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First time staying at MGM, what to do?

Discussion in 'LV Strip Hotels' started by VDMTom, Nov 20, 2013.

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  1. VDMTom

    VDMTom Low-Roller

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    Hey guys,

    I usually stay at Aria, but my new MGM host hooked me up pretty good at MGM, so I'm going to give them a shot on my next trip - December 13-15.

    I already had her book me the following:
    Joel Robuchon dinner on Dec 14
    KA show tickets on Dec 14

    Tentative:
    Picasso at Bellagio - Dec 13
    "O" at Bellagio - Dec 13

    What else is there to do? Any good bars etc.?
    So I'm looking for things to do the morning at MGM, lunch (doesn't have to be at MGM), after the show (doesn't have to be at MGM and it'll be 1030pm time frame), after 1 am we'll be busy... ;).

    We're a mid 20's couple with no plans on going to clubs. (since I don't dance, lol)

    Thank you.
     
  2. sfchris

    sfchris Low-Roller

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    May not be for you, but for me personally no trip to the MGM is complete without:

    1) Having a hot pastrami sandwich at the Stage Deli (disregard if you are from NY, but we have zero good delis in SF)

    2) Play the famous Lions Share slot for $21 (7 spins) for a chance at the $2.2 million jackpot

    3) Play the mechanical horse racing game (Sigma Derby)
     
  3. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I think the Sigma Derby game is gone. Or at least it has been moved from the primo spot it had near the buffet and sportsbook. I did not see it last time I was there
     
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  4. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    I could have sworn I saw it there as recently as late July, but my memory of that part of the trip is admittedly a little hazy.

    I really liked Michael Mina Pub 1842 for lunch; the peanut butter crunch burger, while sounding a bit overly-ambitious, was in fact fantastic. They also have carbonated aviations.

    Can't go wrong with the two places you picked for dinner, but be aware that Picasso usually closes for a couple weeks around December. In fact, when I called last week to make my reservation for Thanksgiving weekend, they originally weren't sure if it would be open, but then figured out that the actual closure was a bit later.
     
  5. kboltwkreations

    kboltwkreations Low-Roller

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    You will be there for the end of the National Finals Rodeo.... MGM will be a sea of cowboys and cowgirls with lots to see and do..
     
  6. vegas_junkie

    vegas_junkie Low-Roller

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    I just played it on Nov 18 in the same spot by the buffet (or at least very very close to the same spot).
     
  7. heatherlovesvegas

    heatherlovesvegas VIP Whale

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  8. Kickin

    Kickin Flea

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    For breakfast if you're looking for something casual the new Avenue 24 cafe was really good in my opinion. I think its also the only other breakfast choice besides the buffet in the main casino. If you're looking for something nicer, some of the guys on here always rave about the Mansion breakfast and hosts can apparently get you in there even if you're not staying at the Mansion or Skylofts.

    MGM has a dearth of good lunch places in my opinion, but I agree with 44inarow's recommendation on the peanut butter crunch burger at Pub 1842. It was unique and surprisingly good.

    Honestly, since O is just tentative my advice would be to skip it since you're already seeing Ka the night before. Go for a non-Cirque show if you want. O is good but I think two Cirque shows back to back is a bit much. They're all pretty similar, save O for the next trip.

    I would also remind you to play the Lions Share machine, but odds are I'm going to win it next week. :peace:
     
  9. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Excellent! I swear it wasn't there when I stayed at MGM in June. Maybe it was out for repairs. Or maybe I just wasn't all the way there in my head that trip, lol :wave:
     
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  10. marcianofan

    marcianofan High-Roller

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    Go check out the free lion exhibit at MGM. Oh wait, the blankety blank bean counters at MGM took it out!!! I always loved going to see them, even if they were usually sleeping. One time they were really active and it was awesome...the KA show is my favorite of the cirque shows, you'll enjoy it.
     
  11. VDMTom

    VDMTom Low-Roller

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    I had Avenue 24, it was ok. I will try to get the Mansion breakfast.

    Hmm. we wanted to watch LE REVE, but no show times for that weekend :(

    Any other options?
     
  12. theghost

    theghost Stuck at work, but should find a poker table

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    VDM

    My wife and I stayed at MGM in July and really enjoyed it......enough we are staying there for our trip in DEC as well.
    We hit many of the dining/drinking options there to kind of test the waters and see what they were like as this was our first time staying there.

    Some highlights I recall are below


    PUB 1842 had a delicious pretzel appetizer with some kind of cheese sauce and poached egg (I cant remember the name but it was fantastic) I told my wife it sounded terrible and she ordered it anyway......once again shes always right :) it was fantastic.

    Centrifuge bar was pretty decent place to chill and have some cocktails, people watch etc. (its kind of right in front of Hakkasan so you get the idea im sure)

    Rouge bar is an all RED place that frankly was odd and didn't seem to fit! Its right past the elevators as if you were walking towards pool/convention areas.....just seemed weird and I did not enjoy it at all

    Withcraft had delicious quick bites for lunch or a good snack (you can use your ECs here and get points for purchases)

    Fiamma was fantastic if you do Italian

    Wolfgang puck was fantastic and we oddly found ourselves there numerous times.....maybe more because it was easy and right in the middle of everything?

    Drink service was pretty good everywhere with the exception of the lions share slot area(seemed like no one was around each time we played it)

    Liked the fact we could party at MGM or walk directly across the bridge and be at NYNY in minutes (piano bar there was pretty fun)


    Hope some of this helps, have a great trip
     
  13. landsburger

    landsburger High-Roller

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  14. VDMTom

    VDMTom Low-Roller

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    Wow, thanks for the tips! We'll hit up Wolfgang and Flamma for sure.
     
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