Vegas

[DHonks]

My wife and I went to Vegas for our anniversary about 7 or 8 years ago and have now gone every year since. Going again this year towards the end of November. In all the years we have gone, we have only seen one show, Love, thought it was great. We are not really into shows, but have seen Love and really enjoyed it. With all the accolades about Absinthe, we may have to check that one out. To me just walking around an people watching on the strip is enough of a show! I'll also agree with others regarding Freemont street. Wife and I went downtown for the first time a year or two ago and were not that thrilled with it and not planning to back anytime soon.

 

Some interesting things mentioned on here that I was not aware of. One thing that I don't think I saw mentioned were the trams. There are few free trams on the west side of the strip. One that runs from Ex Calibur to The Mirage. Also one that runs from MGM Park to the Mirage. On the East side of the strip there is a tram that runs all the way from MGM Grand to the Sahara that is you have to pay for but it's reasonable.

 

These teams you mention are misleading. There’s the Monorail from MGM Grand to Sahara. There’s the tram connecting Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. One links Aria, Vdara, and Bellagio. And lastly one links Mirage and TI.

[pacopete4]

Vegas has the best people-watching experience there is. I just enjoy watching the weirdness of that place.

[Patrick425]

My wife and I went to Vegas for our anniversary about 7 or 8 years ago and have now gone every year since. Going again this year towards the end of November. In all the years we have gone, we have only seen one show, Love, thought it was great. We are not really into shows, but have seen Love and really enjoyed it. With all the accolades about Absinthe, we may have to check that one out. To me just walking around an people watching on the strip is enough of a show! I'll also agree with others regarding Freemont street. Wife and I went downtown for the first time a year or two ago and were not that thrilled with it and not planning to back anytime soon.

 

Some interesting things mentioned on here that I was not aware of. One thing that I don't think I saw mentioned were the trams. There are few free trams on the west side of the strip. One that runs from Ex Calibur to The Mirage. Also one that runs from MGM Park to the Mirage. On the East side of the strip there is a tram that runs all the way from MGM Grand to the Sahara that is you have to pay for but it's reasonable.

 

These teams you mention are misleading. There’s the Monorail from MGM Grand to Sahara. There’s the tram connecting Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and Excalibur. One links Aria, Vdara, and Bellagio. And lastly one links Mirage and TI.

 

Oh Yeah, I said Mirage instead of Mandalay Bay. The one tram goes from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay. Sorry about that.

[homer]

Important to note that there is an In N Out burger in the Linq Hotel.

[Baldkin]

The only advice I can give is the buffet at the Wynn is amazing, and if you go at about 2:30 and plan to stay for a couple hours, you can get both Lunch and dinner fares.

[LouisEly]

Important to note that there is an In N Out burger in the Linq Hotel.

And an Earl of Sandwich in Planet Hollywood and Caesar's. The Original 1762 might be the best sandwich I have ever had.

 

I haven't been to Las Vegas in at least five years. Curious as to what rooftop bars have been built since then; I know of the ones at the nightclubs in the Cosmopolitan and Palms and the one at the Polo Towers. For watching games, I'm a fan of Blondie's Sports Bar in Planet Hollywood. Can't place bets there, but it's a good ol' sports bar.

 

Just remember, if you want to walk from one casino to another, make sure you have really comfortable shoes. They're a lot farther apart than they look.

[nate82]

Important to note that there is an In N Out burger in the Linq Hotel.

 

People hate me around here but In N Out sucks!

[Patrick425]

I haven't been to Las Vegas in at least five years. Curious as to what rooftop bars have been built since then; I know of the ones at the nightclubs in the Cosmopolitan and Palms and the one at the Polo Towers.

 

The one on top of the Palms is called the Voodoo Lounge (or at least it used to be). My wife and I use to make that place one of our nights out because you could dress casually and it was an awesome view of Vegas. We have not gone there the last two years, but our MO would be to go to the bar that was on the Casino floor near the elevator you take to get to the nightclub. For several years in a row it would always be the same bartender and we would strike up a conversation with him. Eventually he would slip us a "coupon" that would allow my wife in the club with no cover charge. So, we only had to pay my cover charge which was 20 or 30 bucks. However, I think the last time we did this, he said he did not have any coupons available. So, that may be why we have not gone in the past few years. That plus, if the weather is colder than normal, it can be pretty chilly up there (even with heaters on). Also, most of these types of places have no seating unless you want to pay extra for the "champagne or bottle" service. Seems like of silly to do if you are just a couple and not a larger group.

[DHonks]

Important to note that there is an In N Out burger in the Linq Hotel.

 

People hate me around here but In N Out sucks!

 

In N Out burgers are awesome, but their fries are awful. Shakes are mediocre. Good coke carbonation though

[Dean Machine]

If you have a rental car and you like hiking there is an amazing hike to hot springs near the hoover dam. You are going at a perfect time to enjoy sitting in the hot springs. There are a few spots where you have to use some existing ropes so you need to be in fair shape but it's amazing. It's called Gold Strike Canyon and it starts at the base of the new(ish) overpass bridge for the Hoover Dam (The Pat Tillman Bridge). You should be able to use Google to find the trailhead and some information about the hike. When we first hiked it maybe 15 years ago there was literally never anyone there but the internet has made it more popular but it's still pretty quiet. I've done the hike maybe 10 times and loved it every time. I recommend walking past the hotsprings all the way to the river where you get an awesome view of the bridge. The hike takes maybe 4 hours round trip with some soaking time. I also recommend Red Rock Canyon as an easy to get to place to see some really cool dessert scenes and do some hiking if you enjoy that kind of thing.

[Patrick425]

Just did our annual trip to Vegas. We normally do not go see shows. However, my Boss wanted to treat my wife and I to show tickets for my 20th work anniversary. So, based on some of the comments here, we decided on Absinthe. Gotta say...after seeing it, would have chosen something different. It was good, not great, imho. I'm not really easily offended and I really don't mind people not being politically correct - but over an hour and a half, those jokes just get tiresome. Yes, the acts were incredible, but I feel like there are dozens of other shows in Vegas with similar acrobatics. I was just very happy that I was not one of the targets guy introducing the acts. It was pretty funny to watch, but not sure I would have been thrilled being the subject of the humor. The best part of the show was probably how small the stage was and how close to the acts you are. We were in the 4th row, but all the seats are pretty close. At times it was actually a little unnerving being that close and people are being spun around and flying over our heads. One bad move could lead to some serious injuries for not only the talent but the spectators.

 

In hindsight, I probably would have avoided the normal "Vegas show" all together and instead gone to a musical act (Aerosmith is doing some shows out there) or possibly a magician or comedian.

[mtrebs]

I'm cheap when I go to Vegas so I try to find the places with inexpensive/free beer... and I don't mean waiting for an hour at a slot machine for one free beer. I used to go more frequently (before I had kids) and I'd often sit at a bar in the downtown casinos. As long as you were playing they'd give you drinks for free. I'd tip $1 per drink but that's basically free for Crown Royal and Diet Cokes. Often the in-bar machines had 25-cent blackjack so you could play for quite a while on $10. The last time I went to Vegas was for work in 2016. We ended up going to the Flamingo and I didn't feel like playing blackjack. I wandered over to the bar and what do you know, 25-cent blackjack! Nine Crown Royal and Diet Cokes later and only losing $10 gambling, then the rest of my group showed up.

 

I used to LOVE going to Casino Royale. It had the small casino feel and had $1 Michelobs (which I normally don't drink... but I do for $1!) and they used to have $1 margaritas. When I was there in 2016 I learned that they didn't have the $1 margaritas any longer, and I found out shortly thereafter they raised the price to $2 for Michelob. Prior times out there I played this 100-hand poker game where you played one-cent per hand. You'd get most of it back every deal, so you'd play for a while. We had a group of four guys and two of us would tip the waitress every round. She would come back every 10-15 minutes, to the point where we had to get water. That was a heck of a deal. They did open a White Castle in Casino Royale, so that was my first ever White Castle experience. It was good, to help soak up the drinks, but other people told me they aren't that good when you aren't drinking, lol.

[reillymcshane]

Im looking at getting tickets to Absinthe, and was wondering about seating. For people who have been to the show, any recommendations on where to sit? Does being in the front row matter a lot? That sort of thing.

 

Thanks.

[wallus]

Im looking at getting tickets to Absinthe, and was wondering about seating. For people who have been to the show, any recommendations on where to sit? Does being in the front row matter a lot? That sort of thing.

 

Thanks.

 

I would not recommend sitting up really close. Some of the stunts/show gets REALLY close to the front row. (unless you are looking for that) You are also more likely to get the spotlight from the cast I think. Also, it gets hot in there with lots of people in close quarters so do not overdress. Have fun!

[Patrick425]

Unless you don't mind being mercilessly ridiculed, I would avoid the first 3 rows. We were in the 3rd row and I was on the aisle. I was thankfully never "picked" on. Not really a bad seat in the house. Sitting in the "2nd section" away from the stage is cheaper and you are really not going to miss out on anything there. I think there are less than 10 rows total.

[reillymcshane]

Thank you, everyone. Appreciate the advice.

[TURBO]

The last time I was in Vegas, we went to Freemont street on recommendations from a few different people.

 

I thought it was pretty lame, and wouldn't recommend it. It is great for people watching (if you enjoy watching total and complete freaks of the earth, some of which are more sad than anything else), but other than that, it was just a place to kill time.

[stoutdude04]

The last time I was in Vegas, we went to Fremount street on recommendations from a few different people.

 

I thought it was pretty lame, and wouldn't recommend it. It is great for people watching (if you enjoy watching total and complete freaks of the earth, some of which are more sad than anything else), but other than that, it was just a place to kill time.

 

My wife finds the slots are a little looser on Freemont, but I agree. I don't particularly care for it. Ive seen the show once and that's enough for me.

[PlayerHader]

The last time I was in Vegas, we went to Freemont street on recommendations from a few different people.

 

I thought it was pretty lame, and wouldn't recommend it. It is great for people watching (if you enjoy watching total and complete freaks of the earth, some of which are more sad than anything else), but other than that, it was just a place to kill time.

 

Much better spot to be if you are looking for more favorable table games.

[stoutdude04]

The last time I was in Vegas, we went to Freemont street on recommendations from a few different people.

 

I thought it was pretty lame, and wouldn't recommend it. It is great for people watching (if you enjoy watching total and complete freaks of the earth, some of which are more sad than anything else), but other than that, it was just a place to kill time.

 

Much better spot to be if you are looking for more favorable table games.

 

Much cheaper.

[homer]

Yeah Fremont is about the only place left where you can find a $5 table.

[KeithStone53151]

Yeah Fremont is about the only place left where you can find a $5 table.

 

New York New York makes a point to have at least one $5 blackjack table. Also I believe casino royale always has a $5 craps table. You can imagine those are generally packed though. I was last in vegas in August of 2018, we went to fremont and i actually couldn't find any $5 blackjack tables...at least not in any of the main 4 casinos.

[foamboy1]

My wife and I go to Vegas 2 or more times a year for a dozen or more years. Stay in the Tower Suites at the Encore (newer tower of the Wynn). Love it.

 

If your wife is interested in seeing Zumanity, jump on it. It's a sexy, naughty show. It's "cirque-based," but is R-rated. Very naughty and seductive. We've seen it four times and love it.

 

We've seen Absinthe even more times - love that show also. It's in a tent, but it's cool and feels really old-school. There is not a bad seat in the house. We have been in the front row the last three times - almost no advantage to that and some of the acts would benefit from a seat more towards the back (very small venue).

 

Absinthe is great. Very naughty - politically incorrect. You need to be able to handle that. Zumanity is totally different....seductive, naughty, sexy and funny. If your wife is game - do that. It's more of a "date night" kind of event.

 

Of the "normal" cirque shows, we like Le Reve at Wynn, and then Michael Jackson.

 

If you like classic rock music, go see Raiding the Rock Vault. Can't miss....only disappointment is they end after 90 minutes. All former members of major bands that come together as a cover band. Was just there again a couple weeks ago. It's moving from Hard Rock to Rio as the Hard Rock is closing for a year to become a new Virgin Hotel.

[reillymcshane]

My wife and I go to Vegas 2 or more times a year for a dozen or more years. Stay in the Tower Suites at the Encore (newer tower of the Wynn). Love it.

 

If your wife is interested in seeing Zumanity, jump on it. It's a sexy, naughty show. It's "cirque-based," but is R-rated. Very naughty and seductive. We've seen it four times and love it.

 

We've seen Absinthe even more times - love that show also. It's in a tent, but it's cool and feels really old-school. There is not a bad seat in the house. We have been in the front row the last three times - almost no advantage to that and some of the acts would benefit from a seat more towards the back (very small venue).

 

Absinthe is great. Very naughty - politically incorrect. You need to be able to handle that. Zumanity is totally different....seductive, naughty, sexy and funny. If your wife is game - do that. It's more of a "date night" kind of event.

 

Of the "normal" cirque shows, we like Le Reve at Wynn, and then Michael Jackson.

 

If you like classic rock music, go see Raiding the Rock Vault. Can't miss....only disappointment is they end after 90 minutes. All former members of major bands that come together as a cover band. Was just there again a couple weeks ago. It's moving from Hard Rock to Rio as the Hard Rock is closing for a year to become a new Virgin Hotel.

Thanks so much for all of this. I appreciate all the advise.

[DHonks]

Of the "normal" cirque shows, we like Le Reve at Wynn, and then Michael Jackson.

 

We absolutely loved O and Ka. Saw Love, but it's a bit awkward as we're in our 30s and didn't get everything. The Michael Jackson show....well, we won't see that on principle.

 

If you're okay with spending for a great steak, I say go to Stripsteak at Mandalay Bay. Get the ribcap..I've never seen someone walk disappointed by it, and I've brought about 40 friends and family there. We have a usual waiter--Thomas. He will lead you to a wonderful experience if you trust him.