Las Vegas!!

[jd_1984]

My partner suprised me with a trip to Vegas for April 2014! She gave it to me for my birthday this week but wants the extra time to save up so we dont have to do it on a budget.
I am a total Vegas novice, but have always wanted to go. Any tips for maximising the experience, things to see, places to avoid, transport when yoyu are there, worthwhile trips, how not to look like a total beginner in the Casino's...... all would be useful!!

Thanks
JD

[mazie]

I think FGT might be the girl for this one JD

[friedgreentomato]

Lol Mazie I'm here - where do I start!!

OK depending on how much you like walking the main strip is totally walkable, downtown (my fav) is easy to get to via a bus for about $8 for 7 hours!

Do you know which hotel you are staying in? It depends on how much you want to spend and what experience you want!

I would go for a more central hotel, Bellagio (very expensive) Ceasers Palace (again a lot of money) opposite that is the Quad (newly built) and the Flamingo (just been done up)

downtown is dirt cheap - the Golden nugget old time las vegas at its best.

You have to do the Grand Canyon - take the whole day and use Viator I think I had a 12 hour day with them for $300 well worth it.

As for gambling I would do that down town the tables are cheaper and the croupier has more time to spend with you.

Let me know what else you want to know

[Clanad]

Keep in mind there actually "two" Las Vegas'... the strip and the original 'Las Vegas' about two mile farther north along Las Vegas Blvd., especially centered on Fremont St. The old, original hotels, such as the Golden Nugget, have been through a revitalization program and the aigts and sounds are truly amazing... at least to this country boy!

You'll have some (probably) advise you to try an squeeze in a side trip to the Grand Canyon... think twice since it's at least a 5 or 6 our drive just to get there... do go to Hoover Dam though... it's just south of the city about an hours drive.

Try to go to[i] Crown & Anchor British Pubquote[, 1350 E. Tropicana Ave., you'll feel right at home... great food! Plus, don't miss the best Mexican food in Vegas... [i]Los Antojos[i], 2520 S. Eastern Ave., just a hole-in-the-wall... but absolutely super (try the [i]cochinita pibil tacos],Mexican spiced pork cooked in banana leaves...

Welcome to the U.S., by the way...

[Clanad]

Apologies, Fried green... you weren't there when I started... (I see the italics function still isn't working)...

[friedgreentomato]

Don't forget all the 'free shows' - the bellagio fountains, the mirage volcano and the treasure island pirate show.

As I said I love downtown the old part of vegas its cheaper down there and you can get a giant shrimp cocktail for $2!!

[jd_1984]

We are booked into Circus Circus for the week, I have read mixed reviews, but my partner upgraded our rooms and we are content. The travel agent can get us into Ceasers, standard room, for £300 extra each or the Golden Nugget for £220 extra each - worth the extra in your opinion??
We have also heard that a 24hour bus passs can be purchased for $5 and stops at every casino en route.
We are not gamblers but will have a flutter just for the experience. Our budget, not including the accomodation will be around £1800 (for both of us) and a credit card if we need (but hopefully will not!). We would like to take in a show and eat in decent places, perhaps got to the Grand Canion.

[friedgreentomato]

lol Clanad.

The 9 fine irishmen in New york new york for the best pint of guiness outside of Ireland ever!

Depending on how long you are going for don't forget to have a day by the pool - you will need to rest!

[jd_1984]

FGT, yes we will definitely have a couple of lazy afternoons. My friends, who went last year said that after 3 days, if not massively into gambling, you are ready for a break from it all, plus even in April/May temepratures are knocking on for 30. Thus why we will chill at the pool and hopefully take the Canion trip

[friedgreentomato]

I would defo get out of the circus circus - you are stuck away from everything - the bus pass is def not $5 we were that Christmas and I think it was $20 for 3 days and $8 for 12 hours!.

I would pay the extra and go to the palace then try for a free upgrade - if you go to the nugget you are travelling on the bus all the time - the does not bother me at all but may be a pain to others.

As for shows i would go to O the cirque at Bellagio, there was a brill show outside the palace (can't remember what is called just now) for a bit more out there - we went to the evil dead the musical (based on the 80's film) at the planet hollywood theatre and peep show - big burlesque show.

[friedgreentomato]

The palace pools are brilliant there is about 3 or 4 from memory, whereas the nugget has 2 pools but full on 50/60 kitch it has a shark tank in the middle that you get to slide down in a huge tunnel slide!!

[friedgreentomato]

awwwh I want to go back now!!

Been for the last 5 years on a trot!

[VHG]

As you have plenty of time why dont you go on amazon and buy a las vegas guide book.

You can probably get one for around £10 and it will probably pay for itself with the money it saves you.

How about Las Vegas for Brits?

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[jd_1984]

What reputation does Circus Circus have? Other than your comment about location, is it a good hotel? We are operating on the "save on the hotel and do more whilst you are there" mindset. The Palace is £600 to move to with our travel agent, I cant help thinking that would better invested into the spending money?? Tripadvisor gives a mixed bag of reviews, most give it Very Good, but there are a few "awful's" thrown in

[friedgreentomato]

its is very run down and grubby, if the palace is too much for you why not look at the quad or the flamingo.

[jd_1984]

We could afford £600 to book the Palace but we have other things to finance this year, and if we change hotels we would likely have to sacrifice some stuff when we get there. I was hoping you would say Circus Circus is "ok" but honesty is better, thanks. She did upgrade the room to a West Tower room on reccomendation.
We will do what we can, but I view hotels as a place to sleep, shower and then get out and explore. Circus may have to be the compramise

[jd_1984]

In the movies upgrades are given out for all sorts of reasons.... Do you ever get anything extra for being say, recently engaged, honeymoon, stag do/hen do or as somebody told me, just being British and tipping well??

[friedgreentomato]

The problem is in Las Vegas hotels are a major part of the holiday!

The best upgrade I can tell you about is to have a $20 bill and ask whilst holding the bill if there is a 'complimentry upgrade available' if there is they will take your $20 if there is not you will keep your $20!!

I did this in the palace and got upgraded to a suite!!

[friedgreentomato]

Perhaps I should explain my comments about the hotels.

In las vegas the hotels are so much more than hotels they are works of art to be admired and enjoyed, each one is themed so the Bellagio for instance is italian but they put the most wonder flower show on in their consveratory.

The venetian is like being in St Marks square below the blue sky, with canals and gondaliers singing to you.

[jd_1984]

Yes FGT, I see your point the hotel is a massive part of why people go to Vegas as oppose to it being a "base" to further explore. But you can visit the other Casino's even if not a resident cant you, have a drink, walk the casino floor and have a quick bet? You can see shows at other casino's and book a table for dinner? I will consider moving to the Palace/quad/flamingo if a. It doesnt mean we have to go on a stricter budget and b. our travel agent can get us in there. Thanks

[mazie]

Just had a look on the Circus Circus website and its says all their rooms have been "newly refreshed and remodeled" whatever that means in American. I meant to say earlier JD, Happy Birthday and what a great present. x