Things to do in Las Vegas?

[SilvrT]

Nina & I are going to Vegas in Feb next year (8th-11th)

 

I've read a few old threads here about some of the things to do, see, eat at, etc and have cruised Google for attractions etc.

 

Looking for input from anyone on neat things to check out / do while there that may be somewhat "unadvertised" ... or for that matter, anything you might want to suggest.

 

Also looking for advise on what not to do/watch out for ... such as "small brown people shoving business card in my face for other types of slot machines" (a quote from Redneck's post in 2009)

[chabicheka]

Gamble.......................................................................................NOT!

[utadventure]

Phantom of the Opera!

[Cougar]

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ka/default.aspx

[saddlebum]

Treasure island street show. Its at nighht and is free . and so is the musical fountian

[Max]

History channel 'Pawn Stars' (called Gold and Silver Pawn Shop) on Las Vegas blvd south.

[rickardracing]

Any Cirque Du Solie shows. I have seen Blue Man twice, Rita Rudner was hilarious, Lance Burton puts on a good majic show. Poeple watch on the strip. Take a taxi down to Freemont Street one evening. I know I have seen something else while out there but can't remember. We have walked from the Riviera all the way down to the Luxor (pyramid) and back to Circus Circus while going in each casino and the shops each one has. If you get bored out there, it's your own fault. Lots to see free. Just watch the taxi's don't get you in a traffic jam and then try and jam you on the fare. They know how to get around the conjestion.

[uncledj]

The dancing fountains at the Bellagio are pretty cool.

Went on an aerial tour of the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Had a good time in Vegas even though I'm not a gambler.

[colmike]

I took the more extensive tour described here http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/DamTour.html several years ago and found it both interesting and educational. It's truly an engineering marvel well worth seeing. It should also be a good ride up and around the area on your scoot.

 

"Where can I get some dam bait?" Randy Quaid as Cousin Eddie in Vegas Vacation.

[vee4dfw]

Go see 'defending the caveman' the tickets are reasonable and it's funny.

 

Try not to gamble too much at the machines. The payout is horrible now becasue they are taking a bath out there. I spend alot of time in LV becasue of my work.

Also if you want to sleep at night [why sleep?] Stay at the Polo Towers across the street from the Monte Carlo. These are time share condos that all the amenities and the cost is far less than staying at a casino.

[SilvrT]

Go see 'defending the caveman' the tickets are reasonable and it's funny.

 

Try not to gamble too much at the machines. The payout is horrible now becasue they are taking a bath out there. I spend alot of time in LV becasue of my work.

Also if you want to sleep at night [why sleep?] Stay at the Polo Towers across the street from the Monte Carlo. These are time share condos that all the amenities and the cost is far less than staying at a casino.

 

A. Neither of us are gamblers although we may play on the slots for a bit.

B. We're staying at a time-share condo at Desert Club Resort.

[AKRefugee]

There's an indoor shooting range you can shoot a fully automatic gun

 

 

Ride Happy, Ride Safe

[camos]

Mary and I were in Las Vegas for a week last March. We stayed at the Monte Carlo which is fairly central on the Strip. We mostly walked everywhere, just to see the sights. After the first couple of days got a bit tired of hoofin it and took the bus - RTC. Found out it's much less expensive to get a day pass so you can just get on or off when you want.

We are not gamblers either but we had a blast on the penny slots, spent $120 between us, money well wasted.

Went to all the casinos on the strip some of them are simply amazing examples of architecture. My favourite was the Bellagio which is where you can see the fountain dance to music. Second favourite was the Venetian. Went to Fremont Street for half a day, which is the Old Las Vegas Strip that I had originally visited back in the late 60's. It's kind of seedy compared to the new Strip but worth a look I think.

Saw Phantom of the Opera, tickets included with our room and Cirque du Soleil - KA, bought tickets from a Tix4Tonight booth, there are several on the Strip and seemed reasonably inexpensive.

Everything in LV is quite expensive, which is somewhat expected. Best food deal found was an open air patio BBQ place not too far from the HardRock Cafe on the other side of the road clse to a giant Harley Davidson motorcycle sign. Can't remember the name of it unfortunately.

Last day took the RTC out to Henderson on a half day trip.

Tried to talk Mary into renting a bike for a day trip out to Hoover Dam but she didn't want to. That was before she found out she really liked riding on my VR.

Oh well, you can lead a horse to water but...

We had a pretty low key trip to LV but thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

[Guest divey]

Rick we just came back from LV a couple weeks ago. Been there about 4 times over the years. One thing about Vegas is that you don't have to spend a bundle of money to be entertained. As some have said, walking the strip and just taking in the various free shows, i.e. fountains, etc. is great entertainment. Vegas has something for everyone, depending on what you like/don't like to do. Here are my suggestions based on what we like:

- Freemont Street - the "old" strip, older casinos but from a gambling standpoint, I think you're chances are better there than downtown. The Freemont Street overhead light/music show needs to be seen at least once in my view.

- Gambling - Slots on the strip are pretty stingy compared to the first time we visited. Things have definitely changed there over the years. I'm not a big gambler and that's probably a good thing!

- Food - There are places around that you can still get some good cheap food but they're not as prevalent as before. The Rio has about the largest buffet you'll ever see, separate areas specializing in Asian, Mexican, American, etc. etc. We enjoyed it and you won't go away hungry.

- Drinks - If you're gambling in the casino, booze is free (but you are expected to tip the waitress if you want her to return). Believe it or not, liquor in the small liquor store out where we were staying (LV Boulevard South) was actually cheaper than the Duty Free shop we stopped at just prior to crossing into Oroville, WA.

- The various shows we've attended over the years are all worth the price of admission in my view but don't expect much for under $100/person. This time we went to see Terry Fador (amazing ventriloquist/impersonator) and Cirque de Soleil's Love which is a Beatles musical. I don't think you can beat any Cirque show and there are lots showing down there.

- We took a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon with a flight over Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. Might not be for everyone but we sure enjoyed seeing it. The Canyon is pretty spectacular for sure.

- Go to http://www.vegas.com to get a complete picture of what's available when you go. If this is your first trip to Vegas, I'm pretty sure you'll have a blast. Heck, people watching alone will give you more entertainment than you ever imagined!!

 

Doug

[SilvrT]

Heck, people watching alone will give you more entertainment than you ever imagined!!

 

Doug

 

Thanks Doug ... people watching is probably our fav pasttime!

[Guest scarylarry]

As others have posted, Freemont St. and the Hoover Dam...

 

I wouldn't take a tour bus to the Hoover dam since they are on a time schedule and you won't be...I drove out there and killed most of the day...

 

Also Stratosphere, few bucks to ride the elevator and look around...

[SilvrT]

Also Stratosphere, few bucks to ride the elevator and look around...

 

I was looking into that but heights like that scare the pi** outta me LOL

 

Well... maybe if I went wee-wee before going.....

[Guest scarylarry]

I was looking into that but heights like that scare the pi** outta me LOL

 

Well... maybe if I went wee-wee before going.....

 

You don't have to go out and look and if you do there is a rails..

 

So I guess taking the roller coaster off the edge is out of the question for you..

 

On Edit: walk thru Caesars Palace

[Black Owl]

Just a suggestion.

You might want to consider contacting Ron (Kantornado). He lives in Vegas, and if memory serves me correctly, we works at one of the casino's.

Besides that, he and his wife are a real hoot.

[BigLenny]

You don't have to spend one dime gambling in Vegas to have fun.

 

These are MUST see's in my opinion:

 

MGM - Go in the front main entrance and to the right is a real cool very large glassed in lion habitat with several lions in it. Even better if it's feeding time.

 

New York New York - Just walk through the casino. It's like walking down streets of New York City. The roller coaster zooms through the lobby.

 

Bellagio - See the fountain show!! Then go inside the casino and see the plant show in the arboretum. Amazing!!

 

Ceasars Palace - They have a front casino that hasn't changed much since the old days. Real vintage feeling, and then they have a back casino that is freakin big and cool with live figurines standing around. GO TO THE HIGH END MALL ATTACHED TO CEASARS. The reason why is around every corner is some kind of fire show that happens about every 30 minutes. The mall has a FAO Shwarts toy store that has a 2 story rocking horse in it. It also has a car museum in the back that has some very cool cars and motorcycles in it.

 

The Venetian - Make sure you enter this hotel from the main entrance. The entrance ceiling is painted just like the Sistine Chapel! Go to the shops in the back!! This little mall is fashioned like you're walking through the streets of Venice, complete with a river running through it with boats that you can rent while the pilot sings to you. Every hour the roof changes from daylight to dark so you get the feeling of being in Venice during the day, and during the night. Hands down one of - my favorite places in Vegas.

 

The Wynn - A lot of people overlook this place, but it is absolutely beautiful inside. Inside toward the front is a man made pond with several statues in it. A few times a day there is an awesome electronic show that goes on at the pond. Greenery around the pond comes to life. Dang cool! Check out the Ferrari dealership inside the casino. BTW, the bathrooms are super nice with waterfalls for sinks.

 

Treasure Island - Make sure you see the live pirate action show on the ship out front by the strip.

 

Circus Circus - This place has been around for ever, but it is still a neat place to stick your head into. Go to the big top and see the circus acts. Every 30 minutes there is a free circus act, and its fun to watch them. Then, most people miss the fact that there is a free indoor theme park in the back of the casino. Go back there and walk through it. You won't believe how many rides and attractions they've been able to pack into an inside facility. It's huge!

 

The Stratosphere - As folks have said on previous posts, you can get high in this place, extremely high!!! Take the elevator up and look at the city from 1000+ft. Do it at night too.

 

Freemont Street - I love this area! It's vintage Las Vegas with older but nice casinos, and a way better chance of winning. The Fremont Street Experience (1 million plus overhead light show) is a must see at least once.

 

The Rio - Eat their buffet!!! It's the largest buffet in the city. Simply gaudy. then, go to their casino and witness the Sky Show of dancing girls and regular patrons in blimps and flying machines flying around the ceiling celebrating Rio. They throw beaded necklaces down and such.

 

Other Fun/COOL things to see;

 

The Flamingo - Live flamingos in the garden area in the back.

 

The Mirage - Volcano exploding outside.

 

O'Sheas Casino - There's usually a "little Person" dressed up like a leprechaun in front of the casino beckoning people to come in. It's hilarious!

 

Imerial Palace - Seedy casino, but all the dealers are dressed up as some famous star (Michael Jackson, Madonna, etc), and they have to perform on a stage every now and then.

 

City Center - This place is ridiculous!!!!! Very high end and plush plush plush!

 

Paris Casino - Go up in the Eifel Tower and look at the strip. Also, go into the casino. It's decorated like the streets of Paris.

 

Planet Hollywood - Georgous inside! Very chic. The mall in the basement is super cool.

 

Fashion Show Mall - Very nice place, and every hour they do a fashion runway show that my wife forced me to go to, but I admitted was dang cool.

 

Mandalay Bay - Huge Shark Tank in the back.

 

M&M World - One bizillion flavors of M&M's.

 

Go to Las Vegas Motor Speedway and tour it. We loved it!

 

Tip - There are free trams that connect several casinos on each side of the strip. Not all of them, but several.

 

All Strip Casino's - At least try to walk through all the strip casinos. They all have little uniqenesses, and tidbits that make them work the effort to stick your head in them.

 

There are over 200 casino's in the Las Vegas area. Everyone knows about the main ones on the strip, but if you have extra time, jump out to the neighborhoods and see their casinos. My hands down single favorite casino in LV is in the Green Valley subdivision called Green Valley Ranch Casino Resort. Absolutely stunning. Unbelievably beautiful inside, and the staff is super friendly. And.....there are way nicer ones than that in other areas of Vegas.

 

Dude, I'm tired of typing so I'm giving up. There are tons and tons of other things I haven't mentioned that are cool to see and do in Vegas without gambling one penny.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot!!! Go see Hoover Dam!!!

[SilvrT]

Dude, I'm tired of typing so I'm giving up. There are tons and tons of other things I haven't mentioned that are cool to see and do in Vegas without gambling one penny.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot!!! Go see Hoover Dam!!!

 

Well dude ... after reading your suggestions, I was tired .. .felt like I'd already walked the strip LOL!

 

Thanks so much for this info!