Totally OT - But where else do I turn?

[brandijo5]

I turn 30 later this year and I just graduated from nursing school. I want to go to Vegas for a few days and maybe rent a car and drive down to the Grand Canyon to celebrate. I don't really want to go to Vegas to gamble, not to say I won't, but it won't be a big deal if I don't.

My question is this, is it better to stay on the strip or off? Once I land in Vegas, are there shuttles to the hotel, or will I need to rent the car then? Can anyone recommend any good places to stay, eat, shows to see, etc.

You guys are the best!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jennilouwho]

I believe most of the hotels on the strip have some sort of shuttle, I remember taking one from one of those places. If most of what you want to do in Vegas is on the strip, I would stay on at one of those hotels and then you wouldn't really need to have a car rental. You can get some great deals through priceline if you don't care exactly where you stay. Check recent rates at www.biddingfortravel.com

 

[RyJMom]

I love Vegas it is my favorite place to go. I think your best bet would be to stay on the strip. My favorite hotel is the Mirage. We were just there in March and we stayed at MGM for the 1st time and it was also nice. If you are going to rent a car anyway for part of the trip I'd go ahead and get it as soon as you get there. We always use Dollar and I think in March we paid $17 a day for a full size car. I always book the car early and then keep checking the rates - I've been known to rebook for $1 day difference. Hubby thinks I'm nuts but the fun part is planning and trying to get the best deal I can. The last few trip I've found the best hotel rates by looking at the Fat Wallet forums. They have a travel section that has a tread on updated hotel codes. I use the codes I find to book direct with the hotel. Never book a nonrefundable deal. Keep checking the rates you can always cancel and rebook if something better comes along. We love the Piano Bar at Harrahs - it is a dueling piano show with twins - so fun. You will have a great time.

 

[Piecey]

We just got back Saturday from a week in Vegas. We stayed at Planet Hollywood-- very nice, very good location. Easy to walk anywhere on the Strip you wanted to go.

We also loved Canaletto in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Very, very yummy!

Also, we took a taxi to Planet Hollywood when we landed. With tip, it was $20.

We rented a car one day (picked it up in the lobby, valet brought it right to the lobby entrance for us) and went to Hoover Dam. We didn't keep it, seemed a waste. (However, my husband's friend lives out there and so anytime we ventured off the Strip, he drove us as long as he wasn't working.)

 

[KelleyD]

I just went for the second time and stayed off stip at the Lowes Lake Las Vegas - BEAUTIFUL!! Its about 20 minutes from the strip...so if you are going to have a car...

It was close to Lake Mead recreational area and not to far from the Hoover Dam, (wasn't thrilled by this...)

You enter the lake las vegas community - its a mix of condos, houses, a small village with shops - the ritz is also here. The Lowes has amazing views, its really pretty.

We just drove and parked for free at the casinos on the strip when we felt like gambling or fine dining.

I have stayed on strip before, but I really feel like once you get inside you just have no concept of time and what is going on outside, because you could just spend all your time in there. So if you aren't planning on gambling at least half your time out there, I would consider Lowes and the Lake...

 

[christa112]

My dh and I spent our honeymoon in Vegas 7 whole days with no car. Staying on the strip is great because everything is pretty much in walking distance, but we did walk from Treasure Island to the Hard Rock Casino and then all they way to the Stratosphere, it was definately a hike, but it can be done. We also used the buses and a taxis (which was my 1st time for both).

If we ever go back it will we will definately stay on the strip again.

 

[Bren's Mom]

You definitely don't *need* a car. There are shuttles (not free) from the airport to every strip hotel. There is an inexpensive trolley that runs up and down the strip, a monorail, lots of things within walking distance, and cabs.

 

[GoofItUp]

Glad to see this post. We are going to Vegas for the 1st time in July. Any advice on shows to see? Is there a good site to see deals on tickets? I got an e-mail this week about seeing KA, Mystere, or Zumanity at a discount. I think I could get KA tickets for about $53/person in Cat 2 seating. Didn't check the others yet. We are staying at the Venetian. I will have to try the Canaletto.

 

[Jeanne B]

You may also want to scroll down to the "California & the West" forum, the folks there were very helpful when I was planning our CA/AZ trip last year.

 

[brandijo5]

Thanks for all the input - I knew the DIS would come through!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DevilDuckie]

To me the whole appeal of Vegas is to be immersed in the glitz and the shimmer. It would not be worth it to be to stay off the strip.

 

[simonkodousek]

If it is your first trip to Vegas, you should definitely stay on the Strip.

Hotel wise, it really depends on what you are looking for. If you want a super-luxury hotel, you cannot beat the Wynn, Bellagio, or even the Venetian/Palazzo. However, if you don't want to spend so much money on a room, check out Bill's Gamblin' Hall; it is a smaller hotel (no pool, etc.) with well-appointed rooms smack-dab in the center of the Strip. Room rates average about $60-70 per night. There is also the Flamingo, who's Go Luxury rooms are newly renovated, and under $200/night. And, if you don't plan to gamble a lot of $$$, definitely check out Expedia and Orbitz... it is amazing how much $$$ you can save by booking through them.

You don't really need a car in Vegas, thus I wouldn't get one until the day you need it (book in advance though!!). The taxi line at McCarran can get quite long, so do look into sedan or limo transfers. You can also catch a shuttle.

Hope that helped!
Enjoy Vegas,
Simon

 

[kel3420]

Vegas is my home away from home. We try and go 2-3 times a year. For the BEST and most accurate info, try this board

http://www.openvegas.com/vegas/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4

We LOVE newbies! Planning for Vegas is half the fun. BTW, I did a Vegas / Grand Canyon trip several years back and highly recommend the Grand Canyon Railway and the hotel associated with it. I always recommend anyone going to Vegas the first time stay on the Strip, mid strip if possible. You just don't "get the Vegas feeling" if you stay elsewhere. You don't have to gamble to like Vegas. There is SO much more to do.

It is so funny, that on this Vegas board, when people ask about Disney, I send them here, lol. Now I can return the favor

 

[soccerchick]

We just got back Saturday from a week in Vegas. We stayed at Planet Hollywood-- very nice, very good location. Easy to walk anywhere on the Strip you wanted to go.

We also loved Canaletto in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Very, very yummy!

Also, we took a taxi to Planet Hollywood when we landed. With tip, it was $20.

We rented a car one day (picked it up in the lobby, valet brought it right to the lobby entrance for us) and went to Hoover Dam. We didn't keep it, seemed a waste. (However, my husband's friend lives out there and so anytime we ventured off the Strip, he drove us as long as he wasn't working.)

Hi ~ we were just at PH too - 5/14 - 5/18!

We stayed in one of the remodeled rooms at PH and it was very nice. The hotel doesn't have some of the elbaorate theming of the other resorts, but DH is a serious poker player, and their poker room has a good rep. Location was awesome!

We got a good package deal through SW Vacations. We also did the Grand Canyon excursion through SW. it was my first tip to the Grand Canyon and pictures do not do it justice. It is just breathtaking!

You can walk or take the Deuce (the double decker bus that runs up and down the stip) to most places. Rio, Hard Rock, and Circus Circus were off the strip.

Hope you have a blast.

 

[Piecey]

Hi ~ we were just at PH too - 5/14 - 5/18!

We stayed in one of the remodeled rooms at PH and it was very nice. The hotel doesn't have some of the elbaorate theming of the other resorts, but DH is a serious poker player, and their poker room has a good rep. Location was awesome!

We got a good package deal through SW Vacations. We also did the Grand Canyon excursion through SW. it was my first tip to the Grand Canyon and pictures do not do it justice. It is just breathtaking!

You can walk or take the Deuce (the double decker bus that runs up and down the stip) to most places. Rio, Hard Rock, and Circus Circus were off the strip.

Hope you have a blast.

We were there 5/12-5/16!
We had a remodeled room, too. What movie did you get?? Ours was Karate Kid! We loved it.

We booked through USAirways Vacations. It was great!

 

[hugo]

We are looking to go to Vegas also some time soon.

But more more importantly than Vegas....

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!