Las Vegas
- Thread starter LordOpie
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You should stay at the Venetian. Whoa. Excess above and beyond even by LV standards.
And if you don't stay there at least visit - it's exactly like the "real" Venice in the mall.............. only cleaner.
And if you don't stay there at least visit - it's exactly like the "real" Venice in the mall.............. only cleaner.
Mandalay has nice rooms.LordOpie said:
THEhotel at Mandalay Bay has even nicer rooms, if that matters.
What to do?
Eat, drink, play craps, hit the pools (including the wave pool) at Mandalay in between.
Never stayed at Mandalay Bay. The Aladdin is nice and its more centered on the strip and less expensive then the Bellagio. They also seem pretty free with their upgrades, lots of the rooms have full views of the Bellagio fountain.
Hoover Dam is cool. The Blue Man Group is a must. O at the Bellagio also.
Food.... there is a ton of it and mostly its good.
Hoover Dam is cool. The Blue Man Group is a must. O at the Bellagio also.
Food.... there is a ton of it and mostly its good.
Do it right, sleep in your car in the Stardust parkinglot!
As for stuff to do I usually only go for Interbike, but anything someone mite find remotely interesting is there. So the question is what kind of stuff interests you?
As for stuff to do I usually only go for Interbike, but anything someone mite find remotely interesting is there. So the question is what kind of stuff interests you?
actually, that's the main reason we're thinking MB. Someone told us they have the best pools.justsomeguy said:
-SS- we'll hit the Venetian, looks amazing. Is it walking distance from MB?
DRB, oooh, Bellagio fountain! I've wanted to see it since Oceans 11
"O" is a must see?
We're seeing, ugh, Hairspray, for sure. I'll be drunk at that show.
How comfortable are your shoes? It would be a rather long walk but I guess you could do it if you really wanted to. Tram plus walking plus more walking plus monorail, etc, etc.LordOpie said:
Mandalay is at one end and the Venetian, Wynn, Treasure Island, etc are at the other end.
I'll sit and watch those stupid fountains for hours.LordOpie said:DRB, oooh, Bellagio fountain! I've wanted to see it since Oceans 11
"O" is a must see?
We've actually seen O twice. Once we sat on the floor level with the stage and its very dramatic with people diving in water where seconds before someone was standing. The second time we sat in the balcony and you could see a lot of what was going on underwater. Either way its my favorite of the cirque du soleil shows.
Blue Man Group.....
The scale of Vegas is rediculous.Mike B. said:
That said - all the stuff on that part of town is walkable. I think we walked it all a couple times over. It was *miles* though.
While you are there could you please get the $400 I lost there two weeks ago. I think it is in the vault at New York New York. Thanks.
For thrills, you gotta ride the "Big Shot" on top of the Statosphere. Take a clean pair a shorts with you!
Stay in the Stratosphere. That place is AWESOME. Check out the music memorobilia store in there too. Good stuff.
...Stardust is nasty.
...Stardust is nasty.
I've stayed at the Hilton, the Mirage & the Hardrock & the HR ownz them all. The pool is the best in Vegas, there is a Nobu there (best sushi in Vegas), each room has cool rock memoribila & pics, plus they are very swanky.
Oh & there is a titty bar across the street.
Oh & there is a titty bar across the street.
As far as what to see/do...there is plenty to see @ the HR pool & the more time you spend there, the less you will lose in the casino.
I cant believe no one has mentioned Bootleg Canyon. If you bring your bike you have to check it out.
I cant believe no one has mentioned Bootleg Canyon. If you bring your bike you have to check it out.
TN said:
if you want to die.
SkaredShtles said:
I went to vegas in March 2004 and had a blast, but also couldn't believe the distance from one hotel to another, or one end of the strip to the other, for that matter. The properties are enormous!
I stayed at the Imperial Palace... yes I know, not as upscale as most, but I was in college, and you don't spend much time in the room anyway. I recommend staying somewhere in the middle of the strip...much more convenient for seeing more. If you do get sick of walking, though, utilize the bus. It was like $5 for a 24-hour pass. We used it at night if we were going up to the Stratosphere end, and it's good for going to the Old Strip.
Anyway, great time. There's a karaoke bar at the Imperial Palace with 100 ounce margaritas
! Things I also enjoyed: NY/NY roller coaster, roller coaster on the Stratosphere, Bellagio fountains, Hoover Dam, and even just walking around some of the huge properties was cool. The only thing I wish I had seen was Red Rock Canyon. The old strip was cool too... neat light show to music. Oh, and MGM Grand buffet... yum! Have a great time! 
I went to Vegas last year for a conference with wife in tow. We stayed at the MGM Grand. It's frikkin enormous. The rooms are decent enough and there are a bunch of restaurants there. The pool is nice too. Huge pool area with one of those lazy rivers too.
I did think Vegas is overrated. Then again, I don't gamble so I found all of the casinos repetitive and boring. Lots of good restaurants though. We didn't have a bad meal all week. Anyone who says Vegas is cheap though is full of crap.
I did think Vegas is overrated. Then again, I don't gamble so I found all of the casinos repetitive and boring. Lots of good restaurants though. We didn't have a bad meal all week. Anyone who says Vegas is cheap though is full of crap.
Go here, and do a hike:
http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
Go here, and see if you can make it up the 75 ft climbing "wall"
http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/gameworks.html
http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
Go here, and see if you can make it up the 75 ft climbing "wall"
http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/gameworks.html
Opie doesnt ridedouglas said:
yes, go to Nobu! They have awesome martinis (although pricy, just like everything else in that damn town). Go to studio 54 also. I'm not big on clubbing, but I had a freaking blast. There is a cool nightclub in Treasure Island (I don't remember the name, I was wasted when I got there).
And as far as being drunk for seeing the show? Be prepared on being drunk for everything. They serve 24 hours a day and as far as I'm aware there is no open container law. I walked down the strip drinking one morning (yes morning). Las Vegas is quite a bender, especially when you're in college and your school is footing most of the bill
And as far as being drunk for seeing the show? Be prepared on being drunk for everything. They serve 24 hours a day and as far as I'm aware there is no open container law. I walked down the strip drinking one morning (yes morning). Las Vegas is quite a bender, especially when you're in college and your school is footing most of the bill
I have been to Vegas 9 times in the last 5 years....
Room Advice.
If the pools are a big deal and walking 15 miles a day in 100 degree heat is not then stay at the Mandalay. I loved it there, the pools are the best, and there are some good restaurants.
If you would like nice pools, but want to be more in the middle of things, stay at Ceasars or Paris. If you stay at paris get a room upgrade so you can see the Bellagio Fountain Show from your room. Ceasars has better pools, but the one at paris under the tower is pretty cool as well. Both are right by the Casino Royal with the dollar beers. I pretty much stop by and get 4 and keep on rolling down the strip every time I walk by there. Before you ask why you would buy a beverage in vegas, 4 bucks is cheaper than losing dollars anywhere on the strip. I play cards, but normally only poker, blackjack, and craps. To get in and get a cocktail in those situations is not that quick.
For a tighter budget, Ballys is nice, and you can get a Bellagio Fountain view for an upgrade as well, and still hit the paris pools because they are joined in the casino. Still in the middle of everything.
As for playing, never play slots in the newer casinos on the strip, I know that the odds are supposed to be the same, but it never feels like it. Make sure you visit Freemont money at the tables goes much further down there.
The RIO and palms both have good bars and restaurants. The Fri night Seafood buffet at rio is the whip. The house of manda for sushi, Nobu is nice but not worth it. Mesa at Ceasars is cool if you like the southwestern grill type food.
Room Advice.
If the pools are a big deal and walking 15 miles a day in 100 degree heat is not then stay at the Mandalay. I loved it there, the pools are the best, and there are some good restaurants.
If you would like nice pools, but want to be more in the middle of things, stay at Ceasars or Paris. If you stay at paris get a room upgrade so you can see the Bellagio Fountain Show from your room. Ceasars has better pools, but the one at paris under the tower is pretty cool as well. Both are right by the Casino Royal with the dollar beers. I pretty much stop by and get 4 and keep on rolling down the strip every time I walk by there. Before you ask why you would buy a beverage in vegas, 4 bucks is cheaper than losing dollars anywhere on the strip. I play cards, but normally only poker, blackjack, and craps. To get in and get a cocktail in those situations is not that quick.
For a tighter budget, Ballys is nice, and you can get a Bellagio Fountain view for an upgrade as well, and still hit the paris pools because they are joined in the casino. Still in the middle of everything.
As for playing, never play slots in the newer casinos on the strip, I know that the odds are supposed to be the same, but it never feels like it. Make sure you visit Freemont money at the tables goes much further down there.
The RIO and palms both have good bars and restaurants. The Fri night Seafood buffet at rio is the whip. The house of manda for sushi, Nobu is nice but not worth it. Mesa at Ceasars is cool if you like the southwestern grill type food.
I hate Vegas.
Sorry, I know it's not constructive but I really, really hate it.
Sorry, I know it's not constructive but I really, really hate it.
Yup - worth seeing once, I guess..... but beyond that it's not worth the flight/drive IMO.I Are Baboon said:
Yup.
True - but I'll take San Francisco any day.
It probably is way, way, way off the strip. Now Reno - Reno is cheap.
J
JRB
Guest
Reno rocks. Very close to bad ass trails.
Well most vacations/destinations can be inexpensive if you want to spend the time and energy hunting for deals and staying/eating in places off the beaten path. Our Vegas trip was probably average for Vegas price-wise based on where we stayed and ate and we found it quite pricey.SkaredShtles said:It probably is way, way, way off the strip. Now Reno - Reno is cheap.
Edit: fortunately for me, my employer picked up most of my tab, otherwise I would have felt like we wasted our money on the trip.
I'd recommend going to the first one to go climbing.........douglas said:
laura said:
What are you talking about?
That place rules. The xc trails are about as tame as they come.
Like what?loco said:
Yep - I'd wager that anything within a mile of that strip is overpriced.I Are Baboon said:
Me too. I'm glad I got to see it once on someone else's tab. Next time I go I'm going to spend my time in Red Rocks and Bootleg.
Ok, here's some off-beat stuff--
If you like vintage, go to Fremont Street. I don't recall the casino, but one has fried twinkies. Wife and I tried them, and they're good! The light show over-head was cool, too. And if you're looking for cheap souveniers(sp??), you'll find them there.
Wife also has a thing for bathrooms, and after watching the "best bathrooms in Vegas", we saw the one that had part of the Berlin Wall in the mens' room. Don't recall the casino name, though it has an older train station feel. Also saw Liberace's home. That guy lived to the extreme, though I'm not too keen with his "orientation".
The fountains at Bellagio are a must. Also, if you get to Harrah's, there is a free shuttle to the Rio and back, and the Rio is a short walk to the Palms.
If you do gamble, there is a 25-cent craps game on Fremont Street. You'll have to look for it, though, since it's not advertised, and we missed out-- table was full(duh)!!!
Hope this helps................
If you like vintage, go to Fremont Street. I don't recall the casino, but one has fried twinkies. Wife and I tried them, and they're good! The light show over-head was cool, too. And if you're looking for cheap souveniers(sp??), you'll find them there.
Wife also has a thing for bathrooms, and after watching the "best bathrooms in Vegas", we saw the one that had part of the Berlin Wall in the mens' room. Don't recall the casino name, though it has an older train station feel. Also saw Liberace's home. That guy lived to the extreme, though I'm not too keen with his "orientation".
The fountains at Bellagio are a must. Also, if you get to Harrah's, there is a free shuttle to the Rio and back, and the Rio is a short walk to the Palms.
If you do gamble, there is a 25-cent craps game on Fremont Street. You'll have to look for it, though, since it's not advertised, and we missed out-- table was full(duh)!!!
Hope this helps................
fluff said:
been out to vegas 3 times with the missus... last time was 4 weeks ago... stayed at MB... decent enough hotel. nice pools for sure...
but imho vegas is a POS>... wow, sin city... what goes on in vegas stays in vegas
people go on about how crazy it is out there... in reality it is like freakin disneyland when you compare it to amsterdam... i can happily live without going back to that hole...
too many tourist wanna be high rollers with satin shirts and big cigars... i don t understand how anyone could want to live in that dump...
It is. I don't think anyone is disputing that. The scale of the place is almost unimaginable. My wife described it and I thought I had a grasp before I went, but when I got there it was rediculous. I had no idea that crap could be of that scale.partsbara said:
I can tolerate Vegas for about one 36 hour bender and then I need to get out of there to hug trees and eat vegetables.
Hard Rock cafe is the only place I'd stay in Vegas given a choice.
The pool area..the eye candy....OMFG!
Things to do:
Drink
Drink more
Heckel fat midwesterners in the buffet feed troughs
Eat
Go to a gun range (once sober, this could take a while) and rent a machine gun. Blasting a couple hundred rounds is always a good idea
Rent a Viper or equally rediculous car and do some wicked donughts
Drink
Strip clubs are always a good idea
The pool area..the eye candy....OMFG!
Things to do:
Drink
Drink more
Heckel fat midwesterners in the buffet feed troughs
Eat
Go to a gun range (once sober, this could take a while) and rent a machine gun. Blasting a couple hundred rounds is always a good idea
Rent a Viper or equally rediculous car and do some wicked donughts
Drink
Strip clubs are always a good idea
:mumble: jesus, he didnt ask "do you recomend going to Vegas" so all you negative nancies should just keep your traps shut
Amazingly, when I looking to book my trip last year, the Hard Rock was a heck of a lot cheaper than the places right on the strip. It was like $100/night. I just booked the MGM Grand though because I didn't feel like schleping back and forth to the conference.Zark said:
Tell it to IRB. He started it.douglas said:
Hey, I had some positive things to say, ballsack.SkaredShtles said:Tell it to IRB. He started it.
I won't argue that point.I Are Baboon said:Hey, I had some positive things to say, ballsack.
You started with the negativity, though.
Same here, that's why I rarley make a Hotel reservation, it doesn't allow me the freedome to get the fcuk out at a moments notice.OGRipper said:
But of the hotels I've stayed at the Belagio is the nicest, followed by the Venetian, and the HardRock is the most entertaining. The Flamingo is the cheesiest, and the Stardust is the dirtiest, but has a great parkinglot for camping if need be.
I totaly forgot about Bootleg, go there and bring water.
Next time I go I'm staying at NY NY so I can ride the roller coaster for free. OTHERWISE they charge you $15 a pop.
uh, no thanks.
uh, no thanks.