First Time to Vegas... what should be on my "MUST DO" list?

I'll be taking my first trip to Vegas in December to celebrate my 15th anniversary!. We will be staying at the Bellagio for 4 nights. What activites, restaurants or shows should we consider? We have tickets to see Ka (part of our vacation package) and tickets to see Penn and Teller. I'd like to have at least one really memorable and romantic dinner also. What should be on my "to do" list? thanks!!

 

what part of the world are you from? Have you been to the desert before? what Are your interests, food, drink, comedy, voice, architecture, nature, history, technology, people???? there are thousands of things to do - have to be careful and only do so much....ten come back again

 

check out the fountain show at the Bellagio since you will be staying there anyway try to catch 2 or 3 as all with will different to the tunes of different songs

 

I am from Michigan, and no, I have not been to the desert before! Yes, I only have 3.5 days, so I want to do the best of Vegas! Not a big gambler, but will check out the casino a little bit. Not a big drinker/partier, but hey, it IS Vegas, right? Might be up for a little fun! Not a big foodie, but I do like interesting restaurants and I do like to eat! I am up for anything, really! I don't want to break the bank, but we do have some money to spend.

 

Happy 15!

Like Bobby jones said, too much to see and do.

For your first time bing a camera and take lots of photos and post them in a trip report TR when you return!

Like rolotumasi said, see the fountains where you are staying.Many good spots from where you are stayying on the terrace or across the street.
One of the best views is from the top of the Eiffel Tower of from their restaurant's.

- Stop on the way from the Airport and tale your picture at the famous YESCO sign 'Welcome to Faboulous Las Vegas'
- Visit Level 107 Lounge in the Stratosphere for an early happy hour 1 hr. prior to dusk. You should be able to walk to the observation area and if you have the guts...ride the 'Big Shot'
- Then go Downtown to see where it all started and see the light show in the evening. Many nice restaurants and everything is within walking distance. (perhaps what you might think Vegas would be)
- Visit the Neon Museum and the Mob Museum
- Visit one of the Wedding Chappels and renew your vows!?!
- Watch the bottle jugglers across the street at Carnival Court Harrahs
- Visit the Conservatory & Botanical Garden in Bellagio
- 2014 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo December 4, 2014 - December 13, 2014 Location: Thomas & Mack Center

Make sure you wear comfortable footwear and its worn in as you will be walking a great deal
Keep dollar bills handy for tips
Don't over plan too much the first time - make a small list of your absolute "must dos" but take some time just to wander and soak up the atmosphere

Enjoy!

 

If your budget time/$ can afford it, take a flight or copter out to grand canyon. If you have less budget, rent a car and head out to Hoover one day for half a day and perhaps out to Red Rock /Mt Charleston another.

For free entertainment, it sounds cheesey but, simply walking through hotels down one side of the strip and the other will cover your entire stay and give a feel for LV Strip. Don't forget the sign! An evening to Freemont to see a different Vegas from the strip as mentioned. Stop by the tix4tonight booth each day to see what shows are available. If you are there in first half of December, very quiet (for vegas). Lots of threads here on shows...and opinions! Some shows are dark early December. I heard a rumour that there are some interesting restaurants in Las Vegas....

 

I love the ideas! Thank you! We will be there 10-14. I did notice a lot of the big shows won't be performing those nights. What exactly is tix4tonight? Are the prices reduced?

 

Tix4Tonight is a booth where they sell discounted show tickets, and dinner tickets, go early if you want anything good. Their locations are scattered along the strip.

Things I would suggest:

1. Bellagio Fountains -free
2. Mirage Volcano show - free
3. Flamingo exhibit at the Flamingo - free
4. Fremont Street - free
5. Welcome to Vegas Sign (I still have yet to go) - free
6. Shark Reef at Mandalay - $$
7. Stratosphere - go to the top, the view is amazing - $$
8. Caesars Forum Shops
9. Venetian - just strolling thru, and looking at the architecture/gondolas
10. Le Reve at Wynn - Cirque like show that is amazing

 

Whatever floats your boat.

I've taken many first timers and everybody is different.

There is no one size fits all Vegas plan.

 

Indeed! Just looking for some ideas, since there is so much to choose from. We are really excited and just want to make the most out of our trip. Thanks everyone for your ideas, I appreciate the tips.

 

love the idea of renewing vows somewhere wild! can you just walk into those places? I assume I don't really need a marriage license if we are already married?

 

Romantic dinner - Eiffel Tower Restaurant

Shows I love - Carrot Top and Jersey Boys, Donnie and Marie!

 

+1 i am a big fan of just wandering in and out of hotels on the strip.

 

things to do

Here is a list of things to do for 1st timers that i created awhile ago. disclaimer: everything may not be up to date.

STRIP HOTELS (from South to North)​

Mandalay Bay
•House of Blues (décor)
•Shark reef

Luxor
•Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
•BODIES

Excalibur
•Tournament of Kings
•Lots of photo ops outside

New York New York
•The Roller Coaster
•Zumanity (Cirque Show)
•Coyote Ugly
•Times sq. bar: Dueling pianos
•Photo ops outside

MGM Grand
•CSI: The Experience
•KA (Cirque Show)
•Sigma Derby

Planet Hollywood
•Thunderstorm Show in the Miracle Mile shopping mall http://www.BLOCKED-FOR-SPAM/freebies/rainstorm/
•PBR rock bar: mechanical bull

Aria (City Center)
•Water features at Aria: free, open daily.

Paris
•The Arc de Triomphe
•The Eiffel Tower
•The Louvre: Our replica of the Louvre facade is located on the north corner of the casino front.
•The Paris Opera House: Visit the replica of the Paris Opera House facade at the south corner of the casino.
•The Hotel de Ville: Now the Paris City Hall, the original Hotel de Ville is 800 years old. The replica of this historic landmark is located behind the casino.
•Alexander III Bridge: Get a bird’s eye view of the Casino’s Slots & Video room by taking a walk across the intricately crafted and adorned Alexander III Bridge, a stunning re-creation of the world-famous Paris landmark.
•Mon Ami Gabi (great for watching Bellagio fountains while eating)
•Dueling pianos (but it’s a cigar bar too)

Cosmopolitan
•Chandelier bar
•Milos: 3 course lunch special; eat on the terrace overlooking the strip
•Liberace and the Art of Costume

Bellagio
•Fountains at Bellagio
•Buffet
•Conservatory and botanical gardens
•Lobby ceilings

Caesars Palace
•Fall of Atlantis and Festival Fountain shows at Caesars Forum Shops
•Lots of outside fountains and statues for photo ops

Flamingo
•Margaritaville
•Wildlife habitat: free
•“Bugsy" Segal Memorial: Located in a small grotto behind the Flamingo Hilton Hotel, you'll find a plaque dedicated to a man who many say inspired the creation of Las Vegas. This Los Angeles mobster happened upon the Flamingo Hotel while still under construction. He decided to purchase the unfinished property and from there it's history.

Quad
•Classic Automobile Collection

Linq
•Polaroid Museum
•High Roller

Harrah’s
•Big Elvis http://www.bigelvis.biz/
•Carnival court bar and grill (flair bartenders)
•Dueling piano bar
•Mac King

Mirage
•Volcano
•Aquarium: Free; In lobby
•Atrium: Free; Front entrance
•Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

Treasure Island
•Sirens of TI
•Gilley’s Bull riding

Venetian
•Streetmosphere at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian
•Madame Tussauds Interactive Wax Attraction
•Gondola rides
•Winter in Venice

Wynn/Encore
•Parasol Down
•Lake of Dreams

Riviera
•Crazy girls statue

Circus Circus
•Adventuredome
•Circus Acts

Stratosphere
•Observation platform at the Stratosphere Tower
•Thrill Rides: Big Shot, Insanity, X Scream at the Stratosphere
•Top of the World Restaurant

Downtown​

• Gambler’s Store
• Fremont Street Experience: Free
• Main St Station: Antiques all over the property, including a piece of the Berlin Wall in the men’s restroom. Visit the slot club booth for a free brochure with details of each piece on display.
• Try to find the exact spot Robert De Niro gets into his Cadillac before being blown up in Casino (Main Street Station south entrance)
• Mermaid’s: Free beads, $.99 margarita, Daiquiri bar, Frozen bananas, deep fried Twinkies, Oreos, and others quick eats at the Snack Bar
• Thunderdome (Outside Vegas Club casino under Fremont Street Canopy): Motorcycle stunt show
• Neon Museum
• La Bayou: Free beads
• California: Free shuttle to Sam's Town
• Golden Gate: Antique slot machines on display near hotel check-in.
• Fremont: Free shuttle to Sam's Town
• Golden Nugget: Shark Pool
• Million Dollar Photo at Binion’s
• Vintage Slots at the D
• Vegas Vic and Vegas Vicki
• Mob Museum

OFF-STRIP HOTELS​

Rio
•Masquerade Village: Free
•Free shuttle from harrah’s

Sam’s town
•Sunset Stampede: Free Light show
•Free shuttle from California and fremont hotels

Ellis Island
•Steak Special or the BBQ restaurant. Specialty microbrew or root beer

Silverton Hotel
•Aquarium (with mermaids)

ATTRACTIONS on the strip (not in hotels)​

• Las Vegas Sign
• Peppermill
• Slots O Fun
• Hershey's Chocolate World
• M&M World
• Coca Cola place

Attractions (off Strip)​

• Area 51
• Atomic Testing Museum
• Bonnie & Clyde Getaway Car
• Bonnie Springs Ranch
• Death Valley
• Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens
• Erotic heritage museum
• Grand Canyon
• Hoover Dam
• Nevada Test Site Tour
• Opportunity Village (during Christmas time)
• Pinball Museum
• Red Rock Canyon
• Ron Lee's World of Clowns Factory & Tour
• Springs Preserve
• Valley of Fire

 

OMG thank you! I need more time, lol! We actually might come back for Spring Break with our kids to visit the Grand Canyon. But it's cheaper for us to fly to Vegas. So I might actually get a 2nd chance at some of the attractions

 

Voodoo at the rio has a great view.

Go Downtown as well. Fremont street is something else.

 

Rio is One of the best! We go there every visit.

 

everyone gave you some good options but i'll add a tip i learned the hard way.

bring comfortable walking shoes for strolling the strip and elsewhere.
casinos appear closer than they actually are
save any new or not broken in shoes for the club or restaurant,etc.
i got a blister on my heel my first day there many many moons ago.

 

First time...3.5 days...my top tip would be don't make any plans. There is too much to see and do and you'll likely end up being amazed by the strip for the whole time. Downtown is worth a day / night out though.

If you want to go to Rio let me know, I'll hook you up.

 

You are probably right! We do have tickets for Penn and Teller on our first night at Rio. Trying to decide if we might want to have dinner there beforehand or maybe the club afterward?