Las Vegas guide and MSE thread 2013

secretmachines

hi everyone... i'm keen to keep the front page info up-to-date and as interesting as possible, but most importantly, MSE-focused.

I was thinking about developing the 'free attractions' section, to include stuff which is just interesting to see/experience. May be things as simple as seeing the Chihuly flowers, or chocolate fountain in Bellagio as well as places to visit like M&M World/Coca-Cola World. If there's enough stuff, could then maybe break it down hotel-by-hotel.

I appreciate we could end up listing everything there is to see/do in Vegas, but trying to keep it MSE-related

Sooo... if anyone has any hidden secrets, favourites, etc. which is free to see/do, fire away

ferf1223

i think the gardens at the back of Flamingo deserve a mention...we had been going to Vegas for several years and never had a clue they were there until someone (I think stoneman) mentioned them and I think it's something that gets overlooked by many...lovely place to have a wander or a rest...even if the birds will try to steal the muffin you bought at the coffee stand nearby .

photome

Ethel Ms chocolate factory and cactus garden. its free but you do need a car.

The aquarium complete with "live" mermaids a few times a day at Silverton, while there, the Bass Pro shop is worth a look

Free Circus shows at Circus Circus

Gilly_flower

Re: MyVegas app
Do you have to be invited to the group MyVegas friends? I am a facebook novice and not doing very well.
In the app, someone sent me 10 chips and I had no idea what to do (share?, send back a gift?). I, not surprisingly , have no 'friends' at the mo. and understand that this helps.
Any tips/pointers much appreciated.

ferf: I'm thinking I did the right thing to book the Flamingo - gardens sound lovely.

ferf1223

photome wrote: »

Ethel Ms chocolate factory and cactus garden. its free but you do need a car.

agree - when we went they had stopped production for the most part so didn't see much of that but the cactus garden was really impressive and the plane spotting was too (more for my hubby than me blahblah 757 blahblah MD80, etc. )

Hello100

Where has this site been all my life?! I only just stumbled upon it. I will be booking a solo trip to Vegas soon, any tips on how to get the best hotel prices for travelling on my own as it seems to be more expensive selecting 1 for occupancy.
I plan to book my flight first and then book hotel stay after. going from Glasgow. I seen on here the Priceline Hotel website looks good, has anyone used it to stay in Vegas. I would like to stay somewhere nice, but at a good price, this time as previously I have stayed at Circus Circus, Excalibur, Tropicana (which is nice now) and Extended Stay America.
I will be going on April 20th if possible and hope to stay for 15 nights.

neobis

Hello100 wrote: »

Where has this site been all my life?! I only just stumbled upon it. I will be booking a solo trip to Vegas soon, any tips on how to get the best hotel prices for travelling on my own as it seems to be more expensive selecting 1 for occupancy.
I plan to book my flight first and then book hotel stay after. going from Glasgow. I seen on here the Priceline Hotel website looks good, has anyone used it to stay in Vegas. I would like to stay somewhere nice, but at a good price, this time as previously I have stayed at Circus Circus, Excalibur, Tropicana (which is nice now) and Extended Stay America.
I will be going on April 20th if possible and hope to stay for 15 nights.

I am sure there are 2 x 5* Priceline hotels for Vegas and these are easily identifiable. The one that lists the hotel has no casino then it's Trump, if it has a casino then it is Wynn.*

15 nights!!! Wow that's a long stay for being solo!

* - Best to double check - don't just take my word for it.

Hello100

Yea it is quite a long time but I play a lot of poker when I am there. Mayweather is fighting May 4th so that is another reason I plan on staying that long. I have been looking at flights from Glasgow and can't find anything under £750, is that just the standard price? Was hoping I could get it a bit cheaper.

ferf1223

Hello100 wrote: »

any tips on how to get the best hotel prices for travelling on my own as it seems to be more expensive selecting 1 for occupancy.
I plan to book my flight first and then book hotel stay after. going from Glasgow. I seen on here the Priceline Hotel website looks good, has anyone used it to stay in Vegas. I would like to stay somewhere nice, but at a good price, this time as previously I have stayed at Circus Circus, Excalibur, Tropicana (which is nice now) and Extended Stay America.
I will be going on April 20th if possible and hope to stay for 15 nights.

Vegas hotel rooms are based on double occupancy - so shouldn't be more expensive when booking for just one...at least booking direct with the hotels...have a look at the first page for ideas and look around some of the sites for deals like

http://www.harrahs.com/VegasVacation/index.html
smartervegas.com, etc.

Vegas is one place I would not personally use Priceline...there are plenty of deals to be had.

Check hotel prices before booking flights though - just in case there is something big going on in Vegas that is pushing prices up...if there is a fight in town that will be pushing hotel rates up quite a lot so may mean you will want to move hotels at some point - for 2 weeks+ it's probably worth doing anyway.

neobis

Hello100 wrote: »

Yea it is quite a long time but I play a lot of poker when I am there. Mayweather is fighting May 4th so that is another reason I plan on staying that long. I have been looking at flights from Glasgow and can't find anything under £750, is that just the standard price? Was hoping I could get it a bit cheaper.

You are going peak(ish) time hence the higher cost. However I think fares during "off-peak" times are around the £550-£600 mark you can get cheaper by including stopovers.

I am heading out end of February going direct with BA on business class for £1000 plus 25,000 avios.

Heathrow --> Las Vegas
Las Vegas --> Gatwick

Boxing is ace in Vegas. Seen Oscar De La Hoya and Erik Morales in 2003 and Hatton in 2008.

Whenever there is a big fight or conference on etc flights/hotels etc all charge more $.