I am planning to visit family in the States at the beginning of the year, and my brother and I want to spend a few days in Vegas. We’ve both been there before and this time would like to partake in more entertainment & shows rather than gamble. Personally I would love to see Blue Man Group or one of the Cirque Du Soleil performances, but the ticket prices seem pretty extreme to me–we aren’t on a super-tight budget but definitely would like to save money if we can, especially after the holidays. (We will probably go there a couple days after New Year’s for just that reason, plus I hate to go out on NYE and deal with such massive crowds.)
So, I am looking for suggestions to get discounted tix for one of the “big” shows–is this even possible? I’ve checked some of the hotel sites for package deals but have come up with nothing for the dates when we will be there. Those who have seen Blue Man Group, Mystere or O, would you say it was worth the money? I’d also be interested in ideas for smaller, alternative shows, such as lounge acts, comedy, magic, etc. which are cheaper, but still enjoyable. I love cheese, corn and camp and anything unusual, and especially stuff lingering from or celebrating the “old” Vegas–just nothing too sexy please, as I will be with relatives.
We’ve seen “O” and it’s great. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to see the Blue Man Group though. Of course, I heartily recommend Carrot Top (he’ll be at the MGM Grand if he’s in town) so take that with a grain of salt though. (Carrot Top is only around $30 during the week though.)
If you’re familiar with the Smothers Brothers at all they recently signed a contract to be playing at the Hilton off and on for a few years. They’re worth seeing and also around $30 if I remember right.
Penn & Teller are now at the Rio and also worth seeing. Not sure what that runs money-wise but a great time.
Avoid: Lord of the Dance or any version/morphing of it. There is nothing stupider in the whole city (and I think that was super pricey when we saw it…around $65 or something to watch people stomp like preschoolers for 90 minutes.)
There’s tons of free stuff to do in Vegas as well. Be sure to pick up a magazine called “What’s On” (you can find it in most hotel lobbies or in racks at the grocery stores) and there’s sometimes coupons for stuff in there. There’s a really interesting exhibit at the Tropicana called (I think) the Casino Legends Hall of Fame that has lots of old memorabilia from old Vegas and old casinos, tons of photos and costumes and even old pay stubs from performers. Really interesting and well-presented. It’s pretty easy to get free tix to this, but if not it’s only like $4 or something.
At the Flamingo they have a flamingo/penguin habitat that’s free to hang out in, and the MGM has lions right on the casino floor. The Mirage used to have the white tigers in the entryway, but I’m not sure what the status is on that now. (Eep!)
The pirate ship battle at Treasure Island is free, but they were remodeling that last time we were there, so not sure what the future is of that.
Best free show: The Fremont Street experience downtown. You can make a whole evening of this by checking out the junky souvenier shops, having dinner and playing a bit at the old-timey casinos. Watch your wallet though, as I’m sure it’s a prime pick-pocket area.
Thanks for the ideas; that Tropicana exhibit sounds right up my alley. I have seen most of the free spectacles on the Strip, as well as Fremont Street (we caught a great free Elvis impersonator at Fitzgeralds last time).
Penn and Teller could be a lot of fun. Carrot Top, however, is one of my most-loathed performers (and I think my brother would agree). Blue Man Group sounds good because I have seen and liked De La Guarda, which seems to be a similar sort of blend of performance art, dance and music. But now I’ve checked out the BMG website and it seems they will be coming to Berlin in 2004. So I just might wait–it will definitely be cheaper here.
I saw Mamma Mia ! at Mandalay Bay a few weeks ago. I’d only recommend it if you are a had core female Abba fan. Since I’m a guy and not a fan it was pure torture. Closest thing to a live chick flick I’ve ever seen.
I third the suggestion to see Penn & Teller. Get there 45 minutes before showtime, and listen to Penn play the string bass with accompanying piano, while you go onstage and examine some of their magical props.
You can meet and talk to them after the show (yes, Teller will talk, quite articulately)
If I recall correctly, tickets were $50 something.
While you’re at the Rio, you can watch the (free) Mardi Gras Parade in the Sky.
I’ve been to Vegas twice, and bang for the buck I have to say go to the jousting show at the Excaliber.
If I recall it was about $25 and included a medival meal (no utensils so you have to use your hands!) and a jousting competition which lasts about an hour. Very cool.
I read in FHM that the pirate showdown (outside Treasure Island)is now done by a bunch of scantily clad women, so I’m not sure if it is kid friendly anymore.
The last time I went to Vegas (2001) I went to the reef at Mandalay Bay. It was around $16 but was pretty cool, lots of sharks and other sea life. For culture go to the Bleagio and check out the art gallary. When I was tehre Steve Martin had his personal collection there, it was pretty cool.
My GF and I are going there in March/April, I can’t wait!
For classic camp check out the Star Trek ride and bar. Have a drink with a surly Klingon. For people watching the pool at the Hard Rock Hotel is quite show in itself!!
The two best value shows in Vegas are Mac King at Harrah’s and Ronn Lucas at the Rio. Both are budget-priced afternoon shows, very funny, family-friendly and feature very talented performers who know what entertainment is all about. For more details see www.vegas.com . Don’t be put off by the fact that Mac is ostenisbly a magician and Ronn is a ventriloquist. Trust me, they are both worth seeing.
Show-wise, I’ve only seen three, and would recommend two of them – Splash! (forgot the hotel name) and Folies Bergere at the Tropicana. Good spectacles for the price.
The only real stinker I recall was Viva Las Vegas at the Stratosphere. I only went to see it because my mother chose it for the cheap tickets, and even at $12 I felt it was a rip-off.
Dunno if the white tigers are still at the Mirage; every time I’ve gone to visit them, though, they were either missing, napping, or hiding from the crowds. Not really worth the effort.
Definitely try the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton.
I’ll second the Blue Man Group and the Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings. The Amazing Johnathan is pretty good too, if he’s still there… but he can be crude, and if you’ve seen his TV special, you can snooze through the first half of the live show.
Well, I came in here to plug Ronn Lucas and Mac King, but I see ianzin beat me to it. I can give you an additional hint, though. When I went to the Rio Buffet in October they had passes at the cashier station good for free admission with purchase of a drink to both of these shows, which means I got in for under $10.00.
Splash! is at the Riviera, at the north end of the Strip.
The pirate show at TI (as it’s now called, instead of Treasure Island) has been reworked into a battle between male and female pirate crews; it’s more of a production show than a battle, and is definitely less kid-friendly (allowing for the fact that it’s open to the general public) than previously.
Wayne Brady tapes a show here in Vegas and I hear he is amazing. You can actually participate in the mardi gras show at the Rio by riding in the floats and dressing up in the costumes, sorry dont recall the price.