Vegas Rookie

[KKB]

pretty much an expert!
Check out this forum for hotel deals---BUT they won't show until much closer to your date, about 3 months out or so.
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/travel-discussion/704925/?start=2760
Stay on strip for first trip. Bellagio is great location. You will be amazed how inexpensive hotels in Vegas are--by other cities standards. Bellagio, Venetian, Palazzo, Caesars, Aria are all upper end w/ great locations--Wynn/Encore is great, too, loses points for the northern most location you would want to be at. Mirage, TI, Paris, MGM are all great midrange prices w/ great locations--Mandalay Bay is great, but loses points for the far south location. Monte Carlo is best lower priced resort w/ great location on strip--the BEST value on the strip. If Bellagio is your desired hotel level, avoid Excalibur, Luxor, NYNY, Ballys, Bills, Flamingo, Harrahs--don't get me wrong, I have stayed from Wynn to Excalibur (hi to lo), and Harrahs or Ballys are my fav spots--but I stay free, and only spend 4-6 hrs/day in my room. I choose those for location, solid rooms.
Shows--Cirque is IT in Vegas. LOVE, Mystere, O are their top 3. Blue Man Group, Phantom are other favs.
You do NOT need to rent a car in Vegas, especially for your first trip UNLESS you are planning on Hoover Dam or Valley of Fire or other far off site area. The strip is VERY VERY walkable, and will keep you PLENTY busy even if you aren't gambling. That is why I always recommend the most central spot to stay--Bellagio/Caesars/Paris/Mirage are the most central.
I do NOT recommend buffets in Vegas. They used to be a tremendous value, but have become terribly overpriced for very average food. Wynn is considered the best buffet, but at $40/person I can eat a MUCH better meal at many many spots on the strip. We had a restaurant.com voucher (bought at 80% off) for MIX at the top of Mandalay Bay--$60 after the certificate for appetizer & 2 entrees and arguably the best meal we have EVER had--with MAGNIFICENT views.
Keep asking...I have MUCH info!
PS Get an American Casino Guide 2011 after Jan. 1 for each person traveling. (about $25 for 2 w/ free s/h on Amazon)--abundance of coupons for EVERYTHING. Check americancasinoguide.com for listing of coupons.

 

[aboveH20]

TI to Ballys, easy walk, shouldn't be a problem. I've seen Jubilee, I tend to get bored with these types of shows, it was beautiful- a bit too long for me.. If you want to see a GREAT show, since LOVE is dark- I would recommend Jersey Boys, GREAT.

Have a great time!! Love, Love, Love VEGAS!!

I saw Jersey Boys (and Blue Man Group) in New York and you're right, they're fabulous!

I'm greatly encouraged by your enthusiasm for LV. We have our evenings mostly planned, just trying to figure out the days.

Quick question - we're not Liberace fans, but since the museum will be closing, is it worth a look?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Quick question - we're not Liberace fans, but since the museum will be closing, is it worth a look?

Yes, absolutely. It's too bad it's off the Strip; the one time I went, it was with a Las Vegas resident, so while it's probably not far off the Strip and I know my way around much better now, I never went back

I do NOT recommend buffets in Vegas. They used to be a tremendous value, but have become terribly overpriced for very average food. Wynn is considered the best buffet, but at $40/person I can eat a MUCH better meal at many many spots on the strip.

Well, true... but if you can get downtown, Main Street Station has one of the best/best deal buffets in town. Even without a car, the Orleans buffet - off-Strip, but free shuttle from the side of Bill's on E. Flamingo - is very good and low-priced.

 

[jwwi]

I agree that there is so much to see and do while not gambling, it is just overwhelming for a first time visitor. Everyone has had such great advise, I really second the conservatory at Bellagio, Mirage volcano and pirate show at TI too.

We are staying at NYNY this coming weekend and I really have had fun at the Irish bar in that casino.

Any suggestions on dinner near Mirage prior to our 9:30 Love show? I am thinking maybe someplace at Caesars Palace or Venetian?

 

[aboveH20]

We're back!

Thanks to all who posted such helpful information on this board in reply to my questions, and of course those of the OP. We spent 3 nights in LV, went to the Grand Canyon, came back and did the Hoover Dam tour, and then spent another night in LV.

I'd say we incorporated just about all of the suggestions on this board. The next trip (if there ever is one) will be MUCH easier than the first. It's always hard to imagine distances, etc. ahead of time.

 

[Peri]

We go 3 plus times a year and after the first few trips, always stay downtown on Fremont Street at the Golden Nugget.

1. For first timer - I would suggest Bally's for great deals and good location.

2. The tram between Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Excalibur is FREE and prompt.

3. The pricey monorail is VERY expensive and does not go anywhere really.

4. If you MUST see the HIlton, take the bus - the new route includes the Hilton! You will need EXACT CHANGE for the bus to get your pass each day or get a multi day pass from a machine at a bus stop.

5. I would not rent a car, although we usually drive so we have a car with us. But for first time - you won't have time to go anywhere else

6. For steak, yes you can go to Ruth's Chris or someplace like that which is a chain. But for real old Las Vegas atmos plus great prices and aged fabulous steak, go to The Steakhouse at Circus Circus - it is a SO HIDDEN gem - Circus Circus is a joke, but when you enter the Steakhouse on the lower level, you step into a different world. Dress from business casual to dressy with some people in casual clothes!

We are BIG steak fans and think this is the best deal.

7. The Wynn Buffet, even if not as good as at first, is still, IMHO, the best dinner buffet. Bally's is still best Sunday brunch. And downtown, Main Street Station is VERY INEXPENSIVE interesting breakfast with Jewish, Asian and traditional USA foods. Nothing fabulous but nice quality.

8. For looking around, Don't miss the M and M movie on their top floor, you might want to see the Lions at MGM, I enjoy a stroll through NYNY and I like the slots at Excal. but you indicated you are not gamblers.

9. Enjoy - you will have PLENTY to do.

 

[EJKorvette]

My two cents based on my experiences in Vegas:

The Flamingo is a great place to stay, not expensive but not Circus Circus or Excalibur, right in the middle of the Strip. Easy walking distance to the TI pirate show, the Mirage volcano, the Bellagio fountains.

As someone said the Monorail isn't worth it. I found the Deuce (bus) to be too crowded and too slow.

One of the best shows I ever saw in Vegas was the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, Now Appearing at The V Theater inside Planet Hollywood. This is a daytime show and is one of the few kid-friendly things you will find in Vegas. It's a show with trained cats and a few other animals.

I would rather take a cab from the airport to the hotel even though it costs more because the shuttle buses take forever, and my hotel always was the last stop.

One of the best tours we ever took was the Area 51 tour (if you are into that sort of thing). You drive in an SUV up to Rachel, Nevada for lunch at the Lil Al'e'inn and then to the signs that say No Entry in the middle of the desert. We enjoyed seeing the desert because we live in the hot flat humid part of Florida and it was strange for us.

Put ten on red for me at the tables!

 

[LindaBabe]

We go 3 plus times a year and after the first few trips, always stay downtown on Fremont Street at the Golden Nugget.

1. For first timer - I would suggest Bally's for great deals and good location.

2. The tram between Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Excalibur is FREE and prompt.

3. The pricey monorail is VERY expensive and does not go anywhere really.

4. If you MUST see the HIlton, take the bus - the new route includes the Hilton! You will need EXACT CHANGE for the bus to get your pass each day or get a multi day pass from a machine at a bus stop.

5. I would not rent a car, although we usually drive so we have a car with us. But for first time - you won't have time to go anywhere else

6. For steak, yes you can go to Ruth's Chris or someplace like that which is a chain. But for real old Las Vegas atmos plus great prices and aged fabulous steak, go to The Steakhouse at Circus Circus - it is a SO HIDDEN gem - Circus Circus is a joke, but when you enter the Steakhouse on the lower level, you step into a different world. Dress from business casual to dressy with some people in casual clothes!

We are BIG steak fans and think this is the best deal.

7. The Wynn Buffet, even if not as good as at first, is still, IMHO, the best dinner buffet. Bally's is still best Sunday brunch. And downtown, Main Street Station is VERY INEXPENSIVE interesting breakfast with Jewish, Asian and traditional USA foods. Nothing fabulous but nice quality.

8. For looking around, Don't miss the M and M movie on their top floor, you might want to see the Lions at MGM, I enjoy a stroll through NYNY and I like the slots at Excal. but you indicated you are not gamblers.

9. Enjoy - you will have PLENTY to do.

I took your advice, Peri! Booked 3 nights at Bally's in January