Viva Las Vegas

#1
volmanbill

volmanbill

The future is bright
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#1
I'm headed for my first visit to Vegas in a couple weeks and thought I'd see what some of you Vegas veterans would suggest. I'll be there for 8 nights. 4 with my daughter (celebrating 50 and 21) and 4 with a lady friend. Staying at Treasure Island. Plan on a Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon day, a trip to the Fremont Street area, The Linq, Gold and Silver Pawn shop, Penn and Teller and dinner at Gordon Ramsay Steak. The coaster on top of the Stratosphere sounds cool too.

What are some of your favorites? Is there a good sports book to find some interesting future odds on the Vols and CFB? (Hello Gerry McIlroy)
 
#2
#2
volmanbill said:
I'm headed for my first visit to Vegas in a couple weeks and thought I'd see what some of you Vegas veterans would suggest. I'll be there for 8 nights. 4 with my daughter (celebrating 50 and 21) and 4 with a lady friend. Staying at Treasure Island. Plan on a Hoover Dam/Grand Canyon day, a trip to the Fremont Street area, The Linq, Gold and Silver Pawn shop, Penn and Teller and dinner at Gordon Ramsay Steak. The coaster on top of the Stratosphere sounds cool too.

What are some of your favorites? Is there a good sports book to find some interesting future odds on the Vols and CFB? (Hello Gerry McIlroy)
Click to expand...

Check out the Sports Book at Caesar's Palace. Best one on the strip, IMO.
 
#3
#3
I recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon which is just outside Vegas, not far at all. I highly recommend The Valley of Fire which is about 45min outside of Vegas. If you can't do both of these then choose the Valley of Fire.

Definitely need to check out the fountain at the Bellagio, a night time view from the sidewalk/street out in front is one of the best views imo. Be sure and do Freemont St. at night so you can catch the laser show.

Loved just walking through the different hotels to see how they were decorated and themed. There are attractions in just about every hotel some of which are FREE. The inside of the Venetian was spectacular. The Shark Reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a great one to check out too.

Even if you're not a big gambler there is endless stuff to do in Vegas.

Las Vegas Must See / To Do List. Best Things to see in Las Vegas
 
#4
#4
DC_Vol said:
Check out the Sports Book at Caesar's Palace. Best one on the strip, IMO.
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Will do. Thanks.

coug said:
I recommend visiting Red Rock Canyon which is just outside Vegas, not far at all. I highly recommend The Valley of Fire which is about 45min outside of Vegas. If you can't do both of these then choose the Valley of Fire.

Definitely need to check out the fountain at the Bellagio, a night time view from the sidewalk/street out in front is one of the best views imo. Be sure and do Freemont St. at night so you can catch the laser show.

Loved just walking through the different hotels to see how they were decorated and themed. There are attractions in just about every hotel some of which are FREE. The inside of the Venetian was spectacular. The Shark Reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay is a great one to check out too.

Even if you're not a big gambler there is endless stuff to do in Vegas.

Las Vegas Must See / To Do List. Best Things to see in Las Vegas
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I'll have a car so the day trips will be easy to make. I've heard the marquee on Fremont is pretty spectacular at night too.

I'll gamble a little but want to see some shows. So far I "picked" Penn and Teller and my daughter chose Britney Spears. :huh: I have also heard O at the Bellagio is the best Cirque show in town.
 
#5
#5
If you have a car and like BBQ, I'd suggest John Mull's Road Kill cafe. It's fantastic.

The pinball museum is cool and most all work.

Pawn shop is tiny, but worth stopping by for a few minutes.

P&T is a great show. Seen it a couple times.

There's a few theaters in the Planet Hollywood Miracle Mile shopping area. They have some good shows on Groupon/Living Social/etc. Zombie Burlesque was actually entertaining. The Mentalist was good. I suspect most all their shows are decent enough.

If you need more dining options you can get 2 for 1 to the Brazilian steak house in the Planet Hollywood shops.

Hard Rock's diner has a 24/7 dinner special that's not on the menu. $7.77 for a steak and potatoes with a player card.

I agree with above posters. I enjoy just walking around different places and seeing things that are new.

And if you aren't on the west coast often, I highly recommend In N Out for lunch. It's the first place we always go after picking up our rental car.
 
#6
#6
I would second Caesar's the sports book is great. There's also a great steak and crab restaurant, in the mall area

Joe's Stone Crab
I'd also recommend seeing one of the cirque de soli, shows

8 days is a long time in Vegas, pace yourself, and have fun
 
#7
#7
vol_in_ar said:
I would second Caesar's the sports book is great. There's also a great steak and crab restaurant, in the mall area

Joe's Stone Crab
I'd also recommend seeing one of the cirque de soli, shows

8 days is a long time in Vegas, pace yourself, and have fun
Click to expand...

Good call. Joe's is awesome. I like to go there when on the company dime.
 
#8
#8
volmanbill said:
Thanks for the info. I'll have a car so the day trips will be easy to make. I've heard the marquee on Fremont is pretty spectacular at night too.

I'll gamble a little but want to see some shows. So far I "picked" Penn and Teller and my daughter chose Britney Spears. :huh: I have also heard O at the Bellagio is the best Cirque show in town.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend a Cirque show if you've never seen one before. I've seen a couple and have not been disappointed by either of them. We saw two shows when we were in Vegas, it was The Blue Man Group, and a Cirque I think it was Mystere. Really enjoyed both of them. I'd like to check out Le Reve with the big water pool that's gotten a lot of buzz over the years.
 
#9
#9
volmanbill said:
I have also heard O at the Bellagio is the best Cirque show in town.
Click to expand...

O is great and a must see. My favorite Cirque is The Beatles LOVE show at Mirage; fantastic. That and O are 1-2 for me.

ETA - The High Roller is also open now. It is Vegas' version of the London Eye. We didn't get a change to try it last trip, but might be something to consider.
 
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#10
#10
Pink flamingo for the oldies during the day. Your daughter would like the clubs at the palms resort for her 21st bday party. If she wants to party. I recommend the playboy club.


There is a great Japanese/sushi joint in the pyramid.

Also if you are riding in a cab take the street behind the casinos South industrial rd I believe, right beside the 15.

If you want a night to get away from the crowds of people go to the city center.
 
#11
#11
Thanks for all the great info.

I've seen one Cirque show in Orlando (La Nouba) several times and it appears Vegas has a dozen or more different productions. Mystere is at our hotel so that may be a "night in". I've been told it's better to wait and buy tickets (to any ongoing show) once I arrive from one of the strip kiosks. Has that been your experience?
 
#12
#12
volmanbill said:
Thanks for all the great info.

I've seen one Cirque show in Orlando (La Nouba) several times and it appears Vegas has a dozen or more different productions. Mystere is at our hotel so that may be a "night in". I've been told it's better to wait and buy tickets (to any ongoing show) once I arrive from one of the strip kiosks. Has that been your experience?
Click to expand...

If/when you walk from one hotel to another on the strip, be prepared. There were numerous (sometimes 5 per block) of people pushing time share presentations. They have their lines down pat and do not take a simple "no" as an answer. I was discussing this irritation with a dealer at a blackjack table and he told me to say, "sorry, I'm headed back home in a couple of hours." That was the single most effective phrase to stop the pitch from those salespeople.
 
#13
#13
McDad said:
If/when you walk from one hotel to another on the strip, be prepared. There were numerous (sometimes 5 per block) of people pushing time share presentations. They have their lines down pat and do not take a simple "no" as an answer. I was discussing this irritation with a dealer at a blackjack table and he told me to say, "sorry, I'm headed back home in a couple of hours." That was the single most effective phrase to stop the pitch from those salespeople.
Click to expand...

Or you can ask them, "Do I need to complete my short sale before I can participate?"
 
#14
#14
McDad said:
If/when you walk from one hotel to another on the strip, be prepared. There were numerous (sometimes 5 per block) of people pushing time share presentations. They have their lines down pat and do not take a simple "no" as an answer. I was discussing this irritation with a dealer at a blackjack table and he told me to say, "sorry, I'm headed back home in a couple of hours." That was the single most effective phrase to stop the pitch from those salespeople.
Click to expand...

That, and those 'card slappers' that try to hand you cards for strip clubs/escorts.

The people hustling to try to give you limo service to a gentlemen's club provide all kinds of entertainment. I have to friend who gets a kick out of messing with them. Any time they make eye contact and start their "Strip club, guys?...go to the gentlemen's club? Limo to the strip club, only the best..." he speaks to them in a loud, goofy, Eastern European accent. "YOU BRING TEETS? TO ME!?!"

Thousand wonders he hasn't been beaten in an alley.


Take your daughter shopping at Caesars, she'll love that. There's a Casa Fuente in there if you like cigars and need to kill time while she shops.

I second the In and Out. Its like a Chik-Fil-A for burgers.

The Pawn Stars place is fine for a walk through, but I wasn't all that thrilled. I was surprised they won't negotiate on their prices (they had a random Nascar die cast car I wanted for like $40 bucks. I offered the guy 30 and he looked like I'd grown horns.)

The Imperial Palace/Quad or whatever its called now is an absolute dump, but decent location.
 
#15
#15
La Reve at Wynn/Encore is a very good show, though it's not an "official" Cirque show. The Bellagio fountains are probably my favorite thing to watch/see in Vegas. If you want some really good food, albeit expensive, off of the strip, go to Del Frisco's. Excellent steakhouse, laid back atmosphere, and they'll throw in a dessert if you tell them you're celebrating a special occasion. Fogo de Chao is another good eating destination. Brazilian steakhouse, all you can eat, lots of meats to choose from, and around $40-$50 per person.
 
#16
#16
Go eat at Chicago Joes. Thank me later.

I recommend the buffet at the Bellagio.

The art in the Bellagio is must see as is the greenhouse there.

The fountains at the Bellagio are overrated. Skip it.

The Stratosphere is meh. Skip it.

Visit the welcome to Las Vegas sign in the morning. The line can get long.

Cirque Soleil's O is regarded as the best Soleil in town, and it was cool, but it's not worth 200 a ticket. Seems like a lot of the shows are way overpriced.

Skip the shows and use that money to take a helicopter to the Grand Canyon. Incredible.

Death Valley is awesome.

That pawn shop is surprisingly small but also surprisingly cool.

Luv-It Custard is very good. The western is good, but I like it plain.

In-N-Out: Order animal style. Probably the best fast food I've ever had.

Fremont is....interesting.

I really liked Hash House for breakfast. Gotta order one of the hashes though, nothing else. Pancakes are awful.

For a cheap meal hit up Ellis Island. That casino is what I imagine Vegas looked like in the '70s. The karaoke is must see. Order the steak and eggs.

Synthetic shirts are a must on days you'll be outside. The heat is dryer though and much more bearable than this southern humidity. I prefer the dry heat myself.
 
#17
#17
Correction: I didn't visit the Stratosphere. I confused it with the High Roller Farris wheel, which was a waste. I've heard good things about the Stratosphere.
 
#19
#19
volinreallife said:
Serendipity is right in front of Caesars. Check it out for breakfast. Your daughter will enjoy.
Click to expand...

I forgot about that place. My wife LOVED that place. She got some kind of dessert thing there and still talks about it.

Ellis island intrigues me...
 
#20
#20
WallyBalls said:
I forgot about that place. My wife LOVED that place. She got some kind of dessert thing there and still talks about it.

Ellis island intrigues me...
Click to expand...

Might have been the Frozen Hot Chocolate - it's great. Serendipity is certainly worth a visit.
 
#23
#23
Go see "KA" at the MGM Grand. It is the best show in town, bar none.

http://youtu.be/xT9CXr2o5ME


For dinner, have "Dim Sum" at House of Cathay. This is how real Chinese food tastes-not the crap we eat all over our country. It is outstanding.

House of Cathay
5300 Spring Mountain Rd #107, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 876-3838
 
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