I'm going to VEGAS! Suggestions?

jenny82

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My husband's company is sending him to a week-long conference in Vegas at the end of July and he is staying at Caesar's Palace! I am going for a few days, because the only things we will have to pay for are my flights (as cheap as $99 each way on Southwest) and of course my food and whatever I buy! I am not a big gambler. My husband has been there before and I have not, so I will just walk around and sightsee while he is working during the day.

So...what are some things I or we should definitely see or do??? Also, ideas on saving money would be great! I have been working a lot of overtime lately so that should help.

Thanks! I am super excited!!!


ETA: I'm only going to have 2 or 3 full days there (I think), so I won't be able to do everything, just the highlights!
 

april31

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I have never been there but would love to go someday.
 
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jenny82

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Originally Posted by arie85

Are you planning to gamble there?
I'm sure we will do a little (my husband more than me) just to try it, but I would rather spend money on other things! We went to Atlantic City once and lost about $200 and I was not too happy.
 

lunasmom

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My fiance was there in December (his friend recently moved out there).

He left with about $500 in spending money and came back with $400 (he gambled). So really if you do wind up gambling and you win, then you don't have to worry about saving money.
 

calico76

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I was just there and got back on Saturday! Some must do's for cat lovers:

Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage

You can see all of the tigers and lions and some others too, the white tigers are so magnificent!
It is a bit pricey ($15/per person) but it is sooo worth it!! My suggestion is to go early in the morning or very late afternoon. I went at about noon and they were all sleeping, just like my kitties!!
Plus they have some dolphins too.

The Lion Habitat at MGM

They have a huge lion habitat that is free to see. It's in the middle of the casino and the lions are there from 11am to 10pm. You can also have your picture taken with a cub and you can pet the cub while your pic is being taken. The picture is expensive ($25 I think) and you have to buy it in order to meet the cub. Again, for a cat lover it is so worth it. (I thought so anyway
)

Other than that we just walked around and checked out the casinos and hotels. They are so awesome and it was cool to see how different they are.
That doesn't cost any money either!!

I had a great time and can't wait to go back!!
 

alleygirl

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Originally Posted by Calico76

I was just there and got back on Saturday! Some must do's for cat lovers:

Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage

You can see all of the tigers and lions and some others too, the white tigers are so magnificent!
It is a bit pricey ($15/per person) but it is sooo worth it!! My suggestion is to go early in the morning or very late afternoon. I went at about noon and they were all sleeping, just like my kitties!!
Plus they have some dolphins too.

The Lion Habitat at MGM

They have a huge lion habitat that is free to see. It's in the middle of the casino and the lions are there from 11am to 10pm. You can also have your picture taken with a cub and you can pet the cub while your pic is being taken. The picture is expensive ($25 I think) and you have to buy it in order to meet the cub. Again, for a cat lover it is so worth it. (I thought so anyway
)

Other than that we just walked around and checked out the casinos and hotels. They are so awesome and it was cool to see how different they are.
That doesn't cost any money either!!

I had a great time and can't wait to go back!!
That sounds like so much fun!

My suggestion: take me with you!
 

neetanddave

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Renovia just got back from there too, check out her thread from last week about her trip!

Have fun!
 

jenny1124

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My biggest advice is this:

1. Avoid the Timeshare guys.. you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there


2. There are little busses that run up and down the strip. You can buy an all day ticket for $5. MUCH better than walking all that!!

3. Do not go to the top of the Stratosphere if you are afraid of heights.. the gravity is really weird up there and will make you sick even if you don't look out the windows

4. For suveniers (spelling?), look for penny presses. You put a penny in and 50 cents and you get a flattened penny with a picture graphic of wherever it is at. This costs a lot less than most things you could buy.

5. Like to play slots? Avoid the $1 slots and shoot for a place that has penny slots. You really can still win just as much and you can play all day with a dollar if you win at the right times

6. If you get on a table, look for $5 tables, which not every place has. Stack your chips up and place your winnings in another stack that way you always know how much you are winning. If you win more than $50 or so total, I'd quit the table for the day so as you don't lose all your winnings

7. Hang onto your purse, just as you would in any big city

8. Go to the Bellagio at night and watch the water show, super cool.


I was there last year and got married right across from the Stratosphere. We saw the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur and some variety show called V. We wanted to see Cirque de Soliel and Blue Man Group, but tickets were way too much.

Have a great time!!
 
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jenny82

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Originally Posted by Calico76

I was just there and got back on Saturday! Some must do's for cat lovers:

Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage

The Lion Habitat at MGM
Oh those both sound wonderful!!

Originally Posted by AlleyGirl

That sounds like so much fun!

My suggestion: take me with you!
You can come! I'll need someone to walk around with all day!


Originally Posted by neetanddave

Renovia just got back from there too, check out her thread from last week about her trip!

Have fun!
Good idea, I just thought of that too!


Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Hold on to your wallet (or more specifically, the money inside it)! Vegas has a way of getting what you were going to spend and more.
I'm planning to set a limit with my husband before we go! Or at least a limit for him because he is the one who likes to gamble.


Originally Posted by Jenny1124

3. Do not go to the top of the Stratosphere if you are afraid of heights.. the gravity is really weird up there and will make you sick even if you don't look out the windows
Thank you especially for this one!


Excellent ideas everyone, keep them coming!
 

sarahp

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DH and I aren't gamblers either and trust me - 3 days is plenty if you don't gamble! Just wander up and down the strip, check out the hotels - especially the nice ones (you'll be able to tell the nice ones from the not-so-nice ones from the outside). Check out the free shows in the shopping areas of the bigger hotels (such as Bellagio), they're pretty good.

Oh and make sure you watch the free evening events like the musical fountain outside Caesar's (I think it's Caesars). All of those generally run on the hour once it's dark, so plan to be near the big casino's on the hour.

If you have transport, go to the outlet malls - there's one close to the strip that we went to which was fantastic.
 

adymarie

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You have to try and see at least 1 show while you are there. My suggestion is Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo - he is brilliant and relatively inexpensive for the Strip.

I 2nd the vote for the Secret Garden at the Mirage. You can also just spend a large portion of your day checking out the hotels - they are amazing. I really recommend Excalibur, Belliagio and New York, New York. Then there is just walking through the boutique areas - Ceasar's Palace has a lovely shopping area with a variety of different stores. Don't forget a day at the pool. Also the water and light show at night in front of the Bellagio, the other one at the Mirage, the Pirate show in front of Treasure Island. Those are all free.

I haven't been in years but I would love to go again. Have fun
 

catloverin_ks

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We are leaving for Vegas the 9th...and coming back the 13th!! I am getting so excited!! The MIL decided we needed a family vacation, and thats the spot she chose!!


It will be my first time there, as well as flying!!


I dont have many suggestions~sorry.

Just have fun!!!
 
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jenny82

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Originally Posted by catloverin_ks

We are leaving for Vegas the 9th...and coming back the 13th!! I am getting so excited!! The MIL decided we needed a family vacation, and thats the spot she chose!!


It will be my first time there, as well as flying!!


I dont have many suggestions~sorry.

Just have fun!!!
You too!!! You will have to tell me all about it!
 

arie85

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Originally Posted by Jenny82

I'm sure we will do a little (my husband more than me) just to try it, but I would rather spend money on other things! We went to Atlantic City once and lost about $200 and I was not too happy.
Be careful with this gambling, in the long term the house always wins but in a short term it could be fun, just don't do anything stupid out there, just try to make the most out of it
 

arie85

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Originally Posted by Jenny1124

If you win more than $50 or so total, I'd quit the table for the day so as you don't lose all your winnings
This is the best idea I would give to anyone else - you win - you quit, not staying any minute longer - it could be so dangerous...
 

jenny1124

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Originally Posted by sofiecusion

What hotels have you guys used?
I actually stayed at the Stratosphere, but if I went again, I'd try to stay at a hotel more in the middle of the strip. It was a very nice hotel and casino, but it is at one far end of the strip.

My parents stayed at Circus Circus and they said they liked it too. I really think it doesn't matter much. We were in our room long enough to sleep and shower and that's about it.
 

sarahp

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Originally Posted by sofiecusion

What hotels have you guys used?
We stayed at the Villa Roma motel last time. It was clean, comfortable, roomy, and quiet, and only just off the strip (not far from Circus Circus). If you want to go and not spend a fortune, I recommend this place.

If you want to go to Las Vegas for "the experience", then splurge and stay in a swanky hotel.
 
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