Las Vegas tips?

[bbak30]

Hi all! I've been searching for a Las Vegas board as awesome as this one, but no luck!
Anyone have any tips for us? DH and I heading to Sin City for the first time in May to celebrate our 15th anniversary.
Neither of us have ever been. Flights are booked, direct from NOLA via Southwest. We are staying at Bluegreen Club 36 near the MGM Grand (a gift from his parents via their timeshare). That's pretty much all I have figured out.
I'm debating on getting the Go Las Vegas card. I did purchase a Groupon for the Caesar's Palace buffet, which looks amazing! I know we want to do the Hoover Dam tour, as DH is an electrician and that's right up his alley. I would also like to see Zumanity.
Anything else? Any coupons or deals to share?

TIA!!!!

 

[cabanafrau]

The LV discussion board on Trip Advisor can be helpful. Deals are frequently found on SmarterVegas.com, Vegas4Locals.com and Travelzoo. Travelzoo frequently runs a nice deal for BLT Steak at Bally's.

 

[carebee21]

I'm local in Las Vegas. Here's my advice. The Bluegreen Club is a bit of a hike to MGM and the strip, so unless they have a shuttle (they may, I'm not sure) be sure to set aside money for taxis or Uber. After walking around all day on the strip and exploring, it really is too far to walk back and forth IMO.

Secondly, there are ticket booths set up all up and down the strip. The most common one is Tix 4 Tonight. They sell discounted tickets for the day of and the next day for a lot of shows. A lot of the things on the Go Las Vegas card are discounted at these ticket booths because most of the things aren't the most popular shows/activities. On a weekday, you can probably find Zumanity tickets in there too if you go at opening, because that isn't the most popular Cirque show. I've personally seen it and it was ok. Not worth full price though. And if you know of any activities you for sure want to do, look at buying tickets ahead of time. Things like the High Roller can be bought online ahead of time for cheaper.

A lot of the Harrahs property buffets are on Groupon. Harrahs, Flamingo, Caesars and Planet Hollywood are regularly on there, which you've already figured out. If you're paying full price for a buffet, Wicked Spoon at Cosmo is our favorite. Also, be aware it's expensive to eat and drink on the strip. People come thinking they have breakfast specials or drink specials like they used to years ago. They don't. Drinks are insane (don't get me wrong, there's some really good drinks, but they're expensive) and food can be pricey as well. Just so you budget accordingly.

If you're looking to gamble, go to Fremont street or off the strip. Places like Sams Town on Boulder Highway are far more affordable than strip casinos.

And if you're looking to get your Disney/Downtown Disney fix while you're in Vegas, there's an Earl of Sandwich and a Basin Bath Store (though they don't carry the mickey head confetti bath bomb) in Planet Hollywood, a Coke World outside of MGM, a good sized Disney Store in Fashion Show Mall that sometimes carries special Vegas Disney products and Disney stores at both the north and south outlet stores.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

 

[Klayfish]

Yes...if someone standing on the street corner of the strip tries to hand you a coupon...beware it's not what you think.

Outside of that, I LOVE Vegas...and I don't drink or gamble.

 

[longboard55]

The high roller happy half hour is pretty fun. They have groupons. Concur on the drinks prices in the casinos, just paid $9 for a bud light. Hit the CVS and load up

 

[bbak30]

I'm local in Las Vegas. Here's my advice. The Bluegreen Club is a bit of a hike to MGM and the strip, so unless they have a shuttle (they may, I'm not sure) be sure to set aside money for taxis or Uber. After walking around all day on the strip and exploring, it really is too far to walk back and forth IMO.

Secondly, there are ticket booths set up all up and down the strip. The most common one is Tix 4 Tonight. They sell discounted tickets for the day of and the next day for a lot of shows. A lot of the things on the Go Las Vegas card are discounted at these ticket booths because most of the things aren't the most popular shows/activities. On a weekday, you can probably find Zumanity tickets in there too if you go at opening, because that isn't the most popular Cirque show. I've personally seen it and it was ok. Not worth full price though. And if you know of any activities you for sure want to do, look at buying tickets ahead of time. Things like the High Roller can be bought online ahead of time for cheaper.

A lot of the Harrahs property buffets are on Groupon. Harrahs, Flamingo, Caesars and Planet Hollywood are regularly on there, which you've already figured out. If you're paying full price for a buffet, Wicked Spoon at Cosmo is our favorite. Also, be aware it's expensive to eat and drink on the strip. People come thinking they have breakfast specials or drink specials like they used to years ago. They don't. Drinks are insane (don't get me wrong, there's some really good drinks, but they're expensive) and food can be pricey as well. Just so you budget accordingly.

If you're looking to gamble, go to Fremont street or off the strip. Places like Sams Town on Boulder Highway are far more affordable than strip casinos.

And if you're looking to get your Disney/Downtown Disney fix while you're in Vegas, there's an Earl of Sandwich and a Basin Bath Store (though they don't carry the mickey head confetti bath bomb) in Planet Hollywood, a Coke World outside of MGM, a good sized Disney Store in Fashion Show Mall that sometimes carries special Vegas Disney products and Disney stores at both the north and south outlet stores.

If you have any other questions, let me know.

Thank you so much! I was beginning to think that the Go Vegas card was full of things we don't really want to do. I will do some more research and see if I can find better deals before we go. I appreciate the tips!!!
Oh, and I was thinking we would be too far from the MGM to walk. I was planning to Uber. It's going to be HOT. There is a shuttle but I don't think it's very punctual.

 

[CynBeth]

Paris has one of the best breakfast buffets. We love the attractions such as the Secret Garden and Volcano at night at Mirage, Gondolas and wax museum at Venetian, Fountain at Bellagio, Shark Reef at Mandolay Bay, and stuff in Luxor. We enjoyed dinner in the Stratosphere. We also just love walking around the different resorts for the theming.

 

[BillSears]

I love Mac King. He's got a wonderful comedy magic show at Harrah's. There are often nice coupons that include a free drink, I got one by asking at the Harrah's information counter.

http://www.mackingshow.com/

 

[klacey1]

Depending on when you're going (because it can take awhile to earn gold coins), you can play MyVegas through two apps (MyVegas and Koanmi slots) and Facebook. It's a free game where you play slots and earn gold coins that can be redeemed for free buffets, drinks, show tickets and more in Vegas. You can Google for more info and for Facebook groups that explain how you can get the most out of the game. Of course the app encourages you to buy "chips," (which you use to play the slots), but it's not necessary.

The Bacchanal buffet--Caesars--is amazing and you will not regret that Groupon purchase!!

For low table minimums and very inexpensive drinks, check out Casino Royale, which is across the street from the Mirage.

 

[ICF]

We made good use of the monorail when we were there last month.....and still put in about 30K steps a day.

They sometimes have a Groupon for that too.

 

[Kirby]

Vegas is like an adult Disney World to me. Don't have anything to add except be sure and see Freemont street at night.

 

[NinaBella]

When I planned our trip, I planned activities based on morning, evening, or night. So if we went to a late show, we had a sleep in morning. When we went to Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire, it was an early morning day because we rented a car and drove there. I learned from tripadvisor board to get to Hoover Dam early before all the tour buses arrived... so we did.

Our favorite show as called Vegas! The Show at the Saxe Theater.

 

[low-key]

I seen so many shows and loved most of them, but if I had to out it down to one show go to Absinthe

 

[AuntieMe3]

I second the advice on the MyVegas game and the monorail. We went to Vegas recently and I got 2 for 1 beers, 2 for 1 Starbucks beverages, and $25 free slot play (This offer is ONLY available if you are staying at the hotel with the offer.) You can only redeem 3 offers every month, but what we got worked great for us. I even won some money on my free slot play. They have lots of buy one get one offers on shows, food and beverages. I think you need an M life player's card to redeem the offers but its a great card to have anyway as you get a discount with every purchase (food, drinks, gift shops) you make at affiiated hotels and casinos. (MGM, NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo and I think Mirage are M Life properties.


If you buy the monorail tickets online, you get about a 20-30% discount.

 

[RC Fan]

www.vegasmessageboard.com is great!

There are lots of happy hours to be found! I personally love happy hour at the Grand Luxe(Venetian/Palazzo).

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Food tip: Go to Burgr (@ Planet Hollywood) and get the truffle fries.

You're welcome.

 

[Bren's Mom]

There are table game 'classes' at almost every casino on various days in the mornings usually (when it's quiet). If you're like me, and very intimidated by black jack, etc, this is a GREAT way to learn! You're playing with other newbies, so no one gets mad if you make a mistake. And after the class part they open a table with a really low buy in so you can practice.

We loved the Zumanity show!

 

[cabanafrau]

If you want to try for MyVegas rewards do not wait until you are there to go online and select them. The site is set up to limit offers from local locations so you will not see the same variety as you will from home. There is frequently a monorail reward available and it does not count as one of the three under the limits. The $35 voucher for Nine Fine Irishmen at NYNY is a popular reward.

 

[catfan98]

The Mob Museum in downtown (close to Fremont) is interesting, we really enjoyed it. We went to Capo's Speakeasy afterwards for dinner. It is off the strip, more in town, so took an Uber. It was FABULOUS!!! Seriously good food. Oh, and I second visiting Fremont St. at night....it's....well....it's definitely entertaining, lol. Vegas is definitely one of my favorite places to go. We are heading back in October.

 

[manning]

Gamble slowly. Stay away from those high payout progress machine. You know the odds of hitting the lotto grand prize? You have a much better chance of winning it than the progressive.