Las Vegas Itinerary help please????.....?

Question

I'm travelling to Las Vegas w/ my boyfriend and another couple from NYC on Aug. 11th. We'll be arriving at 9pm....and leaving Aug. 15th @4pm. We will be staying at the VERY southern part of the strip in my timeshare at the Grandview. I know it's a bit removed...but hey, it's free! I have been to Vegas several times...my BF only once before, and this is the first time for our friends. I am looking for the best itinerary you can think of from the time we step off the plane Friday night till we depart Tues. evening. I'd really appreciate it if you can include a side trip out of Vegas, (we'll have a rental car). possibly to the Grand Canyon, etc. for one of the days.
All detailed responses appreciated!!! Thanks! :-)

Thnx for the answers so far...let me try to be more specific of what I'm looking for. I have been to Vegas before, so I already know alot of the attractions. I am just trying to put it all together into a great itinerary. If someone could reply with a great answer, as if it were you who was stepping off the plane on a Friday night at 9pm in August & leaving at 4pm on that Tuesday..what would you do first...next...etc.,etc. What day would you take your side trip and to where? Pretend your planning your own detailed intinerary & pass the great info along to me for a suggestion. Most thought out & detailed gets best answer!! Thanxxx so much!

Answer 1

Suggested Itinerary

Friday, August 11
Since you're getting in late you'll miss most of the shows but you'll be getting there just in time to hit a nightclub or two (they usually don't really get started until midnight). The hippest and hottest these days are Tao at the Venetian, Jet at The Mirage, Pure at Caesars Palace, Body English at the Hard Rock, and Rain at the Palms. If you aren't into the nightclub scene, consider an ultra-lounge like Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay, ghostbar at Palms, Lure at Wynn Las Vegas, or Tangerine at Treasure Island. Stay out as late and party the night away!

Saturday, August 12
Sleep in a bit... you're on vacation! Get up late morning and if your timeshare has a pool, this is a good time to do some lounging by it before it gets too hot in the afternoon. If you're not a pool-type person, consider going for a bit of shopping - since you're down in that area try the Las Vegas Outlet Center at Warm Springs and Las Vegas Boulevard or the newer Las Vegas Premium Outlets near downtown.

For lunch, try something off the beaten path like Capriotti's - the best Italian subs in town and perhaps in the country. There are locations all over the place but the closest to The Strip is on Sahara, just west of The Strip.

In the afternoon go check out the sight-seeing type stuff you either haven't seen before or want to see again. There's a great new floral exhibit at Bellagio Conservatory that shouldn't be missed and if you've never been to the Dolphin Habitat at Mirage, it's a terrific way to spend a few hours.

Late afternoon head out to Lake Las Vegas, about 17 miles east of The Strip. That evening they are having a Wine Walk and a concert in the village - there are a couple of terrific restaurants as well so have dinner, see the concert, and do a little wine tasting (but be careful... you're driving!)

That night head back to the clubs or maybe while away a few hours at your favorite blackjack table.

Sunday, August 13
This is your day to get away from The Strip but not as far as the Grand Canyon (it's almost 300 miles and not worth it for a day trip). I recommend taking the morning to go out to the Valley of Fire park to the NE of Vegas and take a drive through the area to see the amazing landscapes. There are a couple of small towns out there so finding a quick bite to eat shouldn't be a problem for lunch.

In the afternoon, come back into town and check out Downtown Las Vegas, especially if you didn't make it to the Premium Outlets - it's worth the trip.

For dinner, get dressed up and go to a fine dining experience - it's hard to narrow those down because there are so many but if I had to choose one right now it would be Mix, Fleuer de Lys, or Aureole at Mandalay Bay or maybe Delmonico at The Venetian - again, depends on what you like and how much money you want to spend.

Sunday night, hit a show... the new Cirque du Soleil show "Love" is now open, featuring music of The Beatles and Phantom of the Opera will also be playing at The Venetian. Other good ones include KA and Mystere or the Blue Man Group.

Monday, August 14
You could take another side trip - out to Red Rock Canyon or maybe to Hoover Dam - but if I were you, I'd focus again on hitting those attractions that you haven't seen. Ever been to the Clark County Heritage Museum or the Atomic Testing Museum or the Liberace Museum? This is your day to do it.

Experience a classic Vegas buffet for lunch and then get off the Strip for a nice dinner - maybe Austins Steakhouse at Texas Station or Triple George Grill downtown.

Monday night you can try to find another show to go to or just do some more casino hopping.

Tuesday, August 15
If you don't listen to anything else I say, listen to this... on your last day, take it easy. It's tempting to want to go and do and see and make yourself crazy but this is the day to sleep late, eat lite, stroll around and just relax before you have to go back to the real world. Maybe a little souvenir shopping or head to the Chocolate Swan at Mandalay Bay for some treats to eat on the plane.

Have a great time.

Answer 2

My favorite thing to do (and a great way to experience the strip) is to pick a clear night and go to the Paris, ride up the Eiffel Tower -- you have a great view of the whole strip and get to enjoy the fountains at Bellagio (right across the street). Great food to be had at Luxor and Paris Buffets -- non Buffet the best is Elements in Aladdin. As far as a side trip, Grand Canyon is great, but about 4 and 1/2 hour drive one way, so plan on a long day. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Red Rock Canyon is just outside of Vegas and has great scenery and hiking. Often featured in movies based in Vegas.

Answer 4

Must see Mamma Mia at the Marige and Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo.

Answer 5

You must go see the Cirque de Soleil show "Mistique". I just went in March and it was spectacular! I went to one of there shows when they were touring in San Jose, CA and it was pretty neat - but the ones in Las Vegas are a must see!

Answer 6

OK I understand that you and your BF have been to Vegas before but consider that your friends have not. So you probably want to show them all of the main attractions and get in some gambling and a club also. so here's my speil:

The usual things you will want to see for FREE in Vegas are:

1. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel *****

2. The show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel ......*****

3. Number one on my list is to watch the fountain displays in from of the Bellagio hotel, usually runs every 15 minutes on summer nights; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. *****

4. Go down to Freemont street and see the light show. There are usually 2 or 3 different shows, starting after dark and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each. *****

5. Go to the MGM Grand hotel to see the Lion habitat.

6. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Sigfred and Roy used.

7. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Mascarade in the Sky show. It runs every 90 minutes starting about 3:00 PM. *****

8. Go in Ceasars' Palace and walk through the forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) the take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium.

9. Go into the Flamingo hotel to see their animal habitat with flamingos and penguins.

10 The Excalibut hotel also has a free light show at night outside.

DO NOT MISS THE ONES WITH FIVE *****
There is a movie theater in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the strip across the street from The Monte Carlo, near the MGM. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke experience that has all type video games.

Then there's shopping at Fashon show mall right next to Treasure Island or you can drive about 45 miles south on I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border) and there's a BIG outlet mall and some casinos.

I recommend the shows at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and at the MGM, "KA". These will run about $90 to $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows there now. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets; have never done this but see people doing it. You will probably be stopped many times by folks in a number of hotels trying to offer free stuff in exchange for listening to time share presentations. They will get on your nerves. But if you don't mind sitting throug a time share you can get free show tickets or some cash.

If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "STar Trek The Experience"; it cost about $25.

Go to the Statisphere Hotel at the North end of the Strip and got to the top of the tower (its about $10 admission) to get a great view of Vegas. If you would like a nice romatic dinner (reservation required) reserve dinner there and during your meal the restaurant will rotate 360 degrees.

You can see most of the stuff on the strip by walking, so you don't need a rental car. There is a free monorail between Bellagios and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrah to the RIO Hotel that runs every half hour. There is also a free bus that you can get outside the Barbery Coast Casino that will take you to the Orleans and some other off strip casinos.

Plan which hotels/casinos you want to visit each day so you can make the most of your walking and the free monorails and schuttles. When you get there you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" or "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the city with the hotels marked, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souviner from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel.

Do join all of the players clubs because they are your ticket to lower priced return trips. They will email you or regular mail you specials. The players clubs are free; all they want to see is your driver's license.

If you want to some other things:

Go to Red Rock Canyon. Its about 20 miles West of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you can pick up that street at the north end of the Strip) Its a scenic drive-through park. Go early, not in the heat of the day; there's no shade.

Drive about 30 miles southeast of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam; the National Park Service offers tours (@ $15.) there and its interesting stuff. Go on past Hoover dam to Boulder City and then to Lake Meade for a swin. Also, there are tour companies that will take you on a cruise of the river below the Dam. Check the web sites below.

Its a long drive (about 2 hours), but you can drive up I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.

The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 hard hours on mostly 2 lane road with trucks and campers (a short way on I-40). You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, like 6:00-7:00 Am. That will put you there about noon and you will have 4 or 5 hrs before starting back and egtting back to Vegas about 11:00PM. I recommend staying overnight at the Canyon (there are plenty of motels near there, like Best Western, Ramada, Quality inns) and drive back the next day.

Drive about an hour and a half south of Vegas on I-15 and take RT-127 to Death Valley National Park (total drive may be 3 hrs each way).

For clubs, try the Studio 54 in the MGM or the clubs in the RIO and Palms hotels. I have heard that its best not to try club hopping because the lines are extremely long at all of them.

Answer 7

Sandy’s Vegas Guide

Things to remember:
1.Drinks are free when you’re gambling. Sitting at a bar and playing a few dollars in a poker machine will get you a free drink. Sitting at a machine in the casino will get you the same. Tipping the waitress or bartender a dollar or two will keep her coming back. If you walk up to the bar and order drinks, you’re going to pay lots more, even for soda or bottled water.
2.Player’s Cards: Before you begin gambling, get a player’s card. Most places offer sign up deals (a coffee cup, a free meal, assorted coupons). If you get a card where you’re staying and you use it while you’re gambling, you can “save” the points and use then toward your room when you check out. Some casinos will combine accounts for married couples, some don’t. I always get a card in my name and ask for a second card. I play with one and my husband plays with the other. That way all the points are going to one card, and accumulate faster. Plus … you’ll get offers in the mail for your next trip!
3.Beware of time-share people! As you walk through the hotels and along the strip, you’ll be approached by people who want to give you free show tickets, free tours, free meals, etc. These are time-share sales people. They promise freebies in exchange for an hour of your time. I warn everyone about this but some people just don’t listen. A friend of mine decided an hour of her time was worth giving up in exchange for a show. So her and her husband accepted, were put on a bus and taken to a “presentation” and weren’t bought back for SIX hours. Their only escape would have been to take a cab back to the strip but that would have been expensive and they wouldn’t have gotten their “free” show tickets. The best way to get these people to lose interest in you and move on to the next person is to say, “Thanks, but we’re leaving tonight.”
4.Free Pulls: Some of the casinos offer “free pulls” on a special slot machine as you walk in the door. There are usually no strings attached, you pull the lever and win something. Usually it’s a key ring or a hat; sometimes it’s a free buffet. Sometimes it’s a coupon for a “fun book” (a book of coupons for that casino). To get the fun book, you can be sure you’re going to have to walk to a far, far corner in the casino. They want to get you WAY inside.
5.$40 for $20: Some casinos offer $40 in slot play for $20. What they don’t tell you is that it’s on a bank of “special” machines, and you can’t cash out for cash. Instead, you play the $40 and then choose a prize based on the credits. So before you hand over your $20, take a look at the prizes being offered. If there’s something in there that’s worth paying $20 for – have fun. If not, keep walking.
6.Valet: If you’re going to be renting a car while you’re there, valet parking is the way to go. For a $2 tip, you can park at a hotel or casino and visit the nearby hotels and casinos.
7.Bus: If you use the busses that run up and down the strip, put your wallet in your front pocket. Vegas is the favorite vacation spot for pick-pocketers, too.
8.Cabs: Cabs are more expensive than a bus, but faster and less waiting. Almost all hotels have a cab line outside one of their doors, a line of cabs waiting for the next fare. A hotel employee will whistle for the next cab in line when you ask for a cab.


Things to see (and most are FREE!):
1.The Freemont Street Experience: Every night there is a light and music show that stretches for blocks. It’s an amazing thing to see … and it’s FREE. Freemont Street is in downtown Vegas, you’ll need to take a cab if you don’t have a car. The street is blocked off from traffic and you can stand in the street and look up and watch the show. (Another place to keep a close check on your wallet.) There’s a different show every 30 minutes, beginning at 8:00 or 8:30 PM. Show times and pictures can be seen at: http://www.vegasexperience.com/ Be sure to check out the video! Freemont Street also has performers and kiosks all along it. Lots to see and worth a trip. Downtown used to be nasty and scary, but they’ve cleaned it up and it’s clean and safe now. Just don’t wander too far off Freemont on any of the side streets. You probably wouldn’t want to anyway, most of the action is right on Freemont.
2.The Fountains at Bellagio: Don’t miss this! It’s a 900-foot long row of fountains that “dance” to music. The songs change, and it’s awesome to see. More info at: http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/bellagiofountains.html While you’re there, go inside and check out the conservatory. Very impressive!
3.Caesars Forum Shops: If you feel like strolling through Rome, check out the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. This is also where the talking statues live. More info on the shops and a link to info on the talking statues at: http://www.vegas.com/shopping/forumshops.html
4.The Canal at the Venetian: This is pretty amazing and a MUST see. You feel like you’re in Italy as you stroll along the canal and visit the shops. You can even take a gondola ride. Check out the Canal Shoppes at: http://www.venetian.com/shoppe/index.cfm and get information on the gondolas at: http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/gondola.html?f=m0at&t=stripat
5.The Volcano, The Tigers and The Aquarium at The Mirage: If you go up the moving walkway and through the front door at the Mirage, you’ll see the white tiger. Pretty cool to see. Head through the foliage to the front lobby and check out the wall behind the check-in desk. It’s a HUGE salt-water aquarium. In front of the hotel there is a huge waterfall that turns into an erupting volcano (loud, bright, and hot!) at night. A trip to Vegas without seeing the volcano erupt just wouldn’t be a trip to Vegas. http://www.themirage.com/
6.The Wildlife Habitat at The Flamingo: An outdoor habitat located within the Flamingo. You can watch the penguins play and see the live flamingos (still haven’t figured out how to kidnap one) plus lots of other birds, fish, and turtles. http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/wildlifehabitat.html
7.Masquerade Village at The Rio: Masquerade Village is inside the casino at the Mirage. There is a parade in the sky with music and dancing and lights that’s pretty cool to see. This is located off the strip, too far to walk, but there is a free shuttle that goes from Harrah’s to Rio and back. More info and a video at: http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_07.html
8.The Eiffel Tower at Paris: You can take a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/eiffeltower.html?f=m0at&t=stripat

Other Info:
You can find a map of the strip and downtown Las Vegas here: http://www.vegas.com/map.html

You can find a show guide here: http://www.vegas.com/shows/index1.html?key=show01 This site has a search engine that allows you to enter the dates you’ll be in town.

Some GOOD sources of Las Vegas info:
www.vegas.com
http://www.lasvegas24hours.com/
http://www.vegasfreedom.com/do/index.jsp