Hello all. As a surprise 50th birthday gift for my husband, booked the Bellagio from Dec. 27-30. This will probably be our one and only trip so I would love recommendations on "must see/do" activities. We will do a bit of damage in the casino, but want to explore the strip, etc. Also would love recommendations on special occasion dinner as DH's bday is December 28. He's a beef lover but will eat most anything -- looking for a great meal/ambiance. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Lots of Vegas posts on here including several recent ones that should answer most of your questions...

For a special dinner think about Casa di Amore. It's off the strip but they offer complimentary limo service to and from the restaurant. It's an old school Italian restaurant--imagine something straight out of GoodFellas.

If you like spectacular shows, get tix well in advance for one of the Cirque du Soleil shows. You have several to choose from so check them out online and see which sounds to your liking. (I heard the one called Love based on Beatles music isn't that good.)

The Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris hotel is popular for special occasions.
http://www.eiffeltowerrestaurant.com/

For beef, Lawry's Prime Rib restaurant is delicious. It's off the Strip.
http://www.lawrysonline.com/theprime...s_gen_info.asp

Another place for beef lovers is Samba Steakhouse in the Mirage. It's one of those Brazilian places where all kinds of meats are brought to your table on skewers and the waiter carves slices off in front of you.
http://www.mirage.com/restaurants/sa...teakhouse.aspx

I go to the Bellagio every year. Just got back three weeks ago. For his birthday, I would STRONGLY recommend eating outside on the patio at Olives at The Bellagio. You need to get reservations and request outside!! Incredible food and of course you are treated to the world famous Bellagio Fountains that go off every 15 minutes. It would be a birthday to remember for sure. You will love The Bellagio

I just wanted to second the fact that the cirque show Love was not that good. My DH is a huge Beatles fan and he was very disappointed with the show. "O" however was absolutely magical. Also check out www.smartervegas.com for show discounts. Enjoy your trip!

Likewise about "O", by far the best of the cirque shows.

Also staying at the Bellagio (Full Lake View room for $133 most nights and $198 Saturday night ) for our 25th wedding anniversary from Nov 1st. Love the suggestion of Olives for dinner. We've booked Bette Midler tickets for our anniversary night. bit worried now about the Love tickets I've purchased but a group of friends went last year and 'loved' it. I figure its still a Cirque show, so its gotta be good, right???
I got our tickets on through smartervegas.com buy one get the 2nd for $25. We also have Donny & Marie tickets, should be a 'hoot'.
I will be sure to post a on our return.

Funny...we found O to just OK (pun intended) and thought LOVE was the best of the 5 Vegas Cirque shows we've seen. To each his / her own............

Aussie - I know several people that LOVED "love" saying it was their favorite Cirque show. I could not stand Ka...and others loved it. It really can be very subjective. I enjoyed Love - It was not my favorite show in Vegas but I ejoyed it. I think dh has seen just about every Cirque show and he liked "O" the best.

Also considering we've never seen a Cirque show, I'm sure we will be very impressed.

Prime Steakhouse gets great reviews on Yelp and Chowhound...and it's in the Bellagio.

A word that comes to mind with Love is fun - and there does not seem to be a bad seat in the house. Enjoy your time.

Thanks everyone. Has anyone been during December? Question whether it would be too cool for outdoor dining.

The average high for the time you are going is 56 and the average low is 35 so it is likely that it will be too cool for outdoor dining (although you never know - you could run into a warm stretch).

There are so many good restaurants in Las Vegas but if you like steakhouses, the Bellagio's Prime Steakhouse is very good.

I haven't been in December, but I did go this past January during the beginning of the month so I imagine the weather is similar. During the day it might be possible to dine outdoors, it was sunny and not terribly cold even without a jacket. I even saw people swimming during the day. Nighttime was a different story, a little cold and windy. With jacket it was tolerable but I don't think comfortable enough to enjoy a meal. You may get lucky though and get a warm streak. I did notice heaters outside of our hotel while we waited for valet and I believe in the outdoor seating area of the Starbucks at the Golden Nugget. I wonder if any of the restaurants would have these during the winter?? Just a thought.

I was in Vegas in July and saw both "O" and "La Reve", we loved both but if you want something that is beautiful and visually amazing we thought La Reve was awesome. It is not a Cirque production but equally as good. "O" certainly is a Cirque production and thus probably a little more of an experience in terms of acrobatics but both are absolutely stunning!

If you like Steak you MUST go to S W at the Wynn, it was outstanding and I enjoy my steak. The other great restaurant is Barteletto at the Wynn as well.

We read on line that the Paris had a great breakfast buffet, dont be fooled and dont waste time or money.

Enjoy!

Do yourself a favor and dont even consider going to see Criss Angel who also has a Cirque show, it was disgraceful bordering on criminal.

I have gone often in December (my birthday is in December...) and it can be down right COLD! One year on my birthday it snowed! I have never been when it is warm in December - but have certainly been when it is mild (upper 60's is the warmest). It is not a poolside time of year.