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What do you wish you knew before your first time....Vegas Virgin here

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by springlakecake, Nov 3, 2014.

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  1. springlakecake

    springlakecake Tourist

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    What do you wish you knew before your first time (To Vegas that is!) Heading to Vegas for the first time in December to celebrate my 15 year anniversary! I have already learned so much from this message board that I thought maybe some of you would have advice that I hadn't thought of. Transportation, What to see or not to see, restaurants, nightlife, things to avoid, things to pack...anything! I'll be staying at the Bellagio for 4 nights with my darling husband and want to make the most of our trip without making too many mistakes! Thanks in advance!
     
  2. VegasBaby!

    VegasBaby! Low-Roller

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    Just because you can see the hotel/casino from your current location, DO NOT be fooled into thinking that it's close enough to walk to. While we enjoy walking the strip to get to and fro, be cautious about the actual distance between places. We use the tram between the Monte Carlo and Bellagio often. Highly recommend it. It also makes stops at City Center.

    If you enjoy a good Margarita, La Salsa's original is pretty darn good. For a good steak, we enjoy Gallaghers at NYNY or Smith & Wollensky's on the strip. We have went to some buffets but it's just too much food. Puts me into a food coma and then I don't enjoy my trip as much. Just my two cents. Definitely go to Jean Philippe Patisserie for a scrumptious pastry. There is one in the Bellagio and also Aria.

    Skip Pawn Stars, if you were considering. It's VERY small in there and VERY mediocre as far as a novelty place to go. Again, just my two cents.

    If you play poker, the Monte Carlo has a comfortable room with nice people. Usually 3 daily tournaments.

    Have a great time!!! We'll be out there in January for our 20th anniversary. It's our FAVORITE place in the world!
     
  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Plan 1/4 the things you think you can fit into a day.

    And expect to accomplish half of those.
     
  4. BlacklabberMike

    BlacklabberMike MIA

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    don't wear new shoes walking the strip... i got a blister the first day
     
  5. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

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    THIS it def this biggest thing I tell people before they go.

    The buildings are sooo big, they look really close...but they are not!


    Another thing I tell people, is DO NOT buy club passed from the guys with the folders, they will give them to you and then say "I work for tips...you think you could toss a few bucks my way" then you give them a $20 and they are like "Bro, I just gave you like 15 club passes...do me right" then you give them more...only to realize that after the sun goes down there are promotors passing out passes for FREE and not expecting tips at every entrance to all of the casinos...

    Also, pace yourself on the booze...its easy to go overboard the first night because it free...then you hate the next day and cant enjoy it as much.

    And if you are going to go hard on the juice, pedialyte is the best hangover cure ever, drink a bottle before bed and you will awake feeling great!
     
  6. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    For our first three trips to Las Vegas we always had big lists of all the stuff we planned to see and do... and not once did it pan out. Each trip there is always so much more to see and do and even just wandering around some of the mega resorts can be very time consuming that we hardly got anything done off our lists. If you think you might be back then don't worry about seeing everything on one trip.

    If you are going to gamble and might be coming back to Las Vegas be sure to sign up for players cards - we did a fair bit of gambling on our first trip, but didn't know if we would ever go back so we skipped signing up for cards.

    If you are staying at Bellagio there aren't that many cheap places to eat there. If you have any budget concerns you should find out where are some more affordable dining options nearby - easier to find this now ahead of time than when you are there and are hungry and want something for dinner.

    If you are gambling on the casino floor drinks are free from the cocktail waitress. You have to be gambling at the bar to get free drinks from the bar. If you don't know what you want just ask, they are there to help.
     
  7. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Two things: lip balm and sunglasses. Both are a must no matter the time of year. Otherwise, its hard to give specific suggestions without knowing your interests or where you are staying
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  8. Mario's Backroom

    Mario's Backroom Low-Roller

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    Congrats, fellow Michigander....you're in for quite a trip! Two pieces of itinerary advice
    1. Focus on 1 thing you want to do a day. Remember, you're on vacation. Think of Disney World, you don't need to go to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios all in one day....same here....which leads to
    2. Break your trip into pieces. Go Downtown for an evening. Got tickets to MJ One? then plan on "doing" the South Strip that evening. Bellagio is a great place to launch from.
    The best part is if you can't get to everything (and you won't) you'll have to go back!
    Enjoy your trip! :beer:
     
  9. pressitagain

    pressitagain VIP Whale

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    Good luck on your visit!!

    Being a first timer, is overwhelming. As others have said. Everything appears close but isn't. The hotels are huge.

    Your first priority is arriving to the hotel. Either the shuttle or cab. I can't comment on which route the shuttle goes but keep it as an option. The cab will probably run you $50+ tip both ways.

    Get to the hotel and ask the checkin, if there are any complimentary upgrades available. It never hurts to ask.

    Get settled into the room and go get a players card from the mlife desk (located in the casino). Once that is done, charge everything back to your room. If you gamble at all...prior to checking out, visit the mlife desk and ask if you are entitled to any type of discounts. Many people overlook this aspect. 5 bucks is better than no bucks!!!

    My personal stance on buffets, is that I would rather pay $10 to $20 bucks more for a full serve quality restaurant than to eat at a buffet. Vegas has too many food options and for varying budgets. It's all a long walk away to any of them.

    Bring walking shoes. Self explanatory.

    There is plenty to see. There is plenty that you don't have to see. Plan 3 or 4 things (total). Revise them based on the boards opinions. One persons opinion might save you the pain (of wasting your time).

    Regardless, of how long your stay is or how many times that you have been....the trip goes by, too fast.

    Enjoy!!!
     
  10. matguy

    matguy High-Roller

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    Prostitution is not actually legal in or around Vegas.

    (Mostly a joke mentioning it, but it is true.)
     
  11. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    If you want to play a game but feel a bit intimated don't be.
    Give it a try.
     
  12. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    1.) don't wear "cute shoes". Fuck that, wear shoes that are built for running a marathon. (unless you like to spend copious amounts of money on cabs, just to impress no one that cares.)
    2.) avoid signing up for or playing on a card unless you're seriously going to gamble (if you only plan to play here and there, or not at all, don't screw up your casino worth, or waste a new sign-up promotion opportunity)
    3.) Come with a big pocket and high credit card limits. (for on-hand money, and hotel deposits)
     
  13. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    I wish I'd learned VP sooner so I could have scored more free drinks.

    I wish I'd taken advantage of the pools when I stayed at Bellagio.

    I wish I'd discovered the Aria spa sooner.

    You will wear 1/4 of what you pack and will never dress up 1/2 as much as you think you will.

    I always completely lose my appetite (for food, not gambling or drinking) and end up not going to but one or two of the restaurants I'd planned to. Maybe it's the adrenaline or maybe it's all the free beer.

    If you are hungover, a banana and a red bull is a perfect breakfast.

    Don't pay any attention to time unless you have an event to attend. This is probably actually bad advice because that's how you unintentionally see the sun rise from your room as you're closing the blackout curtains.
     
  14. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    To answer your thread question, I wish I had discovered this message board. I was into my 4th trip before I discovered the wealth of information from the members of this board.

    On my first trip, everything was exciting and fun, everything! (Yes, even Circus Circus...) Then as you go on consequent trips you start liking things more than others, and eventually you develop your own core of things you like to do.

    And everyone is different!
     
  15. 1LuckyMomma

    1LuckyMomma High-Roller

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    I think we've all done this at least once! I've actually done it several times and then had to go to a convention after 2-3 hours of sleep!.:eek:
     
  16. springlakecake

    springlakecake Tourist

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    Wow, such great info for a first timer! thank you!

    I was anxious to plan and book tickets, but I think your are all right. I shouldn't plan too much. i don't want to pre-pay for a bunch of tickets in case I end up wanting to do something else. I'm not a big gambler or drinker, but it IS Vegas, right? My husband and I haven't been away from the kids for any length of time for 6 years! I want to make the most of it! So where are you all scoring all the free alcohol? In the casinos? What does VP mean?
     
  17. springlakecake

    springlakecake Tourist

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    I definitely won't be needing one!
     
  18. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    1) Make use of cabs to get around town and from the airport. The money you save trying to hit the bus will not make up for the time you lost. Think about your airfare and hotel cost and then realize how much you are actually spending per waking hour just to be there. Time flies in Vegas, don't waste it.

    2) Don't over plan. Shows are great but if you plan one every night, it may feel like you left no time for anything else.

    3) Downtown is worth checking out at least once. You will love it or gate it but it's worth knowing. A good place to start a night out downtown is at Oscar's for dinner.

    4) Nobody who approaches you on the strip is your friend. They are ALWAYS trying to sell you something and you don't owe them any courtesy. Just keep walking.
     
  19. raraavis

    raraavis VIP Whale

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    i love hearing from fellow michiganders! i responded to another one of your posts already, and i hope you have an amazing first visit to vegas!

    -if you do wear fancy shoes, just pack some foldable ballet shoes or flip flops (yes even in december) for the walk to and from your destination.

    -carry water with you. luckily, you are going in december. when i go in the late spring and summer, i get dehydrated so quickly that water is a must. they don't have drinking fountains anywhere. december and january also require me to have water with me at all times, just not as much.

    -weather shouldn't be an issue for you since you're from michigan, but you may want a light jacket to wear when outside. the casinos and hotels will be warm though.

    -as everyone said, distances are deceiving. for me, it was trying to navigate the street crossing locations with the hotel you're going to, or just weaving through the hotels.

    while i agree with most of what was said, i personally have to disagree with the planning aspect of it. i've always uber planned my vegas trips and always have done everything on my itinerary. that being said, i am probably an anomaly. you have to be a very organized and detail-oriented person to pull this off, and more importantly you have to enjoy being that scheduled. so if you are like that, then planning an itinerary and sticking to it will make your trip that much more enjoyable. if you despise schedules and structure, then yes, plan less and wander more. now this may sound contradictory, but i completely agree about not paying attention to the time (unless you have a timed event of course). how can i say not to pay attention to time right after telling you that scheduling your trip is important?? i only paid attention to time by knowing what day it is. but during the day, i just let it flow. my trips are also always at least 7 days, so that makes it much easier to see everything on my list.
     
  20. gradytripp

    gradytripp High-Roller

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    Another Michigander reporting in. My first trip to Vegas was a few years ago. It was also my first time in a casino, ever. And I stayed at Bellagio. I swear an angel choir started singing when I walked in that place, and I was immediately hooked on LV!

    Bellagio is an amazing hotel. It's still my Vegas "Mecca" and I must visit it every trip. Prepare for it to be busy all the time, however--lobby, conservatory, casino, etc. But just take a moment to step off to the side and soak it all in. Also, you must tell them at the front desk that it's your first time in Vegas--see if you can score an upgrade.

    Since I had never been in a casino before, I didn't realize how much I would enjoy that side of the city, and I only brought $100 per day for gaming. So I wish I had brought more--and I now do! However much you bring for a bankroll (or just for your budget in general), I like to divide the total up by the number of days, then adjust it slightly so that each day the budget/bankroll is a bit larger. This way you can feel like you are "high rolling" on your last day. So my upcoming trip, the total budget (for everything) is $2600. I'll probably divide that $400-$650-$750-$800. (We don't get in until 8 pm that first night.)

    Otherwise, there's lots of good advice for you in this thread. Sometimes contradictory, of course, because we all "do" LV in a different way. Have fun!
     
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