Hi Guys I'd like to take my wife to Vegas for our 10th wedding anniversary and need some advice. We'll do some gambling but it'll be more about "The Vegas Experience" than anything else. With that in mind can you suggest the best hotels, shows, etc., at the moment, but nothing too expensive, we only have a meagre budget. We'll be travelling in the latter part of April. Cheers in advance Reachy
Vegas Experience For shows - you really should try to do a Cirque show - even though they are expensive - but - Mystere, which is the original, and many consider the best - is the cheapest - maybe $90 per person - for decent seats - and well worth it - but - make sure you have good seats - a few seats have partially blocked views - you need to see the whole stage, walls, etc. - so - try very hard to do Mystere - for a great free show - try the Big Elvis lounge show at Bill's Gambling Hall and Saloon (formerly the Barbary Coast) - this is at the bar on the main floor - and is free - and you will need to get there about 1/2 hour early to get a table - Big Elvis is a 500 pound Elivis impersonator - and is REALLY GOOD - he captures the spirit of Elvis much better than many Elvii that just mechanically repeat Elvis' motions and moves - Big Elvis actually has talent - a fun free show - also - Harrah's has an outdoor "Carnival Court" with free music in the afternoons - that is a nice stop when walking that area of the strip - note: Harrah's is close to Bill's - My sister and niece liked Jubilee at Bally's - it is a traditional Vegas variety show - and runs about $70 each I think - you may be able to get discounted tickets - also have heard good things about "V the Variety Show" - which I think runs about $40 each. You might want to try the Sahara Casbah Lounge - which offers free enterttainment every evening - old style Vegas lounge - entertainment can run from awful to very good - but is a old time Vegas freebee show - For hotels - I would avoid everything downtown - for the strip - if you want affordable - you might consider the Sahara - can be gotten mid-week as cheap as $40 a night or so - and is on the monorail line - I have stayed there and found it ok - clean rooms, etc. - but - not fancy or plush - better class and affordable - try the Monte Carlo - fairly nice and a good location (next to NYNY and across the street from MGM) and it is one of the cheaper places on the strip, but as nice as most - and they are doing some deals right now - if you will stay off strip - try the Orleans - quite affordable and nice enough - and there is a shuttle to the strip - or - you can catch a bus easily enough - for restaurants - best buffets are supposed to be Paris, Bellagio, and Planet Hollywood - but all are expensive - Planet Ho the most affordable - and supposed to be an ok bargain - for fancy dining - (that anniversary dinner) - you might try Emeril's in the MGM - very nice and if you watch the liquor - might get by for about $50-$70 each - food is great - recommend Pecan-Crusted Red Fish, Barbequed Shrimp, and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding - lots of good restaurants - just pick your price range and menu - but watch out - as some places can put you over $100 each very easily - Now - for what is actually important - the BJ tournaments - Sahara on Wednesday afternoon and Friday evenings - $25 entry/$10 rebuy - $2,000 prize pool - all rounds multiple advance - I have always made the final table when I have played this tourney - so - you know it is Easy with a capital E - WARNING - if you play the Sahara tourney - you will be offered a choice of a free buffet or a promo chip - TAKE THE PROMO CHIP - the Sahara is the worst buffet on the strip - if you have a rental car - you might try Rampart - I would recommend that over Cannery - and if there on a weekend - there are a couple out on the Boulder Strip which are supposed to be ok - Also - don't forget to take in the Liberace Museum - I am sure that many of the Vegas residents can give even better advice
Vegas! My absolute favorite meal in town was at the top of the Stratosphere Tower! It is a tourist-y thing to do, but at sunset, 1000 feet up in the air, the restaurant turns slowly (about one rotation in an hour). You get to see all of Las Vegas, including the jets landing at McCarran International Airport--on final approach--BELOW you! Also touristy--don't miss the dancing waters at the Bellagio--every 15 minutes in the evening, or something like that. (free)
Reachy, Glad to hear you're coming to Las Vegas. Weather should be pretty nice at that time of the year but you may want to pack a light jacket for the evenings. On your trip last year you stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton so you were somewhat off the beaten path. So let's try to answer some of your questions: Hotels: If you want "The Vegas Experience" then you have to stay in the heart of the strip. The Harrah's Group pretty much has a lock on that location so you have 4 good hotels to choose from without burning up your wallet. Harrah's, Flamingo, Bally's, and Paris. The Paris is the most expensive of the 4 but has the nicest rooms and ambiance - what's more romantic than Paris? The other 3 will give you quality rooms but nothing fancy. Personally, I think the Flamingo is your best choice. I met a couple from England there and they told me their 7 day stay at the Flamingo was a little over $700 - not bad. Keep in mind that you will only spend about 2 to 3 waking hours in your room per day (well maybe more - anniversary thing you know) so why pay for exorbitant extras. From these 4 hotels you are central and can go North or South on the strip and see a lot in a short period of time. If you stay at hotels North or South of the "heart" your location will be less than ideal for "The Vegas Experience" and you'll probably end up paying a lot more money - or a lot less for a sub-standard room. Shows: If you ask 25 people for show recommendations you'll get 25 different answers and each will say "don't miss this". So what do you do? You pick the ones that sound the best for your taste. You can't go wrong. Most all the shows at the major hotels are good - they can't afford duds. Restaurants: Again, ask 25 people .... Bottom line is they are all good. I wouldn't even think about a buffet for your first visit. The lines are long and the cost is high. I can't believe you would be willing to travel X number of hours by air and then go to a buffet - come on now. You'll get plenty of good food at a normal restaurant at the same or lower cost than many buffets - high end restaurants excluded of course. To celebrate on your actual anniversary date, splurge a little at one of the many fine stake houses in LV. Which one? Again, ask 25 people ... . Bottom line is they are all good. I'm partial to THE STEAKHOUSE at Bally's. Excellent food, large portions, and impeccable service. Cost about $200 to $250 for 2 people plus 25%-30% tip. Worth every cent (penny). Tournaments: Forget it. They take too much time for a person's first LV visit and you probable won't win anyway. Enjoy "The Vegas Experience" for all it's worth. Dates: LV's largest convention (140,000 people) is scheduled for April 14-17. If you will be there at that time be prepared to pay big bucks (lots of pounds) for your rooms (law of supply and demand you know). You'll get the best hotel rates for Sunday through Thursday nights. Friday and Saturday you'll pay through the nose. I think that pretty much covers my opinions. If you have other questions, feel free. I'll be in LV April 18, 19 & 20 so let me know if your final dates are in that range. We can sit down at a BJ table and you can teach me some of your tricks! PS: Don't even think about renting a car. In the first place you guys drive on the wrong side of the street (covered in a thread about a year ago). Second, if you are in the heart of the strip you don't need a car for your first trip. Walking and enjoying the many sights will more than occupy your time.
las vegas If You Are Going To Shows You Need To Make Reservations Now If You Want Top Name Shows I Agree Harrahs Group Om The Strip My Wife And I Like Harrahs On The Strip Nothing Fancy But Nice My Wife And I Are Planning On Being There April 18th-21st For A Harrahs Tournament You Have Been To Vegas Before But You Will Have Time To See The Sites And Shows Without Being Pressed For Time Playing A Tournament By All Means Enjoy And You Might Check OUT Downtown Vegas Also:d :d
Vegas It used to be that there were two must things to see on your first trip to Vegas...1- Sigried and Roy, and 2- The Grand Canyon. Now there's only one thing.
My Regret Looks like you've gotten good advice from a number of posters. Only thing I would add is that years ago Elvis was there on a couple different occasions when I was in town and I didn't see him either time. As the young people say, MY BAD!!! Billy C
Props Many thanks for all your responses, very helpful indeed. Now if only I could get the plane fare down to around a monkey for us both I'll be laughing. Cheers Reachy
Vegas Hey Reachy The Grand Canyon Is A Spectacular Site To See If You Have The Time And Money-well Worth It:d :d HOPEFULLY YOU WILL HAVE MORE THAN A WEEK
Grab it while you can! Toolman maybe right in some respects but I think that for people travelling to Las Vegas who otherwise may not be able play live BJ Tournament games it would be a missed opportunity. I accept that Reachy is on his wedding anniversary and does not want to devote a lot of his holiday time playing in a major tournament. But I am surprised that he did not ask about playing in some kind of mini or weekly tournament while he was over there. Just like Reachy I am on a meagre salary and will have the same problem about pacifying a neglected wife if we ever get to go on holiday together in Las Vegas. Hopefully my wife will understand that the only place for me to get in some real live BJ table experience is in the USA and that is the simple fact of the matter. If you can only afford to go to America on an infrequent basis then you seize the opportunity to play when you can which is what I will do. Great information on Las Vegas by the way so thanks all. Andy
Personally Reach I would land in LV rent a car and go stay at Zion Lodge But-- if you so choose to go ahead and stay in LV I would like to offer you a free LasvegasAdvisor "Pocket book of Values" (I have 2 from the Club) I'll mail it to you just PM me and do it soon Im going to use the cheapest rates LOL
Fremont Street Fremont Steet, by all meams. It is free and very unusal, like nothing you have ever seen before. Dallas
Heh, do you mean the Fremont Street Experience, or just the Fremont Street experience (small e)? They're both entertaining in their own way I suppose.
Good news Reachy, Glad you're heading for Vegas. Let us know when you have exact dates, maybe we can get a mini reunion together. Play in the weekly tournaments if possible, you'll meet many of the "Global Casino" players from the past. Where ever you stay you'll have a great time. For gambling we like "DownTown", The "Golden Nugget" is very nice. Hope to see you again. tgun
Andrew Reachy,I will give you my 2 cents worth, check on LVOL.com for what entertaiment is there when you are. I have found that calling the box office you will get better seats at better prices.This site will also give you the price of each show, as far as restraunts I like Lawry's, if you like prime rib also get the cream corn there.If you are very hungry for lunch try the Carnegie deli at the Marige. If you can eat all of the [ woody allen ] I will never argue with you... ha ha I like to stay at the Orleans, the rooms are nice and about $60 per night. They also have a complete movie theater,bowling,sport events,shows.the down side is it is off the strip, but they have a shuttle service.Have a great time...... Andrew
weekly REACHY HERE ARE SOME WEEKLY TOURNAMENTS TO PLAY IF YOU HAVE THE DESIRE AND OR TIME http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/tourneyresults.cfm just put in the dates you are going to be there
Freemont Experience: Ken et al: Which ever way you emphasize it. Freemont Experience! I saw a man dance with his wife. 2am. I and another fellow were watching a guitarist perform from the back of his pick up truck there in front of the Golden Gate and the other guy was heckling the guitarist. After having what seemed like a pleasant conversation with a street person for about an hour, I reached out in a friendly jesture of comradery and was admonished not to touch him. "Don't Touch me!. Conversation over!" This from a guy who had bragged about slaughtering a gabizillion frogs with duel six shooters, for no good reason, not even the legs, down on the Kalabasas River. I've been awoken from drunken stupors in the middle of bushes, or doorways, cause it was someone else's sleeping quarters. And speakin of quarters, that's about how much the street walkers down there want. Plus 99 cent hot dogs, loaded. 99 cent shrimp cocktail. And a hearty smile from the BJ dealers as you leave. Can't beat it.
A little over a monkey A monkey is English slang language for £500.00p sterling. Hey Reachy how about this. Neil Gagg and I saw an advert in a travel agents window for Las Vegas this afternoon and finished up booking it. Direct flight from Manchester airport to Las Vegas and seven nights staying at the Mardi Gras Hotel which is a bit off the strip for £565.00p per person. We will be flying out with our wife’s on 22nd April. Well it is for April 2009 but still a good deal. Andy
