1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Top Tips For A Vegas Virgin.

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by MikeH, Aug 9, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    As the title says, what are your top tips for a Vegas virgin?

    I'll be staying off strip at the Palace Station.

    Just after some useful tips, dos and don'ts, what to watch out for, cheap places to drink & eat and anything you think would be useful for a first timer.

    I've researched a lot around this and read multiple blogs but thought it would be good to hear what you guys and girls had to say.

    Thank you! ​
     
  2. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2015
    Messages:
    11,271
    Location:
    The Island
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    I recommend getting around to see as much as you can, Strip and Fremont St.
    The High Roller (observation wheel) is my favorite place to get a nice view.

    Expect the unexpected! You may encounter sensory overload, but that's par for the course! :D

    There are many folks out there looking to separate you from your money, but travel safe and smart and that shouldn't be a problem!
    Happiest of first times to you!

    RICHARD
     
  3. Tex

    Tex VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2017
    Messages:
    1,098
    Location:
    At a Vegas craps table
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Prepare for a sensory overload.

    ETA - Richard beat me to it. :D
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  4. AndyAkeko

    AndyAkeko Time magazine's 2006 Person of the Year

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2003
    Messages:
    601
    Location:
    Ottawa
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    *Write up a plan of what you want to see and do ... then fully expect not to do it all. Pick a couple of things that are must-dos ("My trip would be incomplete if I didn't ....") and make firm plans for those.

    *However long you think it will take you to walk from one place to another, double it.

    *Make a budget and stick to it. Nothing sucks more than spending your last day or two on vacation being broke.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  5. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    I'm most excited about Fremont street, couldn't miss that out haha.

    Yeah, all the lights and sounds, I bet it can be a bit much and will take a little while to get used to it. I don't have anything like there here in my town.

    Oh yeah, it's not easy to separate me and my money!
    Haha! Thank you.
    I've already started a list of things to do like seeing the fountains, the gardens etc. Also reasonably priced drinks and food. I love me a list!

    Oh yeah, budget is so important! I will only be taking out my daily budget and once it's gone it's gone.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  6. Breeze147

    Breeze147 Button Man

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2013
    Messages:
    11,356
    Location:
    Southern Maryland by way of Philadelphia
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Always keep your wallet in a front pocket.

    Beware of women with "Bitch" tattooed on their necks.

    Totally ignore timeshare people.

    If solo, resist the urge to get falling down drunk. I have to include getting stoned these days.

    Never leave your drink unattended.

    Don't play table games unless you understand the basic rules.
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 2
    • Love Love x 2
  7. FullPay

    FullPay When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    4,127
    Location:
    Derby City, Kentucky
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    Palace Station is an unfortunate choice due to its location. You may think that you can walk to SLS and Stratosphere but I would not recommend it. The size of the hotels make the distances seem smaller and that is not a great neighborhood. Plan on spending some transportation money, learn Uber/Lyft or start researching bus options. Hard to walk the entire Strip so plan visit around Bellagio fountains then a few properties north or south. Downtown you can easily walk from El Cortez to Main Street in twenty minutes, so plan to visit every property Downtown.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    First off, I love your profile picture, The Sopranos were amazing!

    Good tip putting my wallet in my front pocket, don't fancy someone with sticky fingers taking it.

    LOL! If a woman with "bitch" inked on her neck comes towards me I'll move the other way haha.

    Oh yeah, don't want to get legless on the strip, I'll wait until the hotel for that.

    Thank you!
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  9. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Yeah, it's not the best. I've already been looking into Uber and how exactly that works. Been looking at the bus too, considering getting the 15 day pass.
     
  10. Burnsie

    Burnsie VP Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 29, 2017
    Messages:
    1,135
    Location:
    NY State
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    As a gentleman from Wales, brace yourself for the Vegas summer heat. It's really quite amazing the first time it smacks you in the face (unless you're already an experienced desert traveler!).

    I always love it there in the summer. The blast-furnace heat and "Sin City" go together hand-in-hand. But you have to be sensible with it. Drink plenty of water and bring sunscreen. You'll need it even if you're just walking around. Prepare to duck in and out of casinos simply to cool off!
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  11. emmas

    emmas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2014
    Messages:
    1,696
    Check travelzoo and groupon for discounts on food, shows, and stuff like the High Roller.
     
    I need all the luck I can get!
    • Agree Agree x 2
  12. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Oh I know, I'm fully expecting to melt away into a puddle. Planning on drinking loads of water, even got myself some of those small squash things from Robinsons that you put into your water to flavour it, don't know if you have those in the US so thought I'd bring my own, I hate the taste of water on it's own.

    I have seen in videos those water mister things you have up and down the strip, may have to stand under a few of those.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Ohh not heard of Travelzoo, I'll check it out, thank you!
     
  14. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    29,784
    Location:
    A nice place
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    You really should start with a hotel change. Your EVERY move at Palace Station will be transiting somewhere else. Sure there's Uber and rental cars and busses, but you're starting behind the 8-ball on your first trip not being downtown or on the Strip. Integrate your stay INTO your experiences.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  15. Dutch34

    Dutch34 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    633
    Location:
    Brookfield, MO
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    Agree with Ken--switch hotels if at all possible. Either stay downtown on Fremont since that's on your list, or find a middling strip property (Linq, Flamingo) that would be in similar price range. The difference in hotel cost will be saved in time and money with transportation fees and improve your trip dramatically
     
  16. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Sadly moving hotel isn't an option. I couldn't afford to move hotels.
     
  17. todd7764

    todd7764 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2016
    Messages:
    455
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    I believe I read earlier that he cannot change hotels. I wish posters would think twice before offering unsolicited "change hotels" advice when they don't have information on why said hotel was chosen. Could bring down someone's anticipation for no good reason...

    My number one tip for new visitors is to wear comfortable shoes and to realize that there is much greater distances between hotels than it appears.
     
    • Agree Agree x 4
  18. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2003
    Messages:
    29,784
    Location:
    A nice place
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    I didn't see that:

    Can you think of a better singular piece of advice for any newbie than "stay downtown or on the Strip"? Now that that's apparently not an option:

    Do NOT overcommit. You will want to do everything, see everything. But make sure you keep ample blank spaces on your schedule for what pops up, what you might not have anticipated, and for the inevitable and fun walkabouts.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  19. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Yeah, sadly it was this hotel or no hotel and no trip. Every other property was considerably more expensive. I was lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to find the deal I did, can't replicate it again.

    Oh yes, I've gone and bought some new footwear (worn them in already!), I'm expecting to walk, a lot.
     
  20. MikeH

    MikeH Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2017
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Wales
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    That's a good bit of information! Sometimes I think we can over plan and miss things because of it. Good thinking.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.