The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Planning a weekend at Las Vegas. Help?
Armoroc
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Planning a trip to Vegas for the weekend before Thanksgivng weekend (want to spend turkey day with the family 
) Its going to be 3 full days spent with my girlfriend and she has never been there before. We don't drink at all so that rules out visiting bars and the like (unless there's something special about a particular place). Gambling... not the focus of our trip, but it sure would be fun to check out every once in a while just to try our luck.
What I have in mind are sight seeing in the strip. Catching a couple shows. Checking out the various attractions in the casinos.
We'll be on foot so I am not sure of about going outside of the area of the strip.
Also on a budget so we are planning our trip now so we can save up for when we go. I think we are good on finding a hotel on or near the strip because an uncle of mine will help us with that.
Any cool/awesome activities?
Any romantic spots?
Cool clubbing/dance places? (I'm a terrible dancer :P but I really want to try it out)
All ideas appreciated so I can run them by my girlfriend and plan this together.
Can we enjoy the strip and only the strip for three full days? Or will we come up short with the experience?
) Its going to be 3 full days spent with my girlfriend and she has never been there before. We don't drink at all so that rules out visiting bars and the like (unless there's something special about a particular place). Gambling... not the focus of our trip, but it sure would be fun to check out every once in a while just to try our luck.What I have in mind are sight seeing in the strip. Catching a couple shows. Checking out the various attractions in the casinos.
We'll be on foot so I am not sure of about going outside of the area of the strip.
Also on a budget so we are planning our trip now so we can save up for when we go. I think we are good on finding a hotel on or near the strip because an uncle of mine will help us with that.
Any cool/awesome activities?
Any romantic spots?
Cool clubbing/dance places? (I'm a terrible dancer :P but I really want to try it out)
All ideas appreciated so I can run them by my girlfriend and plan this together.
Can we enjoy the strip and only the strip for three full days? Or will we come up short with the experience?
0
Posts
http://www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org/
What are you looking for in shows? My wife and I both really like Phantom of the Opera and seeing it at The Venetian where the theatre itself is made FOR the show.
http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/las-vegas
I recommend catching Zarkana or O if you can. I just saw Zarkana and it was pretty great. I've been wanting to see O for years so that's next on my list.
Apparently the Hoover Dam is travelable and a pretty awesome sight, but you may need to rent a car.
I moved here about a month ago and I'm still not over the fact that it's hot and I hate heat.
O is, without hyperbole, the coolest thing I've ever seen. The Grand Canyon is pretty cool too, but you need to plan a day or two for that.
Nintendo Network ID - PirateLuigi 3DS: 3136-6586-7691
G&T Grass Type Pokemon Gym Leader, In-Game Name: Dan
The Star Trek experience was pretty cool too if you are of that sort, and there are several different cirque du soleil shows going too, if you are into that.
* Pool Parties/Lounging by the hotel pool - $ (typically, included in the cost of your hotel, if there is a "VIP" pool/party, you might have to pay extra for entry).
* Buffets are everywhere - The newer hotels provide a gourmet experience, but there are off strip places that are p. tasty too.
* Day Spas are in basically every hotel - From $$ to $$$$
* Helicopter Tour of the Grand Canyon - $$$$ (~$400-$500 per person, but is super romantic; I mean the romance on the bachelor/bachelorette is real right? - rhetorical, please do not answer)
* I haven't been to it yet, but the Fremont Street Experience might be a worth while site - If you're there in the later part of the year, SlotZilla might be open on the far north strip - there's supposed to be a zipline there.
* Have some extra cash reserved for a Romantic Dinner/Show on Saturday Night - Before booking or when you check into hotel, talk to the concierge service about setting up a romantic dinner and show. Usually the hotels on the strip are p. good about getting you a decent experience (because that's what Vegas is all about, It's Vegas, Baby!.
* If you're wanting to go to a "Club" DO NOT TAKE THE STREET PROMOTERS STUFF, the pass they give you might work, it might not work, or it will lead you to a sketchy strip club off strip... - Instead, again, talk to your concierge, about the club in the hotel you're staying. - Be warned, there are dress codes for the clubs, so don't show up in jeans and a t-shirt.
Gambling
1) North strip has the better minimum buy-ins, but more "legacy" style hotels.
2) South strip during the late morning/early afternoon will sometimes have low minimum bet tables depending on the casino (the newer the casino, the less likely it is to find a table for less than a $10 minimum bet at all times).
@Zepherin - the Star Trek experience is no more - closed in 2008 or so; That Hilton isn't a Hilton anymore, too, it's the "LVH" owned by I don't know who. Also, got mugged there a couple years ago, good times.
Final note[1], if you see the prostitute trading-card/magazine people all lined up in a row, take a magazine from the person at one end of the line, and as you pass by the last person, try slapping (you'll see) and handing back the pamphlet. Good times, good times.
[1] No, do not actually try this.
In summary, if it is your first time to Vegas, you'll have plenty to do, just ask the concierge.
Also, Clark County (where Vegas is) is actually one of the few places in Nevada where prostitution is illegal (as of 2012, I think). So if you guys are looking for a paid third or something you'll have to leave the county.
Also, my favorite part of my last Vegas vacation that didn't involve drinking was dune buggies. So awesome.
I've been to Las Vegas before, but with the family. I would be at the mercy of my parents and where they wanted to go pretty much. This trip is going to be the first time that I will be able to make my own decisions (alongside my girlfriend too!).
For shows.... Cirque du Soleil is definitely on the list of to do things. Love, O, and Zarkana!! I would have to choose one from those three because I know ticket prices are pretty steep. Especially for the cooler shows.
As for the phantom... isn't that over?
I was thinking that if we take our time that yeah... We can stay on the strip... and fremont street! Completely forgot about that!! Yes! Definitely going there
@zepherin I was thinking of just walking, but maybe I should take your advice. Don't want to tire ourselves too quickly. If we do though it would be a good excuse to hit the pools
Has anyone here been to the top of the Stratosphere and dined at the restaurant on top? I really really want to get a table by a window. Does Vegas get sunsets around 8 pm? Can't remember...
As for going out of the Las Vegas area to visit the other cool places that are near there... probably for another trip.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=127&month=11&year=2013&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1
1. Get a hotel on the Strip. Any of them, but do not stay off-strip (or in the north strip where the Circus Circus / Rivera / Stratosphere are), as the time you'll waste walking to the strip will outweigh any money you save.
2. My favourite exhibit was the Bodies Exhibit at the Luxor. If you and your girlfriend are in any way science-minded, it's well worth it.
3. My favourite show was David Copperfield. Who doesn't like a magic show by the best magician alive today? Also, he uses a lot of volunteers from the audience, so you or your girlfriend might get lucky! I did
I've been up to the lounge there. Very breathtaking views (you can actually see where Vegas ends because of the lights at night.
Look for the discount ticket brokers for both shows and meals. This will help you save some money. You can also check out the Buffet of Buffets offer (single price for 24 hour buffet access.)
The Amazing Jonathan still has a show in vegas and it's fantastic. It's pricey, even at the cheap tickets booths it's still $70 a person but he puts on a good show, even if it is a little dated (If you ever saw his comedy central special it's a lot of the same routine)
I've never been to a bad all you can eat buffet in a Vegas casino....
Phantom was AMAZING. It's a shortened version of the original, it's only like 1.25 hours vs the 2+ it was on Broadway, and it's just fantastic. When we went they were actually pretty empty so we had nosebleed seats and the ushers moved us up to like the 10th row.
I have many, many photos at the wax museum where I boxed against Ali, gave both Nick Cage and Chris Angel the bird, and had some intimate moments with Sarah Michelle Gellar (as Buffy)
When we went the P&T show was on hiatus for a month so we missed it but I hear it's great as well.
If you do want to gamble, check out Bill's on the strip, by the Flamingo. They've got cheap tables and it's a really small casino so you don't get as caught up in "what time is it, and why is my shirt gone and my bank account cleaned out" casino hijinks.
The Venetian is not only a badass casino built for the Phantom show, it's also a freaking AMAZING mall with art stores that feature 50K+ paintings and a store with a bunch of first edition books and civil war and colonial war documents for sale in glass cases, etc. It's cool to just walk into the stores, and everyone knows that no one is going to buy that stuff so they're all really friendly about showing you around.
For free shows there's always the fountains at the Bellagio and the pirate show at Treasure Island. Those are both solid entertainment.
I'd say the Excalibur is the furthest out you want to be, hotel wise. We stayed there once and had a room overlooking New York and the MGM and it was nice. Also the MGM is a really fucking nice casino and just fun to walk through.
Also ride the roller coaster at New York. I don't like the two that just hold you out over the skycraper, but the actual coaster at New York is awesome, and it's only about $20 a person, and lets out right next to a Nathan's Hot Dogs, so BONUS.
Valley of Fire is sort of on the way to/from Hoover dam. Red Rock is west of town. Valley of Fire has sandstone formations and some petroglyphs, gravel or dirt roads and do it yourself viewing. Red Rock has a visitors center, paths with plants and such marked out, plus sandstone formations and other stuff. Hoover dam has a tour, but last time I went they didn't let you on the turbine generator floor any more.
I have heard that the road near the dam has a TSA/DHS checkpoint, so can be congested.
I am still a big fan of Mystere by Cirque Du Soleil.
Back in June one of the original cast members died after falling off the rotating stage.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/cast-member-cirque-du-soleils-ka-dies-after-fall-during-performance
It was pretty terrible. She didn't die instantly, she was screaming from below the stage. It was not the first death of a Cirque performer, but it was the first death during a live performance.
Just to offer a counterpoint, I saw Zarkana and didn't think that much of it. Don't get me wrong, the acrobatic feats were amazing, but I felt like it didn't flow well and wasn't that engaging and it eventually left me feeling a little confused and bored. I started dozing off at one point. I read some reviews and wish I had checked out O instead. I heard they cut the grand finale from Ka after the accident so it's not as good anymore.
If you're not from a desert/mountain climate, just take a drive, maybe even some pictures. redrockcanyonlv.org/
I'd suggest allocating some time to wander around the casinos to stare at the spectacle.
Staying on the strip was fun, but walking for 15 minutes from the parking lot to your room got old, especially carrying anything. The last night there we stayed in a hotel right next to the airport and while it wasn't as nice as some of the ones on the strip, it was clean, comfortable, and you didn't have to walk through a football field of slots to get to the elevator. We were in and out of the room quickly, and the drive to the airport was easy. This doesn't sound like much, but when you're exhausted from squeezing in so much (including a trip to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon), it was nice to just get it done quickly and not drive on the strip.
This so hard. I think these guys blow Copperfield out of the water.
If you get stripped out, I highly recommend hitting Chinatown for late night food/Vietnamese coffee/Korean bbq.
I host a podcast about movies.