Last Minute Vegas Trip

I had no plans to go to Vegas at all this year. With that being said...here is my story.

April 23th

On Friday night I had a conversation with my daughter in law about my many Vegas trips. I have talked to many family and friends about my trips before. So I didn't think this was any different. She expressed interest in going. Gee, you don't have to ask me twice to go to Vegas.

April 24th

Before the sun went down on this day, we were booked on a flight to Vegas. Not only my daughter in law but also my daughter. Both girls are 27.

April 26th

My daughter and I pick up my daughter in law and head for Qwik Park. It's about an hours drive. We take the shuttle to the airport.

I made the mistake of getting our seats over the engine and it was very loud. I had brought a dvd player to watch a movie on the flight. It was so loud I had a hard time hearing the movie.

Arrived in Vegas ahead of expected time. The cab line was longer than I had ever seen but it went quickly.

I was pleasantly surprised when we got to Harrah's and they let us check in. It was around 11:30am. I had chose this place as I thought the girls would enjoy the party atmosphere of the Carnival Court.

We went over to the Forum Shoppes for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Just as we ordered lunch the Atlantis show started. I told the girls to go and watch the show and I would wait for our food. The food was great!

We then headed over to see the White Tigers @ the Mirage. We played a few slots and lost.
Then we took the tram over to TI to see what time the Sirens show started. Kinda got lost and walked around for awhile. We came upon a roped off area with security. My daughter wanted to wait and see what was going on. She thought perhaps they were filming her favorite show CSI. Turns out they were filming "Miss Congeniality 2" and she saw Sandra Bullock.

I wanted to get back to Harrah's and go to the Carnival Court. We had a blast! The Wonder Boogie's were performing. They got the audience participating in there performace. Then they announced "free shots" for everyone. You had to go up to the bar and get the shots poured directly into your mouth. People were dancing. The bartenders were throwing the bottles in the air, blowing whistles, getting on each others shoulders, all the while making drinks. Is there such a thing as too much fun?

Ran over to the IP as I wanted the girls to see the dealertainers. Elvis was in full swing when we got there. Then Tina Turner did her thing.

From the IP we got a cab. I had the cab driver drop us off at the GN. The girls wanted to play slots and I wanted to play roulette. We agreed to meet in 30 minutes.

I bought in with $20.00. There are certain numbers I always play and then sometimes I will put some on black.

I play $1.00 to cover 1,2,3,4,5,and 6. Then straight up on 8,10,20,26. I hit 8 two times in a row. Then lost and win for awhile. Cashed out with $57.00 after giving the guy a tip.

We then heading out to see the Fremont St. Experience. Did a little shopping downtown also. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Cafe in Fritz. The service was slow and the food was not good.

Got a cab and went back to Harrah's. It's 10:00pm so we went back to the room to make plans for the rest of the evening. My daughter decides to go to bed. My daughter in law and I decide to go back out.

We went back to the Carnival Court. They have a band that reminds us of the GO GO's of the 80's. They were very good. Had a couple of drinks and went over to the IP for Karoke. My daugher in law likes to sing. She had one of those yard drinks to get her courage to sing. We waited for her turn to sing. The people who ran the karoke wouldn't quit singing to give others a chance and I got tired.

I said lets go back to our room. On the way we came across the dueling pianos @ Harrah's. Now I'm awake and the people in the lounge were having fun. Soooo we got a seat. We stayed for a couple of hours. We had so much fun. These guys were great! We were singing and just having a fantastic time.

Now we have been up for about 24 hrs. and I'm exhaulsted. Got to bed about 3:30am.

April 27th

We were awakened by the phone at 7:30. Decided to go down and try Harrah's Buffet Breakfast. To our surprise it was really good. My daughter still says it was the best breakfast she had in Vegas.

After breakfast we decided to check-out and go over to the Boardwalk to see if we could check in. They weren't as accomadating as Harrah's they said come back after 1:00.

I must admit I was afraid to stay here because of all the bad reviews I have heard. I have come to the conclusion that most of the reviews were from people who never actually stayed here. The reason I chose this place is because I wanted to see the Motown Review and my daughter in law wanted to see Purple Reign.

IMO the Boardwalk was of a Holiday Inn or Best Western type. Small bathroom. It was fine for our purpose. The things I really liked about this place...We got a view of the B fountains and the strip looking north. Also I love the casino. The staff was very friendly and they were very laid back. Also being a small property it wasn't such a hike back and forth to the room. Another plus if you are using the bus system...the stop going south bound is just outside the door.

We played some roulette here as my daughter and daughter in law wanted to learn. Ivan our coupier was so friendly and helpful.

8:00 we met for the Motown Review. It was great. Only problem was the chairs were so uncomfortable. My leg fell asleep. So during there break we went up to the room. I ended up falling asleep. The girls went back downstairs for the Purple Reign show which followed the Motown Review. My daughter in law who is a huge Prince fan said it was wonderful. She said better than the real thing.

April 28th

The day I have been waiting for...Breakfast Buffet @ Paris. It was absolutly great!

Sadly it is also our last day. Our plane leaves tonight at 12:35am. Not to be wanting to be without a room we go over to the Tropicana for one of the older "Garden Rooms". The price is right and it's near the airport.

They let us check in and we throw on our swimming suits and head down to the pool. I had stayed here once before but had never used there pool. We really enjoyed there pool with the waterfall.

Also I must say I liked there "Garden Room". It had a balcony, which was nice because one of the girls smoked and she could go out onto the balcony to smoke. It had a view of the waterfall in the pool. I think I liked this room better than the tower we had stayed in before.

The next thing on our "to do" list was the Shark Reef @ MB. I had been here before but the girls had not. My daughter in law loves sharks so I knew she would enjoy this. She got to pet a shark so she was happy.

We then went back to the room to freshen up and got a cab to the Frontier. We gambled a little then went to Gilley's. Gilley's has been on my "must do" list for several years. Only this time they had "Bikini Mud Wrestling" this evening. So we left as we were more interested in dancing.

Went back to Harrah's Carnival Court for awhile. Then walked down to TI hoping to catch the Sirens show. We just missed the show so we played the slots and headed back to the Trop.

Rested for awhile then headed for the airport. Our plane was delayed until 2:00am. I also managed to get our seats changed so we weren't sitting over the engine again.

I fell asleep before the plane took off as I was totally exhaulsted. We got home around 10:00am.

Thoughts...

This was my first time staying @ Harrah's but I will absolutly being staying here again. I will be eating Harrah's Buffet again also. I was impressed with the Boardwalk casino. This will be on my list of places to gamble on my next trip.

My daughter didn't care too much for Vegas. She said she was bored.

My daughter in law loved Vegas and wants to go back. She says her favorite place was Harrah's Carnival Court.

[ May 05, 2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: vegashopper ]

 

Glad you enjoyed Boardwalk--that little casino is one of my personal favorites!!

 

We are a huge Prince fan too, could you tell me what time his show starts? Also Purple Reign is at Boardwalk in a lounge?

 

It sounds like you and your daughter-in-law need to spend more time together. Isn't it fun to take a Vegas virgin and watch their reactions. Glad you had a great time!

 

Fun trip! Glad to hear you had a good stay everywhere you went. I suspect some folks are more demanding of their room than others; there was a lady here previously whose only requirement was that it be "mostly clean". Hard to be disappointed that way.

Purple Reign starts about 11 pm, right? Late anyway. I thought it was very cool that the sushi place by the entrance was still open that late. PR is popular, they fill that tiny lounge.

How does someone get bored in Vegas???

 

Purple Reign starts @ 11:00 pm. in the lounge in the Boardwalk. If your a Prince fan this is a must do.

 

Hi:

Good trip report; glad yu had a good time! Is the Motown review a lounge act as well? Is there a cover? I love Motown and this was one of the things I would hve liked to check out but you know how time flies!

I also wanted to catch the Tribute to the Drifters at the Fitz but we had show tickets. Guess that's what next time is for!

Jimbo

 

Yes, they are both in the same lounge. The Motown Review starts at 8:00 followed by the Purple Reign Show. Also both are free with a purchase of a drink.