Las Vegas 50th. Birthday - Please help with plans, budget.

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My husband is turning 50 this July and we are taking him to Las Vegas for his birthday. We will be there from a Saturday to the following Sunday. The room is paid in full from a friend who will also be celebrating a birthday day, just not a Milestone.

There will be 6 of us. My husband, me, Daughter 21, Son 18. The other group is my best friend and either her boyfriend and or his son 21.

We are staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites On The Las Vegas Strip.

Vegas is a foreign place for me. I really need help planning and budgeting this.

We will need airfare which I would like to keep around $1600.00 for the 4 of us.

Food/Entertainment would love ideas. Is Groupon good? Should I sign up for any and all coupon stuff.

What would you plan for our group dynamic and while I really don't want to break rules but do you think traveling with this group that my son 18 would be able to get on the gambling floor? I would think it would be just a few hours here and there, mostly slots, and he would not order drinks.

Would you travel to the Grand Canyon if this may be your only trip to the area, and what about Disneyland?

Thank you for all the help I can get. Have a few months, but really would like some ideas about costs and food and anything you recommend to do.

Side note: we have a kitchen and can do wash. So we will be able to do meals in the Condo/Suite.

Sorry so long, but I can plan Disney eyes closed, this one has me shaky and nervous.

 

[low-key]

is that the same as The Vegas Hilton , if so thats really off the strip and will have to get some monorail tickets to get around

food is not cheap, look for some McDonalds and things like that

for entertainment go to Tix for Tonight http://www.tix4tonight.com/locations.html they by far are the cheapest tickets you wll get in Vegas and they have everything

I love Veags but your staying to long for a first time visitor, if you could shorten it, do it

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

is that the same as The Vegas Hilton , if so thats really off the strip and will have to get some monorail tickets to get around

food is not cheap, look for some McDonalds and things like that

for entertainment go to Tix for Tonight http://www.tix4tonight.com/locations.html they by far are the cheapest tickets you wll get in Vegas and they have everything

I love Veags but your staying to long for a first time visitor, if you could shorten it, do it

Address is: 2650 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 (The Strip)

I know we are staying a long time so I was wondering is days trips to the Grand Canyon and or anything else would be recommended. Not sure how far those places and or Disneyland is.

I have a few physical limitations that may make some days shorter than others and the actual "site-seeing" may take me longer. We have had some major stress the last few years, and this may be the most stressful time I have ever had in my life. So a day or two will be just sitting around decompressing. Also it may be the longest I spend with my children/adults for some time to come as they are both creating their lives.

So any suggestions on what to do, where to go, must see, must eats would be appreciated.

I know it won't be all cheap meals, but if anyone knows of a few places that are reasonable and not McDonalds, and maybe one Middle priced great don't miss meal.

I need to know what discounts for shows, food, etc people have found.

Thanks again, and again sorry so long!

 

[Pakey]

I don't know where you are from but July temperatures will be over 110. The Grand Canyon will be very hot. Las Vegas will be very hot. The pool water will feel like bathtub water. You probably aren't going to want to be outdoors from 2-7pm if you can help it.

I wouldn't attempt to take the 18 year old onto the gambling floor. This is a huge violation of gaming laws and they take it seriously. Trust me, you don't want to expose yourself to the embarrassment if he gets caught. The liquor license violation would be minor compared to a gaming violation.

There's a lot of amazing food in Las Vegas. It depends on what you want to eat and how much you want to spend. There's usually not many coupon deals to be had for places on the strip but you can find them for places off strip.

 

[wiigirl]

is that the same as The Vegas Hilton , if so thats really off the strip and will have to get some monorail tickets to get around

food is not cheap, look for some McDonalds and things like that

for entertainment go to Tix for Tonight http://www.tix4tonight.com/locations.html they by far are the cheapest tickets you wll get in Vegas and they have everything

I love Veags but your staying to long for a first time visitor, if you could shorten it, do it

 

[low-key]

The Rivera comedy club will be close, and you can get tickets from tix tonight for 10 dollars there, and its a lot of fun


Battista is a medium priced restaurant that is incredible
http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/

just sitting and doing nothing your in a perfect place in vegas, great people watching

yep your hotel is real nice but not close to the center strip, make sure you get monorail tickets

Im not a nature type guy but here are some tours of the Grand Cannon
http://www.viator.com/las-vegas-tours/d684-ttd?pref=02&aid=g3320. but again wait and get tickets at tix4tonight, way cheaper

in the mircle mile mall behind Planet Hollywood they have a great breakfast place that get you bloody marry s for 99 cents, but GAin thats center strip and your not very close to it

AGAIN GET MONORAIL TICKETS YOUR WAY DOWN THE STRIP

this site will give you some good ideals at reasonable prices
http://www.cheapovegas.com/

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I don't know where you are from but July temperatures will be over 110. The Grand Canyon will be very hot. Las Vegas will be very hot. The pool water will feel like bathtub water. You probably aren't going to want to be outdoors from 2-7pm if you can help it.

I wouldn't attempt to take the 18 year old onto the gambling floor. This is a huge violation of gaming laws and they take it seriously. Trust me, you don't want to expose yourself to the embarrassment if he gets caught. The liquor license violation would be minor compared to a gaming violation.

There's a lot of amazing food in Las Vegas. It depends on what you want to eat and how much you want to spend. There's usually not many coupon deals to be had for places on the strip but you can find them for places off strip.

I won't break the rules if they are strict. Wasn't sure how it was handled. We have areas for 18yo's here so it's common to see them walking around, just not able to order drinks.

I guess maybe I should have worded this better. I need to budget. So I was wondering if anyone would like to share their meal budget. Entertainment budget etc.

Like I said, I can budget Disney down to a science. I have no clue about Vegas. I will have a set budget for gambling and give that to my husband for his birthday. It is not all about the gambling, more about the experience and in my mind that would be part of it, but not the reason for the trip.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The Rivera comedy club will be close, and you can get tickets from tix tonight for 10 dollars there, and its a lot of fun


Battista is a medium priced restaurant that is incredible
http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/

just sitting and doing nothing your in a perfect place in vegas, great people watching

yep your hotel is real nice but not close to the center strip, make sure you get monorail tickets

Im not a nature type guy but here are some tours of the Grand Cannon
http://www.viator.com/las-vegas-tours/d684-ttd?pref=02&aid=g3320. but again wait and get tickets at tix4tonight, way cheaper

in the mircle mile mall behind Planet Hollywood they have a great breakfast place that get you bloody marry s for 99 cents, but GAin thats center strip and your not very close to it

AGAIN GET MONORAIL TICKETS YOUR WAY DOWN THE STRIP

this site will give you some good ideals at reasonable prices
http://www.cheapovegas.com/

Thanks for the site and the tips. See I am clueless didn't know they had a monorail system. Is it a Disney type monorail and or an On/Off NYC type? I can look it up. Just was curious to hear this and will but extra in case the weather wears us down. Better to over budget than under budget.

 

[low-key]

your gonna be at the LVH stop
http://www.vegas.com/transportation/las-vegas-monorails/

as far as pool goers, they cool it down to keep it refreshing


I go to Vegas about twice a year and love it, you could get nice room for 50 a night in center strip like at Bally or Harrah, I hope you have fun but I wouldn't go if I was you and just you and your husband plan a short 3 day trip at Bally or harrahs later on

 

[nicolita3]

Las Vegas message boards is a good place to go that posts lots of deals and tips. Almost all the hotels have buffets and fyi they are more expensive on weekends. There are tons of free things to do along the strip. There are tons of good shows to see too.

 

[Pakey]

Low key I've been the past 4 years in July and I've never been in a refreshing pool. The worst have been Paris, Venetian, Wynn. Water almost too warm to even get in. I live in high temp summers and even I found those pools miserable. I have no idea what the Hilton pool is like since I've not stayed there.

OP, $100 per person per dinner is what I budget, without alcohol. I don't do buffets either. I don't know much about casual dining. I know there are some chain places here and there on the Strip. I know there's a Cheesecake Factory, Earl of Sandwich, PF Changs. Most of the hotels have areas that are like small food courts that have fast food. I would guess prices are similar to prices for Disney food. I go for one breakfast while there, at Bouchon at the Venetian, and I eat dinner out every night. I skip lunch and usually breakfast--I may grab a snack somewhere.

I am not a gambler so I only budget $20 a day for gambling--just to do enough to say I did it. Same for my husband. My brother would budget $500 a day so you can see there's quite a range.

I've done all of the Cirque shows and I think tickets run about $125 per person. I think Blue Man group was about $80 per person. Celine Dion was several hundred per person. Some comedy shows are a lot less. Most of the shows are very good. I go to an evening show every other night while there (mainly because I'm not a gambler).

There are Las Vegas message boards similar to this one where you would get more specific help.

 

[RC Fan]

I don't think your trip is too long at all--lots of things to see. I would just stay in Vegas, and do the Grand Canyon or Disneyland on another trip

As far as food budgeting, expect Strip prices to be similar to prices in Disney.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Honestly, considering it is July, you have some physical limitations, and you are pretty far away from center strip, I would rent a car for at least part of the trip.

That way you can zip around Vegas and check out places without having to walk around in the heat.

You will be fine. There is so much to do there.

Just make sure to get show tickets in advance as I know the popular ones sell out.

Have fun! It is on my own bucket list as I have never been either. One of these days!

 

[cabanafrau]

There is a discussion board on here that discusses Vegas among other destinations. The Vegas discussion board on Trip Advisor also has lots of folks offering info. & asking question. You might find some deals on vegasforlocals.com, as well as tixfordinner.com

Food tends to be pretty pricey, but some affordable options might be considering things like Hash House a Go Go, many options in the NY NY casino, Salsa Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops, Stripburger at Fashion Show Mall, the PepperMill and Margaritaville.

Discounts for Carrot Top's show are readily available, along with many others.

Vegas is surprisingly simple to navigate, so much so that landing at the airport was quite a surprise to me.

As others have mentioned, an 18 year old is only allowed to be travelling through the casino areas, simple lingering will be a problem.

 

[happily single]

Can't offer much advice but I will say that when I was in Vegas in October (Celebrating my dbf's 50th) we did not use the monorail once. We stayed right off the strip at the Holiday Inn Timeshare which was wonderful. It was right near the big ferris wheel.

Anywho, we would drive to a casino at one end of the strip (like MGM) and park there then walk down the strip.

Food was very expensive, but then again dbf would NOT go to any buffet We only ate at very expensive places like the Capital Grille and the place on the top floor of ---------------???Can't remember, but it was again very expensive.

Have fun~!

 

[SamRoc]

My favorite place ever is the VooDoo steak restaurant at the Rio. The view is amazing!

http://www.riolasvegas.com/restaurants/voodoo-steak-and-rooftop-nightclub.html

 

[yoopermom]

We went in April, and honestly I can't imagine going in the summer due to the heat. What I would do:

1)rent a car--that way if you all want to split up, or if you know you're not going to "last" as long as everyone else, you don't feel forced to overdo or walk too much. Everyone says driving is a nightmare out there, but DH and I didn't think it was that bad. Be aware, though, that parking garages are a long hike from the actual casino. Valet park where you can and spend the $$ it's worth it.
2)investigate off strip eateries--(another reason to have a car) we love to eat "where the locals do", and found some really fun, homestyle, diner type places that weren't anymore expensive than eating at home. I haunted the tripadvisor forums for months. Also don't always plan on eating together, it's just not going to happen. Plan on $$$ if you're eating on the strip itself (even though it's convenient and fun).
3)if you like day trips, think outside the box-we went to Oatman and fed the wild burros, went and saw the aliens in area 51(ok, it's the middle of nowhere, but it was still fun), went on the Dam tour, etc.
4)be aware of your own limitations and make it an enjoyable trip FOR YOU-you are not there to serve everyone else! Let everyone do their own thing and it will still turn out ok. DH tells me, "Don't be the border collie" because I have the tendency to herd everyone and try to keep them going in the right direction!

Any town will be as much fun as what you make of it. We stayed for four days and I could have easily stayed for a week, but it's because I'm open to adventure. Let's just say that I could tell a story about visiting a store that sold high end "dancer apparel" right next door to the pawn shop my husband was visiting

You'll have a great time!

Terri

 

[Straitlover]

The place where OP is staying and the LVH is not the same. The Grand Vacation Suites is a timeshare place and is right next to Circus Circus. OP, if you're not going to have a car, I'd plan on using the Deuce Bus since it will be so hot. I might do the monorail if you were leaving your condo and headed way down to say MGM or Mandalay Bay because the monorail station is not too awful far from the HGV, but I wouldn't plan on using it all the time.

I like having a car because I can go wherever I want. If you use the back/side streets, it's not bad at all, and parking is free except for the valet tip. It comes in handy if you are wanting to hit some of the cheaper off Strip eating places.

It's been 8 years since I last went, but we hit up the buffet at the Green Valley Ranch, and it was really good. I had a coupon from either the Entertainment Book or the American Casino Gude for BOGO Free. We had a few decent cheap meals over at Ellis Island (don't know if it's still there or not). We splurged on the breakfast buffet at Paris, and it was yummy!!! I know they have opened all kinds of fancy places since I've been there, so I can't comment on them. I'm not a "foodie", so I don't frequent those kinds of places, anyway. I stick w/ good low to mid priced meals.

 

[yoopermom]

We had a few decent cheap meals over at Ellis Island (don't know if it's still there or not). We splurged on the breakfast buffet at Paris, and it was yummy!!!

Ellis Island was GREAT, although when we went, at least, they didn't take reservations, so I spent quite a bit at the slots while I was waiting to sit down and eat some yummy ribs .

We also ate at a pretty decent breakfast/lunch type diner place right past Hooters Casino, lots of day workers eating there, tasty fresh food and cheap prices.

Terri

 

[malibuconlee]

My husband is turning 50 this July and we are taking him to Las Vegas for his birthday. We will be there from a Saturday to the following Sunday. The room is paid in full from a friend who will also be celebrating a birthday day, just not a Milestone.

There will be 6 of us. My husband, me, Daughter 21, Son 18. The other group is my best friend and either her boyfriend and or his son 21.

We are staying at Hilton Grand Vacations Suites On The Las Vegas Strip.

Vegas is a foreign place for me. I really need help planning and budgeting this.

We will need airfare which I would like to keep around $1600.00 for the 4 of us.

Food/Entertainment would love ideas. Is Groupon good? Should I sign up for any and all coupon stuff.

What would you plan for our group dynamic and while I really don't want to break rules but do you think traveling with this group that my son 18 would be able to get on the gambling floor? I would think it would be just a few hours here and there, mostly slots, and he would not order drinks.

Would you travel to the Grand Canyon if this may be your only trip to the area, and what about Disneyland?

Thank you for all the help I can get. Have a few months, but really would like some ideas about costs and food and anything you recommend to do.

Side note: we have a kitchen and can do wash. So we will be able to do meals in the Condo/Suite.

Sorry so long, but I can plan Disney eyes closed, this one has me shaky and nervous.

That is not breaking the rules, it is breaking the LAW. It is not allowed. I've been there in my early 20's and carded in the casino. There are walkways thru the casino, he should not stray from those not loiter. If he does he should expect security or a slot attendant to ask for id to prove he is 21. Since he is not he will be asked to move along.

I know you didn't ask this, but I think that's far too long to visit Vegas! I'm good after about 3-4 nights, but have friends that stay for a week.

I personally wouldn't take anyone under 21 to Vegas. If you do, perhaps invite a friend of similar age to go with you to hang out with your son while you are all doing things he cannot.


For my husband's 40th birthday last summer we rented a cabana for a day. It was fantastic and not nearly as expensive as I had feared, especially with compared to how much you can spend gambling in that same amount of time.