[Spring Break] Las Vegas

Check ticket prices on Tuesdays after noon...they sometimes tend to drop a little, only to return to the original price the next day.

 

do you remember how much you spent on gas.??!

 

Just got back to Houston from Vegas last night:

1) We stayed at the Luxor. It was hardly a dead scene, place was packed every night. Two cool exhibits there: Bodies and The Titanic Artifact exhibit (this one was cool, in a weird way...seeing actual stuff lifted from the wreck, including one very large piece). I would stay someplace else next time, as Luxor was at the south end of the strip and caused us some extra walking.

2) Watch out for the p*rn peddlers. If you want to avoid them, get out early in the morning (7am ish). Once noon hits, these guys (and gals) are there flicking p*rn at you every 5 feet.

3) Watch out for the time share people. They are everywhere too. They entice you with "free shows" and stuff. Their usual pickup line is: "How long are you here for?" ...."How long have you been married?" or "Interested in free tickets?".

4) If you fly in, make sure you tell the cabbie to take the shortest rout. Our cabbie took us the long way to the Luxor and we ended up paying $20 for what should have been a 1 1/2 mile trip.

5) If you are looking for cheap stuff to do, check out Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon was the most amazing thing I have ever done. Hoover Dam is free and Red Rock Canyon is $5 to drive the 13 mile scenic loop. You can rent a car for under $50 and see both, w/ gas for $65, which will take most of the day.

6) Golden Nugget's lunch buffet was very good for the price. They had a decent selection for $11. Avoid eating anything at Excalibur. I've eaten better food at a hospital cafeteria.

7) If you don't want to walk up and down the strip, ride "The Deuce". We paid $15 each for 3 day passes. During the day, the Deuce stops at every major hotel every 10-12 minutes.

8) M&M Store is pretty cool, but expensive.

9) If you want to save alot of money, check out Halfpricetickets next to the M&M Store. You can save up to 50% on show tickets and buffets. We had the brazilian buffet @ Pampas for $12.99, whereas it would have been $27.99.

 

It might be cheaper to just look for a package deal online which includes hotel and airfare. Driving up here will probably save you money only if you have 3 or more people going. Plus the drive back after all the partying, gambling, etc.. is just gonna suck. I packed everything in a small U-Haul when I moved here with 2 friends and we made it in under 24 hours driving straight through the night with a couple of stops here and there and paid a little over $400 for gas.

You can easily walk to most popular places on Las Vegas Blvd if you're staying on the central part of the strip.

O is a good show to go to. Other cheaper Crique shows that are pretty good in my opinion are Mystere and Ka. I've heard good things about La Reve as well. It just depends on what you're into.

As far as clubs, this past Thurs. night I went to Tryst at Wynn and it was real good. I went to Wynn Encore a few weeks ago, which is pretty nice, and club XS was filled with lots of attractive women as well. Get to the clubs early if you decide to go so you won't have any problems getting in.

Bellagio waterfalls are a good free activity. Just look up the schedule online. I think it's every hour or half hour or something like that.

I've tried the buffets at Rio and Planet Hollywood and both were okay It's cheaper if you go for lunch (before 3 pm I think) even though the menus might be slightly different.

I partial to the Venetian. Overall, it has the best combination of atmosphere, gambling, sports book, and clubs to me, and the Grand Lux restaurant stays open 24 hrs. If you can afford it, it's definitely worth staying at a nicer hotel.

If you got anymore questions, holla! There's a lot of people on the board like plcmts17 that live in Vegas and they helped me out a lot when I moved here from Houston.

 

The drive there should be a blast if you are with friends. The drive back will suck. When I lived in Phoenix, I only drove once. That 5 hour drive home after a weekend in Vegas in brutal - hungover. I couldn't imagine trying to drive back to Houston after that.

I'm partial to the Venetian. I love Tao.

 

There are two ways of driving from Phoenix to LV. You can take I-17 to Flagstaff and then I-40 going west. Also Hwy 93 which runs NW to the same destination.
The thing about both of these roads are the grades. Especially I-17. I've driven that road at least 5 times and it can be a little rough on the car depending on what shape it's in.

A friend of mine who travels to Phoenix to visit family says that Hwy. 93 has improved over the years, BUT there are lots of cops. So go the limit.

I like taking I-10 all the way to Blythe and then a straight shot up to LV. But it is real hot during the day.

 

Mandalay by a mile if you have a group. Wynn isn't bad. Bellagio/Caesar's/Venetian are all decent. Haven't sat at Mirage or Bally's--might check them out this year.

I'll be there for the 1st rnd of the NCAA tourney as usual.


to the OP.. I don't know what dates or days you're looking at flying. But the flight shouldn't be that expensive unless you're trying to fly out on Sunday. Even if it's the tourney weekend, prices have actually fallen on flights over the past 2 months if you look at flying out on Saturday (not sure about flying out on Friday since you said you were staying Mon-Fri)

 

Oops! That is what I meant. I keep calling it Aladdin still.

Planet Hollywood buffet is the best in town, but expensive. Especially for dinner since it goes about $25+.

You should also hit up Fiesta for ribs b/c you get a full slab for real cheap w/ fries and they are great.

 

Just got back last week. I go to Vegas once or twice every year. I rent a car and know the city like the back of my hand. I will do my best to answer your questions.

1. hotel deal at priceline.com or hotwire.com. Just trying to decide between a 4star $60/night (ie Treasure Island, Hilton) or 5star $100/night (ie Wynn, Trump, Venetian).
If you can foot it stay in the nicer hotel. Totally worth it, especially if you have a lady friend or hope to entertain one. Id pick the Wynn. Sometimes if I go I will stay at a cheaper hotel just to save some bucks, but if you rarely go, and can spare it, go for the gusto. Where else are you going to stay at a FIVE DIAMOND hotel for that cheap?!?


2. "O".
MUST SEE. Best show in Vegas, and Ive almost seen em all. It will blow your mind. Ka at MGM being my 2nd fave.

3. Magic show. Are these corny or pretty good live?
I saw David Copperfield at MGM he was good, and although I am a huge fan of Cris Angel, but his new show at Luxor blows, the screenplay writer ruined that show. The other ones Ive seen were hokey. Really want to see Penn and Teller at Rio still. Every once in a while you can also catch some good concerts in Vegas. Someone is always playing there.

4. Casino.
DO NOT GO TO THE ATM. Set a budget of what your willing to win or lose, and when you hit one GET UP FROM THE TABLE! GAME OVER! If you lose more you will have one long ride home, if you win even a little you will have a great trip. Biggest mistake people make, is they dont know when to quit. The older more trashy Casinos have better gaming odds and cheaper limites to attract locals and customers. If your playing at an expensive hotel, there is a reason it is that luxurious and most likely you are going to find out why the hard way. I recommend playing at Hooters or Downtown at the older Casinos for cheap fun gambling.

5. Bellagio. The water fountains...
A must see. If your driving, park at Bellagio, visit the flower gardens.
Go to Snacks by the sports book and enjoy some clam chowder or cuban sandwich. Then walk outside and eat while you wait for the fountain show. Better at night.

6. Mini NYC.
Good Nathans Hot Dogs, Pretzels, Roller Coaster, thats about it.

7. That tall tower. Just to see those crazy rides at the top.
Stratosphere? Keep in mind you have to pay and stand in line to get up there, totally worth it though. If you get a wild hair and think about riding one of the rides up there, just remember, I have never met anyone that didnt wonder 'why the hell did i do that', one word TERRIFYING!

8. Fake Italy. I think it's like a mini riverwalk.
eh Over Rated. Very cool Hotel Casino though, worth seeing. Had a good dining experience at Mario Batalis, but incredibly expensive.

9. Hit up the world class buffets. Bally's etc...
I recommend the Bellagio Champagne Brunch. May only be Sunday though, but Bellagio is the best one Ive had, there is also and all seafood at Rio that people rave about. Some of the buffets put different food out for dinner. Say boiled shrimp for lunch but crab legs for dinner, may also be a bit more expensive.

10~??. You tell me.

-Banana Split at Sugar and Ice at the Wynn. Best in THE WORLD.

-Cheap Asian Food on Sprint Mtn Road. Cafe Noodle, Harbor Palace, the Korean BBQ place on top of Cafe Noodle. Marnee Thai is a bit further down.

-Wolfgang Pucks Bar and Grill at MGM, my favorite restaraunt. I eat here at least once per visit and it never disappoints. I recommend the Crab Cakes, Tuna TarTar, Steaks, Calves Liver, Chicken Milanese. However Ive enjoyed all Wolfgang spots in Vegas except for the Chinois Asian Fusion at Ceasars.

-Forum Shops at Ceasars. Best shopping in Vegas Period.

-Bellagio Shops, second best shopping.

-Koi at Planet Hollywood, very good but expensive Japanese Sushi Fusion, but not too Fu Fu Fusion if you know what I mean. Service is a bit under par though because it seems the waitresses are hired more for their looks.

-Since you are driving you will have a car and be able to avoid the tourist traps. Eating on the strip can be risky or expensive, there are a lot more cheaper and better quality alternatives off the strip, and this is where the locals eat. Everything is pretty easy to find since the city is based around the strip, hwy15 also runs parallel to it just west incase you get tired of sightseeing, or waiting for lights, traffic, and unruly pedestrians.

-If you do fly, I would rent a car, you can get a lot more done instead of walking. Everything looks close, but those blocks are HUGE! If your talking about NYNY to Stratosphere, that is most likey a full day walking right there. Plus I would argue renting a car may be cheaper. As stated above many good dining alternatives lie off the strip. You can park and valet for FREE at all hotels. You can rent an economy car for almost as much as the cab rides back and forth from the airport alone if reservations are made in advance. However keep in mind the rental car company will want to freeze some funds on your credit card until you return the rental. I will never go to Vegas with out renting a car again. I rather be enjoying the indulgences of Las Vegas rather than walking miles upon miles for hours on end.

-Visit the Golden Nugget and Historic Casinos Downtown.

-If your a burger fan visit In N Out Burger on Tropicana or Fat Burger on the Strip by Polo Towers.

 

I love Vegas and all but..
If you're into boating, watersports, etc. go to Cottonwood Cove.
It's an hour south of Vegas. I went camping on the river there a few years ago. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING place! The water in the summer is as perfect as can be. Wake up in the morning, jump right in the water and the temp. is perfect!

 

It's funny how so many people say to try the buffets in Vegas. The sad truth is that the buffet food here is not like 'old skool Vegas' food. If you try one of the buffets here, you've pretty much tried them all. My suggestion is...if you're planning on dropping $30 plus on a meal, try a high-end steak house or Brazilian churrascaria (Capital Grille and Texas De Brazil come to mind). Their food is far better than any buffet in town and you'll end up paying close to what you'd pay at the buffets at the high-end casinos. Do your research, TdB has an online club you can join and get 50% off your meal. BTW...TdB >>>> Pampas

Definitely check out the fountains at the Bellagio...but also go inside. They have a very impressive garden display right beside their lobby. I took my kids there last weekend...the current display was for Chinese New Year. One of the workers told me that they would be switching to their Spring theme at the end of this month...so by spring break, they'll have something new on display. Also, for a quick and cheap (free) thrill...walk down the hallway beside the Bellagio garden to the little bakery...there you'll find an interesting chocolate waterfall display.

As for shopping...the Forum Shops are pretty cool, but if you have a car, I'd definitely check out the two outlet malls that are close to the main section of the Strip.

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61

My mother-in-law goes nutzo at the Coach stores when she comes to visit us from LA.

If you want to get away from the lights, like already mentioned, check out Red Rock Canyon. It's close enough from the Strip (about twenty minutes away)...but will take you far enough away that you won't even know the casinos are anywhere near. If you head northeastward from Vegas on I-15, about an hour away is The Valley Of Fire. VoF is more impressive than Red Rock, but is a little farther away. If you want to continue further to the north on I-15, you can pass through Mesquite (a few more minor casinos) and head into Utah towards Zion National Park. Zion will trump the previously mentioned two places...it's almost like a mini-Grand Canyon but with more trees. Definitely worth spending at least a day to tour around...but if you decide to go here...check weather conditions. Late winter/early spring storms may bring snowfall and make roads unusable. If you're interested in playing in snow, check out Mount Charleston. It is about 45 minutes away from The Strip (northwestward). There is snow on the mountain right now, but it has been warm in Vegas this week and I'm afraid the snow will be melting soon...so there might not be anything when you come. But it's worth checking out if you're interested.

Red Rock Canyon
http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/

The Valley Of Fire
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm

Zion National Park
http://www.nps.gov/zion/

Mount Charleston
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Charleston



Offbeat stuff that my wife and I try to seek out to keep Vegas interesting...

Check out Big Elvis at Bill's Gamblin Hall...a 400+ pound Elvis...free
http://www.bigelvis.biz/

Downtown Las Vegas...there is nothing better than walking around at ten o'clock at night with about ten thousand other people...all of them complete replicas of Randy Quaid's Cousin Eddie character from Vegas Vacation.

Shenandoah - If you're out and about, swing by Wayne Newton's joint...at the intersection of Sunset and Pecos. Not really impressive...other than the fact that you can say you've been by Danke Schoen dude's house.

Batista's Hole In The Wall restaurant - http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/ - this place is seriously old school mafia Vegas style eats...and I'm not lying. There is quite a history associated with this place...and their food is definitely worthy of a mafia boss.


One other note...if you guys decide to drive and take the southern route (I-10 to Phoenix)...if you are in southwestern Arizona in daylight, look for a rock outcrop called Texas Canyon. From the time you leave San Antonio, you will experience nothing but brown desert and mountains...so when you stumble across this mile long mass of granite boulder, you'll be stumped as to why in the world these things appear out of nowhere in the desert. Pretty cool geological feature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Canyon

 

I thought he got gastric bypass and had lost a lot of weight? No joke.

 

Gilleys Saloon, nothing like some old time crusty Vegas fun like bikini mechanical bull riding, mud wrestling and semi-cowboys boot scoot boogying.

If you hear any form of the dreaded words "We'll try that later. We will come back again another time",
let that person walk back to the hotel, drug them when you get back, or possibly disown them altogether. That can curse the trip and you wont be back in Vegas for another 12 years, if ever.

 

This is a great time to go to Vegas if you've got the funds. I'm headed out this Sunday taking advantage of some ridiculous deals. I got a round trip airline ticket for $92.70 (including taxes and fees) out of Shreveport, Louisiana.

I also got hotel rates of $19, $19, $40, and $59. I like to stay at multiple properties each trip, starting off with a lower end property and working my way up to nicer places each night...that's just something I enjoy doing.

There's no way I'd drive to Vegas from such a long distance. You spend all that time in the car, you're going to be tired, then you get to a city known for heavy drinking, partying, and little sleep...then you have to pile back in the car and make that boring drive all over again? It's just not worth the $150 you might save.

 

I might go for March Madness. Tempting.

 

I get those airfares flying out of an airline that doesn't fly out of any locations near Houston. You're going for Spring Break, which I assume is sometime in March. I also see you say $450 round trip, which seems ridiculous to me. Where the heck are you looking? There are tons of flights on Southwest during march RT for under $250/person. Just using kayak.com for 10 seconds shows several flights for under $300 if you dont like using Southwest Airlines.

 

Just pay it, you will win way more then that gambling