First time Vegas in April

The DH and I will be jetsetting to Vegas on April 2. This is our first kid-free vacation and first time in Las Vegas. We are booked at the Aria from Aug 2-5 and aside from purchasing a couple of Groupon's for meals (buffets at Spice Market and Carnaval [Rio], burgers at KGB) we haven't officially scheduled anything while in Vegas.

Still debating on which show to see so any suggestions are appreciated.

What we have discussed doing:
- Freemont Street Experience
- Mandalay Bay Shark Reef
- Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden
- Visit the Pawn Stars shop
- Outlet mall shopping
- Shooting range at The Gun Store (We're Canadian and I've never actually seen a gun outside of television!)

Would love some feedback on these activities; tips, tricks and/or other suggestions as well as the must see & do's of Las Vegas.

Will bring some $$ for gambling, but not a priority of our trip.

We have also discussed renting a car in Vegas. For the most part we plan to stay in and around the strip area except on the Saturday we leave. We do not fly out until 11pm and thought a day trip would be good ending to our vacation. Talked about Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire or straight out to Furnace Creek at Death Valley National Park.

Are we better off to rent a car from the airport for the duration of our trip or use public transit and rent a car for the day only on Saturday?

Any inexpensive rental places to consider?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated! I've done much research but there's so much to absorb that I would love some first hand experience information!

Thanks!

 

I've heard the Pawn Stars shop is terribly disappointing. I have not heard one good thing about it. You might be ok just passing by to see it from the outside.

Definitely plan out your trip to Fremont street as it is a pretty long way from the strip. Figure out how you will be getting to and from there. If you are staying on the strip, there are options, the best of which will not involve you driving back (if you drink).

For shows, i would say research a good number of them to see which fit your personality. Absinthe is a popular one, and i saw that one recently and loved it. As long as you aren't easily offended, you will be fine.

 

Good to know about Pawn Stars. My son really wanted a souvenir from there, but maybe they're available elsewhere on the strip.

I havent heard of Absinthe, but we're still young and open-minded lol I was considering Zumanity. Hoped to get the companion ticket through myVegas but our stay is considered a black-out date. I'm also disappointed that PeepShow is no longer playing. Really wanted to see that one!

I've been told Freemont should be done at night. Whats a decent time to head out to Freemont?

Thanks for the reply!

 

I only went on my last trip there, and I went way too early. It was still really cool to be out there, but I would head out as it starts getting dark. I'm sure others with more experience will have more specifics, but the evening would be best.

 

Get started on myVegas to earn some quick bonuses before your trip.

 

I joined myVegas on Facebook about 5 days ago. I've made it to level 22 and have about 7000 LP but I always seem to run out of chips!!!

 

Collect from your strip whenever you can, add friends who play myVegas (see the section under comps, Shock posted a guide as well) and play conservatively to build your chips. You eventually need to choose between the excitement of big wins but a rocky ride and small wins and less chip variation. Remember too that you can only earn 2000 Loyalty per day from play

 

"The DH and I will be jetsetting to Vegas on April 2. This is our first kid-free vacation and first time in Las Vegas. We are booked at the Aria from Aug 2-5"

So are you going in August or April??

 

Definitely don't waste your time at Pawn Stars. If you also watch Rick's Restorations you may want to go there. My friend went and had a good time, I'm going there in May.

 

We haven't been to LV since 2011 (going back this October!), but we did stop and see the Pawn Shop then....my opinion on it is that if you are driving by anyway, stop for a couple of minutes to say you did, but don't make a special trip for it. It's basically a souvenir shop (at least it was in 2011) and much smaller than it looks on TV, (again, my opinion, what that's worth.)

Fremont street is a must, I think. We usually take the bus from the strip when we have been there in the past....don't have to worry about the drive back, but the bus is packed.

If this is your first trip and want a nice drive I would recommend Valley of Fire first. (Red Rock is also very nice). On our trip in 2011 we drove out to Furnace Creek, and I have to say I wasn't too impressed. It is a LOOONNNGGG drive to see desert (although, if your going in April...there may be more vegetation (an aside, I'm from Minnesota, so have no idea when vegetation is at it's best in LV). I had always wanted to see Death Valley and say I was there, but for my first trip...since there is so much to see and do, I wouldn't spend the time on Furnace Creek on the this trip.

I would just rent a car for the day from the hotel (or which ever one has the cheapest place)....if you are staying mostly on the strip and going downtown the bus is great.

Another side trip we found very enjoyable is the Pinball Hall of Fame www.pinballmuseum.org ... it has also been featured on Pawn Stars and Ricks Restorations.

Randy

 

Like others said, skip Pawn Stars. Went last summer and was so disappointed. Was in and out in less than 5 mins. Vegas has so much more to offer. Freemont is great at dusk/night. Check out PH's Miracle Mile, the Shark Reef is good. The new Mob Museum has had good reviews and I plan checking it out soon.

 

That was meant to read April 2-5. I don't think I could wait until August, this vacation has been a LONG time coming!

 

I was looking at photos of the Valley of Fire last night and I think that would be an excellent day trip! Alternately we considered the Eldorado Canyon horseback ride. I'm leery about it as its a lot of money to for a walking ride only. As avid and experienced riders, I think the slow pace may not bode well with either of us.

I live a very sheltered Canadian life and desperately need to see something other than snow right now, so I think the desert will suit my desires well.

 

Hey...as a guy from Minnesota, I can certainly understand about being tired of snow! I wish our trip was a lot sooner than October!

 

For what it's worth, here's my 2 cents.

Don't rent a car from a casino on the strip, it's much cheaper to rent from the airport. That said, I would play your last day by ear. There's so much to see and do, you may regret having planned a day trip because you'll want to enjoy the strip some more. But that's just me

As for Pawn Stars, we drove past it on our last visit, noticed there was no line so we stopped in. It was ok. We weren't disappointed because we knew we weren't going to see anyone from the show (although we did see Chumlee in a lowrider a few nights later) but we were glad we stopped in, everything looked familiar. However I would only say go in if there's no line, otherwise skip it.

We did The Gun Store on our last visit. Like you (Canadian), we know nothing about guns. It was well worth the cash. We each shot a handgun, machine gun and semi-automatic. So fun. We're going to Vegas next month and are going to return. You might want a rental car for that since it's quite a way off the Strip and unless you're there first thing in the morning, there's a line-up. And if it hasn't changed since 2012, you have to stay in line, you don't give your name and return later.

If you have a rental, you can also visit the Premium Outlet Mall (north one, not the south one).

Downtown is a blast in the evening. Don't take a car and just cab it both ways. It's not too expensive and I enjoy talking to cab drivers.

Enjoy!

 

- Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden
- Visit the Pawn Stars shop

If you don't have kids along, I don't think the Secret Garden is very exciting. Yes they do have dolphins, and a very small zoo, and I would bring the grandkids there, but I wouldn't go myself.

There are hundreds of Pawn Shops if you want to see one. This on wasn't interesting before the show, I wouldn't wait in line now.

We always get a car but we don't take a short trip like you are, and we have been there many times, there will be plenty to see and do as this is your first trip. I think the one day recommendation, with the Valley of fire or Redrock s a nice suggestion, but you can take the bus to Downtown, a must!

Don't plan too much

 

I like the show pawn stars but never went to see it in my 20 trips to vegas, i heard there is most of the time a terrible line and its not so worthwhile.
I did visit the secret garden in the mirage, well mmm i didnt found it so great, its ok but not really worth the money in my opinion.
I did visit the pinball hall of fame, ofcourse it was nice as im a kid at heart and love playing some pinnball.
You can get around easily around the strip with the deuce( next month i also will go to freemont at night ) and otherwise take a cab or walk( good excercise:evillaugh)
There was a good suggestion here for the one day to visit red rocks
I did that went to mount vernon and clark county museum as well( nice day trip)
Good luck and enjoy

 

Monte Carlo food court is walking distance from aria.
try to get a high floor (32-39) strip/city center view room and you feel like king of las vegas.
red rock canyon is a must go on every trip for wifey.
we did once the scooter city red rock canyon tour, which was fun.
hover dam is not far (1hr). parking on the far side (arizona side) is free.
valet parking is free on most strip hotels.
we rent a car nearly on every trip. try priceline.
zion was not worth the long trip.
get the mlife card even if you dont gamble much.
they might send you some offers in the future.
i dont know what your age is, but maybe your wife will enjoy a gondola ride in the venetian.
we visited the discount firearms and ammo range. staff was friendly and very helpful.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

Welcome to the board.

Fremont Street is a must. We usually get down there around 8. Cab will run about $20-$30 max or get the 24 hour bus pass for $8. Down side is the strip congestion determines how long it would take to get to Fremont street this way.

Assuming you are a Pawn Stars fan I suggest Bauman Books in the Shoppes at Palazzo. This is the book store where Rebecca who is the manager and does the book evaluations on the show comes from. I'm a book junkie and it is amazing what they have for purchase. Can also do the gondola ride in the Venetian while there.

http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/about-us/locations/las-vegas-nv.aspx

May want to also look into the Neon Museum. Did the day tour and a great walk with all of the old Las Vegas signs. Was told the night one is better since the signs are lit up.

http://www.neonmuseum.org/

Enjoy

 

You have a lot planned! I would suggest a rental car from the airport only if you despise public transportation (as my husband does!) and agree that you can get a great deal thru priceline.

If you don't mind walking and can do public transportation then there is plenty to do on your first trip that you won't need a car.

IF you have time, and get the car - I highly recommend a drive to Red Rock Canyon (the Casino is one of my favorites too!) and to the Valley of Fire. Beautiful beyond words.

Fremont Street at night is a must even if you don't feel the vibe up there and stick around. If you get there a couple hours before dark then I also recommend the Mob Museum. My husband is Italian and was all excited to see it. I was just......eh, along for the ride - but was impressed with it. We agreed it was pricey for us (we are very cheap..er....frugal!) but we were glad we went.

We watch Pawn Stars sometimes but have never stopped. Ricks Restorations was one of our first stops last year and really enjoyed it! Well worth the time if you are a fan.

Let the front desk clerk know that it's your first visit and have that $20 out and don't be afraid to use it! Nothing better than an upgraded room on your first visit!

Enjoy!!