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Trip Report... March 1 - march 6. Ballys/NYNY

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by jawdad, Mar 7, 2013.

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  1. jawdad

    jawdad Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    Messages:
    70
    Location:
    North Dakota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30

    My Trip Report

    Quick trip report below...I'll post highlights and some details on places we went. 9th trip for me to Vegas...4th for my son...and 7th for my girlfriend. I flew in from Fargo on Friday...son drove over from LA and stayed until sunday...girlfriend flew in Sunday.

    FLIGHTS: Allegiant. All good..not only on time...but all flights were early. I've had hit/miss experience with Allegiant in past...so was nice to,have zero problems with travel.

    HOTELS: first 2 nights at Bally's, next 3 nights at NYNY. This was my first time at Bally's and I will stay there again. Got the upgrade to the north tower....and the room was big, clean, felt new....and was very impressive. Location can't be beat...and between Bally's and the attached Paris, there is a ton of everything right there. Drink service in casion was good. Overall i was impressed by Bally's. The 3 nights my girlfriend joined me we stayed at NYNY...which is my favorite casino (love VP and people watching at Center Bar). Had a great room (comped) on 16th floor...and it had a nice strip view and the giant NYNY sign right out the window -just loved to wake up to that for some reason.). Great stay at NYNY overall...still my fav!

    BARS: My girlfriend and I both love to walk the strip and bar hop all day. Couple of suggestion:

    Mix Lounge on top of Mandalay Bay at sunset is incredible! We had one of those lifetime moments here...just so romantic and amazing view...will never forget it! Had some wonderful mojitos...some specialty drink from menu.

    Center Bar at NYNY...if you like people watching this is the place. Love to sit and play VP here for hours. Something always happens here too...last time i was there some british woman took off her shirt (bra on) and yelled at everyone until she was kicked out. This time a woman approached me and wanted me to guess if her boobs were real or fake! Yikes! Of course I said real...I'm not stupid! I thought maybe she was a working girl....but she walked away and some guy was waiting for her.

    Bar Vdara- quiet but wonderful. Sit outside on the swing...get the Black Dragon..its amazing.

    Peppermill Lounge - always worth a stop. Coolest looking place...and we had Blue Hawaiians...delish.

    Air Bar 108 at Stratosphere - nothing special about bar...but of course the view!

    Rhumbar at Mirage - great specialty drinks...fun bar.

    Toby Keith's at Harrah's - Find Jay the bartender...hilarious. Great live bands most nights too. Always fun here.

    Holsteins at Cosmo - alcoholic milkshakes...just try it! Get the Cereal Bowl!

    Chandalier Bar at Cosmo - had our last drink of trip here....very cool bar and a nice place to reflect on the trip.

    The Bourbon Room at Venetian. 80's themed bar we hung out at before Rock Of Ages. Drank Bartles & James wine coolers and listened to 80s music...gnarly!

    Carnival Court at Harrah's - its open again and as fun as always. Best bartenders in Vegas. I love going here in the afternoon when they have live bands.

    I read the above and I now know why my liver is trembling still today.

    SHOWS:

    Penn & Teller...my son wanted to see this one. Was decent...but very under-whelming. Thought is would be much better. Kinda slow overall and not very funny. Glad we went...but would not tell anyone else to go if asked.

    Beatles LOVE: As i've been telling everyone..."if you go to Vegas and don't see this show, youre stupid"! Mind blowing. This was my 3rd time...girlfriends first time....and we haven't stopped talking about it (or playing the soundtrack) since. Just the best! Got cheap tickets thru their winter promotion...paid $69 and sat about 10th row...great seats. Ive seen from front row...and upper lever...these seats mid theatre were the best.

    Rock of Ages - if you love 80's music...this is the show for you. Great theatre...great performers and the best music! We loved it! We're both children of the 80s and I'm sure thats why. But very fun show. Cheap tickets $79 thru travelzoo...and we were front row of second section...great!

    Red Rock Canyon...I know it's not a show...but my son and Imdrove out there and enjoyed it. Great scenery. Would love to spend a day put there hiking...worth the drive.

    FOOD:

    In N Out: stopped here on way to Red Rock Canyon. My son lives in LA..so nothing new for him...but he did know how to order off the "secret menu". Great burger and fries....was very glad we stopped for lunch.

    Grand Luxe at Venetian: Stopped at about 10pm on Friday and there was no wait. Good food...had the caramel chicken as the waiter suggested and it was very good. Both were happy with food and price is decent too.

    Carnival Seafood Buffet at Rio: hit this place before Penn & Teller. Same as always....good, not great. But huge selection and we arrived very hungry...so we got our moneys worth!

    Mon Ami Gabi: Breakfast with GF one morning. Great quiche...great lemon skinny pancakes. Mimosas and great food....the right way to start day.

    Raffles Cafe at Mandalay Bay: good breakfast....spinach omelette for her eggs benedict for me. Hit the spot!

    Other than those...we sort of failed at dining. The last 3 nights we planned to have a nice meal...but always ran out of time before show...and ended up hitting the NY pizzeria at NYNY late late each night. Great pizza btw!! Always go here at least once...but didn't plan on 3 times.

    One last post...

    TRANSPORTAION: Got tunneled upon arrival. Other than that....all cabs were great. Funny story...late Monday night after LOVE and numerous bars after...actually well in to Tuesday at this point. Walked out the wrong door for a cab at one hotel....just as we figured this out...a limo pulls up and driver asks where we are going...we say NYNY...he says $20 get in! Ok!! Now keep in mind my GF is a stunning woman...and was dressed beautiful in a black dress...we were on top of the world after a great night in Vegas ending up in a limo!! Driver I'm guessing enjoyed the show...as he was just laughing and shaking his head when he let us out. He got a nice tip.. Just another great Vegas memory!!

    GAMBLING : Didn't do as much as normal. Stuck to VP and came close to even overall. Was so busy seeing shows and having fun that I really didn't miss it...and I love to gamble. Best machines this trip were at Aria....Bally's bartop ate the most of my money. But nice bounce back last couple of days.

    OVERALL: everything was great. Enjoyed a couple of days catching up with my son....and 3 unforgettable days/nights with my girlfriend! Perfect trip! Already planning the return! If you have half as much fun as I had on your trip...you'll have an absolute great time! For me...this was the best trip ever! We just loved every minute and appreciated the time together and all the amazement that is Las Vegas!
     
  2. sceej

    sceej Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2012
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    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Well, you keep moving, I'll say that! And when you're walking you're not spending, I say!

    Great report ... got me jonesing to go back and hit everyone of those places.

    Red Rock Canyon really is a show of sorts and so close ... amazing people don't get out there!

    Can you tell me about Mix because that sunset sounds great? Was there a line? dress code or jeans ok? cover charge? I am an old bastard and just cant (wont) deal with lines and some steroid monkey looking down on me deciding if I am (Fill in name of club) worthy.
     
  3. sabrina

    sabrina Low roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    I'm glad to hear your review on Beatles Love, we're going to see it in 8 days!!
    thanks for reporting-enjoyed it.
     
    Seinfield
  4. LaRae

    LaRae Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2010
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    Location:
    Twin Cities/Western Wisconsin
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    Great report on a fun trip!
     
  5. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    WOW... full Vegas trip... great job!!! Thanks for sharin'
     
  6. jawdad

    jawdad Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    Messages:
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    Location:
    North Dakota
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    The question regarding Mix Lounge. We went up there around 5:30 on a Sunday night...no line...no cover...maybe 40 people up there in all. Stayed until around 8...was not crowded. Saw everything from jeans to formal up there. I've read that it turns into a night club later...and then there is a cover. If you go up for sunset or happy hour you should be fine wearing anything. Amazing view!
     
  7. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Nice variety of things to do and places to eat.
    Tried getting my wife to try other places, but she tends to be reluctant to try something new.
     
  8. Gutzy

    Gutzy Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
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    In and Out Burger

    What is the "secret menue" at In and Out Burger?
     
  9. aceofspades96367

    aceofspades96367 Tourist

    Joined:
    May 22, 2011
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    Travis AFB, CA
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    Lots of nifty things that aren't on the posted menu in the restaurant. Google it and see what there is to offer.

    Big fan of the "animal style" for burgers and fries! yummy.....:evillaugh
     
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