Vegas baby! Need some things to do.

[s0me0nesmind1]

Vegas virgin here. So is my wife. We're in need of some advice.

Now first, I know this question has been asked before. I've searched through the past threads and combed through some of the recommendations there. So I've already made a few decisions. Based on previous recommendations, we are 1 step away from booking at the Vdara. It sounds pretty good, but at this point since we have yet to go to Vegas, it's kinda a crapshoot with 0 experience. As far as time is concerned, we're looking to arrive on a Wednesday night and leave Sunday night. I know it's not much time, but our vacation time is a bit full this year.

Anyhow, I like to gamble. I like to gamble in the sense that poker isn't a simple game of statistics the moment you pull a slot machine bar. It's much more entertaining knowing that ones own skills can actually play the ultimate factor in the end result. That said though, I want to play for some overall fun. I don't want to spend the majority of our time at casinos at tables. Nor do I want to plop a bunch of money on a table to lose.

Here is where we need help. I'm not sure what else to do... Should I book some shows in advance? How is the pricing? I'm really hoping to not have to plop down $300 for a pair of tickets to a show.

Overall questions:
1) How expensive is it to do things? Shows, events, dinners, etc...
2) What shows should we see? I tend to enjoy more along the lines of adult humor rather than trying to amaze the crowd.
3) Recommend some restaurants. Personally, I love craft beer and pubs in general - though I also like a good steak.
4) Do I have any shot at coming home with a wallet that isn't empty?


Based on the previous threads, and general google searching - below is our current list of things to do. Feel free to give an opinion on these if they are good or suck.

Show - Absinthe
Scene - High Roller Ferris Wheel
Scene - Bellagio Fountains
Scene - New York-New York Roller Coaster
Restaurant - Mon Ami Gabi

 

[shortylickens]

its expensive.

if you have to ask for suggestions then maybe you arent ready for Vegas.

 

[Artdeco]

Absinthe is fun, younger crowd kind of entertainment, nice small interesting show, saw it earlier this year, try to get tickets up close, but all the seats are good.

The fountains are pretty, bring something to drink, I bought a couple illegal beers to pass the time from an unlicensed vendor.

You're trapped on that Ferris wheel, but fun to do once

Wife & I like the buffets, and eat like piggies

See if there are any big name performers there while you are, always fun.

I've never gambled a penny there, but have been 4 times for the attractions and food

 

[Fingolfin269]

Vdara is great. No casino but you can be at the Aria casino about as quickly as if you were actually staying at Aria. Also, if I remember correctly, you can actually get a room with a view of the Bellagio fountains. Never hurts to try the $20 sandwich just to see how it works out for you.

 

[Artdeco]

http://www.tix4tonight.com Good discounts, but not the best seats.

Last time, I went early, before they opened, but the line wasn't bad by the time they opened.

 

[IronWing]

Go to Red Rocks and Hoover Dam, otherwise there really isn't anything to do in Vegas.

 

[zerocool84]

Hookers & Blow



I love Vegas, I've gone many times but always be prepared to spend tons of money gambling and getting drunk. Just remember, you gamble at Vegas you have fun, NOT to win money. I love playing tables and walking the strip drunk.

 

[cKGunslinger]

My gf and I stayed at the Vdara on NYE this year. It was nice. Ask for a Bellagio fountain view. The mountains are nice to see, too. At least for us flat-landers. That said, if you are up high, you're gonna get parking rooftops in your view. But at night, just open your blinds and get your freak on to the lights.

We saw 2 Cirque show (Ka and Zoomanity.) The Ka production is amazing. Zoo is.. adult. And kinda funny, but not amazing by any stretch. But there were tits. We booked dead-center Ka tickets, about $150 each. We bought Zoo tickets on the strip at one of the tix4tonight kiosks for much less just a few hours before the show, but the seats were meh. Only get front-row seats if you want to be dragged on stage, though. Or get in a dildo-fencing match.

We ate on the patio of Mon Ami Gabi twice for breakfast. Latte + eggs benedict with lamb = highly recommended.

Being from Texas, I think I wasted a lot of money on mediocre steak. $85 for something slightly less tasty that I get from Kroger and throw in a skillet. This was at Gallagher's in New York New York.

No gambling, however. No opinions on that. Except that they smoke everywhere. Bleh..

 

[mikeford]

Bellagio and Wynn buffets, I'm cheap so I usually stay in one of the Station hotels for a cheap room and cheap good but not fancy buffet.

Its going to be cold at night, temp drops fast once the sun goes down, and some nice stuff requires walking outside.

Casino's will stink of cigarettes, and so will you after spending any time in any but the nicest.

Poker is played seriously in LV, so keep in mind you might be at a table with some average looking people, that earn their living off the tourists.

I plan to see Hoover dam again, took the 3hr tour down inside last time.

 

[twinrider1]

Slip a $20 to the maitre d' and you'll get front row for Susan Anton at the Flamingo.

 

[Xstatic1]

I can't speak about gambling at casinos since I'm not much of a gambler (I'll maybe put in 5 bucks inside a slot machine, then quit).

Most everything in Vegas is going to cost you money. The one thing I highly suggest if you're gonna splurge in Vegas is going on a helicopter ride to the Western Grand Canyon. We used this company: http://www.papillon.com/ They'll pick you up and later drop you off at your hotel. If you choose a different helicopter ride company, just make sure they're using the newer ECO-Star Helicopters (EC-130).

The High Roller at the LINQ was pretty cool. It's something you'll wanna do once just to say you did it, then probably not do it again. It's only a 30 minute ride.

The other place to get a high/aerial view of Vegas is at the The Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris Hotel/Casino. The admission rates weren't nearly as much as The High Roller when we went (in Nov 2014).

Dessert places you gotta try. Don't bother with gelato places (I wasn't impressed with my gelato selections at Cafe Gelato at Bellagio and Trevi @ Forum Shops at Caesars). Anywho, if you have a sweet tooth... the few places I liked:

- Bouchon Bakery at Venetian (OMG, best macarons ever!)
- Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace
- Sprinkles Cupcakes near the High Roller at the Linq



The Mob Museum (in Fremont) is :thumbsup::thumbsup:. Be prepared to spend a couple/few hours in there.


Free worthwhile public shows:

- Bellagio Fountains :thumbsup::thumbsup:
- Volcano @ Mirage :thumbsup:
- Viva Vision show (at Fremont) last about six minutes, and runs every hour, beginning at dusk :thumbsup:
- The Aquarium at the Silverton Hotel (not on The Strip; a few miles away) :thumbsup::thumbsup:


If you appreciate culture (paintings/art, etc.), these free stuff are worth checking out too...

- Go to the Venetian Hotel and look at the lobby's ceilings
- The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens @ Bellagio changes their "theme" according to the season
- And since you'll be at the Bellagio, might as well go see the Chocolate Fountain
- Dunno if it'll still be there, but Dale Chihuly's "Fiori di Como" in Bellagio's lobby is cool


Oh yeah, if you'll have a car (rental) and are willing to drive, I recommend going to:

- Hoover Dam
- Red Rock Canyon
- Valley of Fire (pretty bummed that we didn't get a chance to go see this!)

 

[Artdeco]

Oh, yeah, one of those Vegas things is to slip the desk person at least a $20 between your license and credit card so it won't show up on the security cameras, and ask for a room upgrade, I've done it 2X's, worked both times. IIRC, it's called a sandwich...

Also, when you check out, expect a "resort charge" it's a thing, and while the room rates may look good, they still tack on that charge.

 

[core2slow]

You want steak? You really want some steak, muthafukka?! Try Prime Steakhouse at the bellagio =) ask for seating near the fountain so you and the lady can enjoy some nice waterworks while you eat.

As a first timer, I'd avoid the vdara. For one, if you're like me who hates to have your car valet...well, too bad since there's no self-parking (unless that's now changed). Secondly it's a long walk to the Strip. So if your lady doesn't mind walking a bit on the street, there's a connector to the bellagio's lobby from vdara. I'd suggest staying at the luxor or the mirage, they're on opposite ends of the Strip but offer a lot of great value for their location (and I've stayed at 90% of all the hotels on the Strip).

NYNY has a really good pub/bar scene so if you want to get your kraft beer on, go there. As for buffet, the amount of money you're saving by not staying at the vdara, you could spend it at the Bacchanal buffet at Caesars palace. One of THE best with lots of variety so definitely put this on your to-do list as first timer.

As for shows, they're decently priced, generally around $75-$100 for most shows like cirque de soleis and others. Opening acts like Celine Dion and higher celebs go for double the price. I've only been to a handful of shows so your mileage may vary. For instance, the gf and I thoroughly enjoyed Boyz-2-Men a lot more than Celine Dion show (and she's a fan of both) so make sure to check user reviews if you want to maximize your $$$ when going there.

 

[Xstatic1]

Go to Red Rocks and Hoover Dam, otherwise there really isn't anything to do in Vegas.

Yeah, gambling and gettin' drunk isn't my thang when I go to Vegas.

I plan to see Hoover dam again, took the 3hr tour down inside last time.

3 hr tour? Which tour was that? I went on the "Hoover Dam Tour" (back in late 2014), which was their 1-hour guided tour.

As for shows, they're decently priced, generally around $75-$100 for most shows like cirque de soleis and others. Opening acts like Celine Dion and higher celebs go for double the price. I've only been to a handful of shows so your mileage may vary. For instance, the gf and I thoroughly enjoyed Boyz-2-Men a lot more than Celine Dion show (and she's a fan of both) so make sure to check user reviews if you want to maximize your $$$ when going there.

Loved the Boyz II Men show too! :biggrin:

 

[core2slow]

Loved the Boyz II Men show too! :biggrin:

went there 3 times just so she could get a rose and a picture from each of them :biggrin:

 

[ultimatebob]

Go to Red Rocks and Hoover Dam, otherwise there really isn't anything to do in Vegas.

The Helicopter tours of The Grand Canyon are pretty cool. I like the ones that land inside of the canyon and let you walk around.

La Reve is probably my favorite of the shows I've seen.

If you're really serious about gambling, I'd go off strip to Fremont street or a place like Wild Wild West. You'll get more action for your money.

 

[DigDog]

apparently, there's this girl in a show, who has a tattoo of an octopus coming out of her ass.
they say it's great. so google it.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Mariah, Brittany, Celine, JLo, Elton John.

Penn & Teller at the Rio

Have lunch at Paris at there Mon Ami and sit outside to people watch.

Yama Sushi for lunch off the strip - Seafood salad.

Hit Old Vegas, stop at a liquor store on the street and grab a beer and enjoy the people watching and performers.

I think the $60 buffets are over-rated unless you are a fatty and can really eat. All the food is good, but nothing GREAT! I'd rather have a meal for $60 than the buffets.

Mesa Grill at Caesars - Spiced pork tenderloin

B&B Burgers - order the shisito peppers

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Go to Red Rocks and Hoover Dam, otherwise there really isn't anything to do in Vegas.

Agreed - I hate the Casino culture. Concerts & pools and good bu not great food arehte only reason to go.

Valley of Fire is like a 30-minute drive and is gorgeous for hiking.

If your willing to give up the fancy room on the strip whcih you will never be in, you can stay cheap off the strip at a very nice room and either get a rental car - parking is free everywhere - or just get cabs.

Don't forget Hotwire for your room.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

its expensive.

if you have to ask for suggestions then maybe you arent ready for Vegas.

Expense/Budget isn't an issue. It ultimately simply boils down to if it's worth it for the money. ~$150/night for a high class hotel? Okay, I can deal with that. $150 tickets x2 ($300) to see a crappy 2 hour show that leaves me with "Meh"? That's just dissapointing. I'm not trying to spend less necessarily, just make my money worth it.

Same goes with food, I don't want to pay a $70 for a steak that I can get for $30 somewhere else, or get a damn good burger and craft beer for $20.

Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions so far folks. I might be reconsidering Vdara... I was under the impression it was pretty close to the strip and such? What does everyone else think?

 

[zinfamous]

boner pills and PCP

 

[cKGunslinger]

Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions so far folks. I might be reconsidering Vdara... I was under the impression it was pretty close to the strip and such? What does everyone else think?

To get the to the strip from Vdara, you walk out the back, through a breezeway, into the Bellagio, through that lobby and dining areas, out the front door, up a small hill, then you're on the strip by the fountains. Vegas seems tricky, in that you can see everywhere you want to to go, but you're still walking at least 20 minutes to get anywhere close. The free tram is nice, but doesn't go too far.

And our Vdara room was $350/night. That might have been because we stayed through the New Year, however.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Agreed - I hate the Casino culture. Concerts & pools and good bu not great food arehte only reason to go.

Valley of Fire is like a 30-minute drive and is gorgeous for hiking.

If your willing to give up the fancy room on the strip whcih you will never be in, you can stay cheap off the strip at a very nice room and either get a rental car - parking is free everywhere - or just get cabs.

Don't forget Hotwire for your room.

We actually found out about Valley of Fire by talking to some people at Red Rocks. So glad we did because imo it is vastly superior.

 

[Fingolfin269]

OP, not sure if you're interested but there's a really good chance you can get Cosmopolitan or Aria via Priceline/Hotwire Express Deals if you know what you're doing. Great prices too. That's assuming you want center strip. If you don't mind going a bit further north it's not hard to get Palazzo/Venetian.

 

[Imported]

We stayed at Vdara recently (over Christmas) since it was one of the few hotels you can bring a dog. Was very enjoyable and one of the better hotels I've been to in Vegas but it is a bit far from the strip as outlined above.

As for food, there's a ton of options. We try to always hit the weekend brunch at Border Grill at the Mandalay Bay ($45 for unlimited brunch+mimosas) and get a burger and beer at Holsteins at Cosmopolitan when we visit.