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Vegas for the non-gambler

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Snowbelle3, Feb 10, 2014.

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  1. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    What do you do there? What is the biggest draw to Vegas for you?
     
  2. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    I don't gamble and I go to Las Vegas every month. There's so much to do in this vibrant and dynamic city besides gamble.

    There are thousands of indoor and outdoor opportunities in Las Vegas. Maybe if you told us your interests we could find you things to do that you would enjoy besides gambling.

    Bill
     
  3. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

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    I enjoy hearing from the non-gambler because they give me ideas. I also desire to one day pretty much be a non-gambler but still head out to Vegas. I am enjoying playing for now but it's looking like a downward trend. I personally enjoy plays, nightlife, cheap eats, pools and museums/attractions though I am interested in new things too that other people are into that I am not aware of. Or different ways they do the same things I do.
     
  4. Busyman

    Busyman VIP Whale

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    Bars, clubs, pools, strip walking, shows, Red Rock Canyon, good eats, drinking on the street, bright lights, atmosphere and all of that with friends.

    Plus....I gamble a tad anyway....
     
  5. theshaah

    theshaah High-Roller

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    I have been mostly a non gambler for the last few years. I'm probably about even gambling wise after a 200 dollar win on sigma derby. Maybe a few dollars ahead or a few dollars behind. Mostly ahead thanks to coupons and things which I have been using less and less of. I will be working out of LAS in March. I may be moving there soon as well. I may have to stop all gambling activity in order to avoid being a degenerate gambler. Maybe put aside 20 dollars a month to play sigma derby or something. But other than that.....done with Vegas and their resort fees and their games that are totally slanted twoards the house and were to begin with but they couldn't stop there they had to up the odds in their favor.
     
  6. LolaDoggie

    LolaDoggie VIP Whale

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    I treat it like a resort vacation. I have a phobia of ships so cruises aren't happening. I don't like the beach but I love a quiet, clean pool. We live in the Great Lakes Basin so it's freaking humid here. I love the dryness and the fact that my allergies leave me alone in Vegas. I actually enjoy the outdoors in Vegas. I/We do Vegas like our friends/family/co-workers do beach/resort vacations or cruises.
     
  7. jackincols

    jackincols Guest

    This proves to me that Vegas is truly a city for everyone and every taste. I simply can't fathom going to Vegas and not gambling, let alone go every month.
     
  8. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Agreed! It'd be any other big city with all of these things only done BETTER!!!
     
  9. runningonthehub

    runningonthehub VIP Whale

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    I am not a gambler, but I enjoy the vibe and excitement that Vegas provides.
    I enjoy the many food options, I enjoy people watching.
    The biggest draw is the simple fact that Las Vegas is Las Vegas. There is no other city like it. I have plenty of gambling options within 30 minutes of where I live. But, none are like Las Vegas.
    You do not have to gamble in Las Vegas to have a good time. Vegas is unique.
     
  10. stackinchips

    stackinchips VIP Whale

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    I've always said if you've been to Vegas and didn't have a good time, you weren't doing it right. I understand that not everyone becomes a Vegas regular, but people who go once and say they'll never go back, I can't comprehend. My BIL is that way. He's been a couple times with our family groups (everyone else loves Vegas). He's not a big gambler, but I asked him what he would prefer to do on vacation. His response was he likes to go someplace warm that has a really nice pool to lounge around. I simply told him, instead of staying at Harrah's, he should just go stay at Mirage or Mandalay Bay and he could lounge all he wants around some of the best pools in the country.

    Our family also tends to gamble quite a bit, and rather than go find something else to do (shop, go to a show, shoot guns, race cars, or any of the other 100s of things to do in Vegas) he just has some drinks while standing around watching others gamble.

    I can certainly understand that wouldn't be much fun for anyone, but then do something else!! There is literally something for everyone in Vegas. Like to Shop? Plenty of that. Gamble? Obviously. Golf? Lots of options. Some of the best shows and restaurants in the world. Like to be outdoors? Take a trip to Hoover Dam or go hike in Red Rocks. Go shoot guns, race dune buggies, race sports cars, take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, run heavy equipment. The possibilities are endless. Like I said if you went to Vegas and didn't have a good time, you simply didn't choose the right things.
     
  11. Wolfman619

    Wolfman619 Low-Roller

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    my first ten trips or so to vegas I barely gambled. I still don't gamble as much as I "should" with as often as I go. The main attraction for me is the atmosphere and the people watching. I never tire of seeing/ being around people who are all in one place for one reason: to cut loose and have a good time.

    Oh yeah, I like to drink too.
     
  12. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    There is truth in all that has already been said. My brother and his wife retired and did extensive traveling. They have seen China, Russia, Eastern Europe, Spain/Portugal, Scotland/British Isles/England and so many more, and many several times. I don't care for traveling much, tours, schedules, dressing up, etc. Like many my trip to LV was a one time event. I signed up for a trade show, hadn't taken a vacation for 6 or 7 years and had never been to LV.
    As a college student I had traveled to Europe, and living in CT, I had been to all of the New England states as well as visiting my brothers in Maryland, texas sand neighboring states.

    I now call NH home moved from a metropolis of 16,000 people to a town of 3,000. LV offers me a break form the snow and ice in February, a chance to do lots of people watching, and for those not into traveling for the sake of traveling, you can enjoy the familiarity of the city that seems to change every year. It is easy to navigate, either on foot, shuttles, car or bus. Transportation via bus is CHEAP, and if you get sick of what the city offers there are trips from there to break the routine.....red rock, death valley, ghost towns, mountains, desert sports, etc. The city offers opportunity in the arts, theater, lounge acts and headliners, exhibits as well as museums, parks, street entertainment, races, University games and exhibits, and every kind of ethnic food and buffets as well as the gambling and shopping.

    The interesting part is that it is so easy to get to, so inexpensive to stay at and cheap to eat compared to what one would pay elsewhere. It cost me $258 roundtrip this year to fly out and back, just about the same as I have paid for the last 3 or 4 years. Last year my hotel was $252 for 8 nights, $278 this year for 7 of my 8 nights (bummer). I can choose any kind of food but I am a big steak eater. The dinners in LV are pretty close to the cost of the piece of meat in the supermarket here. I still attend the trade show, like to see a couple of shows, try new restaurants, check out new acts, new buildings, new attractions, just relax with no appointment book. I get up when I wake, sleep when I am tired, eat when I get hungry and head out when I feel like it, and this time of year.......get away from the damn ice and show! I gamble sometimes when I feel like doing something different, sometimes drink esp if it's free, and in the case of the trade show, meet friends who I only see once a year.

    Now that I am somewhat retired, I am considering a 2nd yearly trip perhaps in Sept or Oct then I won't have to wait as long for my fun trip to LV! It sure is hard to see everything or get bored in LV!

    Jimbo338
     
  13. kps

    kps High-Roller

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    Pretty much a low stakes to non gambler. Things we do:

    Clubs and pools always which explains why spring/summer are our preferences. Grab a drink at a bar or Pub in different hotels. A must for wife and her gf's is Thursday night at Toby Keith's.

    The rides on top of the Stratosphere are a blast. Night time up there is great for pics. Neon Meuseum was fun for me. Did a full day trip to the Grand Canyon. Wife loves the miracle mile and doing a gondola ride. In fact she loves to go to as many non chain shops as she can on the properties. We always go to Bellagio to see what they have as their displays. Two of my musts every trip is Bauman Book Store in the Venetian and Field of Dreams at Caesars. The amount of first editions, etc is outstanding dating back to the late 1700's at Bauman and I am a huge sports junkie/collector. Hard Rock Hotel/Casino to just walk around and see the memorabilia.

    Definitely 1 night on Fremont Street. Wife and gf's loved the zip line when it was open. Personally enjoyed the cheap drinking down there which lead to a crazy night at Gold Diggers in the Golden Nugget. Some nice lounges down there we have checked out.

    We try to grab a show every trip. Saw Phantom, Chelsea Handler, a kinda cirque water show in Venetian.

    There's a ton to do for the non gambler and as you know, with some research you can find something for everyone.
     
  14. UTE

    UTE Plastics

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    Some great responses so far.

    I'll add checking out Fremont Street East for those who've not yet done so. Some of us were just discussing that revitalized area of Downtown in another thread. It's worth seeing.

    Bill
     
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