Going in March

[Disn3y]

Hey everybody, I was looking for some ideas while in Vegas. We will be there for 4 nights 3 1/2 days.

I am thinking going to Carrot Top, Hoover Dam, possibly the Adventuredome?, looking for other show ideas. More of the cheaper shows ($60-$100) I would love to see Blue Man but DGF just saw them last night in Chicago.

Never been to Vegas, so any tips or reviews on whatever would be greatly appreciated! Were staying at the Circus Circus. Thanks!

Oh I almost forgot, has anyone done the Indoor Skydiving there? I read it was $75 for one person flight, and it was like a 3 minute flight? IDK if I want to spend that much for that time period, but if anyone knows more about it lew me know.

 

[dbogen]

Sorry I can't answer your questions, but I was also planning a trip in March. I hope you don't mind me taking some of the tips you will be getting. lol

 

[Disn3y]

Nope not at all!

 

[dbogen]

Only the good ones, . I am sure there will be enough to everyone, you can have the right of first refusal.

 

[everylastbreath]

Ok- first, you have quite a few activities cramed into only a few days... Vegas, although it looks as if everything is very close to each other, takes quite a bit of time to get around- even though the hotel is just across the street, it takes some maping out to actually get there, there are cross overs, sometimes you have to walk thru a hotel to get to the next, takes time- anticipate travel time- The Hoover Dam trip I am pretty sure is an entire day because it's not really close, and I'm sure you are going to want some down time during your activities..

1st suggestion- I just re-read your post and see that your staying at Circus Circus- MY OPINION- CANCEL IT... Not a great hotel, really rundown.. Astroland is not worth staying there- I wouldn't stay there, it's not a great section of the strip.... Pick a hotel center strip, easier to get around, depending on your budget, I would suggest ($) Harrahs, Imperial palace, ($$) Ballys, Paris ($$$) Caesars, just my personal preference, Really anticipate how much time your actually going to spend in the room to see if it's worth going extra $$'s, Personally I would just go for clean/good location don't stay off center, you will be sorry, either end of strip, PIA to get back and forth, lots of walking or cabs/bus/monorail....

2nd suggestion- I usually plan a show for each night, but make sure you plan your meals around them, so you don't have to rush to get to the show- I suggest Jersey Boys or LOVE Both EXCELLENT shows, but $$, totally worth it in my opinion.

3rd suggestion- instead of planning every moment of the 3 1/2 days.. take some time to just visit the hotels, they are amazing- fountains at Bellagio, Treasure Island boat show, volcano @ Mirage, Flowers at Bellagio, Gondala's in Venitian (rip off $$$) but something to just see. And if you like to shop, amazing shops to just browse. If you gamble.. get a Players card before you start, lots of hotels offer free things for joining, you just might be a free buffett out of it.. which leads me to my next suggestion:

4th suggestion- Hit the buffetts, they are absolutely AMAZING- Especially the one at the Rio (which is my fav)

Been to Vegas dozens of times.. feel free to ask anything, I will answer.

ps.- My kids did indoor sky diving in Orlando, total rip off- basically they put you on top of a very strong blower and you fly about 4 feet above the blower...

 

[Disn3y]

Thank you for all your input...it has been very informational! I will most likley have more questions as we get closer. Thanks again!

 

[jlima]

Hey everybody, I was looking for some ideas while in Vegas. We will be there for 4 nights 3 1/2 days.

I am thinking going to Carrot Top, Hoover Dam, possibly the Adventuredome?, looking for other show ideas. More of the cheaper shows ($60-$100) I would love to see Blue Man but DGF just saw them last night in Chicago.

Never been to Vegas, so any tips or reviews on whatever would be greatly appreciated! Were staying at the Circus Circus. Thanks!

Oh I almost forgot, has anyone done the Indoor Skydiving there? I read it was $75 for one person flight, and it was like a 3 minute flight? IDK if I want to spend that much for that time period, but if anyone knows more about it lew me know.

I assume you are staying at Circus because of the price. Be prepared to not spend a lot of time there . . . that end of the strip is pretty slow. You may want to reconsider finding something at the beginning of the strip; if you look hard enough you can probably find something in a similar price range.

You can do everything there is to do at the Adventuredome in about 2 hours. If you like roller coasters, try the one at NYNY or just down the street at the NASCAR Cafe at The Sahara is Speed The Ride.

Practically across the street from CC is a restaurant called The Peppermill. Classic coffee shop with great food; would highly recommend it over anything on property at Circus except their Steakhouse.

If you want a more "adult" show, the Crazy Horse show at MGM Grand is in your price range. Or, you may want to try the Tickets2Night booth at the Showcase Mall for cheap same day show tickets.

I've never done the indoor skydiving, but there's a place on West Tropicana near Sam Boyd Stadium that does indoor trampolines. It's called Skymania and my kids love it there.

Let me know if I can answer any questions!

 

[VAN]

Totally agree that Circus Circus is NOT the place to stay. Coming back from Vegas last month I sat next to a lady who had just stayed there - her first trip to Vegas. She was dissappointed.

You definitely want to be located where you can walk from one casino to the next and CC is not the place to be (also its a dump IMHO). Try to get something more centrally located or one on the corner of Tropicana.

Recommend that you get the book Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas for more info. Also, if you are going to play anything but slots ... please take the time to get a book and actually LEARN how to play.

I have to agree with most things that have been said by other posters. Don't plan too much. Hoover Dam is GREAT.

We're going back again in March and all our hotel rooms comped! Yeah! Bally's, MGM and Monte Carlo.

 

[Disn3y]

Thanks everyone for the input. Reason I picked CC was budget, my not so great college budget... We aren't too picky, and I got it for $24 a night. We will be out late most the time anyway, hardly sleep I figure. Can we find something in that price range in a more happening area on the strip? We won't really gamble since we are on a such a tight budget. We just figured we'd take a few shows in and check out the whole sin city atmosphere.

I love my food, so I will be checking out all these places recommended to eat. Would anyone know what a bus ride to hoover dam would run? Or a taxi? I have no idea how far it is from the strip.

Thanks again everyone for the feedback, it's been very helpful.

 

[jlima]

Thanks everyone for the input. Reason I picked CC was budget, my not so great college budget... We aren't too picky, and I got it for $24 a night. We will be out late most the time anyway, hardly sleep I figure. Can we find something in that price range in a more happening area on the strip? We won't really gamble since we are on a such a tight budget. We just figured we'd take a few shows in and check out the whole sin city atmosphere.

I love my food, so I will be checking out all these places recommended to eat. Would anyone know what a bus ride to hoover dam would run? Or a taxi? I have no idea how far it is from the strip.

Thanks again everyone for the feedback, it's been very helpful.

If you got at $24 room at Circus, it's probably a Manor room. Those rooms aren't even in the main part of the hotel; they are across an alley in low-rise buildings. Look into Excalibur or Luxor; or look into the Hooters Hotel or the Motel 6 on Tropicana. It might not be as cheap as $24 but you may not be far off. If you don't rent a car and spend money on tours and taxis, you may as well pay $50 - $60 per night for a room and be closer to the places you would use the taxi for. You might even look into the Flamingo or Harrahs.

Expect a Hoover Dam tour to cost about $60 - $70 per person. It's about a 45 minute drive to the Dam from the Strip. You could rent a car and go yourself for a lot cheaper.

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[everylastbreath]

Thanks everyone for the input. Reason I picked CC was budget, my not so great college budget... We aren't too picky, and I got it for $24 a night. We will be out late most the time anyway, hardly sleep I figure. Can we find something in that price range in a more happening area on the strip? We won't really gamble since we are on a such a tight budget. We just figured we'd take a few shows in and check out the whole sin city atmosphere.

I love my food, so I will be checking out all these places recommended to eat. Would anyone know what a bus ride to hoover dam would run? Or a taxi? I have no idea how far it is from the strip.

Thanks again everyone for the feedback, it's been very helpful.

IMHO I wouldn't stay there is you gave it to me for free & gave me $24 per night, believe me it's very low rent- I would move up a little and look at Imperial Palace/Harrah's/Flamingo, I think what you save in cab fare will make up for the cost- CC just looks like a Bedbug paradise... You will understand what everyone is telling you once your there and actually see it.

 

[PrincessLiLi]

I suggest going downtown one night to see old Vegas.

The bus will take you dowtown, to the Strip and to one of the mall. The bus ticket costs $7 and is good for 24 hrs exactly. This is a good way to get around. Be warned that at night the bus gets very croweded.
The monorail is another good way to get around. It's quicker depending where you are going.

Try the Buffet at The Wynn. The restaurant is actually called The Buffet. It's wonderful. Also, I suggest Strip Buger outside the mall on the strip.

The Lion at Mandalay Bay is a must see.


Hope these tips help.

 

[jlima]

I suggest going downtown one night to see old Vegas.

The bus will take you dowtown, to the Strip and to one of the mall. The bus ticket costs $7 and is good for 24 hrs exactly. This is a good way to get around. Be warned that at night the bus gets very croweded.
The monorail is another good way to get around. It's quicker depending where you are going.

Try the Buffet at The Wynn. The restaurant is actually called The Buffet. It's wonderful. Also, I suggest Strip Buger outside the mall on the strip.

The Lion at Mandalay Bay is a must see.


Hope these tips help.

Lions are at MGM Grand.

Shark Reef is at Mandalay Bay.

There are more and more restaurants that do gourmet burgers. There is Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay (in the Mandalay Place mall), BLT Burger at the Mirage, the place mentioned above and Burger Brasserie at Bally's/Paris (in the connecting corridor between the properties)

I've been to the buffet at Wynn once and while it was pretty good, I prefer the Bellagio for that price range. For the really ridiculous, off the hook buffet experience, go to the Rio's Carnival World Buffet. Expect to wait in line tho!!

 

[Disn3y]

Again thank you everyone for the feedback! I am writing everything down, I will look into other prices for places to stay. I will have more questions as time goes on

 

[PrincessLiLi]

Correction to my first post...

The Lion King at Mandalbay is a must see. The performers are awesome.

LiLi

 

[Disn3y]

I have been looking into the Lion King show, it looks pretty cool. Is it recommended to buy the tickets in advance? Do all these shows tend to sale out pretty fast?

 

[VAN]

There are some Tix4Tonite places where you can get same day tickets for about 1/2 off. Also pick up all the brochures you see (not the porn cards though) and look through them for coupons. If you go online and do google searches you can find lots of coupons for some of the lesser shows and also for food (2-for-1 at Nathans). The American Casino Guide sells for about $18 and has coupons for 2-for-1 buffet, etc. Restaurant.com has good deals for some restaurants ... look especially for those in and around casinos (Tacone Flavor Bar and Grill at Planet Hollywood is a good one) ... right now (I think through 1/19 they have an 80% off code INDULGE).

Lots of ways to do Vegas on the cheap! Believe me, it is the only way to go!

If you are strapped for money, I would try to go to some of the lounges that have free entertainment and then see what you can find for coupons and at Tix4Tonite. We saw the Platters/Coasters/Marvelettes for $60 for 2 people and it was FABULOUS ... we got the tickets at Tix4Tonite but have since seen lots of coupons.

Don't forget that at Ellis Island (dumpy casino behind Bally's) you can get a Steak-and-eggs breakfast for $4.99 ... not on the menu, you have to ask. It's DELICIOUS. If you go on LV discussion boards, they all know about it. Lots of things like this that you can pick up from people.

Don't know what bus tours are for Red Rock Canyon, but that is just out Charleston and is a wonderful way to spend the day, hiking, etc. Just be sure to have lots of water with you because it is the desert and you can get very dehydrated, even in March. If you happen to rent a car (and I'd recommend doing this one day for your Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon day) this is the best way to do it and will be worth skipping one of the high-priced shows to do.

Anyway, do your research and I think you will have as much fun trying to find the places to use your coupons as you would gambling. Also recommend using the city buses. It is $7 for 24 hours ... you'll see the "Duece" traveling along the strip (double-decker bus) ... that's a city bus and travels all along the strip to the bus terminal downtown. Your pass also gets you on the other city buses so you can explore some off-strip areas as well. In the books I mentioned, you will also find out about the free shuttles from Bill's to the Orleans and from Bally's to the Rio. These are shuttles that I really haven't seen advertised - you just have to find out about them some other way.

Have fun. We will be there March 5-12 as well.

I think seeing the Lion King show would be great; however, if you are strapped for cash you may want to take a miss. I have been seeing offers for discount tickets on LK. We have tended to skip the Disney shows because we go to WDW every year and many of them are similar to what you see there. As you might have gathered, we try to do things on the cheap! LOL.

 

[KKB]

You should be able to book Imperial Palace for a similar rate for a far better location; check it out.
Buffets--AVOID...overpriced average/below average food. You are better off sticking w/ chains for better food (Cheesecake Factory,PF Changs, Grand Lux, CA Pizza Kitchen, etc.) Ellis Island also has a $6.95 steak deal w/ a beer that is great--not on menu, ask for the special. Isla at TI is a fav MX place of ours for great ambiance, food & prices...and the best mojito ANYWHERE.
Rent a car to Gr. Canyon, best deal.
If you are college students, Lion King has a great deal going on...show your student ID & get up to 2 tickets for $25 each---GREAT deal.

 

[Disn3y]

If you are college students, Lion King has a great deal going on...show your student ID & get up to 2 tickets for $25 each---GREAT deal.

Thanks for the info everyone, we wanted to see the Lion King, for that price we won't be able to pass it up!

 

[Disn3y]

Well I finally cancelled Circus Circus, and now staying at the Imperial Palace. Looking forward to being closer to most of the action.

KKB do you have a link regarding the Lion King deal providing a student id? I searched google but didn't have much luck finding anything along those lines. Thanks!