I’m going to Las Vegas in January with friends who will be there for the consumer electronics show (I’m the free rider who shows up after the show’s over). We’ll be staying at Paris, and plan to see one of the Cirque du Soleil shows. We want to see another show while we’re there, but are having a hard time figuring out what’s even going on that weekend. (Paging DMark!)
So, Dopers, what are your recommendations for what we should see and do while we’re there? Since we plan to eat while we’re there as well, throw in any restaurant recommendations – all kinds, from dumpy dives with awesome food, to snooty upscale joints with awesome food.
Go see the Luxor. I know people think it is tacky, but I thought it was amazing. The tour of the tombs was thrilling…I mean, I was trying not to look all impressed, but I was all impressed. The theme of the place looks so real. But I have never been to Egypt, so I am not to hard to fool, I guess.
Catch a show. I caught a semi-nude one at the Stratoshpere and it was great. Delicious fun.
I recommend all of the roller coasters, (Speed, New York, the rides at the top of the Stratoshpere).
Don’t miss the fountains at the Belagio (it was emotional for me.)
The strip at night is great. This is the best time of year to go. The weather was a perfect 74 degrees with blue skies last time I went, which was November.
Have chocolate at the chocolate shop at the Belagio. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower replica. I could go on and on. I get so excited.
Even though the place is not considered ‘classy’ and the Venetion is a Universe apart from Venice, if you are interested in just having fun, then Las Vegas practically bows to you so that you can do that. The entire city seems commited to making your time there exciting.
Just talking about the place gets me going. I love talking about it, as I guess is obvious.
I’m going on Tuesday! So far we’ve planned three shows, a day trip to the Grand Canyon and the skywalk, the Stratosphere tower thingie, a lot of walking and generally gawping at stuff, a bit of gambling maybe, a bit of drinking, a spot of shopping, an afternoon in a spa and as much touristy stuff as we can fit in.
DMark’s website was amazingly helpful when we were trying to decide what to do 'cos there’s just so much going on.
First of all, HAVE A PLAN. This was the mistake I made back in September so we ended up missing out on stuff because we were wishy-washy about what we wanted to do.
Anyway, definitely see a show. The breakfast buffet at Paris is supposed to be to die for. Bouchon at the Venetian is amazing also–it’s a little bistro tucked away in it’s own courtyard. I only had breakfast there but it was incredible.
If you want to see “old” Vegas, go to Fremont Street and have a deep-fried Twinkie.
My boyfriend and I were in Vegas a month ago, and we saw Zumanity (Cirque’s X-rated show): I don’t recommend it. The funny parts were quite funny, but neither of us found it to be at all erotic or titillating. Also there was lots of audience interaction, which I find amusing only to a point. Plenty of people have raved about this show, but I was disappointed and felt that it wasn’t worth the ticket prices. I’d go see a “regular” Cirque show in Vegas, though: I saw one in Baltimore a few years ago that I loved (which is why I bought the Zumanity tix). We left the show wishing that we’d gone to see Blue Man Group instead.
I’ve only been to Vegas that one time, but for one of our meals we went to RumJungle in Mandalay Bay: if you and your friends are all carnivores, I highly recommend it. The “fire pit” thing they offer is amazing: they bring several kinds of meat to your table, one at a time, and at the end you decide what you want more of (just one of them, all of them, whatever). There is also a big salad and some veggies, and I think something else. I don’t think it’s possible to leave that place hungry, and everything was delicious. It’s not a quick meal, though: it takes time to get through all of the “sample” meats and then eat whatever you pick to have more of. And apparently the place turns into a nightclub in the later hours, but we didn’t stay to check that out.
I’m generally meh on Vegas; I’m going only because friends will be there, so I’m looking for things that won’t bore me. DMark’s webpage was very helpful (particularly the “cheap thrills”). Thanks!
And they bring it to you dressed like samurai with the meat on a sword. Even though I had ordered the salmon, I couldn’t help but think the meat on the sword thing was cool.
I was there during Haloween this year and saw “O” at the Belagio. I highly recommend it. I’ve seen several cirque shows, this one by far was one of the best I’ve seen so far.
The buffet at Belagio was pretty good but I don’t have anything to compare it with as it was my first.
There is this tube building with air that makes it seem like you’re flying and thats available in Vegas as well. That was recommended to us.
Been to Las Vegas once and would not go back were it not for my sister living there. BUT… there were three things I found totally fabuous:
Blue Man Group – freakin’ amazing
The Valley of Fire State Park – a bit of a drive outside of Vegas (couldn’t tell you which direction), but jaw-droppingly awesome. I’d love to visit in January, when it would be cool enough to really explore, look at all the petroglyphs, etc.
The Elvis on the strip, near the Travelodge sign. Nicest guy ever. My photos of my sisters and me with Elvis are priceless!
If you’re at all interested in magic shows, I thoroughly recommend Mac King’s Comedy magic show in Harrahs. Not only is it dirt cheap and in the afternoon, it’s very, very good.
I was just there last month for a bachlorette party. Truthfully, I was pretty bored; I don’t have any interest in gambling and I don’t drink much. I wasn’t impressed with the restaurants we ate at either, overpriced and mediocre. I did love the Cirque show we saw (it was the kinda general one, I forget the name) and I enjoyed the upscale shopping at the Forums at Cesars. But I thought wandering around the casinos was dull (and icky, the trees in the New York place were coated with an inch of dust).
If I were going back, I’d go for the shows (I’d like to see the other Cirque shows and Blue Man group) and to take a trip out to the Hoover Dam.
We went to Hoover dam also, which is very interesting. You get taken on a tour inside, and it is not too far out of town, much closer than the Grand Canyon. For other geeky fun, try the Atomic Testing Museum a short cab ride from the strip and very interesting.
They’ve improved and sexed up the free Pirate show on the strip - come early, it gets crowded. We went to the Star Trek ride at the Hilton. Fun, but I’m not sure it’s worth the price - maybe once. There are two rides that come in a package.
I know this isn’t exactly traditional Vegas advice, but if you want to see the desert landscape and spend an afternoon in what’s really one of the most beautiful (in its own way) environments in the world, take a 20 minute trip out of town to the Red Rock national conservation park.
It’s like 5 bucks to get in, and you can spend the whole time in your car if you aren’t an outdoorsy type. Just the 20 mile scenic drive is worth the 5 bucks and time it takes to get out there.
Also, if you want to try the best buffet in town (and that’s really saying something!) you’ll have to go about a mile west of the strip to the Rio hotel, and try the Carnival World Buffet. Even people that don’t consider it the “best” always at least describe it as “one of” the best. It’s something like 18-25 bucks depending on the time you go.
edit: don’t forget to see the Hoover dam! There’s parking thats either free or like 3-5 dollars, and it’s actually really amazing to look over the edge. The drive there is pretty fun, too, with all the winding down and up.
Sorry I am late for this party…haven’t logged in for awhile.
Thanks for the compliment, Campion - glad you found my site helpful!
Same for you, ScareyFaerie…and coming in from the UK, the good news for you is that the dollar sucks, so you are going to be a fat cat on the Strip! I have friends coming in next weekend (one from London), so maybe we will bump into each other in a buffet line.
Campion, one extra bit of advice - during the Consumer Electronics Show, prices skyrocket and tickets to good shows sell out. So, if there is any particular Strip show you want to see, I would strongly suggest booking tickets ASAP. It is a little too early to get a listing for special concerts in January - check back in mid-December and I might know more who is touring and in town. Celine closes on December 15th and Bette Midler is taking over that theater in Caesars, but her show doesn’t open until February 2, 2008.
All the other suggestions by the other Dopers are excellent. I hope to be seeing Spamalot at the Wynn while the friends are in town next week, and one of the hottest tickets in town is LOVE at Mirage. And although “O” is great, I thought “La Reve” was better. Jubilee at Bally’s is the last of the old-Vegas, showgirls extravaganzas, and I think it is worth seeing; if it ever closes, that part of Vegas history is over.
With all the great restaurants, and some fantastic (but pricey) buffets, I suggest every tourist set aside some funds and at least hit one good place to eat while you are here. Yes, there are still the cheapo buffets with Prime Rib and fried chicken etc, but for the extra few bucks, treat yourself to one of the great buffets (Paris, Wynn or Bellagio) and go to a really nice restaurant. Worth the money and with all the walking you will do while you are here, the extra calories won’t matter all that much in the long run.
Have fun, and if anyone has any specific question, email me here or on my website and I will try to get back to you with particulars.
