re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

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Rob5TCP
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re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Rob5TCP »

Well guys, we have our plans for Zion, Bryce, and maybe one other park. We will have 3 nights in Las Vegas
(Wed - Fri). Wed and Thurs look to be extremely inexpensive to stay, though Friday the costs will double.

i am looking at the following
Luxor (unreal rate $48 and $135 on Fri) plus $20 ripoff per day for resort facility
Mandalay Bay ($102 and $139 on Friday)
Monte Carlo ($59/$63/$155 on Friday)
THEHotel ($124 and $162 on Friday)

We don't gamble - but we will catch at least one show; try a buffet,
(stay away from give-away VIP passes and taxis that take the long route)
She would like to go shopping, so we will probably spend one afternoon at one of
the outlets, and then upscale center (thrills and chills).

Any personal experience - both the good, bad and the ugly.

Thank you.

We arrive 10-09 and 10-10 go to Zion, and return on the 10/16-19th for Vegas.
travellight
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by travellight »

I would stay at Mandalay bay or Luxor first two nights then transfer to Mb. I think there's a bridge between them so it's an easy walk.

go see Jersey boys if you can. You can probably find half price tickets for the same day at tix4less.

go to bellagio and see the atrium and water show. We enjoyed our meal at Circo, great pasta Bolognese.
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dickenjb
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by dickenjb »

Mandalay Bay is nice. If you like haute Mexican, Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken have an outpost of their Border Grill there. It is fabulous.

http://www.bordergrill.com/bg_lv/bg_lvwel.htm
Atilla
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

Right now the street frontage of Monte Carlo is under major construction. Location is better than your other options if you want to wander up the strip.

Luxor is a dump.

Mandalay Bay and The Hotel will be fine - but you will be on the far south end of the strip. It's a haul just to walk to MGM. The tram from Mandalay to Excalibur has limited hours - semi-late at night coming back you'll find yourself hoofing it.

Consider the Tropicana - been there twice and loved it. Smaller place, great pool, decent service and way better location to get to the rest of the strip.

Mandalay Bay is nice enough. It ain't what it used to be but it is a nice and really big place. Service and ameneties have slid big time but I'd stay there if that's whrere everyone else wanted to. Luxor is a dump. Do not stay there.

If money is not a prime concern - lovely bride and I enjoy the Encore Tower Suites...or if you're sold on Mandalay - look at the Four Seasons on the top floors. They have a private pool and just remodeled their rooms. And breakfast on their veranda is heaven.
Louis Winthorpe III
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Louis Winthorpe III »

If you're considering a 3rd park, I recommend adding the North rim of the Grand Canyon. I visited Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago, and it made for a great trip. Watching the sun rise or set at the Grand Canyon is pretty amazing. The views change dramatically every few minutes as the angle of the sun changes. (That being said, if I could only choose two of the three parks to visit, I would pick Zion and Bryce, as you have.) Another alternative is Valley of Fire state park which is a short drive from Las Vegas. I haven't been there, but a friend recommended it.

For restaurants, you might consider Texas De Brazil. Expensive but outstanding. Worth doing once if you've never been to a Brazilian Steakhouse.

For hotels, I usually use Hotwire.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by pjstack »

If you've ever wanted to (legally) fire a submachine gun there is a shop called, sensibly, The Gun Store where you can burn off some money firing stuff like the Thompson .45 cal. or a WWII German 9 mm. machine pistol ( the MP40).

Just hefting the Tommy gun will give you an idea what it was like to lug that beast around all day.
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angelescrest
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by angelescrest »

Rob5TCP wrote:Well guys, we have our plans for Zion, Bryce, and maybe one other park. We will have 3 nights in Las Vegas
(Wed - Fri). Wed and Thurs look to be extremely inexpensive to stay, though Friday the costs will double.

i am looking at the following
Luxor (unreal rate $48 and $135 on Fri) plus $20 ripoff per day for resort facility
Mandalay Bay ($102 and $139 on Friday)
Monte Carlo ($59/$63/$155 on Friday)
THEHotel ($124 and $162 on Friday)

We don't gamble - but we will catch at least one show; try a buffet,
(stay away from give-away VIP passes and taxis that take the long route)
She would like to go shopping, so we will probably spend one afternoon at one of
the outlets, and then upscale center (thrills and chills).

Any personal experience - both the good, bad and the ugly.

Thank you.

We arrive 10-09 and 10-10 go to Zion, and return on the 10/16-19th for Vegas.
I go to Vegas every year at least, and have had a long stint there in the past for work. I hated the place at first, but have come to enjoy it. Personally though I would hate to go from the grand beauty of Bryce and Zion and then hit the artificiality of Vegas. Ouch. Anyhow, you'll have fun.

The hotels you selected are in the median of what the city has to offer. For a little more--it all depends on what deals are happening--I would look at the hotels a little further up the strip (north). They will be newer and more updated, but not ridiculous like Encore. Platinum, the Signature (MGM's condos), Planet Hollywood, Venetian, occasionally have some great deals, and they are a lot closer to the action like shopping and all. Of those options Luxor would be my last choice. Check out some of the no name suites or apartments, too, which don't have casinos and are very pleasant to stay at without all the smoke and flair.

I love eating in the area--I often drive down to Henderson (20 mins) to eat at Settebello's for some of the best pizza napoletana in the west, and the only buffet I will ever eat at is the Wynn buffet. I hate buffets and find the food disgusting, but this one is actually fantastic. Tip: go right when breakfast is ending and then you can eat breakfast and lunch for one ticket. I probably sound like a slob but I'm not; I just like to get a little bit of everything to give my palette a workout.

Just west of the strip has great hole in the wall ethic foods, like Thai. Red rocks is sw of Vegas by like 40 minutes with great sights and hiking, but coming from Bryce you're probably done with that. Bellagio fountains are very relaxing, and be sure to go inside for their gardens. The Cirque shows are the best of the options.
Last edited by angelescrest on Sat Sep 07, 2013 8:39 am, edited 3 times in total.
rayout
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by rayout »

Into pinball/arcade games at all? Check this place out: http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

I recommend grabbing this book: http://www.americancasinoguide.com/2013 ... -list.html

Good gambling coupons which you might as well use if you are visiting one of the casinos (the match plays/free plays give you positive expected value). The dining coupons are pretty nifty. Includes two free tickets to the Riviera Comedy club - raunchy material but very funny when I went. Definitely grab a meal and a pint at Ellis Island - its a couple blocks behind Ballys. They brew their own beer. Great ribs. Also an unadvertised $7.99 10 oz sirloin-steak special which includes a pint of beer, veggies, and potatoe (gamble $1 on the player card and go get a voucher from the player's club): http://www.ellisislandcasino.com/

Good place to look for hotel rates: http://www.i4vegas.com/

Buyer beware though. I would avoid the Quad - there is a loud bar below the hotel that blasts music till 2 AM and it will keep you awake at night if you get a room overlooking it. Same for the downtown casinos because of the late night bands that play there (though El Cortez was at the very end of Fremont Street and I slept well there):
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by LadyGeek »

This thread is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum (Las Vegas).
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Atilla
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

I should have mentioned Vdara. Excellent location with immediate access to Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria and a tram that takes you to Monte Carlo. Entertainment and dining options at Bellagio and Cosmopolitan are awesome. Never spent much time in Aria but it also has many restaurants and Crystals shopping mall is right there.

Non-smoking, no casino, newer hotel. One-bedroom suites with a full kitchen and laundry. Stayed there once and got a decent rate - around $120 per night.

Also - pretty much every place on the strip will add a "resort fee" so be prepared to be annoyed.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by angelescrest »

Atilla wrote:I should have mentioned Vdara. Excellent location with immediate access to Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Aria and a tram that takes you to Monte Carlo. Entertainment and dining options at Bellagio and Cosmopolitan are awesome. Never spent much time in Aria but it also has many restaurants and Crystals shopping mall is right there.

Non-smoking, no casino, newer hotel. One-bedroom suites with a full kitchen and laundry. Stayed there once and got a decent rate - around $120 per night.

Also - pretty much every place on the strip will add a "resort fee" so be prepared to be annoyed.
Yeah the city center locations are great with some of the best resorts; I didn't bring them up because I've never found competitive rates there. Would like to one day!
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midareff
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by midareff »

Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire are both areas you can reach in a reasonably short drive from Vegas in the morning. I toured and photographed them (one a day) with an early up and out and was back cleaned up and at a convention around noon. With Brice and Zion you might try and fit Lake Powell ... the half day boat cruise to the western natural bridge is well worth taking.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by climber2020 »

Mandalay Bay is a nice place, though as others have said, it's a bit far from the center of the strip.

If you're considering a third park in addition to Zion and Bryce, give Page, Arizona a consideration. I was in Page recently to visit Antelope Canyon, and it is one of the prettiest places I've ever seen (below is a picture I snapped on my trip). It's 150 miles from Bryce.

Image
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by chaz »

Visit the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.
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Rob5TCP
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Rob5TCP »

Antelope Canyon does look amazing. We may have to decide between Antelope Canyon and Capital Reef National Park. I estimate we will have one extra day to one other park.

We have eliminated the Luxor from the short list and will be comparing rates on various sites. We decided against moving to save on Friday, it's just not worth the hassle.

Keep the suggestions coming, they are read and appreciated.
Atilla
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

If you like quiet and non smoking - in addition to Vdara look at Signature at MGM. MGM proper is like Mandalay - huge place with many options of dining and entertainment without leaving the building. At Signature you also have the benefit of being close to the Monorail station that travels up the east side of the strip.

If you like to walk and explore - Vdara will be great. Pedestrian bridge to Bellagio...stroll through Bellagio and you find yourself just outside Caesars and the famed Forum Shops for your wife.

Buy a 24 hour bus pass and use the Deuce to get up and down the strip. You get the pass at any bus stop from a machine - it's like seven bucks for 24 hours of unlimited rides. The busses come so often there isn't a schedule and you can get downtown and to the big Las Vegas Outlets mall.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by jridger2011 »

Stayed at the Monte Carlo for a few nights before, the service was excellent, but the hotel room was pretty run down (looked like a motel). If you get a room facing the pool on a lower floor, it will be very loud if you intend to nap in the daytime. The best value we found was the Cafe there within the Casino. The food was moderately priced compared to other places and decent. The location is great, there is a walkway through to the Aria where it also connects out to pedestrian walkways to go to all the shops and other casinos.

We tried the Cravings buffet and was disappointed. There was not much variety and the quality was low. I have to say, it's hard to find something good to eat that doesn't cost a fortune along the strip.

Within the malls there's a chain called ABC that sells the cheapest bottled water and snacks, this is the place to load up.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by leonard »

Don't go. Vegas is just....tacky, for lack of a better word. Other than one great Mexican restaurant - didn't find another redeeming thing about it.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

leonard wrote:Don't go. Vegas is just....tacky, for lack of a better word. Other than one great Mexican restaurant - didn't find another redeeming thing about it.
Let the haters hate.

Now as far as buffets - Bellagio and Wynn are the general concensus as the gold standard. But Cosmopolitan should be in the running along with Caesars recently revamped buffet. Also consider breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Decent food and pricing with excellent people-watching views. Vegas is an adult Disney World. Embrace it and enjoy.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Brandnew »

Wife and I did the Vegas-Zion-Bryce and north rim GC last year ... and we liked it so much we're doing it again in Oct. Beautiful weather, no crowds (other than foreign tourist for the most part) so great, easy driving on open roads. We flew into Vegas, spent the night and (last year) first went to St George for the senior games. After hitting Zion, the next day went to Bryce and then drove down to Kanab UT. Not much there but it's centrally located (90 minutes) to all of those big parks. There's a very good restaurant, Rocking V, next to "our" Best Western. From Kanab, it was an easy drive to North Rim and back to Kanab (dinner again at Rocking V).

Not sure about this year ... I would love to see the formations around Page. I think you may need to set up reservations.

Regarding Vegas, we stayed at the Main St Station both coming and going. It's a clean, downtown hotel (not part of strip) that also is a brewery. The rate for the first night was $25 ... with tax it came to $32 ... breakfast down the street at Hash House a Go Go including tip came to $35. I've been to LV a bunch of times over the years and these days we like staying and people watching in the old downtown area. And, of course, you can cab or Deuce bus to the strip if you like.

You'll have a great time.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by HomerJ »

Rob5TCP wrote:Any personal experience - both the good, bad and the ugly.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by HomerJ »

Atilla wrote:Now as far as buffets - Bellagio and Wynn are the general concensus as the gold standard. But Cosmopolitan should be in the running along with Caesars recently revamped buffet. Also consider breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Decent food and pricing with excellent people-watching views. Vegas is an adult Disney World. Embrace it and enjoy.
I have fond memories of a "Pound of Pig" breakfast at 5:00 am at some casino downtown in the 1990s... (16 oz ham steak with eggs and hashbrowns for $2.99 - I believe we tipped the waitress $50 - this was the one and only trip to Vegas in the 90s where I was a winner).

But unless you have a time-machine, I guess that's not very helpful... :)
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by JupiterJones »

Ah, now we're getting into my area of expertise. :-)

I'll second the pinball museum. A real treat if you're in any way into the pinball thing.

Apart from that... restaurant recommendations:

Lotus of Siam -- You'll need to take a taxi if you don't have a rental car. It's off the beaten path. But it has legendary Thai food. Considered by some to be the best in the country.

Battista's Hole in the Wall -- Just off the strip. Mediocre food, but that's not the point. The place is just a hoot. Pure old-school Vegas and a lot of fun if you go in with the right attitude.

Alize -- There are plenty of top-notch, award-winning restaurants in Las Vegas that you can splurge on. This might not be quite up to the level of, say, Picasso or Le CIrque, but it's pretty close. The view, however, beats the pants off of any other restaurant in town.


Drinking recommendations:

Fireside Lounge -- In the back of the Peppermill (near the Riviera). Total retro throwback. Must be seen to be believed.

Frankie's Tiki Room -- Off the strip, but another good bet if you enjoy tiki kitsch.


Show recommendations:

Any Cirque du Soliel show, with a slight lean toward the longer-standing ones such as Mystere and O.

Blue Man Group.

Mac King (afternoon show, one of the best in town, IMHO)

After those, check out the half-price day-of-show ticket booths. They're all around town, and you can get some good deals.


In general, I know you said you don't gamble, but it's Vegas! You might want to at least brush up on some video poker and give them a shot while you're there--even at just a quarter a hand. Lots of fun and not too expensive. Some video poker machines are actually "multi-game" machines and might have a blackjack mode if that game is more your style. The rules won't be as good as some table games, but since you can bet as little as a quarter, the overall hourly cost can be much, much better. Sign up for the slot club at any casino you go to. Avoid "6-5" blackjack like the bubonic plague.

Have fun and good luck!
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by gatorman »

If you haven't already seen it, drive out to Boulder Dam and take a tour, worth seeing and not too far away.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

...and if you're in the mood for a classic old school Vegas steakhouse - seriously consider the steakhouse at Bally's (been there and loved it) as well as Binion's Ranch on the top floor of Binion's downtown. Excellent views from Binions and finding the elevator that gets you there and the people along for the ride add to the excitement and entertainment.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by HomerJ »

gatorman wrote:If you haven't already seen it, drive out to Boulder Dam and take a tour, worth seeing and not too far away.
gatorman
I agree... You can also take a 3-hour guided float trip down the river that flows from that Dam... Very cool.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by leonard »

Atilla wrote:
leonard wrote:Don't go. Vegas is just....tacky, for lack of a better word. Other than one great Mexican restaurant - didn't find another redeeming thing about it.
Let the haters hate.

Now as far as buffets - Bellagio and Wynn are the general concensus as the gold standard. But Cosmopolitan should be in the running along with Caesars recently revamped buffet. Also consider breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Decent food and pricing with excellent people-watching views. Vegas is an adult Disney World. Embrace it and enjoy.
Hate is strong. Not quite but close.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Rob5TCP »

Love it or hate it - it WILL be an experience.
I prefer the wilderness (I live in NYC, so I want a big change).
5-6 days will be in Zion, Bryce and one other site (Antelope Canyon, Capital Reef, and Rainbow Bridge
cruise are being considered).
Deb likes shopping, so at least one night in Vegas. May as well take in a show or two,
plus ONE buffet, and a couple of other places.
There are plenty of world class restaurants in NYC, so I not making this a culinary trip.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by jlawrence01 »

I do NOT gamble in Las Vegas. However, I find myself spending a full week in Las Vegas every 18 months, and enjoying every minute of it.

Some of the things from recent trips:

Day trip to the China Date Ranch, Tecopa Springs, CA - some great hikes, fresh homemade baked goods after a long scenic drive.
Hiking in the Mojave Desert just west of Primm, NV - sand dunes, historical tarin terminals
Pinball Museum - the largest collection of electro-mechanical pinball equipment in teh US - and you can play all of them!!!
Shows - there are a lot of smaller shows in \Las Vegas that can be had for a song - look at daytime and weekday shows
There are a LOT of great restaurants in Las Vegas - especially OFF the Strip. Many of them are very affordable. Look atthe neighborhoods.
Ethel M's Chocolate factory has a great desert garden BUT it is best at dawn and dusk.
There are few places in the US that are better than Boulder Dam to watch the sunset.

There are tons of places at ALL PRICE LEVELS to stay, eat and be entertained.

Hope that helps.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by hicabob »

Ellis Island, a little off the strip is one of my favorites from too many years of an annual convention in Vegas. $1.50 pints from the excellent in-house brewery and either the fine barbecue or restaurant will make a Boglehead cry with happiness. Truly a wonderful deal - although she does look a little seedy.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by MoonOrb »

I echo what's been said about saying further up (North) on the Strip. Luxor and Mandalay Bay are WAY down at the south end and if it's hot out (which it can be at just about any time of the year), walking to where you want to go is just awful. I would try Bally's or Paris, which are still South, but way further up than Luxor/Mandalay Bay.

I said this in the National Park thread: see Death Valley National Park if you want to get out of the city for a day. If you're at all like me, Vegas is amazing and incredible for about 6 hours and then gets rapidly less interesting and before long you're screaming to get out. So, if the two of you start to feel a little bit like this, Death Valley NP is something that you can do in a long day trip and is totally worth the experience (about a 2.5 hour drive from LV). If you don't want to get out of the city, then don't worry about it. But it's a great option if you do and way closer than other stuff.

My favorite LV buffet is the Paris buffet. Mainly because of the crepe stand and desserts. But it's very good. The last two times I've gone to Vegas I've gone to the Paris buffet. The best restaurants I ate at that were "nice" restaurants were up at the Wynn. I don't really like that kind of thing, but they were good. If I were planning a fancy night out, I would go to the Wynn.

Cirque de Soleil is a must-see. If you like the Beatles, see "Love." Otherwise I'm sure all of them are pretty awesome too (I saw "Mystere" as well) except I might skip "Zumanity" which is billed as "erotic" or somesuch.

It is worth going to the Fremont Street experience for a little while just to see it, since it's a different feel than the strip and gives you a little bit of the sense of what "older" Las Vegas was like. Just for the love of God do not stray off more than a block or two, and absolutely do not walk there from the Strip. You can take the bus ("the Deuce") or cab it. We took the bus, it was pretty convenient.

Except for playing poker I don't gamble either (and my sum of LV gambling was about 2 hours in the MGM poker room), if that gives you insight into my perspective.

Executive Summary: spend extra to stay closer to the mid-point of the strip. Eat at the Paris buffet. See a Cirque de Soleil show and try to see Death Valley NP, which is beautiful.

You will have a fantastic vacation, I hope you have a blast.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by chaz »

The best buffet is at the Wynn.
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by fourwaystreet »

For our next trip to Vegas we are looking at the Vdara, it has received some very good reviews. In the past we have stayed at the Monte Carlo and Mirage between the two I would go with the Mirage which we thought was nicer and a perfect location on the strip. The pool at the Mirage is very nice. The MGM owned properties all charge a resort fee, which is annoying and a ripoff if you ask me.

Food and drinks on the strip can get pretty expensive. If you are a drinker bring a bottle with you for a pre dinner or a nightcap drink. Mixers can be purchased at either the ABC store, Walgreens or CVS. If you ar looking for a less expensive dinner you will need to get off the strip. The Belligo has a excellent buffet and worth every penny.

If you do gamble you get free drinks. Get beer or wine as the mix drinks are way watered down.

I second the purchasing of a 24 hour bus pass for $8.00 it really helped us get around, we also used the free tram that runs from the Belligo south. I am not a big time gambler but enjoy walking through casinos. I like the casino in Paris it does not feel that people are right on top of you or that there is some slot machine jammed in every corner. Last year my wife and I purchased a $1.00 chip in every casino we went in then custom framed the collection when we got home, the thing looks great and is a conversation piece.

Visit the Freemont street experience at night, this place is a lot of fun and there are some resonable priced resturants down there.

The Cirque de Soleil Beatles Love show at the Mirage is nothing short of outstanding. I also heard the the "O" show at the Belligo is very good.

Check to see what headliner shows are in town. We have seen Cher (wife loved her) Elton John was fantastic and Rod Steward was much better than I thought he would be. Shania Twain also plays Vegas. I would love to see her and singing is optional.

Both the free Belligo fountain and the Mirage Volcano shows are worth seeing once, the pirate show at Treasure Islands draws a big crowd but is pretty stupid.
\
Enjoy Vegas it is a fun town.

Jerry
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dandan14
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by dandan14 »

Use priceline to get a hotel. We've stayed in nice "off the strip" hotels like Texas Station for about $30/night using Priceline.

Oddly enough, we had a ton of cheap fun at the Pinball Museum. All of the old pinball machines are just a quarter. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi ... evada.html

Valley of Fire State Park is also really nice. It's not nearly as good as the national parks...but it is super close to Las Vegas -- about 20-30 minutes.
Placenshow
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Placenshow »

If you're in Vegas for the lights and glitz, stay on the strip.

If you enjoy gambling and want to feel like you have a chance to win some money, visit the casino's downtown or ones off the beaten path. My wife and I have had our best luck at Main Street Station, Terribles, and Sam's Town.

Anyone seen the new Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil show @ Mandalay Bay? Thumbs up/thumbs down?

Take care.
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gunn_show
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by gunn_show »

don't see ages or nightlife requests, and glad to hear Luxor is out, that place is garbage

of the lineup you have, Mandalay or theHotel (which is roof top of Mandalay) is best. honestly I'd go look up MGM, as they re-did their rooms and they are fantastic, and usually cheaper. MGM also has the largest casino, most shows, close proximity, great buffet, and overall my favorite spot. they also have a 'wichcraft lunch spot that is awesome right before you head out to the pool, it is a lunch spot created by top chef pro Tom Colicchio. You also have Hakassan, Joel Rubuchon, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril's, a ton of options.

if you rarely go to Vegas, or have never been, please do not go off strip for $30 a night hotel, I know this is bogleheads and all, but buck up and stay somewhere nice like MGM or Mandalay. $100/night is not expensive.

i'll be at MGM early Oct for my third time this year :beer
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JupiterJones
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by JupiterJones »

tommy_gunn wrote: if you rarely go to Vegas, or have never been, please do not go off strip for $30 a night hotel, I know this is bogleheads and all, but buck up and stay somewhere nice like MGM or Mandalay.
I concur.

I'm as cheap as the next guy. Cheaper, probably. I've stayed in $19-a-night dumps in Las Vegas and didn't bat an eye. IMO, the Strip is, relative to the Vegas market as a whole, a total rip-off. The rooms are too much, the "resort fee" is absurd, and the gambling is subpar (6-5 blackjack? Seriously?)

Nonetheless, one really should stay on the Strip for your first visit. It's part of the experience.
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topos
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by topos »

MO, the Strip is, relative to the Vegas market as a whole, a total rip-off.
I disagree. If you go to Vegas at the right time, the rooms on the Stip at are pretty cheap compare to other city. I stayed at Mandalay Bay last year for $60 a night (+ $25 resort fee). I don't know of many places were I could find such luxurious room for that price.
JCom
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by JCom »

I booked the cheapest room Ceasar's Palace had. Then I slipped the person checking us in a $20 and asked if there were any complimentary upgrades available. I was upgraded to a very new room that was about 300 square feet, marble bathroom, jacuzzi, etc. it was the bet $20 I spent in Vegas. It is right in the middle of the strip. There are websites that outline success rates of trying this trick at each hotel/casino. It worked for me and I intend on doing this during every Vegas trip going forward.

I would say that it is possible for them to sell out of their nicer rooms on the weekend so if you can try this trick earlier in the day and on a weekday that would be ideal. Have fun!
surfhb
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by surfhb »

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JupiterJones
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by JupiterJones »

topos wrote:
MO, the Strip is, relative to the Vegas market as a whole, a total rip-off.
I disagree. If you go to Vegas at the right time, the rooms on the Stip at are pretty cheap compare to other city. I stayed at Mandalay Bay last year for $60 a night (+ $25 resort fee). I don't know of many places were I could find such luxurious room for that price.
True, but that's why I was careful to say "relative to the Vegas market as a whole".

There are times where you can get real bargains on the Strip. But during those times, off-Strip/downtown will typically be even more of a bargain.

In other words, as a general rule the Strip will always be the worst deal in Vegas, even if "the worst deal in Vegas" is a pretty good deal overall. Kinda like being the ugliest girl in the Miss USA pageant. :-)
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Rob5TCP
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Rob5TCP »

We will be staying the first two nights on the strip (then on to Zion, Bryce, et al).
Then 5 days later back for 2 more nights (that hotel is yet to be decided). First two are at the MGM. Paid a little more (about $100 per night)
but got a large suite.
We settled on the Bacchanal as our buffet and we are going to see Penn and Teller
plus a risque show that DEB wants to see.
We plan to spend an evening on Fremont Street, the rest of the time on the strip.
Before Deb arrives, I will hit the pinball museum. That's a biggie for me.
Thank you for all the suggestions -
SteelPenny
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by SteelPenny »

When traveling to Vegas, priceline bidding (Name your price) works extremely well as long as you don't need to be at a specific hotel for a conference. Always bid 5* (so many rooms in Vegas, you will get a great deal).

5* North Strip:
Wynn (Best casino hotel on strip, IMO)
Encore (Newer section of Wynn, equally nice)
Venetian

5* South Strip:
Aria
Cosmopolitan
Vdara (non-casino)
---These 3 are the most centrally located, right in city center.

5* North, near strip:
Trump Hotel (very nice, just off the strip and can walk through Fashion Show mall to reach strip--No casino)

Looks like people are getting 5* rooms with bids of $100-120 near the dates you are traveling. www.betterbidding.com

check www.betterbidding.com
Atilla
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Atilla »

You will love Penn and Teller. After the show they come out to the theater lobby for meet & greet/photos.

Since the first part of your stay is at MGM, you should consider a north strip hotel for the second round. It will put a whole new perspective on what you see and do being on the opposite end of the strip. Wynn/Encore are excellent. If it's the weekend especially at Encore you will have the club rat contingent to deal with Friday and Saturday nights. It's entertaining but does detract from the quality of the place.

If the other show you are considering is Zumanity - meh - don't bother. It's not that good.
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Rob5TCP
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Re: re: Suggestions for Las Vegas

Post by Rob5TCP »

Atilla wrote:You will love Penn and Teller. After the show they come out to the theater lobby for meet & greet/photos.

Since the first part of your stay is at MGM, you should consider a north strip hotel for the second round. It will put a whole new perspective on what you see and do being on the opposite end of the strip. Wynn/Encore are excellent. If it's the weekend especially at Encore you will have the club rat contingent to deal with Friday and Saturday nights. It's entertaining but does detract from the quality of the place.

If the other show you are considering is Zumanity - meh - don't bother. It's not that good.
I am a BIG fan of Penn and Teller (and a member of Randi's skeptic). This show was my choice. Deb's was a show that is a parody of a recent book trilogy that was a big seller. Very much a chick type show. Not
exactly what I would opt for, but it was something she wanted. So, one out of two is fine.

We are leaving Saturday (the rate for a Saturday night was literally triple - so we are heading to Lake Louise for two days afterwards).
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