Going to Vegas in December for my honeymoon (all the way from Australia). What are some awesome things that we shouldn't miss out on seeing? Also, is there any good free activities?
2006-07-30 15:41:44 · 16 answers · asked by Dasher 5 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
2006-07-31 08:00:15 · answer #1 · answered by flamingo_sandy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, have you a room reservation? Check into Vegas.com or LasVegas.com for ideas.
The Strip is great place because you can easily get from one hotel casino to the next. Go see Luxor, the pyramid. Go see Mirage at night for the volcano (free) and walk next door or ride the tram/free to Treasure Island (TI) for the pirate show (free). While at the Mirage see the Secret Garden for a small price (lions, tigers and dolphins). For a romantic ride go to the Venetian and take the gondola ride (not free). And wander around the Venetian, look at the ceiling at the entrance, enjoy the free minstral shows in the shopping mall.
Caesar's Palace has a nice shoppng arena though expensive. And it has a very nice and cheap virtuality ride. And you have to spend the time and watch what happens with the figurines in both fountains inside (no charge).
The Excalibur is a castle with wandering singers and jugglers. The Bellagio has a free fountain show daily, too.
Don't forget to go to the Fashion Show Mall that is across the street from the TI. You can see Americans having fun and enjoy the best of shopping on the Strip.
Shows are fun but can be expensive. There are four Cirque shows but the best is the original at TI and cheapest. You can enjoy a Broadway-style play at several casinos. The Hilton has a comedy called Menopause (you can look it up on the Hilton website). Wynn has SpamALot and a form of Cirque but pricey. Circus Circus has circus acts and a fun indoor amusement park for adults and youth.
If you want to get a car and go off the Strip, take a ride or cab to the Rio on the other side of the freeway from Caesar's Palace. There is a free show in the sky and you could catch a free sourvenir. For a small price, you can even ride in the sky float and be part of the show. Next door is Gold Coast, a favorite of locals, where you can bowl or watch a movie. And Coast also has a great jazz show.
And do try at least one buffet, all you can eat. You get a free soda, coffee or tea with the meal. My favorite is Orleans, which is another local's favorite just on the other side of the freeway by the Tropicana and the Excalibur.
Make sure each casino you go in you join the Players Club. Many give you some free cute souvenirs and several will give you either free buffet or at least two for one. Each of you join separate but play only one card for the card can be worth comps, better knows as freebies.
On a first trip to Vegas you don't have time to enjoy the gaming sites and the real city. I would skip Downtown and the Fremont Experience for your first trip and concentrate on the fun on the Strip. You don't have to gamble to have fun but it helps.
Make sure you play "Mega Bucks" for the total $3 and a chance to win a minimum of TEN million dollars. There is both a dollar machine and penny but you have to play $3 each time to get the progressive jackpot. Someone just won it at the Wynn for $14 million yesterday.
Oh, and the penny machines are great fun and don't cost as much as playing the tables. Either way use that Players Card (another free souvenir).
Have a great honeymoon in Vega$, the entertainment capital of the world. I would describe other things to do in my city that do not involve gaming like Red Rock Canyon and its cowboy town, but I think if you do half of what I said above you will be very busy during your visit to Las Vega$.
2006-07-30 16:05:16 · answer #2 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh bugger...If you were to be there sooner I would have suggested the Bodies exhibit at the Tropicana. I just recently went. It is quite fascinating. Of course there are the shows, Cirque de Soliel has a few shows at various hotels. I saw O, it was impressive. Those people are amazing in their talents. Play craps or blackjack, forget poker, it's so kitsch.
The Blue Man Group is great. Penn and Teller are entertaining as well. Fortunately they live in Las Vegas, so you can actually see them when you go. Personally, I hate Celine Dion.
2006-07-30 15:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by practical thinking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FREE ACTIVITIES: Carnival parades in the Rio, Volcano eruptions at the Mirage, musical pirate shows at TI (which used to be called Treasure Island), Fremont Street Experience (outdoor music and light show) downtown, Lion habitat at Mirage, Fountain watershow at Bellagio
MUST SEE: spectacular interiors of the Venetian, Luxor pyramid, and Caesars Palace; at least one Cirque du Soleil show (there are 5 or 6 now, I think), and try to get reservations (important!) for dinner at Top of the World revolving restaurant at the Stratosphere -or- at the Eiffel Tower at Paris...either will be memorable.
FOR FUN, I RECOMMEND: Star Trek : the Experience at the Hilton which has 2 simulator rides, costumed actors, a wild restaurant and starship-themed casino. Also, Margaritaville at the Flamingo is an over-the-top tropical-themed restaurant with live bands every night, and "Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill" is a rockin' cowboy-themed restaurant with live music every night at Harrah's. 'Enough to start with? :-)
2006-07-30 21:05:10 · answer #4 · answered by galaxiquestar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Belagio" (sp)...water fountains set to music and lights for an awesome display. I enjoyed Hoover Dam too....mainly just going into all the hotels is a sightseeing wonder...(and thats a free one)
Hope you have a safe fun time and congrats on your marriage :)
2006-07-30 15:47:23 · answer #5 · answered by justmeagain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you have to see the Belagio water show that's so awesome (and it's free!). And I love M&M World personally, I mean they have soo many colors it's unbelieveable. And there's quite a few good shows down there. Just depends on what you're into. I lived there a couple years ago so I'm trying to remeber...
2006-07-30 15:45:55 · answer #6 · answered by Cass 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a stroll through The Venetian, especially the 2nd story canal shops area. It's totally sick how much wealth is there.
2006-07-31 06:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the free activity is sight seeing like u just can't get enough of it, u jsut shouldn't miss the vegas strip, it is the bomb
2006-07-30 18:08:09 · answer #8 · answered by Ledzeppelin324 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hoover Dam, the water show at the Bellagio, and Death Valley is very beautiful--you will be surprised.
2006-07-30 15:45:19 · answer #9 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cirque du Soleil....not free but worth it.
Also look into some of the magic shows....they're not just for kids.
2006-07-30 15:45:10 · answer #10 · answered by unitedf1rst 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just try a test booking here at a point you will have many sightseeing tour available to choose from http://www.gogowwv.com username is myboymc@hotmail.com password is 0128888
2006-07-31 01:57:34 · answer #11 · answered by onyi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋