What's a "Must see" thing to see/do in Las Vegas?

Question

I'm going to Las Vegas at the end of the month. What should I not miss out on while I'm there. Explain why.

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.


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.

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

This is a city full of MUST SEEs. =) It can be very overwhelming at first, but figure out what you're interested in. All hotels have copies of this weekly magazine guide that lists all the shows happening and restaurants and everything. That's one thing that's very handy.

Someone mentioned the waterpark, Wet n Wild. Sorry to say, but that closed about two years ago. It's going to be condos. (I just found this out last month when I was there.)

If you have access to a car or don't mind paying cab fare, there's the Las Vegas Mini-Grand Prix. It's pretty much a go-cart track for all the wannabe Andrettis out there. (Like me.) =)

I recommend Blue Man Group for a show to see. It's not even something that one can describe - you just have to see it! Mystere' at Treasure Island and O at Bellagio are great shows to see as well. But, all of them can be pricey - figure $100 a ticket or so.

Walk thru the Wynn hotel and the Bellagio. They're beautiful. The fountain shows at Bellagio are great too. If you go to the volcano show at the Mirage, try to stand up by the front of the hotel at the Valet Pickup area if you can. Good view and not super crowded.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Answer 3

Make sure you get out to one of the state parks in the area...Red Rock or Valley of Fire are great, and a nice contrast from all the gambling and the Strip. For dining, we LOVED the buffets at the Bellagio (their weekend dinner is the best) and the Paris (Sundays have champagne brunch - awesome!). They are a little pricey, but well worth it and no more expensive than a nice sit down dinner. You get the added benefit of so many goodies to sample. These two are really out of this world! Have a great time and don't spend all your time cooped up inside a casino :-) Here's a good website for tips:

Answer 4

Depends on what you wanna do, how long you're staying and how big is your pocket. But Vegas has 2 things that are best in the world, shows and casinos. So, generally, don't miss out on seeing at least one show, and don't miss some gambling action.

Answer 5

Are you travelling with a wife or gf?? If so, taker her to either the Top of the World restaurant in Stratoshpere or the Eiffel Tower Restaurant in Paris. Excellent food, romantic locations.

Either catch a Cirque de Soleil show (there are several at several differnt hotels) or drop the big bucks to see Celine Dion (if you like her music (I don't), they say she is THE show to see out there).

Answer 6

eat dinner at the top of the Stratosphere,. Go to the club on the top of the Rio at night, you can see the whole city. Go down and see the light show on Fremont street. See the water show in front of the Belliago.

Answer 7

the pool at mandalay bay is awesome. lots of younger people and a total party. the water park is closed. "O", the water show from Cirque du solel was well worth the $100.00 at the Belagio. check out all the cool hotels inside. Lots to see.

Answer 8

If you're into comedians...see any one you have a chance to. I saw four in the week I was there...they were all funny.

There's a "shark world" thing at Mandalay Bay that's pretty cool.

The Spearmint Rhino is good this time of year, but you didn't hear it from me.

Answer 9

I love it. I just told you about my trip. You should go to the Rio, the shops at the forum at Caesar's, the jousting tournament of kings at the Excalibur, and don't miss Fremont Street.

Answer 10

You have to see the Bellagio fountains at night! They are just so beautiful...if you are animal lover, I highly suggest the dolphin habitat at the Mirage. I just loved it, I sat there for a good hour just watching the dolphins.

Answer 11

There are alot of shows here to see, (i live in LV my entire life) but its expensive. Also on the strip is alot of gambling, casinos, plenty of interesting things.