LAS VEGAS!

[sdsuchelle]

Okay, so my stepdad said he'd pay for an all-out Vegas trip for my 21st birthday next year.

What are some things I *have* to do when there? Which clubs are the best? What hotel would you recommend?

I'm so excited.. and it's still almost a year away. Haha.

[blueangel]

It depends what you're looking for. If you want to feel pampered, and feel like a princess.. stay at the Bellagio (but it's also one of the most pricey.)

Other pricey and luxurious hotels I like are Caesers .. (be sure to check out the shopping arcade. There's everything from Louis Vuitton and Burberry's to FAO Schwartz) and The Mirage.

Mandalay is very pricey, but "the beach" is just amazing. Wynn Las Vegas is beautiful as well.

Luxor isn't as expensive, but is quite nice. There are five big pools and shopping arcade. I've been to the spa there too.

You might want to stay away from Circus Circus and Excalibur as they tend to attract a lot of children.

If you're looking for "partying," head to Hard Rock Cafe (quite the pool pick-up scene there!) or "The Palms." Be sure to check out "The Ghost Bar" and "Rain"..

I would avoid anything in the old part of town such as The Golden Nugget, as that draws a lot of senior citizens. The only thing on that side of town (it's kind of seedy) is the Freedmont Street Experience.. but even that, I thought, was a little over rated.

You can get around easily by foot, trolly or monorail.

Fun freebies to do: World of Coca Cola, the Mirage Volcano, The Bellagio dancing waters, Treasure Island's Pirate Ship show, and Freedmont Street Experience.

If you like amusement park rides (I love em!) be sure to go to the Stratosphere. There is the "Big Shot" at the top, which shoots you up in the air, and a roller coaster that rides at the top on the OUTSIDE of the Stratosphere. I found it rather tame (as roller coasters go) but well worth it for the view.

NY NY has a very good roller Coaster.

There are also lots of virtual reality rides (Luxor has one, as does Caeser's Palace.)

Fantastic shows I recommend: "O" (this is Cirque du Soleil's water show), Mystere, The Blue Man Group. (Be sure to book these well ahead of your trip)

Just for fun: Tony and Tina's Wedding (where the audience "attends" the tackiest Italian wedding you've ever seen. Great fun!) There's a Star Trek show which was excellent. They "beam" you on board the Enterprise, and you're among live actors.

There's really so much to do. You'll have a fantastic time.

[SoCalGirl]

I would stay at either the MGM or Mandalay Bay. Both have massive pool complexes and lazy rivers. Mandalay also has the beach. Assuming a group of friends are going with you, try to make sure someone stays at the Hard Rock because their pool would be great to hit too. MGM has more clubs in it than the others so you could easily end up never leaving the place. I prefer that end of the strip in general because I usually end of gambling at MGM, Mandalay Bay, and Luxor the most.

Don't feel compelled to do every little thing during that trip. The advantage of living in SD is you can always "scratch" your Vegas itch within a few short hours! You can go as often as you want later.

[UKDaisy]

Originally Posted by blueangel

Luxor isn't as expensive, but is quite nice. There are five big pools and shopping arcade. I've been to the spa there too.

You might want to stay away from Circus Circus and Excalibur as they tend to attract a lot of children.

If you're looking for "partying," head to Hard Rock Cafe (quite the pool pick-up scene there!) or "The Palms." Be sure to check out "The Ghost Bar" and "Rain"..

There's really so much to do. You'll have a fantastic time.

I LOVE LAS VEGAS!!!!!!!!!! I've been twice - which I know is not a lot! But I'd go back all the time if I could.

Blue Angel nailed it on the head - stay away from Circus Circus and Excalibur. It's not that they are bad - it's just it does attract children and I found this past summer that Circus Circus waitresses and casino's are meaner. ie- You get dirty looks from old grandma's with 6 kids behind the carpet lines when YOUR being too loud. That kinda thing.

Hotels I would suggest would be something in the middle of the strip. First time I went I stayed at Treasure Island * a complete dream, amazing *. This past time I stayed at Luxor - it was nice, but the walk was annoying sometimes. If you have questions about either one please ask!!

Partying wise I had a blast at the Palms - the night we went they just had a pajama party in the casino - everybody dressed up!!! Not mandatory - just fun! They had psychics (sp?) and of course the famous Hart and Huntington - which my friend got a tattoo at. lol I liked this a lot - the only prob is that it is off the strip - but they have really good transportation. As for the Hard Rock - honestly I would have had fun picking up people here. But in my opinion I would have had to work too hard. And trust me other spots in Vegas you just stand there and a hot guy comes up and talks to you automatically! At the Hard Rock - be prepared to dress like a your going to a practically no clothes club/bar. This would be the Hard Rock. I found it to be a lil' dramatic too. But my friends and I ate at the Pink Taco restaurant. And now in all the US weekly's it talks about the Pink Taco b/c that's Lindsey Lohan's bf's place.

So on that note - go somewhere that when you come home you'll be able to say "hey i was there". I know it's being a total tourist and being dorky. But it's fun later on to laugh with your friends.

Other rec's - if you like shopping go to the Fashion Show Mall!! BEST MALL EVER!!!! The Sephora's in Vegas are awesome! If you like outlet shopping there's a good one and a bad one. The bad one is the one most advertised - its at the end of the strip - don't go there. The good one has Coach, Off Saks, etc....it's up in front of the strip before you hit the Stratosphere.

Keep us updated on where you go and such! I know it's a bit away - but it is super exciting!

[Jill1228]

Another Vegas ho here! (waving wildly). Palms and Hard Rock are great places to party.

Shopping: the Forum shops at Caesars is the place to be...

[shinerbock]

I've only stayed at the Bellagio, but i liked it.

[texas*princess]

I've been to Vegas 4 times in the last 8 months. I love Vegas!! I've also stayed at a different hotel/casino each time... so here's what I'd say:

* I think you should definitely try to stay at a hotel in the middle of the strip. You won't regret it! In the center of the strip, I've stayed at TI & Caesar's.. both nice. On the south side of the strip, I've stayed at MGM & Luxor. Both nice, but the walk can get annoying.

* For shopping, the Forum shops at Caesar's wins, no contest!!

* Clubbing, I like Rain (Palms), Pure (Caesar's), and Light (Bellagio). Light is smaller than the previous 2, but still fun nonetheless. If you're going to go to a place like Rain or Pure, get there early. You won't regret it. Those places usually open at 11... when we went, we 'got in line' at about 9.30 (we would take turns - 1 of us would wait in line, the others would get the 1 drinks and stay close by gambling) and when the place opened up, we didn't have to wait at all

* Bars / Lounges, I like Ghost bar (Palms-get on the list before the place opens), Rouge (cool place in MGM) and Cleopatra's Barge is pretty alright too (Caesar's). Jet is fun, but I think that could fall in the club category?

* If you can, SEE A CIRQUE DE SOULE show!! They are amazing. I've seen KA (MGM) & O (Bellagio). Both were spectacular. Get your tix in advance for the best seats

* If you want to see the "laser show" downtown, take a cab - lest you risk being mugged or shot at.

* At the end of a long night of partying, take a cab home. During my last trip, we were leaving the Bellagio and my friend was like "Do you want to get a cab, or walk?" The Luxor didn't *LOOK* that far, so I decided we should walk. 1.5 miles later, we were finally home. They look closer because they are big buildings.. at least that is my theory.

* Meet new people everyday. Most people in Vegas are there to have a good time

* Have at least 1 really really nice dinner. The Bellagio has a fantastic steakhouse with a great selection of wine. Galleger's (sp?) in New York New York is another great steakhouse.

My last piece of advice:

* If you're walking around the MGM, don't waste your time on the TV screening thing. Trust me on this one.

[AlphaSigOU]

T*P's right... technically, the Strip is defined with its northern border at the Sahara hotel and its southern border as the Mandalay Bay. The Stratosphere (formerly Bob Stupak's Vagrant's -ahem, Vegas - World is on Las Vegas Boulevard, but in an area locals call 'Naked City'. Walk a block or two away from the lights and it gets pretty nasty out there.

With the exception of the area immediately surrounding Glitter Gulch - aka, the Fremont Street Experience - it is not recommended for tourists (or locals) to wander off the brightly lit neon.

Technically, the Strip from Flamingo Road to Tropicana Ave is one mile's walk. Take a cab or the Strip Shuttle.

[sdsuchelle]

Thanks for all the responses! So helpful!

Does anyone know if staying at the hotel a club is at gets you in faster or cheaper? Because if it doesn't, I really don't care about staying at the Palms.

[Adelphean]

I wouldn't stay at the Palms as it is off strip. A cheap cab ride can get you there. Also, take some comfortable shoes. The walk up/down the strip is a LONG one. Last thing, don't split or double down on blackjack when you're betting $25+ per hand. I paid my hotels' light bill for the month.

Oh and one more thing, staying in Vegas longer than 3 days is overkill. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by sdsuchelle

Does anyone know if staying at the hotel a club is at gets you in faster or cheaper? Because if it doesn't, I really don't care about staying at the Palms.

The short answer is "it probably doesn't help too much" - the long answer is that unless you have a 'casino host' you probably aren't getting any more help getting in than any random off the street . . . this means at, say, Tao or Rain, you're getting the same deal as anyone else on busy nights - which can be all over the map.

Obviously it will be better/easier for girls, but still - unless you're rolling pretty heavy, you won't really get much help from the hotel staff.

Originally Posted by Adelphean

Last thing, don't split or double down on blackjack when you're betting $25+ per hand.

Don't listen to this - if you can't afford to split or double down, don't play. The only way for most people to recoup any house edge is with proper splitting and doubling. Trust me, I've had the doomswitch pulled early and often - I drink too much - but I'm serious here.

[macallan25]

Bellagio or the Wynn......hands down.

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by Adelphean

I wouldn't stay at the Palms as it is off strip. A cheap cab ride can get you there. Also, take some comfortable shoes. The walk up/down the strip is a LONG one. Last thing, don't split or double down on blackjack when you're betting $25+ per hand. I paid my hotels' light bill for the month.

Oh and one more thing, staying in Vegas longer than 3 days is overkill. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

If you can't afford to play 25$ hands of blackjack.......then don't play. What is the point if you aren't going to split or double down when it is advised?

...on a side note.....blackjack is one of the worst odds games you can play at a casino. Shoot craps or play poker.

[Tom Earp]

They do not call it lost wages for nothing!

Stayed at the MGM 3 months before it burned and now the Balley.

Agree, wear comfy shoes.

Hell, once you get into a casino you have no clue what is going on.

I lost at every gambling type possible, they dont build those places with the winner's money.

See shows there are a lot and just take in the sights, they are unreal.

People watch, it is a hoot!

[amycat412]

The MGM fire was about 25 years ago. Its a completely different Vegas these days Tom.