BootsnAll Travel Community

I'll be there in a couple weeks. It's been a looong time since I've been there and I've been a Europoser for the last couple of years.

Does anyone have any tips on Vegas re: the Monorails, best buffets, cool nightclubs that cost less than a C note to get into?

I'll probably head to Paris and the Venetian to keep my Euro tendancies in check but otherwise let me know if there's anything cool to do there besides yell "Black Jack" when I bust.

Check out the atomic testing museum. I really liked it.

Also if the world cup is still going on definitely check out some games at the MGM. I was there during the NCAA bball tourney and it's craziness.

Thanks for the tips. Where is the Atomic Testing Museum? Is it far from the strip or can I stumble on into it, hurricane in hand?

You're right about MGM's sports book. This goes back a few years, but I was there when AFC playoffs were going on. The Bledsoe qb'd Patriots took down the Steelers and the place was going nuts.

We'll see if the gamblers do the same for the World Cup fuuutbool.

There is loads to do in Vegas so you wont be dissapointed.
I would strongly recommend a show. We have been twice and have seen Blue man group and 'o'. The tickets are expensive but well worth the money as the are spectacular.
I would also reccomend the Micro brewery within Monte Carlo resort. Basically its a brewery where there make there own beer which is fantastic. There a 5 different types to choose from.
Go to the top of the Stratoshere for a meal/drinks as its the best view down the strip. If you book in advance you get the VIP lift to save you queing.
If you need any more info then let me know

Enjoy

Check out the Las Vegas Logue for info.

the Rio does a fantastic lunch buffet-all you can eat for $15-foods from all over the world-go around 2.30 and you won't need any dinner
While in Vegas why not go skydiving with Vegas extreme skydiving-i did a dive with these guys about 2-3 weeks ago and it was fantastic if you aint done it this is the place!
Apart from that have fun, gamble in all the casinos, see the free shows, head down to fremont street, see the blue men, magic shows, big concerts (theres a free mag i think called whats on that tells you everything you need to know) and shop till you drop in the outlet mall (you could spend a good few days in there)
CLubs-rain and ghost bar? are meant to be good at the palms and beach if you can't be bothered dressing up-watch out for dress codes.
Vegas is so fantastic it's unlikely you'll get bored- HAVE FUN

So, I'll just admit that I really don't care about staying on the Strip in Vegas because I am a cheapskate and don't want to shell out the bucks -- but I am enticed by those crazy swimming pools with the float up bars. And ok, my inner party girl is thinking about those clubs with the DJs. Which, let's face it, just isn't an option at the Motel 6.

Does anyone know if there is a way to access the pools, say at the Hard Rock or Mandalay Bay, without staying at the hotel?

And, philosophically, just chime in, is it worth it to stay at one of those hotels on the Strip? Just to access the good stuff?

Many of the megaresort pools in Las Vegas are closed to guests only. And many are now posting guards at the entrances to check for room keys.

However, from May until the fall, several resorts open up their pool areas to non-guests when they host weekly parties. The two best are Rehab at the Hard Rock, which is held every Sunday, and Ditch Fridays at the Palms pool. The Venus Pool Club, run by the folks behind Pure, is open daily at Caesars Palace. And this summer will see Bare @ the Mirage and a weekly Tao pool party at The Venetian enter the mix, though dates for these new events haven't been set in stone. Keep in mind that some of these parties will charge a cover charge, as would a regular club event at the resort.

I suggest visiting and bookmarking BootsnAll's Las Vegas Logue Las Vegas Logue website as events are posted reguarly there.

As for whether it's worth it to pay extra to stay at one of these megaresorts, I would say yes, especially if you can book during a great deal offering. During non-peak times in Vegas, it's possible to get a room at the MGM Grand for as low as $79, with extras thrown in (dining credits, 2-4-1 at the spa, etc). Some resorts also offer complimentary club passes to guests staying at the property, which can be a bonus.

I think I's definitely woth it to stay on the strip where all of the action is. There are a couple of hostels in Vegas though I wouldn't bother, stay in a nice place where you are close to everything. If you want someplace with a pool I'd say that most places, even cheap places all have pools since it's so friggin hot in Vegas. If　you want one of those cool pools with sand beaches and wave pools that they have at the casino they really do check the key. Unless you are a 10 with huge boobs (and get a straight pool guy checking keys) you will be denied.

If you are into Poker, the best place to play is at Ceaser's Palace. Always a good game going on. You can also get a little tournament with a low buy in if you are just trying your luck.

i dont know if you're into it, but i saw cirque de soleil when i was in vegas (a couple of weeks ago) and loved it. there are a couple different versions. one is on water and the other is the beatles cirque de soleil....both very cool.

there are also various music/comedic performances, burlesque, dance shows that would be fun too..

Staying on the strip is the only way to do Vegas. The cheapest rooms Iv'e ever found were at the MGM. Their pool scene is pretty good - they have several and a lazy river. Club Rio is always fun. The live photos of people dancing plastered on the ceiling is a trip. I thought I was worldly, but there's some wild stuff going on there! The Voodoo lounge at the top of the Rio is definitely worth the small cover charge and the view and music are great!

I was in Las Vegas in 2000, so take my info with a grain of salt. Things change to frequently there.

I stayed in downtown when I went, but I wouldn't recommend doing that if you aren't in a car. It's not far from the Strip, but taking the bus back and forth everyday could get irritating when you can usually find a really good deal somewhere right on the Strip.

If you do go to Freemont Street, that's where you can find giant ice cream cones for a $1, foot long hotdogs for $1, 99cent steaks, and all of the cheap eats. They give you all this cheap junk food, and then they parade out the Freemont Street Girls who are 6 feet tall, 98 lbs, and gorgeous. Really doesn't help the old self-esteem.

I don't know how much tickets are right now, and he's out of town a lot, but check out Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo. By far, the best American magician ever. And, his Kentucky accent is cute.

It's off the strip and past the airport, but the Ethel M chocolate factory is a nice attraction, and there's a beautiful (free) catcus garden to roam behind it. If I remember correctly, they don't get much in the way of free chocolate to people on the tour, but the cactus are worth the trip.

You used to be able to get a nice, cold, little bottle of Coca-Cola for a quarter at the World of Coca-Cola. And, the M&M world has a nice little "experience" that was $3 when I was there. It was still being constructed when I was there, so I'm not sure how the price has changed.

I would not recommend the roller coaster at New York-New York, because it's pretty expensive. Plus, it doesn't seem to build up enough speed for the loops, and I got thrown into the shoulder harness on every loop. Freaked me out.

I would also not recommend the Paris Buffet. You have to wait in like 7 lines just to get in, and then the food made 2 of us sick. It was also pretty expensive compared to other buffets in town.

the boardwalk is a tiny hotel/casino on the strip, not the best casino, but cheap and on the strip

edit: n/m they closed up shop

This is all quite useful material, thanks!

I'll be in Vegas at the end of this week for a long weekend and am hoping to see some cool and funny sights. I hope to be able to Pee at the Berlin Wall (or at least get a photo) and possibly even hang out around lunch time to see the aliens from the Star Trek Experience. I am pretty bummed out that the marshmallow factory closed...

So if you know of anything else cool and kitschy of a similar vein, I would greatly appreciate it.

I am in Vegas right now! It was nice and toasty yesterday but the weatherman said there was going to be a 20 degree drop in weather. Not sure how long it'll last...

This coming weekend is the Final Four. You may want to hit a sportsbook and have fun! Make sure to at least walk through the Wynn. I am staying there right now (love traveling for work!), and it is such a beautiful casino. Very elegant.

There is alot of construction at this end of the Strip...Trump Towers, an addition to the Venetian, and an addition to the Wynn. I love the Venetian's casino...even though people are smoking, the ventilation system is really good and you don't walk out smelling like an ashtray.

Have fun!!

The big strip casinos are so big, it can take 20 minutes just to get to the street. I like the Flamingo. It's not so flash as the newer ones, but it has a great pool and is centraly located - and usually much cheaper.

The buffet at the Rio is excellent, but it's off the strip and hard to get to on foot.

there's an Irish Casino (can't remember name, but it's obvious when you see it) on Fremonte Street that has cheap poker tournaments daily. I entered one and did pretty well, although not well enough.

Word of advice though, avoid their "Fresh" seafood buffet. A girl I met got stuck into it and ended up in a bad way with food poisoning. To be honest though, anyone who thinks you can get fresh sea food in the middle of the desert must be a bit odd.

Also there's a cool little bar/club on the other side of Fremonte Street called Beauty Bar. It's an old beauty salon that still has a lot of the original stuff (like them seat with big bowl hairdryers on them). I went on a Saturday night and it was great, played some really good rock and indie music (Interpol, The Jam, Strokes etc etc).

whats the best place to find out the deals for the hotels - do you contact them directly or are there specific websites - i tried doing some research and the cheapest i came up with midweek is $170 per night.

Michelle

see if the hotels portion of boots has any deals going on with off the strip hotels, if not you can use other unnamed sources that have plenty of deals for really cheap in vegas...not on the strip...i have seen deals as low as 30-40 dollars a night...

also its the world cup of cricket not fuuuuutbol...