Who's been to Vegas?

carrie_eggo
carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
edited October 7 in Chit-Chat
My husband and his brother are taking their employees and wives (well, 3 of us) on a whirlwind trip to Vegas for a convention. We are flying in on a Monday late morning and flying out Wednesday afternoon. So 2 nights and 1 full day (guys will be at the convention during the day).

What are some must-see, must-do things/places? What should we not waste our time/money on? What restaurants do you recommend? Any advice is appreciated! :smile:
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Replies

  • CreepyOne
    CreepyOne Posts: 221 Member
    Mandalay Restaurant, is buffet style, I love that place
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    For an expensive meal: Stripsteak in Mandalay. Its amazing.
    For a less expensive meal and awesome burgers: Burger bar in Mandalay - omg so freaking good!
    (I'm not partial to Mandalay, they just both happen to be there)


    The Cirque Du Soliel shows are good - I recommend the one at TI, its the oldest running and the pricing is good. Any seat in the place will offer a fantastic view and its mindblowing what some of those people do. Ka is good too at MGM.


    Just walking from one end of the strip to the other when its dark is pretty awesome. Its a trek. (Mandalay to Treasure Island) - you have the Bellagio Fountains, Mirage volcano and a bunch of other stuff. Plus the people watching is pretty awesome.
  • surgesilk
    surgesilk Posts: 92
    Helicopter tour of the strip at night, hoover dam, grand canyon, Fremont St, dancing water fountain, spearmint rhino...just off the top of my head...I do Vegas 4-5x year.
  • dwilliam116
    dwilliam116 Posts: 18 Member
    Lawry's in my favorite restaurant in Vegas. Yum!
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
    You can get coupons and flyers from representatives on the street for some of the classier joints.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
    I hate buffet food personally - its expensive and mediocre and so wasteful! If you want to try a buffet try to get in JUST before the previous meal ends - so if you want lunch, go right before breakfast ends, order your drinks, and hang out while they switch the food. Its cheaper that way.

    Craftsteak in the MGM is good and pricy but not extreme - and there is a little "snack" shop in Caesars that is like a trendy burger bar and really good for hte price. a lot of vegas food is overpriced and underwhelming.

    The Rhumbar in .....TI? or the Mirage.... has some really interesting cocktails and rums to try.


    Show wise obviously cirques are all pretty good. You really can't go wrong with a vegas show as long as its something that sounds interesting to you.

    Otherwise my favorite thing to do is just walk through ALL the hotels and see what's up. And that's totally free. :D Basically just walk around, see the sights, and have a good time. Stay away from "safe" restuarants (where the menus look safe and normal) as those are usually mediocre and overpriced and cater to tourists who are scared of new food.
  • LuckyAng
    LuckyAng Posts: 1,173 Member
    We go at least once a year. We have a timeshare there and LOVE it!! The Top of the World restaurant at Stratosphere is cool because it rotates and the views are incredible! They are a little pricey, but it's good :) Also love Cravings buffet at Mirage. For really cool late night bar food, our fave is FIX at Bellagio. SO good! Listen to me; food food food! I think it's lunchtime ;)
  • mixmastermolly
    mixmastermolly Posts: 272
    Fremont Street!!! Restaurant: Nine Fine Irishmen
  • redfroggie
    redfroggie Posts: 591 Member
    It's been awhile since I've been, but I would say don't forget about The Fremont Street Experience, if they still do it LOL, it is really unique. I loved Vegas, have a great time.
  • hounds726
    hounds726 Posts: 63
    Fremont Street is awesome! It is old Vegas but it is more affordable with a lot of the same excitement.
    Fountains at the Bellagio! FREE and awesome!
  • gec1266
    gec1266 Posts: 201 Member
    O'Shea's on the strip for pure people watching fun. Hopefully they still have the person walking on the bar,blowing the whistle,and pouring shots into peoples mouths.......a good chuckle indeed...
  • windymay7
    windymay7 Posts: 2
    For Eats: Check out Raffles in Mandalay Bay for brunch. Try the mango butter pancakes/waffles. You will never have a better brunch and the price is reasonable. For cheap late-night eats, go to Buffalo Bills for steak 'n eggs (can't remember the restaurant name, but it's right in the back of the casino - can't miss it). Also in Buffalo Bills are .99 cent margaritas! Strawberry and lime - this is a great place to indulge in some inexpensive beverages before heading out for a night on the town.

    For Shopping: Check out Fashion Show Mall at the (West) end of the strip (near Treasure Island and Wynn - it's the spaceship looking building - can't miss it). Awesome stores including a 10,000sq ft Forever 21 with amazing selection.

    For Entertainment: Treasure Island offers a FREE nightly 'pirate' show right on the strip. It runs a few times each evening and features a bunch of promiscuously-dressed female pirates pretending to sing and dance. Provided it's not too cold to stand outside - it's worth a watch (because it's FREE :)

    You will have NO PROBLEM finding things to do during the day while the guys are at the conference. I often end up with a destination in mind and rarely make it there due to getting distracted with the casinos, shopping, restaurants and impromptu happenings that pop up as you stroll the strip. You can spend countless hours strolling through the Wynn, Encore, Bellagio and the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.

    Check out M&M world (east/south end of strip) if you like candy and souvenirs - and if you like a thrill - try the roller coaster at New York New York. VERY FUN! - just don't do it hungover like my fiancé did.

    Hope those tips help. Enjoy!
  • melg126
    melg126 Posts: 378
    I love love love love Vegas...

    I would recommend seeing KA at the MGM Grand, Hoover Dam tours are good and usually quick, Bellagio water show but watch it from the Eiffel Tower across the street.

    They make really good drinks at this bar at the Dragon Noodle at the Monte Carlo.

    There is so much to see!!! Have fun!
  • aklitten
    aklitten Posts: 237 Member
    Bump. I will be headed there in July and definitely plan on seeing a Cirque show (really want to see O).
  • windymay7
    windymay7 Posts: 2
    For Eats: Check out Raffles in Mandalay Bay for brunch. Try the mango butter pancakes/waffles. You will never have a better brunch and the price is reasonable. For cheap late-night eats, go to Buffalo Bills for steak 'n eggs (can't remember the restaurant name, but it's right in the back of the casino - can't miss it). Also in Buffalo Bills are .99 cent margaritas! Strawberry and lime - this is a great place to indulge in some inexpensive beverages before heading out for a night on the town.

    For Shopping: Check out Fashion Show Mall at the (West) end of the strip (near Treasure Island and Wynn - it's the spaceship looking building - can't miss it). Awesome stores including a 10,000sq ft Forever 21 with amazing selection.

    For Entertainment: Treasure Island offers a FREE nightly 'pirate' show right on the strip. It runs a few times each evening and features a bunch of promiscuously-dressed female pirates pretending to sing and dance. Provided it's not too cold to stand outside - it's worth a watch (because it's FREE :)

    You will have NO PROBLEM finding things to do during the day while the guys are at the conference. I often end up with a destination in mind and rarely make it there due to getting distracted with the casinos, shopping, restaurants and impromptu happenings that pop up as you stroll the strip. You can spend countless hours strolling through the Wynn, Encore, Bellagio and the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.

    Check out M&M world (east/south end of strip) if you like candy and souvenirs - and if you like a thrill - try the roller coaster at New York New York. VERY FUN! - just don't do it hungover like my fiancé did.

    Hope those tips help. Enjoy!
  • sydanne33
    sydanne33 Posts: 28
    If you have time at night to see a show....try to see Matt Goss, he is awesome! Last time we went, Avril Lavine was in the audience. There are always celebs/fun people at his shows!

    http://mattgoss.la/vegas/
  • Jennifernellwebb
    Jennifernellwebb Posts: 209 Member
    Stay away from gambling.... The machines are set up to just take, take, take. Most people that gamble pop in, gamble for a few days, see a bad luck streak and go home saying they had no luck and then plan a vacation the next year to do the exact same thing. I live an hour and a 1/2 from there and I have been there many times. I worked in a casino in Laughlin, Nv for 3 years, I know how they work. As far as attractions, there are many! Blue Man Group is awesome!!!! You aren't going to catch many meals on the light side of the pocket book although you can sign up for the players cards in the casinos and get a percentage off buffets and other restaurants in their particular casino. JUST REMEMBER...... A LOT OF PEOPLE GO THERE ON VACATION AND LEAVE ON PROBATION.. :drinker: :laugh: :drinker: :laugh: Don't be a statistic!!! Hee, Hee!!
  • FollowThatUnicorn
    FollowThatUnicorn Posts: 200 Member
    Craftsteak in the MGM is good and pricy but not extreme - and there is a little "snack" shop in Caesars that is like a trendy burger bar and really good for hte price. a lot of vegas food is overpriced and underwhelming.

    YES!!!! This so much. Craftsteak was so so so amazing when we went.

    Nine Fine Irishmen in NYNY is also cool.

    Is Okada still in the Wynn? That was great.

    Seablue in MGM has tagines!

    I'm personally not a fan of buffets or cutesy little quick fast food restaurants or gimmicky ones like the one in the Eiffel Tower. But, we don't really gamble when we go so we can afford to pay more to go to nicer places to eat.
  • kimoRUN
    kimoRUN Posts: 325 Member
    The 'Bunny Ranch' is always a crowd pleaser.
  • FollowThatUnicorn
    FollowThatUnicorn Posts: 200 Member
    Oh, if you want to look at hot girls, go to the center bar at Planet Hollywood. We found those to be the hottest ;)
  • texakin20
    texakin20 Posts: 98 Member
    No worries. Just walk and check out the hotels. Every hotel has a different theme. So do not just stay in your hotel. get out, day or night and walk around.

    Your legs will be tired if your walking around, wear comfortable shoes :)


    Fremont Street I agree is a must. It is in Downtown and near some famous hotels. But it is a neat show, and free!
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    Go see the flower gardens at Bellagio (free), Freemont STreet experince (free) if you go to Freemont there's this great restuarant called Triple George and usually you can find a resturant.com certif for there.

    Since I live here I think the strip is over done. I do think if you did the strip one night and freemont one night you'd like it. Some of everything ya know. :)

    There's some zip lines at Freemont or if you're renting a car and sight seeing go see the Dam/Bypass Bridge/ Lake Mead, Valley of Fire, Red Rock etc.

    It's Vegas so you'll have fun. :)
  • mags1024
    mags1024 Posts: 3
    Red Carpet VIP. If you are looking for a grea time, great clubs and awesome food. They will plan it all out for you. My husband and I had a blast because of their great planning. Jeff, the owner, he OWNS Vegas!!! Everyone moves aside for him..No lines! Have a great time :)
  • _Timmeh_
    _Timmeh_ Posts: 2,096 Member
    Olympic Garden, fun for everyone.
  • donne103
    donne103 Posts: 20 Member
    Completely agree about O'Shea's. Plus if you like to gamble they have a $5 black jack table and we found the coolest dealers there too.
  • mags1024
    mags1024 Posts: 3
    I was there in Nov and he was still there doing his thing!!! Funny :)
  • judsimm
    judsimm Posts: 8 Member
    bump
  • Fit4_Life
    Fit4_Life Posts: 828 Member
    THUNDER DOWN UNDER, BABY!!! :blushing:
  • kimsue123
    kimsue123 Posts: 24 Member
    Google: City Pass for Las Vegas.......for one price you can do many different things......cheaper than paying for entertainment individually..........

    I love Fremont Street at night.......the light show is awesome.......

    Don't waste your money on the Criss Angel magic show.............totally NOT worth it!!! We were very disappointed!!!

    The celebrity wax museum is wonderful!

    The top of the Stratosphere is fabulous!!!
  • TMLPatrick
    TMLPatrick Posts: 558 Member
    Take a night and go down to old vegas.... its dirty and old, but worth the bus ride... imo. Also don't miss out on Bobby's Flay's Mesa Grill at Casear's...

    Oh.... and Marc Savard's hypnotism show.... awesome... be sure to volunteer.
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