Probably heading out that way in late March or early April for a conference, and I’m sure there will be some time to kill. I’m not much of a gambler, but I may bring some cash just so I can say I gambled in a Vegas casino.
The question is, what else is cool to do in Vegas? Museums? Shows?
I really have to update my website over Christmas break - computer problems - but I will attach a link to my website that gives some basic info. (Ignore the Cher show as it has closed and there are many other updates needed).
My basic tip is to forget that long list of “must-do’s” as most people get here and wind up doing almost nothing on the list and just get swept away with all of the shiny things and buffets and restaurants and people watching and checking out the cool things to see as you simply wander around.
If there is a show you really, really want to see - order tickets in advance. Sure, they have half price ticket booths here, but the good shows usually sell out quickly.
March/April is a good time - you might not be hanging out by the pool (still a bit nippy for that) but you will be able to go outside in the daytime without a coat and it will, of course, be sunny every day.
I am sure others will join in with suggestions of places to visit - so have a great time and come back to this thread and let us know what you did and how the trip went! I always like to hear what people see and do while they are here.
I spent of my time reading books poolside. Other than that, the fountains at the Bellagio are quite nice and there is an incredible Korean BBQ whose name I cannot recall. I won’t be back.
I concur with this. I’m no Vegas expert, but I’ve been several times and never get bored with simply going from hotel to hotel and seeing what there is to see. Vegas is one place where having a plan can actually get in your way.
Good referral, Shodan. I myself enjoyed the Atomic Testing Museum. And lately when I do hit Vegas I try to take a day to go out to desert country just for the sake of the contrast between that and the total overload of the Strip.
But like DMark said, and it applies not just to Vegas but to almost anywhere, one must not get too hung up on the “must-see” list ( Specially now that they closed the Liberace Museum 
), you’ll always miss something.
My one random encounter while just wandering the Strip: a sports memorabilia store in a Casino Resort doing an autograph-signing event with… Pete Rose. I got a case of the giggles at that.
Hey, DMark, always love your Las Vegas site. Going to Aria late February, any thoughts?
I plan to hit the full auto gun place.
Aria has gotten some good reviews, and a co-worker just stayed there and loved it. So if you get a good price (or the company is paying for it), grab it!
Speaking of “the gun place”, there is a new venue opening up in December - as much as I am anti-gun, why didn’t I think of this?!?!
Well, there are hookers everywhere. A male walking alone at night is bound to be solicited for a “date.” I advise not getting involved beyond the amusement of the offer because it could be someone with HIV, an officer, or a transvestite. Oh, and then there is the moral thing to consider.
Trying to get some sleep will be difficult. All the lights and activity make one want to participate in the show. I like to walk around and take in every building. They all offer different things and the same things. It’s an easy place to walk and not get lost. The clock runs much faster there too.
I am available to carry your bags if needed.
Our highlight is usually seeing a Cirque show. Penn and Teller play the Rio as well. The other thing we do is look. Look at the hotels, shop for things we couldn’t possibly afford (what a beautiful necklace made up completely of emeralds! Look a Prada evening gown in white leather!), and, of course, people watch. I highly recommend the game “girlfriend or ‘date’?”
Valley of Fire State Park is about and hour’s drive from North Vegas and has gorgeous scenery. Hoover Dam is also well worth a trip IMO. I hope the new highway has reduced the traffic jams around the dam we ran into July 2010.
We stayed one night in North Vegas at the start of our trip, and one bight in Henderson at the end, 2.5 weeks later. Vegas is a great jumping off point for IMO more interesting destinations. No problems with noise in our nights near LV.
Penn and Teller! I think I might be willing to kill to see them. Also, I wonder if Richard Cheese has any Vegas shows around then…
Those are a little more challenging to fit in during conference breaks but I have to agree. I love the area surrounding Las Vegas.
If you have a car and just a few hours to get away - Red Rock Canyon is only about 45 mins, will take an hour or so drive through. No quite as gorgeous as as the Valley of Fire but it’s an excellent starter 
Looks like I’ll be there around March 25th-29th. Should be able to get to a Penn and Teller show, so yay! Convention’s at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center - with the discounted hotel options being Mandalay Bay, THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, the Excalibur, and the Luxor. The latter two being pretty damn cheap compared to the former.
Penn and Teller are at the Rio, which doesn’t look too far up the street, and they have at least two show dates in that interval.
I’ve been to Vegas and was totally ignored. What, I’m not good enough for a transvestite?
Stay at Mandalay Bay. Excalisuck is a dive, and Luxor is just another hotel since they de-themed it.
Rio isn’t “just up the street” from Mandalay Bay. Not even close. More like a $15 cab ride. But don’t let that stop you. It’s a great show, and they mix with the audience for quite awhile afterwards.
Be aware that distances along the strip can be very deceiving. Mandalay Bay and the Rio are 3 miles apart. Don’t plan to walk it.
My first time in Vegas, I walked from the Mandalay Bay all the way to downtown.
Still didn’t get propositioned.
The Rio has a free shuttle to/from Harrah’s. That’s still not exactly a causal stroll, though the monorail from MGM-Harrah’s would be an option.
I wasn’t accosted by hookers either. I think my final collection total of prostitute trading cards was about 110 unique cards plus plenty of duplicates, handed out by people on the various street corners, but no actual solicitation by the women themselves.
Yes, there is always lots of people handing out pictures of half-naked women. I was walking down the street, hand-in-hand with my wife, and they still tried to give them to me.
Regards,
Shodan