First Time Vegas Trip...Any Advice?

[Chris G.]

Finally making my way to Vegas on the 21st. I will be there until the 25th. Since it's my first time, I was wondering what the experienced guys from this board would recommended? What should I stay away from, what things are must see? I am terrible at doing research, so your help and pointers would be great.

I'm not a big poker player, but want to sit at a table and have fun, but will people be yelling at me because I don't do this 24hrs a day?

Help me out gang, and if you are around those days, let's hang out. 

Vegas Baby! 

[TruckDriver]

I been there, but it was in the mid '80s. And I guess from the sound of it, almost nothing is the same. In fact, I think most of the casinos I was in are gone now. Although, I think Circus Circus is still there.


If you never been to the Hoover Dam, I recommend you go south to see it in person. It will blow your mind.

[is_it_EVER_done?]

I live here. Tell me what you like to do, if your single, Age, if theres any vices you won't indulge in, and any other relevant facts and I'm certain I can get you into trouble . -- Thats why I moved here!

[Dodge Don]

Get yourself an escort and....

[Badbob]

Rent a car from Richard Petty, everything else pales in comparison.

http://www.1800bepetty.com

[Badbob]

Or:

fly out to the Grand Canyon
Sirens Of TI at Treasure Island
The Blue Man Group at the Luxor
Celine Dion at Ceasars Palace
A Tournament of Kings at The Excaliber
Coyote Ugly at Ny Ny
The Statosphere
Old Town.....

Too much to list, skip the gambling and see the sights, bring good walking shoes.

http://www.vegas.com

[Shakey]

Finally making my way to Vegas on the 21st. I will be there until the 25th. Since it's my first time, I was wondering what the experienced guys from this board would recommended? What should I stay away from, what things are must see? I am terrible at doing research, so your help and pointers would be great.

I'm not a big poker player, but want to sit at a table and have fun, but will people be yelling at me because I don't do this 24hrs a day?

Help me out gang, and if you are around those days, let's hang out. 

Vegas Baby! 

Check your PM's! 

[dodgeboy67]

drink lots its free!!!......ride roller coasters!!!........eat buffets ,theyre cheap!!!they give you all kinds of free shows etc if you do a time share presentation

if you are handed a buisness card for an escort, take it.....cuz if ya dont  youll be followed untill you do

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Ahh geez.......sounds like Chris might not be coming back to NJ any time soon

[skip68]

I been there, but it was in the mid '80s. And I guess from the sound of it, almost nothing is the same. In fact, I think most of the casinos I was in are gone now. Although, I think Circus Circus is still there.

STAY AWAY FROM CIRCUS CIRCUS BUFFET!!!!!!! (IT"S LIKE CHEVY CHASE'S MOVIE>>VEGAS VACATION!!!)

[Vainglory, Esq.]

Speaking of buffets, the best one in town is the Spice Market at the Aladdin.

[Bones68charger]

Bring a ton of money, you will need it to do anything!

[bill440rt]

Ahh geez.......sounds like Chris might not be coming back to NJ any time soon

Gee 6T9, what WILL we do?? 

Chris G, BEST of luck & have a GREAT TIME!! Hope you come home with lots of cash, preferably MORE than you left with!!! 

[bull]

Two things.
1. Don't say, "Hey, let's walk down the strip to the next casino." Unless you think it's fun to walk 20 miles in one night. Use a shuttle, car or bus to get around because each casino on the strip takes up probably 15 acres of land. It's a long friggin' walk between buildings.
2. There are goons hired to stand on the sidewalk and hand out ads (usually porn-type stuff) to people walking around and most people are annoyed by this. The way around this is to bring a stroller along with you. You don't need to put a kid in it, just put a sweater, water bottle snacks, camera, etc., inside it and cover it with a baby blanket. They'll think you have a kid and are therefore required to leave you alone. It's a win-win because they won't bother you and you've got an easy way to carry all your junk around.

[Dodge Don]

Two things.
1. Don't say, "Hey, let's walk down the strip to the next casino." Unless you think it's fun to walk 20 miles in one night. Use a shuttle, car or bus to get around because each casino on the strip takes up probably 15 acres of land. It's a long friggin' walk between buildings.
2. There are goons hired to stand on the sidewalk and hand out ads (usually porn-type stuff) to people walking around and most people are annoyed by this. The way around this is to bring a stroller along with you. You don't need to put a kid in it, just put a sweater, water bottle snacks, camera, etc., inside it and cover it with a baby blanket. They'll think you have a kid and are therefore required to leave you alone. It's a win-win because they won't bother you and you've got an easy way to carry all your junk around.

I'd pay $$ to see Chris pushing a stroller through Vegas.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

[bill440rt]

Chris, you could borrow one of mine, if you'd like!! 

[Chris G.]

I'd pay $$ to see Chris pushing a stroller through Vegas.

You ain't kidding. What's a stroller anyway? Is it like a big wheel? 

[mikepmcs]

2. There are goons hired to stand on the sidewalk and hand out ads (usually porn-type stuff) to people walking around and most people are annoyed by this. The way around this is to bring a stroller along with you. You don't need to put a kid in it, just put a sweater, water bottle snacks, camera, etc., inside it and cover it with a baby blanket. They'll think you have a kid and are therefore required to leave you alone. It's a win-win because they won't bother you and you've got an easy way to carry all your junk around.

Man, what a great idea!!

[chargerboy69]

There is a huge King Arther Jousting dinner show in the Excalibur. You sit in a huge arena, they have a waitstaff that brings your food, and you have to eat everything with your hands. It is a live action knights show. It is simply fantastic to see. There are scenes of it in the movie, The Cable Guy.
http://www.excalibur.com/landing/2007/?CMP=KNC-Ask-Excalibur_Corp

Make sure to check out all the Casinos. They all very unique in there own way. Treasure Island puts on a cool pirate show out front every hour I believe. Don't forget a couple of the older ones dowtown, because most people just stay on the strip. And if you don't want to walk, take plenty of money for cab fare. It gets expensive. The hotels also have shuttles if you can catch one at the time you want to leave. And have fun.

[Afturhrz]

2 words "Blue Men"

[70charginglizard]

Finally making my way to Vegas on the 21st. I will be there until the 25th. Since it's my first time, I was wondering what the experienced guys from this board would recommended? What should I stay away from, what things are must see? I am terrible at doing research, so your help and pointers would be great.

I'm not a big poker player, but want to sit at a table and have fun, but will people be yelling at me because I don't do this 24hrs a day?

Help me out gang, and if you are around those days, let's hang out. 

Vegas Baby! 

Are you driving your charger Chris? or flying?

If your taking your car I'd say definately plan to drive thru death valley on your way there. Cool trip. Very interesting.

[bull]

I'd pay $$ to see Chris pushing a stroller through Vegas.

You ain't kidding. What's a stroller anyway? Is it like a big wheel? 

It's a wheeled cart designed to transport children that men sometimes push around, as long they are secure in their manhood. Chicken?

[GTX]

Personally I'm not much on gambling anymore unless I have a few buddies with me and we all play the craps table together or maybe some blackjack. The boss makes me play video poker sometimes with her but I find it boring. Some hotels seem to be better at the tables than others for being tolerant. I don't care, I play and then leave when I want and come back if I want. There's hundreds of other tables to gamble at if they have a problem with me.

We've been there so many times that it sort of got boring and now we just like to wander the strip looking at museums, rides, shows and food although many of the shows are REALLY expensive now and hard to book at times.

I liked the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton, I like Star Trek although not a Trekkie but thought the rides were fun. Neat stuff to look at and Quarks bar was fun for the kids but not all that worth it.

http://www.startrekexp.com/ 


Also like the stuff over at the Luxor. They have a Imax show we always watch there called Dracula's Haunted Castle which plays a decent 3d (or did they call it 4d?) Imax ride thing. Some of the other shows were cool.

http://www.luxor.com/entertainment/entertainment_imax.aspx

The last times we stayed at the Luxor though the place was dump and management didn't care. The rooms were really showing their age and smelled.

We like the aquarium at the Mandalay Bay, can't remember the fee though.

We also like the Ghiradelli place and stop in there to get ice cream. Great ice cream but the one in San Francisco or even Cannery Row in Monterey are better imo. Better atmosphere, ocean views.

The MGM has a some really great restaurants and attractions. The Paris buffet was really good but a little pricey. There are some good places to eat in Desert Passage too by the Aladdin.
We also thought th Palace Station hotel I think the name is had some really good places to eat and were a bit less crowded than many others. It's located off the strip though by a few miles. 

We usually rarely go far down the strip anymore but it's changing all the time and now it's better than I thought it used to be. The roller coaster at the Sahara was better in our opinion than the NYNY ride but then we've been there, done that too many times.  I hear the rides at the Stratosphere are really wild being on top of the tower but I've not made it there since they put them in.

Instead of wandering the strip  all day and night we usually buy ticket for the tram or whatever it's called that runs the strip. We get on at MGM and go pretty much anywhere we need to.
We park the car after driving into town and then never drive it again until we leave unless we want to go downtown or something.

The water fountain show at Bellagio is always cool to watch. I guess if you've never seen the Volcano erupt at whatchama call it place it's worth seeing...these are all free! The Paris and Venetion are cool to look at.

Anymore I'm only good for a couple of days in Vegas before the crowds get me but we still go down once or twice a year.
One of these days I'm going to make it to Mopars at the Strip!

If you've never been your senses will be overloaded. The place is always changing so it's never the same really.
Those idiots passing out the porn things along the strip? I just ignore them and act as if I don't see them. If they stick their hand out or even their body I just walk into or over them. They aren't supposed to block your path. Most will leave you alone if they see that you are not interested but there seems to be hundreds of them.



Sorry for the book report, maybe it helps though.

[mikepmcs]

We also like the Ghiradelli place and stop in there to get ice cream. Great ice cream but the one in San Francisco or even Cannery Row in Monterey are better imo. Better atmosphere, ocean views.

One of these days I'm going to make it to Mopars at the Strip!

You nailed it on the Ghiradelli in San Fran, and I deleted it but the Bellagio and the Venetion are a must see.

As far as MOTS, I'm still trying to figure out how I'm gonna get there this year.

Vegas is the ultimate, but it will take a lot out of you in a short period of time. Eats are easy, and see some shows, they are all nearly free.

v/r
Mike

[Lowprofile]

Enjoy! 

[472 R/T SE]

I only stopped there when driving OTR or flying thru a terminal.  I'm too tight w/ my monies but if you get bored by any chance:

http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&rmm=1&un=m&cl=EN&ct=NA&rsres=1&1ffi=&1l=&1g=&1pl=&1v=&1n=&2ffi=&2l=&2g=&2pl=&2v=&2n=&1pn=&1a=&1c=las+vegas&1s=NV&1z=&2pn=&2a=&2c=vancouver&2s=wa&2z=&r=f

Only a days driving.    How come you didn't make a MATS trip out of it?

[mikepmcs]

I had to look
17 hours, 1192 miles.  I really laughed out loud on that one.  Nice wit on that one.   

v/r
Mike

[Beer]

Wife dragged me out there last year. Used miles to upgrade the wife on the plane and when they learned we were traveling together they bumped me up for nothing when the cabin doors closed (Delta)  .  We stayed at Paris and she got a room facining the Belagio Fountains so we could see them if we were in the room. The room was not ready when we tried to check in, so she roamed the shops and Took a twenty and hit the slots. First five pulls (.25 Slots) I was up $550 and I pulled the plug and hunted her down. She thought I was already outta cash LOL. Showed her the ticket, and we pretty much played the rest of the week with that (they got it all back, but they did not get any of mine) .

Wife had to see the Damn Dam so she rented us a car (A New Charger) and off we went. That was interesting (and was not as bad I was was thinking it would be), and we hit the little towns on the way for knick naks. New Charger did not impress me, when I returned the car the guy was all chumy and so what did you think of the charger? I replied "perfect rent a car,  I would not buy one for myself, but if I needed a four door I would certainly rent a Charger again. He then asked what I drove, Told him I had a real charger I was putting back together, and I drove a Nitrous equipped 99 Vette Convertible. He laughed and said that explains it.

Blueman group was a good show.
A couple we went with said "O" was a really good show (hard to get tickets for, they walked into a performer on the sidewalk and because they were polite to him, he GAVE them tickets).
Breakfast Buffet at Paris was really good.

Soprano's Dinner (Play/Dinner) was a waste of time.

Biggest tip is don't waste your time trying to save money using the Airport shuttles, They wait and pack the shuttle full before they start to take you to your hotel. Use a cab, its not much more expensive its just you and not a buch of yahoo's, and its soooo much faster.

So ended Beer's Vegas Vacation.

[Dodge Don]

I've been to Vegas alot. Business conferences. I'm not a gambler so the town isn't that thrilling for me. Without exception everytime I go I add extra days to head into Arizona (my favorite place on earth) do the Route 66 drive, check out the ghost towns, grand canyon etc etc. If I could retire in Sedona I'd be a happy guy!!

[Shakey]

I've been to Vegas alot. Business conferences. I'm not a gambler so the town isn't that thrilling for me. Without exception everytime I go I add extra days to head into Arizona (my favorite place on earth) do the Route 66 drive, check out the ghost towns, grand canyon etc etc. If I could retire in Sedona I'd be a happy guy!!

Same here Don!

I think I told Chris that I've been so many times that I sometimes get sick of it.  Spent 8 days there in March 2005 for CONEXPO and by day 5 I was ready to go home but couldn't because of work.  I (the company) paid $900.00 CDN over and above the flight I had already paid for just so I could take the red eye home and spend one less night there.  Don't get me wrong, I still love the place, but in small doses.

I have found a few spots in town that are relatively quiet, which isn't easy to do.  One of my favourite places is Napoleon's in Paris, a piano bar with comfy couches and a relaxed atmosphere.  I think one of the things that gets to me the most is trying to get away from the constant noise.

I also try to spend some time in the desert, usually looking for small out of the way towns where I might get lucky and find a "mom & pop" type salvage yard to tour through, snap some photos and scrounge up some parts.

Sedona is really cool, I've only been once back in 2001.  My Wife and I also talk about Winters in AZ.   

[2Gunz]

I recommend staying at Mandalay Bay. I love that hotel, the only downside is its not very

centrally located. But to be honest thats not even much of a big deal. There is a ton to do

within walking distance. And a cab to the "center" is only a mile or 2.

Dont stay at the Luxor, I personally thought it was dark, dingy and old.

Forget about renting a car you wont need it.


If you get sick of the mayham of Vegas and are looking for a mellow drinking night,

I would recommend BJ's lounge. Pretty low scale, but the bartender girls are cute.

Its kinda a local hang out and the people are friendly.

[HITMAN 149]

what happens in vegas...stays in vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh...also.. don't be silly..cover willy

[Steve P.]

Only one thing you need to do. Change your dates to the end of NEXT MONTH.. Mopars At The Strip is the end of MARCH....

[BigBadCharger]

Go to the Winn, where I'm staying and playing, so I can take a lot of money from you.

[2fast4u]

Wife was just there not to long ago and tells me that bottles of water are 3.00 bucks per. So buy lots of water to take with you if thats your thing.   Walking is cheapest but very very tiresome and driving your self takes way to long (an hour to go 6 blocks...no lie).

Enjoy!!


2fast

[Steve P.]

I LOVE VEGAS...   

[DodgeChargerNeeded]

Make sure you see the fountain show at Bellagio, Sirens of TI at Treasure Island and the Fremont St experience all 3 are free and run several times a night. Went to see the Blue Man Group somewhat expensive but well worth it. Very entertaining. Free drinks in the casinos everything else on the strip is outragous in price. Sleep during the day and go out at night to beat the heat. Not having a rental car isn't so bad either. Much easier to walk from casino to casino rather than find the parking garage and walk to each casino but if you want to go off the strip you better get a car. Stayed at Imperial Palace right in the middle of the strip. Its old and a little run down compared to the other strip hotels but a good price for the location.

[supserdave]

Riding the bus wasn't to bad, 5 bucks for 24 hours, and they run pretty regular. Beats the heck out of walking, nothing looks far away, but it sure is!