Successful (but windy) Trip - March 30-April 4

As usual, the planning of our annual Las Vegas outing is almost as much fun as the real thing as we try to save as much as we can while still enjoying the things that we like to do. We drove to Milwaukee Sat. night, stayed at LaQuinta for $62 which included airport shuttle and parking the whole time (and a very nice breakfast). Parking at Airport is $11/day. Got a good rate on Air Tran out of Milwaukee ($217 pp inc. taxes round trip - beats Allegiant’s out of Green Bay best rate). Casino rate at Four Queens - total $214 for 5 nights - no upgrade available but nice room - all new furniture, bedding and wide screen TV, in North Tower on the back side - very quiet and could see Stratosphere , etc.

Flight was crowded but uneventful, landed on time at noon. Caught shuttle to car rental center - had reserved a compact car at Alamo for $97 (including all taxes & fees) for the 5 days. When we got there, all they had was an ugly little navy blue Chevy. I asked the attendant “you want me to drive around Vegas in THAT? He then asked if I’d prefer one of those (pointing to the next row). He gave us a silver Monte Carlo SuperSport at no extra $.

Hubby wanted to catch end of NASCAR race so headed for Sahara. Because we weren’t in a hurry, we went right down Las Vegas Boulevard. Got a chance to really gawk around as traffic was heavy and had to sit and wait for the lights. Couldn’t believe how many people there were, the sidewalks were packed!

At Sahara, DH watched the race (whenever there‘s a caution, there’s $1 shots) while I played slots - I came out $40 ahead. Good start! Drove down to 4-Queens - valet parking is a breeze as was checkin. We enjoyed the prime rib special at Magnolia’s and played a little, watched the Fremont Show a couple times and went to bed before midnight.

Monday, picked up coupon sheet at information booth in front of Binion’s. Used the complimentary tickets on it to see “Viva Las Vegas†at the Plaza - the show was definitely worth the price. Kind of like the old Vegas shows with the skimpy dressed dancers, a singer, a magician, and extremely funny comedian. We also saw the Tribute to Country Stars at Fitzgeralds. Very good show - I really believe that “Willy Nelson†is the real guy just having fun with us. Had a burger at the restaurant there (another 241 coupon) which was one of the best - the waiter was a little strange but harmless (I think).

Tuesday we drove up to Valley of Fire. Very impressive and a great break from the glitz of Vegas. We also visited Mesquite but weren’t too impressed. Just more casinos and no loose machines that we could find.

Wed morning, we planned to drive out to the dam and see how the construction was proceeding. However, when we got our car, the “low tire†light came on. Went to a gas station to pump it up (for 75 cents) and DH could feel a nail in it. Panic Time! We’ve rented cars many time and never had a problem so what should we do - spend a day getting it fixed or what? Called Alamo’s 800 # and the very nice lady (who spoke perfect English) said just take it back to the Center. They gave us a new car (this time a Bright Red Impala) at no extra charge. Since it was too late (after 10) to go to the dam, we went to a few casinos we’ve never been to before. Sunset Station, Gold Coast, Rio, and Arizona Charlies. We won small amounts at just about all of them.

Thursday we checked out Wynn and Palazzo - I was impressed with the indoor waterfall but, like many others on this site, thought the whole thing was a bit cold. Then we did some shopping and lunch at the Fashion Mall.

Friday was leaving day - how fast it came up. In between everything recorded above, we ate (buffet at Main St. Station, Fremont, Sam’s Town), drank (love those strawberry daiquiris), gambled - oops! Almost left out the best part. Tuesday, I stayed at 4-Queens playing my favorite penny slots and DH went across to Fremont. When he got back, I had made about $80 and was just rattling on about how great it was to win when I noticed he had a crappy grin on his face and a paper sticking out of his pocket - yep, he hit $2,430 on a quarter machine. He usually plays $1’s but was waiting for the cocktail waitress to come back with his drink and stuck $20 in this machine ‘cause he wasn’t hitting on the dollars. All-in-all, we came home with about $700 more than the entire trip cost us including everything. Anytime we come home with part of our budget, we feel like winners so this was really great!

Thanks so much for all the tips, etc. I found on the site. Maybe some day, I’ll get to meet some of you. Just a footnote for all you about to enjoy that Vegas sunshine, we had 4†of wet heavy snow yesterday. I could certainly use another trip to Vegas but will have to make do with reading of your adventures.

 

You mentioned getting a coupon sheet in front of Binion's . . . do they have these all of the time? It sounds like you had a great trip; especially the big win on the slots!

 

Yes - it's kind of strange you have to pick up one of the coupon books off the counter, tear out the coupon for the Fremont Street coupon page, give it to the guy and he gives you the sheet of coupons which include two complimentary tickets to Viva Las Vegas, 241 buffets at MSS and Fremont, 241 burgers at Fitzgeralds and some other coupons good at placed on Fremont St. The other coupons in the first book weren't anything we were interested in. This is the same book we used to pick up at the Oxygen Place.

 

Great report. Congrats to your DH on the big slot win
You're right about the planning be as good as the trip; we find that to be true for us as well. Yjou're also right on anytime you bring back part of your Vegas money it's a good thing.

 

Can you PM me the phone or address info for the LaQuinta? I'm thinking it might be worth going down the night ahead for my DC trip in June. We don't leave until 3:45 in the afternoon, but it would still beat driving 3 1/2 hours down on Sat a.m. to get to the airport (and worrying about flat tires on the way, LOL).

PS - We beat you yesterday - 7 inches of snow in my yard!