1 day in Vegas, what to do?

Question

Hi there, I'm going to LAs Vegas for one day and I have no idea what to do, the thing is that it can't be anything wild/crazy 'cause I'm going with my parents, aunt and g'ma so it has to be something for everyody to enjoy..

what kind of shows should I go? what places are there to visit?? please i need urgent help, i can't book hotels until i'm sure what to do. thanks

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

Lake Mead/Hoover dam is something to see. One day. But, not on this trip - you just dont have time for it. Let me give you a couple of suggestions. Since you'll be in town (i'm a local by the way) during christmas time -- you should know that the town is pretty 'dead' as for events & big-name entertainment. This isnt a bad thing... because traffic will be pretty light. You wont need a reservation for at least 3/4 of the high end restaurants. Buffet lines will be nada. And, pretty important, table minimums will be low! You're looking at a 4 hour drive (maybe 4.5 to 5 if you drive slow) each way. Like people mentioned - there are some awesome things to see.. such as Death Valley, etc... but time is limited. My suggestions are: Ballagio Fountains (the BEST 'free' thing to see in las vegas) Bellagio Conservatory (if you're into horticulture, and clever seasonal stuff.. this is cool, free also) Fremon St. Experience (you'll see the FSE, as well as a couple of downtown hotels.. thigns are cheaper down here in the way of food/gambling/drinks) Stratosphere Tower (the best view of them all, and they've got cooool thrill rides) Buffet (hey, you've gotta do at least one..... RIO, WYNN, BELLAGIO, ALADDIN are the best ones..... you're lookin at $23 or a bit higher for dinner, but they're fantastic) or, a Nice Restaurant ( i could go on and on) Gamble (yay) Shopping (check out FORUM SHOPS @ Caesars) See a show (there will be a few shows still in operation that week.. and, if you hit TIX4TONITE @ the fashion show mall, you can pick from about 23 shows at 1/2 price --- niiiice) The answer to your question, is YES, you can do it... you'll probably be pretty tired when you get back to L.A., but i dont think you'll have any regrets. hope this helps matthew

Answer 3

So much to do and so little time to do it in. You did not mention your age but let us assume you are over 21. You must be 21 to gamble or even to sit in a casino. For just one day book a hotel in the south end of the strip, Excalibur, Tropicana, MGM, NYNY. You will have a lot to see just in that little part of the strip. For a show that is great for family and not real expensive check out the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur. It's about 50 bucks each but it includes dinner. Be prepared for a lot of audience participation and eating dinner with out utensils. It's fun and really top notch entertainment.

To just walk the strip would be enough to do in a day but with your Gma it might not be a good idea. Stick with that corner and you can visit the M&M factory, see the lion exhibit at the MGM, visit NY city, experience ancient Egypt (though remodeling) and you can even visti Mandalay Bay.

Plan on staying longer next time .. there is just so much to see. I use to vacation here twice a year for 15 years and always had something new and exciting to see. Now I retired to here and I am more amazed at even more of what there is to experience in this valley from the natural wonders of Red rock canyon and Mt. Charleston ... to the wonders of Hoover Dam not to mention the fountains of the Bellagio. Great place to vacation.

Have fun and drink plenty of water.

Answer 4

Stay away from the comedy shows; they can be pretty raunchy. There are usually musical acts or celebrity recording artists doing shows in town. The ticket booth people can usually recommend shows that are good for all ages, all walks of life.

Then there's Hoover Dam. It's about a 45-minute drive out of Vegas and the tour is very educational and informative.

Answer 5

You Could take the tram from motel to motel. One motel has a car museum- some of the cars are for sale. And believe me, there are some times some that are newer than others, but they're all old. If you're a Star Trek fan, you could to the Star Trek Experience. There are two (rides?) you can go on, and you can go on them, as many times as you want to. You could go one of the live concerts. I suggest the Hilton. Great views outside those windows!

Answer 6

well if you are going to gamble , then there is really no sense leaving your hotel since they all have casinos. i went to for only 3 days and it still wasnt enough time to see what i wanted. but if i had to recommend one thing to absolutely do- check out the bellagio fountains in the evening. i loved it!!

found this similar question with lots of ideas
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArPrXDeuYBqfrohIzcsoepRV7hR.?qid=20070814082927AAPjDb8

Answer 7

Zoomanity is out! Mystery, lance burton, good bet for the family.

Answer 8

casino buffet and stroll to fremont street

Answer 9

Go to dinner and then take them gamblin'.I want to go!!!!