Need some Vegas advice

The wife and I are planning a Vegas trip that will take place at the beginning of August. We plan on leaving on a Thursday and coming back on a Sunday. I went on Expedia.com and checked these dates and it recommended Planet Hollywood for $1069

I have not been to Vegas in 18 yrs and she has never been. We are not major gamblers (although we will gamble some), mostly like to window shop/people watch/ eat&drink well and would like to know ya'lls recommendations. We definitely want to see the Hoover Dam, a Vegas show and ride that rollercoaster on the top of that hotel. If you have any info on the following please feel free to let me know....

1) something in this price range
2) something centrally located.
3) somewhere with a nice pool/swim up bar/casual atmosphere
4) Recommendations of where NOT to go or stay
5) Recommendations of attractions to visit

Thanks in advance, Buzz

 

see a cirque de sole show, they are amazing. the one at the pirates hotel is great, and good idea about the hoover dam, i went and it was very cool (although i went pre-sep 11th and you could see a lot more of it back then).

 

I have only been to Vegas a few times but $1069 for 3 nights seems a little expensive. My friend just got back from his Honeymoon and they paid somewhere around $150/night at the Caesars Palace. Granted it was during the week but I have heard most of the hotel/casinos are hurting so you should be able to get a good deal right now. I would check around. BTW, Caesars is pretty much in the middle, IIRC.

 

I guess I should have included that the $1069 was round trip air included from Houston. I also checked and the Cirque d' Soleil is either not having shows or is sold out for Aug6-9. Did see that Criss Angel was available, unless someone has a better show suggestion.

 

I would save your money on Chris Angel, I heard its one of the worst shows on the strip and they are struggling to stay around.

Also, if you want to get off a little cheaper, just check the hotel sites directly. They are constantly changing their "Recession Deals".

 

The "Stratosphere" (tower) is a fun place to visit, but I don't know if I'd want to stay there. It's in the south side of the downtown area.

If you visit the "Fremont Street Experience" downtown, be careful. Some of the worst vegas has to offer can be found all around there.

Good luck and have fun!

 

HAHAHA..You were dead on!!!! I read the reviews and they hammered him. Most of the comments were saying it was the worst show in Vegas. Good call and THANKS!!!!

 

Answer to question #5 -Spearmint Rhino

 

HAHA, no problem. Like everyone said the Cirque shows are the best.

 

phantom of the opera at the venetian

 

When I go there I tend to stay now at Mandalay Bay. It is not centrally located but Taxi's can get you where you need to go. It will be too hot to walk the strip during the day. So mostly it will be more comfortable at night. During the day the Manadaly Bay pool area is second to none. Wave pool, lazy river, best area to just relax and keep cool without being cooped up insided. They also have a nice Spa area...

Most of the hotels will have good deals sign up for the e-mail blasts.

Can't beat the Cirque De Soleil!

 

Definitely go to Cirque du Soleil. They've got a nudie one at New York New York, and the roller coaster there is definitely worth the 20 bucks it costs to ride. I would stay away from Circus Circus and the Stratosphere. I've gotten great deals at Excalibur in the past, which is in a decent location. The If you do go with Plante Hollywood, let us know how it goes. It's a good location and pretty new. There is a huge construction site across the street right now. Good Luck!

 

Mandalay Bay probably has one of the best pools, it is set up like a beach with sand and live music, wave pool, but it doesn't have a swim up bar...
http://www.mandalaybay.com/thingstodo/Beach.aspx
Check out their event calendar... http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/eventcalendar.aspx?venueid=12

www.vegas.com has a lot of good information, also check out the hotel rates they advertise compared to expedia and all those sites. Sometimes you can get cheaper rates if you book through the hotel directly.

Here is the website from my work...you can call them to get the best rates. http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/index.jsp
LVCVA Reservation and Information Call Center
1-877-VISIT LV (847-4858)
Operators available daily 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

I suggest checking out the free light show at the Fremont Street Experience http://www.vegasexperience.com/ on a Friday or Saturday night, they also have live music and entertainment. A lot of people give word of caution about going down there, but it has improved vastly over the past few years (I used to do security there a few years ago when it was bad).

The roller coaster on top of the Stratosphere is no longer running, but they have added new crazier rides... http://www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/

Do not stay in any of the Hotels located Downtown, stick with the Strip Hotels.

Are you renting a car or using cabs and busses?
How do you plan on getting to Hoover Dam?

Ka-Cirque Du Soleil at the MGM has shows Aug 6-8 and sold out on the 9th. http://shop.vegas.com/shows/showtimes2.jsp?show=727&start=200908&seats=2#show_selection
'O'-Cirque Du Soleil at the Bellagio is dark those days.
Zumanity at New York New York (dark that week) and Mystere at Treasure Island (Sat/Sun showings) are also Cirque Du Soleil productions.

That should get you started, yup I've lived here for 23 years and I work for the Visitors Authority.

 

think they got bought out by hustler..

 

Get the HARD HAT tour at the Hoover Dam (if they still offer it).

Although, I've never done this myself....Wished I did the last time we were there.... Pay whatever $$ it costs and take a Helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.

When we were there for our honeymoon - we thought we could just drive the rental car to the Grand Canyon and look. It's not as close as you think.... If I remember correctly, it's like a 4 hour drive just to reach the closest spot to see it. And once you get there, you're only seeing a tiny area and have 4 hour drive back. Helicopter tours are advertised all over the place .... Search google.

I've heard bad things about Circus Circus food/buffet (not from experience). We avoided it.

 

Here is the info on Hoover Dam tours... http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/
and this has info on the helicopter tours of the Dam and Grand Canyon.
http://www.hooverdamtourcompany.com/
There is a tour bus that picks up at the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood and goes to Hoover Dam.
Check with the front desk at the hotel and see what other tours are offered.

The helicopter tours are about $300-500 a person.


The best buffet is said to be the Carnival World Buffet at the Rio (just off the strip) and they have a huge seafood buffet if you like seafood called Village Seafood Buffet.


You mentioned window shopping and people watching...There are some really fancy $$$ shops/malls in some of the casinos..
Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian
Those 2 are known for celebrity sightings...some new ones are
Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay
LeBoulevard at Paris
Via Bellagio at Bellagio
Wynn
Palazzo
For a real mall, but on the high fashion end and $$ is the Fashion Show Mall located on the strip across from Treasure Island.
And of course there are a couple Outlet Malls which a pretty much tourist traps, the prices are the same as the neighborhood mall, but they are located on/near the strip and downtown so if you need to buy something you might have forgot to bring then head to the Las Vegas Outlet Center on the south end of the strip.

Most, probably all, of the casinos have some sort of free shows/entertainment. Definately check out the Fountains out in front of Bellagio.


Oh yeah...some of the restaurants require reservations and have a dress code. Most nightclubs have dress codes also, so consider that when packing.

 

I've never been there, but it is supposed to be one of the best strip clubs in town. It is topless only and they serve alcohol.

Don't know who owns it now, but they are still open.

 

i would personally search the hotel websites first for prices, then priceline, expedia, etc.. them. first day i say do the window shopping during the day and watch a show at night such as cirque de sole show, the water show in front of the venitian and the pirates, dont forget to collect the trading cards people give you on the street (you'll find out soon lol). I would also visit the old casinos such as circus circus, some of them will be demolished soon i believe.

P.S if you guys have extra time, don't hesitate to take the 15 south .. and head towards LOS ANGELES! w00t w00t!

 

1) With the economy the way it is hotels should be cheap but air fare may get ya
2) Stayed at Paris once it is a good location.
3) Wynn has a great pool in my opinion but bad location I read Flamingos pool was one of the best in the U.S.
4) Don't stay at any of the older hotels i.e. Tropicana, Circus Circus they maybe a great deal but should be slated to be demolished!
5) Check out all the hotels they are shows in them selfs Zumanity, Phantom, are good shows and the Improv if you like comedy.

There are discounted show ticket sellers on ebay they seem legit and have lots of positive feedback. Sign up for email deals from the hotels I've seen deals recently from Wynn, Belliagio, and Palazzo/Venetian from $99-$109 a night. They are all great 5 star hotels I've stayed at all three . The only draw back to Wynn is the location. My wife and I stayed at Palazzo last August and enjoyed it and got a package deal with the concierge suite and got four $25 dining credits for 4 restaurants in the hotel. We don't gamble at all but still have a good time everytime we go there. Also check www.tripadvisor.com for independent traveler rated reviews for just about any destination you can think of. Hope this isn't to long and helped if you have any questions or want any restaurant recommendations p.m. me. Oh I forgot, Grand Canyon helicopter tours: http://www.papillon.com/

 

^^
1. Hotels are cheaper...$100-150/per night is actually cheaper
3. Flamingo pool sucks! It is a backyard pool compared to most other casinos especially the newer resorts.
4. Some of the 'older' casinos have renovated their rooms and could be a nice choice if you are looking to save some $$ and still better than staying off strip.

I'd hesitate to purchase show tickets on ebay. There are 'discount show ticket' booths in some casinos and I wouldn't buy from them either, there is usually a catch to sign up for something else. Some of those places actually charge more for the tickets than buying at the door.

I agree check the individual hotel sites and compare them to the booking sites before purchasing, if you really like a certain one then call them and ask for any discount.