Day 2 - 3; 31 March - 5 April

Day 2 – 1 April

Well we managed to get our butts out of bed around 10 AM. I must admit that the beds at the Luxor are more comfortable than at other casino hotels I have been to. Usually it is like sleeping on a board because face it they don’t make any money on you while you sleep. Was a refreshing surprise.

We started the day by walking next door to Mandalay Bay and we had an absolute blast. Keryl did VERY well on slots as did I. We must have gone up to the SAME change lady like 10 times with 300 – 500 in $1 or $5 coins. I got bored quickly though because Keryl was doing most of the winning, so I hit the Craps table. I was down about 300 when Keryl came over and handed me 400. She just hit 800 and she split it with me (she loves me what can I say). When it was all said and done and were ready to leave we were both up around 500. However I decided to hit a Blackjack table on the way out. BIG MISTAKE, lost 400 in about 20 minutes. Oh well, easy come easy go we had a blast.

We walked back to the Luxor and met my Brother Bob as he said goodbye to his girlfriend. We decided to go to the NYNY and ride the coaster. We walked past the 9/11 memorial, WOW what goosebumps. Everyone MUST see this and take a moment to reflect. Once inside we wanted to ride the coaster. Here was good lesson in advertising. If you have never been to the coaster remember this. DON’T pay attention to the big sign that points towards the Coaster. Because it takes you on quite a journey. Don’t get me wrong the NYNY is awesome inside, you really feel you are walking down the streets of NY, but man oh man you go through a tour of the Casino, then once upstairs you walk through a WINDY arcade that seemingly lasts forever. We finally got there and fortunately there was very little wait (10 minutes). The coaster was a lot of fun and really a must do if you can handle coasters. One word of advice, for a Rail coaster it was rather bumpy, almost like an old wooden coaster. I am sure it was done purposely but I usually avoid wooden coaster because of their bumpiness. All the same it was a great ride and worth the 10 bucks (7 if you want to go again).

After the Coaster we decided to hit the ESPNZone for something to eat. The food there was great; Keryl got the Rack of Ribs, WOW what a rack (I meant the ribs). Good food, great atmosphere for sports fans. It was NCAA Championship Monday but we got there right before they started to fill up. As we were leaving we say about 100 guys in Maryland and Indiana garb salivating at the big screens waiting to get in. Before we left NYNY we played a little Blackjack so I could add to my Red Chip collection.

We headed back to Luxor to get ready for our Blue Man Group show. The show was absolutely wonderful. We had heard nothing but good about this show and everything we heard was true. Amazing show, they are very talented and very funny.

After the show we decided it was time to go to the other end of the strip and visit the Sahara. We decided to try the Trolley, we figured for a 1.50 it would be fun. Well it took us an hour to get from Excalibur to Sahara and I had a headache from the exhaust fumes and the ROUGH ride of the trolley. Not saying not to try it but you are probably better off fighting the crowded CAT buss. Once at the Sahara we played there for a couple of hours. I personally had a great time at the Craps table as it was pretty hot and the dealers were great, but overall we were not impressed with the Sahara. Not sure what it was but we just didn’t feel great about the whole experience.

We headed back to the room about 1:30 AM (I know early but we really crammed a lot into a day).

Day 3

We started the day around 10 AM again and we were really hungry and wanted something fast. So we hit the Food court at the Luxor. Nothing to write home about, but it was what you expect from fast food. While in the area we went on the Motion ride (in search of the obelisk). It was entertaining and really cool; they really know how to play tricks on your mind. With that over we decided to head next door.

We walked over to Excalibur and had a great time there. I of course hit the Craps table and Keryl and my brother hit the tables. Keryl really feel in love with Pitch and they also played some Spanish 21 where they were entertained by a very annoying and VERY drunk woman. She had no idea what she was doing and when offered help she would just curse at you and call you a Bitch. The dealer finally called the Pit Boss over and the women just keep yelling “I am a VIPâ€. Well obviously she was the Wife or “other-half†of the VIP, it was quite entertaining. I was at the craps table right next to them and couldn’t help but turn and watch. Speaking of the Craps table, I had a great run; the kid next to me got the dice and had them for almost an hour. After he was done rolling I went from 200 down to 500 up. There is nothing betting that being at a craps table that is RED HOT.

After all that excitement at Excalibur we decided it was time to hit the Luxor’s SPA and Pool area. We had complimentary passes for the Spa (anyone staying there should just ask for them, they give them out freely) and decided to check it out. Now we weren’t really interested in getting a massage, just wanted to sit in the nice big whirlpool together for awhile and then go out to the pool. Well that plan was scrubbed early when we realized the whirlpools were in the lockers rooms and NOT co-ed. This was a BIG downer, I have no desire to sit in a whirlpool with a bunch of naked old guys and my wife had the same similar complaint. We weren’t in there 5 minutes when I had gotten a phone call. Keryl said that she was going out to the pool, so we packed up and headed outside to the Pool. Now the Luxor has 4 very nice pools, cabanas, bar, the works. Well for whatever reason only 1 pool was open and at 430 they were already starting to put things away. Okay maybe I am a hick from Minnesota and it was the 2nd of April. But it was 80 degrees out and hours of daylight left. The pool was COMPLETELY full of kids; it was like looking at my local municipal pool in the middle of July. This was NOT what we had envisioned at ALL. Spent a few minutes in the SMALL whirlpool in the pool area and just packed it up as a LOSS. I must say we were disappointed with the Spa and Pool experience but decided to just move on and have fun.

After the pool we went to our rooms and got ready to hit downtown. We decided it was time to hit Binion’s Steakhouse and treat ourselves. We had heard a lot about this steakhouse so we thought it was time to try it out. I must say that we were NOT disappointed. We had a jumbo shrimp cocktail, it was 13 bucks but we got 4 shrimp and I have NEVER seen shrimp this big before. I have lived on the Pacific and Mediterranean and never seen the gargantuan shrimp that I was so graciously given to devour. Then they brought out my steak, I got the Binion’s special steak (peppercorn sauce). It is 16 ounces of pure heaven. The three of us had drinks and entrees and we shared an appetizer and the bill came to around 140.00. It was worth every penny.

After the steakhouse we waddled through the casino and spent some time there. Again I hit the craps tables and Keryl and my Bro Bob hit the tables to play pitch. The rest of the night we did manage to see another Freemont Street Light show and hit the 4 Queens and Golden Nugget for some more craps action and Blackjack before calling it a night.

Day 4 and 5 (The Conclusion, NEXT issue)

 

Great trip reports. I look forward to the next "installment".

 

Your beef about the pools is a major peeve of mine too. I never want to go swimming until very late in the day (just before dinner or after dinner). I hate the fact that they lock up the pool at 5pm, just when I'm starting to think about it.

 

But what about pools like the Tropicana (where I am staying at next week) that are opened 24/7. Do they still close them down? I had heard they stay open 24/7.

 

The pools at the Trop are open 24/7...that is the big selling point for me. I love being in the pool when it is warm out at night, and being able to hit the jacuzzi at 2 or 3 am is outstanding!

 

LV Terry, that's what I was thinking too. Great, I can't wait. Actually that was the first thing I packed in my bag yesterday - my bathing suit, lol. Leaving next Tuesday - can you tell I'm excited?

 

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by VegasKathy:
Leaving next Tuesday - can you tell I'm excited? <hr></blockquote>


Woohoo!


Can you tell I'm jealous? heeheehe Man, I just Love vegas in the summertime!

 

VegasKathy - There are pools like Tropicana where you can swim at night. But there is no towel service, drink service, lifeguard, bar, swim up blackjack, etc after their "official closing time".

Better than nothing I guess.

 

Sonya, thanks that's good to know since I had not planned to bring my towel.

 

If you go down the the pool not too long after the pool closes, they leave a pile of towels out there. But I'd bring one to be safe. You can also probably ask housekeeping for a couple. Or go down to the pool during the day and bring some back to your room.