I'm going to Las Vegas - any advice, tips welcome..

[Guest]

Hello all

I'm really excited as I've just booked to go to Las Vegas on 30th Sept for 6 days. Just me and the DH - leaving DS (10) with the grandparents - woo hoo!

We're off as as my little sister is getting married there and I'm really excited for her. PLUS I'm really excited as we have never been and it looks like a really fantastic place to go.

I have searched the boards here and read the trip reports on LV etc, but would be really grateful for any other Dibber's advice on 'must do' stuff, good places to eat, shop etc.

We are staying a the the Imperial Palace Hotel, so if anyone has stayed there at all, any reviews would be good. TripAdvisor reviews about the IP are plentiful and judging by those, it seems that the hotel is in a nice central location, mid-strip, but not too plush. If funds allowed, we would be looking for something more upmarket, but hey-ho, the trip is a last minute decision and the budget can't be too extravagent.

So Dibbers, any advice would be gratefully received -


Thank you
Lou

[Guest]

Always bet on Black

Havn't been there, but we're going in September as well.

We got good free guides with lots of money off coupins at ncotweb.rufcorp/nevada/splash/web.asp & lasvegastouristbureau/

Jonathan

[Guest]

Thanks for that, I will (bet on black that is!).

Thanks for the links, I will bookmark those. I'll also send off for the Guide.

I found a site called vegas/ which is really good. Startup page looks a bit boring, but go into the site and go to the 'insider tips' page and there is a guide to doing Vegas based on your lifestyle, i.e. the Gambler, the People Watcher, The Food Fanatic (yup, that's me!) etc.

Where are you staying Jonathan? - go on make me green with envy and say the Bellagio!

Lou

[Guest]

Must do - Grand Canyon trip - well worth it

I would also see a good show, Danny Gans, Celine Dion or Cirque de Soleil, a show really makes the vegas trip, but dont forget all the free shows - the pirate ship at treasure island and the show in Caesers mall.

The Bellagio fountains are a must - also best seen at night from the Eiffel tower at Paris

And have a good look round Ventian, take a (not cheap) gondola for the full experience, visually, that hotel is awesome.

And the rides at the Stratosphere hotel if you like rides

Really, vegas is all about having a wonder up and down the strip and seeing what each of the hotels has to offer

[Guest]

Vegas is great, we are going again in October. Not stayed at Imperial Palace, but location on the strip is good. Recommend the buffet at Aladdin, reckoned to be the best in Vegas, also to eat at The Cheesecake Factory in Caesars Palace.
We had a lovely lunchtime meal on the terrace at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Hotel, not a bad price, had their steak sandwich and speciality steak frites and sat in the sunshine, under a shade people watching. You may need to book for that. Also recommend We Will Rock You at Paris hotel. Enjoy Where is your sister getting married?

[kjtinlin]

The buffet at the Aladdin was fantastic when I was last there in Sept. '03. It's worth signing up for the slots competition (if they still have it) - it cost around $25 and you got a $20 voucher back (that you could use for gifts or for the buffet - the buffet normally costs around $23 I think) and you also got a $10 slot card, that you can use in the slot machines in the casino. If you win the tournament, you get cash. We did this a couple of times as it was too good a deal to pass up.

If you have time to do any trips then I agree with DisneyPrincess - you must go to the Grand Canyon. We did a tour that took us to the Indian Reservation, so that you were in a much quieter area than the touristy South Rim (I'd been to the South Rim twice before and would never go back there now). I've done flights over the Canyon before and they are also well worth it.

The free shows in the hotels are definitely worth checking out - the moving statues one in Caesar's Palace Forum Shoppes is always good.

As well as the stratosphere for rides, try 'Speed' at the Sahara - very fast, very good.

Hope this helps,

Kerry

[Jan & Derek]

We will be there in a couple of weeks staying at The Aladdin, also stayed at Circus Circus and The Excalibur... have a look at these sites for buffet/hotel reviews .

cheapovegas/index.php

a2zlasvegas/food/buf-list.php3

lasvegastalk/

[lesliejohn]

it certainly is a mad place, we will go back again when the kids are old enough to be doing their own thing.
i think it is called lombard st. ? they have a great light show on a mesh thingy that covers the street ,and accompanying music from decent muicians, imho best viewed after a few.
enjoy
les...

[Guest]

Thanks DisneyPrincess and Gwen - tips noted.

I'm going to try and do the Insanity ride at the Stratosphere, it looks terrifying and I have a real fear of heights! I don't know why I punish myself, but I've just got to do it!

Gwen, I read that you were going when I searched on LV and your threads came up - glad you replied, thanks.

My sister is still debating on the wedding venue and she wants a trip by helicopter to the canyon and the ceremony there. However her fiancee wants to get wed in a chapel where there is a webcam live-feed for the folks back home to see the ceremony.

This is causing 'a bit of a debate', ahem! I suggested a compromise where they got wed in the chapel and then did the trip. A friend of mine got married in the Little Chapel of Flowers a year ago and it looked lovely. So, at the moment, no decision has been made, but I'm sure there will be a happy ending

Gwen, I love your little dog (is he/she a King Charles, sorry if not, I'm not too good on breeds). I have a little Chihuahua called Minnie and she is weeny - 5 months old now.

Thanks for the help
Lou

[Guest]

yes you really must do the grand canyon, we did helicopter both ways ,landed in the bottom of the canyon and had a little champagne lunch on a boat going up and down the colorado river it was great if a little expensive. i also recommend one of the coach trips ,it was only cheap ,but you goto hoover dam ,ride on a paddle steamer and have a packed lunch on it ,then go down into the dam itself ,was a really good day