Las Vegas trip Tips please!

We're looking at staying at the MGM grand, would it be easy just to show up at the airport and take some sort of shuttle to the hotel?

Yes, we always take shuttles without reservations. There is a ticket kiosk, you tell them which hotel, and they will tell you which pole number to go to.

How many of you are going? A taxi from the airport to the MGM won't be too expensive - maybe $15. If there are a few of you, it will come out the same or less than a shuttle and will get you right to your hotel without stopping at other hotels.

Can't help you much on the restaurants, since I haven't stayed on that part of the strip in awhile. There will be scores of restaurants in the MGM.

What kind of shows are you interested in? The top shows are in the $100-$150 range. However, I would check out the Hard Rock and Mandalay Bay - they always have concerts going. Ticket prices will vary for these but will most likely be less than for the "shows."

As tom42 said, a taxi isn't always more than the shuttle. The shuttle is usually around $6pp so a taxi is just a little bit more for 2 people, and around the same or maybe even cheaper for 3.

The MGM grand is huuuge and has all sorts of places to eat, from pricey to food court. I like the Mexican place there with the table-side guacamole, but it's sort of upscalish, although if you wanted a "splurge" place I'd go with that, but it won't really break the bank -- I think you could do it for $30 or less. There are also budget places like a sandwich shop and deli.

Shows also vary widely in cost. Cirque du Soleil is going to be expensive and deep discounts are hard to find (although look around -- Vegas is hurting right now and even CDS is offering discounts). But you could find Penn & Teller tickets for probably $30pp or less.

Take advantage of all the free "shows" -- not just the lions at MGM, but the Bellagio fountains and conservatory, the Venetian canals and "street" performers, the Big Elvis, the Sirens show at TI, etc. There is a lot to see in Vegas without spending a dime.

PS: Check out www.smartervegas.com for discounts and coupons.

For a cheap lunch, we liked the Earl of Sandwich.
There are half price ticket booths at several locations on the Strip.
MGM was handing our half price vouchers for their Cirque show, but it still wasn't cheap.

Also cheapovegas.com

definitely check out the Bellagio water fountains and conservatory. There is a lovely patisserie near the conservatory for a sweet stop. I agree with taking a cab if there are more than one of you. MGM is not very far from the airport.

The hotels are fabulous to walk through. I would check out the Wynn as well as the Venetian (canals) and I like Caesar's Palace as well.

I've read of a fabulous thai restaurant there in Vegas that I plan to try out on my next trip. I think it may be called Lotus Siam? someone will correct me....

Thank you all! There will hopefully be 4 of us, possibly 3 if the last can't get the time off work. Sounds like a cab is a better way to go, I'll probably do that instead, forgot I wouldn't have to pay the whole fare myself. I was hoping to see a cirque du soleil show, but of course I'd pick the most expensive one! I think we'll try walking through the hotels for some free entertainment, that is until we find some place to shop and spend all our money! Thanks for the tip on the Belagio, I've wanted to see the fountains but I didn't know about the conservatory. Looking forward to the trip and doing some wandering, Thanks for the tips and any others would be appreciated!

Definitely visit the Bellagio lobby and conservatory, which changes its display for the seasons.

Here is a list of other free attractions in Vegas:

www.vegas.com/attractions/freeattractions.html

I agree with ncounty that just walking around the hotels can be entertaining: especially the Bellagio, Venetian/Palazzo, and Caesar's Palace. Those are the hotels with the highest "wow, look at that" factor. Plus the Wynn and the new City Center complex (which includes Aria, Vdara and Mandarin Oriental hotels).

Agreed that walking through the different strip casinos to see the shopping arcades is interesting (will second the Venetian and Caesar's Palace and also suggest Paris and -- assuming it's still pretty much the same as when it was the Aladdin -- Planet Hollywood). Will second the Bellagio fountains and Bellagio conservatory, and also suggest a stroll around the Downtown area. The outdoor volcano eruption at the Mirage is kitschy fun as well.

For things that charge admission, would recommend the Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace casino (one can often get discounted or even free admission here with some online legwork and such), the Liberace Museum, and Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden. Check around to see if discounts are available.

PS: The Mexican place at the MGM Grand that I mentioned above is Diego. It's upscale Mexican but not crazy expensive iirc.

www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/diego-mexican-restaurant.aspx

Dos Caminos at The Palazzo also has great Mexican food and is relatively reasonable. Le Provencal at The Paris has a great prix fixe dinner menu that fits your budget, too. (Three courses, plus wine, for less than $30 pp. Great deal.)

Shows - you can go see Jubilee at Bally's for half price using the 2-for-1 coupons in the free funbooks you'll find at kiosks in Vegas. (If you take a cab, you'll see one in the back seat. You may also get one in your hotel room.)

Have fun!

I would take a cab, or check on the price...

We did Ka (Cirque du Soleil) at MGM a year and a half ago.. it was very nice! I think you can get tickets around $70 pp... we got the $125 pp tix... Last month we saw O at Bellagio, and I got the tix ONLINE before we got there, at 25% off, 2nd row seating for $135 WITH all taxes a piece..

A nice lunch would be Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. I would also try Canaletto at Venetian, yummy Italian that won't break the bank. There is always the Fashion Mall near Wynn, where they have food court, a McDonalds, Denny's..
Since you're staying at MGM, Mandalay like mentioned above has concerts, and they have some excellent restaurants, most have menu's outside, so you can check out see if you like anything. We did a pre-fix at the Chinese place there, which was excellent, and not your typical chinese.. The Mix at The Hotel (at Mandalay) was a more upscale restaurant but with great food! Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's place at Ceasars was awesome, but for LUNCH: an appetizer, 2 drinks, 2 burgers, I think we paid $66 with tip..

You will walk A LOT, so take great sneakers.. first time we went I wanted to be cute..doesn't work like that!

We also saw Jubilee at Bally's and didn't quite enjoy it..the seating was awkward.. we walked away halfway through the show...

There is a "train" that you can take at the back of MGM.. and it will take you to the others.. but plan on still walking a LOT, since they drop you off at the back of the hotels, and you have to walk to the strip.

The Mirage has a free volcano show, and Treasure Island has the free Pirate Show, make sure to check on times.. Also as mentioned the Bellagio fountain show, check out the Gardens and lobby. MGM has several lions in the casino area, pretty neat.. NY NY which is across the street has roller coasters.. we had hot dogs there one day for a quick lunch..
Mandalay Bay to me had the best pool area!

Have fun!!

There is a bus that goes up and down the strip. Think it is $5 for an all day ticket.

The Bellagio has a great buffet for dinner and the Paris is supposed to have a good breakfast buffet.

Ellis Island is supposed to have a cheap steak special.

http://www.visiticket.com/LasVegas/las-vegas-meal-ticket.aspx?gclid=CIGh_sLZh6ICFRbyDAod9kg_WA There are some meal passes you could check out.

Check out www.travelzoo.com You can get deals on Las Vegas shows. For instance The Lion King ticket can be had for %53 - 40% off.

Here is the link to the "Summer of Cirwue" promotion. You can get tickets to most of the cirque shows for $55 - $88, Which is a real bargain. http://promo-www.cirquedusoleil.com/las-vegas/summer-2010/index.htm

We bought tickets through that link for the Viva Elvis show.

You can also call the box office of the show you are interested in and they may have better seats than are offered on-line.

MGM in July? What's your rate?
I got $560 - 2way air&hotel Excalibur - Jul 11 - Jul 16. Best deal as their buffet is da best.

We just returned from the MGM Signature a week ago. We saw LOVE and although it was pricy I would do it again, it was a FABULOUS show. We didn't eat at the MGM, none of the menu's empressed me enough to spend that kind of money, but there is a wide variety and a food court there. Moderate priced food is all over, Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur would be a fun place for dinner/or lunch. Across the street at NYNY there is an ESPN Club, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock and Hooters are all very close to MGM too, I know those are chains, but reasonable at least.

If you are interested in pinballs, there is a great Pinball Hall of Fame which is free and you get to play all the machines, we have spent hours there. There are some really 'vintage' pinballs and some great electronic pinballs. It is very low key, just walk in and start playing. The older machines are 25c the newer ones 50c. There is a change machine you can use. You also get free play credits if you are very good at. The location is down Tropicana just about opposite the Liberace Museum. You have to really look as the sign is quite small. Have fun. Its open from about 10am till 11 or 12pm.

While I haven't been to the outposts of Dick's Last Resort, Hard Rock Cafe, Hooters, Planet Hollywood, or ESPN Club in Las Vegas, I have eaten at these spots in other cities and wasn't impressed. Pedestrian food at best for all, in my experience.

If it were mine, I'd head to Chowhound to get some non-chain ideas. Or maybe hit a decent buffet at lunchtime (Paris Le Village, Bellagio, Spice Market) to save a few bucks.

POMAH, our rate was 360 per person for three people, four nights plus a flight, july 6th to 10th. Priceline had pretty good package deals.

We are hoping to check out some night clubs, thanks for those couple tips, if anyone else knows of good ones let me know, no cover charge or cheap drinks is a plus!

Thank you again everyone, I'm looking forward to checking out all these restaurants!! I don't know how we'll choose between them all but at least now I know what to keep an eye out for. Breakfast buffets, here we come!

"our rate was 360 per person for three people, four nights"

Does that include all fees + taxes?
Check carefuly the _final_ quoted price before buying the trip.

"plus a flight"
huh? 1 flight? not 2-way?

the final cost per person with taxes and fees was 360, including a round trip flight from seattle and four nights at the MGM grand

One thing to note is many of the hotels add a "resort fee." For example, Wynn just instituted a $20/day resort fee. It's a way they give you lower quotes then ding you on the back end.

Hi There,

I've been to vegas about 5 times and I've used a bunch of sites for booking. Usually get similar rates for the hotels except for hotwire where you don't know what you get until you arrive. I do think that of the hotels i went to hilton, planet hollywood, mgm, luxor, and mirage, I felt the Mirage was good value. It just got renovated and the pool is pretty nice and its central on the strip. Problem with MGM is its far south and you may have to cab more than you want to.

As for the buffets, don't go to Treasure Island!! - all the high-end hotels are pretty good, mirage, rio for seafood, planet hollywood is ok.

Have fun and be safe!

and when you check in at whatever hotel you go to, ask them for 2 for 1 buffet coupons at their hotel!!

BarryK- is that resort fee for everyone? or only if you use the pool or gym? I will actively avoid it if so because I think it is a deceptive tactic.

For gambling fun that's not too expensive, we always go to the Imperial Palace. In the back area,there is a grouping of Blackjack tables where all the dealers dress up as celebrities and at various times they get up in the middle of the group and perform. Some of them are actually VERY good! It's always a blast, the tables are cheap, the dealers are nice and funny and the drinks are frequent if you are gambling!

ncounty - the resort fee is for everyone. I agree - it is deceptive.

Have you seen Cirque de Soliel shows before. I'll be in Vegas in August and was looking into "O" because I've heard such good things about it. But I'm also interested in Le Reve which is at the Wynn and supposed to be similar.

I watched trailers for both and decided we will get tkts for Le Reve. We've seen at least 5 Cirque shows, and Le Reve looked a little different, but also similar. The tickets are slightly cheaper and the theatre looks smaller than the one for "O", plus it's round and no seat seems to be very far from the center.

I've never been to LV, but the Wynn is supposed to be a must see hotel, and you can get $30 off the regular tkt price by using Travelzoo.

Always throw a couple of chips on 0/00 if you play roulette.

i second cheryllj's suggestion of Big Elvis. It's free and it's so much fun. Guy's funny and actually a good singer.

I like my buffets, I forgot to mention that there are many hotels that have 24 hour buffets now!! A little over doing it, but why not. i saw some listings here http://bit.ly/cp5xW5

For food, I second the suggestion of Mon Ami Gabi in Paris Las Vegas. Go for dinner, and see the Bellagio fountains across the street while dining.

It would be a shame if you did not attend one buffet everyday. They are usually priced around $20-25 per head, and the spread is awesome. We did the Rio World Carnival Buffet one day, and the Planet Hollywood Spice Market buffet another day, and they were both great. Saturdays and Sundays are usually Champagne Brunch Buffet days at most places.

As for shows, I think the "O" show at Bellagio is outstanding. It does cost about $100-120 per ticket, but is so worth it.