Las Vegas tips?

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I saw one on Groupon for $35/pp but the hours were from 7:30 am to 10:30 am, is that the one you're talking about? Just wondering are the choices at that time of day worth that cost...

I just looked at the Groupon. The normal price is $40 during the days and time the Groupon I saw for $36 is valid. The site states 55% off. To state it differently than the Groupon site, essentially you're getting a $4 discount on the meal and in addition they're going to throw in a VIP pass that allows you to skip most of the outside line. But note that it does not let you skip the sometimes very long lines at certain stations inside. And you have a time limit of 2 hours here. Not that I've ever seen that hard enforced. Also like any Vegas restaurant, it is packed at peak eating times. Go an hour early or so and it will be reasonable. Worth it? Hmmm. I'd try not to go in making some sort of financial calculation. If you do you're just not going to ever think it is worth it. Or you're going to load up on one or two things you deem expensive and then come away thinking well if that's all I wanted I could have just ordered it and gotten full service!!! But think about it this way. If you did a value calculation would any restaurant be worth it? The answer is no. You're going for the experience. Is the steak you eat at an upscale restaurant really worth the $50. Is the 6 oz sirloin at a road house really worth $12? Not when I can get a pound of Ribeye, strip, or Porterhouse for less and a good half a pound of filet for less. Obviously at full service places you're going for the experience of going out and the service. Here you're going for the experience of a wider variety of food and a lesser level of service. You go serve yourself at the buffet. I will say this. If all you want is some carved ham, Mac N Cheese, some fried chicken and French Fries and maybe some baked beens or something. Don't go. You can get that far far cheaper (and just as good quite frankly) somewhere else. At weekday lunch, they're missing some of the more expensive seafood choices that would make it easy if you loaded up on em. That's why Dinner is $55 (60 on the weekend) And beware. Caesars has become experts at having a lot of heavy things that fill you up fairly quickly. You're still going to get probably one of the top 5 if not the top overall buffets in Vegas. However, I do think there are better values in town. The price has gotten daunting and other buffets are catching up. Same thing happened to the Bellagio. it was once the best buffet hands down. But others caught up.

 

[NinaBella]

The craziest thing I've ever seen is when one of those characters asks you if you want to take your picture and some unsuspecting tourist doesn't pay them not knowing they expect to be paid. HAHAHAHA.

That I even know you are suppose to tip them. All “street performers” in any city works for tips. Perhaps they were from overseas? When I lived in Korea with my very fair and blonde boys who were still in elementary school, college age Koreans were always stopping us on the street and amusement parks asking to take photos with them. I always joked I should charge for each photo. The older Koreans use to like to rub their heads/hair which was strange at first to have somone in an elevator touch or on the street touch you but they eventually got use to it.

 

[usnuzuloose]

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.

 

[usnuzuloose]

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.

We went to capo's oh so good food!! The mob museum was awesome, I want to go back and take more time.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Do not believe the commercials. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.

Note: I have never been to Vegas

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Do not believe the commercials. What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas.

Note: I have never been to Vegas

Your money stays in Vegas. Everything else follows you home.

 

[nd5056]

I...
You're still going to get probably one of the top 5 if not the top overall buffets in Vegas. However, I do think there are better values in town...

So, what are the other choices, could you name some? Places off the Strip are fine too.

 

[Domo]

If you have Hyatt Points you can (apparently) use them in any MGM resort hotel, including the Bellagio, Vdara, Aria, MGM Grand and more. But the rep was a bit hazy about HOW you can do this. From what I gathered the number of nights you secure varies from hotel to hotel. Confusing!

 

[Pacolovestacos]

If you have Hyatt Points you can (apparently) use them in any MGM resort hotel, including the Bellagio, Vdara, Aria, MGM Grand and more. But the rep was a bit hazy about HOW you can do this. From what I gathered the number of nights you secure varies from hotel to hotel. Confusing!

Yeah it's not a good deal though. For example, 25,000 Hyatt points gets you a night at the Bellagio. Conversely, you could stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives for 25,000 points. Which one is more valuable?

On average, you should be able to get 2 cents of value for each Hyatt point.

 

[klacey1]

So, what are the other choices, could you name some? Places off the Strip are fine too.

Not the one you asked, but I personally think Bacchanal is fantastic. Insanely pricey, but the variety and quality top-notch. I also love Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

Not the one you asked, but I personally think Bacchanal is fantastic. Insanely pricey, but the variety and quality top-notch. I also love Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan.

Did the Bacchanal brunch several years ago and it was the best brunch of my life.

 

[Luv0fDisney]

I've been to L. Vegas many times. If you want to get the best views from High Up, Go to the Top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris hotel. It's better than the Linq Ferris wheel in my opinion because you mostly see the back of hotels from the Linq.

Get monorail tickets. The monorail will take you from the MGM to the W Hotel, or what used to be the Hilton. It connects you to Balley's (Which is also the stop for Paris), Flamingo, and more of the major hotels.

M&M World has a cute FREE movie for kids!! Don't miss it!
Best place to get souvenirs is Downtown Las Vegas... Also Downtown Vegas where the Plaza hotel is at has the cheapest Table games (black jack/craps/roulette). hmm. If you are looking for an amusement park go to Circus Circus Hotel. LOVE the Amusement Park.

The flowers at Bellagio is always pretty. My only disappointment was that they removed the moving walkway when you use the esculators. . You will get a great view of PAris from the Bellagio walk way.

Also the Mirage... Great zoo w/ dolphins and tigers. The Flamingo Hotel has an outdoor area with....flamingos. Lol.

The Ventican hotel has the gondola ride...not sure how much it is though.
Hmm. There is a little monorail at the Escalibur that connects to Luxar and the Mandalay Bay. Hmmm.

 

[longboard55]

Has anyone mentioned they raise the Bunch prices a lot on the weekends.

Popular now, Black Tap at the Venetian and order a milk shake

FYI Treasure Island still has free parking and is easy to get to if you take the back road.

Lots of Burger places, but the one I like best is the Gordon Ramsay place at planet Hollywood

If it hits your dates, Backstreet Boys show is super fun.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

So, what are the other choices, could you name some? Places off the Strip are fine too.

For those reading we've already gone over the Bacchanal and it's a great one.

Re edit for a price change. I think the Studio B at M resort is a good one. It's about a notch below the Bacchanal but actually has a ton of variety and is way lower in price. However, don't take a cab down there or you'll eat up the difference and more. They do have a shuttle. But driving down there is probably best. Free parking. Lunch during the week (Monday through Thursday) $18. Dinner is $25 Friday Brunch is also $25 and Prime Rib is served. Seafood weekend brunch (Saturday Sunday) is $40. champaign Sunday Breakfast is $25. Weekend Seafood Dinner (Friday through Sunday) is $40. It's a great value for what you get. But again don't take a cab down there or you'll eat up the difference. If you're driving however, try it out. Again it isn't quite the Bacchinal. But it's a better value for what you do get. Beer, wine, and Expresso and the like are included with some of the meals. And if you sign up for their card, you might find yourself eating free. One caveat. Don't go here on Holidays and special days like Mother's day It's not much better and it's more expensive.

The buffet at Aria is also a nice one. That is right on the strip. Pretty much mostly on par with the Bacchanal these days but a bit less in price. A few different things as well. If you have that one person in your party that wants to eat lighter and healthier things, I think on the whole, they'll find more of them here. They have Indian food which is fairly unique among the casino buffets. During the week they have separate breakfast and lunch pricing at $25 and $29. Dinner is $39. Weekend brunch (no breakfast pricing) $34 and Dinner $44.

Another good one is the Rio Carnival and seafood buffet. The buffet itself is pretty nice. Not up to Bacchinal standard without the seafood add on but you do get some seafood on it. They have a special seafood section. You kind of get the best of both worlds here. If you have someone that loves seafood, they can pay extra for the seafood section. And if someone doesn't, there is some seafood in the regular section, but they don't have to pay extra for the seafood.

Weekdays, no lunch.
Dinner $33 Seafood section. +$20
Weekend Champaign Brunch $32. Seafood section not available.
Dinner $37 Seafood section +$20.

What does the $20 get you? It gets you a one time only lobster tail, and two claws. Or, 5 mini tails
The rest of the special seafood section is all you can eat. They have an oyster bar, and all kinds of stuff. They have sushi out on the regular bar, but the seafood side usually has better sushi on it.
The good thing about this is in the weekend, you're not walking in the door having to pay $60. If you have a non seafood eater in your party or maybe just someone that might want a few peel and eat shrimp, they don't have to pay for the extra seafood. Yet it is there for those that want it. By the way you can pay to go in, and then look at the special seafood section, and then pay for the seafood if you want it. They stamp your hand and have an attendant. So no sneaky sneaky. And of course no plate sharing with those that don't get the seafood. Again not up to the Bachinnal but hey. Lobster and then all you can eat other stuff for $53-$57 isn't a terrible thing and those that don't want it can pay $33-$37.

Of course if all you want is a slice of ham, some mac n cheese, and plain Jane stuff and maybe some peel and eat shrimp, don't go to any of these. There are plenty of far cheaper places to go just for that. Just head out to one of the cheaper places and save your money.

On the other end, if you want to chow down on all you can eat lobster, caviar, smoked salmon, Filet Mignon, King Crab, and rack of lamb, and you're willing to pay $105, then the Sterling Sunday Brunch might be for you at Bally's. Champagne is included. The kind they use is priced $30 retail here per bottle. They also have a bloody Mary bar and will make Mimosas for you too. They have other things but at $105, you'll probably not want too much of the other stuff.

 

[Tikitoi]

We may be staying at Mandalay Bay for a few days. I heard they allow non guests to come and swim in their lazy river pool (for a fee) is this true?

 

[nd5056]

For those reading we've already gone over the Bacchanal and it's a great one.

I think the Studio B at M resort is a good one. It's about a notch below the Bacchanal but actually has a ton of variety and is way lower in price. However, don't take a cab down there or you'll eat up the difference and more. They do have a shuttle. But driving down there is probably best. Free parking. Lunch during the week is $18. Dinner is $25. Seafood weekend brunch is $27 champaign Sunday Breakfast is $25. Weekend Seafood Brunch and dinner is $40. It's a great value for what you get. But again don't take a cab down there or you'll eat up the difference. If you're driving however, try it out. Again it isn't quite the Bacchinal. But it's a better value for what you do get. Beer, wine, and Expresso and the like are included. And if you sign up for their card, you might find yourself eating free. One caveat. Don't go here on Holidays and special days like Mother's day It's not much better and it's more expensive.

The buffet at Aria is also a nice one. That is right on the strip. Pretty much mostly on par with the Bacchanal these days but a bit less in price. A few different things as well. If you have that one person in your party that wants to eat lighter and healthier things, I think on the whole, they'll find more of them here. They have Indian food which is fairly unique among the casino buffets. During the week they have separate breakfast and lunch pricing at $25 and $29. Dinner is $39. Weekend brunch (no breakfast pricing) $34 and Dinner $44.

Another good one is the Rio Carnival and seafood buffet. The buffet itself is pretty nice. Not up to Bacchinal standard without the seafood add on but you do get some seafood on it. They have a special seafood section. You kind of get the best of both worlds here. If you have someone that loves seafood, they can pay extra for the seafood section. And if someone doesn't, there is some seafood in the regular section, but they don't have to pay extra for the seafood.

Weekdays, no lunch.
Dinner $33 Seafood section. +$20
Weekend Champaign Brunch $32. Seafood section not available.
Dinner $37 Seafood section +$20.

What does the $20 get you? It gets you a one time only lobster tail, and two claws. Or, 5 mini tails
The rest of the special seafood section is all you can eat. They have an oyster bar, and all kinds of stuff. They have sushi out on the regular bar, but the seafood side usually has better sushi on it.
The good thing about this is in the weekend, you're not walking in the door having to pay $60. If you have a non seafood eater in your party or maybe just someone that might want a few peel and eat shrimp, they don't have to pay for the extra seafood. Yet it is there for those that want it. By the way you can pay to go in, and then look at the special seafood section, and then pay for the seafood if you want it. They stamp your hand and have an attendant. So no sneaky sneaky. And of course no plate sharing with those that don't get the seafood. Again not up to the Bachinnal but hey. Lobster and then all you can eat other stuff for $53-$57 isn't a terrible thing and those that don't want it can pay $33-$37.

Of course if all you want is a slice of ham, some mac n cheese, and plain Jane stuff and maybe some peel and eat shrimp, don't go to any of these. There are plenty of far cheaper places to go just for that. Just head out to one of the cheaper places and save your money.

On the other end, if you want to chow down on all you can eat lobster, caviar, smoked salmon, Filet Mignon, King Crab, and rack of lamb, and you're willing to pay $105, then the Sterling Sunday Brunch might be for you at Bally's. Champagne is included. The kind they use is priced $30 retail here per bottle. They also have a bloody Mary bar and will make Mimosas for you too. They have other things but at $105, you'll probably not want too much of the other stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to write this up, great post!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I've been to L. Vegas many times. If you want to get the best views from High Up, Go to the Top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris hotel. It's better than the Linq Ferris wheel in my opinion because you mostly see the back of hotels from the Linq.

Get monorail tickets. The monorail will take you from the MGM to the W Hotel, or what used to be the Hilton. It connects you to Balley's (Which is also the stop for Paris), Flamingo, and more of the major hotels.

M&M World has a cute FREE movie for kids!! Don't miss it!
Best place to get souvenirs is Downtown Las Vegas... Also Downtown Vegas where the Plaza hotel is at has the cheapest Table games (black jack/craps/roulette). hmm. If you are looking for an amusement park go to Circus Circus Hotel. LOVE the Amusement Park.

The flowers at Bellagio is always pretty. My only disappointment was that they removed the moving walkway when you use the esculators. . You will get a great view of PAris from the Bellagio walk way.

Also the Mirage... Great zoo w/ dolphins and tigers. The Flamingo Hotel has an outdoor area with....flamingos. Lol.

The Ventican hotel has the gondola ride...not sure how much it is though.
Hmm. There is a little monorail at the Escalibur that connects to Luxar and the Mandalay Bay. Hmmm.

The Gondola's price can vary. Right now it is listed on Venetian's site at $29 a person for either out door or in door. The price for a couple to go alone is $114. Not including Tax or Tip. They also have a learn to pilot a gondola school open to 9 people only.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

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!!!!

ZUMANITY ! wow I never understood the appeal.Its well very risky show. And I am not at all shocked that easily

 

[DawnM]

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.

We don't drink or gamble and we don't like Vegas. We used to go several times per year. We lived in SoCal and DH's family would come from the mid-west every winter, so we would meet them there. And DH and I would typically have conventions there for our jobs (those we went alone.)

Once you have seen the hotel themes, been to a couple of shows, etc.....it just isn't very exciting. And when we took young kids, they couldn't go into much.

But obviously most people don't share my opinions......

 

[DawnM]

ZUMANITY ! wow I never understood the appeal.Its well very risky show. And I am not at all shocked that easily

Risque?

I have not heard of the show.