[luthers]

....Las Vegas and/or the 'Canyon'?

I'm hoping to go for a short break in a couple of weeks time. Any recommendations or things to look out for?

Cheers all......

[John 1987]

I went to Las Vegas in 2005 as part of a family holiday. We stayed for 5 nights in the MGM Grand a simply vast 'hotel' come self-contained city. There is simply something for everyone. We pretty much stayed around ‘The Strip’, exploring the other hotel complexes and the shops.

Things to see/do on the strip, the Bellagio (the fountains outside as well as the ‘champagne brunch’ an all you can buffet of every type of food imaginable), Ceaser’s Palace forums (designer shopping), the pirate show outside Treasure Island (get there early if you want a good spot, and if you can go when its dark, as it’s also a laser show), the Venetian (stunning architecture and off course the gondoliers), The Wynn (it has a Ferrari and Maserati dealership in reception, as well as an 18 hole golf course in it’s garden), The Pairs (scale replica of the eiffel tower, as well as a restaurant outside the front that looks right over the Bellagio fountains, great dinner time entertainment), Circus Circus has a theme park, The Stratosphere is a must (they have a revolving restaurant, which is divine and if you go early evening you get an amazing view and slowly see the city begin to light up, and rides on the top, at 1600 odd feet!), New York, New York has the Manhattan express a rather good roller coaster, The Luxor is amazing for any Egyptian fans, The Mirage has a volcano show in the evening at certain intervals. There is also the ‘old city’ mainly around Fremont Street, where the Golden Nugget hotel is, and the canopy of neon lights.

I could go on for ages, pretty much you could spend all week walking up and down the strip, the Hotels are amazing. And we haven’t even got onto the shows that every hotel offers (although at an extremely high price). The MGM usually has Cirque De soleil and if you into it occasionally UFC, The Blue Man Group are around, but they usually swap Hotels, so not sure where there at (we saw them at the Luxor and it was amazing), magic shows (Lance Berton, Pen and Teller), performances (think Elton John was around when I went, and Celine Dion at Ceaser's which my parents said was good), anything really.

Things to do outside the city. Well a helicopter trip, with a landing, to the Grand Canyon is simply awe-inspiring, but so incredibly hot. There are so many golf courses it’s unreal. There’s also things like shooting ranges, off-road vehicles etc.

Edit: I'll post some pics at a later stage if you want, just to show you what to expect??

[tomson]

The flight out to the Grand Canyon on one of those small planes is great but can be a bit hairy - if you like roller coasters you'll love it - most of the people on our flight thought we were going to die. I think I'd take a helicopter ride if I were to go again (had free flights (press trip) so mustn't grumble)

As John says above the Stratosphere is worth a visit - the food isn't at all bad - good champagne too.

[unique]

Originally Posted by luthers

....Las Vegas and/or the 'Canyon'?

I'm hoping to go for a short break in a couple of weeks time. Any recommendations or things to look out for?

Cheers all......

prince is playing fridays and saturdays at the rio hotel (i think thats where penn and teller are also performing). he also has a resturaunt, where after the main show he has been having aftershows, playing jazz and stuff till 5am. apparently the resturaunt is pretty damn good and reasonably priced considering it's location

it's quite a celeb hangout, with everyone from p diddy to paris hilton turning up. he previously hosted celeb only parties at his home in beverley hills, and the idea of the club is to bring them to the public. tom cruise, the beckams, justin timberlake and all the other A list celebs were at his last party after the golden globes, and his was the most popular party after last years oscars, so thats the kind of thing to expect

tickets are available from the rio direct, or ticketmaster, www.3121.com is princes website with links and stuff. he's doing the superbowl tonight so you can get a peak of what your in for

on wednesday at the same venue, at little notice, he has guest acts playing live. depending on who is playing, unless it's someone with a strong prince connection like larry graham or maceo parker, i wouldn't expect him to perform. but you just never know with prince

http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/735895


EDIT - in the first pic below, thats the rio in blue and red on the far right in a straight line from johns nose, a kind of T shape. at the moment it has a huge prince symbol all the way down the right side of the T

[John 1987]

Just some pictures.

[krish]

Louis Theroux: Gambling in Las Vegas - 0n BBC2 Now

Was in Vegas for a company jolly exactly three years ago - stayed at the Venetian as pictured in John 1987's 5th photo...

apart from fascinating company presentations () it was pretty much the Venetian casino, the strip, shopping and a strip joint

[Decadence]

Been a few times with work...the small plane trip over the canyon is awesome. We hired a couple of Ferraris and raced eachother to the Hoover Dam and back...good laugh, there are exotic car rentals all over the place in Vegas. My favourite hotel is New York New York, I love it, the casino is very well laid out and the espn section is fantastic. Off again at the end of April, staying in The Aladdin this time...not sure what that is like but it is opposite the Bellagio fountain.

Viva Las Vegas...awesome!

[Sick Boy]

Great pictures.

Went in Oct 2001 and would love to go again. Thought it was busy then but I bet the place gets manic.

$500 slots.

[bowenjones]

Originally Posted by tomson

The flight out to the Grand Canyon on one of those small planes is great but can be a bit hairy - if you like roller coasters you'll love it - most of the people on our flight thought we were going to die.

Tell me about it! A young Japanese girl in the seat before us virtually filled her sick bag, poor thing
I never knew a plane could fly sideways until I did that canyon flight
I'll definately do it by helicopter next time

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Decadence

Off again at the end of April, staying in The Aladdin this time...not sure what that is like but it is opposite the Bellagio fountain.

It's not there anymore....

Planet Hollywood is where you will be staying.

[DJT75]

Been twice, 2000 & 2003. Last time I went, one half of Siegfried & Roy got mauled by a tiger & our helicopter pilot killed himself & all onboard a few days after our canyon trip - so don't go with me!

Great place though, stayed at Mandalay Bay last time, lovely place but a bit expensive inside & it's a bit of a trek from everything else being at the bottom of the strip.

I haven't been for 3 & a bit years but the difference between 2000 & 2003 was amazing. 2000 was nonstop free booze & very cheap food (good food) - 2003 was minimal free booze (just seemed there wasn't many cocktail girls - espicially at night) & very expensive food everywhere if you wanted something decent..

Would still go abck though..

Great pics Krish and John.

I had an e-mail from a friend last Saturday. She was just about to leave for a trip to Las Vegas, staying at the Stratosphere. Then taking the shuttle to Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm, Nevada; her friends are going to photograph her as she rides The Desperado twice in a row. She is a school teacher, no spring chicken, but is determined to do this, they have a bet on it.

The Desperado is the world's highest, longest, fastest roller coaster. Most people don't even want to ride the thing once and, it's said, most people who do won't ever get on it again.

So luthers if you like thrill rides, that's for you. Although I long to do it, I am terrified to take the helicopter Grand Canyon ride (I hate flying), the moreso now I've read DJT's post!

Have a good time, plenty to see by the look of it.

[John 1987]

The Desperado is the world's highest, longest, fastest roller coaster.

Your right, it is an amazing coaster, but it doesn't hold any records now.
Top 10 roller coasters

Gosh, The Desperado doesn't compare with the others nowadays, John.

I meant to put quotes around the description as I was quoting from my friend's e-mail. She lives in Los Angeles. Perhaps when she last went to the area it was considered the best.

I loved looking at your photos. Never having been to Las Vegas, I had no idea it was like that. I just thought it was full of hotels, shops and the inevitable casinos; it was quite an eyeopener.

[BandWidthJunkie]

I went to Vegas and the Grand Canyon last year and loved it!

Took the obligatory helicoptor/boat ride to the bottom of the Canyon - I thought it was awesome!

While we were there there was talk about the Grand Canyon Skywalk, http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/home.html, but not much built.

It's supposed to open on March 28 this year, I think that would be fabulous!

I thought Vegas was different and I was mesmerized by people dropping $500/$1000/$2000 bets on roulette!

There are certainly a lot of things to look at, the hotels are great to wander around.

I have loads of photos, if you want to see more

[Figment]

Best advice I could give is not to go in convention season without pre-booking a room like we did and end up having to stay in a grotty Days Inn in the red light district
Definitely agree about the canyon flight in a light aircraft being hairy chopper has to be worth the extra dosh not only for comfort but being able to drop into the canyon which the planes are prohibited from doing.

And just remember, let your eye be your guide and your money the last thing you part with.

[luthers]

Thanks for all your comments guys (and gals). Finally took the plunge and booked it this morning.... a week in Las Vegas with a weekend over at the Canyon. Can't wait!!!

I originally booked the aircraft tour thingy but after reading some of your comments, this was rapidly changed to the more expensive helicopter variety....

....only a week to go now....!

[cloudcity]

Originally Posted by Figment

And just remember, let your eye be your guide and your money the last thing you part with.

Great saying, I love it.

You guys really are into Las Vegas, eh? There's another thread in this forum about it. I recommend you see Ka at all costs. It is a production by Cirque du Soleil at the MGM Grand.