We're headed there for the first time, and we want to know what we must do and what's overrated and overpriced.

I'll go ahead and save some of you the trouble - we're not going to any topless shows, etc. We want to see the sights, have a few drinks, and enjoy some time without the kiddos.

Fremont Street in old downtown Vegas:

pretty much just start walking the strip and go in each hotel. You might Circus Circus for sure. I can't remember exactly what they have in there for kids...

Aggiemommy--Vegas is my ultimate escape and my "home away from home". Absolutely love it! I'm heading out there for the 5th time this year next month. When will you be there? Where are you staying?

Perhaps if you give me a little more information on you & hubby and your interests, I can steer you towards something you might both enjoy.

Wow! Thanks AggieGirl. We are going on July 10 and staying for three nights at the Venetian. We've decided that it's probably best for our budget to see just one major show, and my husband wants to see Cirque de Soleil (sp?). We will also visit the hotel spa for massages, because what's a vacation without massages?

We'll probably gamble some and sit by the pool some. I'm entertaining suggestions for little things we should make sure we see or do while we're there. Also, aside from very little gambling on a cruise ship once, I've never been to a casino. Any tips for that experience would be helpful, too.

Awesome! You're going to love the Venetian...absolutely beautiful. The lounge is a fun place to wind down and enjoy a drink. Also the mexican place there has pretty good mojitos. The Grande Lux is a great place to grab a bite..warning though, the portions are HUGE.

For your first Cirque show, I'd recommend Mystere. Unless you are both big Beatles fans, then I'd recommend LOVE.

I wouldn't plan too much. There's so much to see and do. Also, bring the most comfortable shoes you own. Even though the casinos look close together, they aren't! *LOL* For a first time, I would just enjoy exploring all the hotels/casinos you can. The first must see is the fountains at Bellagio.

Also, if you haven't already, I recommend you spend some time reading some of the various Vegas message boards. Ironically, that's how I found this place. I believe the two best ones for info are lasvegastalk.com and vegasmessageboard.com/forums

As your time gets near, don't hesitate to ask more questions. You're going to have a great time! Good luck!

I 2nd the Beatles show - even if you aren't Beatles fans. However, it's not as "Cirque" as most performances are. That being said, I highly recommend "O". It's one of the classics!

Also, take advantage of the Monorail when you can. It will save on walking time! http://www.lvmonorail.com/

The pool, spa, and eating are the BEST things to do.

Definitley walk the casinos since you've never been. But I wouldn't waste to much time there - there is so much more to Vegas than gambling!

And definitley think about where you want to eat. Vegas is by far the best place for resturants and they have some of the top rated in the country!

Go to the forums at fatwallet.com and read up on the $20 trick at the hotel desk to get a free upgrade for your room. It's worked 4/5 times for me.

I never get these threads. What to do in Vegas? Gamble. Golf? Shows? Food? Pools/Spas? Drinks? I can do that stuff at home. If you want a break from gambling, go see Hoover Dam, it's about the only MUST see thing out there.

Bet $100 on black as soon as you can and definitely the first bet you make.

If you win; it's a good trip. If you don't.... well there is always next time.

Phantom of the Opera at The Venetian was the highlight of my trip last year.

carnaval court bar next to harrah's

Walton - if you can see Vegas shows and get massages at your house, I need to know what subdivision you live in. And how much are your homeowners dues?

Take your hubby to the Ghost Bar and let him check out the ummmm...architecture.
Go early so you can get in:-)

i really have to say that the shopping is really good. i've always found pretty good deal on clothes and such at the Fashion Mall, as well as the outlet mall that is just north of the strip, about...2-3 miles?

I stayed at the Paris hotel and saw Mystere years ago and loved both. I agree that you should just walk and look at all the hotels, they are amazing.

Also, you can go to the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel and get pretty cool views of the strip. We did it at night so it was cool with all the lights.

take time to check out the bellagio water show...try it at night..it's not as hot...and IMO it looks better

there is also a cheap comedy show every night at the tropicana...everytime we go to vegas we go..it's usually like $20-30 and pretty funny

Cirque Du Soleil - Mystere without a doubt. We saw "O" our last trip and didn't enjoy it nearly as much as Mystere.

Learn Craps at Casino Royale's $3 table. Definitely a blast!

If you need a getaway from the crowds and lights, head out to Red Rock Canyon just west of town. It's full of great scenery and short hikes along a 13 mile drive.

As silly as it sounds, we loved riding the roller coaster at New York, New York. It was really neat at night to see everything all lit up. I also recommend the Bellagio water show at night, its beautiful.

All the shows and most of the resturants at the Venitian are great. Perosnally, I'd see Jersey Boys, but Phantom and Blueman are great also.

The best show in town to me is "O" over at Belagio, which you need to vist anyhow. I loved the Elvis guy (Trent something?) down at the Shara(don't bother going there for anything else...slimy)

The Wynn is a good place to vist and the SW Steakhouse is to my mind the best in Vegas. it's my favorite in Vegas...like the atmosphere.

I like some of the off strip places, esp. Palms, Orleans, Rio and Red Rock. Great views of the Strip at night can be had from all of those but Red Rock.

Downtown if fun to just hangout, walk under the Freemont Experince thing...Great free Saxaphone show and other artist hang out there. Check out "Hugo's Cellar" in the Four Queens...excellant. Gold Nugget is good for some short-short gambling. Keep your wallet in your front pocket and your hand in that pocket.

But, just get out at night and walk the Strip, maybe take a cab down to Luxor( very cool) and Mandalay Bay(OK Great Bar in center of casino), come up to MGM(David Copperfield...fantastic show) and NYNY( intersting, but see others first), wander up to Planet Hollywood( again see others first), Paris( interesting but see others first) and Bellagio(a must), Must go to Caesars(everyone has to go at least once in their lives)...skip Harrahs and Imperial Palace and all the trash dives on that side of the street, maybe see some Treasure Island if you have time and Mirage fun also.

Unless your staying there with kids, I see no reason to go the Circus Circus...a dump.
But, if you just want to relax, enjoy a fine hotel, messages, great resturants and food...frankly, you don't even have to leave the Venetian.

Oh, Oh, almost forgot... singing impressionest Danny Ganns at Mirage and singing impressioist ventrilquist Terry Fanter at Caesars....both KILLER SHOWS.

[This message has been edited by NITESIDE (edited 8/7/2008 9:16a).]

just relax. All the shopping is nice, but it can get VERY tiring. Treat yourself to dinner everynight and have a "dining" experience for 3 hours. Going to all the casinos is overrated. They are all the same.

Blue Man Group is awesome.

Who dug this thread up from the depths???

WHO DUG THIS THREAD UP FROM THE DEPTHS? booya.

I didn't realize it was old until almost the end. Today I would add renting a car and driving out to the dam just to see the new bridge. Awesome. Actually, the dam tour is still pretty cool.

But I do like the tables.

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I also recommend the Bellagio water show at night, its beautiful.

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[This message has been edited by HollywoodBQ (edited 8/25/2011 5:43a).]