Las Vegas for a holiday ?

Dirty Harry · 28-07-2009, 8:15 PM

Thinking of going there next year some time so im looking for anyones thoughts who have been there... all good and bad views are more than welcome !

Thanks

Bill Hicks · 28-07-2009, 9:11 PM

I've been to Vegas a couple of times over the years, and I'm off there again over Xmas (Finally getting hitched to my significant other) It's a great laugh but I wouldn't recommend going for a 2 week holiday.
Can get a little tiresome if there for more than a week.

johnny-17 · 28-07-2009, 9:28 PM

Not tiresome at all if you make outside of the hotels from time to time.
Take in Redrock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley, and of course the Grand Canyon.

Okay, so one casino can seem like another after a while but most have pools theme park rides, excellent dining and shopping and more shopping.

One of my friends who usually goes to Spain every year thought Vegas was big and scary when he stopped over for the night on his way from Yosemite to Los Angeles.

Walking up and down the same sea front in Benidorm/Magaluf etc every night also looses it's sparkle after a week too.

Bursar · 28-07-2009, 10:15 PM

We're going in November to see the Cirque du Soleil perform Ka. Some of their shows are exclusive to the large hotels out there, and after seeing Ka featured on an episode of CSI, we had to go and see it! The tickets aren't cheap (about £100 each), but it should be amazing.

Marky1973 · 29-07-2009, 7:36 AM

GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!

Been there a few times and got married by Elvis when we were out last time a few years back. Haven't been for a while as we have young kids now and I don't really think it would be fair to them.....although I do drop hints with mates trying to think of stag do arrangements.

The place is a bit of a head **** but I love it......as has been said there is more than just the casinos.....lots of shopping (if you are that way inclined), rides (stratosphere.....nuff said), other attractions like the Canyon, Hoover Dam etc.....museums and, of course, the Buffets!

We went to see Ka when we got married.....absolutely mind blowing.....not cheap, but it was a wedding present and, I have to say, one of the most amazing things I have ever seen......Blue Man Group we visited as well - very good.....you have to do some shows....it can be expensive, but if you go to Vegas and don't do a show, then why bother! As long as it isn't Celine ****** Dione.....

Buy a guide book and then book the holiday - even my wife, who was never a fan of gambling etc etc loved it and wants to go back again. As long as you set yourself some limits and stick to them you should be fine. I usually go with a fixed gambling amount and split it into separate envelopes, one for each day, with an even amount of cash - once its gone, no more gambling for that day - any that isn't spent can be rolled over! Works for me!

GO GO GO GO GO

mda1974 · 29-07-2009, 7:55 AM

We went a couple of years ago as part of our hooneymoon and we both loved it.

That said, I don't know if I want to go back. Unless you are a big gambler or party animal, there isn't a huge amount to see and do once you've visited all of the casinos.

We had four nights there and personaly I think that was enough.

What we did was after the 4 nights we rented a car and drove to San Diego which is a fantastic city. We had a week there before flying to New York for a few nights and then home.

Marky1973 · 29-07-2009, 8:03 AM

How can you say that when you have the opportunity to have a look round Siegfried and Roy's secret garden?

Decadence · 29-07-2009, 8:27 AM

There are already loads of Vegas threads...it is an awesome place. New York New York is my favourite hotel and gaming floor.

Marky1973 · 29-07-2009, 8:36 AM

New York New York, still have a soft spot for that hotel.....It's where I got a Royal Flush on Video Poker the first time I was out there.....$1000 win and a free 3 night stay in the hotel....although as a student I was never going to be able to afford to fly back out there.....

That was amusing though, as my dad and I were out there and we were having little competitions....the day I won, I left him at the entrance and said I was feeling lucky.....and he could have half of what i won....he just laughed.....when we met up again I told him he could have half my winnings....and he just laughed again and said he didn't want half of nothing......so I wiped the grin off his face with a wallet full of $100 bills

.....still, bought him a nice steak dinner!

Decadence · 29-07-2009, 9:02 AM

I just love the surroundings there, the Central Park themed layout of the gaming floor is brilliant and the Irish Bar has the best atmosphere on the entire Strip.

mda1974 · 29-07-2009, 9:09 AM

Of all of the hotels we visited I have to say that the nicest was the Bellagio.

Bill Hicks · 29-07-2009, 9:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mda1974

Of all of the hotels we visited I have to say that the nicest was the Bellagio.

Man that place is expensive!

Stayed at the MGM Grand the last time, and the first time I went I was backpacking so I spent 3 nights in a Motel on the north part of the strip next to a strip bar! Those Casino's didn't get a look-in!

Staying at the Mirage in Dec due to the great rates available and cos the rooms have all been refurbished this year!

Shady · 29-07-2009, 12:02 PM

We are going for my Birthday - again - can't wait.

As usual we will be stopping in the NewYorkNewYork hotel - but taking in a few buffets along the strip.

Quick question though (sorry for the hijack), has anyone tried the $20 trick when checking in ? You stick $20 in with your passport when checking in and ask whether they have any complimentary upgrades - if they have they take the money and upgrade your room, if not, they just slide the 20 bucks back.

Didn't have the nerve to try this last year, but fancy giving it a go this time as we are in a more basic room.

Dirty Harry · 29-07-2009, 5:45 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys

Were thinking about going for 10 or 11 nights but i was just worried that there wasnt much to do bar gamble but it seems im wrong by what yous say ! Is stuff like Grand Canyon & Hoover Dam things yous done yourself or did yous do it with the holiday company ?

Philly112 · 29-07-2009, 6:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Thanks for all the replies guys

Were thinking about going for 10 or 11 nights but i was just worried that there wasnt much to do bar gamble but it seems im wrong by what yous say ! Is stuff like Grand Canyon & Hoover Dam things yous done yourself or did yous do it with the holiday company ?

Well, you wanted good and bad views...

I would 'suggest' that really there isn't a whole lot to do apart from gamble. Sure, there are shows if that's your thing. But the good ones aren't cheap.
I have been three times - a 3 day business conference, a 4 day stay as part of a road trip, and a night when we were passing through on another trip.
Some of the hotels have nice pools - but if you go May - October don't bank on being able to stay in the sun all day! It's HOT! And if possible avoid weekends for pool lounging - the hotels fill up with US weekenders from LA etc, and finding a pool place might be a problem.
Food can be really good - there are some nice restaurants. In the hotels, some have large indoor areas with artificial skies. If you eat in a restaurant on one of these 'streets' they will ask you if you want indoor or outdoor seating. Only in America...
I would not dream of going without car hire; but again, I'm not a keen gambler.
It's a good place to explore the surroundings though.
I'd suggest a trip - driving, small plane, or helicopter - to the Grand Canyon should be higher on your list than any show.
If I'm honest, I find the place a little tacky. However, I can see why people love it - no country in the world does tacky this well!
I did enjoy seeing all these old US guys with, how do I put this tactfully - err, younger women on their arms who are probably not their wives...

Phil

Dirty Harry · 29-07-2009, 6:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philly112

Well, you wanted good and bad views...

I would 'suggest' that really there isn't a whole lot to do apart from gamble. Sure, there are shows if that's your thing. But the good ones aren't cheap.
I have been three times - a 3 day business conference, a 4 day stay as part of a road trip, and a night when we were passing through on another trip.
Some of the hotels have nice pools - but if you go May - October don't bank on being able to stay in the sun all day! It's HOT! And if possible avoid weekends for pool lounging - the hotels fill up with US weekenders from LA etc, and finding a pool place might be a problem.
Food can be really good - there are some nice restaurants. In the hotels, some have large indoor areas with artificial skies. If you eat in a restaurant on one of these 'streets' they will ask you if you want indoor or outdoor seating. Only in America...
I would not dream of going without car hire; but again, I'm not a keen gambler.
It's a good place to explore the surroundings though.
I'd suggest a trip - driving, small plane, or helicopter - to the Grand Canyon should be higher on your list than any show.
If I'm honest, I find the place a little tacky. However, I can see why people love it - no country in the world does tacky this well!
I did enjoy seeing all these old US guys with, how do I put this tactfully - err, younger women on their arms who are probably not their wives...

Phil

Thanks Phill

Were looking to go September time likely, does a day at the GC set you back much ?

kfalls · 29-07-2009, 7:19 PM

I've been there many times for work and a few for pleasure. The last was to see John Mellencamp at the Aladin. My friend is his cousin, so we got free tickets and back-stage passes.

First of all, I'm not a gambler, so all that is wasted on me. It is a good starting place for a vacation. The airfare and lodging is usually cheap. My wife and i flew there, spent a couple of nights then drove to San Diego to visit my brother. Afterwards we drove the scenic route to the Grand Canyon. The trip was beautiful, the desert and red rock canyons were amazing.

Don't forget to see the Hoover Dam and go on the tour. After 9/11 they discontinued the "hardhat" tour which took you within the facility, around the turbines and other places not allowed to the public. Watch the movie prior to the tour to appreciate the time, effort and technology which went into the construction.

As stated before, I wouldn't go for a long trip unless you're really into gambling and/or want to visit some of the attractions and surrounding areas.

Bill Hicks · 29-07-2009, 7:19 PM

Sorry I didn't mention the trips outside of Vegas!
We did trip to the Hoover dam & a place called Laughlin.

The Hoover dam trip was excellent, you just don't realise how massive that dam is! But Laughlin

Avoid! It's like a tiny Vegas with nowt to do other than hang around the cheapo crummy casinos. And we had about 4 hours to kill there before our coach was ready to take us back to Vegas!

themilkman23 · 29-07-2009, 10:40 PM

We were there October 2007 and absolutely loved the placed.

We stayed 10 days and actually found that we didn't have time to gamble! Most of it was done in the day! I would avoid booking trips here as they are so much more expensive. We bought our tickets for all the events at a half price ticket booth and saved a fortune. I would definately recommend a trip to Hoover Dam - well worth it.

Other things we did included:

Blue Man Group - a must see! You honestly can't explain it until you've witnessed it!

Mystere - Cirque De Soleil show - pretty amazing stuff!

Mamma Mia - Alright if you like Abba

Hans Klock - Illusionist, again a really intriguing show - Pammy was his side kick so no complaints from me!

Carrot Top - Very funny Comedian

Would highly recommend a visit down Fremont Street - just how Vegas was back in the day, such a different atmosphere and the light show is amazing

Went for a meal at 'Top of the World' restaurant in the Stratosphere - the restaurant rotates whilst you are dining, pretty surreal looking up and seeing you are somewhere different than you started!

Done the old Madame Tussauds and Bodies exhibition which were ok but we honestly loved every minute of it and cannot wait to go back.

Check out Expedia for some prices as we had a really good deal - paid just over £600 each for 10 days flying with Virgin

Philly112 · 30-07-2009, 7:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

Thanks Phill

Were looking to go September time likely, does a day at the GC set you back much ?

Hi. You know, I can't remember. Maybe around $200 each for a return flight? $100 extra for a helicopter, but that will land on the Canyon floor.
You can of course drive there and back, but it's a 500 mile round trip, so really an overnighter. If I remember correctly, the drive goes over the Hoover Dam.

This link gives you the driving times and distances for parks to Vegas. We have been to most of them, so if you have any questions, fire away!

Driving Distance and Drive Times from Las Vegas to selected US National Parks

Phil

mda1974 · 30-07-2009, 8:12 AM

We booked our Grand Canyon trip online before we went though this company.

We saved over 30% compared to the price Virgin Holidays were charging for exactly the same trip.

Be aware that to travel to the Grand Canyon by buss takes several hours.

Another thing to go and visit that no one has mentioned is down town. It's like old Vegas and you can go and see the worlds biggest TV screen on Freemount St.

mda1974 · 30-07-2009, 8:30 AM

Just a few photos to wet your appetite.