Members Thunderbroom Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 My wife and I are seriously considering a trip to Vegas from 8/8 to 8/12. Neither of us have been there. I'm scoping deals at Expedia and Travelocity. For those of you that have been there, what do we need to know before heading out there? Are there places we should avoid? Is it necessary to have a rental car? Are the larger, "known" hotels a better deal than the smaller places? Thanks!
Members Undertoad Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 IMO the best deal is to stay at one of the older but still class mid-level strip hotels: NYNY, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Mirage, TI. Stayed at Bally's once and it was OK but a bit far from the action. Don't rent a car unless driving to sights out of town. Cabs everywhere is cheaper, with less worry. Allot enough time to wait to flag a cab on weekends.
Members L. Ron Hoover Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 I was there last winter. From what I can tell, old downtown Vegas, near Fremont St. is not somewhere you'd want to walk alone after dark, other than that, I think the strip area is all pretty safe. If you're going to stick around the strip you don't need a car. The airport is right at the southern end of the strip and there are tons of shuttles. However, there is a lot of cool scenic stuff outside of Vegas. Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, and further but within reach, Grand Canyon and Death Valley....If you're into that kind of stuff.... But you can easily walk everywhere on the strip. Easy city to find stuff and drive in. As for hotels: On strip is typically pretty cheap Sunday thru Wednesday but the prices go way up on the weekend. The weekend prices are better off strip. We stayed at a Crowne Plaza 10 minutes walk from the strip for $110 a night on the weekend.. Vegas is neat, the scale of everything is just unbelieveable. It will be hotter than {censored} there in August!
Members bassman1956 Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 Was there about 3 or 4 years ago (feb after 9-11) for a seminar. We stayed at Harrah's: Great elsewhere, okay but not great for today's Vegas. I'd be tempted to stay either at Luxor or Paris, and wouldn't bother with the rest, but that's just my choice. You may like MGM Grand or Bellagio's or the Venetian as much! The strip, from below Treasure Island, past the Venetian and Harah's and the Bellagio, through Paris and the Luxor, all incredibly safe around the clock. Gambling is Evereywhere, including the airport and convenience stores. Some of the shows are fantastic. We got great seats at Cirque's "O", a water-based show, awesome! Bellagio has a fountain a couple acres large with about 250 nozzels that move as choriographed to songs, and if I remember right, it's every half-hour. It's freee, streetside. Rita Rudner's show is going on, if you like her, I think she's a scream. These big shows you may want to scope for tickets before you make arrangements, because they may influence your decissions. Although innitially fascinating, don't be supprised if the noise and smells get to you. But, it's very cool while you're there. Take a day trip to Hoover Dam, the size will blow you away. Also, you can cross the dam, and get your feet in Arizona, thereby knocking down 2 states in your trip. Also worth renting a car for other day trips, but we ran out of time. But, if you're staying in town, you don't need a car, and won't need taxi's much if you don't mind walking some. (edit) Oh, and you can rent a Ferrari!
Members Cortfan Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 We stayed at the Luxor last year. Nice. Mandalay Bay is even nicer. The Freemont area is rough (dangerous) after dark. Bring lots of money. Temp is going to be about the same as it is in Iraq (heat index 130-135). Did I mention bring lots of money? Cancun is twice the bargain. Cabs are everywhere. Airport is 5 minutes from the strip. Best buffet is at Bellagio (sp). I enjoyed my visit, but doubt I'll ever go back. Great shows-Blue Man Group, Rita Rudner, etc. Don't forget Ed Romans Guitar Store.
Members melancholy mechanic Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 Originally posted by bassman1956 Take a day trip to Hoover Dam, the size will blow you away. Also, you can cross the dam, and get your feet in Arizona, thereby knocking down 2 states in your trip. don't miss the dam!!!! seriously, one of the most amazing things i've ever seen and i just drove past it. i really regret not taking a tour.
Members Thunderbroom Posted July 27, 2005 Author Members Posted July 27, 2005 Which seems to be the better deal from the choices below? Choice #18/8 - 8/12 (5 days/4 nights - Monday through Friday)Roundtrip non-stop flight to/from Chicago MGM Grand HotelSouth end of the strip$957 Choice #28/8 - 8/12 (5 days/4 nights - Monday through Friday)Roundtrip non-stop flight to/from Chicago Treasure IslandMiddle of the strip$984 Choice #38/8 - 8/12 (5 days/4 nights - Monday through Friday)Roundtrip non-stop flight to/from Chicago Stratosphere Tower HotelNorth end of the strip$763 Choice #48/8 - 8/12 (5 days/4 nights - Monday through Friday)Roundtrip non-stop flight to/from Chicago Boardwalk Hotel And CasinoMiddle of the strip$793
Members L-1329 Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 I've taken many folks out to Vegas, and have stayed there many times. One thing to know is that Vegas is very expensive. Restaurants, shows, clubs etc. cost a lot, and you will go through a lot of money in expenses for a couple days stay. Also, and this is key, research your hotel well in advance and lock in the best rate you can at the place you want to stay. Rates can change by the day out there, and even in the course of a stay you can get stuck with a different daily rates while you are already there. As mentioned, you don't need a car on the newer, south strip. I have seen incredibly long check in/out and taxi waiting lines though, so take that into consideration as you are leaving for a return flight. It can be a fun town, but in all honesty I don't feel it is really worth the price for a few days. On the other hand, there really is no other place like it, and for that alone it's worth seeing at least once. If you go, have as much fun as possible.
Members Thunderbroom Posted July 27, 2005 Author Members Posted July 27, 2005 Originally posted by L-1329 One thing to know is that Vegas is very expensive. Restaurants, shows, clubs etc. cost a lot, and you will go through a lot of money in expenses for a couple days stay. Are there reasonable places to eat on the strip? When you say "expensive", what's food likely to set me back per person per day? The show prices are ridiculous. I'd love to see Penn & Teller but can't see dropping $82.50 per person. I've never been to Vegas, am not a gambler but have wanted to go forever.
Members 500Hz Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 i'm here in Vegas as i type i've been coming out here 5 days a week since january, and i've stayed at most of the properties in town feel free to pm me with any questions, i've visited near every casino, checked out more than a few clubs and ultra lounges and i've dined at quite a few restaurants i'd be more than happy to help out in any way i can...i'll probably even be here when you come out!
Members ezstep Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 We stayed at the MGM a few years ago. If you go out the side door of the MGM Grand, you will find the "monorail" system, free transportation downtown. At that time, it stopped at Harrah's (I believe) but they were already under construction to add more rails farther downtown.
Members Incubitabus Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 if your wife can put up with you GASing for an hour or so, you might want to check out Ed Roman Guitars: www.edromanguitars.com Check out the Bass section: he also has some Las Vegas travel information on his site. Might be useful to you: http://www.edromanguitars.com/misc/visitvegas.htm I hope you enjoy it!
Members bgranger Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 I've stayed at all of the hotel/casinos mentioned. The nicest is probably Treasure Island. But the best deal is the Stratoaphere-it is the 1st casino on the north end of the strip. I actually walked from the north end to the south end(Mandalay Bay). It literally took all day, stopping in most casinos along the way. Stratosphere has decent rooms and a great skydeck and rollercoaster on top. Best dollar value. Boardwalk is the cheapest of the list-you get what you pay for!!
Members Thunderbroom Posted July 27, 2005 Author Members Posted July 27, 2005 Thanks for the input thus far. We've thrown New Orleans in the mix now as well. We've got to decide soon because I need to book the flight/hotel.
Members bpocall Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 Originally posted by Thunderbroom Thanks for the input thus far. We've thrown New Orleans in the mix now as well. We've got to decide soon because I need to book the flight/hotel. We stayed at the Orleans last October. It's not on the strip, bt they have a shuttle bus that will take you to the Barbary Coast. It's one of the cheaper places to stay, but it's not a bad hotel. I'd stay there again.
Members Geddy'sFavHeadache Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 there was some real WEIRD {censored} out in that desert. hwy 50 i believe? u should go through there, you'll see what i mean:cool:
Members Caroway Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 I went to Vegas about a month ago. We stayed at The Flamingo. Don't stay at the north end of the strip. The Stratosphere place is so far from everything. You have to walk across to the Sahara to even get on the Monorail. The Monorail is a great way to get up and down the strip. Vegas has a pretty cool GC too. Stay at the MGM grand.... that a cool hotel. I got lost in there with my brother-in-law cuz we were gambling and the free drinks got me turned around. I lost most of my money play Roulette at The Barbary Coast (good drinks, $1 inside on Roulette, $5 blackjack,craps... fun times)
Members ColdFyre Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 One thing to NOT miss is the Blue Man Group show at the Luxor! By far, the best show for my $ in vegas. I lived there for 3 years (moved back to LA in '98) and it's grown so much since then. But one thing HASN'T changes: Hotels on the north end (Strat included) generally suck. The one exeption is Main Street Station just off of Freemont. It's clean, the people are friendly and it has a killer buffet. As far as the MGM goes, the suites are AWSOME! However, there is a huge drawback. From the parking structure to your room is about a mile + walk. And it's very confusing. If you can afford it, go for Mandalay Bay, the Wynn or Belagio. For food, check out Picasso and the Buffet at Belagio. One other place of note is the Buccaneer Bay Club at Treasure Island. Make a reservation that seats you before an evening Pirate show and you can watch from the windows. It's a great vantage point.
Members Gaui Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 Cool You will need two bags of grass, seventy-five pellets of mescaline, five sheets of high-powered blotter acid, a saltshaker half-full of cocaine, and a whole galaxy of uppers, downers, laughers, screamers... Also, a quart of tequila, a quart of rum, a case of beer, a pint of raw ether, and two dozen amyls. Not that you need all that for the trip, but once you get into a serious drug collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can
Members burdizzos Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 Sweet lord man, you're looking at Vegas and New Orleans for an August vacation? You taking the family to Alaska for X-mas? Look into the Excaliber, it's a cheap and decent place to stay. If you get too hot, go to the bar on the groud floor of Circus Circus and pop a $20 each into the video poker mahines in the bar. You can keep busy for a coupl eof hours and drink for free. My wife and I did that when we were in Vegas and nearly missed my friend's wedding because we were a bit wobbly, but we left $50 up.
Members Jazz Ad Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 I was about to say this.New Orleans is a very bad place for tourism in August. Way way too hot with too much moisture.
Members badboybass Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 this is a bit embarrasing but this is my wife's and I's favourite tv show
Members catphish Posted July 27, 2005 Members Posted July 27, 2005 If you're looking to do it on the cheap.... my wife and I were there last month and did one of those time share sales pitches with Hilton. It was remarkably low pressure. We said no, they said okay, here's you voucher for gambling money. The place was the Hilton vacation club sweets and the rooms were HUGE!! Seperate bedroom, whirlpool bath, kick ass pool, right next to Circus Circus. It was $119 a night with the discount for going to the sales pitch. I was VERY skeptical going, but I now can highly recomend doing it. We had a blast...of course I also won $650 bucks the first night and then stopped gambling so....that helps. P.S. buck a throw craps all day, everyday, at "slots o fun" on the strip, also next to Circus Circus.
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