Julie304

Some college friends and I are headed to Vegas this fall for a getaway. All of us recently turned 40 and nearly everyone is married with kids. For the most part, we haven't spent much time in Vegas prior to this and I'm a little worried about what to do. None of us are big gamblers or big drinkers (anymore) and we're definitely not looking to hang by the pool with the 20-year-old bikini models or go clubbing. We do hope to see a show and do some exploring on foot, but I'm not sure what else. Maybe some shopping? We won't have a car, but we have reservations at Paris, so I'm hoping that's relatively central.

Any ideas for some fun things to do?

Thanks so much

ChristieP

Paris will be good for your group since it isn't a big party hotel (pool is actually small and kind of boring) but it is very centrally located on the Strip. Their Le Village Buffet is REALLY good! My buffet-hating husband still talks about how much he enjoyed eating there! Also, out in front of Paris is Mon Ami Gabi. It's a really good but not overpriced French restaurant. Make a reservation for a table on the patio for dinner and enjoy the Bellagio fountains!

Unless you want to pay $$ to go see the Cirque shows, go to one of the half-price ticket brokers on the Strip. One is in the Coca-Cola bottle by MGM, and the other is by the Harley-Davidson Cafe near PH. They sell same-day tickets for half price to many of the shows. I've bought tickets there for Improv at Harrah's and Penn & Teller (VERY good!). You actually buy a voucher, which you go to the hotel and exchange for your seats.

Shopping in Vegas is always fun. I love the Town Center just south of the Strip. (You will need to take a cab.) It's very walkable and would be a fun way to spend a day when it isn't too hot. We also love the Tommy Bahama Cafe there.

Have you considered doing a spa day? With a big group you might even be able to negotiate a group rate. A spa treatment, such as a massage or facial, will also get you a day pass to the fitness center, which usually includes a big hot tub! We loved the one at PH...

Above all, have fun, and remember "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!"

lmz

Vegas is alot of fun even without plans of things to do. If most have never been there before, I would spend time walking the strip and checking out the different hotels/casinos. Most of them are a site! There is tons of shopping and you can just take it easy. I have been there on 2 girls weekends and that is what we did. We also spent a couple of afternoons at the outside bar at Ceasars. Just had a drink in hand, talked and people watched. Vegas is the perfect place for people watching!

A spa day is also a great idea.

divineMissM

How many of your will there be? I'd rent a car at least for a day, nice time of year to get out and see Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire and Lake Mead....maybe Hoover Dam. Not sure if Paris has a rental car desk but i know that Avis has a desk next door at Planet Hollywood.

rncheryl

My college roommates (older than you!) did this 2 years ago. We had preplanned a "splurge" dinner and had tix for Jersey Boys and a Cirque show. Other than that, roaming the strip, roaming hotel lobbies (had a great serenade in the Venetian just for us, including college fight song played on an accordian), the free sights like Bellagio fountains, Treasure Island pirates, dueling piano bar, people watching,browsing the Forum shops.

Most treasured, getting caught up on the lives of these exceptional women.

Enjoy the hell out of your trip!

Julie304

Thanks so much for all the suggestions--some really good ideas here! FYI, there are 4 of us total. I'm definitely going to look more into spa treatments, and shopping/people watching are always good. Anyone have experience with the spa at Paris?

Would also love to hear any additional recommendations for good restaurants that won't break the bank. Will definitely try the Le Village Buffet. One member of our group is on a strict budget, so I suspect renting a car will be out. Any other ideas you might have for free things to see would be great as well. We probably won't have time to see all the strip hotels, so any thoughts about which to prioritize?

Thanks again!!

pgoclac1234

You must must must go to the Titanic exhibit. You guess a boarding pass of an actual passenger and at the end you find out what happened to "you" They recreated the staircase and the deck so you feel like you are outside. There re beautiful atrifacts displayed ( jewels, eyeglasses, dinnerware0 I think it was about 20 dollars-worth it. Afterward we decided to see the Cris Angel show and we got the tickets for half price- somehow other people in the line had extra coupons so it was 160.00 for the two of us.You have to go to the BUFFET at WINN no comparision. Its a real experience

mrwunrfl

The spa at Paris is pretty good. It is very convenient if you are staying there. The spa at Caesars is a lot nicer.

Car rental in LV can be cheap, but you don't really need one.

mrwunrfl

There is a free shuttle from Paris, and a couple of other Harrah's properties, to the Rio if you wanted to go there to see P&T or go to the buffet.