I am traveling to vegas mid-may and its my first time out there.. I am staying at the hard rock, and am looking for suggestions for nightlife, restaurants, things to do during the day, etc. note: My trip isnt based around gambling, if anything, I am trying to find alternatives to gambling during the day. My family is from southeastern Ct, so i can go to foxwoods or Mohegan Sun for that.. any particular lounges, hotel bars, etc. that you suggest?
There is tons to do and see in Vegas without gambling. The Hard Rock itself is very cool to just walk through. But basically, get over to the Strip and walk around. Check out every casino/hotel, they almost all have interesting stuff inside. It will be hot during the day, but not too hot to walk around -- just be careful, the Strip is longer than it looks, about 3-4 miles from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere Tower. Things to see for your first time in Vegas: The inside of the pyramid at the Luxor The pirate show outside Treasure Island (cheesy, but fun) The fountain show outside Bellagio The volcano outside the Mirage, and the white tigers along the walkway outside the Mirage The Eiffel Tower at Paris The inside of New York, New York The Fremont Street Experience, every night, downtown Shows to consider -- I don't know if you like shows but there are a bunch of good acts to see. * Blue Man Group at the Luxor * Cirque du Soleil, Mystere at Treasure Island and/or O at Bellagio -- I'm seeing O when I go in June * Lance Burton at Monte Carlo -- I saw this one, it was surprisingly fun. I don't normally like magicians but he was pretty entertaining. Avoid "Melinda, the First Lady of Magic" though, she is horrible. * I heard Penn and Teller have a show at the Rio but I haven't heard anything about it -- but it's gotta be entertaining. There's lots of good places to eat. Vegas is known for their buffets, some are good and some are bad. Most casinos don't have very good beer selection at least when you're gambling (they have good stuff at the bars, but who pays for alcohol in Vegas?) -- the exception is O'Sheas which is on the strip across from Caesar's Palace, where you can get Guinness and Harp. Have fun! I'm going in June and staying at the Mirage, seeing O and maybe Blue Man Group if I can get it organized. It's my girlfriend's first trip so we will be doing a lot of the stuff listed above as she doesn't gamble much.
thanks guys.. yeah, everyone tells me the 3 day rule.. I hear it so frequently I am afraid I dont think I'll be hitting the plays this time, I am going with 2 guys and it really isnt our thing, but maybe next time if I bring a girl. Has anyone heard of the club called "lite?" There is one here in NYC and it is/was pretty good.
I too am planning a trip to Vega$ this summer but as of right now it's not definate...just depends on other plans. My plan is to stay on/near the Strip. What are the best budget accomodations there? Speaking of staying on a budget what is the cheapest (yet good) buffet on the Strip? I ain't a big gambler. I'm more of a sightseer. What I would love to do is talk my old climbing buddy, The Big Unit, into doing a day trip up into Red Rocks to tackle some 5.8 climbs. I just got back from Reno this past weekend . I'm still trying to rid myself of the smell of Marlboros, liquor, and sweat. I would assume hotel rates for say Monday through Wednesday are alot cheaper than the weekends?
I go to Vegas once a year, and here are some of the things I like to do with Vegas virgins (and these are just additions to what billreeves suggested, which are all good): You have to see the inside of the Venetian. Nothing can quite explain the experience of seeing an indoor river with gondolas - on the second floor! Check out the Star Trek exhibit and bar at the Las Vegas Hilton. It is off the strip, but well worth it even if you are not a fan of the show. The ride is a lot of fun. And the bar is an experience. You have to go and order a "Warp Core Breach" - best drink in Vegas. Plan to eat one of your meals (preferably dinner) at the Bellagio's buffet. It is expensive for a buffet ($26 I think), but it is well worth it. Heck, between the king crab legs and the desserts, you will probably eat your money's worth. As far as clubs go, the only one I really liked was RA, which is in the Luxor. Not too crowded, okay dance music, good crowd. Hard to say which hotel lounges are the best. A lot of the time it just depends on who is playing. I actually like the Mirage's lounge bar a lot - always seem to get consistently good service and drinks there - plus the view is nice. Oh, and if you can get tickets to Blue Man Group, it is well worth it - especially if you can sit up close. Awesome show!!!
Indeed! I have heard this and I plan on being there 10:30-4:00 daily. I just am looking for a back up plan in case the weather goes sour. Plus, if I want to gamble, I heard I can do so while in the pool.. Is the Bellagio good for dinner/nightlife, or is just known for its decor?
I definitely had fun at Ra. And I believe Hard Rock has a club that, from what I've heard, is quite good also.
Suggested reading for the flight or pool: Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich
Huh? This is nice if you're taking grandma or the kids. I prefer Club Paradise. Do a little drinking at the Rock, maybe make a few bucks, then walk across the street. It's on Paradise Road across from the Rock. Also, if you're looking for women you don't have to pay for go to the Beach. It's also on Paradise across from the Convention Center. FYI, I HATE THIS TOWN.
Babies isn't what it used to be, I was there two Saturday's ago and it sucked. Rain at the Palm is the place nowdays, but per my previous post if your just looking for easy east coast girls then the Beach is your place. But Mandalay Bay has the hotspot on Sundays, so I'm told. Again, I hate Las Vagas.
IT is a strip club right? I heard HARD ROCK lets all the strippers come over and drink for free at the pool to bring in the crowds.. sounds like a deal.
You did well staying at the Rock. My boy's friend from home deals Blackjack and craps there. It is Las Vegas, and yes the pool there rocks. Forget seeing all that other crap on the strip, save your cab fare for the strippers.
I definitleywould suggest seeing Penn & Teller @ the Rio. They are funny as hell and brilliant magicians. I 2nd or 3rd the moton about the Belagio buffett. $26 is more than most , but the food is unbelievable. Get there about 4:30 pm though or you will wait in line a long time.
Things to do besides drinking, gambling and tittybar hopping(bachelor party requirement): - go to the Gun Store on Tropicana heading away from the strip. You can shoot fully automatic weapons such as AK47's, Thompsons, Uzi's and M16's - go wave running on Lake Meade. It's about a 30 minute drive from the strip - take a helicopter tour of the Grand Cannon - go skydiving. There are several places just outside of Vegas
True dat. I spent one of the longest weeks of my life in Vegas a couple of years ago. It was like going on vacation and getting mugged on a daily basis. Thank God there's plenty of alcohol though....that made everything ok.
You've got to stop at MGM Grand-- Hottest night club there. Hotel wise the Cesar's Palace and the Venician are just Gorgeous. Personally I'd stop by at the Riviera for some Hot Salsa dancing.. I love'd it there plus it's cheap.
My fiance and I went for our first time this past new years. We stayed at the flamingo, which for $40 a night, was the nicest "cheap room" I've ever stayed in. The rest of the place was sheet, but the rooms were nice, and the north side faces the bellagio fountains, which made for a nice marriage proposal. The only other redeamign quality was the blackjack tables were very good to me at the Flamingo, and that deffinitly seemed to be the place to be after 3am for the early twenty somethings. Cheap yet good buffets: they don't exist so don't waste your time. It didn't help that my girl is a vegetarian, but the cheaper places were a train wreck, and the nicer ones like aladins and bellagio were worth the wait and the money. Try to only eat one meal a day and make the most of it. Fill yourself up on drinks in the casinos and snacks from the low-budget places along the strip.
Ghostbar is the top floor lounge at the Palms, Rain is the full-out club there. The Real-Worlders worked at Rain, and spent a lot of time drinking at both the Ghostbar and Rain.