Las Vegas First Time.. Any Tips?

coneeny4

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 15, 2006
I am going to Vegas for the first time in March for 4 nights . We are staying at Bally’s and plan on seeing the Grand Canyon also. Any suggestions on restaurants and things to do? Thanks
 
My Vegas Tips:

1 - Go to Fremont Street
2 - What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! (especially Fremont Street)
 


What do you like to eat? I'd recommend at least one trip to one of the better buffets. Maybe Caesar's Palace, Cosmopolitan, Aria, Wynn's, or the Bellagio.

When I last went, one of the better bargains was Bouchon Bakery at the Venetian. A lot of the area is overpriced. It wasn't cheap, but it was comparable in price to their other locations in NYC and Napa Valley.

Like someone else, I'd recommend at least a few hours in downtown. It used to be kind of seedy (U2's video for I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For was filmed there) but it's cleaned up since then. Many in downtown credit that music video for attracting visitors. It's still not quite as posh as the Strip, but it's a lot nicer than it used to be. One of the more interesting places there is the California Hotel & Casino. It's really different as it's got a Hawaiian theme and attracts a good many visitors from Hawaii who just arrive by tour bus from the airport and don't go anywhere else. They've got a cheap place to eat upstairs that supposedly has some of the best Hawaiian style lunches outside of Hawaii.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/aloha-specialties-las-vegas
 
We love the breakfast buffet at the Paris hotel.

We like to visit the different hotels and see the free and paid attractions both indoors and outdoors.
 
Which part of the Grand Canyon are you going to? Keep in mind that it's a pretty long way. We went to Vegas and the Grand Canyon for my birthday a few years ago and I LOVED the trip. We booked a GC tour via one of the groups that leaves from the Strip. We left around 7am, had lunch in Williams (about 40 minutes) and got to the Grand Canyon a little after noon. We stopped at two different viewing points (one for about an hour, another a little longer as it had a snack bar and gift shop and more to see), then got back on the road and got back to Vegas around 9pm. So it's not a LONG visit with the Canyon but I thought it was fantastic and since it's such a long way, it was nice to not have to worry about driving ourselves. There is a portion of the GC that is closer to Vegas (West Rim) but the further one is the one you want (South Rim).

The brunch at The Wynn is fantastic. We got all you can drink mimosas, which added a lot to the total but we loved it! Be ready to splurge a little!

Also, walk through the big resort hotels just to see them! Bellagio, Caesars, The Venetian, all have great scenery and good shopping/eating areas.
 


We love the breakfast buffet at the Paris hotel.

It was interesting. My family stayed there around Christmas 2012. Did that buffet as part of the Caesar's Enterprises 24 hour buffet deal for less than $50 (went to Rio twice). I guess the best part was the made to order crepes. And I like having coffee, especially since there was no in-room coffee and downstairs coffee was maybe $4.
 
Which part of the Grand Canyon are you going to? Keep in mind that it's a pretty long way. We went to Vegas and the Grand Canyon for my birthday a few years ago and I LOVED the trip. We booked a GC tour via one of the groups that leaves from the Strip. We left around 7am, had lunch in Williams (about 40 minutes) and got to the Grand Canyon a little after noon. We stopped at two different viewing points (one for about an hour, another a little longer as it had a snack bar and gift shop and more to see), then got back on the road and got back to Vegas around 9pm. So it's not a LONG visit with the Canyon but I thought it was fantastic and since it's such a long way, it was nice to not have to worry about driving ourselves. There is a portion of the GC that is closer to Vegas (West Rim) but the further one is the one you want (South Rim).

Isn't that part off of NPS land? I thought it was on the Hulapai Reservation in an area where the Grand Canyon isn't all that deep.
 
Isn't that part off of NPS land? I thought it was on the Hulapai Reservation in an area where the Grand Canyon isn't all that deep.

I think you are talking about the North Rim. The South Rim is where you get the epic, spectacular panoramic views you expect.
 
I think you are talking about the North Rim. The South Rim is where you get the epic, spectacular panoramic views you expect.
No the North Rim is part of NPS and you still get the amazing spectacular views as the South Rim. I actually enjoy it more than the South Rim.

West Rim is on the reservation a d that's where you find the glass walkway and they have zip lining too. West Rim is advertised as 2(1/2?) hours from Vegas.
 
No the North Rim is part of NPS and you still get the amazing spectacular views as the South Rim. I actually enjoy it more than the South Rim.

West Rim is on the reservation a d that's where you find the glass walkway and they have zip lining too. West Rim is advertised as 2(1/2?) hours from Vegas.

Ahh. I think I am remembering that just the West and South Rims were options from Vegas when we went. Didn't realize the West Rim wasn't part of the national park!
 
Sign up for different casino players cards...some give you coupon booklets for free or discounted stuff. Bally's is on the monorail line, if you pre purchase your tickets you can get a discount. Last year we got a lot of use out of the monorail on our trip.
https://www.lvmonorail.com

Fremont Street is fun...its really interesting for people watching... LOL

Have fun!! Hubby and I are going in a couple weeks, we go a few times a year and still love it.
 
I think you are talking about the North Rim. The South Rim is where you get the epic, spectacular panoramic views you expect.

I know about the North and South Rims. I was thinking the "West Rim" you mentioned is really the part of the Hulapai Reservation. You know - where the skywalk is? I understand that that part of the Grand Canyon isn't particularly deep. Still - I recall that when the skywalk was first built the road was kind of a washboard dirt road until the tribe paved the route.

IMG_7400.jpg


https://www.latimes.com/travel/lasv...ved-west-grand-canyon-rim-20140811-story.html

That article has a photo that shows that this part of the Grand Canyon isn't terribly wide nor deep. It's more like "Grand Canyon Lite" compared to the South Rim.

QRNO6KX5UNCZ5HB5AQGUKPG2AU.jpg
 
1. You know the phrase what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?

Only your money stays in Vegas. The rest either follows you home or ends up on Youtube.

2. Sterling Brunch. Right at Bally's. Price is very steep but if you like all the lobster, caviar, king crab, the finest cuts of beef and lamb and the like you can eat, and all the champaign you can drink, and you won't get distracted by the chicken, and plain ole breakfast stuff, it's great. But it's only Sunday morning. And you have to reserve it well ahead of time.
2a. If all you want is comfort food, don't hit the expensive buffets or restaurants. You can get that at some that are $10 and under.

3. If you do Hoover Dam, do it early. The road gets busy later and the closer parking can fill up.

4. Don't buy water on the street.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top