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I am going to America in 2 weeks for a month, starting in San Jose, California and going on to Las Vegas.
I’ve been looking around the net at things to do while I’m there but I was wondering if anyone had been and could recommend some things to do, places to visit, anything really.Bearing in mind that all people going are over 18 but sadly not over 21. One guy is under 21 so no gambling for him! Or drinking come to think of it <_< stupid Americans. As a side note, if anyone is going to Defcon17 at the end of July it would be cool to meet up!
Once you’ve done all the hotels on the Strip, you should try and see Freemont Street of an evening and thats about it if you cant drink/gamble/go to strip bars!!
the Grand Canyon is an 45 minute flight or 2 hour drive so thats worth doing.
Hoover Dam is a short drive away.
Vegas is all about gambling so you are definitely a bit limited…
thanks for the info.
Grand Canyon might be worth it if we can hire a car, would make a great day out.
I’m planning on going to the hoover dam, it’s not far at all really.I found a site with a list of 50 things to do in Vegas, I can probably do most of them in the first day though lol.
Anyone else have any ideas?
[quote1246402240=mikeymoo]
You could always get married… apparently they do that over there…
[/quote1246402240]
…and get divorced a week later 😛Okay, as someone who goes to LV on average once a year:
If you go to one show make it “Love”, Cirque de Soliel set to the music of the Beatles. I have seen all of their shows, and this one is my favorite. Others include “O” and “Mystere”.
Just walk up and down the strip, stopping in the resorts to hydrate (water, not alcohol!). My favorites include the Bellagio, Venetian, Wynne, NYNY and Paris. Don’t bother with the Luxor other than the outside, same for the Monte Carlo, Bally’s, Tropicana, Harrah’s, Planet Hollywood, and Caesar’s Palace (although the Forum shops are pretty cool). See the lion cubs at MGM and the pirate ship battle outside of Treasure Island.
If you want to see the grand canyon consider taking a helicopter tour. Use Maverick, they have the best safety record. I did mine at dawn and still have the tape (they probably burn cd’s now).
if you have a car but don’t want to drive to the canyon drive to red rock canyon about 30 minutes outside of Vegas. Very pretty, and if it is too hot you can just stay in the car and do the scenic loop. If you go in the AM get out and hike to see pictographs and lizards.
If you drive to the Hoover Dam make sure you stop at the Ethel M chocolate factory. Very cool self-guided tour, and lots of great specialty chocolate for sale at the end.
Everything up to know has been for all ages. Frankly, if your under 21 friend looks even close it is unlikely that they will card him or stop him from gambling.
If you want to gamble I would recommend going off strip to the Palms, Rio and Gold Coast. The Palms is the cool place to hang out, the Rio has some of the best cocktail waitresses and the free “carnival in the sky” show, and the Gold Coast is a locals hangout with a good Dixie Land Jazz band that plays during the day and some of the best video poker and table limits in the area.
I recommend going downtown one night to see old Las Vegas and the light show. My favorite place to eat and gamble downtown is Main Street Station, which is a few blocks off the strip.
Some of my favorite restaurants include Rao’s in Caesars, Emeril’s in MGM, Wolfgang Puck’s in the Forum Shops, and any restaurant in the Bellagio.
Best buffet’s include Rio, Planet Hollywood (assuming the new owners haven’t ruined it), and Bellagio and Paris.
A word on gambling. First, don’t drink and gamble, impaired judgment and betting $$$ don’t mix. If you or your friends are not big gamblers download the free version of winpoker (see below) and learn how to play video poker (I practice on my Sammy!). Learn to look for the best VP paytables, many are off strip at the Palms, Gold Coast and Hard Rock. Learn how to play craps and stay away from the sucker bets. I think it is easier to learn to play VP than blackjack, but if you know how to play go for it. These are the best odds in the casino, eveything else is a sucker bet. That being said, I like to play Pai Gow Poker, especially at the Gold Coast (most times I am the only round eye at the table). It is a deceptively simple card game based on an old Chinese tile game. It has a slow pace compared to BJ, so even if you are losing you tend not to be hurt too bad.
Now, everyone wants to go to Vegas to play Texas Hold’Em like they see on TV. Normally this would not be a bad bet, as you are playing against the other players, with the house taking a rake. Unfortunately, at every level, there are local “rocks” who team play and take the tourists’ money. If you decide to play in a poker room go online and study up on the rules and etiquette – you can be a novice and not embarrass yourself. And remember, if you can’t spot the sucker at the table look in the mirror.
Okay, so much for my wit and wisdom, let me know if you have any questions and please post a trip report when you get back. And remember, the ATM machine is not your friend.
Pugrider
…WOW
What a post.
Thank you for all the information I will pretty much print this out, make a leaflet for my friends and study it like a bible. lol
A couple of my friends can play blackjack, vp, texas hold’em but i don’t think any of us know how to play craps. I guess we should all arrange a craps night before we leave.How much are the helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon roughly? It sounds like a really good idea but no doubt quite expensive. I was hoping to hire a car for the day and go and do a bit of sight seeing off the strip such as the hoover damn.
I’m not planning on doing much gambling to avoid wasting all my money but no doubt a few of us will end up getting very into the games and spending a lot.
How much is a rough estimate as to spend in one night?What hotel(s) do you usually stay in if you go once a year? We’re staying in the Stratosphere which hopefully wont be too bad.
Thanks again for the info 😀
Thanks sjonnie9999
It’s really not as expensive as people think. I would recommend not going around this time of year though unless you like to pay peak prices. Regardless of what time of year you go the weather will always be good. If you go in an off-peak season then the prices are a lot cheaper.
There are always deals on hotel prices as well, my hotel worked out to £13 a night which I think is fantastic for being on the strip.There is a bunch of us going so it works out cheaper still.
If none of you have heard of it but are into computers and technology, you should check out Defcon. It’s a security related conference held over 3 days.
Basically one of the biggest hackers convention 😀Cheers Pug, I enjoyed reading that! Might come in handy one day. Everyone has to visit Vegas once! Maybe.
kaotix,
keep tabs on the weather at that time of year as it can be HOT. The national fishing tackle shows were held in Las Vegas for several years during mid-July. It was usually above 100 degrees Fahrenheit while we were there. One year it hit 121 degrees Fahrenheit and set a new record “high” for the overnight low temperature (I believe 88 degrees Fahrenheit). Bring appropriate clothes. Have fun.
dockehr
Here is the link to the helicopter tour I took, which landed in the grand canyon for a breakfast. It includes pick up and drop off at your hotel. It looks to be over $400 per person, which is a LOT more than I paid 8 years ago. Shop the internet for better deals. However, it is a once in a lifetime experience, or approximately 30 minutes of bad luck at a low-limit Blackjack table! One tip – no matter what, don’t drink the cheap champagne they offer while in the canyon, you will likely regret it on the flight back.
http://www.maverickhelicopter.com/
In terms of on and off season, June through September are considered off season, as it is hot as a fire cracker outside. I was there once in July – you walk outside and all of the moisture is immediately sucked out of your body. Definitely bring light clothing, sunscreen, and drink lots of fluids.
I have not stayed at the Stratosphere but have gambled there. It is one one of the older strip hotels, but has become trendy again because of its proximity to the Wynne and Venetian. There is a roller coaster and vertical drop ride at the top of the tour. I have never ridden them because they are always closed for repairs when I am there. There is a great roller coaster at NYNY that I recommend if you enjoy that type of ride.
If you are by the convention center you may want to stop in the adjoining Hilton hotel to try the Star Trek experience. I did it the first year it was open many moons ago and really enjoyed it, and I think it is still there. A must for Trekkie’s!
Final thoughts – rental cars are dirt cheap in Vegas, and all of the resorts have free valet and self-parking. If it is really hot drive to part of the strip and then walk between resorts in that area, then repeat further down the strip. Alternately, there is now a monorail that you can buy a day pass for that runs the length of most of the strip. At the far end you can cross over and ride a free monorail that runs between Excaliber and Mandalay Bay.
Enjoy your trip, I am jealous just thinking about it!
Pugrider
Damn Pugrider you know your stuff!
I am seriously looking forward to it and want to try and plan some things to do instead of turning up and thinking about stuff when I’m there.That helicopter ride sounds very expensive, hopefully can find some rednecks with a two-bit bi-plane I can take a trip in 😀
Thanks for the info and I’ll no doubt keep you guys updated when I’m there.
kaotix, As Pugrider stated it is hot in July. I have been there nine times in July I can only second his suggestion to keep yourselves hydrated (preferably with water) during the daytime hours. The side trips to Hoover Dam and/or the Grand Canyon obviously are best done during the daytime away from the heat of the city. You may find it best to “lie low” on days that you’re not side tripping and plan to hit The Strip and the hotels, etc rather late at night. Some regulars sleep until 10pm and then spend the rest of the night and the early morning hours “doing their thing”. Don’t forget hats/caps and sun glasses. Again, have a great time.
dockehr
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