Who's been to Vegas?

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carrie_eggo
carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
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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  • CreepyOne
    CreepyOne Posts: 221 Member
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    Mandalay Restaurant, is buffet style, I love that place
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
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    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
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    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
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    Lawry's in my favorite restaurant in Vegas. Yum!
  • CaptainGordo
    CaptainGordo Posts: 4,437 Member
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    You can get coupons and flyers from representatives on the street for some of the classier joints.
  • tameko2
    tameko2 Posts: 31,634 Member
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    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
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    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
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    Fremont Street!!! Restaurant: Nine Fine Irishmen
  • redfroggie
    redfroggie Posts: 591 Member
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    The 'Bunny Ranch' is always a crowd pleaser.
  • FollowThatUnicorn
    FollowThatUnicorn Posts: 200 Member
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    Oh, if you want to look at hot girls, go to the center bar at Planet Hollywood. We found those to be the hottest ;)

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