1st Timers Question
 

As first timers to Las Vegas we have tried to plan out what casinos we'd like to "see" (not gambing but to walk thru some of them). Do you think it feasable to plan 2 a day? We will there for 9 full days.

Also, we are renting a car to go to the H Dam on our own early 1 morning and planning to drive downtown afterwards for the rest of the day & to see the Freemont street lights at night. That will save us $50 cab rides and make use of the car.

Are we planning more than we can do?

We will probably gamble along the way.

Honestly, all of the casino floors look exactly the same, so I wouldn't bother with them.

The resort areas, of course, are unique and amazing (e.g., the Venetian's canals).

Have dinner at a different resort each night, and wander around before/after.

Enjoy!

Nine days is an insane amount of time to spend in Vegas. Do you plan on getting out into the surrounding area?

I'm with TwoFatFeet. I like to gamble and don't know what I'd do in LV for 9 days. You don't sound like you've really "planned" anything except walking around.

If you are just walking through the hotels and stuff, you can do more than 2 a day, easily. You could walk the whole strip with stops at each hotel leisurely in two days, IMHO. You could do it in one if you wanted...

Do you plan to see shows?

I'd keep the car for several days and go to Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire.

I realize that everyone has different tastes, but I can't imagine spending 9 days in Vegas. We spent 2 nights there as part of our trip to Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, and 2 nights in Vegas were plenty. Have you considered staying at one of these national parks as part of your 9 day vacation?

i agree with most of the posters - 9 days in way too much in vegas. i would do vegas in 2 days (MAX) and keep the car and go visit the surrounding unusual landscapes like bryce canyon, zion, grand canyon, lake powell,etc.

We spent approximately 4 hours on the Strip, a few years ago (accommodation was off-strip). We parked at the Bellagio, had a look around - won $$ (actually, $) on the slots. Watched the fountains. Drove down to the Luxor, had a look around - won a further $ on the slots. Had food. Drove up to the Venetian. Looked around - shopped - couldn't be bothered with the casino. We intended to drop into the Paris, but missed the turning, so returned (thankfully) to our room! This year, we again are spending an evening in LV (but this time staying on the Strip) and intend to 'do' Caesars and Paris this time + maybe a few more. But we will thankfully then be on our way.
I don't want to put you off, Vegas is a love it or hate it place and, either way, it's fascinating - no other place like it. But, I too would keep the car for a few days as you will probably want to escape. If you want to drive a little further than the places already mentioned, Zion NP is a (long) daytrip away - as is Death Valley - and even Lake Havasu City. And there's Chloride and Oatman, not too far away. You could also visit the Grand Canyon.

Hope you have a great time. Where are you staying?

We were in Vegas recently for a day and a half. The first 1/2 day we spent at the pool at the Venetian (where we were staying). That night, before and after dinner, we wandered from hotel to hotel on the strip, and "saw" the casinos and common areas at the Wynn, Bellagio, Treasure Island, Mirage, Ceasar's (along with a stroll through the Forum Shops)and Bally's (as well as the Stratosphere, for the rides) (and I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple). This was in one 5-6 hour period.

Thanks for all your advice. We do plan to gamble, lay by the pool and we have 3 shows booked. We want some down time. So if we find that we've had enough of the casinos etc we'll spend a relaxing day at our resort. We are staying 7 nights at a timeshare (The Hilton Grand Vacation Club) on the north end and 3 nights at the MGM Grand Sinature. Initially, our friends from LA were going joining us for the 3 days but now cannot. We booked the Signature to get away from the casino's and enjoy the peace and quiet it offers.

We go to Atlantic City once a month (we live in NJ) and can honestly say we have only visited 3 casinos. Of course AC has a beach. I figured that we'd enjoy walking around and seeing the casinos and it would take more time.

We are not really fond of flying so I think once for us in Vegas will be enough.

We can keep the car longer as you all have suggested and expand our plans from just seeing the Hoover Dam.

Ok, how about breaking it into 3rds:

3 days based at the MGM. Use public transportation/walk to tour the strip hotels during the mornings, visit casinos (or rest) in the afternoons, go to the shows at night. Some hotel things, like the dancing fountains at Bellagio, are best seen at night, but you will be able to fit them in around your shows.

3 days chilling in your timeshare. Lounge by the pool, nap, go out to dinner nearby.

3 days with a car (and sleeping in timeshare). Take a day trip to Hoover Dam, a day trip to Red Rocks Canyon or Valley of Fire, and an ``in town'' day trip to see things like Freemont street.

Thanks capxxx, sounds like a plan.

Unfortunately when we are in the timeshare we have to go to the other end of the strip for the shows. But we'll get to see the fountains, volcano and Treasure Island shows at night. Any other suggestions we are open? We have selected a few places to eat based upon which casinos we thought we'd be in, but are open for input.

I cannot imagine being this close to the Grand Canyon and not seeing it...Take a helicopter or drive...a must see since you don't think you will be back.

I agree with visiting Oatman AZ. What a interesting town. We did it the same day we drove out to see Hoover Dam. Just continue to Kingman and hit Route 66 back to Oatman and circle back into Vegas. It was a really fun day and one of the highlights of our trip.

Thanks, rented a car today.

A lot of good ideas. Another would be driving to Sedona, AZ for an overnight or two. Staying in Vegas for more than a few days is too much for me, too.

I agree with the poster who mentioned the Grand Canyon! You have to see it!!! Check on driving time. It is well worth the trip. I was in Vegas for 5 days and that was too much for me!!!

For the best bang for your traveling time, I'd suggest the three hour drive to Zion National Park. It's beautiful and will cut your driving time to a total of 6 hours in one day vs 10 hours if you try to go to the Grand Canyon.

utahtea

I have never been to Las Vegas, so I was wondering about the shuttles.

I don't know if these "shuttles" take you from hotel to hotel or what the story is. I might not be able to walk the whole strip continuously (going in August) the whole time, so if I wanted to get from one hotel to another, at some point, can I hop on a shuttle that will take me from one hotel to the other? Or are buses and taxis it? I'm talking about up and down the strip (Las Vegas Boulevard South) specifically. Thanks in advance!

Several pointers. Three nights is plenty. I usually get a scooter and ride to each casino. It certainly helps my bad leg and it saves on so much walking. The casinos are far apart!

As for Freemont, get a cab and go at night. Drop by Binions for blackjack and the Golden Nugget for everything else.

Hoover Dam might be best with a tour as a car is not really necessary in Vegas. You spend a lot of time and money parking.

Check for a good package on the Stip that is centrally located. Bill's is right across the stret from Bally's and is extremely reasonable and clean.

Okay I will be the lone nay sayer and say I think Vegas for 9 days would be great.Especially since only 3 are on the strip. I meet people from overseas there on every visit and these people are staying for 2+ weeks. If you want to go for a relaxing trip...do it! I would rather poke out my eye than spend a day in the car driving to several National parks just because you happen to be closer to them than usual. The Hoover Dam is really interesting, book a tour...fascinating. But then again you did show interest in going there in the first place!! I wish people would stop trying to "semi-force" people into going to places they never mentioned visiting in the first place. Sorry about the rant!
Now your questions answered IMHO:
2 casinos a day would be lovely..it would give you a chance to sit and people watch, sip a drink and window shop or gamble.
As long as the 3 shows are the nights you are at MGM you shouldn't need your car except for your HD and Fremont excursion...however if you need to drive to and fro in Vegas while you are staying at said timeshare, you may want to invest in a weekly rental. I suggest Priceline for great savings.And that way if Vegas and the immediate surrounding areas bore you, then you can venture to all the National Parks your heart desires. Have fun and Good Luck!
PS: I also went to London without seeing the "changing of the guards" and many other things and REALLY enjoyed my trip!