What to do in Las Vegas by myself during the day.

[momandkidslovedisney]

I'm so jealous! Good for you!

I'd almost just nap the whole time!

Thank you! I am still a bit nervous to leave the kids for 4 days, but I think it will be nice for me to have some alone time.

I might just nap the day away!! I can't even remember what it was like to be able to do whatever I want without worrying about what the kids want/need!!

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

One word....
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.
.
.
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CHIPPENDALES!!!!



(at the RIO...not that I know from experience...)

Thank you for the giggle!! I have a huge smile on my face right now and I can't make it go away!!

 

[jsmith]

pffft-skip chippendales in favor of -

Thunder from Down Under-at excaliber

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

pffft-skip chippendales in favor of -

Thunder from Down Under-at excaliber

Wow, I want to see them...based on the name alone!

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

Plutolover - A spa day sounds great! Just what I need during a relaxing vacation!

Pepperw23 - I know! I love all of the Vegas tips. Thank you Dis'ers!!!

Luckey - lasvegas- A movie that isn't rated G!! I haven't been able to watch a movie of my choice in years! If I get a rainy day while in Vegas, I am going to the theater!!

BTMRR - Thanks. That is exactly what I have planned.

4-seasons - I love people watching. I will hit up the toy stores, I need to bring back some "stuff" for the kids.

Disneywalkergirl - DISNEY OUTLET!!! How do I get to it? Do I need to take a cab? Can I walk!?!? I am so excited!!!! I had no clue Vegas had a Disney outlet.

 

[DaisyD]

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I am going to write them down to take with me. It is so nice to have "real world" suggestions from travels who have been to Vegas. It will be nice to RELAX and enjoy my first trip without the kids! Hopefully my next trip will be to WDW with the kids.

Are you not planning to gamble while there? I love LV and we try to go at least once a year. We did the Hoover dam tour which was nice in that they picked you up at your hotel. You didn't need a rental car. The tour was really interesting. There are plenty of tours that do this. I am not big on shopping and most of the "outlets" there are overprices junk for tourists. Spas are nice but if you do that at home then I wouldn't bother doing them while in LV. I guess I'm just too much a gambler. LOL!

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

Are you not planning to gamble while there? I love LV and we try to go at least once a year. We did the Hoover dam tour which was nice in that they picked you up at your hotel. You didn't need a rental car. The tour was really interesting. There are plenty of tours that do this. I am not big on shopping and most of the "outlets" there are overprices junk for tourists. Spas are nice but if you do that at home then I wouldn't bother doing them while in LV. I guess I'm just too much a gambler. LOL!

I will probably gamble a little bit, but I am not a huge gambler. You know, I may not even gamble at all if I find other things to do. I didn't know that tour companies will you pick you up at the hotel. I always imagined that I would need a car in order to see Hoover Dam.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

DH and I stayed at the Mandalay last October, he had a conference there. The pool is fabulous - and of course there is a pool bar The rooms are large and the bathroom is great. I loved taking a bath in the soaking tub, and watching TV at the same time.

Food and drink are fairly expensive - there are a couple of Starbucks in the Mandalay if you need a coffee fix. The nice thing is every restaurant has menu boards so you can see what the options are. There are some amazing restaurants in Las Vegas if you have the budget for it. On a more budget note, in the shops linking Mandalay and Luxor there is a place called Burger Bar - I highly recommend it. Pick your meat, pick your bun, pick your toppings - they are all ala carte ranging from the familiar to lobster and fois gras. My favorite so far is an Angus burger on ciabatta bun with grilled onions and cheddar cheese, side of sweet potato fries. They also have a great beer selection. there menu and stuff is online too.

It's right across from Lush if you need to pick up some stuff to use in the bath.

In addition to the shops that link Mandalay to Luxor, there is also a free tram that links Mandalay - Luxor - and Excalibur. There are 2 stops at the Excalibur, the first coming from the Mandalay will take you into the casino, the 2nd will let you out at the corner. Then you can take the bridge across the street to the NYNY and then another bridge over to the MGM Grand. Anything farther than this and I am wimpy and would cab it. The walk between MGM and Planet Hollywood is dusty and dirty and no fun if it's hot out.

There are full blown shopping malls at Caesar's - Forum Shops, Planet Hollywood, and the Venetian. Then the Fashion Show Mall is just a bit further north. Every hotel has some shops. Havea great time!!!

 

[Ohiodislover]

I will probably gamble a little bit, but I am not a huge gambler. You know, I may not even gamble at all if I find other things to do. I didn't know that tour companies will you pick you up at the hotel. I always imagined that I would need a car in order to see Hoover Dam.

Often times these trips are super cheap too! The one we went on also stopped at the Ethel M chocolate factory-MMMM. (of course you can buy the chocolate on the strip too)

 

[LindaM]

We just got back a week ago, the hotels in itself are incredible I could spend hours just looking at everything. Have a margarita at Margaritiville, they are really good. I second the outlet shopping, got some really good deals, and it's nice just to walk outdoors without a hustle and bustle of the strip. The lions are in MGM and are free.

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

We just got back a week ago, the hotels in itself are incredible I could spend hours just looking at everything. Have a margarita at Margaritiville, they are really good. I second the outlet shopping, got some really good deals, and it's nice just to walk outdoors without a hustle and bustle of the strip. The lions are in MGM and are free.

Do I need to take a taxi to the outlet mall? Is it within walking distance?

 

[momandkidslovedisney]

DH and I stayed at the Mandalay last October, he had a conference there. The pool is fabulous - and of course there is a pool bar The rooms are large and the bathroom is great. I loved taking a bath in the soaking tub, and watching TV at the same time.

Food and drink are fairly expensive - there are a couple of Starbucks in the Mandalay if you need a coffee fix. The nice thing is every restaurant has menu boards so you can see what the options are. There are some amazing restaurants in Las Vegas if you have the budget for it. On a more budget note, in the shops linking Mandalay and Luxor there is a place called Burger Bar - I highly recommend it. Pick your meat, pick your bun, pick your toppings - they are all ala carte ranging from the familiar to lobster and fois gras. My favorite so far is an Angus burger on ciabatta bun with grilled onions and cheddar cheese, side of sweet potato fries. They also have a great beer selection. there menu and stuff is online too.

It's right across from Lush if you need to pick up some stuff to use in the bath.

In addition to the shops that link Mandalay to Luxor, there is also a free tram that links Mandalay - Luxor - and Excalibur. There are 2 stops at the Excalibur, the first coming from the Mandalay will take you into the casino, the 2nd will let you out at the corner. Then you can take the bridge across the street to the NYNY and then another bridge over to the MGM Grand. Anything farther than this and I am wimpy and would cab it. The walk between MGM and Planet Hollywood is dusty and dirty and no fun if it's hot out.

There are full blown shopping malls at Caesar's - Forum Shops, Planet Hollywood, and the Venetian. Then the Fashion Show Mall is just a bit further north. Every hotel has some shops. Havea great time!!!

That tram sounds great. I didn't know they have TV's in the bathrooms!! That is cool. I am going to take a nice relaxing bath!!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Do I need to take a taxi to the outlet mall? Is it within walking distance?

I would say a cab.

Just a warning--Distances can be very deceiving in Vegas. The casinos are so Ginormous. What looks close often isn't. We usually walk up one way, and then do a cab back, or vice versa. The heat is dry. You don't realize that it is getting to you. The casinos are super cold though. If you are walking, take lots of breaks.

 

[dsneygirl]

Do I need to take a taxi to the outlet mall? Is it within walking distance?

You could take the bus but since you are already so far at that end of the strip I would just take a cab. I doubt it would be more than $10-$15.

I just got back from Vegas and my DH was working (like your sis would be) this was also our first kids free vacation. I had NO trouble keeping myself busy all day I did the Fashion Show, the shops at Planet Hollywood, both outlet malls and the Forum Shops at Caesars. I also just enjoyed some people watching and sitting by the pool reading my book in peace and quiet.

Have fun

 

[daisax]

Get a facial, massage, mani and pedi. The spas in Vegas are wonderful. Most of the resorts on the strip have them. Enjoy!!

This is a great time to do Vegas -- I was at the Mirage in January and we got 50 minute massage and 50 minute facial for $150. I was looking at the website the other day and they're still running that special (I think you can get 25 mins of each for $99).

The tigers (including the older cubs) are in the Secret Garden exhibit which is may be worth the money (especially if they reduce the price from the normal $17 to whatever special they were offering the day we went). You see the dolphins first, then go on to see the cats. It's amazing to see them up close (much closer than you could ever see in that sad white cement thing they used to stick one in). You do have to watch out that they don't pee on you, because they'll walk right along the fence and lift a leg! Often they're sleeping, and it's just astounding how huge they are in person.

The cubs are in a their own separate large enclosure and they're more playful than the adults, but a lot depends on time of day and the heat. I believe they also have jaguar or leopard cubs but they weren't there the day we toured.

The lions at MGM are in a kind of lion habitrail near the casino which is amazing to behold -- you can walk underneath them and see their gigantic paws from beneath. Once years ago I was able to pose with a baby lion cub, which I guess they do for socialization, but that I suppose depends on whether they have any babies they want to expose to the public. (Basically you walked up to a table where they were feeding the cub a bottle, were allowed to place one hand gently on the cub's back, they snapped a pic, and that was that, but it was pretty cool.)

Dinner specials are also great -- at mirage they have 3 course meals for $29 at their better restaurants and places are lowering their buffet prices, too, which is unheard of. Shows are also on deep discount. I know by staying at the Mirage we were able to get 2 for 1 price tickets for the Beatles LOVE show, and half price for Jay Leno tickets, so call around and see what you can do. There are half price ticket places but you may do better on your own.

I think Tropicana may still be running the Bodies and Titanic exhibitions, if you're into that. The exotic car collection at Imperial Palace is also a fun take in (especially if you get a discount on the ticket). It's just a bunch of cars, but each one has a little story, and it's fascinating to me as a non car person to see how horribly uncomfortable the "luxury" cars of even 40 years ago were!

 

[chisnpeke]

I would say a cab.

Just a warning--Distances can be very deceiving in Vegas. The casinos are so Ginormous. What looks close often isn't. We usually walk up one way, and then do a cab back, or vice versa. The heat is dry. You don't realize that it is getting to you. The casinos are super cold though. If you are walking, take lots of breaks.

I definitely second the distances are deceiving there. The resorts are HUGE. It also seemed like you had to walk through the casinos to get anywhere so make sure you have proper walking shoes! I didn't and severely paid for it!

We stayed at the Mirage and it's a beautiful resort. We only stayed for one night as we were passing through to California. We did the Bellagio fountain show and it was great. Also did the Secret Garden at the Mirage and I really enjoyed it.

 

[chisnpeke]

I'm going to also add in to go to Caesars Palace and walk around the Forums Shops. The Atlantis show is pretty cool, though we ate at the Cheesecake Factory so we didn't see all of it.

We rode in the gondolas at the Venetian and it was very neat! They have an indoor ride and an outdoor ride and you pick which one you want to do. We did outdoor. I also HAD to get my picture in front of the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!" sign.

You'll find plenty to do! Have fun!!!

 

[daisax]

Agree about the distances. You can see the sign for the property RIGHT THERE. What you don't realize is that that sign is the size of a football field and that's why you can see it so clearly. And most resorts are set quite far back from the strip, so even once you're in front of them you aren't "there" yet.

There is a monorail that runs along the opposite side of the strip from where you're staying -- you can decide whether it's worth buying some kind of temporary pass or series of rides. In the past we were able to buy a 10 ride ticket but use it for more than one person, so you and your friend could also use it in the evenings if you wanted, and if they still permit that.

That said, the monorail is at the back of the property, so it might be worth the extra $5 to take a cab and be dropped off directly at your hotel rather than take the monorail and cross through an entire casino, then out to the strip, then across the strip, then all the way back to the MB and all the way to your room.

 

[DaisyD]

We stay at the Bellagio and the first trip we walked to that sign. It took forever! We took a cab back. LOL! You aren't supposed to cross the street there but we did so we could get a picture of us under the sign. At the Bellagio there is a great fountain show there in front every night. We usually get a fountain view room so I can watch it when we are in the room. I could spend all day walking from casino to casino checking out what gimicks they have to get people in. We took a gondola ride at the Venetion which was OK. I wouldn't do it again though. Avoid Treasure Island! The place is just seedy. The Wynn is an awesome hotel to visit too.

 

[luvflorida]

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions from other posters.

I agree with everyone about the distances of buildings. Things on the strip appear a lot closer than they are. You can see the casinos, they look like they're just up ahead of you, but after walking a good distance, you still aren't as close as you think you should be. However, I love walking so it didn't really bother me. Just be sure to allow plenty of time to get to where you're going.

The Beatles LOVE show is fantastic! So is the fountain show in front of the Bellagio. My husband finally had to drag me away from it. I wanted to make sure I caught all the different versions of it.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the large, multi-level M&M store across the street from New York New York. Fun place to browse around in.

There are a ton of things to do in Vegas, even if you don't gamble. I hope you have a great time!!