calgaryhhr

I posted this in a different thread a little while ago but I thought I'd start a thread to collect advice.

I'm heading down to Vegas with my girlfriend and a couple other friends. We're there for 4 days/3 nights.

I wouldn't mind some recommendations in terms of what to do, what to see, where to eat, where to shop and such.

We're staying at the MGM Grand and we already have tickets booked for "Love" by Cirque du Soleil. Other than this one show we have nothing else planned at this point.

Of course we'll be visiting the various resorts to check out the hotels and various free attractions and casinos. We'll also hit up some of the restaraunts.

I really enjoy Mexican food and would like to hear about any good restaraunts in Vegas.

We'll also be done a bit of shopping to try and cash in on some of the great deals that hopefully exist during these poor economic conditions. I wouldn't mind picking up a new suit or two and some new shoes. I prefer the designer brands like Boss, D&G, etc.

We were thinking about a helicopter tour to the Grand Canyon and found one for a really good price which took you over the canyon and down to the river for lunch but the price became much less attractive once their "other fees" and surcharges were added in.

Anyways, any helpful suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated!

HipHotRod

Quick and cheap, make sure you see the fountains at Bellagio, way cool show to music and lights

Also:
Lindo Michoacan
2655 E Desert Inn Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89121-3618
Phone: (702) 735-6828


Great food and great tequila sampling ( or so Im told )

outlandishhhr

I have been to vegas many times, here are my suggestions:

Things to see: (in no paticular order)
1. Blue Man Group Live at the Venitian
2. Ride the Coaster in the New York, New York.
3. Inside/outside of the Luxor Hotel
4. Ride the coaster at the top of the Stratosphere.
5. Red Square (inside Mandalay Bay) especially if you are a vodka drinker, if you go you'll know what I mean.
6. Hoover Dam tour.

Places to eat ($=cheap, $$$$$=expensive)
1. In & Out $ (burgers, shakes)
2. The Rio Buffet $$ (everything you can think of)
3. Delmonico Steakhouse $$$$$ (Emeril's Restaraunt in the Venitian)
4. Carrow's $ (Kind of like Denny's/Village Inn/Ihop has a little of everything)

If you travel about 5-10 minutes south on The main strip road (LV Blvd i Believe) there is a Factory outlet there. There is also a mid to high end mall on the the north end of the strip.

Not sure if you are driving or not but there is a really nice car wash in the MGM Grand Parking Garage.

Have a good trip!!

calgaryhhr

Thanks for the posts so far, we are flying down to Vegas. Will probably rent a car while down there. If the weather is nice enough I'll grab a convertible to cruise around in.

Goose

Be prepared to walk about a mile from the parking garage to your room...it is that freaking big! (MGM) You will really enjoy Love. I'm not that big of a Beatles fan and I thought it was great.


If you are into shows and want to see 1 each night go to the World of Coke store right next to the MGM and see what is available at "Tix for Tonight" I think they open at 11 and you can usually get tickets to shows for WAY less than the box office price. It is rare to find the huge shows there but just about everything else is at a discount. My wife and I ended up seeing about 5 or 6 shows last year when we were out there on the cheap.

Half the fun of Vegas is just walking around in all the different hotels...it sure has changed over the last 10 years though....most of "old Vegas" on the Strip is vaporware(gone).

Unless you plan on going off strip don't rent a car. Seems like you are really there for a short time and your first trip you'll probably end up tromping all over the Strip. I get wheels but we also go out to Zion, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, Nellis, Motor Speedway etc... and eat off strip as well. Red Square is a hoot although I've only eaten there, not much of a vodka drinker but can vouch for the grub


It's awesome but skipping it this year.......have a blast...you'll love it!




Goose

TkHHR

Get a taste of "old school" Vegas at Battista's Hole in the Wall, Itallian restaurant. Everyone who is anyone has eaten there. The walls are lined with photos of all the celeb's that have passed through for a meal along with lots of old Vegas memorabilia. I always try and go there when in Vegas.

http://www.battistaslasvegas.com/index.html

GRUMPEE

With the economy in the ditch, hotel occupancy rates are going to be very low. You probably booked a hotel with good rates, but one you arrive see if you can a little more out of the hotel. I was there in December and booked two rooms at Paris for 4 nights and was able to 1/2 the rate on one of the rooms.

garagebuilt

have fun. ride the DUECE! if you ride the bus you will hear that about a million times. i was just there about a month ago and alot of stuff was closed. also don't rent a car you wont need it unless you want to go far from the strip. also dont eat at the Saharah unless you like popcorn chicken. its also fun to see how many hooker trading cards you can collect.
it would have been alot more fun if it wasnt 40deg. and snowing while i was there

afs9

Cool tips here!
I don't gamble and don't care for Vegas much, but will probably be going in early March to meet up with friends from back East--we do like to eat!
Blackie and I are craving a road-trip!

@

Goose

I gotta make it to that place..I've been going to Vegas for years and never made it. Right off Flamingo right?


Also if you make it to a hole in the wall called Ellis Island (Super 8 on Koval?) you can ask for the "Special" Nice piece of steak, baked potato and green beans for 5.95 last time I was there Not on menu, have to ask



Goose