Going to Las Vegas and need some advice

[TeamSy]

I like to stay mid-strip. Take one side one day and the other the next. I'd look for things that are important to you. For example, if you're looking for a great pool vs location vs nightlife, etc. Mandalay Bay has an amazing pool complex, although a trek from most of the hotels... the top floors is the Four Seasons, which offer their own special pool (which is very relaxing). For nightlife, if you're into clubs, stay at the hotel which has the club you want to go to, as you'll get special access (no fee, no line, etc). We're not the club type and much prefer the bars. There's one right outside of the mirage, which is just a blast! If you don't want to spend a ton, see the "free" shows outside/inside of the hotels. Day trips from Vegas are fun too - like the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. We did the skywalk OVER the Grand Canyon last trip which was pretty fun!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

If you are on Facebook there is a game called My Vegas Slots. You play slots (for free- you don't pay) and you earn tokens or whatever that you can then redeem for things in Vegas. My husband and I went last year and we had free tickets to the roller coaster at New York New York, free admission to the Secret Gardens at the Mirage, and free tickets to a Cirque show. My daughter and I are going next year for her 21st birthday and we will have enough for free rooms at the MGM

We did this, too! DH and I were in Vegas just this past February for our vow renewal at the KISS chapel (we had an awesome time). I got a screaming deal on three nights at the Venetian plus airfare through Hotwire packages. From MyVegas, we got free tickets to Ka, a free app at Brand Steakhouse, and a free Monorail pass.

 

[TashaDuddek]

Play MyVegas, and add as many MyVegas friends as you can! In the past I used to get free hotel rooms as the Mandalay Bay and MGM, but those days are gone. Anyways, My Husband and I each got free slot play, Half off a ticket to the Blue man Group, A free Buffet and a few other small things, that add up.

If that is too time consuming for you I would look into hotwire. If you spend some time you can pin point which hotel you will get for less of a price than hotels website. Sign up for Mlife and Total rewards, check the Casino website enter your players card number and the room rates will usually be cheaper. Always look for promo codes I like CheapoVegas before you book your room. I also recommend a website called LMTclub which I use frequently which usually always has hotels listed cheaper. It does ask you to pay $49 membership, but you can always find a free promo code to wave that with a easy google search.

For hotels themselves you should really stay on the Strip your first time. I prefer MGM properties over Caesars because they don't seem as run down. The NYNY, Monte Carlo, MGM and Mirage are all mid price and decent in my opinion. My favorite is NYNY due to the fact it is smaller and doesn't require as much walking to get to your room as certain properties like MGM. If you were staying during pool season however, I would recommend you stay somewhere with a nicer pool.

For activities, I highly recommend the high roller happy hour in the evening which is usually a fraction of the price on groupon! I have done this my last two trips, and it really is a highlight. don't miss the Bellagio conservatory for Christmas and most of the hotels have a ton of decorations, so make sure to check out as many lobby's as you can. Again check out Groupon and Travel zoo for cheaper activities and also restaurants as well.

I also recommend renting a car which can save you time and money. We always rent a car and we are able to go on side trips such as Primm, Shopping, downtown, restaurants and able to drive to better places to gamble ( Gambling on the strip is horrible).


It does take time and effort to save money, but that's half the fun!

 

[bearzabout]

Traditionally, December is the slowest time of the year in Vegas, except for the days around New Years Eve. Discounts should be everywhere.

We get discounted show tickets through Ebay auctions by Vegas4locals. To find them, just search for Menopause the Musical tickets and find a listing for Vegas4locals. See their other auctions and check completed auctions to find the going price of some shows. We see cute ones for as little as .99 cents for 2 tickets and use our Mvegas points for 2 for 1 tickets at the Cirque shows.

Also check out deals on Las Vegas Adviser. They have an amazing coupon book with coupons for 50% off shows, lodging and activities. The book is normally $37 but the cost is cut in half close to the end of the year. You may be able to get a used book missing a few coupons for close to nothing on EBAY.

Check out their top 10 deals. Their news page lists great events and info on the Vegas area.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We stayed at the Monte Carlo a few years ago and really liked it. I think we paid around $100/night for a mini suite room.

We say David Copperfield and it was fantastic. We just bought out tickets day of the show from one of the discount ticket vendors that had a booth out along the strip.

 

[kathy884]

For freebie activities my favorites by far were the Bellagio Fountains and the Bellagio Gardens inside (well worth going into see them even if you aren't normally into this kind of thing. It doesn't take long and they are so impressive.) // These two are my main must dos on every Vegas trip.

 

[LovesTimone]

We LOVE Vegas. It's super fun and exciting.

We have scored some great deals with Expedia for airfare and hotel, sometimes we have gotten a car included or not and rented on our own. DH gets a really good company rate so we normally go this route when we are going to rent a car.

Each Resort has a theme and something to check out, so I would start by seeing what interest you. For your 1st trip stay on the strip. Do be aware that a resort fee will be applied above what you pay up front, get a players cards and use it. Call before check out and see if you can get the resort fee comp'ed, it's based on play, so both of you get the card.

Watch the cab ride form the airport, no tunnel.. cost more.

There are 2 tickets stands on the strip( one at each end I know that there is one across the street from the Mirage its next to Denny's), that sell reduce price tickets for that day. Be there early ( when they open for best selection), and make sure you have a few choices of shows you would like to see.

Food Cost - be prepared, if you think WDW is expensive get ready. Check out your favorite chains and look for them on the strip they are there do your homework so you know where they are ahead of time. All the resort will have food courts, while it's fast food, it is still a higher cost than what you pay at home, not to much.

Freemont Street, Old Las Vegas, is worth a trip, It has a whole different feel to it. It's cool walking thru it, you can feel the sense of the Rat pack, Elvis, and other performers of that era. You do want to be super careful down there, late night it's gets a bit seedy. There are some good deals for buffet and meals down there so check it out.

There is public transportation, during the day we find it okay. But late a night not so much. Drunk people throwing up on a bus is not fun for anyone.. happened to us, late night worth the $$ taxi ride...

There are a ton of street performers, be cautious.. nothing is free in Vegas.

As far a clothing, the casinos are freezing, and I am hot all the time, and I have to wear a sweater or hoodie while playing. It does get cold at night so pack accordingly.

When heading off the strip, Grand Canyon on the Indian Reservation side is the closest and most natural, and they have the sky bridge, its about 2 1/2 hours or so away, on the other rim its about 4 to 5 hours drive one way. We prefer the Indian Reservation side, we love the natural feeling, last time we were lucky enough to see a wild coyote.

Red Rock's is another good place to check out. Its a big car loop with lots of spots to get out and check out the lay of the land. Also I think that they offer horse back riding near there.

Vegas is super fun, but keep your eyes open and beware of your surroundings... After all its 'Sin City" for a reason.

 

[Jaya]

Bally's or Flamingo are center strip and convenient to about anything. The great thing about Vegas is that you don't have to be staying in the Bellagio to enjoy it. Since you're not going to be hanging about the pool in December, it doesn't really matter what kind of "beach club" the hotel has. Just about everything else is open to the public. You can just wander from hotel to hotel, enjoying the sights.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Get a players club at all casinos & use it when gambling--it could get you freebies! (plus some offer free goodies for signing up!)

Note that many properties are owned by a few companies. Your Player's Card from Caesar's is good at Harrah's, Bally's, Flamingo, Rio... your card from GM is good at, I think, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Mirage, TI...

We bought tickets for CSI from a discount spot in a coca cola bottle storefront across the way. I wouldnt do it again.

Wouldn't do which again? The CSI Experience? Or purchase deeply discounted Tix4Tonight tickets?

 

[LuvOrlando]

Note that many properties are owned by a few companies. Your Player's Card from Caesar's is good at Harrah's, Bally's, Flamingo, Rio... your card from GM is good at, I think, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Mirage, TI...

Wouldn't do which again? The CSI Experience? Or purchase deeply discounted Tix4Tonight tickets?

The CSI experience was less than expected best part was the photo at the end. However, same hotel and I'm not really sure which one it was but the hotel has some kind of test audience situation where twitter users (need a threshold of followers can use Twitter and get money $100 i think- and other adults (us) can watch a test show which was so bad it was funny.... THAT was a hoot and free. It. I wish we had done the Jabberwocky Dance thing & that matinee comedy show

 

[DVC California]

Note that many properties are owned by a few companies. Your Player's Card from Caesar's is good at Harrah's, Bally's, Flamingo, Rio...

My best food advice is to join the above Total Rewards for the discounted 24-hour Buffet Pass:
https://www.caesars.com/las-vegas/buffet-of-buffets
https://www.caesars.com/content/dam...et of Buffets/Buffet_of_Buffets_FAQs_2015.pdf

Price:
$54.99 Mon-Fri
$69.99 Sat-Sun & Holidays

Unlimited dining (within 24 hours) at Flamingo: Garden Buffet; Harrah's Las Vegas: Flavors, The Buffet; Paris: Le Village Buffet; Planet Hollywood: Spice Market Buffet®; Rio: Carnival World Buffet

While that may sound like a lot of eating, it is actually a very cost effective way to enjoy some different and fun restaurants. We like to start the pass with a late dinner, say 8pm at Harrahs, then breakfast at Paris, lunch at Planet Hollywood, then squeeze in another dinner at 7pm at the Rio, our favorite. This way, we get four meals at an average of $14 per meal! You can even just flash your card and go in for an ice cream cone or cookies in the afternoon.

FYI - hopefully in Dec, it won't as crowded as when we went in August (?). There were some long lines for these particular buffets with an average wait of 30-45 minutes. You could buy your way to the front of the line for another 10 bucks or so, but IMHO, that defeated the bargain of the pass.

HTH, Steve

 

[tinatark]

We have seen Carrot Top's show 2x - one of the cheapest in Vegas and it is HILARIOUS!! Do a google search for inexpensive tickets.

Charlie Palmer Steak in the 4 Seasons (Mandalay Bay) has a "Micheal Jackson prix fix" menu - about $50 for a steak meal which would be over double that anywhere else on the strip.

Do the Deuce/RTA bus pass instead of walking/cabbing between the resorts!

Fremont St. - Meh. Did it once. That's enough.

Do you have a player's card for any of the resorts? Call and ask about comps!

 

[sproutmd]

Stay at Wynn, Venetian, or Cosmo for the nicest rooms. Try the Champagne Brunch at Wynn on Sundays. I've tried several buffets, and that is the only one I'd go to again.