Hey Everyone, Need help with Itinerary for Girlfriend and I (thanks in advance)!

Hey everyone!

My Girlfriend and I are heading to Vegas this Friday March 14 2014 to Monday the 17th. Its kind of a last minute trip I decided to take her on for her birthday and her upcoming graduation from Law School. Timing just worked out and once I found out her favourite band was playing there (Tool) it was a no brainer. This is her first time so Id really like her to enjoy herself, problem is Ive never been with a girl and only been down for the WSOP (and other poker trips) and a couple bachelor parties. I was just wondering if you guys could give any advice on things we could do. Heres the very general plan.

Arrive at 630, goto hotel check in, Grab some dinner (Maybe Battistas because its quick, I always love it but I realize its not very vegas.. really open to suggestions here) just walk the strip, maybe hit a lounge like Ghost Bar etc.. See Bellagio Fountains, drag her onto the Stratosphere rides... Maybe O'sheas for some St Pattys stuff..

After this not too sure, maybe do some gambling or hit up somewhere thats not an over the top club (any suggestions)

Next Day was thinking of renting a car, she wants to check out the outlet malls, maybe hit up downtown.. Ill probably get myself some animal style fries at In and Out, you know the typical traps haha... Any where you guys would suggest I take her (shopping may take up all the time I realize haha)?

Sat night

Tool concerts at 8 so well probably get a quick dinner... We were thinking of going to Gordon Ramsays Burger or whatever its called in PH because thats where the concert is.. She likes the idea of the whole celebrity chef thing. Is this place terrible idea?

After the show we want to go to a bar that plays old hip hop, mashups whatever... Just not all EDM... From what Ive looked at Moon seems like a decent place to go. Thoughts? You guys think its worth getting bottle service for just the two of us? Does prepaying for tickets actually work seamlessly?

Sunday, were just thinking of chilling by the pool, relaxing nothing too crazy.. Anything worth seeing? She wants to check out Craft Steak for dinner because she loves the dude from Top Chef .. Wed like to go to a club but I don't know where.. Xs seems like the obvious choice but I really don't know.

I obviously dont want everything planned out, I'm actually the most unorganized person ever. I just know how annoying it is trying to figure out stuff without a cellphone/internet (Im Canadian and my data was 1700 for a month once).

Thanks for anyone that read this rambling post. Any advice is much appreciated. Just a warning I'm also a student now so Im currently not the most "balling person" ever so cost is a consideration for me. Thanks again!

 

I can't comment on any of the bars just because I have no idea what music most of them normally play.

"See Bellagio Fountains, drag her onto the Stratosphere rides... Maybe O'sheas for some St Pattys stuff.."

This seems like a ton of stuff to do just on Friday night.


I'll throw out a suggestion on heading downtown after dinner. There should be a band down there and you get an idea on how it is on a busy night. Budget gambling will also be an option there. I think downtown at night is a far better experience than downtown during the day.


Burgr at PH gets good reviews so I think that is a reasonable choice. The only place I would 100% avoid in PH for food is Cabo Wabo. Having drinks outside is absolutely fine, I would just avoid the food. Unless you had a specific idea for food though, I think Burgr will be fine.


On Craftsteak. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. There are plenty of celebrity chef steak houses in Vegas so you have plenty of choices.



During the days I would certainly suggest walking through places like the forum shops, venetian canals, maybe even miracle mile shops in PH. None of these are hours long unless you stop at a lot of stores.

The pool looks good for either Saturday or Sunday at close to 80deg out.

 

A couple things I would mention. All that jumping around in cabs etc kills a ton of time on a weekend night. I usually try to run around during the day and settle in at night.

Another thing I would caution is I have never been past Burger when the line didn't snake into the casino. We have been told over an hour to hour half wait twice when we checked. I always get a reservation somewhere I know I can get in and out of when I have a concert or something like that.

For hip hop mash up, Haze is great, 1 Oak, all close to where you will be. No need to cab off strip.

Vegas runs on its own clock, especially when trying to entertain a date, the closer you plan everything in location the better it will go.

 

I would say first night just take it all in and such. When my wife and I went when we started dating 7 years ago it was her first time. I am assuming with a 6:30 arrival you won't be eating until 8:30 or so by the time you get luggage, cab or shuttle to the hotel, check into the room and get ready to go to dinner and eat it's say 10 PM when done.

Are you coming from the East Coast? Time difference affects people differently.

I would suggest just walk the strip, let her lead the way the first night. It will probably be overwhelming since it's her first time. The now wife did this and it allowed her to make it "our" trip (Points scored). She wanted to do the top of the Eifel tower to watch the Bellagio water show that first night. Good by me.

Saturday during the day Miracle Mile, Caesar's Mall area, Palazzo, Venetian and Bellagio can be enough walking and shopping. Putting cost into the equation, do you really need to rent a car with so much available on the strip to hit In and Out and outlet malls?

Maybe Fremont Saturday night after the concert? Or after the concert, Strat first for the rides then Fremont? We actually did Gold Diggers at Golden Nugget and had a blast. Got free entry passes from the guy in front of Golden Nugget. Open format with the music and the patio overlooking the Fremont Strip she loved. Finish up with the pool and club on Sunday.

So you hit the strip one night, shopped the next day, concert, possible rides on Strat, old Vegas Sat night, smaller club sat night, chilled at the pool and a club on the strip on Sunday. All in less than 72 hours. What time do you fly out on Monday?

Enjoy the trip.

 

I implore you---do not make Battista's your first meal with her in LV!!!!

 

Ok, so gonna suggest this, not sure if you're girlfriend or you would be into this but we enjoy it. My girlfriend loves high tea at the Petrossian Bar in Bellagio. She loves to dress up nice and just sit and relax for an hour and half. It's a really good experience and one that I didn't think I would enjoy but now have planned it again for our upcoming trip. We're 23 so that gives you some perspective.

 

Hey everyone, thank you so much for taking the time and giving me all this great advice!

Numeno,

Youre definitely right that I had too much stuff going on for Friday night and its not really practical considering everything was spread out over the city haha. Ive actually never been to downtown at night so I really like that idea for something we can both experience for the first time together. Actually the only time Ive been DT was to play a poker tournament and I just ended up busting and walking around by myself. Obviously wasnt the most satisfying experience!


captainron62,

Thanks for the tips, as you can tell above I stole your notion that cabbing around the city isnt ideal haha. Ill definitely take your advice about Burger, Someone in another thread suggested Mon Ami Gabi before the show. What do you think? Of the clubs you suggested which has the most laid back dress code? I have no dreams of wearing a basketball jersey or anything but Id prefer a place where I can potentially wear a nice shirt that isnt fit for jersey shore. Ill probably be bringing a suit so I guess I can always use that as a fallback.

KPS,

We're coming in from Western Canada so the total travel from our home to the hotel is probably 6hrs and we gain an hour upon arrival. With that said I dont think we should be fazed. Great advice on letting her lead the way. Ill go with that, only slight problem is that she has literally NO idea about Vegas. Shes one of those people that has wrongfully assumed her entire life that she wouldnt like vegas because of her lack of interest in gambling.. She can probably just look at the hotels from the outside and lead us to whichever is most appealing and well find something to do haha. We fly out around 730pm on monday. We can leave our stuff at the hotel during the day right? Anything worth checking out before we leave that afternoon?

Queuetee
Haha I've slowly been leaning towards it being a bad idea. I know I love it but its not really the best first impression and might suck out some of the excitement upon arrival because of the dark atmosphere etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks again for all the tips everyone!

 

Hey NYPOKER,

Thanks for the tip. Something I would have never thought of. Is it ideal to do during the afternoon? What sort of attire is expected?

 

You could always elope while there... lots of wedding chapels in Las Vegas

 

You didn't say where you were staying---but if you are around middle Strip( since you thought of Battista's), a good choice is LeProvencal at Paris---you can get reservations which would be needed on a Friday night. Check the Paris homepage where they describe it, list the menu and allow for reservations

 

Yes you can up front when you check out.

Wife was the same way. Now 6 trips later...She was all over the place the first night. Ended up Eifel, walk over to TI to watch that show with the pirates outside, walked over to Venetian to look there, walk back down to our hotel PH while stopping at Margarittaville for a cocktail and stopping in Imperal Palace to see the dealers who do the impersonations and a stop on the strip to take a pic with Elvis. I think I grabbed 3 beers along the way. "Yes dear", "Spectacular honey", "sure we can do a selfie in front of the water", "uh huh...I know what you mean", "I'm also excited you came with me on this trip"...just let it happen and let the points pile up.

We have friends who live in Vegas and took us to the Neon Museum which was an hour tour. Got to see the old Vegas signs. I heard the night trip is better since the signs are lit up while you walk around. Not sure what a cab would cost or if the bus runs down there.

http://www.neonmuseum.org/

 

Hey Hall,

http://www.bellagio.com/nightlife-diversions/petrossian-bar.aspx

There's the times, costs, etc. We went at 1:30 and it was a good way to relax. I'm pretty sure you could wear shorts and a t shirt but we gotta a little fancy just to get the whole ambiance of it.

 

Gordon Ramsey Steak in Paris has the absolute best dessert around. Sticky Toffee Pudding. Won a few culinary awards. Go to Vegas once a month, and haven't had a better desert. If you want great Italian for a decent price, cab over to the south strip. Bootlegger Bistro been around for 60 years and has bomb Italian food!! Also best ceasar salad anywhere. Plus, they are open 24/7. It's old school Vegasish. It's a few miles south of Mandalay. Plus, there is great shopping close to there at Town Square. If you're staying at PH (this is where I always stay), me sure and head over to see the Cosmopolitan and Aria... Great hotels. Plus, STK in the Cosmo is the best steakhouse in town IMO. Pricey, but you said your girl is gonna be a lawyer. Money in the bank. And yes, GR burgar is good. Make sure and try one of the shakes. Also, if you need a good private bathroom to take care of biz after you in n out feast without the lady in the next room, the mezzanine floor conference area is always empty... Just looking out

 

Hey Guys, thanks again for all the great advice.. Its all helped me out a bunch. Lol highlow will def be keeping an eye out for the bathroom at the mezzanine. Thanks for the tip.

KPS: Ill definitely let her take the reigns first night... Still cant decide whether or not just to grab something to eat randomly while we walk around or make reservations for Friday night when we get in. Has anyone heard of FireFly? Someone from my local City suggested its a must but I see its off the strip.

 

Firefly is good tappas down on paradise. They had a little trouble last year with one of their locations and it was shutdown for a bit (health code issue I think). But, the food was always great. Again, you'll have to cab it. Probably cost around $10-15 each way from PH. Also, best sushi/teppanyakki is a little north of Firefly called Musashi. They are so open 24/7, but the food is beyond good.

Don't forget, walking is deceiving... Those are huge casinos that look close. If you're going any further than Ceasars to the north, or Mgm to the south, you'll definitely want to cab it.

One last thing... Remember these words. HASH HOUSE A GO GO. The most amazing breakfast you'll have anywhere. There inside the Quad. Google it.

 

Did you mention your hotel? Depending on time and interest you might be interested in sending her to the spa.

 

wing it friday night. You don't want to have your heart set on a reservation and something be in your way and not make it.

 

First night...wing it as noted.

After several trips, that first night needs to be rather unplanned to soak it all in and just let things happen. No reservations imo...just walk around and find a spot. Let her decide.