MGM FIrst timer - what all do I need to check out

In the past I've stayed mid strip and north (IP, Mirage, TI, etc...)

This year for my 40th my MIL is getting us rooms at MGM and I've never set foot in there. What all should i check out while down on that end of the strip.

 

Sigma derby!

 

Fiamma (very nice room, great resto)

Hecho (sangria, guacamole)

Craftsteak (filet mignon)

Robuchon Atelier (five star, small plates)

Baskin Robbins milk shakes at food court

Director's Pool

Producer's Pool

VP at the long bar

Rouge

Teddy, dealer at craps table

Lion Progressive slot ($2.4 million) over by High Roller room

Walk across the bridge to Nine Fine Irishmen at NYNY

Walk across other bridge to very nice Tropicana Sports Book

 

For a good pizza I like project pie down the escalator on the way to the parking garage, it like the chipotle of pizza places. I also enjoy the lounge area at whiskey down expensive drinks but a good people watching spot and nice view of the casino floor. Tap sports bar is a fun place to catch a game over by the sports book. Emerils has decent seafood as well.

 

Its one of the few hotels with nothing to visit/look at

 

Wolfgang Puck bar & grill has delicious late night eats
NYNY Hershey's chocolate world just opened, might be worth a try
Adidas store next door
Not much else going on at that end of the strip

 

What is the standard min bets for 21 and Craps on Thur/Fri/Sat at MGM?

 

$10 early, usually 15, 25, 100, 500 (sometimes 1 table) most are $15 and $25 for craps

 

Rouge ... ask for Anna if she still works there
Craftsteak. Don't miss the monkey bread.
Whiskey Down .. Try a Fire in the hole
Wolfgang pucks ... Very late or early morning
I am sure i am missing something but a good start.

 

Wolfgang Puck and Fiamma for sure. And I'm sure you know already, but be prepared to walk.

 

as others mentioned.
Wolfgang pucks late night -- same price you would pay at a 24hr diner but food it awesome. I'm a big fan of there wood oven pizza's to end the night.
Pub 1842 --- beers can be a little pricey, but definitely try the bbq chicken drumsticks appetizer (they were awesome). Burgers are really good too (many people rave about the peanut butter crunch burger... I thought it was just ok)
Whiskey down --- if you like sitting at the bar and playing video poker and drinking, do it high class, they do have 25 cent machines.
Brad garrets comedy club is good price to see some up and comers. There is no bad seat in the house. Drinks are a little expensive, but expected.
Lions share is a must.
Hop on the monorail by Excalibur and head down to Mandalay Bay at night. Not positive if they still do it, but they used to have live bands playing at one of the bars.
Hit the roller coaster at NYNY.... a lot of fun but it is a bit of a rough ride.
If you want a nice steak dinner outside of the casinos, hit Smith and Wollensky's, just head north up the strip just before Walgreens. Everything except the fillet is dry aged in house.
Diablo's cantina in the front of Monte Carlo is always fun to hit for a couple drinks.

one last thing, if you are in a standard room. try to upgrade to a suite if its only a couple extra bucks. Bathrooms are much nicer and you get a little extra room

 

oh yeah and if you want a little low rolling degeneracy, head over to hooters casino. just go out of the valet entrance and go across Tropicana blvd.

 

Great little thread. I'm in the same boat, first timer at MGM in a few weeks. Any pools tips?

 

I'm not a huge pool person but when I go with my friends I usually stop by for a little while with them. Pool area is huge and there are multiple pools, a lazy river and at least 1 big Jacuzzi. If you go after noon, you will still find a seat but it wont be right in front of the water. If you want to get a chair by the pool I suggest getting there before 10 am.
You can bring drinks into the pool as long as it is not in a glass bottle. We usually keep our starbucks cups so we can use it to bring our scotch in. If you like frozen drinks, grab one from the 32 degree place which in the shopping area on the way down to the pool. Its like $17 for a 32 oz drink (which is cheap compared to the pool bars that charge the same price for a 20oz)... then I add a couple bucks for a few more shots. You can also hit the fat Tuesdays which is in the basement area by the lobby (personally I'll spend the couple extra bucks and get it from 32 degree place just for convenience). Also, as expected drinks are expensive if you buy them from the pool bar. Expect to pay around $6 each for a 16oz bottle beer.

 

MGM's pools are fantastic! The lazy river opens at 10am, but the Producer's Pool and Grand Pool open at 8 (at least they did last July). If you wait at the gate to the bridge for the lazy river right at 10am you will get great spots right on the edge of the river. You really don't need to rent the tubes (about $16) especially if you are there in the AM, as it is just as nice (better?) to float along without one. We spent hours there and it really is like a tropical paradise. You won't be disappointed!

 

I always play sigma derby and Lions Share, and get a hot pastrami on rye at the Stage Deli (which is great if you don't live near NYC and miss that).

 

good info

 

Great thread. This is where I'll be staying in mid-November so I love the tips. I was already clued into Craftsteak and really want to try it. I noted this in my "hello!" thread but I'm going with my sis and BIL (they're running the half in the Run the Strip that weekend) and I'll likely be somewhat on my own for a lot of the weekend. (They don't gamble and to my knowledge, my sis has probably never been in a casino so this will be interesting).

So with all that in mind, the tips on finding late night food and something when I need a break from the tables (like a sports bar) are really helpful!

 

Oh dang it, the Lion's share was just hit for 2.4 million. The winner gets to keep the machine.
https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?111088-2-4-million-Lion-s-Share-Hit&highlight=lion's+share

 

So we've reserved a Cabana for 2 of the days we're there. So I have some questions as I see different numbers in different places. How many people can you have at the Cabana? I've seen from 5 - 10 but I'm unsure. Also the $600 is that what you are committing to spend or is that on top of what booze/food you buy?