LAS VEGAS -- Should I go??

[SplshMtn99]

DH has a business trip to Vegas in June. Usually something like Sun/Mon thru Friday. He'll be going with 1 other co-worker. They usually are out of their conferences by 5pm. Our only expenses would be my airfare & my meals & my entertainment.

Here's why I can't decide.

1. Will I be bored waiting for him to get out of "work"? I'm not a shopper or gambler. Not really interested in shows. I do like amusement parks. I like the fountain shows & live statues at Epcot & I know there are similar in Vegas.

2. Will I be safe (during the day) if I wander? (40-ish female & pooh sized -- no one will be interested in that - right?) I was thinking I could do some geocaching maybe -- another hobby we have. (www.geocaching.com)

Based on a similar trip he took with same co-worker to Reno, they gambled some at night or just wandered around. I don't want to be a 3rd wheel....and I don't want to be gambling at the tables like the co-worker likes to do. (DH is not into gambling either. We would rather spend our $ on something.)

Also, I guess I would need to buy some clothes. I'm really a jeans, sneakers, t-shirt gal.

So, should I go? Will I have fun? Will I be safe?

ETA: Forgot to add he's staying at the Mirage -- if that helps.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Yes, you can have a lot of fun in Vegas, regardless of what you like to do -- there's something there for everyone. And yes, you'll be safe during the day, especially if you stick to the normal touristy areas.

As far as whether you'll be a third wheel, it sounds like your DH's co-worker won't be upset if you two go off and do stuff, especially if the co-worker would prefer to gamble. It's not like he needs company with him to do that.

 

[PaulaSue]

I would go, I loved my 2 visits there.

I am not a gambler nor have the money to blow shopping but loved the free shows (we did go see O and another pay show) and just to see the theming of each hotel and the pool. I loved Paris for breakfast and loved the butterfly house at Beligo (?). We stayed at the Ventian (?) and loved eating at the cafe inside by Wolfgang Puck.

Dh goes every year for SEMA but I lucked out with my trips out there with him.

 

[MBeds]

The people watching alone is worth the trip!


Go - have fun!!!

 

[debster812]

I found the people watching in Las Vegas to be nothing short of SPECTACULAR! Truly. I gambled a little, and we were there for a wedding, so we had that, but I think you could certainly have fun.

And wandering during the day, as long as you stay on the strip, I wouldn't give it a second thought any more so than any other big city.

I say go for it. Plus you could spend hours ogling all the casinos and resorts (Ventian, Bellagio, Paris, Ceasar's......)

 

[Fall1]

I say definitely go. If you like the sun or swimming, you could have a great time by the pool during the day, most pools there are beautiful and the weather will be great to cool off in the water.

Sounds like you would love the fountain show at the Bellagio! You could tour the hotels, window-shop in the Bellagio and Caesars. It's a fun place to be!

 

[golfgal]

You could spend several days just wondering in and out of the hotels. They are all so different and have something to offer that is free. We spent a day walking the strip and only got to a quarter, maybe, of the hotels. The food in Vegas is VERY inexpensive, like $1.99 buffets for breakfast. We ate at the Rio (I think) for like $12.99 for their dinner buffet and that buffet is HUGE. Like someone else said, the pools are great too so even if you just bring some good books, you will have a nice time. You will be fine on the strip during the day by yourself. Bring a sweater though, the casinos are FREEZING.

 

[mommytotwo]

YES. I would feel safe walking by myself during the day. There are alot of people just walking around, so just stay where the tourists are. You can even sign up to go on a one day tour to the Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon..... check out the different hotels, restaurants, and although you mentioned that you are not a shopper, check out shopping areas, and malls. Ex. Ceasars Palace has an animatronic statue that you might want to see, and there are other things like the Shark Exhibit....at the different hotels.

Tshirts, jeans, and shoes are fine during the day. During the night depending on where you go to, just put on some nice dress slacks, and a nice top and you are ready to go.

Are you into bingo? If your DH and his co-worker are gambling, you can play bingo or keno.

Hope you decide to go for the experience and have a great time.

 

[mamaprincess]

You will fall in love with Vegas. Visit all of the spectacular hotels. There's so much to see and do and the food is incredible.

 

[hydster]

I would go in a heartbeat but then we go a lot every year so I do love it there. You would be completely safe as long as you stay on the strip. True the porn slappers try to hand you "material" but just don't put your hand out and don't look at them and you'll be just fine. For some stuff you can do well:

Alladin has a museum of the American Cocktail for no charge.

Bellagio has the fountains of course, the gallery of fine art which has some amazing pieces there right now. The fountain is free but the art is $15 they also have the Conservatory that is free to walk through with beautiful flowers and plants.

Caesars has the fountain shows and aquarium which are also free.

Circus Circus *though we consider it pretty dumpy* has the Adventuredome which is an indoor amusement type park. You pay per ride or an all day ride pass is about 23 dollars.

The Flamingo Hilton has a wildlife habitat you can walk around for free with penguins and of course Flamingos.

The Las Vegas Hilton has all things star trek if you are a trekky. I am not so I don't know much about it.

Luxor has Motion Simulation rides for $10 a ride, an Imax theatre for $12, Pirates 4D which is 9.99.

Mandalay Bay has the shark reef which is awesome! Lots of cool fish and exhibits to look at for an entry fee of 15.95.

MGM Grand has the free lion exhibit

Mirage has the Secret Dolphin Habitat for an entry fee of $15.00 and they also have the Tiger Habitat and the Volcano for free.

NY NY has the Manhattan Express which is a roller coaster on top of the hotel/casino that you do go upside down on. It is pretty jerky so if you have a bad back or neck you may want to think twice. The cost of it for 1 ride is 12.50 and then if you like it you can purchase an additional ride for $6.

Paris has the Eiffel Tower you can go up in and look at the strip and the cost for that is 9.00

Rio has the Masquerade Village which is free or you can pay 10 bucks to get into costume and ride with the performers.

Sahara has Speed the Ride which is another roller coaster. The price for that is 10.00

The Stratosphere has a bunch of rides on top like a roller coaster, teeter totter that hangs you off the edge of the top of the hotel and Big shot that shoots you up into the air and drops you. The cost is by what you want to do or you can buy a ride pass for 30 I believe.

Treasure Island has the Sirens of TI which is a show on the Pirate ship in front of the hotel/casino. It has been known to be a little racy just so you know.

Venetian has the Gondola rides you and hubby could do either outside or in and depending the cost changes. They also have a museum with great art but they are REALLY picky about just how close you can get your face to the painting where Bellagio you just can't touch but you can get pretty close. The cost for the Venetian is 19.50. They also have Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and I believe the cost for that is 23 or you can buy the
Hollywood Package: $72.95. The package includes admission to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, a show ticket to V -- The Ultimate Variety Show at Desert Passage at the Aladdin and a $25 dining certificate for Planet Hollywood at Forum Shops at Caesars

The Wynn is beautiful and they have a gorgeous waterfall where you can sit on the patio and dine outside not feeling that you are in Vegas.

Also now that they have the Monorail it's really easy to get up and down the strip. From Mandalay bay you can take a monorail for free to Luxor and Excalibur. Then you can cross the street and go to MGM and take the Monorail which has stops all down the strip. It's VERY safe and a really easy way to get around. There is a tram from Monte Carlo to Bellagio and then there is another monorail from Treasure Island to MIrage for no charge.

Vegas is very deceiving. Things look MUCH closer than they are! Make sure if you go you bring great walking shoes. As for clothes we go in Jeans/shorts/flip-flops/sandals whatever and unless we are going to a show or something we don't dress up ever down there.

Also the Monorail will take you down to a shuttle that will take you to Freemont Street which is pretty cool. You may want to have hubby go with you cause it's better to see at night and SOMETIMES it is pretty iffy at Freemont.

Hope this helps! LOL
Heidi

 

[Dan Murphy]

I really do not like Vegas, however I would recommend it to any adult for at least one visit, there really is not place like it, LOL. As said, the hotels are spectacular, if you only went to look at them (and seeing them all, or just the big ones, could take a week in itself). People watching, again as said above, can take on a aura of amazement, there are really some weird folks there, like looking at circus people, but fun to look at. The fountain at Bellagio is stunningly beautiful. There are smaller fountains at other hotels, which if mnot compared to the ones at the Bellagio, are breathtaking in their own right. Even if you do not shop, there are several nice malls at Caesars, Bellagio, Paris and Venetian, with performances at several of them, Caesars I know for sure. Food is not as inexpensive as in the past, pretty much carries itself nowadays, but many good places. A good one.. http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/

The place would certainly be safe, safe as any super busy tourist place. I would say to be vigilant for pickpockets, as well as traffic if crossing streets, but that is anywhere you go. The porn slappers on the Strip are omnipresent, as is the smoke.

You'll be fine, go, enjoy the experience.

 

[SplshMtn99]

WOW, thanks for all the GREAT info!!! Ok, looks like I need to go. LOL At least once. Especially since all of DH's expenses would be covered... not sure when we would afford to get back if we had to pay for both of us.

Sounds like alot of fun free things for me to do too. I just checked, & there are a bunch of geocaches on the strip for me to find while wandering.

I'm certainly open to anymore great info if others have some! Thanks.

 

[RC Fan]

I personally could go for the food only!

Do you enjoy the occasional adult beverage? If so, LOTS of fun drinks to try! For example, I would like to try a Warp Core Breach from the Star Trek Experience, or a Witch Doctor (I think that is right) from the Voodoo Lounge.

I think Vegas is someplace everyone should go once! (I personally would like to go often!)

Give it a shot! I hope you have a great trip! Don't forget to let us know what you think upon return!

 

[Kitty 34]

I'd go and hang out at the pool all afternoon or go on one of those all day tours. I was there once with a bunch of people but I certainly would feel safe walking the strip during the day. Have fun!!

Btw....buy shorts! When we were there in June it was 116 degrees, a bit hot!!

 

[princess pooh]

Vegas is very deceiving. Things look MUCH closer than they are! Make sure if you go you bring great walking shoes. As for clothes we go in Jeans/shorts/flip-flops/sandals whatever and unless we are going to a show or something we don't dress up ever down there.

Definately take good walking shoes! I tried to get around in old flip flops and even though I got back a week ago, my feet are still aching. DH ended up buying comfy shoes there because he didn't bring any with him.

I was kind of in the same situation as you one time, I was joining my friend in Vegas for a conference and I had to keep myself busy all day. I found plenty to do and I always felt safe. I toured the hotels, went shopping, and checked out all the free shows. It was great and if DH ever has a conference there I'd gladly tag along