Need Las Vegas Tips from Experts!....

www.cheapovegas.com 1. Are you thinking a nice dinner, or what ? 3. Freemont St. is interesting & fun + you'll have ample time to fit that in. 5. Some places do 'share' amenities, I can not speak to the Mirage or TI. 6. As far as food goes, there is pretty much anything you want somewhere on the Strip. We like to take advantage of the breakfast buffets & kind of skim over lunch. A great idea if you are trying to be frugal. The website will answer many questions.

In general, you will not be allowed into other hotels' pools. I've stayed at the Mirage, and I'm pretty sure only hotel guests are allowed into the main pool. However, there are exceptions at some hotels:
(1) The Flamingo allows everyone to enter after around 1 pm (I forget the exact time).
(2) Many hotels have auxiliary pools, typically European style (i.e., topless). Most of these pools allow non-hotel guests to enter. A fee is charged to get into these pools; the amount may vary by day, gender, whether one is staying at that hotel, and according to any special event that may occur.

A number of years ago, Mirage and TI shared pool facilities (TI guests could use the Mirage pool). I am not sure if that is still the case. Generally speaking, don't expect to be able to use pools at other resorts. You will likely be asked to show your room key.

which hotel is TI?

Thanks for the replies so far. We want to go to a "pub" like atmosphere for her birthday night. Somewhere where we can have a few drinks and a good time without spending an arm and a leg. Any ideas? Is the Cuyote Ugly an ok place?

Any response to the Stratosphere ride ticket/coupons?

Thanks - keep em coming. Anything will be useful to me!

shoptgirlmn - TI is "Treasure Island"

Coyote Ugly will not have the crowd that you as a Mother would enjoy unless you tend to favor scantily clad girls in Daisy Dukes dancing on the bar - What about Margaritaville (on the Strip), 9 Fine Irishmen (in NYNY & the only 'pub' I can think of) or I like Red Square (in MB) for that kind of stuff. Very interesting place, good bar & food, & next door to rumjungle which the girls would like.

For dinner there are two options I'd consider. The first is Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris hotel. Sit on their outdoor area and watch the Bellagio Fountains. Food is good, not the best, not the worst, but generally good.

Other option is one of the restaurants in the "Piazza San Marco" section of the Canal Shops at the Venetian. Transporting - in a Vegas kid of way.

Don't waste your time on Fremont Street. If you've been to a sports stadium you've seen the same show on their scoreboard.

If you want something a bit more well known, then maybe consider an outdoor table at Olives in the Bellagio.

You generally cannot go to another hotes pool, even if owned by the same company. (TI is now no longer owned by MGM.)

There is a Walgreens across from the Monte Carlo (or at least near it.)

There is a McDonald's next to the Flamingo and a Denny's next to the Venetian.

Fremont is the old original Vegas casinos. I think that laser show is stupid, and takes away from the old charm of the place. However, Downtown was going down, so I guess they needed to inject some modern juice into it.

1) Margaritaville near the Flamingo, KahunaVille at TI, or Grand Luxe Cafe in the Venetian.

Thanks Ryan and POMAH for info on Freemont Street. I've heard that from others too - but didn't know if it was worth the time to get up there or not. I think we'll pass on that venue.

SAnParis2 - thanks for the idea of the place next to Rumjungle. I'll check that one out.

I don't care about the pool as much as the girls will. I'm sure any one will do just fine, so ours at TI should be ok. Has anyone ever done the Rehab at Hardrock? Not my cup of tea, but the girls may like that.

Thanks again for your advice and suggestons!

There's a brand new Walgreens directly across from TI right on the strip, in the Palazzo. Fremont street skippable in my opinion.

There is a Walgreens across the street between the Palazzo and the Venetian. The Fashion Show Mall is next door and has an ABC store that has all your needs as well - beside shopping.

If you love authentic Italian food, Enoteca San Marcos is across the street at the Venetian. It's a Mario Batali restaurant. You don't have to dress up and it won't break the bank. Probably my new favorite place to eat.

I also love Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Make reservations. When you get there, ask to be seated on the patio so you can watch and listen to the fountains at the Bellagio. My 2nd favorite place to eat.

There is a Subway, McDonald, Chipotle close by and typically food courts in the hotels. There are several Denny's on The Strip as well.

If you have a rental car and like nature, take the short ride to Red Rocks - beautiful even if you don't hike and inexpensive.

Enjoy the trip!

21 year olds need to go the Palms Casino a block or two off the strip..best place for the hip young crowd..Playboy Club is there along with some other great clubs.
I always stop and get water, gatorade..for hangover remedy and some snacks and beer.
It will be very hot.
Should be fun..
I am a big Wynn hotel fan and the food at Daniel Boulud's brassiere is excellent and they have a 3 course meal for around $40 with a light show that is wild.
Fremont Street is an interesting experience
Voodoo Lounge at the Rio across from the Palms has a great rooftop bar that is awesome for drinks at night and take the kids for breakfast at Binions Horsheshoe for the best $5 ham and eggs with hash browns and toast and will last you all day long...ham takes up the whole plate..ask for Moneta..she is the best!

wynnlasvegas.com
palms.com

Thank you!

One other question (forgive me, I've never been there so this may sound dumb)... Can you drink anywhere in Vegas (i.e. side walks, etc?) Can you take your drinks to go? What's the laws, etc. on that (no jail time wanted on the trip either!) Are there also liquor stores close to the strip to go buy your own for your hotel room? Not trying to be super cheap here (believe me, married to an Irishman!) but, just want to know what other options there are.

Thanks again all!

Not only is drinking okay outside, in many places you can get your drinks in funny "go glasses".

Drinks are very cheap on the floor of any casino. Just stand by a table or machine and hail the cocktail waitress. she'll bring cocktails, wine or soda for free. I usually tip a dollar or so. there are lots of places to buy bottled liquor as well.

I actually like the Downtown area for people watching, seeing the old casinos, lower stakes gambling, the shrimp cocktails at Golden Gate, and the Freemont St show is fun to watch for a little while too.

If you want a little taste of Hawaii, there is an ABC store down there, and Hawaiian food and snacks at the California hotel.

Bookmarking.

Lcuy - thanks for the 411 on the drinks. I thought you had to bet or play so much $$ for anyone to offer you a free drink in the casino (I will be gambling on the slots - for fun, obviously not profit!) But, thanks for the tip!

Are there any other casino advice/tips out there? I've only been in them on cruise ships and they don't compare by any stretch of the imagination to Vegas!

Keep them coming - I appreciate your replies!

You can take the Deuce up and down the Strip--very cheap.Get off and on where ever you want and get back on with a day pass. This is a good first day overview. Also, you can pick up the magazines that list with good descriptions anything your hearts desire. Lots of things are free, also listed as such. You just have to be there at the right time. I played one slot for free--never gambled before--and won $100 and didn't know it until someone said that was my bell ringing.

If you are playing table games, drinks are free, just remember to tip.

when we play the slots, we get the premium vodka and sometimes ask for a double and a bottled water back..tip a couple of dollars and they are always so happy to keep on bringing you free drinks..

I'll have so many $1 bills on me you'd think I was on a pole the night before (hee!). Thanks for the tip to tip (I always do anyways!)

SanParis2 - this goes for the slots too?

Yes, slots too!

1) One option is happy hour. You could go to Cafe Ba Ba Reeba in the Fashion Show Mall, inside or patio seating, on weekday between 4-7PM M-F and enjoy a few $3 appetizers and 1/2 of sangria.

Another option is Carnaval Court at Harrahs. It is outside and they will have a band.

2) Casa di Amore will send a limosine to pick you up if you make a reservation well ahead of time. It has an old time atmosphere and serves Italian American food like you can find most places. Most nights George Bugati sings Sinatra/Bennett type songs.

3)I would skip Fremont Street since there is so much to see and do on the Strip.

4) There are coupons, but at this late date I don't know you would get them.

5) Hopefully you are staying somewhere with a pool because other than the Tropicana casinos limit use to their own guests.

6) I will let others answer.

Thanks Westie!

I like your #1 for Friday and Monday our last day there. We are staying at a hotel on the strip with a pool (TI).

I did book the limo for our dinner at Casa di Amore (that will be a nice surprise for DD too!).

I recommend going to Freemont street also. I love playing blackjack and the table limits are always lower with better odds. If you do decide to go Downtown and are hungry I can highly recommend the Main Street Station for a good, reasonably priced meal. http://www.mainstreetcasino.com/dining both the buffet and the Triple 7 restaurant and microbrewery have very good food.
You asked about gambling - I highly recommend trying to play some blackjack. Every casino has free lessons during the day. My first few trips to Vegas I was a little intimidated to sit down at a table and play but eventually I worked up the nerve, and I'm so glad I did. I have had so much fun over the years while playing blackjack that I urge you to try it on this trip. Downtown has $3.00 blackjack at several casinos and while playing $3.00 blackjack has never made me rich I also never have lost more than $30 or $40 dollars playing either. Which I cannot say about a slot machine. If you want to learn how to play blackjack www.blackjackinfo.com has a great free strategy trainer game that will tell you if you make a mistake while you play.
I hope all of my rambling helped and have a wonderful trip!!

Melissaki5 - Thanks for the websites and for your advice. DH does play Blackjack and that was one of my "I want to try" games while there. Heck - if I can master cribbage, I should be able to play that, right?!

I have read so many different views on Freemont Street. Every traveler is different, so I guess it appeals to some and not others. I'm up for fun wherever I am - so I don't need to be surrounded by luxury to feel like I'm having a good time. If Freemont Street is what it is (old Vegas) - then so be it - I'll have fun there too. My only concern is safety at night when the light show is best. How easy is it to get to/from there via the tram? Any suggestions for getting there and back? Is it best to just take a cab and forget it? (there are 4 of us).

Thanks again!

It is easy to get to Fremont street by bus and very cost effective at $2.00/pp. You can catch the bus in many parts of the strip and it takes you straight to downtown. The buses are also nice inside with powerful air conditioning. However, the bus takes a loooong time to get to Fremont street - not because of distance but because of the traffic on the strip and the amount of stops. Cabs I believe cost around $23.00 to get from the strip to Fremont - (I am not 100% sure on this I have always either used the bus or we always rent a car in Vegas) so I am going by what others have told me. The cab is a lot quicker though since they don't have to drive on the strip - they can take industrial which is the street that runs behind the casinos. I think with four people I would take the cab, or at least a cab there and maybe the bus back.
As for the safety thing. As long as you stay under the canopy of lights it is safe even very late at night. I have always seen a lot of police/security guards patrolling the area outside and there is generally a lot of people especially on a Friday/Saturday night. I go to Vegas about three times a year and have actually stayed downtown about five times and I have never had a problem. When it gets really late downtown (2 AM) the street tends to clear out and then you may see a few unsavory people around. However, I do not recommend walking too far off the canopied area. If you decide to eat at Main Street Station it is a very short walk from the canopy area and I have never experienced any problems. Here is a link of a downtown area map. http://www.vegastripping.com/glittergulch/ If you are wary about walking outside you can also walk through the Las Vegas Club casino - then go out the back door, cross the street to California club and take an overpass tunnel directly into the main street station.
Also as a side note - Check out the pool at the Golden Nugget hotel. During the day only hotel guest are allowed but at night they allow anyone in the pool area. There are lounge chairs to sit at, a bar outside if you want to buy a drink, (or you can carry one in) and a really cool pool with a huge shark tank in the middle of it. Its kind of neat just to spend a few minutes looking at the sharks and its free so you can't beat that. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lava2bk/2697649838/ Hope this helps!!

Melissaki5 - thanks for the information on Freemont Street. I just have one question. Where does the bus drop you off at? Is it right there so you can walk there from the bus stop or do you have to walk a block or two to get there?

Thanks for the tip on the Golden Nugget pool - your pics were incredible!

The bus will drop you right off right next to Fitzgeralds in Fremont. You will only have to cross the street to be right underneath the canopy. There will also generally be a lot of other tourists on the bus so just follow them but it will be very hard to miss. I was wrong about the bus fare though apparently they raised it to $3.00/pp single ride, $7.00 24hrs, or $15.00 for a three day pass.

The pics of the golden nugget pool are nice unfortunately I am not that good of a photographer. LOL I googled the Golden nugget pool and found those images.

Let me know if you need anything else

Thanks Melissaki5 for the info. Sounds like we'll be ok to take the bus down. I heard it was easier than taking the monorail to Sahara then up. Even if we are on the bus for awhile - I'm sure we can have fun on the ride!

Can I just say how EXCITED I AM NOW??!!!!!!! We leave on Friday and I can hardly wait.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions - I appreciate it!

Also, if you are just learning to play a table game 'old Vegas' is where to learn. The table minimums there are much lower than anything you will find on the Strip.

I second SAnParis2's suggestion of 9 Fine Irishmen to achieve your "pub" atmosphere.

First thing to do when you get to TI and before you begin gambling is to get a Players Card, they are free, you can ask at the Hotel check in desk where you go to get it, then always put them in the machine you are gambling at. Do most of your gambling in that casino, then at the end of your stay when you check out ask them at the desk if you have earned any comps that could reduce your room cost or maybe even pay for a night or two or even a meal if you charge them to your room.
New York New York will please all ages as there is something for everyone: Take the bus it is much cheaper unless you re in a hurry.
There are a several young people bars inside New York New York" The "Bar at Times Square" is always full with people young and old with their dualing pianos and several other bars. There is a very good Italian restaurant there "II Fornaio". Besides 9 Fine Irishmen for food and fun. There is a new Center Bar that if you want to people watch in the casino and kick back and have a relaxing drink and not have to keep up with the young ones. Also a sports bar "ESPN Zone" with ok food and lots of tv's for watching sports.
Also a Roller Coaster.
If you have time do go downtown to Fremont Street the light show is something to see and packed with people. Go to this site http://vegasexperience.com/#/home/ then click on entertainment to see what is going on downtown besides the light show that is free for the dates you are there.
It is also fun walking the Strip with drinks in hand and watching some of the free shows like at the Bellagio fountains, Mirage Volcano.
Bear in mind when you are walking the Strip and you see a casino that looks close or not to far to walk to, looks are deceiving and can be quite a jaunt.
My husband and I go to Vegas several times a year and have stayed in 8 or 9 of the casions on the strip including TI and even old downtown once.
If you take the Monorail it is a good walk from the Train stop to the strip and visa versa.
Enjoy your trip!

I'm topping this because I'll be there in another month and I'm loving all this information. I'm sure there is more to come.

Hi Travelbug -

Skip Casa Di Amore and go to the Grand Lux Cafe at the Venetian instead. (Right across the street from TI.) Also skip Freemont St and stay on the strip instead. I really enjoyed taking a nightime ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris to watch the fountain show at the Bellagio. The erupting volcano a the Mirage is neat too.

Whoa! You won't need a coupon for those Stratosphere rides. As soon as you look up up up and see them, you'll be turning and running the other wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Gamble at night as the casinos are open 24/7 and do other stuff during the day. there is a Walgreens on the strip as well as mcdonalds, IHOP, dunkin donuts, subway,etc.

The OP's trip was last month.

pdeb - Also, table limits tend to go way up at night. If you are on a budget, that is the worst time to gamble.

Ahem, yes, the OP's trip was a while back, but some of us are still planning an upcoming trip, and we're READING!

I second Cafe Ba Ba Reeba the Fashion Show Mall.My husband and I always eat there when we're in Vegas. Also, Steakburger (more than hamburgers available)is a good place for casual dining outside.It's connected to Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.

"Don't waste your time on Fremont Street. If you've been to a sports stadium you've seen the same show on their scoreboard."

Forgive my ignorance as I don't attend a lot of sporting events, but where are these stadiums that have a complete dome over the entire field (or block long expanse) completely done in lights. I've never seen one of those.

Have you not heard of the Astrodome, Patrick? It was built in 1965.

How about something closer to home: Tropicana Field in St Pete?

Have you not seen the news about the new Cowboys Stadium (that is football, not cow-poking, Cowboys). It cost $1.3 billion. Click on each of the maps at the following link to see the details:
http://stadium.dallascowboys.com/guests/gueststStadiumMaps.cfm

And there are others: http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/general/facts/domes.htm

Not only do Vegas table limits go up at night but the tables get crowded with people who don't know what they are doing.

mrwunrfl, of course I've heard of domed stadiums, but I was totally unaware -- HONEST-- that those stadiums you mention have fully covered the inside of their domes with millions of lights that move completely overhead and over the field like they do over the entire Fremont Street mall. The closest thing to Fremont Street I had seen was the lighted screening above the Bird's Nest at the Beijing Olympics, but even that didn't go completely overhead as I guess you're telling me the above mentioned stadiums do.

I stand corrected. But I'd love to see some links to pictures of those above mentioned domes completely illuminated with moving scenes like Fremont Street. In fact if they really are covered with inside lights in the way Fremont Street is, I would even enjoy attending a sporting event when the ceiling is in full display.

The Astrodome definitely doesn't have a light show covering the inside of its roof - it had a scoreboard with simplistic graphics, and the dome closed several years ago. No light show or graphics on the roof whatsoever; technology was more circa 1965, so I'm still intrigued by Fremont Street. The sad thing is that the dome was so innovative in its time, but now it's just sitting there empty.

In rereading all this, I'm guessing that mrwunrfl, thought I simply meant that the "doming over" of Fremont Street is the impressive part. That certainly isn't what I meant. The earlier post that suggested Fremont wasn't worth it said you can see the same thing on a scoreboard. Well, I don't see ANY comparison between looking at a light show on a scoreboard, no matter how big, and standing under that dome on Fremont street with the entire light show fully enveloping you from overhead.

So am I right after all in assuming that no sports dome does have that sort of thing?

Cafe Ba Ba Bareeba has closed.

There is now a Hash House A Go Go on the strip in the Imperial Palace Hotel. And PF Changs has happy hour 7 days a week from 3pm to 6pm with half price on their appetizers!