Vegas

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Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Awfully off topic, and looking a long way into the future, but still I thought I'd ask.

For my wife's 40th birthday, she wants to go to Las Vegas. That will be in a couple of years, however we would be looking to book early next year.

Had a look at the Pallazzo hotel, looks really nice. Could anyone who's been or is local to the area give any advice regarding hotels, and places to go, things to see e.t.c

Also, we may take the kids, although I fear they may be a bit young (9 and 6 at time of travel).

Hopefully the dollar will stay weak when we come to booking Wink

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:12 pm

Well, Vegas is, in my opinion, a place one should have seen, but also I think that's nothing for long vacation.

My wife and I stayed in the Stratosphere, which is quite nice and located right at the northern end of the strip, so you can start from your hotel and walk all the way down to the Luxor.

What might be nice from Vegas is taking a tour to the canyon. We didn't have time for it, but there's quite a few places there that offer these tours.

As said, I think Vegas is quite nice and pretty amazing, but just for a few days.

Btw, when you go into your hotel don't just turn around and look for the other entrance because you only see casino. I did that, and I wasted like 15 minutes walking all over the place before I finally figured that I have to walked through the casino in order to get to the check-in.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 4:42 pm

I used to go twice a year a few years back for business.

3-4 Days in Vegas is PLENTY!!!!!

Classy? The Bellagio or Venetian (pricey, but stunning)
little cheaper? Caesars
Fun stay for the kids? Rio or New York
Must see for free? Bellagio water show and the Pirate Ship show at Treasure Island

and stay on the strip. The surrounding areas can get a little rough.

Hope this helps!

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 720

I went to one of the gun ranges and got to fire an Uzi, which was good
fun for me, a Brit

Hooker watching

Champagne Brunch at the Hilton

Piano Bar New York New York

take in a show

Only gamble what you can afford

take plenty of money

not to be missed is a trip to the Grand Canyon, we did the helicopter one
and flew the length of the strip coming back

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:07 pm

i took my kids there about 4 years ago and they were a few years
younger than yours.its not quite a place for children but saying that
the shows outside the hotels,particularly the treasure island are
amazing for children to see.

we stopped at the circus circus hotel,which is family orientated as it has
daily circus shows and a inside theme(rollercoaster rides) inside the hotel.

hope this helps

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:40 pm

Bring plenty of money. You'll need it, and not just for gambling.

Meals are very expensive there.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Great advice guys, thanks.

I'll pass on the hooker watching though Razz

I had a week in mind, then a cruise, but if that's a bit long, then we might go to SFO or LA or something whilst we're in that part of the world.

Discussed it a bit more with the wife, and have decided it isn't a good idea to take the kids... we'll make it up to them though Smile

Is it just like you see in CSI? Doodle Bug, can any Brit just walk in and fire a gun?

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:05 pm

I spent a day there on a coach tour 30 plus years ago.
http://www.circuscircus.com/. I'm glad I've been but wouldn't have wanted to stay longer. Not when there is so much more to see.

Baiting Guru Joined: 07 Jan 2007 Posts: 2922

I'd take SF over LA...

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:23 pm

My niece used to live in Vegas. Used to -- the economy has taken a nosedive in Vegas, worse than the rest of the country. She avoided the Strip - maybe went there two or three times a year while she lived there. She preferred the gorgeous desert scenery outside the city. (But then she's a geologist and is drawn to rocks.)

I visited her last year, but stayed in a little town well outside the city and never got to the Strip at all. Fine with me, as I don't gamble and can't afford the expensive shows. Besides I was there to see her.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:53 pm

I stayed at the Venetian which is joined to the Palazzo in August this year. Wonderful hotel, although it's really really big, it's not for those who want a nice intimate cosy hotel. The basic suites are fantastic, very luxurious, 2 plasma TV's, plus 1 in the lovely marble bathroom, large sitting/lounge area, great views, all nice and clean too.

I loved Vegas but only because i was there for 3 nights, i think any more than that and it's too much. Think a much brighter, bigger, flashier Blackpool and that's Vegas for you (albeit in the middle of the desert!).

If possible take a trip to the Grand Canyon, there is nothing like it and you wont regret it.

If you want to go some place other than Vegas, definitely go to SF over LA as Donato said, LA was definitely not my thing, SF is more like a European city, but based in California, it's fantastic.

HTH

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 7:26 pm

If you need any info on SF, let me know. Bay Area born and raised.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 8:20 pm

I really enjoy Freemont street, especially at night!! it was like a big street party with several bands playing live music..

I'm not much of a gambler, so i agree, 3 days in Vegas is about perfect.

unless you really want to see the big name shows, there is NO reason to buy show tickets! there are plenty of FREE shows. and there are ways of getting around sitting in the back. i like hearing "hey, he has the same tickets, why does he get to sit so close to the stage". funny what a 5'r slipped into the doorman's hand will get you.

public transportation is a cheap way to get around the city (bus or trolly). some of the taxi's like to take the looooooong way.

you can walk the street and ride the bus with an open beer/drink (but not intoxicated).

shop around for meals, some of the places are quite expensive, but low priced/decent quality can be found (especially if you get away from the strip).

not sure how far you would be from sequoia national park, but I always thought it would be worth a visit?

PS. prostitution IS NOT legal in Las Vegas Wink

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:44 pm

Vegas and kids are fine for a day or two. There are pools to frolic in and Circus Circus and its free show is good for an hour. New York has that ride that is good for another two minutes but takes about an hour between getting tickets and standing in line. The pirate show in front of Treasure Island? Arrrrrrggg. Yep, best not to take the kids. When my little ones were in the minivan, I would not even stop for gas when I was driving by on the I-15. When vehicle can go 485 miles between fill ups but only 350 after a stop in Vegas and its traffic jams, why bother?
SF is better for adults but LA has more for kids to do. There's Disneyland, Knott's, Universal, 6 Flags, surfing, hiking, Hollywood, The Getty, Museum of Science and Industry, Peterson's Cars, Natural History, La Brea Tar Pits -AKA Page, Skid Row, the garment industry (anyone for a cheap Dooney and Borke) and Alveira Street. San Diego and its lovely attractions is only a few hours down the coastline.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 720

Quote:

Is it just like you see in CSI? Doodle Bug, can any Brit just walk in and fire a gun?

Just walk in with drivers licence, credit card and fire away

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:34 pm

If it's things that go bang that wiggles your fancy this is the place to go.

http://www.insightrangeinc.com/

There is no clock. The lane is $15. Second shooter is $10. There is no time limit other than the hours of operation. $10 rents every hand gun in their fleet, and being the largest line in SoCal makes their fleet huge. Let's clarify the situation. Rent one at a time, but the same $10 gets you everything they have and you don't have to clean it.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

Yet even more tips for me, thanks again.

I'll definetely try a firing range while I'm out there.

Ralph, I'll PM you later when we finalise our plans Wink

Venetian looks good too, right next to the Palazzo I believe?

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:03 pm

I would love to go to Vegas, not to gamble just for the atmosphere

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:21 pm

Hell, why didn't I know anything about those shooting-ranges when I went there?

Baiting Guru Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Posts: 3551

Caesar's Palace has a very interesting shopping area - expensive, but well worth seeing. They have restaurants there as well.

I'd suggest you stash bottled water in your room. The air is so dry that it makes you stay thirsty. Drinks are pricey in the hotels.

The Bellagio has some nice places to dine. It is very nice to sit out on a patio and watch the waterfalls there while having lunch. The hotel's interior is incredible.

The taxi drivers have a reputation for driving VERY fast. I swear they go around corners on two wheels. Just shut your eyes! Wink

Have fun!

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:54 pm

I stayed in Caesar's and it wasn't that expensive. Food wasn't that expensive either. Some of the casinoes do really cheap all-you-can-eat buffets (I think we got Chinese at the Flamingo).

A plane ride through the Canyon is a must. Try to get the trip to the Eastern Rim though. That's owned by an Indian tribe and isn't as touristy as the West Rim. You might also want to take a trip to the Hoover Dam.

Like others have said here though, 3 or 4 days max in Vegas is plenty. A couple of days drive away, you've got Death Valley and Yosemite. You might want to do a round trip out that way.

Incidentally, my trip there was a happy one. I won $8k on the slots and poker machines. Very Happy

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:56 pm

Doodle Bug wrote:

Only gamble what you can afford

I think what you meant here was: only gamble what you can afford to lose! Only gamble what you can afford, (well that's the house and the car gone:-))

Then it still stays fun. Go out with the mentality that this is spending money, because if you are inexperienced (and even if you are experienced), the house always wins.

If you do go up, pocket the original cash and go all out on the profits.

Have fun

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 3123

I don't plan on gambling much, maybe 1K.

I could rent a plane and fly out to the canyon myself cheaper!

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 720

This is the range I went to

http://www.lasvegasgunrange.net/

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:43 pm

craig007 wrote:

I could rent a plane and fly out to the canyon myself cheaper!

I wouldn't.

Even though you're a pilot, it takes a bit of experience to deal with the updrafts and downdrafts there. As witnessed by the number of wrecks on the Canyon wall ledges. I gotta admit, that didn't fill me with too much confidence as we passed the first one.