Vegas First Timer

[Ace of Knights]

The wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas later this year. Neither of us have been so I’m looking for some pointers.

We both have professional positions and do alright for ourselves but aren’t loaded financially. Where are the best places to stay outside of the really high priced Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian? Any place better to gamble than others? Must see shows, or attractions? We’re pretty much open to anything.

 

[bqknight]

The wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas later this year. Neither of us have been so I’m looking for some pointers.

We both have professional positions and do alright for ourselves but aren’t loaded financially. Where are the best places to stay outside of the really high priced Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian? Any place better to gamble than others? Must see shows, or attractions? We’re pretty much open to anything.

Aria - though it's a tad expensive. They're redoing the Monte Carlo and making it into Park MGM this Spring. Looks nice, good location.

I personally like gambling at the mid-level casinos, I feel they pay out better than the high-end ones. Had some luck at Paris last time around.

I enjoyed Ka (Cirque show). I also enjoyed the Beatles one, although it's different than most Cirque shows, as it's more song and dance than acrobatics.

Food wise, I recommend Sugarcane - was delicious. If you want to do a brunch, Border Grill is AMAZING.

I personally love Vegas, it's crazy. There's so much to do, you'll probably only scratch the surface. Be prepared to walk....a lot. You have to go over and around intersections to get anywhere. Also prepare for lots of homeless people and tons of people in costumes of children's characters that look like their mom made it. I've also been asked if I want drugs multiple times every time I've gone.

 

[Ace of Knights]

For example, I know to stay away from places like Excalibur, but is it worth it to spend more for somewhere like New York New York, MGM, or Paris vs. saving a little at the Luxor?

 

[UCFWayne]

book a lunch reservation at the stratosphere for lunch. lunch prices arent too bad considering the view. dinner is extremely expensive.

 

[bqknight]

For example, I know to stay away from places like Excalibur, but is it worth it to spend more for somewhere like New York New York, MGM, or Paris vs. saving a little at the Luxor?

Don't do Luxor. MGM is fine, just not in the West Tower. Grand King or better there.

Never stayed at NYNY. Paris should be fine too, I'm just not a fan of the rooms, I like modern looking rooms.

 

[bqknight]

book a lunch reservation at the stratosphere for lunch. lunch prices arent too bad considering the view. dinner is extremely expensive.

It's in the middle of a really sh!tty part of town though....just go on the LINQ if you want a view.

 

[ucfchris1285]

Aria is great. I'd take a shot to gamble downtown vegas. Had a blast there and drank a bunch.

 

[UCFWayne]

go check out the hoover dam while you are there. i would try and make it out to the grand canyon as well. there are several parks that are easily accessible via car. ive also heard the helicopter tours are awesome.

 

[UCFWayne]

It's in the middle of a really sh!tty part of town though....just go on the LINQ if you want a view.

yea it is but you cant beat the rotating view.

 

[humanjerk]

book a lunch reservation at the stratosphere for lunch. lunch prices arent too bad considering the view. dinner is extremely expensive.

I proposed up there after the really expensive dinner. The wife said "yes, but get me the hell down from here, its too high"

 

[bqknight]

Aria is great. I'd take a shot to gamble downtown vegas. Had a blast there and drank a bunch.

If you CAN afford to stay here, it's worth it in my opinion. I had a mountain view room and I preferred it over the Strip view. Was on the 50th floor or something. It was spectacular.

 

[UCFWayne]

I proposed up there after the really expensive dinner. The wife said "yes, but get me the hell down from here, its too high"

i think the lunch prices started at $15 last time i was there, probably more now. I want to say prices for dinner were around $200. does that sound right?

 

[UCFWayne]

Don't do Luxor. MGM is fine, just not in the West Tower. Grand King or better there.

Never stayed at NYNY. Paris should be fine too, I'm just not a fan of the rooms, I like modern looking rooms.

i agree, luxor is kind of a dump and a little bit off the real part of the strip. still cool to go inside and check out though. nyny is fun to ride the roller coaster, but thats about it.

 

[humanjerk]

i think the lunch prices started at $15 last time i was there, probably more now. I want to say prices for dinner were around $200. does that sound right?

Thats probably right. It was 10 years ago so maybe a little less back then. I just checked the menu and cuts of steak are $50 or $60 so I would say at least two hundo now after drinks.

Funny story about the night... You have to go through a metal detector to get to the top. I had the ring box in my sock and my large belt set off the detector... I then had to go get wanded and the bottom of my right leg kept setting off the wand. Everyone in the elevator was waiting on me so I had to tell my wife to go ahead and I'd be up in a minute so I could explain to the security guard what was happening. I almost blew it...

 

[UCFWayne]

Thats probably right. It was 10 years ago so maybe a little less back then. I just checked the menu and cuts of steak are $50 or $60 so I would say at least two hundo now after drinks.

Funny story about the night... You have to go through a metal detector to get to the top. I had the ring box in my sock and my large belt set off the detector... I then had to go get wanded and the bottom of my right leg kept setting off the wand. Everyone in the elevator was waiting on me so I had to tell my wife to go ahead and I'd be up in a minute so I could explain to the security guard what was happening. I almost blew it...

yea i want to say i went back in 2006 or 2007, i cant remember. went for work a couple years ago, but it was for business and actually had very little time for fun.

you got lucky the security guard didnt spoil it for you

 

[Ace of Knights]

Thanks everyone, some good stuff in here. We can afford the Aria but it’s more than I was looking to spend. I just figured that we wouldn’t be in the room all that much. But I’ll definitely avoid the bottom barrel like Luxor. You’ve given me stuff to think about.

We’ll be there for 4 days three nights. Unfortunately that puts the Grand Canyon out but I was already planning a day trip to Hoover, old downtown Vegas, and if time I would like to go to the mob museum.

We aren’t going until October-November so plenty of time. I’m just looking to book in the next month or two to get the best deal.

 

[MACHater02]

Aria is overrated. I just got back from a week at the Mirage on Wednesday. It was my 2nd time staying there and my wife's 5th. We like it because its not crazy expensive and you have easy access to many other casinos. The Beatles Love show is done there which is awesome as well.

 

[Knight_Light]

The wife and I are planning a trip to Vegas later this year. Neither of us have been so I’m looking for some pointers.

We both have professional positions and do alright for ourselves but aren’t loaded financially. Where are the best places to stay outside of the really high priced Bellagio, Wynn, Venetian? Any place better to gamble than others? Must see shows, or attractions? We’re pretty much open to anything.

Depends when you go. Weekend (Fri/Sat) rates soar at most places while during convention season (April), weekday rates can vary greatly from week to week based on what conventions are in town.

Traditionally, Sunday is the cheapest night to stay in Vegas and so try and stay at a nice place because of lower prices.

Frist timers shouldn't stay more than 3 nights (or any timers), and I would plan at least one cool show that you can only see in Vegas.

Casinos located in the middle of the strip and or toward City Center, Bellagio, Cesar's, PH, Paris, Wynn,Mirage are within easy exploring distance (no need to wait in long lines or traffic for cabs).

Have at least one free night to do whatever you want (not stuck to a specific show or dinner reservation) because ya never know where you want to spend more time at.

Have fun...and don't take a red eye home...it sucks when you check out and have to stick around for another 12 hours....grab late am flight home (still get home in early evening).

 

[cnsaguy]

I think I'm the only one that has zero desire to go to Vegas.

 

[DHodges34]

I think I'm the only one that has zero desire to go to Vegas.

No you're not

 

[bqknight]

Aria is overrated. I just got back from a week at the Mirage on Wednesday. It was my 2nd time staying there and my wife's 5th. We like it because its not crazy expensive and you have easy access to many other casinos. The Beatles Love show is done there which is awesome as well.

Boo, disagree on Aria. However, I did stay at Mirage once and did enjoy it. I was able to get the upgraded King room as it was cheaper and it was nice. It's on an end of the strip, compared to something like Aria or Park MGM (Monte Carlo) which is in the middle.

4 days/3 nights is the perfect amount of time to go, IMO. I wanted to stay longer when I did a day less but I was ready to leave after 4 days.

 

[fabknight]

I think I'm the only one that has zero desire to go to Vegas.

Nope. My wife has been trying to get me to go for years.

 

[UCFWayne]

Nope. My wife has been trying to get me to go for years.

I think its worth going one time for 3 days max. mostly because I enjoyed the hoover dam and grand canyon so much. im not a big gambler and had a small limit per day. but seeing all the big casinos was still pretty cool at night. not to mention all the cool shows that are there. definitely nothing else like it

 

[MACHater02]

Boo, disagree on Aria. However, I did stay at Mirage once and did enjoy it. I was able to get the upgraded King room as it was cheaper and it was nice. It's on an end of the strip, compared to something like Aria or Park MGM (Monte Carlo) which is in the middle.

4 days/3 nights is the perfect amount of time to go, IMO. I wanted to stay longer when I did a day less but I was ready to leave after 4 days.

The rooms at the Aria are nice but the scent they pump into the casino is nauseating. The Thai restaurant was ok but I don't recall liking the rest. I stayed there back in 2011 or 2012 so it may have changed. I'll likely be staying there next year for work so I'll find out then.

 

[bqknight]

The rooms at the Aria are nice but the scent they pump into the casino is nauseating. The Thai restaurant was ok but I don't recall liking the rest. I stayed there back in 2011 or 2012 so it may have changed. I'll likely be staying there next year for work so I'll find out then.

Sage was great there. I LOVE the smell. It makes staying in a casino so long bearable IMO. The lower end ones and old ones smell horrid.

 

[crambone]

I’ve never been. Always wanted to go.

 

[Vendsit]

I go to Vegas 3 or 4 tines a year. November is a great time of the year to go. We love the Cosmopolitan. It’s mid strip and a Marriott property if that helps. We’ve been to most of the Cirque shows and liked Ka the most as a show and the Michael Jackson and Beatles show if you like their music.

Go to the Skyfall Lounge at the Delano. Best views in town. For decent cheap drinks without gambling, go to Ocean One in the Planet Hollywood mall. 3 for 1 cocktails for $10. You can mix and match and take em to go.

Get a Duece bus pass and ride up and down the strip and get in and off wherever you want. Fremont street at night is something to experience but no need to stay long.

A lot really depends on what you like to do. So many great restaurants but they can get pricey. I’m happy to give recommendations if you’re looking for something particular.

 

[Ace of Knights]

I'll probably be asking for restaurant recommendations when I finalize things. We are going for my 30th b-day. I've always wanted to go because I love gambling. The wife isn't as keen but she's interested in the shows. I know she'll still have fun. We'll definitely see one of the Cirque shows.

 

[UCFKnight85]

I go every year for SHOT Show and we stay in the Venetian. It’s extremely nice, no idea how it compares to other places. The room is a full suite and quite huge.

Good restaurants on the property. However like most casinos in Vegas the smell of smoke makes it unbearable.

I don’t really gamble so to me, Vegas is just a very overpriced adult amusement park that lacks actual culture.

That said, it likely would have been real fun as a single person with friends

 

[UCF11and1]

Just go to Hawaii. RT tickets are $400 now

 

[fabknight]

I think its worth going one time for 3 days max. mostly because I enjoyed the hoover dam and grand canyon so much. im not a big gambler and had a small limit per day. but seeing all the big casinos was still pretty cool at night. not to mention all the cool shows that are there. definitely nothing else like it

Meh. I have zero desire to go. I've been to the Grand Canyon and loved that. I love going to the National Parks.

 

[Gwoz]

Been half dozen times. Stayed at Venetian, NYNY, MGM, Ceasars, Aria, Vdara, Mandalay Bay.

Venetian, nicest rooms not worth the price compared to others. Mandalay has the best overall amenities, value, and rooms... horrible location. Aria, best location, nice rooms and only place I stayed multiple times. Last place I stayed was Vdara, which is Aria's boutique hotel, no casino, no smoke, quieter, no maze to get to elevators, great location, and suite rooms like Venetian.

Last year paid $400 including tax and fees for Vdara overlooking Bellagio fountains with $150 food credit. Vegas is desperate now, I'm offered 3 free nights now, and its been many years since I have actually did any real gambling there.

Nearby hiking is underrated, Red Rock, Valley of Fire, and Death Valley is all great day trips well worth exploring

Nothing to sign up for, never will ask if you actually been on a cruise. Just book and go.
https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/offers/royal-offer.html

 

[UCFKnight85]

For the amount of flight time you log going out there from Florida, to me, it's worth it to just spend a few more hours and fly to Europe instead. Far more to do and see.

I don't know if we just hit strong headwinds but I did Tampa to LAS a few weeks ago and it took 5:40.

 

[Gwoz]

I would say the main appeal to Vegas at least in my 20s. For the accommodations, flight, no need for transportation (if not exploring outside vegas) and dining options I could spend under $500 where as another place for similar amenities would run me $1500+.