Have you done Vegas?

...especially if your all familiar with the strip set-up.  Late June, I will be there solo to see Elton concerts two nights at Caesars Colosseum.

Any suggestions on hotels?  I'd be happy with a broom closet like room but am considering Caesars because all the ones nearby seem to be just as costly.  Ive heard for the cost for a cab (and Ive only ridden in one eight years ago), its better to just stay at the Caesar but Ive also heard the opposite - get off the strip and just take a cab to and from both concerts.

Ive also heard the Caesars is so big, it takes up almost a block and its you would still need a cab to get to it, even from another strip hotel.  Ive been to several hotel search sites but they dont really address what would be a good choice if your there to attend the Colesseum.

ALSO-
Any recommendations on where to eat or possibly anything to do outside of the concert nights - Ive no interest to actually see any other shows but just time killers that wont be costly as I spent much on the concert. 

Caesars is HUGE!  Not to mention pricey.  I stayed there once and yes I felt like a queen but again, it's huge. 

Don't laugh ppl but....just off the strip, the Gold Coast is where we stay ALL THE TIME now.  We go about 3 times a year and it's not really all that bad.  The rooms are clean which is most important for me.  I believe it's only like $69/night if you have to pay.  We always get our rooms comped cuz we are huge gamblers.  There is a shuttle running from the Gold Coast (next door to the Rio and across the street from the Palms) that runs every half hour.  It's free and drops you off at the corner near Harrah's. 

The food inside the Gold Coast isn't bad.  You HAVE to try the buffet at the Rio IF you like buffet style restaurants. 

When I want to cut my gambling losses, I go for long walks up and down the strip!  Talk about what you'll see~?~??~?~  The time will fly and you'll get your exercise in too! 

There are also a lot of cabana style shops along the strip that aren't too pricey.  Stay away from the designer shops inside caesars/planet hollywood etc as those are extremely expensive. 

There is also the huge aquarium at the Mandalay Bay.  Not sure how much it is to go.....it's been a few years since I did that.

I'll let ya know if I think of anything else.

BTW, the Gold Coast/Orleans Hotel has a little bit older crowd.  i would say average age is senior however it's very clean and cheap.

~H~

I stay at the Gold Coast every summer when we go for a bowling tournament (July in vegas, I'm a masochist).  It's inexpensive and if you don't want to spend much you can always just lay by the pool. 

Fremont Street is a blast in the evenings.  Always some band playing and the casinos are the super cheap ones.  Low limits on everything. 

::bows most graciously to haley::

A shuttle!  I hate the idea of paying having to pay for a taxi - always have, just a quirk, but was willing if it was cheaper than a stay a Caesers and I could care less about room accommodations. 

Plus for the reduced cost, I could get a longer stay with better flight rates.  Im not a gambler so funny to be going to Vegas but up for shopping and checking out atmosphere in casinos. 

I love Vegas and go at least once every year.  I personally do not like staying at hotels that have casinos, just because you have this long maze to try to find the elevators.  I usually stay at the Embassy Suites by the convention center because it is a decent hotel and no casino.  Then I just take a cab to the strip (about a 5 min ride) and do my gambling/sight-seeing (people watching) there.

I've stayed at the Stratosphere the last two times I went because:

a. it's crazy cheap, simple rooms with beds and a tv and bathroom.

b. the pool area is phenomenal. it's up on the 5th floor,maybe higher, and it's beautiful and hardly ever crowded (even on the weekends.) They have a wonderful poolside cabana that serves drinks and food and the view is AMAZING. Literally, everyday we would wake up at like 9am/10am and sit poolside until 2 or 3.

c. The restaurant (Top of the World) is also really awesome and you slowly spin to see everything. It's a bit pricey, but lunch isn't terrible, plus then it's free to view (typically you have to pay just to go up there.)

d. the rides at the top are also expensive but worth it (if you like thrill rides)

I just love staying there and while it is a bit aways from the other hotels (this is the last stop, north end) it's really close to fremont street/ downtown LV (with the free light show, Queens casino, etc...)  Our cab ride from the hotel to downtown was under 10 bucks, I believe and downtown is so much fun. (Yes maybe a little shady, but worth it.) Cheap food, free drinks, and lots to watch (street performers.)

Nope, but Debbie's done Dallas. *ba-dum ching!*

Actually, I'd love to go to Vegas.  Never been though :(  Have fun! :)

When Treasure Island first opened up, my then fiance and his parents stayed there for a graduation trip.  We had a lot of fun, and got a great deal on the rooms because of a grand opening special.  I don't recommend the breakfast buffet there, though.  Everytime we tried to go using our complimentary passes, it was so packed that you had to wait 15 minutes in line for everything.

About 5 years after that my hubby and I went back as one last vacation before having kids, and we stayed at Bally's - it was great.  Again, we got a great deal through a travel agency because we went off season.  And again, the complimentary bfast buffet coupons weren't used because of crowds.  We went off the strip a couple of blocks to Maxim's, which had an outstanding bfast buffet for only $5, and not too crowded.

As for what we did - we mostly walked around a lot.  Unless you're dressed up for a show or dinner or something, invest in a good pair of walking shoes and get the walking exercise.  We had the best time just walking, talking, and looking at all the hotels on the strip (although we could have done without all the people out on the street trying to sell us a timeshare). 

NYNY was cool cause we liked the roller coaster, and the Stratosphere was cool because of the bungee type ride at the top.  And, due to our unapologetic nerd status, we simply had to go to the Star Trek experience at the Hilton.  I agree with visiting Freemont street - it was a blast!

Ok, a certified Las Vegan - here goes...  If you are concerned about where to stay - Stratosphere is a good bet.  Normally lower priced than anything on the south end of the strip and convenient (people don't talk about it but TAKE THE BUS - it is $2 per ride up and down the strip - day and night).  I also recommend Treasure Island (now TI) and Monte Carlo (most expensive of the three)...

And there are always food specials and coupons at check in for most places... take advantage of them (and if you have some time to spare, take the timeshare companies up on their freebies - some of them are really worth it! - just don't buy the timeshare! :))

Vegas is my friend.  I tend to be in Vegas 3 - 5 times a year depending on what is going on.  We stay at New York New York, really nice rooms and not too bad depending on what is going on.  NY NY has a dueling piano bar for nightly entertainment, sit outside to listen and its free.  There is a Coyote Ugly bar upstairs from NY NY too, I have never been inside.   For food at NY NY  - Nine Fine Irishmen.  Their menu is to die for.   

You will do a lot of walking no matter where you stay because you are going to want to take it all in.

The strip at night has some great shows, you can see the water show at the Bellagio, the Sirens of the Night show at Treasure Island (TI), people watch galore.  There are a lot of shops you can pop into when you get too heated walking outside.  All this is free!

Caesers is wonderful, we have stayed there but I prefer the laid back feel of NY NY.  Circus Circus has inexpensive rooms as well. 

Personally I will never step foot on Freemont Street again.  We used to stay at Gold Coast all the time, hubby loved it.  But over the years Freemont Street is too dirty, smelly (gas mask please) and seedy all around.  I can walk the strip and feel relatively safe.  I can not say the same for Freemont Street.  If you are going alone please avoid.  The light show at night is cool but not worth something happening to you.  Again my personal feeling. 

You will have a great time that is for sure!

 

If you have some time to kill during the day, I HIGHLY recommend the Human Body exhibit at Tropicana.  It came to Chicago and I missed it, but I was just in Vegas a few weeks ago and there it was.  Totally worth seeing - you can walk through it in about an hour or take more time if you want, and its just unbelievable.  They also have a Titanic exhibit right next to it.

Have fun!  Tell Elton I said hello.  :)

This all from a Brits perspective....

For things to do in the day - just go in any hotel! Theres so much to see in each one. Try the Venetian with its outdoors-indoors type area, also the conservetory at the Bellagio was beautiful (& free) also the fountains outside are mind blowing, especially the show to Viva Las Vegas. The shops at Ceasars were fab. The NYNY rollercoaster was amazing fun too. Theres the dolphin habitat at the Mirage & the Shark Reef at Madalay Bay also to visit in the day. Plus the casinos to entertain you.

When I went we stayed at the Luxor. It was that or the Stratophere, but we were glad we stayed at the South end of the strip as rather than the North which leads to downtown/freemont street as, as tourists, we found it a bit dodgy down there. Same for freemont, we didn't feel all that safe & found it a bit seedy.

If you wanna get around - Mono rail, starts at MGM & goes as far as Sahara, is $9 for 24hour pass. The bus called the Deuce, stops outside every hotel & goes to downtown vegas, was $5 for 24hour (Good price but I hated this bus! Took us an hour & half to get back from downtown to NYNY where we were close enougth to walk, while suffering jetlag with a group of screaming drunk girls sat behind us & a dose of claustrophobia). Other than that if your staying slap-bang in the middle of the strip just walk.

As for the size of Caesars, it took us 15min to walk past it from the strip. It's massive! But you wouldn't need a taxi from another hotel on the strip to get there, you could just use the Deuce or walk. From the Luxor, I would say it took us 30-40 min to walk there. The traffic on the strip is real heavy so walking would probably be quicker & it's extra exercise to burn off all the yummy food about! & you get to see way more.

One more thing - there loads of these 'GIRLS TO YOU IN 20 MIN' type things with people handing out cards. They're rather irritating after a while, my boyfriend took to pointing at me when we went pass them.

Enjoy Elton!

PS- I sound really whiny & moany! Sorry, I'm English & thats what we do best However I didn't want leave Vegas & was almost crying on the plane home.

Im taking notes, believe me, particularly on the freebies and cheapies!  Ive been checking online room rates through various sites.

I cant walk long without sitting but the Fremont things sounded very enticing - its the kind of thing I enjoy.  On the otherhand, some motel reviews (cheaper ones) complained about being near it and made it sound dangerous so going alone, Im reconsidering - maybe during the day isnt so bad.

My nights are Eltons though and because of that, Ive little expectations otherwise of my time in Vegas other than to get good value of my time there and lots of help here - BIG THANKS!

Have at least one breakfast at the Tropicana and one dinner at the Excaliber, they have the largest and best buffet. 

Take the bus up and down the strip.  When we went, we walkthe down one side of the strip, right to Freemont, took the bus back and did the opposite side the next day.

At night it gets a little seedy on the strip.  During the day it is going to be hot.  Wear comfortable shoes if you are going to be walking a lot. 

We rented a car and drive to California for a day.  Great ride, never seen the desert before.

I lived in LA until a few months ago (now in San Diego).  My boyfriend's parents live in Vegas, so we'd make that trip often.

If you've never been to Vegas, staying on the strip may be more of an "experience" for you.  Caesar's is nice, but if you're going to shell out the dough, I'd check out the Venetian (my all-time favorite), the Bellagio, and the Wynn (newest one, but probably a little more pricey).

The thing is, though, gambling on the strip is only fun like the first time you do it.  The tables are seriously pricey, and I never really see anyone win.  It's much more fun at the off-the-strip casino; plus, that's where the locals go, so you're more likely to run into some "true Vegans."  Plus, some of the shows at those off-the-strip casinos are free, and sometimes they're really good.  The Red Rock Casino had a good one a while back w/ a mind reader.

Also, don't forget there's TONS to do in Vegas besides go to casinos.  The Red Rock desert is beautiful to hike in, and that's where I spent my birthday!  There's also the Valley of Fire which is fun to hike, as well as Mount Charleston.  

 

Eh, I could go on.  Contact me if you're all that interested ;)

oh PS there's this POSH restaurant @ Caesar's called Joe's.

BEST RESTAURANT EVER.

 

seriously, though, Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world; you have to check some of them out!!!

This site will help too, if you haven't already found it -

www.vegas.com

You may find some coupon type deals on there too.

We found the best hotel deal by going directly to the hotel's website.  We stayed at the Monte Carlo which is a nice location toward the center of the strip, and it was pretty cheap for a nice hotel.

You also have to see the music/water show outside of Bellagio - I could stand out there all night, its so fun.