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.

Help planning a 3 night/ 4 day itinerary

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by chukli, Jan 22, 2013.

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

    chukli Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2013
    Messages:
    19
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    I am planning a 3 night first visit ever to LV in July (arrive pm, Monday, depart late afternoon Thursday, and needed some help in forming a simple itinerary to cover things we want to do.
    So staying at MGM Grand, reserved to see Ka (Day 2, 7pm). Want to also see the Titanic Exhibition, spend some time at the MGM Pool, visit the Ceasar's Palace & Forum Shops there, spend some time at the Adventuredome (will have my 11 year old with me), see the Venetian Hotel, maybe the Mandalay Bay aquarium,Stratosphere Look out,and some time at the Premium Outlet. Want to try the buffet at Planet Hollywood at least once too.
    Not sure if 3 nights is time enough, as the heat will slow us down i think, but if anyone has any idea in what order todo the above, i would appreciate the guidance. i am trying to avoid backtracking and minimize the walking around. Also, if anyone can include the method of transporation that can relieve some of the walking around in the heat, that would be helpful too, as would any ideas where to eat for quick meals.
    Thanks.
     
  2. dfalk

    dfalk VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2011
    Messages:
    2,510
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    That is definitely more than enough to do for a 3 night stay. Do the Mandalay aquarium and Titanic exhibit at the same time since they are right next to each other and just down the street from your hotel. Visit the Venetian then cab it from there to the Statosphere, I recommend going there at night. I'm sure someone else will be more helpful.
     
  3. Shane.Decker

    Shane.Decker One night...In Vegas...

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2013
    Messages:
    351
    Location:
    Kentucky
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    I wouldn't forget going down to Freemont Street one night. I always hit freemont and then on the way back stop at the stratosphere and go up, grab a drink at the airbar and enjoy the sights for a few minutes before heading back to the main part of the strip.
     
  4. feltbettor

    feltbettor Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2013
    Messages:
    73
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    If your going to be at Planet Hollywood to eat plan on finishing your meal around 8:00pm (sunset in vegas in July). Then cross the road and head north to the Bellagio fountains. I never get tired of seeing the fountains. Especially at sunset.

    One quick tip though. If it's windy that day skip Planet Hollywood/Bellagio fountains and do the aquarium and try back again the next day. I stinks when you walk all that way to find out they've been canceled.
     
  5. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    21,510
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Wow, that is a lot for a short trip, especially with an 11 year old in tow. As far as quick/cheap eats in those areas, there are some fast food options in a mini mall outside the Grand, there are all sorts of cheap eats in and around Circus Circus and the dome. As for Venetian, between it and Harrahs is a small fast food market (mcDonalds, Chipolte, etc). Have fun
     
    The plans have changed
    Post-Shopping Recovery Period
  6. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,401
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    I'll take a run at this, but obviously tough without knowing when you go to bed, wake, when you like to eat and what time you arrive on Monday. I'll assume 3pm arrival for this mini itinerary. Also may need some adjustment if you are coming from the east, as your 11 year old could be whiped out pretty early the first couple of nights.


    Monday
    3pm: arrive at McCarran, baggage claim, taxi to MGM, check-in and unpack

    4:30pm: Walk across pedestrian bridge to NYNY, then across to Excalibur. Board free tram to Mandalay Bay.

    5pm: Shark Reef Aquarium

    6:30: free tram back to luxor. Quick dinner in food court.

    7pm: Titanic exhibit

    9pm: tram to excal, walk back to MGM


    Tuesday:

    morning: breakfast at MGM. Wait for SDX (note: unfortunately this will be waiting outside .. bring water). You'll need to buy a 24 hr ticket at kiosk as SDX doesn't sell tickets on board. Take SDX to premium outlets. Shop and lunch at outlets.

    12:30: SDX to stratosphere stop. Ride to top, pictures, etc.

    1:30: Deuce to Circus circus, adventuredome

    5:00 : Deuce to Monte Carlo, walk to MGM, quick dinner, change/rest

    7pm: Ka

    Wednesday- not sure if this day plan has too much walking but trying to fit in as much as you wanted while minimizing transportation cost.

    Morning: Breakfast at MGM, go to pool, change, lunch at MGM

    12:30pm : Monorail day passes, take monorail to Harrah's/IP station. Walk to Venetian, look around. Walk back to Forum Shops, shopping, enter Caesars through forum shops

    3pmish: Walk across to Bellagio, watch fountain show

    3:30pm Walk to Bally's/Paris monorail stop, monorail back to MGM, free time

    6pm monorail back to Bally's/Paris, walk to Planet Hollywood, buffet diiner.

    7:30pm walk to paris/bally's monorail back to MGM

    Thursday:

    Pool and whatever else you want

    Links:
    SDX route

    Deuce route

    Doubt if this would all work for you as is, but tried to balance cost, timing, and exposure to heat/walking. Unless you are cabbing everywhere, the buses are your best bet to see Outlets/Strat/Circus Circus. Trams are enough for the stuff at Mandalay/Luxor. For the on strip stuff (Venetian, Caesars/PH buffet), you could walk, monorail, or bus it. Bus will be out in the sun but less walking. Monorail will be a fair bit of walking, but a lot of it air conditioned.

    You can easily knock all this off in 4 days, but it does make for a busy itinerary and not a lot of time to "freelance"
     
  7. chukli

    chukli Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2013
    Messages:
    19
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Thanks for your help

    Now i have something to work with! Appreciate your help in the planning.
     
  8. Jerseyguy

    Jerseyguy MIA

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2011
    Messages:
    2,766
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    10
    I would consider a car rental

    A decent sized one with good ac to use especially during the day when it's super hot rather than walk when it's 110.
    Maybe do some of your walking at night when its a bit cooler and the traffic is worse.
     
  9. zamboni

    zamboni VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2012
    Messages:
    2,078
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Don't be upset or disappointed if you don't get to everything you want to do. Everything in Vegas takes time, especially when lines are involved. I am going on my 6th trip next month and there are things I still haven't done that I wanted to do on my first trip, but every trip since, I have been crossing things off my list. I am getting there.
     
  10. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2004
    Messages:
    3,104
    Location:
    South Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    31
    Nevyn, you rocked that response. Do you do travel planning as recreation or professionally.

    Chukli, have a fine first trip. You won't get it "all done" in one trip. But, most of us can't do just one! My simple advice is - wear some really comfortable shoes, rest for a while in your room each afternoon, drink lots of water and definitely visit the Bellagio early one evening to see the conservatory (inside, near the lobby) and a fountain show (outside). Have fun.

    later, GVJ
     
  11. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,401
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Recreation.

    Did a lot of this planning for my last trip as i had built up a big to-do list. This one actually wasn't that hard, because you can sort of group the activities by how you get there (luxor/mandalay is obvious and free, mall/adventuredome are bus unless you want a cab ride or long walk, tons of ways to do the others).
     
  12. Backagain1

    Backagain1 High-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2012
    Messages:
    740
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
     
  13. Film-Noir

    Film-Noir High-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2011
    Messages:
    893
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    26
    Soo many Options

    Congrats Nevyn,
    I can never get that organised on a Las Vegas trip.

    My days are Freelance days, laced with roadtrips, Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Mt.Charleston, Grand Canyon, Ghost towns,
    Hoover Dam, Pat Tillman Bridge(Amazing),
    Day Trip to Death Valley & the cream of looking 100+ Miles out at the entire Valley from Dante's View
    http://www.nps.gov/deva/photosmultimedia/dantes-view.htm.

    Contrary to many, I love my rent a car & enjoy the freedom from being stuck on the strip, or forced to take a taxi & get Long hauled.

    Why I daytrip=.
    I don't feel lucky during daytime, & don't drink or gamble until the sun is down.
    (Also dont drink & drive too)

    Once it gets dark, the beautiful lights of Las Vegas glow it's time for a nice dinner, see a show between 7PM-10:30 PM, then gamble,
    till it's Sleepy time, maybe squeeze in a snack before bedtime.

    (The last few Years we couldn't shoot fireworks in Texas due to the Drought) :eek:
    Fireworks:
    One freelance planned this trip Valley of Fire, then at sunset to the Moapa Paiutes Native casino (amazing selection of Fireworks), & blow $250 on Fireworks !
    http://www.moapapaiutes.com/Default.htm

    Every day an Adventure, Every meal a Feast, Every win=Awesome!
     
  14. chukli

    chukli Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2013
    Messages:
    19
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    Great Tip-afterall i am on vacation!

    I tend to overschedule and then get so tired during vacation.Thanks for reminding me to not be on an agenda to get things ticked off the list of things i want to do. I would like to visit LV again to see things not covered and try new things! My daughter wants to just sit and relax by the pool when its really hot.
     
  15. LuckyDuckyDan

    LuckyDuckyDan High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    Messages:
    556
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Nice work!

    I tried doing trips like this, but it never works out. I always want to spend more time in one place than budgeted.. less time somewhere else and I feel like I'm off.

    These days, I just have a running list of things I want to do in Vegas. When I head out there, I refresh the list, tweak it for things that may have changed (FSE coupons no longer offered, etc.) and I just keep the list handy on my phone.

    When I'm hungry or looking for something to do, I check to see if there's anything new that rubs me right. And if not, I find an old favorite

    I always pull a few things off the list. Always seem to add a few more each trip. The list grows and shrinks, but I've never finished it on any trip.

    ... And I like it like that.
     
  16. Nevyn

    Nevyn VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2007
    Messages:
    8,401
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Agreed. I don't think any of this should be hard and fast rules of where you go or how long you stay. Just guidelines so you can think out the stuff its convenient to do on the same day (and likewise, the things that aren't convenient to do on the same day).
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.