List for "Vegas Virgin"

There should almost be a section just for this.....I'm sure there are threads out there but I can't find one right now.

I'm assembling a list for someone (early 20's ) who has never been to Vegas, of things to do and see. Now I know a lot of the obvious ones but there's been some new hotels put up since I spend any significant time on the strip. What's your list of what you would tell someone to see? And if you could only pick ONE show, ONE buffet, and maybe 5 bars?

Thanks in advance

 

I'm a newbie, but my favorites:

Show - David Copperfield at MGM
Buffet - Bacchanal at Caesars
Bar - Chandelier Bar at Cosmo

My favorite thing to do my first Vegas experience was simply walk up and down the strip from Aria to Mirage and back at night. The reason I enjoy Vegas so much is because there are so many things to do. What is your friend into?

 

It's actually my daughter's 21st. I'm not sure why I didn't just say that the first time. lol

She'll be happy SEEING a lot of the cool things, hitting one show and maybe one fancy buffet and another nice meal somewhere. But she's not really into clubs, and she's fairly low-maintenance (even though mom and I will be paying for most things, she doesn't expect the world). We'll be staying at SouthPoint because I was able to get 2 free rooms there for 3 nights during some Nascar weekend in march. So we'll cab or Uber places to get to the strip.

 

Honestly, walking through the huge casinos is already a pretty wondrous experience to someone that's never been to Vegas. When we were walking through the Mirage in the early 90s, I remember one of my relatives saying that he didn't believe anything in the world could top that. Mid-strip is definitely a must-walk.

One show: Not sure what she's into, but I would say Las Vegas has the best Cirque du Soleil shows. Le Reve at the Wynn could be a decent choice if she doesn't think that kind of stuff is boring.
One buffet: Bacchanal Buffet is the obvious choice, since it's one of the largest buffets and is right in the middle of the strip.
Bars: Haven't really been to too many bars in Vegas, but I agree with mkhira2 about the Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan, since it's very visually impressive. If I were to add the places I know, I would go with places that have great views like the Country Club and Parasol Up/Down at the Wynn.

 

I imagine at 21 the casino employees will barrage her with requests for ID if she tries to gamble.

 

On a 1-10 scale, her interest in gambling is about a 2. I can probably convince her to sit at a VP bar and play a $20 with me, and she might watch her boyfriend (who is already 21) play craps. But that's about it.

 

- Walk all the way from MB to Wynn or reverse
- Watch Bellagio fountains and Mirage volcano
- Watch (if intimidated to play) a game of craps, even for a short period
- Put a $20 bill in a slot machine and see how it goes
- Buffet (Aria might be a good choice for price/performance, most buffets started to suck though)
- Get lost at Caesar's Palace casino/forum shops (I've been to Vegas 11 times and I still can't find the exit at first try)
- Hit downtown even if it's for a couple of hours
- If into gambling or likes to make money, get signed up with all the clubs and get the first time benefits (also get all the WIN Cards that are available)

 

Buffet - Bacchanal
Show - Blue Man Group
Bar - Sorry, I don't drink alcohol

 

Spend part of an evening downtown and eat at Binion's steakhouse on the top floor. Good meal and fabulous views of the city. Then go back to the strip and walk thru more casinos.

 

Bellagio conservatory. Breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi, patio if possible. Carrot Top , you'll laugh your butt off. Drink at the Chandalier Bar at Cosmo. Shopping at the Forum Shops.

Have a great trip!!!

 

One show: either Absinthe or Garett's Comedy Club
One Buffet: either Wicked Spoon at Cosmo or Wynn buffet
One Bar: Chandelier at Cosmo

 

Bar with a view :
Foundation Room
Voodoo Lounge
Stratosphere lounge

Eat at one upscale restaurant,
Sushi (Nobu, Morimotos, or Kumi)
Any number of steak houses which ever her preference.

A stop at fremont street

One of the better Cirques probably not zumanity that could be awkward.

People watch which is some of the best entertainment in Vegas,

 

The big problem is what's important to you/them for a buffet?

The best buffet isn't a full time buffet, it's Sunday brunch at BLT Steakhouse (at Bally's) and is $90 (last I saw). A huge benefit is they allow reservations because if you wanted a weekend meal at the Bacchanal you may have to wait in line a long time. I to Bacchanal went on a Friday the day before 4th of july in 2015 and they were turning people away unless they were willing to pay extra. You can pay $150 for a lobster which gains immediate seating but that's quite pricey.

Aria buffet is surprisingly elegant and is a great bang for you buck.

The STRAT has some of the best views in the city, you can get up there for free if you say you're going to the longue for drinks and if you want to eat there are vouchers/coupons everywhere.

 

take her to a dive bar. stage door, dino's,frankies tiki bar, doubledown

 

+1 on Frankies!

I might also say that minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay is pretty cool too.

Sadly, being degenerate gamblers and alcoholics, we don't have much to offer by way of advice for food or shows. That being said I'm a vocal proponent of Andiamo at the D.

 

For someone's first time to Vegas would be to stay on the strip.
Rates are cheap enough that the money saved on Uber and simply the convenience will be well worth it and definitely a highlight.

 

Yeah we debated that. But 2 free rooms for the whole trip trumped paying full price (I don't have any history of play anywhere on the strip) just for the convenience. And she didn't particularly care

 

Can't give much help without knowing what she likes- 21st birthday and you want a suggestion for several bars? Depending on her level of experience with alcohol, she might not see anything else! You are apparently staying 3 nights in March, so weather could also be a factor with walking the strip.
For a first timer, I'd suggest Mystere, the first and most affordable Cirque show. With her boyfriend along, the Bellagio fountains will be a romantic experience, (depending on the music). Also, if she's not from a big city, the top of the Stratosphere is cool, as is the jump off the side (if she's into adventure). I'd recommend the Strat over the high roller any day. I'm not a strip person, but for a first time visit, most of your time should be spent on the strip.
I know it's not for a while, but be sure to let us all know how it turns out!

 

I think the views at the Mandarin Bar are awesome, and great drinks too. Plus you are close to Chandelier at the Cosmo which I would put on my top 5 list as well. I also like listening to the piano bar at the Bellagio (Petrossian) which you can wrap with a visit to see the conservatory, fountains, glass ceiling.

 

For bars, I'd focus on the view as much as the drinks. Foundation Room at Mandalay is a nice view, as is Mandarin Bar, Chandelier at Cosmo is of course nice as well. Parasol Down at Wynn is a good spot,

Other thoughts- Mon Ami Gabi for people watching/fountains, Lago at Bellagio, Aria buffet due to food and the more open area with actual windows. Or you could just go with hookers and blow...