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Complete and utter Vegas Virgins!

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself!' started by Bling, Feb 24, 2013.

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  1. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    (Take it easy on me please guys!) ... I'm Chris, from Wales in the UK and myself and the missus are heading to Vegas for a couple of days midweek at the end of March...

    I have been reading a lot on here (top site!) but - as we are not gamblers (!) and have never been - most of it goes straight over my head!

    So, ummmm, I guess we are going for the experience and I also guess it may be hard for lots of you to put yourselves in our position? But, what should we be doing for just a couple of days and nights? As I mentioned, we're just going to see 'The Meadows' in all it's glory but have no idea of anything really?!

    We're staying at the Boulder Dam Hotel on the Weds night, with a view to visiting the Dam on the Thursday, then heading in to LV for a two night stay at the Golden Nugget before heading off to LA (one night, bus tour) and San Francisco. We have a rental car for the journey.

    So I guess I'm asking for the basics of what we should/should not be doing in such a limited time frame please?

    As said, I have done some research on here (and have lots more to do!) but some pointers from you experienced VMB'ers would be very much appreciated!

    Thanks all

    Chris
     
  2. gpenguins67

    gpenguins67 High-Roller

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    wow 2 days isn't much at all for the first trip. I would probably spend the first day on the strip during the day, then go back downtown at night to see the whole fremont st experience. Then the second day go back to the strip, walk around, since you don't gamble maybe do some shopping, eat lunch or a happy hour at some nicer restaurant and spend most of the second night on the strip. That way you can really experience the strip lit up at night, bellagio fountain, mirage volcano and ti pirate show.

    maybe split up the south part of the strip during the day (loop from Mandalay Bay up to bellagio, cross the street and come back. Then on the second day do bellagio to ti, then cross over to wynn and come back.
     
  3. atom

    atom High-Roller

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    Two nights in Vegas, no gambling... No problem. :) You'll barely have time to scratch the surface.

    You are staying at the nicest property in the downtown/Fremont Street area. You'll want to check out the pool there, complete with a slide that goes through a shark tank. Plan a night on Fremont Street... Check out the overhead light/music shows (every hour from 6-12 at night). Also check out the free performances... Carl Ferris and his Sax, as well as bands/dancers/productions on the varoius stages under the canopy.

    There are some cool bars and lounges you can hit east of the canopy... Downtown Cocktail Room, Insert Coins (video game bar) Vangaurd, Commonwealth, Griffin, Mickie Finnz, Don't Tell Mama (piano bar), Parlor Lounge (in the El Cortez). Also, get a fried twinkie, and maybe a hotdog in the back of Mermaids (under the canopy). Try Chicago style pizza and microbrew beer at Chicago Brewing in the Four Queens, or East Coast style pizza at Pop Up Pizza in the Plaza. The Flame at El Cortez (with reservations) is good for a steak dinner.

    If you watch Pawn Stars, American Restoration or Counting Cars, you can visit the shops of each of these shows within a short drive from downtown.

    Other good daytime activities are the Neon Museum and the Mob Museum.

    Get a full-size, American breakfast one morning at Omelet House (on West Charleston, about a mile and a half from Downtown).

    You'll also want to see the Las Vegas strip, so plan some time there. I would park in self parking (free) at one of the Casinos (the Cosmopolitan has the coolest garage, and isn't far from center strip), then walk and see the sights (Bellagio Fountain, Mirage Volcano, etc). Mon Ami Gabi is great for a late lunch, from 3pm on you will be able to watch the Bellagio Fountain show from your table if you ask for patio seating.

    That ought to be more than enough to get you started. ;) Make sure you bring the most comfortable shoes you own. There's lots of walking to do in Vegas.
     
  4. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Wow, thanks both for the replies, great stuff and some good ideas to get our teeth into, thanks again!

    Yes, I realise 2 days is literally no time at all to spend there but hopefully it's a start for future trips!

    Atom - re. parking and driving, is it easy enough for novices? I was worried about finding parking etc on the Strip so we were thinking of using buses for our two days but it sounds simple enough to park at the Cosmopolitan?
     
  5. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Also guys, are there any massive 'no no's' that newbie's to Vegas should avoid or watch out for? To do with general day to day activites? Even driving, eating, anything?!

    Thanks
     
  6. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

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    The previous responses have given you some great ideas of things to see in Las Vegas during a short trip.
    The only massive no- no I can think of is that it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol.
    Also, you may want to rent a slightly larger, more comfortable vehicle, as it's a fair drive from LA to San Francisco - and will be even longer if you choose to drive the serenely beautiful Hwy 1.
    What/where is "The Meadows"?

    Enjoy your trip!
     
  7. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

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    Las Vegas = The Meadows in Spanish.
     
  8. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Wow, thanks Kelly, great stuff! Lol, I'm a bit too 'old' for drink driving (not that I ever did it as a youngster!) but thanks anyway! Yes, we're not sure about Highway 1, does it's beauty justify the extra travelling time? I'm guessing it's going to put a LONG time on the journey rather than heading up Interstate 5 (is it?)

    And 'The Meadows' is literally 'Las Vegas' :) ...
     
  9. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    I forgot to mention in my first post guys that we're not sure about the Grand Canyon tour whilst we're there? Do you think we'll be cramming in too much (only 2 days in LV remember), and that we should just enjoy wandering around Vegas, or should we book the trip in?
     
  10. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    I would skip the Grand Canyon... but then again, I live here & I've seen it from the plane many, many times... "YES" to taking the Pacific Coast Highway (HWY 1). It is very much worth the extra travel time.

    Driving hint for Vegas: Whenever possible, avoid Las Vegas Blvd... use Industrial when you can. It would probably be a good idea to study the street map of vegas & find alternate routes in order to avoid driving on the strip.

    One more thing: If you're flying out of SFO, then ignore this suggestion. IF you're returning home from Las Vegas, I'd like to suggest driving back from San Francisco, via Sacramento, Lake Tahoe and Reno. That is a beautiful drive, especially east of Sacramento.
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  11. reen1962

    reen1962 Low-Roller

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    Welcome to the board!!! You asked for any massive no-nos - make sure that you DO NOT try to cross the strip without a crosswalk or overhead crossover. You could get killed!!! On that fine note, have a great trip!!!
     
    It's Been Too Long 'Ol Friend! :-)
  12. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Two options.

    Cabs will run ~$25-$40 depending on where you are heading from downtown. Probably the quickest option if time matters.

    Parking - I've heard Palazzo has decent parking as well. Cosmo I'm sure would work too.




    It involves a lot of walking, but this would be my suggestion for Thursday.

    Park at either Cosmo and Palazza. Then walk the strip from Wynn down to Cosmo. This hits most of the main items to me. If you had time on Wednesday night, you could always head down to Mandalay Bay/MGM/NYNY area.


    The only thing I think is a must is you should be on the strip one of the evenings just to see the strip at night. I'd also suggest the Belagio fountains at night. I'm sure I could list off 10 other things, but that is the top of my list.




    On Grand Canyon, I would also say no, but it isn't an awful choice. If you don't get to the US that often, I'm not sure if I could say which would be a better experience. You will give up an entire day going to the Canyon though. A lot of this depends on what you like to do as well. Seeing the nature of the Grand Canyon is clearly different than Las Vegas.

    If you wanted a little nature, you could drive through Red Rocks on Wednesday after the Dam. There is a scenic drive that will take ~30 minutes or so. Another option would be in San Fransisco if you had the time, I've heard the red wood forest is amazing.
     
  13. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    That's great info, thanks very much for that, it is appreciated! And yes, we are flying home out of SFO unfortunately... Hmmmmm, I'll look into that drive though perhaps to get to SF?

    Thanks again

    Chris
     
  14. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Oops lol, just realised that would be a no goer because of Highway 1! It's been a long day!
     
  15. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Lol, thank you, and yes - I guess that's exactly the kind of tips we need (I.e. things that you regulars take for granted and never give a thought to!)
     
  16. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Hi, and thanks for taking the time to help! I must admit, I'm leaning towards a 'no'' to the Grand Canyon - it seems to be cramming too much in, rather than just relaxing and 'taking in' Vegas? Yes, we've looked into Red Rock Canyon too, so that may be a more fruitful use of an afternoon... And thanks for the Redwood tip!

    Chris
     
  17. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    I agree with the way you are leaning. I assume you flew into Las Vegas to see Las Vegas. So might as well do that. :) The canyon will be there next trip.
     
  18. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Yes, good shout to be fair... How about any safety tips please? Anything we should keep our eyes open for in particular as newbies to the Strip? Any particular scams out there? Or is it just the old simple 'be aware' at all times mantra?

    Thanks

    Chris
     
  19. numeno

    numeno VIP Whale

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    Main suggestion is just go where people are walking. This is basically anywhere on the strip between Wynn/Excalibur and anywhere on Freemont. This isn't anything special though. I wouldn't walk down a dark alley in London or any other big city either. Vegas has crime, but no more than other cities of it's size.





    You may get asked "Are you in town tonight?" It is either one of 2 things. They want to sell you show tickets, or they want to talk to you about a timeshare. I have a hard time calling any of them a scam though. They are trying to sell you something legitimate and annoying you at the same time. :) My general rule of thumb is just to walk by people.
     
  20. Bling

    Bling Tourist

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    Great stuff, thanks again :)
     
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