# Las Vegas Must Sees
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 31, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198 "2004-10-31T21:54:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/1 "2004-10-31T21:54:34Z")
I’m going to Vegas in a week with the husband.We are going to be there for 5 whole days.Even though we both love to gamble, I certainly don’t want to spend all my time doing it. I’m sure I’d be broke by day three. What are your best recommendations for things we shouldn’t miss?
Being trekkies we already have plans to do the Star Trek Experiance at the Hilton.
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/2 "2004-10-31T23:01:02Z")
The fountains at the Bellagio. And they’re free!
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### Author:  [@AmyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmyG)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/3 "2004-11-01T00:00:10Z")
Ditto the Fremont Street Experience. It is a free light show downtown (where you’ll find some of the older casinos), and since you aren’t paying anything, you won’t mind the cheesiness as much.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/4 "2004-11-01T00:01:22Z")
The Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace.
The Fremont Street Experience. Tacky, but kinda fun. Once.
The Art Collections at Bellagio and the Venetian.
Dinner atop the faux Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.
Ride the roller coasters at Stratosphere and New York, New York.
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### Author:  [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/5 "2004-11-01T00:08:10Z")
One of the cooled things I’ve done out here, I live in Vegas, is Fly Away. It’s indoor skydiving. Basically they show you a video, put you in a jumpsuit then put you in a room that has padded walls and a net for a floor. Below the net is a giant fan. They turn on the fan and help you learn to fly, just like sky diving but without the possibility of smacking into the ground at 120 mph. It is fun though you need to be in ok shape and being bendy is a good thing.
There is also Speed, a roller coaster, and NASCAR rides at the Sahara. Speed is a magnetic induction coaster so it is pretty fast. It is a short ride but it is a blast. The NASCAR ride is a simulator and is pretty cool, you get to race other people. They have an Indy car version as well. The NYNY has a roller coaster that is pretty cool as well. The Stratosphere has two rides, the Big SHot and another coaster on the top of it. Never been on them so I don’t know how good they are.
Mandalay Bay has the shark reef which is supposed to be pretty cool. The Mirage has the white tiger habitat which is cool, though usually packed.
Freemont Street has a show that runs nightly a couple of times. It’s basically a giant LED screen on the roof. It’s pretty neat but otherwise Freemont is only good for a few hours. They have live entertainment but I wouldn’t spend much time down there.
Slee
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### Author:  [@Mithril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mithril)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/6 "2004-11-01T00:49:05Z")
The Hoover Dam is really interesting and is only about half an hour away. Also, there is a Coca-Cola museum on the strip that has a soda fountain where you can get a sampler of Coke products sold around the world for only a few dollars.
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### Author:  [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/7 "2004-11-01T00:59:01Z")
I’ll second the rides of the Stratosphere. You can also get a great view of the surrounding area from the top of the Stratosphere, too. Try to find where you parked!
Penn & Teller have regular shows at the Rio. I wanted to go, but I got voted down. But we did go see the Scintas (pronounced shin-tas) at the Rio, and I highly recommend it. The Scintas are a performing family with a variety act. Very funny, very talented. Hell, they got their own showroom.
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### Author:  [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/8 "2004-11-01T01:52:10Z")
> [@sleestak](#):
>
> One of the cooled things I’ve done out here, I live in Vegas, is Fly Away. It’s indoor skydiving. Basically they show you a video, put you in a jumpsuit then put you in a room that has padded walls and a net for a floor. Below the net is a giant fan. They turn on the fan and help you learn to fly, just like sky diving but without the possibility of smacking into the ground at 120 mph. It is fun though you need to be in ok shape and being bendy is a good thing.
Where is this and how much does it cost? This sounds really awesome.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/9 "2004-11-01T01:55:41Z")
[Flyaway Indoor skydiving.](http://www.flyawayindoorskydiving.com/)
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/10 "2004-11-01T03:15:10Z")
:eek: \<-“O”
(hint, check out the entertainment link at [bellagio.com](http://bellagio.com))
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/11 "2004-11-01T03:19:20Z")
> [@sleestak](#):
>
> One of the cooled things I’ve done out here, I live in Vegas, is Fly Away. It’s indoor skydiving. Basically they show you a video, put you in a jumpsuit then put you in a room that has padded walls and a net for a floor. Below the net is a giant fan. They turn on the fan and help you learn to fly, just like sky diving but without the possibility of smacking into the ground at 120 mph. It is fun though you need to be in ok shape and being bendy is a good thing.
Is it really worth it? It looks really neat, and something I’ll check out next time I’m out there, but it seems so pricey for 3 minutes.
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### Author:  [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/12 "2004-11-01T15:32:20Z")
> [@Qwisp](#):
>
> Being trekkies we already have plans to do the Star Trek Experiance at the Hilton.
Don’t want to rain on the parade here, but I gotta tell ya…
We thought the Star Trek Experience absolutely sucked (and S.O. and I are both big Star Trek fans). It was about $35 a ticket, was really out of the way, and was lame, lame, lame. It was literally one of the worst attractions I have ever been to. It was the only thing we truly felt we wasted time and money on when we were in Vegas.
There used to be some reviews on it at [www.epinions.com](http://www.epinions.com). Wish I had seen them before we went ☹
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/13 "2004-11-01T15:47:52Z")
> [@Joey P](#):
>
> :eek: \<-“O”
> (hint, check out the entertainment link at [bellagio.com](http://bellagio.com))
“O” was good, but I liked Mystere (Cirque at Treasure Island) better. The big star of “O” is the stage.
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### Author:  [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/14 "2004-11-01T16:09:52Z")
> [@Joey P](#):
>
> Is it really worth it? It looks really neat, and something I’ll check out next time I’m out there, but it seems so pricey for 3 minutes.
I did this many years ago. And then a few years ago did a tandem freefall jump. There are some significant differences, and to me, if you are interested in the experience, you should do an actual tandem jump.
As to Fly Away:
- It is very loud (much louder than the wind noise of freefalling). This is because…
- What is providing the wind is essentially an airplane propeller directly underneath this screen. It is not like looking down from 10,000 feet, but it is essentially like staring 5 feet away from cuisinart blades with this (seemingly) thin metal screen to protect you.
- As you wait your turn along the side, you HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FLYER. When you don’t quite “hover” (and it isn’t all that easy to hover the first times, although YMMV), the flyer will veer off the wind channel. The instructor will try to grab them and keep them over the channel, but this will result in this body spinning around the (small) room. I had to dive and duck to get out of the way of getting kicked in the head numerous times. (you get 3 minutes “over the fan” - not necessarily hovering all that time).
- It was hot. You’re in a full body suit, and a helmet. Although there is this tremendous wind, it wasn’t all that cooling. I was sweating profusely.
After doing the real tandem jump, when I reflected on the Fly Away experience, it seemed like it really was apples and oranges. Fly Away was unique in it’s own way, but I did not feel it was a very reasonable simulation of freefall. I think if you get really good at Fly Away, THEN it can be like simulated freefall. But for a one-time deal, doing a tandem jump is the way to spend your money.
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### Author:  [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/15 "2004-11-01T20:23:00Z")
These are some good sugestions so far…keep 'em coming I plan to print this thread out.
**cherry2000** I’m suprised you didn’t like the Star Trek experience. I went to Vegas with a friend of mine 4 years ago.We both loved it. I didn’t get a chance to see much else, hence the need for this thread.
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### Author:  [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/16 "2004-11-01T20:44:45Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#):
>
> I’ll second the rides of the Stratosphere. You can also get a great view of the surrounding area from the top of the Stratosphere, too. Try to find where you parked!
>
> Penn & Teller have regular shows at the Rio. I wanted to go, but I got voted down. …
My kids did the Stratosphere…they said that the roller coaster (High Roller) was ho-hum, but the reverse-bungee-thing (Big Shot) was :eek: :eek: :eek: not to be missed.
I saw Penn & Teller; a great show, at half the price of most shows on the Strip (ie, only $50). And P&T hang out in the hall after the show & greet the fans, sign autographs, pose for pictures.
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/17 "2004-11-01T21:14:43Z")
The Rio has a cool free Mardi Gras parade and show, and if you go to the show at about 5:30ish (call for times) you can then go up to the Voodoo Lounge on the 52nd floor and get a great view of the Strip…after 7:00 there is a cover charge, so go early. Men have to wear collar shirts and regular (non sneaker) shoes. Women can go naked for all they care.
Also, near the MGM Grand on the Strip is a HUGE Coke bottle…and near that is a booth that sells show tickets for 1/2 price on the day of the show, starting at noon. Great way to save bucks and see a good show.
Statosphere used to have a great deal for those who want to gamble…don’t remember all the details, but pretty much when you get one of their cards, all the money you play for the first couple hours, and lose, will be re-imbursed. The trick is that they send you the money in a check to your home and you have to bring it back to Stratosphere to cash it, but still…playing for a couple of hours and then getting back your losings is nothing to sneeze at. Check to see if this deal is still in effect.
If you are the outdoor type, there is already enough snow on Mt. Charleston to ski (35 minutes from the Strip by car) and there is also some good hiking at Red Rock (about 20 minutes from the Strip).
Be sure to go to the Paris buffet! Best in town. And to save bucks, go about 4:30ish and you get “lunch” price, but they change the menu at 5:00ish to the dinner menu. Saves you about $7 per person by doing that.
Also, worth the walk through the Ceasars mall shopping area - some cool free shows there. And you have to do a tour of the Venerian shopping area.
If you are like most tourists, you won’t have time to do 1/10 of the things people have posted here. And please, bring comfortable shoes as, without knowing it, you are going to wind up walking 374 miles during your stay just going from one casino to the next.
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/18 "2004-11-01T21:41:49Z")
1. Hoover Dam- best deal in the lower half of the state.
2. Redrock- fun on so many levels, especially when the ranger is on the other side of the loop.
3. Sanddollar Blues Lounge (if its still there)- what a dump, but damn fine music.
4. Image of Vegas getting smaller in the rear-view mirror.
Have fun. Leave lots of your money behind. We appreciate it.
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### Author:  [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/19 "2004-11-01T21:58:31Z")
Free stuff:
1. Fountains and light show at the Bellagio. Great by day, even better by night. Wonderful. Best view for photos is from the top of the ‘Paris’ hotel complex version of the Eiffel Tower, just across the street. This costs a few dollars to ride up to the top. When you get up there, there’s only one place with a good position to aim a camera through the safety mesh, so get there early (fountain shows are at least 3 times per hour) and take this best position.
2. Freemont light show.
3. Wandering around The Ventian. Just a great place. The ‘St Mark’s Square’ bit has free entertainment, usually every hour, especially around lunch time. Good place to have breakfast too.
4. Shopping arcade inside Caesar’s. Unbelievable.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean show at the Treasure Island. Every half hour, I think. Revamped late last year, now much sexier! Worth getting there early and getting a good space.
6. The ceiling acrobatics show at whichever complex does Rick Thomas’s magic show in the afternoons. (Look it up.)
Best magic shows:
I’m a pro magician, and the magic shows you can see in Vegas are the best you can see anywhere.
1. Mac King at Harrah’s. An afternoon show, lasts one hour, very funny and easy to enjoy. Not expensive. The best hour’s magic, laughs and entertainment to be had anywhere.
2. Lance Burton. The best of the best, in his own purpose-built theatre. Big magic, small magic, elegant magic, funny magic… it’s all here. And there’s no-one better than Lance.
3. Penn & Teller. Enough said already.
Best non-magic shows:
1, 2 and 3: Anything by Cirque du Soleil. Book your tickets as early as you can. Expensive, yes, but you are seeing the most advanced theatrical productions ever staged, anywhere, and they really are thrilling, stunnig, and awe-inspiring. Ignore the eternal squabbles about which show is best. They’re all good - just get into whichever one you can get. And don’t worry much about getting ‘good’ seats - with a Cirque show, everyone in the theatre can see everything.
Other:
1. Tour to the Grand Canyon. I took an expensive one which included coach collection from hotel to Henderson airbase, small plane flight to the Canyon rim, chopper ride down to base (takes under 2 minutes!), river boat ride half a mile along the river, then back up the river, then back in the chopper up to the top, then coach ride along the rim with stops at the best photo opportunities, then a good lunch at an indian reservation, then coach back to light plane back to Henderson back to hotel. Worth every darn cent. No need to book this before you get there: there are a zillion tourism companies all down the Strip throwing trips at you all the time. Shop around for best value for money.
2. Tour to Hoover Dam. Amazing. Just amazing.
Best place to eat:
1. Olive’s restaurant, inside the Bellagio. You want a table out on the terrace, with a great view of the fountain show. For an evening dinner, you can only book a terrace table by going along in person at 5pm in the afternoon when they start taking bookings for the evening terrace. Actually, check the time. It may be 5pm, it may be 4pm. Alternatively, take your chances and go there for lunch (around 2.30pm would be a smart time). If you tell them you want a terrace table, and don’t mind waiting, you could well get lucky.
2. The Foundation Rooms at the Manderlay Bay. This is a private club so you need to know someone who’s a member to sign you in. Worth trying for. It offers the best view of the strip, and the restaurant is really superb.
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### Author:  [@dasgupta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasgupta)
#### Post date: [November 1, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/las-vegas-must-sees/272198/20 "2004-11-01T22:16:23Z")
> [@sleestak](#):
>
> The Stratosphere has two rides, the Big SHot and another coaster on the top of it. Never been on them so I don’t know how good they are.
I stayed in the Strat a few months ago. The Stratosphere has three rides up top now (and a fourth planned).
[ul]High Roller: just a roller coaster on the roof - nothing to write home about.[/ul]
[ul]Big Shot: a platform that gets shot up a mast on the roof[/ul]
[ul]X-Scream: The newest, and by far the coolest. It’s a big teeter-totter that “tips” off the roof and rolls 30 feet or so and hangs the car over the strip, then back again for a few more times.[/ul]
X-Scream was so worth the admission.
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