Las Vegas! (In Bed?)

[SoonerKate]

My family (all of whom are spread out across the country) is meeting in Las Vegas this year for Thanksgiving. All we have planned so far is dinner at Bellagio's Prime Steakhouse on Tuesday night, and Thanksgiving dinner at Emeril's on (of course) Thursday.

So what else should we do? I haven't been since I turned 21, but I'm thinking that the kind of activities I would do to take advantage of that would best be done with my friends and not my extended family. My cousins' ages range from 7 to 21, and there'll be 18 family members there.

Any suggestions? We almost always split up into smaller groups, so that's not really an issue. What are must-dos? What's overrated? We're staying at the Orleans, so we won't be on the strip, but we will be close to it.

 

[phisigprincess]

I would definately suggest eating at the restraunt in the Venetian... I think it's the Grand Lux or something of that nature. OH MY GOSH!! It was amazingly good! Don't forget to hit The Cheesecake Factory either!! My best friend and I were just out there in March for spring break. We basically just looked around the casinos on the strip, ate, and gambled about $8 over the course of the whole week! LOL!

Some things that you might want to check out though: 1- Every night The Rio (sorta off the strip) has Mardi Gras (we actually went ON Mardi Gras so it was kinda nuts). They have floats, throw beads, etc. That may be fun for everyone. 2- There's a cheap tickets booth like in NYC. We got tickets to La Cage (the drag show-probably NOT appropriate for the younger kids) for 1/2 price. This doesn't include every show, but it's worth looking into.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know.... you'll have a blast though!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hey Kate. Not a big Vegas fan here, but when we were out there in early Oct, we also stayed at the Orleans. If I ever have to go back again, I think I would stay there. A nice place. Make sure you check out their burger restaurant, Terrible Mikes (a grill type place) and use the coupon book they give you at check-in at it. The Courtyard Cafe was good also, as was the Seattle Coffee. (I spent my time eating, LOL). A shuttle runs from the Orleans to the Barberry Coast, right at the main intersection on the Strip.

Make sure to do the Forum Shops at Caesars (a big TDS there), spend time walking the the Venetian and Paris, both very elegant.

 

[phisigprincess]

I remembered something else!! If you've never been there, consider going to the Grand Canyon. We stayed with my best friend's aunt in Henderson (the suburb right outside the strip) so we just rented a car and drove. We had originally scheduled a bus tour, but it got cancelled the day before. Driving was actually comperable. Also, if the adults in the group want to go out to a club or something at night, don't go to the big names unless you have a lot of money. I really don't get into the big crazy club scene much, so we had my best friend's aunt recommend a bar. Ask the locals, there are some great little dive bars around that were way better than anything on the strip.

Dan, I agree. Vegas isn't exactly my thing either, but it's certainly something to see!!!!

 

[Micca]

There is an awesome mall under Caesar's Palace (the Forum shops) which I believe still has a Disney Store. The pirate show outside Treasure Island (free!) and the fountains at Bel Agio (free). The Blue Man Group show is good, and oh, there is some gambling

 

[preshi]

Great choice of restaurant... Prime is excellent and I love the decor Also if you can, Circo at the Bellagio for lunch is excellent (it's Le Cirque's sister restaurant )

I dont know how old your group is but the clubs is Vegas are awesome. Rain at the Palms, Light at Bellagio, Studio 54 at MGM Grand and there are some new ones in the Venetian, Alladin and Paris that I haven't been to but that my brother says are great

Have fun Vegas is on of my favorite spots

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Check out lasvegas.com. There is a link on that site to all sorts of attractions on and around the strip. If you have any NASCAR fans, a trip to the Sahara is a must! They have two thrill-type rides centered around NASCAR there. DH is a big NASCAR fan, and I plan on taking him there on our trip in Dec. Also, the Circus Circus bigtop can be fun for all ages. And the medievil dining experience at Excalibur (no utensils!)

 

[Magix]

Definitely see Blue Man Group, if you've got the money. I'm heading out there with a friend in December and I'll be seeing BMG for my fourth time!

I recommend dinner at Lombardi's in the Aladdin's Sahara Passage shops (if it's still there - it's been a year or so since I last got to eat there). Terrific Italian food.

I've heard the Pirate battle in front of Treasure Island (or, TI as it's now called) has been changed and now features dancing girls... whatever.

The Orleans is a terrific place to stay. That's where I'll be in December. Definitely my preferred hotel now (used to be Excalibur). Big, clean rooms. Good restaurants. What more could you need?

Are you a thrill seeker? Check out the rides on top of the Stratosphere, as well as the Speed coaster at Sahara.

Oh yes, and I always find the World's Largest Souvenir Shop, just across from Sahara, to be a surprising amount of fun to visit!

 

[Gary M]

SoonerKate, our family will be in Vegas Nov. 27-Dec.1. We are staying at NY, NY, but have stayed at The Orleans more than once and like it very much. We will be at the Orleans on Nov. 29 to see Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Have a great trip.

 

[kasar]

My favorite spot in all of Las Vegas is the dolphin exhibit at the Mirage Hotel. It's great for all ages and it's not very expensive. I call it a quiet oasis in all that craziness. You get a quick tour and the chance to play catch with the dolphins and there is a lovely ice cream spot and you can sit there and just enjoy the warm sunshine.

Circus Circus if fun for kids of all ages too. Have fun - I've been feeling the urge to get there soon myself.

 

[preshi]

Ohh I've stayed at the Orelans. It was very nice And there is one security guy at the elevators who has all these knick knacks. He was really nice

I''ve stayed at teh ballegio, Bally, MGM, NY NY, Excalibur, Monte Carlo and Oreleans if you have any questions about any of them

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

I second the fountain show at the Bellagio

............Click on attractions, then Bellagio fountains below.

http://www.bellagio.com/pages/frameset_noflash.asp

Also if the adults want to go to the Venetian and take the gondola ride.

http://www.venetian.com/attractions/gondola.cfm

 

[GoldenGate]

Perhaps these rides at the top of the Stratosphere would interest you. The X-Scream ride looks especially interesting


http://www.stratospherehotel.com/flash/tower_attractions/thrill_rides/index.html

 

[rascalmom]

Hey Soonerkate!

I deleted my duplicate - see below!

 

[rascalmom]

Hey Soonerkate!

We were in Las Vegas & Grand Canyon last March with our DD's, ages 11 & 15, so I did quite a bit of looking around for kid-appropriate entertainment. We managed to fill the week (& sneek in some gambling time for mom & dad) and have a great time. Some things we did:

1. Fremont Street Experience - free. A great light & music show
in the old downtown area.

2. Tournament of the Kings at Excaliber - a dinner jousting
tournament. Both the show & the dinner were surprisngly
good. We had another adult couple with us for thisl, both
they & the kids had a great time.


3. Mamma Mia at Mandalay Bay - musical based on old Abba
songs. This was a great show. Pricey & tickets might be
hard to get.

4. Manhattan Express at New York New York - rollercoaster.
Not for the height-averse, but great views. NYNY has a
great arcade.

5. Forum Shoppes at Ceasars - mall. The little ones (& young
at heart) will love the 3 story FAO Schwatz store.

6. Mon Ami Gabi & the Eiffel Tower Experience at the Paris.
Our favorite restaurant - we love the crepes. The Eiffel
Tower is an exact replica of the real one on a smaller
scale. Great views.

7. Canal ride at Venetian. Yes, its tourist & kitschy, but you
get serenaded by a cute gondolier. Also have "living
statues" & other street acts (will remind you of WS at
Epcot.

 

[phisigprincess]

Oh yeah! There's definately the Disney store in the Forum shops at Caesar's Palace! It's so cute! Mickey, Goofy, and maybe Donald are all decked out in Caesar's Palace type garb with the chariots and everything. I of course had to browse around for a bit.

 

[TLinden16]

If you want to see a show as a family, I highly recommend Lance Burton--Master Magician at the Monte Carlo. He is wonderful. I thought his magic was better than Siegfried and Roy, and the tickets seemed a bit more reasonable than many of the other shows.

Madame Tussard's wax museum is a lot of fun, too. Definitely walk through the malls at the Venetian and Caesar's. They're beautiful.

Karen

 

[jetsetter90]

Hey there,

We'll be there also. We arrive on Turkey Day 27-Dec 1 and staying at MGM.

I've also been looking for kid things to do. We're definately doing the Grand Canyon and also saw something about a Ghost Town.

Hope the weather is nice.

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[Shutterbug]

Being a Vegas enthusiast it pains me to say dont bother with the Sexy Sirens of TI show at Treasure Island(which is now called The TI). Not just because of the sexiness but all reports that I have heard is that its just plain lame. This is the show that replaced the Battle of Buccaneer Bay.

But fortunately they still have Mystère by Cirque du Soleil playing there. Not sure how it compares to Disneys.

Cheesecake Factory at The Forum Shops.

If you are Star Trek fans check out the Las Vegas Hilton.
Large display of props and memorbilia Plus a thrill ride that starts with you getting beamed aboard to Enterprise(really cool). Then finishes with a shuttle ride battling those stinkin Klingons
Then at Quarks bar there people in costume roaming about.

Theres a 3D Imax screen at the Luxor.

M&M World just a couple of buildings north of the MGM.

Theres bungy jumping next to circus circus. Thats alot of fun I have done the 17 story drop a couple of times

Theres an indoor skydiving place near the convention center. Loads of fun I do that alot each time I'm out that way.