Vegas in December

2,227 Views | 24 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by aggiespartan
Your Mom And Them
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Heading to Vegas for a week in December for 20th Anniversary trip. Taking in a George Strait concert and staying at the Bellagio. Never been to Vegas, so everything will be new to us. What are the things we must do while in Vegas and what do we need to stay away from? Also, we're foodies, so what are some places that we need to go eat?
Bulldog73
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AG
I love Vegas in December, it really seems like a lot of the muck people really hate about Vegas gets cleaned up some. On the strip, you're fine generally, but I wouldn't go wandering around off the strip too much.

My wife and I really enjoy just seeing the different casinos/hotel lobbies a lot. Bellagio has a cool indoor arboretum worth seeing. Of course the fountains are cool to see, but it's a short show. Mirage has a dolphin habitat and has some cats that's pretty cool and was one of my wife's favorite things. Oh and Venetian is cool, it's an uncanny feeling of being outside while being inside.

We rode the high roller around sunset, and it gave a really cool view of the strip. I think Groupon has coupons for them, and they have open bar trips on there that can be fun.

Be sure to spend an hour on Freemont street in the evening to see that light show.

As far as food goes, we've typically eaten a lot cheaper than many who go. We took an Uber off strip for some pho at a place called Pho Kim Long, it was really good and a good price. We've also taken an Uber to Peppermill. It's a place with a 70s/80s vibe, portions were big and food was pretty good. We had our somewhat nicer meal at Wolfgang Puk Bar and Grill in the MGM Grand. Food was solid, but it's certainly not a fancy/amazing place like a classic Bouchon or something. We also ate at Strip Burger and the food was great, despite a hobo yelling at us.

Again, we're pretty cheap and just go to see the sights and lights, but we've really enjoyed going. I can try to help with specific questions some too.
lazuras_dc
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AG
Depends what yall are into. Definitely see the arboretum in Bellagio, to check out Wynn/Cosmo for nice upscale lobby/casino.

Personally my favorite things I have done in Vegas over many years of going...

1) Eat dinner at Top of The World at Stratosphere
2) Helicopter tour of Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam
3) Cirque shows O and Ka
4) Wynn buffet (for me still better than buffets at Caesars, cosmo - which are top rated)
5) Marquis Day Club Pool party (not option in December)

If wanting to go off strip, old Vegas Freemont street is worth checking out. Sushi Neko off strip is good all you can eat sushi. Truffles and Bacon cafe has an absolutely amazing burger (better than you get on strip IMO)
SW AG80
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What kind of food. Several good Italian food places. Food is great in LV but pricey.
BSD
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For Thai, visit both Chada Thai & Wine and Lotus of Siam.
JP76
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If you have a rental, make the short drive to MT Charleston and have some drinks and eat at the lodge on the mountain.


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g45963-d6956206-Reviews-Mt_Charleston_Lodge_Restaurant-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
Your Mom And Them
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We like all types of food. Italian, Mexican, Seafood....doesn't matter. Any suggestions on the buffets in Vegas?

We have a week there, so we have plenty of meals to plan out.

Gonna do some of the touristy stuff, as well. Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, maybe Zion National Park are all on the To-Do list while we are there. Any other places outside of Vegas that we need to go check out?
Bulldog73
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AG
Generally, the buffet quality isn't that good. I've eaten at 2-3, but none have been that impressive that I'd recommend it. Be aware there are two different locations of the Grand Canyon, one is the South Rim, which is what most think of when they think of the Grand Canyon, it's about a 4 hour drive away. There's also a West Rim that's about 2 hours away. We drove all the way to the South Rim, but it was so dense in fog, you truly couldn't see anything, which made for a long day of driving with little pay off.

I've heard great things about Zion, Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon, but we haven't been able to make it to any of those yet. With a week, you can probably see a few of those without a problem.

For shows, we've seen O, Ka, and Blue Man Group, of which O was probably the most impressive.
Ham Slice MRE
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Bulldog73 said:

Generally, the buffet quality isn't that good. I've eaten at 2-3, but none have been that impressive that I'd recommend it.

The higher end buffets are pretty good if you are into buffets but you are going to pay $50+ per person for dinner. Wynn, Caesars, Aria and I'm sure a few other are on that level. For my money there are too many great options in Vegas to waste it on buffets.
SW AG80
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For Italian, Piero's is old Vegas. Really good food. Still owned and run by the mafia, it appears. Some mobsters have actually been arrested out of there. Think one was even shot and killed in the parking lot back in the '90s. Google it. Pretty far south on the strip is Bootlegger's Bistro. It, too, is old Vegas. Very good food. Piero's is closer so more convenient. Every now and then run in to Hollywood or old Vegas entertainers in Piero's. There is also an Italian place in The Mirage that does not get a lot of talk, but it has the best Italian food I have had in Vegas, and some of the best any where. Their osso bucco is the best I have ever had. Their meatballs are really good with marinara sauce made by a 75 year old woman who has been making it for various eateries in Vegas for decades.

LOTS of GREAT steak place. Joe's Stonecrabs and Steaks in the Forum Shops attached to Caesar's is my wife's favorite. You have to work to find a bad steak in Vegas.
Aggiemike96
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Your Mom And Them said:

Vegas for a week
Rent a car and escape for a day or two. Trust me.
Aggie
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^ what he said
I love Vegas.. But a whole week.

Nope
Keeper of The Spirits
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Nobu, the Asian place at the Wynn, egg****, milkbar, and chandelier bar are good starts
Wicked Good Ag
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Echo the sentiments of a couple to get out of Vegas maybe drive out to Hoover Dam or even Utah for some national parks. As for our favorites we loved Le Reve water cirque show over Ka by a huge margin.
A friend goes every year for the World Series of Poker and he hits up the pinball museum for some fun during the day because hot as **** in July. But won't be that way in December

As for meals we liked Mon Ami Gabi across from the Bellagio fountains and also Hugo Cellar in Fremont street. As for a meal after a drinking binge try Hash House a Go Go near the High Roller

MaroonDynasty
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Trip advisor, pick any of the top 30 steakhouses and go. Cosmopolitan is the best hotel on the strip right now, and you are right next to it at the Bellagio. Go to some of the bars at Paris, Harrahs for some good fun and music. MGM has a new horse betting game called Fortune Cup; spend a couple hours on that after going to see Ka.

Also you are going for a week so get out of town for a day and have a spa day too. Vegas wears on you after the 3rd day.
Matsui
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If you need to get out and do a little walking and driving do the 13 mile Red Rock drive.. Its beautful. It is just west of the city. Also, a place called Springs Preserve is just off strip 5-6 miles and is a neat and clean place to see Nevada history. They did a great job with this.
Mudcat
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Take a tour of Death Valley National Park. It is spectacular.
BoDog
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Vegas is a two day town. God help me if I ever had to spend a week there...
aggiespartan
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Make reservations. Restaurants that time of year will fill up.

I disagree with everyone telling you Vegas is a two day town. We spend 5-7 days there a year and have fun every time.
BEaggie08
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AG
I'm going in 13 days if anyone has any current input. I have looked at several of the links. Some have some decent info, but others seem to not be very current. For instance, I am staying at Aria, but it isn't included in some of the links in the big Vegas thread.

I'll start working my way backwards through that thread, but if you have any advice or recommendations, I'm all ears.

We'll be there 11/19 (4;00 pm) - 11/22 (5:00 pm). Have tickets to Blue Man on the 19th and Cirque (KA) on the 20th. We have monorail tickets for 2 days. I figure we'll spend a lot of time checking out the various casinos/hotels.
Ham Slice MRE
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I stayed there two weeks ago. What do you want to know?
BEaggie08
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I've never been. What were your thoughts on the hotel? How is the buffet at the hotel? - (we got 2 free buffets with the room) Anything about that property that is a must see/do? Favorite places to eat/gamble while you were in town? What were the highlights of your trip?
Ham Slice MRE
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I have been a ton of times so I am passed the sightseeing all the casinos stage but Aria is my home base and I have stayed there about 5 or 6 times.

I like the sportsbook. If this is your thing sign up for the mlife mobile app to fund your account. That way you can avoid the lines come game time.

The spa is a big hit with the wife and I hate to admit but I enjoy it too. Good for recovery.

I can't comment on the buffet since I have only been once years ago but there is always a line. Carbone is a old school style Italian joint that is really good, although pricey. All of the restaurants at Aria have been top notch. The new pizza place by the sportsbook sells by the slice, which is good late.

Casino is good, table minimums will be above average for the strip but the drink service is quick.

If you can get an upgrade on your room, do it, especially if you can get into the SkySuites.
aggiespartan
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Agree with this on the Sky Suites. We got married at Aria in 2014. It was very nice. We typically stay at Cosmo (and are going on Friday). Both are upscale and kind of hip. You can very easily walk to other casinos with lower limits.

We weren't too impressed with the Aria buffet. The buffets at Cosmo and Caesars are better in our opinions.
BEaggie08
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Great to know. Thanks guys. I assume we'll go ahead and eat the buffet since it's included. Maybe we'll just do it for breakfast or something. Let me know if you think of anything else. I'll try to get upgraded to Sky Suites. Wondering if I should call ahead or try at the desk when I get there. I booked through Southwest Vacations.
aggiespartan
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If you are looking to save a few bucks here and there, check out groupon. We got a groupon for Mr. Chow at Caesar's, and I know there is also a groupon for Bacchanal (the Caesar's buffet. We are trying some new restaurants out this time, so when we get back, I'll give you a few reviews.
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