I'm going to Las Vegas for the first time in July.
I'll be staying at Caesars Palace for 4 days. What are some things in Las Vegas I definitely would want to see when I go? Any travel tips? Thanks.

New York, New York is a blast, the Stratoshpere is pretty cool, the MGM Grand lions are a must see if you like big cats and the buffet at the Riviera is very good, especially their brunch!
They still have wonderful circus acts free, upstairs at Circus Circus...
Bellagio and the Venician(spelling?) are both beautiful, be sure to look up...the ceilings are amazing. The Tropicana and the StarDust are about the last remnants of "The Strip" as it was in the Rat Pack era...Single deck BlackJack is the game with my favorite odds, and is fairly easy to learn.
Have a great time

All that MrsS mentioned, plus the pirate ship battle at Treasure Island, the huge screen behind the bar at the MGM Grand showing clips from old movies. The enormous glass pyramid of Luxor with the laser on top. Caesar's Palace with it's own sky inside. If you want a taste of the old Las Vegas, have a look a Fremont Street. It can be a bit seedy up that end of town so take a little more care. Have a great time.

Speaking of the Stratosphere. At the top is a cool restaurant. The dinning area rotates around the kitchen. There is a grand view of the entire valley as the restaurant rotates.
Plan your dinner for 7:45 pm. That way you can view the entire valley before and after dark.

It might be a good idea to make your dinner reservation a day or two in advance. Its about 45 dollars a person, but I think you may find it worthwhile. Hope you enjoy your stay.

If it suits your style, I highly recommend a trip to Hoover Dam (about a 45 minute drive) and a tour. I didn't do this until about my 4th trip and was sorry I had put it off. It's just a nice little change of pace from Vegas and a nice drive, too.

Just got back. It is a trip.

Caesar's Forum Shops with an indoor sky that changes and a fountain that talks. Super kitsch, great fun. If you want real New York sandwiches and cheesecake, the Stage Deli right there.

Small Eiffel Tower across the street astride the Venetian Hotel which is complete with a canal and shopping by gondola

Don't miss the Bellaggio next door. A ceiling decorated with millions worth of huge stained glass flowers. The conservatory of flowers. Also sumptious buffet ($22) beginning with King Crab and prawns. Best in Vegas. French impression-ist art. Some of the world's most expensive restaurants.

Free ceiling show at the Rio. Good buffet. Local favorite.

Old Town neon.

Red Rock Canyon (outside town) where tectonic plates collide. Prehistoric petroglyphs adorn the cave walls....

Next time I want to see the beach and wave pool at the Mandalay Bay.

Take it from me, an 'amateur expert' (that's an oxymoron!) Vegas is the place. I've been there 5 times and am going back in the fall. Here's a little bit from my 'book' I've written for friends...


Jenn’s Must See Sights of Las Vegas

Pricey, but worth it.....

Mysteré, by Cirque du Soleil at the Treasure Island is an amazing show of acrobats, trapeze artists, strong men, pole climbers, and much, much more. Voted best show in Las Vegas; tickets run about $88 per person. Show times are 7ish and 10ish. Buy tickets in advance...show always sells out. I believe Mysteré is dark Mondays and Tuesdays. P.S. If you go to this show, go early. Late comers and “just on timers” will be harassed by a strangely dressed “clown?”

The Excalibur has a dinner/show called Tournament of Something??? I can’t remember what it is exactly. The show features a jousting tournament and dinner medieval style. Dinner consists of soup, a cornish hen, a broccoli stalk, and a twice baked potato. (Unless the menu changed.) You eat everything with your hands, no silverware. A knight represents each country,(seating areas) and the king and queen encourage the crowds to cheer for their knight by all means. (This means foot pounding, screaming, clapping, and even banging your beer stein as loud as you can on the tables.) Tickets run about $35 per person.(Food isn’t the best Vegas has to offer, but atmosphere and show are really fun.)

If buffets are your thing, Vegas is the place. The Rio was voted best buffet. (But they have two.) One is a seafood buffet, largest in Vegas. I don’t know how that is; I’m not into seafood. The other is everything you can possibly think of....American, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Steaks, Pizza, Italian, Burgers and Fries, you name it. (This is the largest buffet in Vegas.) They even have a Mongolian Barbecue. Buffet runs around $13-$15..You can get coupons. However, if you’re only staying a couple days, I would pass this one up. The Rio sits off the Strip and takes a wait for the shuttle and travel time to get there.

The last time I was there my boyfriend and I tried the Mandalay Bay Buffet. It was really good. $17 per person, but the quality and variety of everything we had was excellent. Crab legs, shrimp, roast beef, prime rib, leg of lamb, turkey, chicken...just about every type of meat you could want. (Side dishes were a little bit gourmet for me, but what I found that I liked was really good.)

Folies Bergere at the Tropicana is Las Vegas' longest running show. The new show offers a glimpse at some of the award-winning numbers from past Folies shows along with spectacular new production numbers. Folies is a great show. There's two shows nighly, dark on Thursday. The early show is the covered show and the later is the adult version. Be sure to stop outside the Tropicana for the free slot pull at a chance to win show tickets, or even cash.


Jenn’s Cheapskate Guide to “Lost Wages”

Vegas isn’t as cheap and doesn’t give everything away for free like they used to...but I still have my ways of getting around and seeing the sights for next to nothing...

Everything on Vegas strip is in walking distance for me, however, if you’re not up for mile long blocks, there are several options. There are trolleys that stops at just about every casino. (I think it costs $1.50) Or there are the trams, which are free. There are three that I know of....... Treasure Island to The Mirage; Excalibur to Luxor to Mandalay Bay; Bally’s to MGM

There are lots of free outdoor shows...The Mirage has a volcano that erupts every 15 minutes or so after dark. The Treasure Island has a pirate and British ship battle every 45 minutes. Check show times on that one. And the Bellagio has these amazing water fountains in the lake in front of the casino. They run all day every half hour. (I think) The fountains are choreographed to music and are plain and simply very cool. Definitely plan to see the Treasure Island battle and the Bellagio fountains.(I’m not certain on any show times though.)

Bally’s has a free $1,000,000 slot pull. (You have to sign up for their casino player’s card, but you can win shirts, buffet tickets, or even a million dollars! ☺)

Downtown Las Vegas, Freemont Street, has a covered, dome-like thing over the street. At night they show laser shows. The older casinos downtown still offer some freebies. Unless you're a big time gambler, or wantto take in some history, I'd pass on the downtown area. The Strip is where it's all happening now.

Gambling......

I can’t offer too much advise here...I’m not much of a gambler, and I don’t know about you, but here’s what I do know and like.....

Tables are more expensive at night and on the weekends. It’s difficult to find a table under a $5 minimum bet. The Holiday Inn Boardwalk does have Blackjack tables for $3 min. bet.

Be very cautious of the table games you play. Vegas has many, many new card games and some you can loose a lot of money very, very quickly. The latest game I saw was War. Yes, War..you know that card game from when you were a kid. I watched some people lose lots, fast.

I enjoy gambling at the smaller casinos, the Barbary Coast in particular. The smaller casinos seem to have looser slots. Also, the newest casino/resorts have looser slots. When the big casinos open, they pay out well to attract gamblers. (There are no new casinos opening to my knowledge though.)

Yes, they still give free cocktails to gamblers...that’s the best part!!

I enjoy watching the high rollers...well, it actually makes me sick, but it’s still fun. Most casinos have their high rollers areas in easy to view places. Check them out. I watched one guy lose about $125,000 in, oh 10-15 minutes. They act like it’s nothing.

Above all, be safe. Vegas is crowded with people. Tons and tons of people. Watch your belongings. Vegas is a haven for pickpockets and thieves.

There are no clocks or windows in the casinos. They want you and your $ to come and stay all day. If you have show tickets, make sure you wear a watch so you don’t miss your show!

If there’s any questions, I probably have the answer so don't hesitate. Remember, July one of the hottest months in Nevada. Bring appropriate clothing. You can easily get sick when it's
100°+ outside and around 65-70° inside. You won’t have a chance to do everything, so don’t push yourself. Most of all have fun and good luck.

Well, I leave tomarrow for Vegas. I just want to thank everyone for responding to my post. I really had no clue about Vegas. Sure I could check out a website but its just not the same as first hand experience. Thank You!

~clare~

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

And dont forget to gambble!!!!