Im going to Las vegas for the first time, any tips, ideas or must-do's from others who have been there?

Show all answers

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

When you go to Las Vegas these usual things you will want to see for FREE:

1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in front of the Bellagio hotel. It usually runs every 15 minutes in summers starting at 3:00 PM; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different (there are more than 20 different tunes choreographed) so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. ALSO, go inside the Bellagio hotel to its lobby and view the beautiful glass sculptured ceiling AND the seasonal floral arrangements in the Atrium.

2. The â€œSirens of TIâ€ show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel; it runs every 90 minutes starting at about 4:30 PM. Simply stand on the sidewalk in front of the TI Hotel.

3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight. Again, just stand on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

4. Go down to Fremont Street and see the light shows. There are usually 3 or 4 different shows, starting after dark (about 8:30PM) and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each.

5. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Masquerade in the Sky show. It is like Mardi Gras parade, only suspended from the ceiling over the gambling floor. It runs every 60 minutes starting about 3:00 PM; the last show starts at 9:30 PM..

6. Go to the MGM Grand hotel to see the Lion habitat. This is better then the tiger habitat at the Mirage Hotel because there are usually trainers in with lions to keep them active.

7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy show used. This is kinda passe because the tigers rarely do anything but sit and stare.

8. Go in Caesars Palace and walk through the Forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) then take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium. Then continue on through the shops to the second fountain and wait for the show to start.

9. Go into the Flamingo hotel to see their animal habitat with flamingos and penguins.

10 The Excalibur hotel also has a free show starting at 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "Star Trek The Experience"; it cost about $25.

If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and the show at the MGM, "KA". These will cost about $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. I aso suggest that you buy tickets online before you go, particularly if you want to see a Circ d Sol show. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, look for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets sold on a first come basis. I have never done this but see people doing it. If you are in Vegas as a couple, you will be stopped many times by folks in a number of hotels trying to offer free stuff in exchange for listening to time share presentations. They will get on your nerves. But if you don't mind sitting through a time share presentation you can get free show tickets or some cash. I also recommend Gladys Knightâ€™s show at the Flamingo and also the George Wallace comedy show at the Flamingo. Clint Holmes' show at Harrahs is good but I didn't care for The Scintas at the Rio Hotel. If you like oldies, go see the show at the Sahara Hotel featuring the Drifters, Flamingos, and Coasters.

WHAT TO DO

SIGHTSEE THE FREE STUFF: People go to Vegas to sightsee as well as gamble. You can see most of the stuff on the Strip by walking, so you don't need a rental car. There is a free monorail between Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street which runs from the MGM to the Hilton you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrahs Hotel to the RIO Hotel that runs every half hour. There is also a free bus that you can get outside the Barbary Coast Casino that will take you to the Orleans and some other off strip casinos.

Plan which hotels/casinos you want to visit each day so you can make the most of your walking and the free monorails and scuttles. When you get to Vegas you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" , â€œShowbizâ€or "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the Strip and city with the hotels marked, current hotel shows and prices, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel. They also list hotel restaurants and buffets time sand prices.

JOIN PLAYERS CLUBS: Do join ALL of the players clubs because they are your ticket to
lower priced return trips. The hotels will email you, or send by regular mail, specials on room rates and shows. The players clubs are free; all they want to see is your driver's license. You can join some of these clubs online before you go.

SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island Hotel (across from the Wynn Hotel), or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south on the Strip (just past the airport) to the outlet mall. For more shopping, drive south on I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border ... about 45 miles) and there is a big outlet mall and some casinos.

DINING: The hotel coffee shops and buffets are now much more expensive than they were years ago. So, if you want to eat for less go to the food courts located in many hotels and also try one of the several Denny's restaurants on the Strip (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino and another across from the Monte Carlo hotel/casino). There are also a number of McDonald, Burger King, and other fast food places on the Stip. You can get breakfast and dinner buffets a few dollars less at the Imperial Palace hotel/casino and at the Gold Coast hotel/casino. Buffets also cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Fremont St hotel/casinos. There is an Outback Steak House in the Casino Royale Hotel and another across from the RIO. There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Caesars Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Romaâ€™s, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one in the Stardust hotel/casino, one on Fremont St and another on Sahara Ave near Paradise Rd.

MOVIES: There are movie theaters in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the Strip across the street from the Monte Carlo hotel, near the MGM hotel.

BOWLING: If you like to bowl, there are alley's in The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino (beside the RIO) and in the Orleans Hotel Casino. .

ACT LIKE A KID: If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and, for those with a strong heart, three rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. The Circus Circus Hotel/casino has arcades and an indoor amusement park. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke World experience that has all type video games. In addition, many hotels have an arcade area.

OTHER THINGS:

RED ROCK CANYON: Its about 20 miles west of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you can pick up that street at the north end of the Strip) Itâ€™s a scenic drive-through park. Go early, not in the heat of the day; there's no shade.

HOOVER DAM: Drive about 30 miles southeast of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam; the National Park Service offers tours there (@ $15.) and its interesting stuff. Go on past Hoover dam to Boulder City and then to Lake Meade for a swim and/or to visit the new casino there. Also, there are tour companies that will take you on a cruise of the river below Hoover Dam. Check the Vegas web sites.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK: Drive about 35 miles north of Vegas on I-15 and go to Valley of Fire State Park, another scenic park area.

ZION NATION PARK: Itâ€™s a long drive (about 2-3 hours), but you can drive North on I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.

DEATH VALLEY: If you like to visit National Parks, drive about an hour and a half south of Vegas on I-15 and take RT-127 to Death Valley National Park (total drive may be 3 hrs each way).

GRAND CANYON: The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 long hard hours on mostly two lane roads with trucks and campers (only a short way on I-40). You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, like 6:00-7:00 AM. That will put you there about noon and you will have 4 or 5 hrs before starting back and getting back to Vegas about 11:00PM. I recommend staying overnight at the Canyon (there are plenty of motels near there, like Best Western, Ramada, Quality inns) and drive back the next day.

toddk57@sbcglobal.net

Ddelacruz: I has been to Las Vegas 2 times this year yes
you must do the following go over to visitor's center pick up some coupons free also have buffet ticket along with cash to
gamble with catch a movie or go see an show all attractions there in Jean or downtown strip if spending the nite at Hotel&
Casino < 1-800-Fun-Stop> Ask for information then make reservations at Wiskey Pete's or Buffalo Bills depending room
availability $59.00 per nite

mgirl883

Dont know how old you are or what you like to do, but there are a few great clubs/bar in Vegas that you should check out. PURE at Caesars is great along with Body English at Hard Rock and the Ghostbar at Palms. There is also a really cool piano bar in NYNY. Check out the below web site

deathmaster1995

check out the hotels

chefgrille

There's a gigantic overhang near downtown/strip. They have live bands, project it on the overhang, it's huge! Tons of bars, it's like Mardi Gras. Tons of people. It's a lot of fun.

Unfortuantely, I can never remember the name of it. You won't believe it 'til you see it.

I think there's a place near downtown called the Stratosphere. It's a huge ride if you like a gigantic amusement ride high over Vegas!

BGS

You have heard of Marshalls,Dress for less Ross Well in LasVegas Go to Stein Mart You will be an automatic winner. Their clothing and prices are soo much better and current. Don't vote on your question until you return or do it from Vegas. You go and I'm a sure winner. GOOD LUCK

candace b

If at all possible, it will be to your advantage to rent a car. You will be able get out of the local area to see a lot more. If you really want to get around, you cannot depend on public transportation. From personal experience, I know the taxi's will cheat you! If you are staying on the strip, you can leave your car at your hotel and use public transportation or walk to see some sites. If you want to use your car to get around on the strip, you can valet park at all of the hotels. I believe that parking is free at most hotels; you just have to tip. Also, be prepared to "tip" your way through Vegas. You will get better/faster service with almost everything.

Personally, I like to get off of the strip for some of the meals. They have some really good restaurants that are outside of the tourist areas.

Have a good time.

jabba

i just got back a few weeks ago and had a blast. go see all the hotels. go to the old part of vegas and see the fremont street experience. thats neat. the waterfalls, volcano at the mirage and if your into animals the animal exhibit at the mirage is cool. its about 15.00 a person. you could spend all day there though. also at the mandalay bay has a shark exhibit if your into that stuff. there is to much to list. have fun.

iguana

If you're not staying at the Bellagio, go stand in front of it at night and watch the water show. It's so beautiful and runs every 15 minutes at night. Take a couple of drinks with you and enjoy.
If you are staying in the Bellagio, get a lakeside room or suite, and watch it thru your window with the tv turned to the station that plays the music.
Go to Mirage and check out stuff like the Secret Garden and the Aquarium and stuff like that. They've got alot to do there.

The silly @ss Pirate Show at Treasure Island is okay, but almost as cheesy as the Volcano at Mirage.

If you do Cirque du Soleil, I highly recommend Mystere at Treasure Island. I've seen them all and I love Mystere. It's the cheapest of the shows as well.

sansrival

Try buying the Las Vegas book. When I was there last March, my friend gave me vol 18 which he bought at Bellagio. It is a collectors item, however, the binding in my copy is not that good.
Bellagios flower arrangement is the best! They got the dancing fountain which is better seen at night.
There are a lots of hotel over there. Wynn, Ceasars Palace, The Mirage, MGM Grand, the Treasure Island, New York, New York, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Monte Carlo etc. Each one has its unique features. It is better that you see each one of them. The top hotels are in Las Vegas.
My friends favorite is the Hoover Dam.

happy1hereâ™¥

Get off the strip and ask where "sunset station" is..take a cab,it is where the locals go and the buffet is all homemade and like $6.98 on the strip it is all not homemade food and $17.98,,also the slots pay off better if you get out of downtown,it is a must if you want to gamble to go to Sunset Station!Use to live near Vegas!

zippythejessi

Las Vegas can be very overwhelming for someone who's never been there before. I suggest getting a guidebook before you go - there's one by Don & Betty Martin that's pretty good. Figure out what shows interest you. (I recommend Mystere at TI, O at Bellagio, and Blue Man Group at the Venetian, I think.) Figure out where you think you want to eat. See what attractions interest you. (At least wander thru Bellagio and the Wynn, they're gorgeous!) And make a game plan from there. Remember - this really is the city that never sleeps, so you'll never run out of things to do!

Lastly - if you're going to gamble, do not budget more than you can afford to lose. (In other words, if you have to skip the mortage or car payment, you played too much.)

Good luck and have fun!!

Alliwagoneer

Skip the Eiffel Tower, it's expensive and it's cramped up there. If you want to go up for a good view, make sure to hit Stratosphere! Freemont street is a must. Penn & Teller were awesome. Mirage Dolphin and Tiger Habitat were more entertaining than I thought it was going to be. And in response to the guy that said it's the only city that you can stand in the street with a beer has obviously never been to New Orleans!

broncoguy0526

go to carival court at harrahs. its a flair bar with the bartenders flipping the bottles and stuff. its a cool show. plus they make your drinks really strong

jao89122

dont tell n-e 1 who u r

Grist

Carry only cash or debit cards.

john b

Lets just say, it is the only city in america that you can walk down the street with an open beer....enjoy....it is fun.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: