skikat9

Well, at 50 years of age, I'm finally going to Vegas w/ a group of girlfriends (all the same age). We only have 1 nite there as we'll be leaving for the Grand Canyon at noon the next day. Please help me out here, fellow Fodorites, and give me some "must do's" that we shouldn't miss. I've got a lot of great tips from these forums already and probably will just make an evening of going hotel to hotel to check them out. Also would love dinner suggestions. Most of us,(ok, mainly me!) are on a tight budget so a good dinner recommendation less than $40 or so would be wonderful. I'm thinking the group would like to try a buffet but not sure which one is the best. So, I'm looking to you for some great suggestions!

pijeta

I would just walk the strip and stop along the way at whatever catches your eye.

Another option would be to see a Vegas show--that's always fun.

What hotel are you staying at? What time of year are you going?

I unfortunately do not have any recommendations for restaurants, but maybe someone else will.

Have fun

sylvia3

With one night, I would not bother with a show or club, but would walk the strip and breeze through casinos and people watch.

sarge56

I'm with those that say, just walk the strip. Maybe stop to see the Bellagio water show (free and seen from the street), the pirate show at Treasure Island (also free and can be seen from the street) and a ride up to the top of the "Eiffel" tower at Paris (a fee is involved, but it is a great view). You will have overload just walking the strip. Don't try anything else. Of course, bring good walking shoes..it's a hike! Start at the south end (Mandalay Bay and head north!) Have a blast; you'll want to go back!!!

smartcookie

Just walking the strip is a LOT of walking. Things are a lot closer on the map than they seem. I suggest taking a cab every 3 hotels or so. The must-see hotels are Paris, Venetian, Bellagio fountains (outside of it), Caeser's Palace...I don't know if you'll have time to sit down for a long dinner. Most dinner buffets are around $25-40 per person. Paris is great for breakfast, so I would go there in the morning if you're nearby. Alladin is not bad for buffet too. I wouldn't say I would highly recommend any of the dinner buffets. What hotel are you staying at? That may determine it.

texasjo

Hi skikat, congrats on getting to Vegas and GF trip! Must do's--Bellagio, both fountains and inside including the conservatory; Paris, love it, do the Eiffel Tower, get a pastry; Caesar's, it's Vegas; and The Venetian including the mall. Bellagio, Paris and Caesar's are mid-strip together and Venetian farther down across from Mirage. (Be sure to check out the ladies rooms at Paris and Bellagio.)

I wouldn't walk the entire strip. The Deuce bus is $5 for 24-hr pass and you can get off and on all along the strip. You will "see" all the casinos and get off where you wish. There is still a lot of walking involved just getting in and around some of the casinos (Bellagio, Caesar's, Venetian are huge).

The only buffet dinner we've done was Paris which I believe was $30+tax. Nice setting, food good, done by the regions of France. Probably any of the large hotel buffets would be ok and within budget.

Have a great time!

ltt

if you are all in reasonable shape, you can spend the entire night just walking the strip without any taxi's or cabs. between treasure island to new york new york and back again is a reasonable distance for most people. and, if you enjoy a slushy drink (had a great margaritta one once), you can buy big ones to sip as you stroll the strip.
i love the bellagio fountains. i'd recommend going to watch them early in your evening cause if any of your friends are like me, you'll want to watch them a few times.
plenty to keep you occupied for one night without paying for a show and being inside for a few hours. the strip is a blast.

kenrf

I agree with most of what has already been posted here. The Bellagio water show, gardens, and the Dale Chuihuly glass sculpture are all excellent choices. I also like the tropical gardens at the Mirage. Other possibilities include the forum shops at Caesars, the shops at Wynn, and the Star-Trek museum at the Hilton

My favorite buffet for breakfeast and dinner is Bellagio

Have fun

RBCal

The high in Vegas is currently in the low 100s so I don't think walking the strip is very practical. The monorail costs $5 and is air conditioned.

If it were me I would go to a show since those can't be seen anywhere else. O, Mystere, Spamalot, LOVE are good.

The best buffets are at Paris Las Vegas and the Bellagio. The Spice Market buffet at Planet Hollywood is good and cheaper than those. You can get better food for less money at a real restaurant. If it were me I would go to a breakfast buffet and go to dinner at a real restaurant such as Lotus of Siam or Nora's. If you are on a really tight budget, Ellis Island has dirt cheap food that is decent. Their $4.99 steak dinner is a steal.

skikat9

Sorry for forgetting some of the important points on my original post! We're staying at The Orleans (have no idea where that is, but I'm guessing it's not on the strip), and we will be there Saturday, Sept. 29 for the one night only. We've decided NO shows as we don't want to be indoors for hours since we have so little time there. Thanks so much for the info you've given already. Maybe with this new info I've provided you'll have some even better ideas. Also, I haven't checked temperatures for that time of year. Does anyone know what we'll be facing? I know it's God awful hot out there right now. Let's hope things change over the next month!!

FainaAgain

Orleans is not on the strip, but it has a free shuttle to the strip, probably to Flamingo. Don't miss the arboretum with flamingos and penguins, by the way.

You will probably take the shuttle to the strip, and maybe a taxi back if the shuttle doesn't run late.

Vegas is a 24-hr city. In this heat, maybe you want to take a nap so you can stay out late at night when it's not as hot.

kenrf

I stayed at the Orleans last March. My room was large, clean, comfortable, and a great buy at about $60 per night. The service was excellent from check in to bartenders to dealers.

The shuttle runs from 9:30 am. to midnight and drops you off at the Barbary Coast in the middle of the strip. Easy walking distance to Mirage, Bellagio, Paris, and Caesars.

The Orleans has about 9 different restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets.

The website of the Orleans is orleanscasino.com I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at this place and will certainly return.