"Must see"/"Must NOT see" in Las Vegas?

Question

The hubby & I are planning a trip & were wondering what do we HAVE to see in Vegas and what do we HAVE to pass on, no matter how tempting. This will be a first trip to Vegas for both of us. We have four nights and have tickets for some things already, so we're squeezing in the rest, looking mainly for daytime excursions. Any advice about traveling to Vegas is appreciated!

Answer 1

When you go to Las Vegas these usual things you will want to see for FREE: I rated these with stars *********

1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in front 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. Simply stand on the sidewalk in front of the TI Hotel. *****

3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight. Again, just stand on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. *****

4. Go down to Fremont Street and see the light shows. 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 is like Mardi Gras parade, only suspended from the ceiling over the gambling floor. 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. This is better then the tiger habitat at the Mirage Hotel because there are usually trainers in with lions to keep them active. ***

7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy show used. This is kinda passe because the tigers rarely do anything but sit and stare. **

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. **

If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "Star Trek The Experience"; it cost about $30. *****

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 Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street which runs from the MGM to the Hilton 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 Barbary 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 to Vegas 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, current hotel shows and prices, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel. They also list hotel restaurants and buffets time sand prices.


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 $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. I aso suggest that you buy tickets online before you go, particularly if you want to see a Circ d Sol show. 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 sold on a first come basis. I 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. Clint Holmes' show at Harrahs is good but I didn't care for The Scintas at the Rio Hotel. If you like oldies, go see the show at the Sahara Hotel featuring the Drifters, Flamingos, and Coasters.


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. You can join some of these clubs online before you go.

SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island Hotel (across from the Wynn Hotel), or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south on 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 go to the food courts located in many hotels and also try one of the several Denny's restaurants on the Strip (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino). There are also a number of McDonald, Burger King, and other fast food places on the Strip. 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 also cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Fremont St hotel/casinos. 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 Caesars Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Roma’s, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one on Fremont 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. .

If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and, for those with a strong heart, three rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. 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. In addition, many hotels have an arcade area.

OTHER THINGS: (if you decide to get a rental car)

RED ROCK CANYON: Its about 20 miles west of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you canpick up that street at the north end of the Strip) It’s 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 Vegas web sites.

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

Must See In Las Vegas

Answer 3

Las Vegas is the absolute most interesting and engaging city on earth and with hotelbye you will discover out more. Nowhere otherwise in the world you will find an area that's all the vacation amenities that only a total resort location could possibly offer: lavish casino lodges, great dining, amazing stay leisure and state-of-the art convention and industry display facilities. Las Vegas happens to be a spectacular town and anything that you would assume from a world-class metropolis, and more, is below for the vacation pleasure. One of the places you need to visit in Las Vegas is the Fremont Street, a pedestrian region with a myriad of special sites.

Answer 4

FREE
Treasure Island has a pirate show
CircusCircus has hourly circus peformers
Aladdin shopping center has a fountain/fire show
Belligio has an hourly water fountain show outside
Imperial Palace has a free car show if you can find a coupon in a book. Several million dollar or 1 of a kind cars.
$20 Wax Museum is nice, but look for a 2for1 coupon
Don't go up Paris Effiel Tower
Stratosphere has a very wonderful view but a security pat down and $15? to get up.
Your better for the money shows are downtown unless you want to see a specific headliner.

Answer 5

Must See In Vegas

Answer 6

1. Daytime excursions: because getting around is slow and difficult (have you heard that the Strip is a traffic jam most of the time?) the most important way to spend your days is to sightsee. This will go slowly, but is worth it. You must see the most amazing casinos: Luxor, Caesars Palace, Venetian, New York New York, and maybe the new Planet Hollywood. Most of the trips out of town are not worth it because you won't be able to get back in time to get to those shows you very wisely got tickets for already. GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO GET ANYWHERE. One little off-Strip trip that you may want to try: the Liberace museum. Some of us loved it, but it's a taste thing.
2. Must Not See: Don't bother with the animal exhibits that various hotels have unless you REALLY like that sort of thing. They're overpriced and mostly for families. (Secret Garden, dolphins, sharks, etc.) Don't go to a Luau (no shade, crowded, overpriced) or anyplace with roller coasters. (This doesn't include motion simulator rides - I love those.) Avoid the Excalibur and Circus Circus unless you like crowds of kids. And whatever you do, don't see Viva Las Vegas (at Stratosphere). It's so cheap and tacky...ok, I kind of enjoyed it, but I had time to waste. And I'm cheap.

Answer 7

We too enjoyed the Blue Man Group; just don't leave your purse in the restaurant beforehand like I did! lol! Recovered it quickly though.

The Blue Man Group is an "experience." (A good one.) And that is afterall why we go to Vegas.

We saw a magic show and a impersonation show and enjoyed everything I did so just chose what you like and soak it all in. Have Fun.

Also, don't forget to leave yourself some time to just sit and relax by the pool. That was so very relaxing as was the couples massage at one of the Spas! (We giggled the whole time.....) Make it great!!

Answer 8

Shows that I can recommend to you are Cirque du soleil "O" and Mystere, they are both wonderful. Also the Blue Man Group is fantastic, you'll have a great time.

Show that I WOULD NEVER recommend is KA at the MGM Grand. It is really boring and so not worth the money.

Have fun!!

Answer 9

Well, one thing you need to do is get dinner reservations at Mona Mi on the patio for the evening,. prefer ed sitting as close to the sidewalk as possible to see and hear the dancing water and music from the Bellagio across the street.
Have dinner at the best[non advertised] steak/lobster restaurant in LV--The Palm. Operates by word of mouth only. It is about 50 yds away from the Celine Deon shows entrance. If dinner before show just tell them
Next if it is Free in LV avoid it--LV works on the profit motive.
Enjoy, take your water bottle with you, go slow, temperature forcast for the next 10/12 weeks daytime,100 degrees plus.

Answer 10

Go downtown to the Freemont Street Experience, at night they have a hugh light show and bands playing music.

Answer 11

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