We're actually going to L.A. for a week in August, but I couldn't use my frequent flyer miles to get there. Instead, we're flying into Vegas and driving to L.A. I figured we might as well get a little taste of sin city while we're there. We'll fly in late on Saturday, stay two nights and head over to L.A. about 5pm Monday. Anyway, not a whole lot of time.
I'm hoping some of you could help me cut the list of things to see down a bit. We're staying at Treasure Island, basically because I got a great package and it seemed to be in the center of everything.
We'll gamble a little but are mostly interested in the bright lights, fun, and alcohol.
Here's what I have so far:
Fountains at Bellagio
Volcano at Mirage
Stratosphere Rides
TI Pirate Show
Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
Star Trek Invasion?- Is this worth the price?
Looking for cheap things to do, see, drink, and eat, as well as general stuff not to miss.
2006-07-20 07:15:30 · 14 answers · asked by HeathBar! 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Las Vegas
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 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.
More GOOD Las Vegas info:
http://www.visitlasvegas.com
2006-07-22 03:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by flamingo_sandy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok... tips... it's like anywhere else, basically, except that it only makes sense to valet park everywhere you go. If you tip the valet at your hotel well, they'll remember you after a day or two and you'll get your car quick! Otherwise, $2 is pretty average for a valet, but it saves you walking in 100+ degree heat to find your car. Yes, Vegas is very hot right now, but it's dry, so it's not so bad. Be sure you have your sunscreen and a hat if you plan to do lots of walking during the day. While you're at the Bellagio, go inside and check out the atrium. Also, spend a couple of hot daytime hours at the Caesars Shoppes below Caesars Palace. It's a very cool place for people watching. The Venetian and the Alladdin both have similar shops, but Caesars is the original.
Best mexican food is at Don Miguel's in the Orleans - off the strip a little, but inexpensive and really good! The Palms has some great restaurants too, and if you're lucky, you might happen to be there the same time as one of their Celebrity Poker Tournaments! How cool would that be? Check out their limos in the valet area - bright neon green limousines and hummers in the parking lot - too funny.
If you have a car, go down to the South Coast at the southernmost end of the Strip - it's a nice hotel and since it's fairly new, still clean and doesn't smell like stale smoke. They have a good, inexpensive buffet, and they also have bowling, movies, and bingo, if you're into that.
Check out the M & M store and the Coke stores - used to be better when they had the Coke museum, but that's closed now.
Go up the Eiffel tower at the Paris, and try to get downtown one evening. It's dirty, but it's "old Vegas" - you have to see it once in your life. There's an outdoor mall with all these little kiosks for souvenirs.
There's also an Ethel M Chocolate Factory on Sunset and Sunset (ask for directions) where you can watch them make the chocolate, walk through the cactus gardens, and take some treats home with you. On the way, check out Wayne Newton's estate at Sunset and Green Valley. You can't see much from the street, but you'll see the fence that says "Shenendoah".
Have a great time! Vegas is the most exciting city in the country!
2006-07-20 16:37:28 · answer #2 · answered by Just me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Las Vegas is the absolute most interesting and engaging town in the world and with hotelbye you will find out more. Nowhere else on earth you may find a town that has most of the vacation amenities that just a total resort location can offer: luxurious casino hotels, great dining, amazing stay amusement and state-of-the art meeting and business show facilities. Las Vegas happens to be a spectacular city and everything that you would assume from the world-class city, and more, is the following for your travel pleasure. One of the areas you need to visit in Las Vegas may be the Fremont Street, a pedestrian region with a myriad of unique sites.
2016-12-15 23:18:32 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, you sound just like me! I took a trip to LA about 2 years ago, stayed for three days, and took a bus to Vegas for the remainder of the trip. We also stayed at Treasure Island, and liked it so much we got married there this past April. If you have two days, trust me, you wont get a fraction of the cool stuff in, but you will be so busy you feel like you miss nothing. Just have fun, you wont be lacking things to do!
Rio is so much fun, to gamble, shop, or just look around. They have a "sky parade" every hour or so. Harrah's is right by Treasure Island and you can take a shuttle bus from Harrah's to Rio if you dont want to pay for a cab (would be about $10 to get to that end of Vegas from TI)
I suggest at least eating at one really nice place because the cuisine is fast becomming a big draw of Vegas along with the gambling and hotels. I dined at Bobby Flay's restuarat inside Cesar's Palace called Mesa Grill. Excellent. The Eifel Tower restaurant at Paris, I heard, was not that great as far as the food, way overpriced, but the views are amazing. The buffet at Treasure Island, Dishes is actually pretty good for a buffet, but get there before 4pm, dinner is over $20 a person.
Treasure Island has excellent room service. Everything I have ever ordered over our last two trips was excellent and not that bad priced, actually.
Window shopping is a great cheap way to get entertained. It is a joke, almost, to look at the price tags, but it is interesting to see all the exquisite things these places have to offer. MUST SEE SHOPS at the Wynn (right across the street), and Venetian. The Fashion Show mall is a normal type mall for us common folk and TI has a bridge over the street to it. Lots of places to eat there too, for not breaking the bank.
Have fun VIVA LAS VEGAS that city will always have a piece of my heart
www.vegas4visitors.com
great info, unbiased and thorough
2006-07-20 08:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by adrixia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two things you have to do are go down to Fairmont Street at night (down town, old Las Vegas) and you will see things you never imagined. The light canopy is cool and there are a lot of vendors and musicians... just alot of action. The Golden Nugget casino has pretty loose slots and is a nice place. The second thing you have to do is walk the strip at night or rent a limo to drive you and show you the city. OH!! You need to go to Cesar's Palace and window shop (nobody can afford to buy anything), go into FAO Scwartz which is the largest toy store in the world. It is amazing... 3 levels and you can ask to see the monoply set that is made of pure 24k gold. For a very large sum of money you can even play the game (it comes with real money). Walk around and see the statues come to life and get a good show of lightning and clouds on the ceiling. It is one of my favorite places to go, even after 30 years. Have fun and watch out for pick-pockets and traffic.
2006-07-21 03:22:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
u have already narrowed down the major must c....the good thing is many r actually free.do add the newest addition Wynn resort.dont waste time checking out the smaller hotels.stick with the major ones.note their show times in advance.wear joggers or comfortable shoes.I'll b walking a lot.even if u have a car,the traffic is such that I'll b able to get to destination on foot more quickly.almost all major stuff is on the strip.cars can b parked free in the parking garage of any big hotel.u'll have a big advantage of staying at the treasure island.u can easily walk to many big hotels/casinos from there.check out the website www. vegas.com.also u can request the tourist info to b mailed. it takes some time to come but is helpful and contains coupons.4 shows ,look for the coupon books. ur hotel might b carrying some or ask where u can get those.they include coupons to shows and restaurants.plan well ahead using net.and try to mark only the stuff u'd really like to c.remember dont waste ur entire trip trying to do and c everything.its not possible in 2 days.so b selective and enjoy everything thoroughly.
2006-07-20 07:33:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cheap is not a word you are going to use in Vegas! TI is in the middle of everything, and they also have a great Cirque du Soleil show there - which is definitely worth the ticket price. The rooms usually don't have refridgerators in them so you are forced to go down to the lobby/casino for drinks and food, which are expensive.
I would suggest going to see Blue Man Group (at the Venetian, I think) and any Cirque show. But be prepared to spend some $$$.
Wear good shoes for walking!
2006-07-20 07:34:00 · answer #7 · answered by merigold00 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out a Blue Man Group performance while you're over there. And my first recommendation was going to be the rides atop the Stratosphere, but it seems you've already heard about that. Also, Sigfried and Roy's tigers used to be kept at the Grand... I don't know if they still are after the incident Roy had, but it's an awesome Casino to see anyway (and they have affordable shows inside too).
2006-07-20 07:23:43 · answer #8 · answered by deathbywedgie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. fountans and volcanoe are great
2. stratosphere is dirty but cool
3. TI pirate show just aint what it used to be
4. Seceret garden =great for kids but adults will like it too
5. NOT WORTH IT! STI sucks
6. If you go to any shows the shows i would suggest are the blue man group at the venetian, Mystere by cirque du soiel, and The Beatles Love by cirque du soiel. Beatles Love is great, but 100x better if you were around when they were huge. i was so i loved it. also, O by cirque du soiel is boring as hell. cirque du soiel is great because the stunts and music. in O, both sucked. so i hope that helps. if you can only see 1 show, defeintly go to Blue man group or Beatles love.They are both fun, flashy, and the music is phenominal
2006-07-20 07:24:11 · answer #9 · answered by Leon K. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure but not everyone is going to gamble if that is what you are speaking of. i know people that are Christians and went to Las Vegas and did alot of other things that did not involve drugs, gambling ect. Besides you can go anywhere and find Sin its up to you what you choose to do.
2016-03-27 01:06:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get down to the South end of the strip...see the white tiger cubs at MGM...and wander around the NYNY bothinside and out (cool place).... make sure you see the 911 memorial at the NYNY.
2006-07-20 07:36:20 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋