1st Trip to Vegas in 2 weeks - advice??

[Minnie's Pal]

We are making our 1st trip (& probably only trip) to Vegas in 2 weeks & haven't booked or planned one thing yet beyond our flight & room. Any tips?

I'm been cruising the web for help but it's so overwhelming. Discounts books, discount ticket sites, tons of different grand canyon/hoover dam tour companys to choose from...ahhhhh!

 

[c&m]

The Cirque du Soleil shows are amazing. There are many of them - we've only watched Beatles Love and Mystere. We loved Beatles Love! If you get a chance, go catch a CdS show. You may want to check for discounted tickets at the TKTS office. We went during summer, and happened on a 50% discount on our tickets. You may want to check out Travelzoo.com to see if there are any discounts advertised on their site.

Where to eat? Which buffet? We really enjoyed Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. DH and DD really enjoy the Wynn buffet. You can check out my blog for pics of these buffets: www.theheywoodtimes.blogspot.com

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[mikehn]

Be sure to check out the Fremont Steet part of Vegas where the casinos cater to first timers, newbies, low rollers. There are free gaming lessons, nickle slot machines, dollar blackjack, cheap eats, and a pretty cool light show to name a few.

Visiting the many casinos on the Strip in of itself can be pretty entertaining. Sorta like visiting the many disney resorts. Each casino with its own theme, headlining show, and world class dining/buffet choices. Often times you may find celebrities in the casino poker rooms.

 

[KKB]

You could fill your whole trip just wandering the strip, going into all the resorts & seeing all the shops & sites in each one.
If there is a show you REALLY want to see, book ahead. Otherwise check the tix4tonight list & you could get a good deal. (I recommend Terry Fator or LOVE; Mac King is a great afternoon show. Pick up "free" ticket coupons to him at Harrahs players clubs--it will cost you one drink at $13)
Downtown is an experience, but I typically recommend for a second trip, just because there is SO SO much to see on the strip. While everything is cheaper downtown--gambling, drinking, eating--there is little else to do down there if you don't gamble or if you use up your gambling budget. If you do decide to go, go at night to see the light show & the VERY interesting characters that come out at night. A cab is expensive, about $25 each way. Bus is much cheaper.

 

[rpbert1]

What about the post here
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2613247

for Phantom tickets discount which is still available

 

[rszdtrvl]

DH and I leave on the 31st for our typical 2-night Vegas trip. We always get the winter doldroms - there are times when the sun doesn't even come out here on the coast - and our Anniversary is in January.

We have been to Vegas 3 times already and have always stayed on the strip.

We stayed at Ballys, Excalibur (2x), and this time we got an awesome deal : Portland OR to Las Vegas NV, 2 nights at Imperial Palace, Airport transfers for $375. Total.

It was total spur of the moment for us to book this trip, as we had decided we were not going this year due to the trip DS and I are taking in June (see signature).

I agree with walking the strip and seeing the different hotels. We LOVE the look of Caesars Palace, but the price makes us stay elsewhere. In fact, when we stayed at Ballys we spent most of our day at Caesars Palace across the street.

The only thing that DH and I have as a "MUST DO" is eat at Margaritaville. Gotta get our Margaritas and Volcano Nachos! Possibly Stripburger too, but Margaritaville is most important!

You will find plenty to do just by wandering. And you will have a blast! Every time our plane lands at the Vegas airport, I feel like I am home.

 

[Minnie's Pal]

Thanks for all the advice.

One day I know we'll go see the GC (not sure yet if we'll do the "lesser" West rim or take the time to do the South) & Hoover dam (same day depending on which rim we go to.) I've been so overwhelmed by tour company choices & tour choices, I haven't booked yet.

My heart isn't set on any one show (although CdS seems to have a headqtrs of sorts there. ) Guess we'll wait & see what the same day tix booth offers & go from there (if those lines aren't awful - memories from NYC tix booth wait .)

But it doesn't sound like any of the dining suggestions require reservations so I'll take notes and see where we end up once we get there.

 

[chalee94]

IMO, the grand canyon should be a separate trip. it's just too far from vegas to make good sense as a day trip. i wouldn't bother.

but people do it...

 

[deej696]

We just got back from Vegas, and I would agree with the post that said not to plan much. We spent so much time just wandering around, and it was nice to not have a schedule for once. We did see Love and it was amazing, and had some fantastic meals also. Fremont Street was cool, but not somewhere I need to go back. If there is one suggestion to make, it's to hit Serendipity for breakfast...can't go wrong with Frozen Hot Chocolate French Toast

 

[Anaheim boy]

I LOVE Vegas. Used to go out there as a day trip when I lived in Anaheim. I don't gamble though, I just love the atmosphere of it being a weird adult Disney-like place that's high on neon. I love it. I can spend HOURS just wandering around the hotels and seeing the sights. As crazy as it sounds, I find myself wandering the shopping malls as they can be entertaining on their own. Ceasar's forum shops with the changing day to night sky ceiling for example.
Now I am a little biased as I used to work with Cirque. I've seen all the shows in Vegas except for the Criss Angel one and the new Elvis show. I've heard the Angel one has improved but put that last on your list. Elvis I hear is ok. Of the others, my wife still prefers Mystere, real old school Cirque. But for me it's a toss up between KA and Zumanity. KA has some extreme action in it, nothing you will find one of their tent shows. Zumanity is a sexy caberet shows with nudity. If you want a real experience, grab one of the two seater loveseats near the stage for this show. Either way, all the Cirque shows there are drastically different so you'll get a different experience from each one. O is just beautiful as well. Have fun in Vegas!! Always try to make it there when we head home.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Travelzoo.com has some great deals listed today.
www.travelzoo.com

You need to give your email address, zip code, and country. That's it!

DH and I were not going to see any shows, but Travelzoo has tickets to "Name That Tune" at Imperial Palace (where we are staying) for $11 each! After fees & tax, they were around $32 - less than half the price for one ticket!

I figure at least this will give us a bit of a break from gambling, and be something super cheesy to remember from our trip!