Tell me about vacationing in Las Vegas

In My Humble Opinion
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This fall, I have for the first time in 7-odd years an opportunity coming up where i’ll have the trinity of paid vacation time from work, money to afford a vacation, and the ability to actually take a week off from work without the place burning to the ground. I’ve decided i’d like to spend about 5 days in Las Vegas. I went there once when I was a teenager, but since I wasn’t old enough to gamble, drink, or look at naked ladies, I didn’t get to have much of the full Vegas experience. I’ve been wanting to go back for some time, and this year it’s going to happen. I’ll be travelling alone and working on a budget of about $1500-1800 for airfare, hotel, transportation, food, and entertainment. I’m hoping some Dopers who’ve visited or live in the area will be able to give me some useful advice on the following topics

The Hotel - I definitely want to stay on the Strip. I don’t want to blow my whole wad on the room when I won’t be doing much there besides sleeping, so i’m leaning towards one of the less expensive Strip hotels like the Stratosphere or the Luxor. Is there one that’s particularly more worth it than the others in terms of amenities, accessibility, ambience, etc.? Any in particular to avoid? If I stay at Hotel X and I want to go to the pool or the buffet or see a show at Hotel Y, am I going to be running into extra fees? I understand most hotels charge a deposit and a “resort fee” that isn’t included in the booking price - how much should I be budgeting for to cover those fees?

Getting around - I’m not sure if i’ll be renting a car (or if I CAN, since I don’t have a credit card and i’m not sure I could pass a credit check at the rental desk.) If I should choose to rely on taxis to get around, how much is that going to run me for, say, a trip down the Strip, or from the Strip to Fremont, or so on? Is there a shuttle from the Strip to the airport that’s less expensive than a taxi? I recall from my last trip that it’s pretty easy to get a taxi at any of the Strip hotels - how easy is it getting one from Fremont, or from somewhere off the Strip?

Gambling - Craps is my game of choice. Is there any casino in particular that’s known for having the liveliest craps tables? I know the basic “tips” - don’t play slots at the airport, don’t play machines near the front door or near the elevators, and so on. Any other tips that aren’t just superstition? (Note: I’m not planning to break the bank and I fully expect that any money I spend gambling i’m not going to get back, I just want to know where I can have the most fun losing it.)

Food - I know for sure that I’m going to the Heart Attack Grill (that’s ALSO been on my list for years - I about passed out when I learned they’d moved to Vegas), at the Carnegie Deli outpost at the Mirage, and probably once at In & Out for a flashback to my days living in souther nCA. Are there any other restaurants that aren’t to be missed? The best breakfast, or best steak, or best tacos, or whatever else? I know a lot of the hotels have pretty impressive buffets - I ate at the Rio buffet when I was there before and it was good. Do any in particular stand out?

Entertainment - Are there any must-see shows in Vegas right now? Magicians, or washed-up '70s rockers, or comedians? Do any of the casinos have a little-known house act who’s worth seeing? Are there any big attractions right now in Vegas that are particularly worth visiting? I’ve been seeing lots of promos on various websites for helicopter tours and scenic flights and things like that - are those any good?

Looking at naked ladies - Where’s the best place for it?

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I can’t. I had to sign several documents biding me to “it staying there.”

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Sin City has turned into Disneyland, seek debauchery some where else.

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I thought that was the late 90s?

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Disneyland isn’t nearly as creepy as Las Vegas.

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Here’s the link to a similar SDMB thread from December, titled Viva Las Vegas.

There’s a lot of good info there, but I’ll happily give my opinion on any further questions you might have that it doesn’t answer. Here’s some advance answers:

The Hotel - I stayed three days in Vegas two weeks ago on my 7th or so trip to the strip. Stayed at the MGM Grand because I hadn’t before and it’s a pretty good location - right across the street from the New York New York casino which is a great one to start off your exploration of the strip. The Monte Carlo is pretty good for rates and location on the strip, if you’re budget conscious. That’s the one that caught fire a few years back. Rates on the strip really shoot up on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Maybe your five days can avoid two of those days?

Getting around - Many casinos have a free shuttle to McCarran airport which is only about ten minutes from the strip. A cab from Caesar’s Palace to the MGM Grand is around $20. I’m usually tired of walking by the time I reach Caesar’s from the MGM Grand and that distance covers most of the major casinos, including the fountains in front of the Bellagio, so that’s my standard plan. For your other trips around town, I’m in the habit of asking the cabbie “how much to get to so-and-so?” and make my decision to stay in the cab on his answer.

Gambling - Not much of a gambler, but I think many tables go from $5 minimum bets to $10 when the sun sets and crowds increase, but I’m no expert. Enjoy your “hundred dollar (complimentary) beverage” which is what I usually lose at the blackjack table in the time it takes to get and drink my “free” beer from the cocktail waitress.

Food - I did the Rio buffet in 2008, but didn’t come near to getting $20-30 of food (cost of the ticket) in my belly. YMMV. Fat Burger on the Strip is under renovation, so that’s out. In 'N Out’s still as good as ever, though.

Entertainment - Blue Man Group tickets will run you $80-120 if memory serves. I’ve been twice but got better prices with a group of three people. The Beatles Cirque du Soloeil show “Love” was really good, but similar prices on the tickets. There’s less expensive shows for sure - I saw an audience hypnotist in Old Vegas for $20 and enjoyed it. People watching is always free. There’s a balcony overlooking the Strip in the Nine Fine Irishmen pub in the NYNY casino. That’s a good vantage point. Good shepherd’s pie and Guiness, too. Check the Hard Rock casino and the House of Blues’ schedules for acts. Billy Idol was at the Hard Rock one time I was in town in 2003.

Nekkid ladies - there are both topless and full nude places north of the strip (15 minutes/$30 away by cab). A good alternative is the “Shadow Bar” at Caesar’s by the poker games and the steak restaurant. It’s a nice, regular bar in the casino with two ladies (after 9:00) dancing behind screens who may or may not be nekkid. Oh yeah, you should check out the Pussy Cat Dolls dealers who are around the corner in the casino. Google “Caesar’s Palace Pussy Cat Dolls Show, youtube” to see what I’m talking about (the videos are racy, but still safe for YouTube). This is all going on in front of families strolling by. Much good people watching here, especially husbands & boyfriends trying to act uninterested in the bikini-clad dancers in chrome cages. “Wait a second, honey. My shoe seems to have come off. Let me stop and take a few minutes right here to put it back on properly.”

Other stuff - I went to Hoover Dam this time and really enjoyed it. It’s a great way to spend a morning/afternoon and to take a break from the strip. Tour tickets were $15 I think. It’s 45 minutes away, so you might want to look into a bus tour. I wouldn’t cab it there. There’s two golf courses that I know of nearby (one’s public, I think) and a NASCAR track and drag racing about 30 minutes away by Nellis Air Force Base. Maybe there’s something going on there during your trip? There’s also good outlet mall shopping north of the strip off the highway. Some casinos even hold “gambling for beginners” classes in the mornings if you’re looking for things to do. Craps is too hectic for me - I should take one of those classes. I fly for a living, but those helicopter tours still look intriguing to me. You might enjoy one for the sheer novelty of it. If you’re working on a budget of $300 a day you should have enough to cover it if you don’t go crazy at the tables or the nudie bars.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your trip!

ETA: to echo what the others above (and Chris Rock) have said “There’s no sex in the Champaign Room”. Enjoy the spectacle, the food and the people watching and you should have a good time.

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Well, don’t do the Stratosphere if you want to be on the strip, it isn’t. Luxor is south strip kind of at one end.

Personally, if price is an issue, go to the Imperial Palace. It’s dirt cheap (as cheap or cheaper than a number of Fremont street hotels), mid strip, and as long as you don’t get the basic room (really, it makes a difference not being over the car park at the back, and its not much more), then its completely fine. Its also got a nice Burger bar and Hash House a gogo inside too. Not really a place for a pool though, you’ll perhaps want to go somewhere else if you want that.

No resort fees either, if you want to avoid those, its Caesars, Ballys, Paris, Bills, Flamingos, Harrahs, Cosmopolitan, IP or Planet Hollywood. They usually are $20-30 a night, and cover things like internet, fitness centre, coffee maker, newspapers and phone calls.

Theres a bus to fremont street, $7 for a 24 hour pass, takes about half an hour.

Current ‘best buffets’ are Wynn and Cosmopolitan, I think the difference here for the best is a lot of seafood, I’m not a fan, so I didn’t really notice the difference between that the Mirage buffet. Don’t do the IP buffet though, its not great.

Food? Well, how much time do you have? I personally enjoy steaks and you get a great steak for cheap at Bills Gambing Hall, be it the steakhouse or the victorian cafe. Just off strip is Ellis Island (walk down past bills next right), where you can get steak and a beer for $7.99, and their own brewed beer for a $1. Cheap beers is always at Casino Royale too. If you’ve not done hashhouse a gogos yet, visit the one in the Imperial Palace. I couldn’t finish half of mines, and my other half couldn’t finish a third of hers.

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Moved Cafe Society --> IMHO.

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Reverse that.

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If the choice is between Luxor and Stratosphere, I’d go for Luxor. You might also check out Excalibur- it’s slightly more central than Luxor and also cheap. Ditto on Imperial Palace- Cheap!

Places you should check out: The Peppermill (down on the Stratosphere end) is an old-time Vegas diner and lounge. There’s a Fat Elvis show at, I think, one of the small strip casinos that escapes my mind but it’s on the MGM side. I hear the piano bar in New York, New York has a cool show too.

Shameless plug for my partner’s place of employment- Pink Jeep Tours go to Grand Canyon, Zion, Hoover Dam, Red Rock or Death Valley. Oh yeah, no matter what tour you take…tip your driver! :wink: They even have combo tours where you can see Grand Canyon (even one with the dodgy glass skywalk) and Hoover Dam or do Hoover Dam on a raft :).

Food-wise- you can close your eyes and take your pick - I think we have some of the best places - cheap or not- to eat. It may be well worth the cab ride to try the M buffet (or Wynn, I think they have a similar buffet), especially on seafood nights. My personal favorite place to eat in Vegas is very anti-Vegas - it’s the Crown & Anchor on Maryland Pkwy and Tropicana - cheap, delicious British food.

Cabs will get pricey so I think picking a hotel location is important, the more central the better. A rental car will become moot after a few complimentary drinks anyways.

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Fat Elvis is at Bill’s, right next door to Flamingo.

I’d recommend staying at the IP. Not the top of the line for rooms, but it is right smack in the middle of the Strip and cheap. Just don’t eat at the buffet. For that head out to M Resort. Just as good as Wynn at half the price.

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Totally agree, although it is quite a schlep to get to The M Resort if you do not have a car. There is a free shuttle that goes from Fashion Mall, but it is about 6 miles due south of Mandalay Bay on The Strip. Still, worth it if you want a great buffet with lots of extras for half the price.

I wouldn’t suggest Stratosphere - although I have a friend who loves the place and only stays there, it is in an “iffy” neighborhood (don’t wander behind it after dark!!!) and quite a walk to the rest of The Strip experience.

The link to the other thread has lots of good info as well. Feel free to PM me if you have a specific question!

My Vegas website is currently down for some repairs, but hope to have it up and running by the end of this week. It might have some tips to help you - but again - down until probably mid-to-end of this week (depending on my work schedule…).

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Only been there once; last year for about 4 days. The thing I remember most is that the Luxor was the best place to park oneself’ in a casino and enjoy very yummy free drinks. Waitress came around very often <and I was just on a cheapo slot machine, not a table> and the pina coladas were AMAZING! Plastic cup, sure, but I swear even the whip cream had booze in it. Very yummy. Great place to plant one’s butt, if one’s inclined to do so.

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I love staying at Bill’s. It’s a tiny casino and hotel at the same intersection as Caesar’s Palace, Bellagio and Bally’s under the shadow of the Flamingo. The best thing about Bill’s is you walk right off the street and the elevators are right there and you get to your room without having to walk another mile through a casino. There are two restaurants - one is a really swanky steakhouse, the other is an inexpensive casual place that’s open 24 hours (or was last time I was there). There is also a coffee hut and a night club, but I haven’t been to either of those. The only bad thing about Bill’s is the street noise. It’s not set back off the street at all - completely opposite. That is both it’s biggest asset and it’s biggest downside.

I also think it has one of the best locations on the whole strip.

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Haven’t been there for ages but I do remember a truly fantastic fillet steak at Ruth’s Chris. I have no idea where abouts it was though.

I do remember there was a pretty good pool hall nearby if that helps…

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Based on this, I’m going to make a WAG that you’re a guy. However, you may still be interested in shopping. If so, check out the outlet malls. IIRC (it’s been something like 13 years since I was there last), they’re out near Henderson and, back then at least, the prices and selection were unbelievably great.

Also there were some really cool ghost towns and old west-y type stuff to see out in the desert. Sorry I wish I could remember more about names and locations. When I was there, I was shown some of the cool local site seeing type stuff by a lady that lived there (Henderson). The dam is kind of a neat trip (don’t remember how far away it is though).

The water park and roller coasters were pretty fun too. Sorry, I’m not (and wasn’t even when younger) much of a debauchery fan, so my fave Vegas things are probably pretty tame for you, but I hope they help.

Have a great time!

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Entirely possible. :smiley:

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I stayed at the Luxor the first time I went to Vegas. It was nice enough, but it’s a bit far from the center of the Strip. Avoid the north end of the Strip like the plague: Stratosphere, Sahara…(shudder) Circus Circus. That whole area is gross and sad. I also wouldn’t stay at The Excalibur, which feels like a cross between a past-its-prime miniature golf course and a Walmart to me. The Monte Carlo is usually pretty reasonable, and quite centrally located. You can also sometimes get good deals at Paris or Bally’s, which are in good locations as well. (Southwest Vacations is a good site for bundling plane + hotel at a discount, I’d check out different hotels on there.)

Getting around. I always just take a taxi from the airport. The one time I took a shuttle, it took freakin’ forever because they pack as many people as they can in there. I’d rather just shell out the $15ish and go straight to my hotel. Once at my hotel, I just walk everywhere. Which is not to say things are close – each casino is crazy far apart. Don’t look at a map and say “hey, that’s just two casinos up, I can be there in two minutes!” If you don’t want to walk a lot (bring comfortable shoes no matter what, btw), you can either take the monorail or ride The Deuce, the bus that goes up and down the strip and makes me laugh every time I see it. (Seriously, The Deuce? What kind of name is that?)

Strip clubs, I’ve only been to a couple as part of a bachelor party. I’m not a strip club guy, but the Olympic Garden wasn’t bad. I talked to a stripper who went to high school like five miles from where I went.

Don’t let a cab driver recommend anything. They’ll take you somewhere terrible that gives them a kickback, or possibly just kill you and harvest your organs. Vegas cab drivers are the worst.

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An oddball suggestion - you might want to consider staying downtown Vegas. Things tend to be a little cheaper, tables run cheaper, there is a strip club right on Fremont Street, the cocktail waitresses are more scantily dressed and its all together less classy…but there is something sort of nice about it.

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We always recommend Hugo’s Cellar to anyone going to Vegas. It was an experience, not just a dinner - we had the feeling that we were really in a part of old Las Vegas, that there could be gangsters showing up at any moment.

And we had some chocolate dessert there to which we still compare all other desserts. :slight_smile:

ETA: Hugo’s Cellar is in downtown Vegas. :slight_smile: