveinaz]

Joe
I've never done the red-eye to the Canyon FROM Vegas, so I don't know what to tell you. Having said that, I would make the Grand Canyon a seperate trip. Is there any way that you can hit Grand Canyon first, stay a couple days then drive on to Vegas?

That would be the best scenario; you don't want to do a quickie tour at the canyon.

On Vegas, I'm a regular. Don't listen to these nerds, at least hit a $5/$10 Blackjack table or something--avoid the slots. If you've never done it, no big deal, just find an empty table and let the dealer know you're new, they will help you out. There are no bad shows in Vegas; but any of the Cirque Du Soliel shows are awesome, any big name acts, and on the cheap: good 'ol Tournament of Kings at Excaliber is always fun, and includes dinner. Make sure to hit Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville and Toby Keiths "I love this bar" in Harrahs (second floor). Also hit the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, awesome restaurant/watering hole. Last time we were at HOB, the band Whitesnake was sitting at a table right next to us (they were having a concert that night). Any of the magic shows will be good, but I especially like Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo.

Have fun, you'll love it.

[daboyz]

be prepaired to be handed porno flyers as you walk up and down the strip.
go to Fairmount St at least once.

There are quite a bit of free shows at each hotel.

Rent a limo from the airport, from what I remember it was just a bit more then a cab.

+2. Thanks, Willow for helping my post count.:D

[joeparaski]

Thanks guys, these are great tips and we've jotted everything down on a list. Please keep the advice coming. I'm gonna hit the sack soon and look forward to more suggestions tomorrow.

Joe

[Greg Peters]

There's a great outlet mall south of the airport (if you are a shopper). Bring extra bags you can collapse and keep in your luggage until you need 'em going home.

I second the comfortable shoe advice...the strip is long, and multiple laps are probably going to happen over the course of a week. The monorail is a bargain, runs a good length of the strip (with the downside being the exits into the various hotels all make you go through the casino first (like a maze).

While not a bargain, the MGM Grand Buffet is pretty nice. Tha Aladdin Buffet is really busy, so go early if you don't like lining up. Surprisingly little is open 24 hours as far as dining, unless you know where to look. There's a single Denny's on the strip, but it's pretty packed alot of the time.


If a stranger approaches you and asks "Where are you from?" it's probably best to keep walking, or answer "Henderson" (unless you want to spend hours of your time trapped, hearing some sales spiel about timeshares etc. in order to get that free/discounted whateveritwastheypromisedyou ;)). Vegas is designed to extract maximum capital from your wallet, whether you're a gambler or not. Some of the salespeople can get nasty (desperate?) after they give you their pitch and you don't bite. In terms of time, it's cheaper (and a lot less hassle) to pay instead of camp out for freebies/bargains.

If you are a "car guy", check out the 6th floor of the Imperial Palace parkade for an indoor car "museum" with a whole lot of interesting vehicles, many of which are for sale (for after you win the jackpot :D ). Most of the sights/points of interest cost a fair bit more than you think, so budget accordingly. There's way too much to see/do in just a week, so you'll probably want to go back again and again.


I know where I'm going next time I'm in Vegas:
http://www.tweeter.com/corp/index.js...Name=Las+Vegas

Be prepared for some smokin' hot daytime temperatures July/August. I'll go in spring or fall next time.

[fatchowmein]

#1 rule for Vegas.

Slow down. Take your time. Breathe.

I always see people running off the airplane, running through the moving walkway, running to get their luggage. Everybody's all excited. Everybody's going to win BIG$$$.

Four days later, they all drag onto the plane looking like they were beaten with a 2x4 by Tony Soprano.

Slow down and enjoy yourselves.

[fatchowmein]

Oh, I forgot.

The #2 Rule.

If you're sitting at a table game or playing slots, ask the dealer, pit boss, etc for a "Line Pass". It doesn't cost the casino a penny so they're happy to give you one as long as you're "playing". Doesn't matter if you win or lose.

What's a "Line Pass"? It's a silly piece of paper that will allow you to cut to the front of the line at the casino's buffet/restaurant.

Just be ready for evil looks from folks who have been standing in line for 45 minutes. Just look like you belong/big shot/whale.

[Polk65]

Joe, you say you don't gamble. Is your interest in shows and rides on the strip or do you want tips on outdoors activities nearby? It's going to be toasty though wherever you go. I'd suggest renting a 4x4 vehicle if you are planning day trips to the desert. Cars and some SUV's just don't have the clearance. Bring binoculars, polarized sunglasses and a polarized lens for your camera. When it's hazy a polarized lens will make it clear.

Outside Vegas Red Rock to the west and Valley Of Fire to the east where you can drive south through the park to Lake Mead.

Driving northeast to Death Valley brings you through scrub brush desert landscapes and small towns like you've seen in the movies.

The Grand Canyon is a half day drive from Vegas mostly through desert but also some forest. If you could ride your paraski's that would be the way to see it. Unless you are planing a trip to the bottom of the canyon you can make it a one day trip. Drive during the day, catch the evening sunset, set your alarm and see the sunrise. Paid showers and a laundromat are available in the Grand Canyon Village near the campground.

For the best views of the canyon, sunrise and sunset reveal all of the different colors in the sandstone. Late morning through late afternoon have full sunlight shining so the colors really wash out to mostly a rusty/sand color. The same goes for Red Rock and Valley Of Fire.

There are several lookout points along the south rim. Most consist of a parking lot and railings along the edge. Pine trees are sparse in the busy areas but a short walk will get you away from that. I forget which lookout points but some let you have nice views like this.

[bdaley6509]

Might want to check out Hoover Dam. Cool to do at least once.

[ninerbj]

I think the best advice would be to stay away from Las Vegas in July or Aug.!!!
They say it's a "dry heat". So is stiking your head in an oven...it still hurts like a MO FO!

[TroyD]

Pretty much what Mark said.....

Be sure to go to Fremont Street, the old part of Vegas....the light show is pretty cool. Fremont Street is what I had always envisioned Vegas to be.


BDT

[steveinaz]

Yes Troy..Fremont definitely, I forgot that one!

[steveinaz]

Joe..IMPORTANT piece of advice when booking a room....

Book at the casino's web site, and ALWAYS click the "promotions" "special deals" etc. If there is a promotional price on the room you want, it WILL NOT show up under the normal reservation window.

Also...VERY important: keep checking back at your hotels website for a lower price. I watched my spa suite at the Luxor go from $159---$129---$99. I booked at $99 of course. Almost any of the hotels have a 48hr cancellation policy, so cancel away--there's no cost, and change your reservation for the cheaper price.

Doing the above, I got a suite at the Venetian for $129/night---a normally $325 room. It was VERY nice.

[PolkThug]

I love Vegas, going back in July.

Get the Harley Hog sandwich at the Harley Davidson Cafe.

Bet on a sporting event and sit in the sports book area, and you will get free drinks the entire time you are sitting there (even if you only bet 10 bucks). The Monte Carlo has their own beer if you want something a little different.

The young girls walking by themselves late at night on the strip are not tourists.

At the Rio, sit at the bar that has quarter video blackjack. Play the 25 cent blackjack and drink free premium drinks until they finally say, "Sir, you need to play more than one quarter to keep getting drinks." Then, say thanks, get up and walk away.

Go to Slots of Fun and play the $3 blackjack and pay the extra dollar to spin the wheel in case you are dealt 21, its worth it.

If you go to a show, don't pay up front for the good seats. Buy a cheap seat, then when you go to the show and they are getting ready to seat you, grease the attendant with a 10 or 20 depending on the show. You get a good seat, and you pay less than the chumps.

If you have allergies, do not walk into the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio. I made that mistake once.

have fun!
P-Thuggy

[janmike]

What every do have a great vacation Joe. Sorry, never been there so all I can do is wish you and your wife a great trip.

[steveinaz]

The Monte Carlo has their own beer if you want something a little different.

YES. The micro brewery at Monte Carlo is very cool.

[davidk0512]

I love Vegas, going back in July.


Bet on a sporting event and sit in the sports book area, and you will get free drinks the entire time you are sitting there (even if you only bet 10 bucks).
P-Thuggy

I second that one, I never had a better time throwing money away. For a $2 tip on every drink, I never ran dry on Crown and Water for an entire afternoon. I even won one of the races I bet on and broke even with hours of losses.

Also stayed at the Venetian - extremely nice! There was really no need to even go anywhere else, it's all there.

For a great steak, try Morton's

July, August - it's gonna be hotter than hell, I was there last year same time, nice dry heat of 118 degrees. I think I would try spring or fall for Vegas and take a cruise during the summer

[rskarvan]

It will be extremely hot in Vegas in July/August. You want to select the hotel based strictly based upon the size of their swimming pool. A few of the hotels have absolutely MAMMOTH swimming pools. Those are the ones for you.

You can always see a show or gamble in the neighboring hotel. But, you can't go swimming there.

[PolkThug]

I forgot my other big rule. Don't be shy on the free drinks you order.

Don't order Crown Royal, order 'Crown Royal Special Reserve'.
Don't order Jack Daniels, order 'Single Barrel Jack Daniels'.

[engtaz]

More stereo equipment

[AndyGwis]

Always bet on black.

If you like golf, go to Wolf Creek. It's an hour by car north of Vegas, but well worth the trip. We played there last August, and even in 105 degree weather (which I'm pretty used to being from Dallas), it was the most enjoyable golf ever. Simply majestic scenery.

Only $85 for green fees. Well worth it.

Mandalay and Hard Rock have great pools. I'd stay at one of those again anytime, in addition to the higher end joints (Bellagio, Venetian, Wynn).

[MSALLA]

Rent a limo from the airport, from what I remember it was just a bit more then a cab.

We just went about 2 months ago. The limo was 44.00 with the tip. Get the limo so she feels special. We got a suite at The Hotel at mandolay bay. It was under $300 per night and very nice. Water falls in the bath tub, glass shower stall, plasma tv in every room including the bathroom. 750 sq. ft room.
you will find tours to the canyon every block. Some are chopper plus horses and some are chopper then ATv's in the canyon. The food was the best. we eat out alot at good resturants so we are used to fine dining. The food in Vegas was still impressive. You will have a harder time choosing what NOT to do then what to do.