The Las Vegas Thread and MSE guide

pebblesmax

November/December

Sunset may not be the same as it getting dark, but it will be around that time, so I've been told.

I don't usually do pools when we go in November, so I'll take your memory as correct. (We will be there this time next week!!!)

qwerty2k

Las Vegas newbie here! My and 3 mates are off to Las Vegas December 14th for 8 days, we are staying in MGM Grand.

Right, as a newbie i have a few (potentially stupid!) questions.

How laid back/casual dress wise are most of the casino's? (particularly mgm if anyones been there as thats where we are staying)

if we go in a few clubs/bars will i get away with smartish jeans, t-shirt/jumper/shirt? are trainers a big no-no?

How is it going to be best to 'take' money with me. Ie, cash, travellers cheques? just use credit card (i have a nationwide credit card as i read martins article on best credit cards to use), debit card (i have natwest and martin says to avoid using natwest debit abroad)?

If i use debit/credit cards instead of 'cash' i assume the casino's will let me use that to pay for poker tournament entries? (as we are going mainly for poker), but if i do this i would assume i would still need a fair bit of cash even if just for tips for the week.

now for a general sort of travel question: As im going towards christmas i was going to get my parents a christmas present whilst out there, i was planning on buying them a laptop (macbook) as they are cheaper over there than here, will i have major problems in bringing it back (ie, how likely is it that i will have to pay import tax?), also what about clothes as i will be taking a fair bit of money to buy clothes and some other stuff with.

(apologies for the undoubted ignorance and stupidity of my posts but as ive just turned 21 and its not too long til vegas im very excited )

trets77

April

qwerty2k wrote: »

Las Vegas newbie here! My and 3 mates are off to Las Vegas December 14th for 8 days, we are staying in MGM Grand.

Right, as a newbie i have a few (potentially stupid!) questions.

How laid back/casual dress wise are most of the casino's? (particularly mgm if anyones been there as thats where we are staying)

if we go in a few clubs/bars will i get away with smartish jeans, t-shirt/jumper/shirt? are trainers a big no-no?

How is it going to be best to 'take' money with me. Ie, cash, travellers cheques? just use credit card (i have a nationwide credit card as i read martins article on best credit cards to use), debit card (i have natwest and martin says to avoid using natwest debit abroad)?

If i use debit/credit cards instead of 'cash' i assume the casino's will let me use that to pay for poker tournament entries? (as we are going mainly for poker), but if i do this i would assume i would still need a fair bit of cash even if just for tips for the week.

now for a general sort of travel question: As im going towards christmas i was going to get my parents a christmas present whilst out there, i was planning on buying them a laptop (macbook) as they are cheaper over there than here, will i have major problems in bringing it back (ie, how likely is it that i will have to pay import tax?), also what about clothes as i will be taking a fair bit of money to buy clothes and some other stuff with.

(apologies for the undoubted ignorance and stupidity of my posts but as ive just turned 21 and its not too long til vegas im very excited )

• only real dress requirment is clothes below the waist , wear what you like in the casino's. as long as your spending money they could not care less what you wear.
• depends on the nightclub /bar. you should research ahead if there is a specific club you want to go to . but generally the smarter the night club the smarter the dress.
• take your credit card for purchases of things you will be bringing back . if no Nationwide debit card , i would advise cash with some travellers cheques thrown in if you are worried you might lose the cash. take your debit card as a emergency back up.don't withdraw money using a Credit card as you get stung by fees and very high intrest.
• probably not . most Poker tournaments only take cash or casino chip buy ins from my experinace .Cash is king in Vegas , and it is always advisable to have some readys on you ( espically if gambling) there are plenty of ATM's but the casino ATM's have high fees. and yes $1 are needed as everybody seems to be on the tip list.
• The Apple store is deep inside the Fashion show mall.as for clothes pick a outlet mall and go there ( see page 1 and the guide for info on where they are and links ) . you will probably only need to visit one as they are all pretty similar.

and now for a very important piece of advice . since you have only just turned 21 ...make sure you take your Photo ID with you everywhere. you will certainly get asked at bars for it ( i do and i'm 36 tomorrow !!) , and you may well get asked by the casinos if you are gambling. a photo driving liscense is best as it fits in your wallet , but your passport will suffuce .

also make sure you print this poker tourney schedule off before you go

http://www.allvegaspoker.com/tournaments.php


have fun

wdyw

pebblesmax wrote: »

Sunset may not be the same as it getting dark, but it will be around that time, so I've been told.

I don't usually do pools when we go in November, so I'll take your memory as correct. (We will be there this time next week!!!)

Isn't there an hour difference between Arizona and Nevada after daylight saving comes around?

hollowhead

Been reading and reading and can't decide which is the best way to see the grand canyan. Which rim? which company (I know thats personal preferance) Have heard the south rim is best and the real canyon? Please help going in a couple of weeks and want to book.

Trowel

Got back Sunday from a fortnight doing the park circle around GC, starting and finishing in Vegas. Have to say I wasn't a big fan of Vegas , but that was mostly down to the people rather than the place. Venetian suite was ok - a little dark and showing its age. Signature suite was out of this world - would be the best place I'd ever stayed at, if we'd not already stayed somewhere better the week before (Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale outside Zion - gobsmacking). Top of the World restaurant is worth the hefty bill for the view (though they overcooked our chateaubriand...), Tournament of Kings good fun, Ka was great (stage is the star of the show), and the Outlet Mall is where I'm spending a fortnight's holiday next year

I do not however recommend driving into Vegas at 6pm with the I15 approach closed and all traffic forced up Boulevard South ...:mad: :eek:

Tossing my hat into the GC dining debate, we ate one night at the Arizona Room which was ok, and then at El Tovar which was frankly terrible. As someone mentioned earlier, the best food we had around the GC area was from Wendy's in Tusayan :beer:

And finally a big thank you to Dollar. We hired a sat nav from them at the last minute at great expense, which stopped working after 3 days and decided to start working the day we returned it in Vegas, leaving us with no proof of the problem. However the lady on the Dollar counter was happy to take me at my word, and gave me a refund for the 11 days it was useless, no questions asked :T :T :T

Trowel

hollowhead wrote: »

Been reading and reading and can't decide which is the best way to see the grand canyan. Which rim? which company (I know thats personal preferance) Have heard the south rim is best and the real canyon? Please help going in a couple of weeks and want to book.

South Rim is the main place to go, ideally based at GC Village to allow yourself to explore trails etc. However be warned that the western road (Hermit's Road) is closed until November, restricting you to viewpoints on the east only - which might not sound bad, but we found that every viewpoint looked pretty much the same after a while. Hopefully the Hermit's re-opening coincides with your visit. Also it's packed, even at this time of year - North Rim is quieter, but closes around this time each year due to weather.

We took a helicopter trip with GC Helicopters from Tusayan, a small 'town' about 7 miles south of the Village. Cost us about $240 each to do their "grand kingdom" tour (booked out there, so you can probably do it cheaper), which is essentially the best GC chopper ride you can do - an hour flight taking in virtually a full circuit, and their choppers are the only ones where all passengers (7 + pilot) get a full forward view.

Cage

August

£ was down to $1.53, but now up to $1.60 - Lets hope it keeps rising.

Baz_2

photome wrote: »

qwerty2k

I know trets has answered your ?s but just one point you say you have a nationwide debit card and Martin says not to use it...thats wrong, he says ,and we all say that the best way to get cash abroad is with the nationwide debit card.

He said he has a Natwest card, which he should avoid using.

mrsiwannabefree

We're going to vegas for the first time on the 17th Nov and have a couple of questions
What will the weather be like? Warm or cold? As we're not sure what clothing to take with us!
I'm sure I read somewhere on here that there is a shop that sells all it's items for $10 but now can't find it - anyone know where it is please?

Thanks )