So, I'm in Vegas next week, from Tuesday to Monday. It's for work, but the last two days are 'free time'. I'll be staying at the Cosmopolitan on Las Vegas Boulevard South - apparently around the corner from Caesar's Palace.
Anyone have any recommendations on what to do for the free time? I've never gambled in my life (it's legal here in the UK, so it holds no thrill appeal and I'd rather not waste my money to be honest) so the casinos aren't a huge draw for me. We'll be going out to Red Rock Canyon as part of the corporate entertainment on one of the days too, so that sort of stuff is covered. What else is worth checking out for a nerdy British guy in Vegas?
Also, I've never been farther 'inland' in America than New York and Boston. Anything I should be aware of in terms of the local mindset or customs for Nevada? Hit me with some local knowledge! And is Vegas as.... well, Vegas-like as TV & movies make it appear?
Sorry, can't give you advice.
But I'm thinking about going to Vegas for the first* time soon. I just want to go there before I die.
* I was actually "in" Vegas during college, when my floor mate needed to drive up there from ASU to pick something up. But I was 17, so it's not like I actually got to do anything. We were just in and out.
Penn & Teller is a must, IMO. Their show is at the Rio. You're already doing Red Rock Canyon, but what about Hoover Dam?
Not sure if you've looked yet of not, but check out Vegas.com for ideas.
The floggings will continue until morale improves. ~ anonymous
I'll second and third Penn and Teller and recommend that you show up a little early if you go. They let you go up on stage and examine the prop for the first trick. They also hang out in the lobby afterwards to sign autographs and take pictures. The Rio is just a fun place to hang out in general.
The fountain show at Bellagio is kind of cool and runs I think every 15 minutes or so.
If you like Cirque Du Soleil, there's a million of them in Vegas.
Blue Man Group is also cool if you haven't see it yet.
The most important thing is to remember to bring more money than you can afford to lose and put it all on a single, long-shot bet that offers a high-risk/low-reward payoff.
That's the key for a good time.
Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs, but if you sit back and relax you get a heck of a ride.
Gonna have to once again say Penn & Teller.
I was just in Vegas, but I have absolutely no recommendations. Just see as much stuff as you can.
The Cosmopolitan had real swanky bars. I got a drink called the Don Johnson at one of them. It was ridiculous.
we're going back at end of May.Originally Posted by Impulse
if you don't want to gamble, there's still TONS to do that are free:.
1) go see the lions (on display in the middle of the MGM Grand Casino).
2) take a walk thru the gardens and see the Flamingos and other wildlife on display - at the Flamigo (just across the street from Ceasar's Palace)
3) watch the dancing fountains at Bellagio (different songs thruout the day, and a totally different show at night, the lights make a HUGE difference)
4) watch the volcano erupt in front of the Mirage (every hour after dark. . or it could be every 1/2 hour if on the weekends) -- one block further up is the Treasure Island "Sirens vs Pirates" show. . but honestly?. . it gets really, really crowded, and it's not very good, unless you wanna watch hootchies "sink" a ship with thier pelvic thrusts from across the lagoon
5) Ride the LONG escalators/moving walkways into Bally's, and then cut thru the casino to walk thru the "streets of Paris" shopping mall (with cobblestones!) that connects Bally's to Paris casino. The window shopping is fun too!
6) walk thru the Forum shops at Ceasar's Palace, and be sure to catch the "moving fountains" (animatronic statues) that Ceaser's has been famous for since the 60's!). There are two shows at opposite ends of the malls, with the North mall show in front of a Huge aquarium.
7) walk down Freemont Street (downtown Vegas) with the classic casinos (Fitzgeralds, Golden Nugget, Horseshoe, Plaza). . but be sure to do that at night. The lightshow on the canopy that stretches over the entire mile+ street is absolutely stunning.
8 ) go to off strip casino, "M". . it's where they hosted Top Chef Vegas, and not only is the casino amazing, but easily the best buffet in Vegas
9) go to the Rio to see the "Carnival in the sky" parade -- with mardi gras floats runing above the casino on a track and live dancing on the main stage.
10) if you have access to a car -- then definately make the trip out to "Ethyl M" candies. . to do the Candy Factory tour (free! with a sample), and the Cactus gardens they have on site.
(Hoover Dam is also an option if you have a car access)
if you want to pay a "nominal" amount ($20-$30), you can also do:
1)the Dolphin Santctuary/White Tiger garden at Mirage
2)the Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
3) the Manhattan Express Rollercoaster & Midway games at NYNY
4) a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris
5) a ride to the top of the Stratosphere Hotel, with the rides on the top!
of course, we always do shows, and I'd recommend:
Penn & Teller at the Rio
Cirque Du Soliel's "O" at Bellagio
Cirque Du Soliel's "Love" at the Mirage
Blue Man Group at Venitian.
"Jubilee!" at Ballys (old school vegas show with topless showgirls)
those will cost you, but a Vegas show is worth every penny
best advice I can give a vegas visitor? (in all seriousness), carry your wallet in your front pocket. The strip is FULL of pick-pockets. Don't make it easy for em.
have fun!
"do what bert says" - Flamestar (c/o Ouzo Man)
A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal
"Evil people can do some non-evil things, and most of them do. That doesn't mean they aren't evil." -- JeffereyWKramer
Having never been on the same continent as Vegas and basing my comments entirely on what I understand from movies, it seems to me the important thing is to get drunk and wake up married to a showgirl.
People say I'm in a world of my own. I call it Planet Karen.
Great stuff, thanks Bert!
Anyone know of any cool comic or video game stores to check out?
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