Las Vegas Trip Advice (Hotels, Cheap Show Tickets, etc.)

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 6:52pm

My roommate and I are wanting to go to Las Vegas for a 3-5 day visit. Neither of us have been and we're saving up for a trip to celebrate his graduation and my birthday. We'll have enough saved as of September-ish so we'll be going either in the Fall or Winter.

Concerning Flights, it's always a gamble and I hear it is best to book as last-minute as possible. However, a lot of online travel sites, such as Travelocity, offer hotel+flight packages and give you perks if you get a package. Are these worth it? Anyone recommend a particular package?

Concerning Hotels, the only advice we have been given thus far is to DEFINITELY stay on the Strip. I don't know what that exactly means, but from what I understand, there is a long (pedestrian?) avenue called The Strip. And it's just entertainment/hotels/casinos/food/shopping/strip clubs. And we don't need to venture beyond the strip. True? False? We of course want a very cheap rate, want to be in a safe and convenient location, and only need necessities as far as lodging (2 beds, working bathroom/shower).

Concerning Transportation, do we need a rental car? How is public transit? Can we just walk or is the distances too far?

Concerning Shows & Tickets, I know *for sure* we want to see Cirque's 'O' and Bette Midler. What else and how do we get the cheapest tickets?

Concerning Casinos, which are the best and which are ones to avoid? We are both only going to have under $500 reserved for gambling and nothing more. We like Texas Hold'Em, Roulette, Blackjack, and the slots.

Concerning Food, we don't eat fancy. Give us cheap fast food and we are content.

Concerning Travel Time, is the best time to go the first/second week in January? Or is there another time that's better? How far ahead do we book?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 7:00pm

I was horribly disappointed in Vegas when I went there a few years ago. It's glitzy and sleazy and obviously there wasn't a single gay man involved in planning the damned place because there's no class--just lots of older men and women dressed in polyester.

You can stay at the Motel 6. It's not as glitzy as the hotels on the Strip but it's clean and the televisions work. If Circus, Circus is still open, they had very reasonable rates and the breakfast buffet was expansive.

No, you won't need a car. Everything you'd want to see is in walking distance. You might want to take a tour of Hoover Dam and those tours are readily available.

There are cheap buffets all over Vegas. They want to feed you cheaply so you can keep on gambling.

When I was there, the show tickets were very pricey.

Good luck.

[wizard2joe]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 7:09pm

The Strip is like Time Square I guess you can call it not relly but it's just a a big street with all these lights, hotels, and ect. and you can see lots of people walking around and if you want to stay on the strip it's pretty expensive but it depends what season you go so you go.

I only been there during the summer and its really crowded and the hotels are more expensive but it depends but I heard its cheaper during the winter or fall, so I guess you will be going at the right time.
The hotels are about $100 dollars cheaper it really depend on the hotel too.

There are hotels that are right off the Strip though and they're great and they're cheaper.
Updated On: 6/13/09 at 07:09 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 7:14pm

I just did a quick check and Motel 6 charges $46/night . Didn't check to see if they have a pool--important if you're going to be there in the summer!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 7:16pm

Here's the link to Motel 6
Motel 6 Official Site

[DAME]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 10:24pm

You should register in as many hotel web sites as possible ( their players clubs) and they will e mail you deals. Also right next to the coke bottle across from the MGM grand is a same day as show half price ticket booth. We have seen many things thru there. The only thing is that they give you a voucher and you have to take it to whatever shows box office to exchange it for tickets. As far as Bette. I think she is dark for two months begining June 29. Cher will probably be playing in July ( I have not looked at their schedule). But I would not buy tickets in advance for her show as she does cancel a lot. ( despite what poster Neal on this site would have you believe.. that has been my personal experience with her show).

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 10:58pm

Actually, I have always booked my Vegas flights EARLY through Southwest. The EARLIER the better. I got each way for about 100 bucks each.

I have always enjoyed Vegas...you will get cheaper hotel rates at the Casino hotels if you go during the week like a Sun-Thurs. It is nice to go on those days as well as it is quieter and you will not have to wait for things.

I have gone in March and October and I have liked those off seasons. It is not very hot, but it is very comfortable. You might not get any pool time, if lying by the pool is on your agenda.

I second the discount ticket booth, although the discounts are rarely half, more like 20%. You will find everything there except for Bette, Cher, Elton and the very hot Cirque shows like O and Ka.

I recommend seeing O and paying full price and booking early. It is unlike any I have ever seen.

Wear comfortable shoes and walk through all the casino/hotels. They are all really interesting.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:16pm

Betty;
All the tickets we have gotten there have been half price. Perhaps it depends on the time of the year? And yes.. you wont find Bette or Cher there. But as of last week.. ALL the Cirque shows as well as Jersey Boys and Phantom were up at the booth.

Updated On: 6/13/09 at 11:16 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:21pm

Dame, were O and KA avaialble at the booth? if so, WOW!!!! Yea, I always got tix for about 20-30% off never 50, although I think Mamma Mia was 50% off when we were there.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:26pm

Yes. They were all there. Vegas is going through a very rough time right now. And summer is always slow for them to begin with. Are we talking about the same booth? Because there is another one you know.. and I believe it is more of a discount ticket agency. Anyway.. here is the one I use.
http://gosw.about.com/od/lasvegas/a/tix4tonight.htm

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:31pm

Im pretty sure thats where we went, but cant be sure. I know we got half price Roseanne tickets at tixfortonight...I hope LV bounces back soon. I truly enjoy it. It has the best of everything.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/13/09 at 11:32pm

Me too.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/09 at 12:00am

Las Vegas is my guilty pleasure. Yes, it's sleazy and dirty but it's so honest about it. :)

Definitely book Southwest when you can. They'll have the most available flights. I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting on Travelzoo's mailing list as well as all the major hotel chains -- definitely sign up for the Sands Corp hotels (Palazzo/Venetian) and Harrah's (Harrah's, Caesar's Palace, many more). I've never booked a package deal to Vegas, but I've found some really nice rooms through being on these lists.

Here are the Tix 4 Tonight locations:
http://www.tix4tonight.com/locations.html

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 6/14/09 at 9:45pm

Like New York, just be prepared to do a lot of walking. Walking from the south end of the strip all the way to Stratosphere hotel can take more than an hour. Even with a car, I remember it taking 45 minutes to go down the strip entirely at around 10:00 pm due to horrible traffic.

And Circus Circus is pretty cheap, and it's a decent "non-Motel 6" hotel. As for food, there's everything. Like New York, you can almost find any cheap fast food places. Of course, there's the extreme end of the spectrum with meals costing $100+.

Many things are offered in Vegas without having to pay (i.e. Fountains of Bellagio, the godawful pirates show at TI, and the volcano at Mirage) and everything is eye candy from the outside.

Oh, and get used to the smell. If you hate the smell of cigars, you'll die. My nose isn't very sensitive, but every time I visit, the smell kills me.

My advice for you is to get to know Vegas using a map and where every hotels are, and somewhat have a plan of what to do. And find out as much as you can.

This website definitely is insightful:
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/index.htm

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 1:36am

The most helpful map I've used so far is the extremely simplistic one on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip

And COOOOLkid is right about the walking -- when I stayed at Excalibur and saw Jersey Boys at the Palazzo, it took 40 minutes to get there, and that's including the monorail.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 2:11am

I would only recommend staying on the strip if you REALLY want to be in the thick of things... otherwise it's Vegas... who goes to Vegas and stays in their room.. really when you're in vegas you're only going to use your room to sleep and that's about it... Circus Circus is a dirty hotel... but it's cheap and everyone goes there... old Las Vegas is pretty cheap too and they are nice.. Plaza Hotel is a popular one and not too expensive... personally, I would recommend getting something off the strip and just taxi to one of the hotels in the middle of the strip and just walk everywhere... taxis are fine... i haven't been to the Motel 6 so I couldn't tell you about it just that it's not really on the strip... several blocks away from it actually...

as far as gambling.. i believe that Stratosphere and Circus Circus have five dollar minimum black jack tables... possibly two dollar at Circus Circus and a nearby one... most other casinos are 10 dollar minimum... if you go into old Las Vegas (or downtown) then you also get cheaper minimums on tables (although most of the older people hang out there)

the first couple weeks of January will probably be packed due to the fact that people are there for new year celebrations... cheaper rates are usually in the Fall

and good luck with staying in vegas for 3-5 days... i honestly can barely do it in a weekend... three days was too much... sure i watched some shows but during the days i would just walk around as to not be tempted to keep on gambling... check out the free touristy shows... like the Bellagio water show at night, the treasure island (TI) pirate show, journey to atlantis show in the caears mall (i think it's still there)... which by the way i love riding their escalator! haha.. you'll see why

and go see HANGOVER.. cuz veags is just like that! hahaha..

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:58am

Yes, Vegas is glitzy and at times, sleazy, but that's pretty much what it is known for, so I'm not sure how that could be a disappointment, unless one has never seen or heard of the place. And if you're only seeing old men and polyester, then it sounds like you never made it beyond the lobby of Imperial Palace or one of the Fremont Street hotels. There are actually a number of wonderful attractions amongst the hotels and casinos of The Strip. One important note: You can only catch taxis from hotels. You cannot hail cabs from the street.

On my last visit, I did see O and it was ok, but terribly slow in places. Ever time the clowns came out, I would start nodding off. The problem was, we saw Le Reve the night before, which is quite similar (water circus and entertainment), but MUCH better. So much so, that we are seeing Le Reve again in August along with Bette Midler. And we'll probably see either Ka or Love. Compared to Le Reve, O drags and feels a bit dated. If you don't see Le Reve, you will probably enjoy it. If you do see Le Reve, be sure to see O first.

Weeknights are usually the best times to get hotel deals, though there are the rare instances you find off-peak weekend deals, but all the hotels are pretty confident they will get the LA crowd year-round on the weekends, so prices generally don't dip that much for Fri or Sat nights. I've previously stayed at Mirage (twice), Flamingo, and the now-demolished Sands. Flamingo was fine and I love Mirage. And they are centrally located on The Strip, which I prefer. In August, we got a great deal for a suite at Encore (new tower at the Wynn) for $119/night. It's a bit more than we could have paid for Flamingo or Treasure Island, but not out of our budget and we wanted to give it a try.

A few sights to check out:

Bellagio - Fountains at night, the best view is from the terrace at Fontana bar inside. If you go at dusk and secure a spot before it gets crowded, sit and have a drink or two and watch the show from an amazing aerial view. Also be sure to visit the love Conservatory inside. Note the gorgeous Chihuly flower garden above your head in the main lobby.

Mandalay Bay - Beautiful inside and hands-down the best buffet I've had in Vegas. Bellagio was my favorite buffet until I gave this one a try.

Mirage - Outdoor volcano eruptions at night. Pretty little rain forest atrium lobby with beautiful enormous aquariums behind the check-in counter.

Treasure Island - Outdoor pirate show. I missed it last time I was in Vegas and have heard it has changed much since the mid-90s. But it's free and stuff blows up.

Caesar's Palace - Forum shops. Stroll through the shopping mall and check out the living statues that perform. It's cheesy fun. Then walk directly into the seemingly endless casino that just goes on and on and on.

Wynn - Beautiful entrance and gorgeous lobby. There is a breathtaking outdoor bar off the main lobby with a gorgeous water wall and still lagoon that must be viewed at night.

Venetian - Shopping mall with the faux canals is cute. Worth a peek in the daytime.

New York, New York and Paris - Virtually identical, city-themed cheesy casinos. Nothing to spend much time on, but the roller coaster at NYNY is loads of fun.

MGM and Luxor - Decent enough to check out, but not to go out of one's way to spend any time at either. Both casinos were overhauled in the 90s and everything interesting and charming about them was removed and replaced with more slot machines.

Planet Hollywood - One of my new favorites. Modern, sleek and contemporary casino with no extra gimmicks or frills. It is more laid-back, yet chic. I probably spent more time in this casino than any other.

Rio - Off The Strip, but worth a visit. The overhead Mardi Gras parade is delightful and the Voodoo Lounge at the top of the resort offers a spectacular night view of The Strip. Difficult to walk there, but I believe they have a regular free shuttle service.

Hard Rock - Small, but impressive casino off The Strip. Great place to chill and get away from the Strip crowds.

Stratosphere - The view is nice, but the place itself is not. And neither is the staff. I prefer the view from Rio and would urge people against visiting this place. It's also very far north and not a convenient visit.

Circus Circus - I hate clowns and this place was the very first "family" oriented hotel. Sorry, but I really hate this place with a passion. The last time I was there, it was quite dirty and the decor looked like the something even the Ringling Brothers would consider gaudy. Add to the fact that it is almost as far north as the Stratosphere, I would consider something comparable in price but more centrally located, such as Famingo, Imperial Palace or Tropicana.

When you visit a casino, sign up for their free players' cards (some of them have only one card for a chain of casinos). Most often, you can get perks such as discount buffets or free slot play. At Planet Hollywood, we sat through one of those time-share spiels, which took about an hour (a rather bizarre hour, at that) after which we just told them we had no intention of buying anything and left with $40 free slot play each. With that $80, we won another $20, so we cashed out a free $100.

Fremont Street downtown is an interesting sight at night with the overhead show and some of the iconic signs. Be warned that the older casinos bring in a totally different crowd. These are generally going to be your hard-core gamblers and none of the older casinos either downtown or on the strip are going to be very pretty or attractive. They generally have better odds and lower minimum bets, but you only go to these to gamble, not for the sights.

Finally, keep in mind that though you are seeing lots of great hotels and casinos in a row right next to each other, these places are MASSIVE and it takes much longer than one would think to walk from one to the next (even the hike from the street to the hotel entrances, such as Bellagio, Caesar's Palace or Mirage can be tiring after a while). The Strip is approximately 6 miles long, so if you have limited time, try planning your day in areas of the strip (South, Central, North), take taxis, or you can pretty much limit yourself to the area from Mandalay Bay to Wynn and the Fashion Mall (across the street from Wynn). That's basically where I spend the majority of my time. There is plenty to see and do.

PS - There is a free monorail that connects Madalay Bay, Luxor and Excaliber, which is a time-saving must if you plan to visit Mandalay Bay. There is also a public monorail on the East side of the strip with a one-day pass for $12 or a three day pass for $28. Stops at MGM, Paris, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Hilton and Sahara.

Updated On: 6/15/09 at 11:58 AM

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 4:09pm

Mister Matt - that was VERY nice of you to type up!! I've printed it out and put it in my trip folder. Thanks ever so much!!!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 5:03pm

Treasure Island's new show is The Sirens of TI, which is hilariously stupid. There are male and female pirates and as many bare midriffs are you can imagine.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 5:24pm

I really hated that they changed the logo and branding of Treasure Island. The old sign with the crossbones looked adventurous and fun. The new "TI" sign looks like something you might see at a Microsoft expo. It doesn't resemble anything that has to do with "Treasure Island", or any treasure, or even an island. I guess they were trying for a new branding image, but I can't imagine why. Unless the skull was some sort of unlucky image, like the original lion's mouth entrance to the new MGM, that kept Asian tourists from visiting their casino. I was just deflated when I saw it on my last trip.

[Shawk]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 6:11pm

Most of what I would have said has been covered, but I would add that the Monorail can be a good deal if you are, say, staying at the Sahara or Hilton and want to get back and forth, but it can take forever in that the stops are nearly always to the back of the casinos and you have to walk through vast swaths of casino to get in or out.

If you like crepes, there's a crepe place in Paris that is pretty good and reasonably priced.

The Sirens of TI are ridiculous. Don't stand too close if you want to watch it-- they warn you about water but not about the potential to have your eyebrows singed off by random "explosions."

[wizard2joe]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 6:47pm

When I saw the Treasure Island show I got to see it very close since we stayed there.
I thought it was one of the dumbest show I ever seen.
They lipsync and lip-talk they dont even talk it's all recorded and the explosions and water splashing at you is very dumb.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 6/15/09 at 11:51pm

i'm going to second Shaw's crepe suggestion... good jeebus their crepes are AMAZING!!!!!

[legally_wicked]

Posted: 6/16/09 at 8:34am

I saw Love a couple of years ago and loved it but I've not seen any other Cirque show to compare it to.

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 6/16/09 at 9:15am

My partner and I have been to Vegas five or six times since 2001 and except for the last trip (Dec. 200, we stayed downtown. With the exception of the Golden Nugget, all the hotel/casinos are cheaper and if you have to get to the strip, you catch the Deuce, the local bus service that offers $2 rides and $5 day passes. The Fremont Street Experience is also worth a look.

The discount ticket booths are at the aforementioned Coke Museum and at the Fashion Show Mall across from the Wynn. There used to be a booth at one of the downtown hotels as well, but not sure if it's still there. Some places also offer discounts for their in-house shows...we saw "Mystere" for half-price because we stayed at TI.

You also might want to consider getting a PowerPass if you plan on more sightseeing than gambling. Google it...we spent around $75/85 each for a two-day pass and more than got our money's worth from the five or six things we had time to visit.

We also always fly Southwest, which offers solid package deals and non-stop flights from my neck of the woods (upstate NY).