Solo First time in Vegas
 

Hi. I am thinking of taking my first trip to Vegas. 40 yr old, single guy from NY. It would be during the week of April 16, and I have several questions:
1) Length of stay: I was thinking of taking a Sunday morning flight in, and leaving on a red eye thursday morning. Is that a good length? too long? too short? So all day Monday and tuesday, and then half-day sunday, and pretty much until 9:00 on Wednesday
2) Hotel: I have rooms booked at MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay. Also, Luxor seemed to have some moderately priced rooms those nights. Is it better to stay in a hotel in the center of the strip.
3) Will it be warm enough in mid-April to lounge at the pool?
4) Is Hoover Dam a good trip to take?
5) Rent a car, or just tram and cab it around?
6) can one really spend three days walking in and out of hotels and casinos, or are there otehr activities people recommend?
7) Are any bar/lounges better places to strike up a conversation? Nto that I am looking to "hook up," but it wouldbe nice to perhaps meet someone if it is in the cards.
8) And any other sugeestions/advice is appreciated.

Stu

IMHO, I consider two nights in Vegas to be about ideal and three to be the max. I would NOT recommend messing with a vehicle unless you are planning to do something that involves leaving Vegas. It's really not a great place to have a car and the proximity of the strip to the airport makes a cab ride pretty reasonable. Where to meet people? Well, on my last trip, I went to a cheap blackjack table and spent about nine hours. It turned into a very social thing as various people came and went. Interestingly, I was never up by more than around $40 nor down by more than $20 -- but all those complimentary bloody marys! :)

1) I think it's a good amount of time for a first visit.

2) Anywhere on the strip is fine in my opinion.

3) The average highs and lows for mid-April are 80 F 44 F. That's warm enough for pool lounging.

4) Hoover Dam is a popular tour and easily booked. Since 9/11 some of the access is restricted. I never went.

5) I would not get a car unless you want to go to Red Rock Canyon or the Valley of Fire. Even if you wish to visit destinations, there are all sorts group departures with transport provided.

6) Other activities are the nature options, mentioned above: Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Death Valley. You can kayak or do a calm raft trip down the Colorado, all with transport to and from provided. Both were enjoyable, especially the kayaking! Plus there is Area 51. I love the Cirque de Soleil performances. I think there are 4 of them now in Las Vegas. Don't know if you can get tickets just a week before.

7) I'm no help, but wish you good luck here. Ask this question in your hotel, of course the answer will be biased towards their facilities.

8) Don't gamble too much.

Have a good trip!

Your timing is good + the rooms will be cheaper. Check for last minute deals right before you go. I prefer the MB but if you've not been before MGM is in a better location. Based on your price range, I would probably check out Paris instead. You don't need a car & I would skip the dam for your first trip. Nice, but not worth the time. It MAY be warm @ the pool, just depends. There are a bevy of good shows if you have that interest. Check out www.lasvegas.com, www.govegas.about.com, www.cheapovegas.com. There is a local magazine that kind of gives age groups for certain bars, etc. Rum Jungle & Red Square at MB may be right up your alley. The Palms is the MTV/LA crowd, The Hard Rock, the younger/rocker crowd...you get the idea.

I went to Vegas solo from LA back in Nov. I stayed at Bally's for 2 nights, from Sunday and Monday, return to LA on Tuesday. I managed to get quite a bit done on my own.


I visited a few restaurants I had been meaning to try out, dinner at Burger Bar @ Mandalay Bar the first night, the following morning I enjoyed breakfast @ Bouchon @ the Venetian and then a lovely dinner @ Commander's Palace @ Aladdin. Service and food was sub par at Burger Bar but the food and service at both Bouchon and Commander's Palace was excellent! Checking out some of the great dining destinations LV has to offer on the strip is worth a trip alone out there, IMO.

Since Im not a huge gambler, I decided to stay away from the tables and focus on hitting up a few slot machines and take in some free cocktails, after I had spent and lost $50.00, I gave up on the gambling.

I went to a show on my own, had a great time @ Mama Mia! I'm a huge museum lover, so a trip to the Guggenheim Hermitage exhibit @ the Venetian was a must. I also made my way over to the Luxor and went on a few of the motion simulator rides.

I tend to keep to myself and so I was happy to be on my own with my ipod and economy book in hand.

All in all, a playful and relaxing trip for this 32 y.o. female. Went to bed by midnight each night, slept in, I loved it!

I had no intention to party big or go wild, so it was a perfect trip for me.