LV planning report-RESTAURANT QUESTION

[sissy_ib]

We're going to Vegas, baby! August 13-18. We are staying at the Flamingo.

Cast of characters.

Me-Amanda
DH-Chris
Bil-Charlie
Bil's fiance-Taylor

Chris and I have been to Vegas together three times before and I went once for an exercise when I was in the Air Force. This will be Chuck and Taylor's first visit. The trip is for Taylor's 21st birthday and they invited us to tag along. We have been talking about heading back to Vegas this year but the airfare is always so high. Chuck asked Chris last week if we wanted to go. Chris checked Priceline and we were happy to find out it was reasonable for the week planed so we booked!

Charlie and Taylor were originally going to stay at the Imperial Palace. We decided we didn't want to stay there so after pricing everywhere out and looking at online reviews we went with the Flamingo. We are staying in a "Go Deluxe" room. I guess they are a little nicer.

What we gathered after telling them was they had done no research on Vegas at all. After we told them we chose a different hotel they took a look online and switched to the Flamingo as well.

The only thing they had planed was a visit to the Minus 5 ice bar. We talked to them about shows and what they wanted to see but, as I said, no research what-so-ever! Chuck said they are open to anything we want to do.

For us a Cirque du Soleil show is a must! We have only seen Mystere and Zumanity but we loved both. I kinda had my heart set on Love but after watching the videos we think we would all enjoy Ka the most. Chris said we may do both but we have so much else we want to do and only 4 nights so I don't think I am even going to bring it up again. There is always next time!

Charlie is apparently a big fan of Penn and Teller so that is another must do for us. I am still trying to figure out if they have a military discount or not as when I Google it I find sites that say they do but when I call it goes to Ticketmaster and I cant get a hold of the box office at the hotel directly. We may just wait until we get there to buy tickets for that one.

I am using my credit card points to treat everyone to a helicopter tour of the strip! I have always wanted to do a helicopter tour and this is the perfect opportunity. Chris and I were talking about what we should do for Taylor for her b-day and we were thinking about paying for a show or nice dinner so this will work perfectly. We of course asked if this was something they would be interested in and they seemed pretty enthusiastic on the phone! The last thing we would want is to try to surprise them and then find out one of them is terrified of helicopters or something!

Chris also wants to see Crazy Horse Paris at the MGM again. Right now we are thinking he and Charlie could go see that and Taylor and I could have some girl time. No sure what we would do though. Maybe we'll go see Thunder from Down Under! Although I would probably rather go to the spa.

Other random things we want to do:
Visit the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum. http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

We know it is not really a "hall of fame" or even really a museum but we love kooky stuff like this.

Fremont Street. I visited in 2010 when I was with the Air Force but Chris still has not been. I really want to do the zip lining.
http://flightlinezfremont.com/

The Neon Museum bone yard.
http://www.neonmuseum.org/
We were going to go last time but they were closed during our trip.

We still have not seen the fountain show at the Bellagio! We will try to plan for that. I also need to check out the other free shows and attractions at the different casinos for things to do besides gamble during the day.

I kinda want to do gondola rides at the Venetian.

The roller coaster at NYNY is one of my favorites so we will be doing that at least once. We may also try the rides on top of the Stratosphere!

I found this restaurant tour company http://www.thewalkinggourmet.com/
But it may be out of our price range. Looks like fun though!

I also really want to play bingo! lol So I need to find a place to do that.

And last but not least a visit to In n Out!

So if anyone has any comments, suggestions or questions let me know. We are going to be seeing Chuck and Taylor next week so we will have more of a game plan after we talk to them face to face.

[Judy from Boise]

those are 4 packed days wow !

[goofyfordisney]

Sounds like you have a great trip planned!

I'm leaving tomorrow to meet my husband who is already there (WSOP). I love Vegas, but I can only do about 4 days max (especially during the summer). We usually go at least 3 times a year.

I think you made the right choice to move your reservation to the Flamingo! Imperial Palace is HORRIBLE I wouldn't even stay there for free!

Over the years, we've stayed at Planet Hollywood, Ballys, RIO, Venetian, Palazzo, Mandalay Bay, Red Rock, Aria and our new favorite is the Cosmopolitan. We will be staying at the Belligio for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing the fountain multiple times!

We've stayed at The Flamingo, probably 6 times. We were just there in March. The Flamingo has renovated some of their rooms - make sure to request a recently renovated room. We usually mention that we are staying for a special occasion and that usually does the trick to get an upgraded view or room. The pool is one of the best in Vegas on the Strip, IMHO. It does get really crowded - so, get down there early to grab a spot near the pool.


As many times as we've been to Vegas, we really haven't seen too many shows...not sure why! I think we will want to do a show for my husband's birthday on the 4th of July, so I'm also looking for a good show.

We saw Love last time we were there - its awesome! But, if you're not a Beatles fan, it may not be for you. My husband has seen Penn and Teller - he really liked it. We saw Anthony Cools show - it was o.k...

I'm trying to decide between O and Ka...or??? Or something else??

Where are you planning on eating? We don't want to break the bank - but, I'm looking to do at least one really good dinner. Any suggestions?

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by Judy from Boise

those are 4 packed days wow !

We like to see a show each night and have a few things planned for each day.

Originally Posted by goofyfordisney

Sounds like you have a great trip planned!

I'm leaving tomorrow to meet my husband who is already there (WSOP). I love Vegas, but I can only do about 4 days max (especially during the summer). We usually go at least 3 times a year.

Our first trip was very impromptu and we stayed two nights. The last two trips have been three nights and both times we were wishing we had just one more so I think 4 will be perfect. I have a friend who went for her honeymoon and they stayed 9 nights! That is way to long IMO.

I think you made the right choice to move your reservation to the Flamingo! Imperial Palace is HORRIBLE I wouldn't even stay there for free!

We knew that just from walking by! DH told me they were staying at the IP and we both just groaned! I told him we weren't staying there and to tell his brother to look at different places. We did kinda feel bad telling them they picked a bad hotel but I know we will all be happier for it.
Over the years, we've stayed at Planet Hollywood, Ballys, RIO, Venetian, Palazzo, Mandalay Bay, Red Rock, Aria and our new favorite is the Cosmopolitan. We will be staying at the Belligio for the first time. I'm looking forward to seeing the fountain multiple times!

We've stayed at The Flamingo, probably 6 times. We were just there in March. The Flamingo has renovated some of their rooms - make sure to request a recently renovated room. We usually mention that we are staying for a special occasion and that usually does the trick to get an upgraded view or room. The pool is one of the best in Vegas on the Strip, IMHO. It does get really crowded - so, get down there early to grab a spot near the pool.

Our room is one of the newly renovated ones. It was an option on Priceline and DH upgraded us. I have no idea what my Bil booked! The pool does look nice and I am very much looking forward to it! We have stayed at the Riviara which we liked but it was too far from everything and at Harrah's and we have no complaints about it. We like staying somewhere new every time we go somewhere.
As many times as we've been to Vegas, we really haven't seen too many shows...not sure why! I think we will want to do a show for my husband's birthday on the 4th of July, so I'm also looking for a good show.

We saw Love last time we were there - its awesome! But, if you're not a Beatles fan, it may not be for you. My husband has seen Penn and Teller - he really liked it. We saw Anthony Cools show - it was o.k...
We love the shows and they are a big part of why we keep going back. We are not club people so the nightlife is not a big thing for us. Last time we saw Blue Man Group and while I would not say the show was bad, it just wasn't for us. I kinda knew I wouldn't like it but DH wanted to go. Ended up neither of us enjoyed it!
I'm trying to decide between O and Ka...or??? Or something else??
We have not seen either yet. We are going with Ka this time. I have heard good and bad things about it.
Where are you planning on eating? We don't want to break the bank - but, I'm looking to do at least one really good dinner. Any suggestions?

As for food I have no idea! We have eaten at ODNA in the Mirage and Il Fornaio in NYNY and loved both. Other than those we have always done buffets, room service or just random restaurants. Right now I am trying to get to my goal weight. I keep myself at 11-1300 callories a day at home and am hoping to stay at around 1800 a day in Vegas! It may be wishful thinking but I have been working so hard I would hate to through it all out the window for just a few days fun. I am already planing on hitting the gym every morning. I'm sure we will talk about it as a group this week.

[sissy_ib]

My to do list includes shopping, packing and pampering.

I have some great clothes to wear but I know I need more. The good thing about losing weight is all the cute clothes I have in my closet will fit again. The bad thing is all the clothes that are now too big!

Chris is going to need new clothes as well. Shopping with him is never a treat.

Non-clothing items will be standard
Sunscreen
Makeup (I need a few new things since I hardly ever wear any)
Contacts and contact lens solution
Toiletries
Cell phones, Nook, cameras, chargers/batteries for all


This is the fun part.
I am getting a spray tan a few days before we leave.
A mani/pedi, hair cut, eyebrow wax. I cant wait!

[Carlyzmom]

I just went a couple weeks ago. Just an FYI from my observation - I would make reservations to zipline on Fremont and to do the gondola rides. Two things I wanted to do, but it was too busy. Next time!!

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by Carlyzmom

I just went a couple weeks ago. Just an FYI from my observation - I would make reservations to zipline on Fremont and to do the gondola rides. Two things I wanted to do, but it was too busy. Next time!!

We'll keep that in mind. I know with the zip lining you have to make a reservation in person so we'll just head there first the day we do Fremont St.

[stnet]

We will be in Vegas at the same time!!

[sissy_ib]

I'm just back from my BIL's. We have a feeling we will be doing several thing alone in Vegas. Chris talked to his brother before we headed up there and told him the shows we were interested. They seemed excited about them but when we were at the house they were completely uninterested. He said whatever she wanted to do was fine and she said whatever we wanted was fine.
The only thing he said he wants to do is see the fountains at the Bellagio and she wants to see the Minus 5 Ice Bar.
We decided to give them a few days then ask again. If they still wont commit Chris is going to tell them we are going to go ahead and buy tickets for a Cirque show and they are welcome to get tickets if they would like to join us. At this point the choices for seats at Ka are pretty slim so we may see O or Love instead.
We are now thinking about renting a car for a day to do some of the things off strip. I will be looking more in to that this week.

[kmedina]

Love is a great show. If you are an Elvis fan, I would suggest Viva Elvis. It is going to be replaced soon, and it is a great show. Almost all of the local casinos have Bingo. If you are renting a car, Palace Station right off Sahara and the 15 will be closest to where you are staying.

[sissy_ib]

My DH is on the phone with his brother trying to get tickets purchased. Chris is explaining how to use Ticket Master. Charlie cant decide what seats he wanted and they were looking at the wrong day for about 15 minutes.
Hopefully I will have a real update to this saga soon!

[sissy_ib]

Ok, we finally have a few things nailed down.
The night we arrive is Penn and Teller at 9pm
The 14th is Ka at 9:30
The 15 is a helicopter tour at 7:30
We wanted to see Crazy Horse on the 16th but there are only seats in the back left so we decided to leave that night open.

[sissy_ib]

More fun stuff

Mermaid Lounge
http://www.silvertoncasino.com/dinin...nt-lounge.aspx

Zombie Apocalypse Store
http://zombieapocalypsestore.com/

We are going to get a car one day to do the off strip stuff we just need to decide which day.

[BC Disney Lover]

Originally Posted by sissy_ib

We are going to get a car one day to do the off strip stuff we just need to decide which day.

We rented a car last trip and went out to Red Rock Canyon, not very far from the strip but a beautiful drive! We have to go to Hash House A Go-Go at least once a trip

Dh just surprised me with tickets last night, we don't go until October 1st.
Sounds like a fun trip you have planned. I've seen both Love and Viva Elvis and both were great but I absolutely think Love can't be beat!

[sissy_ib]

Originally Posted by BC Disney Lover

We rented a car last trip and went out to Red Rock Canyon, not very far from the strip but a beautiful drive! We have to go to Hash House A Go-Go at least once a trip

Dh just surprised me with tickets last night, we don't go until October 1st.
Sounds like a fun trip you have planned. I've seen both Love and Viva Elvis and both were great but I absolutely think Love can't be beat!

I would LOVE to head out to Red Rock and have brought it up a few times. My DH is not too keen on the idea though so we'll see what happens.

Hash House A Go-Go may be just what I am looking for as well! I plan on skipping breakfast out to save on calories but want a good place one day. We can head there the day we rent the car!