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.

Advice needed on my strip route

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by vm00515, Jun 25, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. vm00515

    vm00515 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2013
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Royal Oak, MI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    I am a first time Vegas go-er and will be staying at the MGM in August. I have taken much advice from this site, including not having a set itinerary.

    I do have a rough idea of our routes for each day and I wanted everyone's opinion.

    Day 1: Take the monorail from MGM to Harrah's/IP.

    Check out IP, Harrah's, Venetian, Palazzo, Wynn, head back to Harrah's for the monorail.

    Day 2: Take the monorail from MGM to Paris/Bally's

    Cross over to Bellagio, Cosmo, Aria, Mandarin Oriental, maybe Monte Carlo, NYNY, then back over to MGM.

    Day 3: Take the monorail from MGM to Paris/Bally's

    Cross over to Caesar's, Mirage, TI

    I am open to any and all advice, suggestions, insults, anything. :beer:

    I understand any or all of my suggested route could be crap, so I am open to hearing what you guys have to say. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2009
    Messages:
    16,024
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    175
    Bring comfy shoes and walk! Yes, in 50 days it will still be hot, but each trip inside a casino cools you off very quickly. Just make sure to stay hydrated and watch how much alcohol you consume at each stop.
     
  3. crussader

    crussader Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Messages:
    395
    Location:
    Houston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    When going to the west side of the strip (i.e. Bellagio, Cosmo, Aria, Mandarin Oriental, Monte Carlo, NYNY, Caesar's, Mirage, TI), there is a free monorail that runs from Monte Carlo to Bellagio with a stop at city center in between. That would provide easier access than using the monorail stop at Paris.
     
  4. vm00515

    vm00515 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2013
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Royal Oak, MI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    crusader, good suggestion. I see it now on the map. Thanks!
     
  5. Crambone

    Crambone Gnaeus Pompey Magnus

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2011
    Messages:
    995
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    66
    If you're leaving in the morning I'd consider hopping on the SDX or Deuce to head north from MGM. The buses don't seem to be so crowded on that end of the Strip since the routes are basically starting. It would also cut down on the walking distance as the Monorail is set back away from the Strip.
     
  6. swanny

    swanny Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2008
    Messages:
    285
    Location:
    Outside of Philly (PA)
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    My suggestion would be to do some research on the properties you plan to visit and make sure to allow enough time to do what you really want to do at each place. The free conservatory at the Bellagio is a must see (IMO) and the Venetian itself may take half a day to see, that place is huge (as most of them are). On my previous trips, I mapped things out similar to you and while we did not hit everything, it gave us something to look forward to on the next trip.

    Have a great trip.
     
  7. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    5,820
    Location:
    Burnaby, BC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    First, one might ask why you are staying at MGM Grand if you want to spend all your time at the other end of The Strip.

    There is actually quite a bit to see and do at the MGM Grand end of things: Monte Carlo, NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Tropicana are all the nearest properties you could visit, there is some good souvenir and tourist shopping in the area and as far as gambling goes pretty much everything will be in the immediate area.


    For some of your itinerary, a few thoughts:
    - Venetian and Palazzo are really very identical so that if you go see one you don't really need to go to the other. Maybe save it for another trip. Its pretty much the same with Wynn and Encore as well.
    - I would think about skipping seeing Wynn (or Encore) this trip. Just for the extra time it would take to walk down there... I think its a nice place and all that, just don't think for the trek down there it would really add anything to your trip.
    - Venetian/Palazzo, Caesars Palace and Planet Hollywood all have some very big shopping centers in them. If you are planning to check these out (the one at Caesars is pretty neat) you should allocate extra time for that plus some more for resting your feet.
    - The less you see this trip the more reason you have to come back again to see the rest


    For alternative routes, I might think instead:
    Day 1: spend some time at the south end of The Strip.
    Day 2: monorail to Harrah's. Go see Harrah's, Casino Royale, Venetian, Mirage and Caesars Palace
    Day 3: monorail to Bally's and go see: Bally's, Paris, Planet Hollywood, Bellagio fountains, Bellagio lobby, Bellagio flower display, tram to Aria. See Aria, then walk through Monte Carlo then NYNY.
     
  8. vm00515

    vm00515 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2013
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Royal Oak, MI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    Thanks for all the advice so far and keep it coming! Auggie, special thanks to you as your advice makes a lot of sense.
     
  9. DeMoN2318

    DeMoN2318 The DERS

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2012
    Messages:
    2,447
    Location:
    Arizona
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    33
    Double all of your estimates on how long you think it will take you to walk somewhere...Everything looks closer than it really is...
     
  10. billduhcat

    billduhcat Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2012
    Messages:
    387
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    32
    If you want to tour most of the areas of the strip, maybe consider staying @ NYNY?

    I think NYNY's location is a bit better for a grand casino tour, yet still close to MGM if you want to hit the monorail and go north. Less casino to walk thru @ NYNY to get to your room, and it's also great if you have a car, with a very easy in and out of the garage (IMHO).

    Staying @ NYNY:
    Day 1 = Excal, Luxor, Mandalay (all accessible via tram), Tropicana, MGM
    --Relatively easy circle route on an arrival day, and no need to go outside for the Excal-Mandalay leg of the trip.

    Day 2 = Monte Carlo, Aria, Bellagio, Ballys, Paris, PHO, Cosmo
    --All very walkable, staying mostly inside from Monte Carlo-Bellagio. Time it correctly and you can hit plenty of great choices for lunch+dinner at Bellagio, Aria, Cosmo, etc.

    Day 3 = across to MGM for monorail up to Harrahs>> see Harrah's, Casino Royale, Venetian/Palazzo, Mirage, Caesars, Flamingo, monorail from Flamingo back to MGM/NYNY.
    --Probably the biggest amount of walking inside and outside. Includes a potential tour of 2 shopping malls (Venetian, Forum Shops @ Caesars). Don't think there's much to see @ TI, so I cut it out of the itinerary.
     
  11. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,220
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I would NOT do the monorail from Bellagio to Monte Carlo. You would totally skip past Aria. Walk out Bellagio then into Vdara then into Aria. Through Aria to Monte Carlo, etc.

    (only will need about 5 minutes to check out vdara)


    OR, go out the front of Bellagio and into Cosmo. Cosmo into Crystals Mall, then into Aria, then Monte Carlo.
     
  12. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2010
    Messages:
    9,433
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    32
    I would just got to Monte Carlo and catch the tram there to Aria, Cosmo and Bellagio. This would save on the monorail cost.
    Or if you do opt to take the monorail at MGM then try for the 24 hour pass or something like that to save cash.
     
  13. crussader

    crussader Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Messages:
    395
    Location:
    Houston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    9
    The monorail stops at the Aria(northern entrance)/Cosmo and the monte carlo station is right by the southern entrance to Aria.
     
  14. vm00515

    vm00515 Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2013
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Royal Oak, MI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    1
    Generally speaking, what is the wait and route times of the monorail?

    I get in around 1ish on the first day and have reservations at the Eiffel Tower at 10:00pm. I like the suggestion of hitting up the south end on the first day (Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Tropicana, etc), but want to make sure I will have enough time to circle back to MGM (where I'm staying) to shower change for dinner.
     
  15. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    5,820
    Location:
    Burnaby, BC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    At 10PM you won't have a problem.

    The monorail runs every few minutes (likely more frequent during the day, but at night it'd only be like a 1-2 minute difference). Tuesday to Thursday it operates until 2AM, until 3AM on Friday and Saturday but stops early at midnight on Mondays.
     
  16. nostresshere

    nostresshere Mr. Anti Debit Card

    Joined:
    May 4, 2009
    Messages:
    23,220
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    The Monte Carlo station and Aria station are one and the same. You walk one way to Monte Carlo, and the other way to Aria.

    What I am missing with folks that say to take it somewhere? The only reason to take it would be to bypass Aria and go to either A) Crystals Mall or B)Bellagio.
     
  17. WrongWayWade

    WrongWayWade VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2010
    Messages:
    1,151
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    Also, the last time I was on that tram, it was skipping the Crystals Mall stop (the one in the middle) completely. So just MC/Aria to Bellagio and back only. Maybe that's a weekday deal or something.
     
  18. bloom1966

    bloom1966 Tourist

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2009
    Messages:
    80
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    Auggie's advice always makes sense. I don't post very often, usually lurk in the background reading posts....but Auggie knows alot about Vegas!
     
  19. GeorgeandTheBear

    GeorgeandTheBear High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Melon fields of southwestern IN.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    14
    IMO, you are letting the monorail have too much influence on your trip. The monorail was a good idea that couldn't have been more poorly executed. In most instances it is a long walk to the stations and back into the destination property. Plan what you want to do and if the monorail works, use it. The trams, all of them on the east side were much better thought out and serve their intended purpose. They are also free. I think these are more useful than the monorail, but what isn't.

    In a nutshell, don't plan around the monorail. It's not convenient and it's not cheap.
     
  20. Darreningreenwood

    Darreningreenwood Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2013
    Messages:
    338
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Well....I agree with you that for seeing the strip, the monorail is not the way to go. But it can be convenient if you are wanting to get from one end to the other. When staying at Harrah's, it's great for cutting off time to the MGM, staying cool (or warm in the winter). Of course I either staying at the hotel with the station, or planning on gambling in there (MGM), so I'm not as concerned about the walk to the station.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.