Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2011

ferf1223

March

Don't overplan...your plans are most likely to go out the window anyway...but I do think it's a good idea to have some 'must dos' and whatnot.

We find if we go with nothing planned, we just end up gambling (and usually losing)...we do better if we have reasonable combination of things that are planned and set in stone (like show tickets) and a few things we expect to do (like certain meals on certain days)...and let the rest happen naturally.

Since we have been a number of times now, we know what to expect - and we also have an idea how to plan our days...our first few trips we were really scattershot...we'd go somewhere - head back to our hotel - consult our list of things to do and find out that something else on the list was across the street/next door to where we were.

Sometimes things naturally go together - and it's that sort of planning that can be helpful...if you want to go to The Secret Garden, and want to try a restaurant at the Mirage (or Harrahs, or anywhere else in the area) - maybe it makes sense to do the two at the same time...and free up other blocks of time for other stuff.

So that's why I think a bit of planning is good...but don't stress yourself out over it and be prepare to chuck most of it out the window. There are things on our must do list from 10 years ago we still haven't done...the Vegas sign and Eiffel Tower spring to mind...other things we've read about for years like The Pinball Hall of Fame and The Gun Store...never made it yet.

I also think it can be a very overwhelming place -without any preplanning people sometimes get into the not knowing what to do phase...so having some idea is a good thing.

Spursman180

March

Planning is essential, even if you tear it all up and throw it in the bin when you get there (almost every trip!). For some of us planning tends to be around tournaments as most of my mates who go play poker to one standard or another and a bit of work has to go into schedules and costs.

For me personally the types of games I play require searches on sites like all Vegas poker for the different schedules on the various locations and games available.

As the OP says that games and locations I want to play can be rolled up around doing other things in that locale. It can also affect the time of day that I do things, regardless of whatever time I finish overnight I'm usually an early riser and not adverse to driving out 70 miles for brekkie (Mesquite) have a look around and get back to town for a 4pm sitdown in the hi/lo game at the Orleans, (there are specific reasons for sitting down at 4pm as opposed to 3pm or 5pm relating to table queues and waiting times).

The one that always seem to be the last on my list is the M&M store, usually on the way to the airport. Mind you not a bad thing as if it was my first point of call I'd probably have to restock for going home.

Don't even bother telling me about the shop in Leicester square as they don't have any peanut butter M&M's and in fact not even ordinary peanut ones. Their excuse is that they have not sourced a local supplier over here? No PB no visit. They just don't know how much money they are losing. My last stash from my May trip ran out about a month ago.

DeeLasVegas

I seriously do not envy anyone planning a trip to Vegas. I have lived here for 15 years and still have not seen everything, so how anyone on a visit tries to is beyond me. My parents visit every year and tend to 'do' a certain section of town each time. I myself much prefer more local resorts (Red Rock, Green Valley etc) a little less hustle and bustle. :beer:

nvh

stoneman wrote: »

Heres a Groupon I will be going for.
$20 for a day pass and free bar for 3 hours at Azure pool Palazzo. We call it self inducing a snooze!

cheers for that, I overlooked that deal...however, not sure if you've misread or mis-typed (or if they've mis-typed!) but it says its only 2 hours of open bar...

Open-bar hours are Friday 4 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–1 p.m., or Sunday 11 a.m–1 p.m.

stoneman

October

nvh wrote: »

cheers for that, I overlooked that deal...however, not sure if you've misread or mis-typed (or if they've mis-typed!) but it says its only 2 hours of open bar...

Sorry about that, yes I meant 2 hours. I will not edit my post in case someone thinks we have gone mad.
Did some digging and the open bar is for non-import beer, house wine and well drinks. If you want to go in with your OH you must by one for yourself and a gift one.

luci

May

BlueWorldOrder wrote: »

Not all of us! I've seen some posts where people have pre-planned their dinners for ever night of their holiday, a bit much for me IMO. It's good to plan but I also think it's good to get there, explore and just lose yourself in the place too and find little things for yourself.
Enjoy, it's a great place

That'll be me then...........

As ferf says, once you have been a few times you are better placed to plan things you will actually do. After 13 trips we're not running around like headless chickens trying to cover a load of stuff.

The first time we went for more than a week I was bored after 8 days as I'd run out of things to do, or at least I couldn't think of anything else I wanted to do.

Since then I have had an outline plan and even after 2 weeks there are still things we could have done. Yes we have an idea where we are going to eat most nights, but it's not cast in stone and can be changed easily. However by having it written down it means we don't come home suddenly remembering that we were going to try this place or that place. We often have 2 or 3 places pencilled in for one night and decide at the time which one, if any, we are going to.

Toothfairy4

September

Hi everyone, we're going to vegas for 4 nights in september (honeymoon) and were planning on seeing one show. We are thinking either le reve or penn and teller... is it best to book before we go or are discounted tickets usually available on the day? Also, any other suggestions for a good show for 2 vegas virgins would be great. Thanks!

luci

May

I would go with Le Reve out of those two. I would also keep an eye on http://www.travelzoo.com/entertainment/las-vegas/ as they often have good deals on shows. However I don't see Le Reve listed this week which is unusual.

There are half price ticket outlets, but the big shows are never half price, more like 20% off and you have the hassle of taking your voucher to the box office to exchange it for a ticket.

Toothfairy4

September

Thanks luci, i will keep an eye out for some good deals then!

DeeLasVegas

Toothfairy4: What dates are you in Vegas?

Obviously if you are going to wait until you get here to book tickets check beforehand that the shows aren't 'dark' on the days that you need.