First time going to vegas... what should be on my to do list?

will be there for a week...

Wow...a week in Vegas is about 5 days too many...be sure to pace yourself

yeah thats what I keep hearing... see someone just bimped a thread for me thanks!

theere is a thread right above this one that is all about vegas. might want to try that one!

nice, headed there Sunday!

I am flying out on the 10th and staying till the 17th

Are you going for business or a convention of some type or is it a true seven day vacation?

vacation

I've been here 2.5 years and still am not burned out!

With that long of a vacation, your going to want to do some off strip stuff. Check out the Dam, take the Red Rock scenic loop, perhaps some hiking up at Mt. Charleston or Valley of Fire.

Enjoy yourself!

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Wow...a week in Vegas is about 5 days too many...be sure to pace yourself
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*LOL* Different strokes I suppose. I go a week at a time between 6 and 8 times a year and still find I don't have enough time to do everything that I want.

No offense, but there is too much of the world to see to spend 6 weeks in Vegas a year on vacation.

I'm probably gonna stop by Vegas for a couple of days on my way out to North Dakota

Like mentioned above, spending just a week on the strip can feel like a grind. We tried it over last spring break and almost got burned out, fortunately we found hanging out in downtown Vegas is like hanging out in a completely new city and we also took the half day tour to the Hoover Dam which I also recommend.

Maybe also check out the off strip casinos like the Palms, Red Rock Casino, Rio, Hard Rock, the coasts etc.

I have gone to gamble but this next time I am going with my g/f and we are going to see a few shows.

Last year I did a mountain bike downhill course...it was a lot of fun and only took and afernoon 12-6. Make sure it during cooler weather, not the heat of the summer.

the perfect vegas trip is 7:00 pm Friday flight to, and 7:00 a.m Sunday filght back. at least it was when I was young & agile.

that's a long time to be in vegas-
go to ghost bar and rain

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Different strokes I suppose. I go a week at a time between 6 and 8 times a year and still find I don't have enough time to do everything that I want.

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1. I call BS
2. If it was true this is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

I've spent a week a couple of times and really wear down. 4 nights is about right for me.

I went for 3 days 2 years ago, and still not really ready to go back

go to the "Gun Shop". They have an indoor range and you can fire about 20 different weapons on full auto. It runs ~$50 for one gun, ~$100 for a pkg of three guns- all the way up to ~$200 for "everything on the wall" (MAC-10, MP-5, WW II Tommy Gun, WWII German Grease Gun, Uzi, BAR, SAW, M-30 Carbine, Auto Shotgun, M-16, AK-47, SWAT Sniper Rifle, etc.). My son and I went there two weeks ago and had an absolute blast. We fired about 50 rounds per gun through numerous weapons.

As the range master that worked with us said... "it's hard to have bad day when you are firing fully automatic!".

quote:

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I went for 3 days 2 years ago, and still not really ready to go back

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Last spring break I was down at the bar at 4 am having an orange juice because I couldn't sleep and had a gay bum offer to "**** me in the ass for two hundred dollars" worth of mgm grand chips. That almost ruined my vacation...did that happen to you too?






And yes, I turned the offer down

I was just there for 3 days (wife was attending a conference). I effectively don't drink, I a too poor (or a cheapskate if you prefer) to gamble, and honestly can't justifiy paying more than $50 for a show (Yes, I knew this before going). Other than enjoy the eye candy around the Mandalay Bay pool (wife's suggestion since I was somewhat bored), I wasn't overly impressed. Honestly, everything was too over the top for me. That being said, the Bellagio fountains were cool (for about 4 showings), and the rides on top of the Stratosphere were fun.--I was about tired of the handbill guys. Basic marketing, if you market pretty girls, use pretty girls, not guys that speak NO English and have few teeth.

I was just there for two days myself with some of my family. Those handbill guys were annoying as hell.

I had saved up a stash of one dollar bills and change to gamble with, money I wouldn't miss and gambled some with that. Spent the first day on the strip walking all the way up from the MGM to just past that Treasure Island place and back again. Managed to see all I wanted to see on the strip that night. There are some good looking women in Vegas, but there were a hell of a lot of overweight, over-made up girls stuffed into tight dresses.

We spent the next night downtown. No more handbill guys, which was a plus. And the crowd there was more my style--a little less image conscious. Maybe I'm getting old.

It will be a while before I go back. I'm asthmatic and some of those smokey casinos tore my lungs up. It says something that I can go a month in smoggy LA without an emergency puff from an inhaler, even out running and hiking, but in one night there I thought I was going to die.


[This message has been edited by Theo (edited 9/10/2008 2:38a).]

TXAGBQ76 - Where is this "Gun Shop" located and is that the actual name of the place... that place sounds amazing!

There are adds for the "Gun Shop" I think it's called on the top of about half the cabs when I was there last.

Things I'd do with a week.
Go see "O" again.
Go see Jersey Boys
Go see "The Rat Pack"
Go see Trent Caluchi(sp) at the Sahara as Elvis.
Go see Danny Gains.
Go see Terry Fainter.
Go see Blueman or Phatom of the Opera

Eat a Postrio's at the Venitian
Eat at the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn
Eat at Hugos Cellar in the Four Queens downtown and spend a little time down there.

Spend some time in Ceasars, both casino and shopping mall. Great Chinese place there owned by Wolfgan Puck...but can't remember the name right off.

Just do the tour of the spectaculars. Bellagio, Paris, Luxor, Madalay Bay, MGM Grand...don't have to spend a lot of time, just a walkthrough.

Got time and money...Helo tour of the Grand Canoyn with a nightime flight down the strip...awesome!

Got even more time? Take a trip out to the "Chicken Ranch" "ho house" an take the tour. Get interesting souvineres at the gift shop. (You don't have to avail yourself of it's other delights.)BTW, take in the WORLDS LARGEST Souveneir store down across from the Sahara.

A visit over to the Hilton, (some pretty good gambling to be had) and touch the statue of Elvis for a little luck. Think they are ending the Star Trek thing, but it's OK.

Drop by the Flamingo, get grossed out by the pink lights in the casino and take a tour out to the Monument for Bugsy Segal by the pool.

Possibly even go to the Emperial Palace, go up to the 6th floor I think it is and see the collection of really neat old cars...very good.

Go over to the Palms and play a few "friendly slots" and maybe pay the cover to go up to the "Playboy" casino.

Take in the Rio, although I think they have done away with the Festival in the Sky, but have a couple of good Buffets...Oh, go up to the Voodoo Lounge, great nite time view of Vegas, as well as the Ghost Bar at Palms.

BTW, if your a Buffet guy, try the one at the Bellagio, or if your there on Sunday, the Steriling Brunch at Bally's is a must.

Got more time? A trip out to the Red Rock can be fun.

My Favorite??? Just to sit in the Wynn and gamble and sit in my room overlooking the Golf Course and watch those crazy folks out there playing golf on that beautiful course. And if you're staying there and have an extra $500, play a round yourself.

Just have the sort of fun that appeals to you, cause there is simply something for everyone in Vegas.

[This message has been edited by NITESIDE (edited 9/10/2008 11:38a).]

Niteside,

is that wolfgang resteraunt named Spago's by any chance? The g/f wants to go next time we go, never heard of it before yesterday.

Also, is sterling brunch still open at bally's? heard they closed it

The name of the gun place is called "The Gun Shop"- it off the strip, but I cannot remember the address. We picked up a brochure at the condo we stayed at and got $5 off with their coupon. I bet every hotel has those brochures- and it was a blast (no pun intended).

There is also a pretty cool indoor go-cart track that has fast carts- basically they will run as fast as you can handle them through the race course. They advertise NASCAR guys come and race there when in town. We had fun there too.

If you want to spend money on a show, I highly recommend the Blue Man Group. We have seen their show twice now and enjoyed it both times.

texican...It's something like Chin-waas. (pronounced, but not spelled that way.) great potsickers and mango tea. Sit on the patio at floor level of the Forum Shops and watch the people go by. Great for lunch.

I don't know about the Sterling. I know there has been talk about Harrah's, the new owners who are now owned by new owners tearing the whole of Bally's down, but haven't heard that the Sterling closed. Could do a quick check on their website. Same for the Puck place at the Forum Shops.

I think every cab in the city can get you to the Gun Shop. Not kidding, I think I saw it's add on 5 outa ever ten cabs I saw.

Oh, oh, one of the best shows I ever saw in Vegas was David Copperfield over at the MGM. Thought I'd hate it, but THE GUY IS AMAZING! Get a booth near the stage and get blown away by his act.

niteside,

I have enjoyed reading your posts over the months and have started finding old theads to pass time till my next trip. you have to be the most informative non-local on this board in regards to lv!

just out of curiousity though...how much do you play a hand at bj or per pull at slots? pretty much do you go to play any at all or just for the shows, food, etc?

texican...I'm pretty much one of the really stupid people. I play the majority slots and video poker. When I do play BJ, I play the $25 tables, quickly lose my bankrolll and back to the slots..lol. I like a little roulett also. Fairly easy game to manage your money at if you know the rules, which aren't hard.
Don't understand craps...waaaay to complicated for me.
In general, I'm there to gamble and have nailed down the rate of play and amounts the casinos LIKE to see. Managing your money, based on the casinos rating of play is the key. Frankly, it's been years since I paid for room, meals or shows. Leaves all my money for gambling. I never stay at the cut-rate places as the BIG BOYS are just as eggar to get you in a chair as the little guys and well,,,man, some of those places are awesome.

This has a two edged affect. One it's gets all the goodies for free and two, it offers me the opportunity to HIT SOMETHING BIG...which I wouldn't have if I wasn't playing.

Over the years I've been fortunate on most trips to hit something big enough that I'm generally playing on their money for the whole trip. I may lose everything I gained, but again...I still have the chance to hit big.

My general cost for a trip to Vegas are only the price of the air ticket and a few times I've gotten them to pay for it.

But, there have been disasters. Trips where I've lost thousands and didn't come close to making it up in Comps. Fortunately, those are few. I generally get my year end statement from the casinos, "Win-Loss" and to tell the truth...me and Vegas are about even, with ME having the benifit of great shows, great rooms, great food and a couple of pretty large jackpots. I set my limits as to how much I'll lose and with but a few exceptions have always stuck to it. So, I've found getting a little "buzz on" is OK, but if you get drunk you're going to lose your ass.

I keep my gambling to ONE CASINO on a trip...the one I'm staying at. Unless I spot another I wish to try out for a future stay, I go and get their Players Card and drop a little cash in over there for future offers.

Although I'm a BIG MGM guy (I think their Comp system is the friendliest to players) I have pretty much settled down at the WYNN. Just like the feel of the place.

For me, a drink in hand, pretty waitresses, lots of people to look at, kicked back at a mindless slot maching for two 3 hour sessions a day is heaven. Everything else that comes with that sort of play is the gravy.

All that said, if I'm really just looking to gamble, have a nice place to stay, decent shows and some great resturants...I go to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, MS....can't be beat in my view. Wouldn't be caught dead in the rest of the the Casinos in Miss. and LA though. Esp. N.O., where they don't play "Vegas Rules" and frankly, as far as I can tell, don't play any rules.

really like your posts as well niteside....thanks for sharing....

you say you sit down for 3 hour sessions, but what dollar amounts per pull do you use at the machines?

See "O."

Hit the Rhino.

Go to Rehab.

If you are going to gamble to actually try to win, the only games to play are blackjack, craps and baccarat. Those offer the lowest house advantages (although I would assume war is decent since it's basically 50/50 no matter what).

If you play slots then you need to wager the high amounts (i.e. 9 lines 10 bet or whatever) in order to get the full payback. Chances are slim but you'd feel pretty dumb if you won $1000 instead of $1000000 because you didn't wager the full amount.


Also, I don't know if the earlier question was answered, but Spago's is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant and it's in the middle of the forum shops, by the fountain area.

just got back from a week trip. planet hollywood.

took 1,000 in cash and came back with 1,216.

played blackjack the whole time for the first time ever. (usually just play craps and poker)

found the best buffet. it's downtown at Main Street Casino and it's only like ten bucks. on tuesday it's t-bone night with a t-bone made to order with your meal. they brew their own beer as well at the 777 brewery. EXCELLENT beer.

bleh.


[This message has been edited by CoolaidWade (edited 9/13/2008 7:16p).]