What do to in Las Vegas?

I'll be going to Las Vegas in less than a month. What must I do once I get there? Besides the usual touristy stuff. And, what of that usual touristy crap is actually, not crap and really worth doing?

the atomic testing museum
why?

explosions are teh kew! heh

It really depends on how much you want to spend. I would recommend taking in at least one major show and make your reservations before you go, if you wait until you get there you get losy seats or the dates you want are sold out. If you are staying at a hotel that has a good show sometimes they will give you one ticket free if they do not do that more then likely they will give you comp tickets for their buffet at least most that I have gone too do.

KÀ Cirque du Soleil
is said to be very good

We saw Celine Dion Excellent show but very expensive yet well worth the money.

You can find a complete lister here with details there are many other links to similar sites on the web

Be forewarned though no cameras or cell phones with cams not sure about normal cells, allowed when you enter any show they will search you at the door and take away and store your camera during the show and the lines after the show are horrid, so it is best just not to take one when you go.

I would make sure you take in at least one of the Bellagio fountain shows they run every hour at night until 11 or 12 I think after dark and the music changes every hour. Free just stand and watch.


If you are staying downtown take in the show on Fremont Street. It runs every hour on the hour also free and music changes each time at night.

Free Trams check out where they go also some paid trams and where they go


Can you give me a hint as to what you like?
Where are you going to stay?
What do you want to spend? Money no object,, Moderate or I am a cheap skate need to save all I can?
how long are you going to stay?
Are you going to have a rental car?
Perhaps then I can give you better tips.









[edit on 1/22/2006 by shots]

If this is your first trip you should be aware that you will need the very best walking shoes you own, this is a must. (You are going to thank me over and over for that tip). On short stays renting a car is a waste, but that is just my Opinion. Normally we are there for a week at a time sometimes longer, so we always rent. Even then many times we end up using a cab simply to save time because it takes so long to park and retrieve the car. A car always comes in handy for what I call off days no gambling just sightseeing, keep in mind you are only a few hours from Hover Dam and the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. That is something most people forget when visiting Vegas, they are so close to one of the wonders of the world yet they miss it. Something you might want to keep in mind. You can take a bus trip all inclusive tour that runs about 89.00 each for a bus trip to Lake Mead, Hover Dam and the Grand Canyon. Includes lunch and runs about 12/14 hours buses normally leave your hotel at 8 AM and arrive back at 8 PM. Reservations required but well worth the price.

Having friends that live in Vegas can be a plus so if they are willing to show you around by all means use their knowledge to your advantage. If they are not available use the free trams or paid shuttles they are relatively cheap around $1.25 each trip. When we were there last the new fast monorail was supposed to be running however it was broke then, but it is running now.

www.lvmonorail.com...#
Their map and time table with prices are towards the bottom of the page.

You see everything in Vegas is not as it appears. The hotels are so large it is a big optical allusion. You will look down the street and say hey look Bellagio, Ceasers, MGM or Barbary is right over there, lets take a peek, so walk on over to it only to find out what you thought was only a short walk actually turned into ½ mile (I am being conservative here) or more and that is just to the front door. The distance between the hotels is why it is so important to plan what you want to see and do.

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Each and every big resort it is like entering a large shopping center and I mean that literally, they are huge. It will take you ten or fifteen minutes just to walk thru the casinos, (you can‘t avoid them they were all designed with one thing in mind and that is your money). Once you are through the casinos you can find the stores and shopping areas along with their restaurants and show stages or entertainment shows. Try not to let those coupons for cheap food fool you either, each and everyone offering a budget price are tucked way at the back end of the hotel (time consuming walks are something you want to keep in mind since you probably will be there only two full days and two partial days, so time is precious to you. Keep that in mind before making your decision on where you want to go and see or eat.

There are some exceptions to the rule though most of them are down town where they offer cheap breakfasts Steak and eggs (starts at midnight). During the day time or early in the morning when you might want a light meal you can find food courts near the middle of all shopping areas in the casinos which have a variety of restaurants. Most have a Mickey D’s, or Burger King along with similar fast food chains in those areas. Prices for fast food in Vegas are sometimes higher, sometimes not. Again I have found this depends on which Casino you are in.

Each and every Casino has their own all you can eat Buffet for Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. Prices vary for time of day and night time. Buffets are around 15.00 to 19.00 average. All you can eat Breakfast can be as low as 8/9 to 12/14 again it depends on the casino. Now when I say all you can eat that is just what I mean. Most have a vast variety of cuisines ranging from American, Italian, Asian, Sea Foods, Salad Bars, Pizza bar, Desserts; the list goes on and on it can be endless. You will also find that those serving steaks and other specialty items cook your food to order while you wait. Which one is the best is highly subjective to individual eaters so what you like I might not, but from what I have found you can always find several things that you like at any buffet just be sure to do a walk around and look at each and every area before deciding what you want to eat.

To be continued……..

Taxi Tips---When page opens click on the enlargement button in lower rh corner to view full size.

Vegas Taxi tips 1

Vegas Taxi tips 2

Things to do in Vegas for Free

Exotic Cars at Caesars Forum Shops
Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight.

Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain shows at Caesars Forum Shops
Hours of operation: Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain: Every hour on the hour Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - midnight .
After the show walk around behind the fountains and view the aquarium.

Bellagio Conservatory
Hours of operation: Open daily, 24 hours.
If you like flowers you will enjoy it .

Fountains at Bellagio
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 3 p.m. - midnight. Saturday and Sunday, noon - midnight. The fountains run every half-hour until 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes after that until midnight. Fountains are occasionally closed during high winds.

the fountains are a must see and did I mention they are 1/4 mile long

Treasure Island Pirate Show is no longer available so you are out of luck had you heard about it.

MGM Grand Lion Habitat
Hours of operation: Open daily, 11 a.m - 10 p.m.
(yawn) but if you like Lions hey it is free after all.

Mirage volcano
Hours of operation: Beginning at 6 p.m., the volcano erupts every 30 minutes until midnight.

White Tiger Habitat at the Mirage
Hours of operation: Open daily, 9 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Very popular attraction, see Siegfried & Roy's white tigers in their own little paradise.

Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo
Hours of operation: Open daily, 24 hours.

Paid attractions:

Mandalay Bay Shark Reef
Hours of operation: Open daily, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Last admission to the exhibit is sold at 10 p.m.

Cost: $15.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 5-12.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art was free now is paid around 12 or 15 dollars each. Open daily, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Last admissions are sold 30 minutes prior to closing.

Stratosphere Tower observation deck
Hours of operation: Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Cost: $9.95 for adults, $6 for Nevada residents, children 4-12 and guests 55 and over.

Eiffel Tower
Around 10..00 I forget hours of operation, but I prefer the Stratosphere
Ther tower gets a gust of wind and presto they close it. Really bad if you have been standing in line for an hour or so

Imperial Palace
The Auto Collections
Hours of operation: Open daily, 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $6.95 for adults, $3 for seniors 65 and older and children 12 and under.
If you like old cars it is time well spent. Just send your wife shopping
(Caution Do not touch don’t believe me just look up and you will see armed guards ready to shoot you

I could go on and on with paid attractions they are all over the place, just pick up one of the booklets that your hotel has of Vegas attractions they all have them.

Once you go to Vegas you will always want to go back if for no other reason then to visit your money. There is only one problem with Vegas and that is the fact it changes so fast. What you may miss this trip will not be there next because they have replaced it with a newer and bigger Casino.

My best advice would be to plan, plan and then plan again picking out just what you think you want to see and visit.

Make sure you do a google of Las Vegas using the web for far more details then I can give you.

One thing to keep in mind though is Downtown hotels are cheaper and the casinos are smaller, but that is only if you just want to gamble and eat cheap, food downtown tends to cost less.

Hope this info helps anyone who plans a visit to Vegas.




[edit on 1/24/2006 by shots]

I don't know if you're a golfer, but the golf courses there are the bomb!

Every hotel seems to offer something different. Las Vegas is also becoming a city well known for great restaurants. The food is worth the trip alone.

Peace

Originally posted by Dr Love
I don't know if you're a golfer, but the golf courses there are the bomb!

Every hotel seems to offer something different. Las Vegas is also becoming a city well known for great restaurants. The food is worth the trip alone.

Well I do not golf myself, but I do love driving the golf cart which as we all know is loaded with for customers and guests during MineExpo.

Shots and others, this information is great! Thanks a bunch! Anyone else that's been there and has recommendations, please chime in too.

Sorry Dr.Love, not a golfer. But I might get to fire off some rounds at a shooting range, so thats close right, driving range, shooting range, same difference!

Yeah, pretty much the same except at a shooting range you don't have the guy driving around in his little vehicle picking up golf balls in the field of fire.......................hopefully!

Peace

[edit on 24-1-2006 by Dr Love]

It would be kinda cool to see the "Janet" terminal and aircraft that shuttle Groom Lake employees. I believe it's directly across the street from the Luxor casino/hotel.



Edit: to post photo

[edit on 24-1-2006 by kinglizard]

The wildlife habitat at the Flamingo is spectacular.

Also, while gambling, tip the waitress who brings you free booze every couple of drinks. She will make sure to come back and check on you much more frequently.

I left off a couple of very important points.

Water fountains are no longer common in Vegas so it is a good idea to carry a bottle of water in a holster, rather then paying casinos 1.50 or 2.00 a bottle. Vegas gets real hot therefore water is essential when walking the strip.

When walking the strip avoid the gawkers/peddlers on the curbs they are nothing but a pain and the info they hand out is mostly porn related or just down right usless.


Beware thieves and pick pockets abound in Vegas especially when on the strip at night when it is crowded.

Ladies should carry their purse in front of them or wear a body purse that is in front. Under no circumstances should you carry a purse hanging looose over your arm.

For Men I recommend that they wear a money belt under their shirt or if they carry a wallet you should carry it in you front pocket and try to keep your hand in that pocket as much as you can to avoid having it ripped off.
I prefer to carry a money clip and belt keeping my money in my pocket with a money clip and credit card and hotel card/key in my belt.


The above also applies when you are on public buses that are normally very crowded.

Head on out on Highway 160 to the Cherry Patch or Mabels. " They got a lot of nice girls out there" from ZZTops-----LaGrange

Not to many tourists out there; sort of a Pulp Fiction atmosphere if golf isn't your cup of tea maybe this might be.

Visa, MC, Discover and American Express are all welcome. No Checks!!!

[edit on 24-1-2006 by whaaa]

If you want to go shooting The Gun Store is the place to go.

They have all sorts of goodies:

Machine Guns Available:
Colt M16 Carbine .223
M249 Minimi .223
AK47 Assault Rifle .223
H&K MP5 SMG 9mm
Colt M16 SMG 9mm
UZI SMG 9mm

and so on. See the whole list at www.thegunstorelasvegas.com/rental.htm.

They also have handguns but it's Vegas. Live on the wild side.



Edited because I screwed up. Why else would I bother?




[edit on 24-1-2006 by Duzey]

You must check out The Bunny Ranch! Top Notch! First class! If you like girls, you'll LOVE The Bunny Ranch! They even give you a free souvenir menu.

Gamble untli you lose your home...it's the only thing to do!

A good laugh!

Or we could get married!

We'll be staying at the Bellagio, so we'll definitly be checking out those fountains.

It looks like the bellagio has a lot of nice bars/clubs, but i am wondering if anyone else here knows any other great clubs to go to?

Originally posted by Duzey
If you want to go shooting The Gun Store is the place to go.

A friend of mine that is going with us is going to already be in vegas for a gun convention, he makes and sells guns. So he might take us out to a shooting range to 'blast some caps'.


KL, I had not idea that that terminal was so close! I have to check that out! I had wanted to go to area 51, but I figure its too far and no one that is going with me would even be interested, so thats a nice little thing to satisfy the conspiracy bug!

I was in Las Vegas for a week last year - it was my first visit and I didn't know what to expect. It's not nearly as tacky as you might expect and you'll be quite happy spending at least 3 days in Vegas itself but be careful as its very easy never to see daylight ! as all the hotels seem to inerconnect with underground walkways and you'll find yourself drifting from one Casino to another all day long. Try and book a day trip to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon its fantastic.
Hope you enjoy your trip.

Jamesmichael