Vegas Vacation!

[Leadfoot281]

Following "Doctors orders", I'm getting out of here for a few days and heading to Las Vegas.:D

Anybody have recomendations for hotels, shows, etc? Right now all I have planned is a tour of the Hoover Dam. Any good car Museums there? How is the Luxor hotel?

Also, from what I've read, it looks like there are shuttle buses running to and from the strip from the airport. Is it better to get a rental car or just use cabs/shuttle buses? I hear the fastest car in the world is a rental car...

Thanks for any advice, information, tips!

[LVMarauder]

All the hotels are nice. places I wouldnt stay at include the stratosphere, the newest hotels here are the Wynn and the Red Rock but its way off the strip by where I live but its luxury is just as high. Caesars is always nice too. If you like the group ABBA I highly suggest Mamma Mia. Mystere, Cirque de Solei both great. Hoover dam is amazing, check out the worlds second largest overpass being built right there, I started laughing when I first saw it, they expect people to drive on that when its done?

Car shows , Imperial Palace has alot of cool cars including Elanor (sp?). Shuttle run 24/7 too and from McCarran. Traffic BLOWS , so unless you really want to deal with it and get lost I suggest cabs. Enjoy your stay.

[2003 MIB]

The GM driving experience at the end of the monorail line looked pretty cool. It was closed when I was there but it looked like a go cart track with real Corvettes.

[Mike Poore]

Hey, John, I'm on my way!

[mrjones]

I stayed at the Stratosphere a few years ago when I was just travelling through and spending one night, and it wasn't bad. Got the room on a Tuesday night for $39. The restaurant at the top is cool too, but expensive at night.

[Leadfoot281]

Cool! Thanks for the advice! I'll deffinately feel weird without a car, but worrying about traffic, parking, ect is probably not something I need to do while trying to relax.

I'm really, really looking forward to getting out there. In my business (rental property management/farming) it's literally 24-7 so this will be the first time since 1992 that I've been more than 200 miles from home. (Is it any wonder everyone thinks I'm nuttier than squirrel poop?):)

About the flight, Leave the Zippo at home, but a cell phone is still OK? I should be able to bring a new/dry/empty Zippo back right? What about matchbooks? I suppose that's another no-no. Coming back from Vegas without a bunch of Matchbooks from all the cool places would suck.

Mike, you're more than welcome to come along...Actually, you probably should, just make sure that my girlfriend and I don't end up getting hitched at that little wedding chappel. She sure ain't no Brittany Spears...:shake: lol!

[Leadfoot281]

The "Stratosphere". Is that the one with the roller coaster and stuff at the top? I hate heights, but that sounds like huge fun.

[junior]

Here's my take since I just got back 2 weeks ago and regularly travel there for FUN

The luxor is on the end of the strip near Mandalay bay. I have a friend that swears by it, but it doesn't get me going

If you wanna rent a car, go to the Hertz desk and ask for a Mustang Shelby GTH. I saw a dozen of those black and gold beautys and they're quick too.

If you like water and Pools, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Tropicana. Forget about Caesars palace pools (3ft deep and moronic men at the topless pool)

If you want to be closer walking distance to most hotels, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Ballys, Paris.

If you want better gaming odds, Fremont Street and Sam's town on the outskirts.

If you want the best Prime Rib of your life, Billy Bob's Steak House.

If you rent a car, STAY OFF THE STRIP and drive the adjacent parallel streets.

If you want to be served free drinks while playing slots (without waiting), Fitzgeralds.

If you got more money than sense, stay at the Wynn's. Trump's casino is prolly gonna be more pricey when it opens.

If you wanna visit Hoover Dam, go very early in the morning. If you show up at noon, expect a 2-3 hour wait (even on weekdays) before you can start the tour.

If you want to keep your money in your wallet, Stay away from Nevada.:lol:

[jim geary]

If you want downtown try the plaza. Good middle of week rates. Slots pay off
reasonably and the food isn't bad. If you want big and nice with great food
then try the Rio. A true experence. Not bad as far as rates go either. Good luck and leave your money at home. Ho,Ho.

[alarmguy]

If you want to sightsee some more away from town try Red Rock Canyon. The scenery makes you feel like you're in an old TV western.

[LVMarauder]

Keep everything flammable in your checked baggage. There is a roller coaster , big shot and teeter totter of doom on top of the stratosphere, all very fun but go during the day, the north end of the strip is a rougher neighboorhood.

As MIB said theres the drive ( thedrivevegas.com) which lets you pick your hi po ride and tear it up on their track for VERY cheap rates. lots of fun.

About gambling , my suggestion.... dont.

[Leadfoot281]

It looks like I'm stuck with Treasure Island. Any reviews on that? I'm getting a package deal for; 2 people, 3 days-2 nights, all airfare, and tickets to Hoover Dam, for $1,200. The package deal for Luxor was available yesterday, but not today.

Treasure Island doesn't have a shuttle service either. Not good. It's also at the North end of the strip. It'll be $100 for a car...didn't check on the Shelby yet...

My Girlfriend has Monday off, so we're leaving Saturday the 19th and coming back on the 21st.

Neither one of us drink, and I really don't plan on doing any gambling. I deffinately plan on eating too much (I'll check out Billy Bobs Steak House!).

It seems that food is expensive from the reviews I've read. How bad is it?

Thanks again for all the help!

[LVMarauder]

TI is a great hotel , you didnt get stuck at all. you MUST see the Sirens who perform for free outside of TI, very risque for a public show. And TI is south of Stratosphere , its in a good place. You are also right across from the mirage and closs to the venetian. and yes food is pricey but its worth it.

[Mike Poore]

Mike, you're more than welcome to come along...Actually, you probably should, just make sure that my girlfriend and I don't end up getting hitched at that little wedding chappel. She sure ain't no Brittany Spears...:shake: lol!

Hey! I could be your best man; or, I'll bring the new S&W Cal .40 Tactical, and If you go anywhere near one of those chapel things, I'll just shoot you. :coolman:

[seans]

Treasure Island is really nice, you'll like it. There is a tram now that runs the length of the strip. By the multi day pass and its a lot cheaper than cabs.

The best prime rib is at Sir galahads in the Excalibur, you won't regret it and its a decent price. The car collection at the Imperial Palace is definitely worth seeing and I believe that they are always giving out coupons for it.

[junior]

Cross the street and walk thru the Imperial palace and the Monorail is behind it. It'll take you all the way to MGM Grand if you want. Since you're getting a car, check out Sam's town on Boulder Highway and Flamingo. They have a nightly show (8:00) and Billy Bob's is is there. Prime rib is around $25 (excellent deal) for the whole dinner...they have Maine lobster too. Also since you have more time to sightsee, Check out the Fremont street experience, there is a "lid" over the street that they have light shows on. The neon light museum is there too.:banana:

[Leadfoot281]

I nearlly forgot about the Fremont street experiance. Thanks for reminding me! I seen something about on TV and it sounds sweet.

Cool, well it sounds like I got a great hotel, with a great location, for a reasonable price.

The girlfriend wants to know what to pack. I said "It's gonna be 100 degrees". But then I thought,"Everywhere we go is gonna have frosty AC and I hear it gets cool at night." So any can we survive in jeans? We'd like to travel as light as possible.

Mike, I sure appreciate the offer to shoot me if I try to marry my girlfriend! You're a true friend!:) "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" except marriage...She'd remember something like that!

[junior]

No jeans. Shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops rule. At midnight the strip is still 100', but the casinos are a frosty 62'. Two weeks ago when we were there the daytime temp was 107' and it cooled off to 95' overnight.