What to do, where to stay on 1st trip to Vegas?

Question

I am planning a trip to Vegas for 3 or 4 nights and would like advice on where to stay and what to do. I have never been before.

* I'm traveling alone.
* Gambling is not a big deal for me.
* I love music (rock, folk, classical)
* I'd like excellent food & excellent service.
* The hotel room should be OK but not extravagent.
* Would like to frequent a place where single people hang out.
* I am in my mid 40s.
* I have about $1200 for air/hotel/fun.

I'd love to hear your opinions! Thanks

Answer 1

ok.. let me help with the hotel you want to stay in because i have stayed in many

Luxor: Moderately priced, stayed for 3 nights and the room was pretty standard, nicely decorated, and was properly cleaned everyday. It was on par with what i expect from a hotel i stay in (everything done properly).

MGM: Moderately priced, small room, cleaned properly, but the room was just unappealing to the eye and plain and the room had a kinda small bathroom.

New York New York: Now this place i havent actually stayed in because it honestly looks ugly from the lobby and public areas on the lower floors. The hotel itself was dark inside and did not look nice to me.

Bellagio: beautiful hotel and a very nice room.. smelled nice and had many ameneties and was just a great stay overall. It costs high though.

Venetian: i personally found this hotel to be the best value. It was actually a suite; its all suites. The bathrooms are excellently sized and the room was great. It was on the high end but not as much as bellagio.

But if you want a good value, i have heard that The Flamingo is the best value on the strip, the room is decent and has a good price. I have personally never stayed at the flamingo, it just doesnt appeal to me.

for entertainment i think you will really enjoy the piano bar in New York New York and some others.. but i am not familiar with lounges that suite your music taste.. i mainly go to the clubs.

But other than clubs and lounges i think that you should really go see cirque du soleil.. its standard for all first timers imo. They have 5 shows there and they are all good except Zumanity and Ka. If you have the cash you should go see O, which is most expensive out of them all (100-150 bucks for a ticket). All the magic shows are good. Dont forget about the free shows at TI, Bellagio, Mirage, Rio, and the Freemont street experience.

IMO you are running at a low budget for 3/4 nights.. i have gone to las vegas many times during long weekends and holidays and my average budget is around 500 a day.. and thats a very average budget.

Some tips: FREE DRINKS WHEN YOU GAMBLE!! I know you said gambling isnt your thing, but i save some $$ on drinks by playing the quarter slots and working that waitress into getting me mixed drinks. She wont care as long as you tip your waitress well (5 or more first tip then 1 or 2 dollars every drink) for her to actually get the drink to you before the end of the century.

take the bus, but dont hesitate to get in a taxi. The bus does in fact take forever because it stops sooooo much, it takes 20-30 minutes to get up the strip one way. the taxis are much faster and arent too expensive.

Answer 2

Want "* I'd like excellent food & excellent service" but
want " The hotel room should be OK but not extravagent" = out of luck. Stuck paying $$. Hard Rock hotel an option with a trip to House of Blues. $1200 plenty to overspend on hotel. If would stay further off-Strip could do better but does not match with your demands.

Answer 3

I lived in Vegas for almost 8 years. For excellent food and service, visit the Delmonico steakhouse in the Venetian it is absolutely fantastic. (it is one of Emeril Lagosse's restaurants) the Venetian also has pretty decent rooms. As far as rooms steer clear of the MGM Grand, the ceilings are about 6 inches taller than my head, that's how they squeezed 5005 rooms into it! The Mirage is also very nice. (I used to work in IT for MGM/Mirage). The food and service at the Bellagio is also tops. But the rooms are high $$.
Check out the Hard Rock cafe while you are there.

Enjoy yourself, don't give too much to the casinos.

Answer 4

On my first trip to Vegas, I stayed at the Treasure Island...I LOVED IT!

I saw many shows: David Copperfield, Zoomanity, Bite, and a few more. I walked up and down the street, ate fast food and expensive fine dining food. Also went to the strip clubs, Jaguars and Spearmint Rhino. They were nice too.

Answer 5

I've stayed a few places in Vegas, and really, the best place was the Travelodge behing the Harley Davidson Cafe.
The location is perfect, and the price is awesome

Answer 6

Visit Freemont Street. The light show is a lot of fun.

Answer 7

my preferred spot is the Luxor...it's beautiful, and not over priced, but still on the strip! The Orleans is off the strip and less expensive, but I like staying on strip. Have a blast for me too!!!!!!!!