Las Vegas - 1st time

*Adam*

I have agreed to take my OH to Vegas for her 21st. Sadly, this means we'll be going in the first week of June.

I, however, know NOTHING about Vegas. Where's the best place to stay, when's the best time to book flights and hotels, what's cheapest, how much money should I take, will I need a Visa (I was arrested but never charged) etc?

Can you guys help me?

magic_pants

Best place to stay is on the strip. Cheapest is off the strip. How much money is down to you! Eating can be done very cheap if you use the all you can eat buffets (especially breakfast!) but if you ask me it's worth splashing out on a nice hotel. I've stayed in The Luxor, Caesars Palace, MGM and Paris and they're all fantastic. Serisouly, if it's your first time you'll be too busy stopping your jaw hitting the floor and having a fabulous time to worry about money!!! LOL! Enjoy..it's awesome!

chalky_bertie

It's fantastic - you will love it

Stay at the top end of the strip nesr the MGM etc. Stratiosphere area is too far down.

callansdad

Ive been three times and would go back tomorrow if i could!

Best place to stay is a difficult question ... all the hotels are pretty good.

We have stayed in the Venetian, Stardust and Circus Circus and to be perfectly honest the rooms didnt seem to be that different. It all depends on how much your wanting to spend. Circus Circus and Stardust are a little bit of a further walk to the main strip but with all the transport links it isnt that bad.

I would suggest doing a lot of research before you go and trying to plan out any shows etc you want to see but leave ticket purchases till you get there. There are a million and one deals to be had. There are a couple of outlets along the strip where you can buy half price show tickets on the same day as show.

Sometime during your trip you should go to freemont street, this is the street where vegas began and all the hotels that you see in the movies are here (golden nugget, plaza, binions etc). however i would try to avoid staying here as it is a long way from the main strip. It is worth seeing though, there is a fantastic display in the canopy above the street every hour at night, using about 5 million lightbulbs or summit like that.

eating out is very easy an very cheap. restaurants everywhere (circus circus buffet if your really hungry!) and dennys for breakfast!

Money is a difficult question, how much gambling do you want to do? dont get carried away. Some shows can be expensive upto $120pp but definately worth it.

Most if not all casinos have tables where they will teach you how to play games like roulette, craps, blackjack, etc etc i would definately suggest this (most through in some free chips to play with) stay away from expensive tables with $5/$10 minimums unless you can afford it ... you'll have just as much fun if not more playing 25c/50c a time.

Where to book your holiday? I cannot offer any real advice on this. I booked through expedia once cos i got a good deal but have not found any other great deals since. Someone else would be better to help with this.

By the way as this holiday is to celebrate a 21st try and make sure OH is 21 before you go it will be a lot easier. You WILL have to carry your passport with you in most casinos to prove age. They are very strict!

I'll leave you to read this ive probably left you even more confused than when you started! I just love talking about vegas and better stop before i book another holiday myself.

phill79

Here are a few url's that I collected, haven't checked them all recently, except Lasvegastalk and tripadvisor, but all were very useful. (there may be some repetition)

LV General:
http://www.lasvegastalk.com/
http://www.accessvegas.com/faqs/tipping-guide.htm
http://community.webshots.com/album/28683961kDdVDaNYZb/1
http://www.ratelasvegas.com/hotels/strip.html
http://www.cheapovegas.com/index.php
http://www.britvegas.com/
http://accessvegas.com/cgi-bin/vegas/cforums.cgi?forumid=1055826761956
http://www.lvchamber.com/visit/index.htm
http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/weddings
http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Visitor/default.htm
http://www.vegas.com/attractions/?f=subattr&t=mattrt
http://www.tasteofvegas.com/
http://www.traveleze.com/user/newdispresults.asp?cities=14215e01892754516656197994647353&stid=01P9086Quct9nXZUTDzkjXczIR8JTWbr&rng=2&catid=1gQ2Zm7gU5UGdqPfocscaP5wD7250Lm8&subcatid=1gQ2Zm7gU5UGdqPfocscaP5wD7250Lm8&subcategory=aaa&showregion=01P9086Quct9nXZUTDzkjXczIR8JTWbr&user=&cntry=84u189P1VCfL7OG3tE4ldw8cjbrXO0ex
http://www.lasvegastouristbureau.com/home.asp
http://www.goingtovegas.com/index.htm#menu
http://www.lasvegasukonline.com/
http://www.bigempire.com/vegas/
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/
http://lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-buffets.cfm
http://forums.lasvegasadvisor.com/
http://www.co.clark.nv.us/clerk/Marriage_License_Applications_online.htm
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Nevada/Las_Vegas-836630/Warnings_or_Dangers-Las_Vegas-TG-C-1.html
http://www.lasvegas4newbies.com/home.html
http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g45963-i10-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html
http://www.cyberstopinc.com/page396640.htm
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-buffets.cfm?SortBy=Rating


LV Trips:
http://www.lasvegasleisureguide.com/lasvegas/calls/c-pafr7.htm
http://grandcanyontourcompany.com/airhlbt.html
http://lasvegas.key2travel.com/
http://www.all-las-vegas-tours.com/Body.asp?tour=LAS-H0004&page=TourDetails

LV Coupons:
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/las-vegas-coupons.htm
http://www.vegastravelnews.com/
http://freevegastours.com/voucher.htm
http://www.lasvegasfunbook.com/funbook_3.htm
http://www.las-vegas-hotels.com/funbook/index.html
http://www.destinationcoupons.com/Nevada/Las_Vegas/Las_Vegas.asp
http://vegas4locals.com/coupons.html
http://vegas4locals.com/coupons.html
http://www.vegas4locals.com/coupons.html
http://www.destinationcoupons.com/Nevada/Las_Vegas/Las_Vegas.asp
http://www.tix4tonight.com/coupon.htm
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml
http://autocollections.com/image/freepass.jpg


Hope that helps.

BTW, we stayed at the Barbary Coast and it was very nice and reasonable and the best thing, you could be in your room in 2 mins. They have just been taken over by Harrah's though, so there is doubt over it's future.

Phill

trets77

get ready for the holiday of a life time my friend. went for 1st time in may and we had the best damm holiday since me and my wife became a couple

i,m counting down to next easter when i hope to go back.

if you think are going to like Vegas prepare to have your expections well and truly topped. the place should come with a health warning about how much you will enjoy yourself and how much you will want to come back.

Hotels:::: ....remember this little saying " eveywhere else you have ever been the hotels are close to the attractions, in Las Vegas the hotels ARE the attractions."

your wish list should help your choice...... like for instance if a pool is very high on your list of wants then Mandalay Bay should be your best choice or if luxury everything is what you want then consisder the Bellagio. but here is the rough pecking order that few who have actually been to all of them will disagree with.

$$$$$EXPENSIVE
1. Wynn
2. Bellagio
3 Tie of the the Venitian and THE HOTEL at mandalay bay

~~~~Excellent

4 3 way tie of New York New York, Mandalay Bay and Mirage
5. Ceasers palace
6. MGM grand
7 Treasure Island

***** lower end

8. Rio ( off strip)
9. Stardust

!!!! AVOID !!

Luxor
Excalliber
Alladin
Stratosphere

where to eat ??? how long is a bit of string ??? Buffets are great lunch options IMO my fav was Mandalay bay Coastal Buffet but Mirage and MGM and Rio Buffet were excellent as well. as for resturants there is so much choice you need a Rough Guide travel book to narrow the field for you.

Attractions

Grand Canyon Helicopter tour is a TOTAL MUST !!!!!!

also Mirage secret garden.. Mandalay bay shark reef , . Rides at Stratosphere and the Gondola rides at the Venitian are good days out.

Shows

DO NOT BUY ANY TICKETS BEFORE YOU GO !!!!!!! wait till you get there then check out the two half price ticket outlets!!!! we saw Mamma mia ,Amazing Johnaton, Rita Rudner, and Avenue Q all for half price. only draw back is you can only buy tickets for that night. these are two outlets check them out

http://www.tickets2nite.com/

http://www.tix4tonight.com/


best way of getting up and down the strip is the Deuce bus service or a taxi.

best things to take with you a pair of very comfy shoes (trust me on this ) and loads of money

this old thread about vegas should be of help about the flight over

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=291092


have a great time

tanith

I would second the Helicopter Grand Canyon Trip it is totally AWESOME......

Stayed in Circus Circus and it was fine, the breakfast buffet kept us going the whole day till dinner... very good value and eat as much as you can..... even saw people taking stuff away in doggy bags....

Be prepared to be GOBSMACKED AT EVERY TURN and do go and see the fountains at Bellagio spectacular......

gingin_2

I went when I was 21 and we stayed at the Mgm Grand and liked it so much we have stayed there on our second trip. It is centrally located and they do some good value rooms with a few deals thrown in (such as free use of the gym, voucher for the buffet.

My best piece of advice is for your girlfriend to take i.d (passport) with her wherever she goes as the Casino's and bars are very strict on checking this

john.xs

make sure above all else you take some lip salve/vaseline for lips due to 24hr air conditioning.you cant believe how something such as sore/chaped lips can detract from what is supposed to be a fun time.
ps i thought the luxor was pretty good.
helicopter trip was good but cant say the grand canyon was that awesome.
blue man group were darn good.
confirm any taxi price from airport as its its a short journey and there are some unscrupulous drivers around.
duelling piano bar is a great night and can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.
most of shopping is either expensvive designer tat or cheap eastern tat !
better luck in the casinos than we had
for free entertainment let your hubbie collect all the hookers calling cards as you walk along. it makes for a great set of adult snap cards by the end of the week.

trets77

My best piece of advice is for your girlfriend to take i.d (passport) with her wherever she goes as the Casino's and bars are very strict on checking this

very much 2nd this advice. get yourself a new Photo driving license to save taking your passport everywhere . they ask for ID a lot even to me and i,m mid 30's !!!!!!!!!

as for the Luxor debate i was definatly not impressed compared to New york New York where i stayed. feels a bit too cheesy and a bit too stale inside for me the building for sure has WOW factor but inside is a bit local cinema ish IMO

. you get both WOWS!! with New York New York. the attention to detail is staggering like steam coming out of manhole covers inside or the central park theme of the gaming tables , not to mention the the new york taxi roller coaster that goes round the outside ( does not disturb you in the room though). plus the BEDS are very very comfortable ( did not miss my bed back home once !!!!!). it,s pool is it,s only real flaw cause it quite small and not well positioned ( that and no poker room when i was there)

Luxor is only marginally cheaper than say New York New York MGM or Ceasers palace. New York New york was truly excellent and people we spoke to who were staying at the Luxor said they wished they had choosen it after going inside

for someone your age i definatly think Mandalay bay would be a very good choice. like i mentioned it has the undisputed best pool on the strip ( Strictly for GUESTS only) and the very cool "House of Blues" club with Live bands pretty much every night i think. here is the upcoming schedule for a flavour of what to expect

http://hob.com/tickets/searchresults.asp?venid=146

the hotel in definatly aimed at the 20-30 age range ( unlike say Monte carlo which is aimed at older people or Circus Circus which is aimed at Familys with children ( which is a four letter word at any other hotel on the strip ).and is VERY VERY nice !! only slight downside is it is at the bottom of the strip but that is a minor quibble really


it will be high on my list of places to stay next vist for sure. if the price is right

jonesMUFCforever

Thanks to Phill79 for the great links!
Going to Vegas next month staying at Circus Circus.