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Bellagio & Bryce Canyon from 8/26-8/30 Semi-Live

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by VegasSchemer, Aug 23, 2016.

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  1. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    It happened again....

    I plotted out a fun outdoorsy trip going all over Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio and once I added up all the costs, I realized I could do Vegas for much less....so I'm heading back.

    One thing I love about Vegas is it's proximity to many cool national parks. So here is the game plan:

    1. Gamble Friday morning until my friend gets off work for the day. Then drive out with him to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. Place looks pretty impressive on google. :)

    2. Return from the park on Sunday morning and meet my next friend who is a Vegas virgin. He wants someone who knows the town well to show him around. We're gonna hit as many casinos as we can with the LVA and ACG coupon books to get him a sweet little profit.

    The goal here is to visit 21 casinos for gaming or sight-seeing. He came to Vegas once pre-21, so he's already walked around Caesars and Venetian. Those types of time killers are out.

    Because I know live reports are tough, I'll throw up a check list of stuff to do and report back on our success.

    Step 1: Check in at Bellagio and try to get a free upgrade. Staying there Sunday and Monday,so I'm hopeful I can get a fountain view in the main tower. Right now I just have the basic room.

    Step 2: Meet up at Ellis Island. Always a great budget move. As a new member with LVA coupons, we've got a lot of freeplay, beer and grub to get through. That's probably the dinner stop. If we don't do that, he wants to walk over to the Rio for the seafood buffet. haha I think a cab will work. Can't wait for him to learn that a "block" in Vegas is really damn far.

    Step 3: Stroll down the strip picking up those win cards promo chips (and a few other deals): Mandalay, Luxor, NYNY, Tropicana, Hooters and eventually...Circus Circus.

    Step 4: Take in the strip views at night. I've got several of those platinum letters lying around, so we'll probably take in the aquarium and maybe the rollercoaster as we hop around.

    Step 5: Hit downtown! Breakfast at Dupar's Diner at the Golden Gate and then hopping into most of the other properties for some hit and run freeplaying. Either Main Street Station or Golden Nugget lunch buffet. (Advice please!)

    Step 6: Return to the strip for Murray the Celebrity Magician. My friend wants to see a magic show. The bigger guys cost money. Since I'm not a huge magic fan, Murray for free sounds better to me.

    Step 7: Bellagio Dinner Buffet! Then take in the sights!

    Step 8: Aria breakfast buffet and then a spa. Either Flamingo, Monte Carlo or Bellagio. We'll see!

    I'll do my best to update at each step. The real play for me will come Friday obviously. There's plenty of dudes on this trip, so hopefully Lady Luck will join me that day.
     
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  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Have fun. Post some canyon pics! Would love to see them
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  3. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Bryce Canyon is beautiful! Be sure to hike into the hoodoos if you can. They are almost more impressive from the bottom looking up. I did a wonderful hike there years ago and when I came back up to the top, it was snowing. It was totally surreal to come out to a winter wonderland, in April. ;) I don't remember the name of the trail, but there's a short one on the north end of the park that goes down into them without requiring 8 miles and 1500' back up to the rim. I'm sure it will be in the guide, or the rangers can tell you where it is.

    Are you driving through Zion? It's worth it if you've got the time.
     
  4. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Awesome plan!
    Best wishes and I can't wait to hear how it's going/how it went...
    Thanks!

    RICHARD
     
  5. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the tip. I don't think I will go through Zion but I have hiked there before. Amazing views.
     
  6. Candydave

    Candydave mid-roller

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    Agree with Sonya about Bryce being beautiful and the hike down is totally worth it. Hope you have a great trip.
     
  7. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    The winning begins! My airport has iPads at the gate area where you can play blackjack and earn free gifts. I scored a water bottle, candy, banana and bag of pretzels. They comp better than any casino! $0 invested and a free breakfastish meal!

    I'm gonna take it as a good sign for the trip! Wish me luck!
     

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  8. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Taking off for the last leg of the trip from the east coast to Vegas. I listen to this song during takeoff of all Vegas bound flights. Anyone have traditions?
     

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  9. bearnana

    bearnana Tourist

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    Good luck in Vegas! Bryce Canyon is amazing. Beautiful views.
     
  10. Imperial_Palace_King

    Imperial_Palace_King High-Roller

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    Is that MSP with the iPads? I remember seeing them there, but can't recall where else.
     
  11. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Got killed at blackjack today. Down $1,500 playing $50-$100 hands for just about an hour. Came back with $120 on video poker but it's a deep hole, so we'll see. Checking out a place called Hushpuppies- a Southern joint- with a buddy who is a local. Should be a good one: fried green tomatoes, ribs, catfish and collards.
     
  12. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    It's DCA (Washington).
     
  13. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Yeah when I saw that pic I thought MSP too. They allow you to gamble on them at that airport apparently.

    Better luck the rest of the way VegasSchemer!
     
  14. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Hiked through the main part of the canyon (hoodoos) and spent the night at a cabin nearby. Bryce has amazing views and land sculptures. Really just stunning. Words and the pictures below hardly do it justice. Soon, I drive back to the Strip, check in at Bellagio and wait for my buddy for the next leg of the trip.
     
  15. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Bryce photos!
     

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  16. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    I failed to report on Hushpuppy. It's a surprisingly good spot. The catfish was juicy, fried tomatoes came with a good sauce and their honey butter hit the spot (for th hush puppies). It's a ways off the strip though, so it's only a good option for those who rent a car.
     
  17. emmas

    emmas VIP Whale

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    Sounds like an excellent start to the trip except for the loss on blackjack. Hope the gambling improves and that you continue to have a good time. Good luck.
     
    I need all the luck I can get!
  18. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    Now I'm trying to figure out a way to extend my trip so I can swing through Bryce and Zion on the way home. Probably won't be able to make it happen this trip as I'm already on the road for 2 weeks, but it's fun trying. ;)
     
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  19. NY lady- MidWest Cowboy

    NY lady- MidWest Cowboy Low-Roller

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    Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing with us.
     
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  20. VegasSchemer

    VegasSchemer VIP Whale

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    Scored a free upgrade to a junior corner suite facing Rio on one side and Caesars on the other. Since these two nights came from myvegas, I'm very pleased. I saw the hotel had 98% occupancy on the desk agent's clipboard today, so I'm surprised to get anything. Also saw on that sheet that they have a monthly sales goal for upgrades. I asked a free upgrade, so said $150/night for the basic suite was available. I said I'd take whatever free upgrade she could do and understood if that wasn't possible. Also saw on the form that agents weren't allowed to give out suites on their own today, so I guess the "going and asking" thing is real at times (most times? Idk). Anyway, she came back with the free junior corner suite for two nights. I'm very happy. Let's see how the rest of the trip goes.
     
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