Never Been to Vegas - HELP!!

[disneymotherof3]

My DH and I are thinking about taking advantage of the deal that SW is running, but we've never been there and have no idea where to stay or what to do. I do know about the "water show", but that's about it. Where would be a good place to stay to be central to everything? What are some fun things to do? Do we need a rental car? We're trying not to spend too much money, but would like to take a little "adult only" trip before DH deploys later this year. Any suggestions or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!! TIA!!!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Are you looking to stay somewhere budget wise? There is so much to see and do. So much shopping and all the hotels. There usually is no need for a car unless you plan on visiting other places. There is the bus system for 7 dollars per person for 24hrs. It goes every where. So many resturants. So many shows. If you like I have a link in my sig area as I am doing a PTR/TR on vegas right now. You may follow along it may give you some other ideas for the places I have gone. We have been going to vegas for quite some time. Please feel free to ask any questions. If I cant answer maybe xomeone else can

 

[disneymotherof3]

SW is running a deal right now that includes air, hotel and show tickets. We can get a package anywhere between $450-600 for both of us depending on the hotel. It seems like a good deal. All of the hotels are on the Strip. I don't think we could get all of that for any cheaper, could we?

 

[usnuzuloose]

SW is running a deal right now that includes air, hotel and show tickets. We can get a package anywhere between $450-600 for both of us depending on the hotel. It seems like a good deal. All of the hotels are on the Strip. I don't think we could get all of that for any cheaper, could we?

Do you know what hotel it is? I know that airfare is terrible we just came back monday and we will be going the first weekend of april. When are you thinking of going?

 

[disneymotherof3]

You get a choice of several hotels. They're all MGM hotels. The less expensive ones are the Excalibur and the Luxor. We're looking at either May or June.

 

[usnuzuloose]

It is possibly a good deal as the pricing for airfare was running us 400-600 for two people RT.

 

[usnuzuloose]

The Mgm hotel is nice. We will be going back in June. So at that price uncluding air I think it may be very reasonable. Is there other things you like doing?

 

[KKB]

Best hotel is Bellagio followed by Aria, Mirage, MGM. All solid locations (MGM is a bit south for my preferences). All have great pools. (Mandalay Bay is fantastic with crummy location)
Monte Carlo is solid, NYNY is OK.
Luxor & Excal I wouldn't bother unless super cheap.
Circus Circus don't even bother.
WE are doing similar deal...BE SURE to book show tickets by April 4. LOVE is the best show offered, followed by Terry Fator, IMO.
YOu don't need a car.
Order 2 American Casino Guides 2011 from amazon (free s/h; one for you one for dh)
Join players clubs everywhere...you may get free play or goodies.
SO much to do...you won't do it all. Just start wandering.
Best sites to visit is the Las VEgas forum at Trip advisor followed by Vegas message boards.
I have been to Vegas over 20 times...let me know what else you want to know!

 

[chigirl]

If you can't handle cigarette smoke everywhere, beware.

 

[KKB]

If you can't handle cigarette smoke everywhere, beware.

I found the larger casinos to not be smoky--they have very good ventilation.
The smaller older ones can be very smoky.

 

[disneymotherof3]

I think we've narrowed it down to either NY NY or Monte Carlo. We're not trying to spend a ton of money, but want something nice. What do you all think?

 

[KKB]

We have friends who were married there, solid resort & casino.
Not many are as happy w/ NYNY, tho have not personally stayed there.
I don't think either is a bad choice; but all things being equal, edge to MC.
Have fun!!

 

[disneymotherof3]

We have friends who were married there, solid resort & casino.
Not many are as happy w/ NYNY, tho have not personally stayed there.
I don't think either is a bad choice; but all things being equal, edge to MC.
Have fun!!

The Monte Carlo is actually a little cheaper too.

 

[princessnoelly]

We have friends who were married there, solid resort & casino.
Not many are as happy w/ NYNY, tho have not personally stayed there.
I don't think either is a bad choice; but all things being equal, edge to MC.
Have fun!!

WE love Monte Carlo!
We have stayed tons of places. Most recently TI and it was nice too. I would NEVER stay down town...it's creepy and scary- the lights are nice but I always feel like I'm gonna get mugged.

We use to go 3-4 times a year. I miss the good economy. I'm trying to get DH on board to go for a few days.

Have fun!

 

[bluedevilinaz]

I live in Vegas but have stayed at numerous hotels on the Strip and the Monte Carlo is really nice. There is a lot of free things to do in Vegas and if you make friends with some of the locals a lot of the show's offer locals discounts and I have yet to run across one that doesn't offer a military discount(usually 2 for 1). I highly recommend seeing Blue Man Group and most of the Cirque shows are pretty good. Also, Penn and Teller are worth seeing as well. The Bellagio also has a conservatory that is free to wak around and is very cool to look at. Just do a search for free things to do in Vegas and there's a ton. If you need any more pointers feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[jemmouse]

My DH flies there frequently for business and stays at varying hotels, just to try them. Monte Carlo is a nice one, good location. Have fun

 

[Bertie9396]

I loved Las Vegas. DH and I went for our 10th wedding anniversary. There is so much to see and do. We spent most of our time just walking around taking in the sites. We really enjoyed Fremont Street. We also did a helicopter ride at night...that was fun. That was about the only thing we did that cost us alot of money. I don't think you'd need a rental car - especially if you are staying somewhere on the strip. We stayed at the Flamingo and it was a perfect location. I had some complaints about that hotel but we were only in it to sleep (which we did very little of) and the price was OK so overall, I was happy. The Deuce (bus) takes you just about anywhere you'd want to go I think. But taking it back from Fremont Street very late at night was a little scary and took FOREVER. Next time, I'd take the bus there and take a cab back. But like WDW, you have no clue how much walking you will do. The casinos look close together but they are HUGE and you will walk like you've never walked before. If we got hot or tired, we'd slip into a casino, play a few slot machines, have a cool drink and then get going again. We had sooo much fun. I really hope to go back someday.

 

[GeminiAngel]

I think we've narrowed it down to either NY NY or Monte Carlo. We're not trying to spend a ton of money, but want something nice. What do you all think?

Monte Carlo is a nice laid back resort. Very clean, nice pool.

 

[VAN]

Read the book "Unofficial Guide to Last Vegas". Try to gather up as many coupons as you can ... good site: http://www.vegas4locals.com/coupons.html

I don't think you need a rental car for the first visit, but be prepared to walk-and-walk-and-walk.

Check out public transportation such as the Duece/Ace buses. Also monorail (costs $$) that run along the backs of some of the hotels. There are also some free trams that will be listed in the above book.

Be aware that all of the MGM properties also charge a "resort fee" which can be as much as $18/day ... take that into account when you are booking a room (read the fine print). We have liked the tower rooms at the Luxor and also like Monte Carlo (MGM properties). We've stayed at Bally's (more centrally located). If you are without a car, I'd recommend staying on the strip (but no further North than TI/Mirage area). Book your room directly from their website and book ones that have good cancellation policies. Then check periodically to see if the rate has come down and/or you find something better. I typically will book, cancel, rebook several times before a trip ... saving lots of $$$.

Try the $20 trick when you check in .... sandwich a $20 between your ID and credit card at registration and kindly ask if there are any complimentary upgrades available. We've usually gotten upgraded (e.g. Luxor from Pyramid to Tower / Bally's from South Tower to North Tower). If they can't accomodate you, they will give the $20 back.

Since it is your first visit, get a couple copies of the American Casino Guide. They have lots of coupons where you can get free slot money when you join a casino's players club. I think we got $25 at the Venetian ... we'd just play through that amount and then "cash out". But we would have lots of fun going from place to place using the coupons. This is a great way to have fun without it costing money (except for the book).

IMPORTANT: Make sure you tip the drink servers at least $1 per drink, whether it is just bottle water or a cocktail. If you don't, they won't come back!! Get your money out at the time you order ... and, yes, they take chips!

Have a great time!

========

Just read some of the responses. Yes, we like Monte Carlo. The last time there, I thought the room was a little run down, but we'd just stayed at an MGM suite! Good location, the MC and just a tram ride to the Bellagio! Don't forget the resort fee for MC which is $16.80 per day - due at check-in.

At the airport, take a cab to your hotel ... tell the driver "NO TUNNEL" otherwise, you can get long-hauled (extra money).

 

[Mary*Poppins]

Read the book "Unofficial Guide to Last Vegas". Try to gather up as many coupons as you can ... good site: http://www.vegas4locals.com/coupons.html

I don't think you need a rental car for the first visit, but be prepared to walk-and-walk-and-walk.

Check out public transportation such as the Duece/Ace buses. Also monorail (costs $$) that run along the backs of some of the hotels. There are also some free trams that will be listed in the above book.

Be aware that all of the MGM properties also charge a "resort fee" which can be as much as $18/day ... take that into account when you are booking a room (read the fine print). We have liked the tower rooms at the Luxor and also like Monte Carlo (MGM properties). We've stayed at Bally's (more centrally located). If you are without a car, I'd recommend staying on the strip (but no further North than TI/Mirage area). Book your room directly from their website and book ones that have good cancellation policies. Then check periodically to see if the rate has come down and/or you find something better. I typically will book, cancel, rebook several times before a trip ... saving lots of $$$.

Try the $20 trick when you check in .... sandwich a $20 between your ID and credit card at registration and kindly ask if there are any complimentary upgrades available. We've usually gotten upgraded (e.g. Luxor from Pyramid to Tower / Bally's from South Tower to North Tower). If they can't accomodate you, they will give the $20 back.

Since it is your first visit, get a couple copies of the American Casino Guide. They have lots of coupons where you can get free slot money when you join a casino's players club. I think we got $25 at the Venetian ... we'd just play through that amount and then "cash out". But we would have lots of fun going from place to place using the coupons. This is a great way to have fun without it costing money (except for the book).

IMPORTANT: Make sure you tip the drink servers at least $1 per drink, whether it is just bottle water or a cocktail. If you don't, they won't come back!! Get your money out at the time you order ... and, yes, they take chips!

Have a great time!

========

Just read some of the responses. Yes, we like Monte Carlo. The last time there, I thought the room was a little run down, but we'd just stayed at an MGM suite! Good location, the MC and just a tram ride to the Bellagio! Don't forget the resort fee for MC which is $16.80 per day - due at check-in.

At the airport, take a cab to your hotel ... tell the driver "NO TUNNEL" otherwise, you can get long-hauled (extra money).

Great tips!! Thanks, My DH and I leave in 12 days for our first trip to Vegas!!