Thread: Viva Las Vegas - Trip Report

Vegas Truisms -- The Do List
1. Visit Vegas off peak-- You always want to visit Vegas midweek, as room rates go up on Friday and Saturday nights.
And if you really want rock bottom hotel prices and no lines at the buffets, visit Vegas during the summer months or the two weeks before Christmas.

2. Join the club-- Every casino/hotel has a player’s club, sign up even if you don’t gamble. You’ll be on the hotel’s mailing list and get offers for upgrades, discounted rooms, dining (usually buffets) and show tickets.
If you pay rack rate in Vegas, you’re not trying

3. Hotel rooms-- There’s always building going on in Vegas, always ask if the hotel is renovating---if it is, ask for a newly remodeled room, or at least a room away from all the pound--ing.

The view-- In Vegas a room on a higher floor with a view of the Strip costs, so if you’re not planning on staring out the window, don‘t worry about the view.
4. Discount show tickets-- Tix4Tonight There’s a booth near the giant Coke bottle on the Strip--and yes you can’t miss it. Be prepared for long lines.

5. Best free shows & random bits of info
Check out the hotel lounge shows, some cost the price of a drink, most are free.
Bellagio water fountains-- Free Water Fountain Show in front of the hotel. Go after dark for the full effect.
The Bellagio Hotel is stunning. There’s a conservatory and botanical gardens just off the lobby. If you ’re visiting Vegas this is a must see.
Caesars Palace-- (Forum shops area- next to Cheesecake Factory) animatronic statues tell the story of Atlantis. Unfortunately I’ve never actually seen the show, (the show attracts a crowd and I‘m usually busy….. elsewhere ) but it definitely sounds good.
Show times every hour, starting at 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Bonus- Imagine Caesar and Cleopatra accompanied by two Roman centurion strolling through a hotel.
I have to tell you standing in the middle of a casino engrossed in watching the dealer spin the roulette wheel and to suddenly have a Roman centurion tap you on the shoulder and bellow “Make way for Caesar” is a experience you never forget.
Excalibur-- there’s a midway with carnival games, and
strolling performers in medieval costumes. Kids love this place.
Freemont Street Experience- pedestrian promenade in downtown Vegas.
Overhead light show. Shows every night on the hour beginning at dusk, last show midnight. Full disclosure: I saw it once, that was enough for me.
Hard Rock-- Lots of rock’n’roll items on display throughout the hotel’s common areas.
The Hard Rock is off the Strip, maybe a 45 minute walk. The whole place has a rock star vibe with loud rock music blasting in all the common areas, pole dancers in the casino and there’s a tattoo parlor in there too. But I don’t go there for any of that, the Hard Rock has a great music venue “The Joint”- great concerts…. Santana rocked “the joint“. (yeah there’s a fee for that)
Mirage -- An erupting volcano right out front, every 15 minutes from dusk to midnight. Definitely stop by the Carnegie Deli for great sandwiches and pickles
MGM-- lion habitat open 11 to 11.
Red Rock Canyon-- 15 miles west of Vegas-- hiking, bicycling and rock climbing.
Treasure Island-- (sirens show) right in front of the hotel. Pirates and pyrotechnics, you get the idea.
Venetian -- Another beautiful hotel. You’ll really want to see the painted ceiling in the casino entrance and the lobby. There are gondola rides for a fee.

6. Buffets when you have a taste for everything
Mandalay Bay-- Bayside Buffet
The Mirage-- Cravings
Bellagio
The Rio-- Carnival World Buffet is very good and is the place to go if you want loads of seafood, but it’s off the Strip and across a freeway, so you have to get a cab to get there.

7. Do bring comfortable shoes, you’ll be doing lots of walking. The hotels are blocks long.

8. Instead of driving Vegas Blvd, take Industrial or Paradise.

9. If you going to nonrev into Vegas do your research, if there‘s a large convention, major sporting event (Final 4 weekend) or Streisand is doing a one-night-only show, forget it.
Although Vulindlela does seems to make it in and out without too much trouble; probably has something to do with that amulet of his.
aaaaaah for the days when AA had loads of LAX/LAS flights and I could hop over just for the day.

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