What should I do in Vegas??

Question

I'm going there in a couple months with some friends. I don't have any plans yet. Please offer suggestions, thanks.

Answer 1

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

1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in from of the Bellagio hotel. It usually runs every 15 minutes in summers starting at 3:00 PM; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different (there are more than 20 different tunes choreographed) so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. ALSO, go inside the Bellagio hotel to its lobby and view the beautiful glass sculptured ceiling AND the seasonal floral arrangements in the Atrium.

2. The “Sirens of TI” show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel; it runs every 90 minutes starting at about 4:30 PM.

3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight.

4. Go down to Freemont Street and see the light show. There are usually 3 or 4 different shows, starting after dark (about 8:30PM) and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each.

5. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Masquerade in the Sky show. It runs every 60 minutes starting about 3:00 PM; the last show starts at 9:30 PM..

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

7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy used.

8. Go in Caesars Palace and walk through the Forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) then take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium. Then continue on through the shops to the second fountain and wait for the show to start.

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

10 The Excalibur hotel also has a free show starting at 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

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

BEST HOTEL/RATES

First, when you look for a hotel in Vegas consider this. All of the big hotels on the Strip are great. The most important things to consider are location, price, and in the summer you want to consider its pool area. So, stay on the strip in the center of all of the hotel locations so that you can walk to see all of the hotels and casinos, and all of the free attractions. The best place to stay to do that is in one of the hotels on or nearest to Flamingo Rd & the Strip. At that corner is Ceasers, Bellagio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and the Paris hotels. I am not saying you need to stay in one of these but stay close to them. I do recommend the Flamingo if you are looking for a good price, location and pool.

The next thing to consider in picking the BEST place is price. Rates go down in the summer (and again after Thanksgiving, until about mid-January (except new years eve when prices double)). So pick a place that has the best price for you. Ceasers and Bellagio will cost top dollar all of the time (like $150 and up) per night during the summer. Flamingo, Ballys and some others you can get into for around $100 (but most times for less) during the low seasons. Its also more expensive in all Vegas hotels on Friday and Saturday nights by $40 to $60 more, so to get a lower rate go Sunday and stay through Thursday night.

In the summer you probably want to spend some time at the pool areas which in Vegas are fabulous. All of the big hotels have great pool areas. But the Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo and MGM hotels have wave pools, and lazy rivers for tubing or body floating. The Flamingo has a water slide (not big but nice and refreshing) and also a water fall.

I have stayed at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, MGM, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Ceasers, the Rio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and Harrahs. But the BEST place for me when I go is who has the best price. Again, all of the Strip hotels are great. So shop the web sites, look at the hotel rate calendars, and go when the price is the lowest. That's the best place to stay on the Strip.

You can probably get lower priced rooms at the Circus Circus, Sahara and Rivera on the north end of the Strip and also at the hotels on Fremont Street. But you will be a long way from the center of action and have to take a bus or taxi to Strip action. In addition, if you need to run to the room for a little R&R, it’s a long ways.

SHOWS:

If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and the show at the MGM, "KA". These will cost about $90 to $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, look for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets; have never done this but see people doing it. If you are in Vegas as a couple, you will 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 through a time share presentation you can get free show tickets or some cash. I also recommend Gladys Knight’s show at the Flamingo and also the George Wallace comedy show at the Flamingo.

WHAT TO DO:

People go to Vegas to sightsee as well as gamble. 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 Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrahs Hotel 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 scuttles. When you get there you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" , “Showbiz”or "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the Strip and city with the hotels marked, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel.

JOIN PLAYERS CLUBS: Do join ALL of the players clubs because they are your ticket to lower priced return trips. The hotels will email you, or send by regular mail, specials on room rates and shows. The players clubs are free; all they want to see is your driver's license. Get 2 or 3 cards; if you lose it they will give you more.

SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island, or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south of the Strip (just past the airport) to the outlet mall. For more shopping, drive south on I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border ... about 45 miles) and there is a big outlet mall and some casinos.

DINING: The hotel coffee shops and buffets are now much more expensive than they were years ago. So, if you want to eat for less try one of the Denny's for meals (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino and another across from the Monte Carlo hotel/casino). There are also McDonald and Burger King on the Stip near Harrahs. You can get breakfast and dinner buffets a few dollars less at the Imperial Palace hotel/casino and at the Gold Coast hotel/casino. Buffets cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Freemont St hotel/casinos. Some hotels have food courts. There is a food court in the Monte Carlo hotel/casino, one in the NY, NY hotel/casino, and in the Palms Hotel (across the street from the RIO. There is an Outback Steak House in the Casino Royale Hotel and another across from the RIO. There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Ceasers Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Roma’s, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one in the Stardust hotel/casino, one on Freemont St and another on Sahara Ave near Paradise Rd.

MOVIES: There are movie theaters in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the Strip across the street from the Monte Carlo hotel, near the MGM hotel.

BOWLING: If you like to bowl, there are alley's in The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino (beside the RIO) and in the Orleans Hotel Casino. .

ACT LIKE A KID: If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and rides for those with a strong heart at the top of the Stratosphere Casino/hotel. The Circus Circus Hotel/casino has arcades and an indoor amusement park. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke World experience that has all type video games


OTHER THINGS:

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.

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

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK: Drive about 35 miles north of Vegas on I-15 and go to Valley of Fire State Park, another scenic park area.

ZION NATION PARK: It’s a long drive (about 2-3 hours), but you can drive North on I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.

DEATH VALLEY: If you like to visit National Parks, 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).

GRAND CANYON: The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 long hard hours on mostly two lane roads with trucks and campers (only 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 getting 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.

Answer 2

It really just depends on what your interests are. Here is a small selection:

~ Visit Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. 197,000 acres of natural beauty. You can hike, mountain bike, rock climb, or take a drive on the 13 mile scenic loop.

~ Hoover Dam. Take the dam tour!

~ Spend time touring the amazing resorts on The Strip.

~ Take in a show.

~ Head up to Mt. Charleston. It's generally 25 degrees cooler and a nice respite from the desert heat.

Check out more great ideas at the included link:

Answer 3

Don't go for the shows. They're expensive and over-rated.

Hit the Palms for the clubs, hit the Bellagio for the casino/hotel/coolness factor. Hit the Rio for the Voodoo Lounge. Hit the Hard Rock Hotel/Casino cos it's pretty tight. Hit downtown for gambling (4 Queens, Fremont, etc), hit the Wynn for the glitz, hit Ceasar's Palace Forum shops for the shopping (duh). Hit the clubs at the various hotels on the strip (too many to name).

For the eats - hit any buffet but the Rio has the best in Vegas.

But, whatever you do.. it stays in Vegas, got it?

Answer 4

Get drunk, go to a strip club, get hitched ( to a stripper) and have Elvis perform the ceremony, play the slots, win a bunch of money, lose a bunch more money, play the blackjack tables, get scammed, do some cocaine, and stumble back to your hotel room where there are more cocaine and strippers who eventually steal what's left of your winnings. Sell your body for a bus ticket back home where you have to figure out a way to get a divorce and check yourself into rehab. Just a few ideas. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Moonlite Bunny Ranch

Answer 6

Do not stay at the Luxor. It's the ugliest hotel there on the inside. All bare cement color. Really drab. The pools are wonderful but the interior of the hotel is too ugly to pay the big price.

Answer 7

Tons to do...Fremont street, gamble in all the casinos, shop in all the designer stores, take a tour of the strip at night, visit the grand canyon, go to the shows.. cirque du soleil shows are great, fine dining, clubs, rides etc. of course the must sees... volcano at mirage pirate show at tresure island and water show at bellagio they are great and free to watch while your sight seeing...

Answer 8

Haven't been for years but there was loads to do back then. The obvious casinos, theme parks etc. Not too far from the Grand Canyon and Hoover dam either.

Answer 9

Well for one, you have to go to Fremont St. at night to see the light displays. Also, you can see the gardens in Bellagio, visit the Venitian, go to the top of the Stratosphere and lastly go for a drive to Hoover Damn.

Answer 10

Must see/do:

Cirque Du Soleil "O" or "Mystere."
Bellagio: fountain dance, conservatory, poker room, JP Patisserie - world's largest chocolate fountain, fine dining.
Party at the Palms.
Top of the Stratosphere.
Mirage Tiger Habitat.

Answer 11

Anything ... just remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, and that's normally the money you spend while there.