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first visit to vegas

booked at the luxor june 2003,party of 4 non-gamblers.general views on everything to do with hotel, attractions,and where not to go would be appreciated.haven't read many vegas reviews from brits, so some would be great.

Your choice of pryamid hotel is good.Different style of surroundings;their "inclinator" instead of elevator is unique. The hotel can be calmer than those further up the strip.Nice pool area,pleasant buffet and food court for less expensive eating. Be prepared to do ALOT of walking,armed with a guidebook to point you to the themed hotels to see.Mirage's front desk fish tank, pool area for a peek, the white tiger display are free to see;a small fee to view the dolphin habitat.The Venetian is stunning;. New York/NY has a fun arcade/video area upstairs for all ages of non-gamblers.To get away from The Strip, the Hoover Dam is a site to see, but since 9/11 the tour is not what it used to be and still costs $10.00US. The weather will be warm and sunny, but not peak summertime brutal(was there in Sept. and it was 101 degrees!).You'll have lots to do without gambling. Go with a plan, and use valet parking if having a car- for $2.00 tip when you pick up the car, it cuts down on alot of the walking. Have fun.

Luxor is an "ok" choice, but i would sooner recommend a hotel more centrally located on the strip (anwhere b/w MGM and Treasure Island... some w/n same price as Luxor would be Bally's, Monte Carlo, Aladdin, and Paris (if it's midweek)). I haven't posted this in a while, so here is goes again... Part 1: Frozen Drink (Casino Royale): time to start your vacation off right, at the bar (area that faces the street) they have a free drink for showing your out of state driver’s license (you CAN walk around with liquor, so get the drink and enjoy while walking to and in the Venetian) Lobby (Venetian): be sure to go to the lobby and look up (then walk to the left if you’re facing the check-in desk) and see more of the ceiling St. Marks Square (Venetian): see the canal and gondolas, as well as the painted sky Parade in the Sky (Rio): The show is free to the public and is performed every 2 hours from 2:00pm to midnight daily EXCEPT Wednesdays (you’ll need to take a cab or shuttle bus there) Rio to Harrah's (shuttle bus, to get to/from Rio for masquerade ball) Runs every half hour from 9:00am to 1:00am (BUT I HEARD THIS IS NOT A RELIABLE SCHEDULE!!) may just want to take a cab to save the hassle (or go to the shuttle bus area at Harrah’s and if people are there and waiting a while, wait with them as one is likely to come soon, if not many people there, then you may have just missed the shuttle and take a cab from Harrah’s) Pirate Show (Treasure Island): every hour on the hour from 4:00pm to 10:00pm weather permitting (also read it could be every 1 ½ hours) (HIGH PICK POCKET AREA DURING THE SHOW), get there AT LEAST 20 minutes before the show to get a space that the kids can see!! White Tigers (Mirage): 24/7 HUGE Aquarium/Fish Tank (Mirage): 24/7 located behind the check-in desk Volcano (Mirage): 6pm-midnite??, but great at night, so maybe do on the way back to hotel (it’s almost directly across from your hotel) Statue Show (Caesars): every hour on the hour in the shopping mall attached to Caesars starting at 10am (not great, but kids MAY REALLY enjoy it)… be sure to look at the fountains/driveway on your way in (filmed Rain Man there when he was “driving” in the parking lot) Fountains (Bellagio): make sure it’s dark/dusk when you go (every 30 minutes from 3pm-8pm, every 15 minutes >8:00pm, stay for a few songs as they’re different songs and fountain movements) Flower Garden (Bellagio): walk in the main doors and go straight to the back to see (and notice the smell when you walk in) the most beautiful arrangement (better than it sounds) Eiffel Tower (Paris): while at Bellagio turn around and see a “built to scale” version Rain Inside (Alladin): by the shops there is some sort of rain contraption that makes it rain from the ceiling into a reflecting pond below (I don’t know much about this other than it exists) Lion Habitat (MGM): 11:00am to 11:00pm daily Skyline (NYNY): 24/7 not much inside, but great skyline outside Pyramid (Luxor): no need to get too close, but cool pyramid building

Part 2: Fremont Street Experience (Downtown): Hourly show from dusk to midnight. Free Golden Nugget (Downtown): display of the world’s largest gold nugget General (Downtown): see the lights and glitter; this is “old Vegas” 99cent Shrimp Cocktail (Golden Gate): may have to splurge $1.49 for medium size shrimp, but this is a Vegas Classic (if it’s not the Golden Gate, it’s a place next door, but I’m sure it’s advertised on the side of the bldg) Aerial View of Vegas (Stratosphere): take the elevator to the top for an aerial view of Vegas (costs to go up, you can decide if you want to do it when you’re there)- : 9am - 1am Sunday through Thursday Circus Events (Circus Circus): Free circus acts (on the ceiling above the casino), 11:00 am thru midnight daily (not worth a special trip, but "ok" to see if you're walking by) .99 Margarita (next to Circus Circus): decent drink for the price (the place MAY be the Westward Ho) Coffee Mug/Deck of Cards (Riviera): time to cash in the coupon you printed (DON”T do their $40 credit for $20 buy-in, although you may have to wait in that line for your mug/cards) CAESARS MAGICAL EMPIRE (Caesars) Caesars Magical Empire at Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, offers free tours 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Guests can explore the catacombs en route to a 70-foot-tall central rotunda, where high-tech special effects are featured (I’ve never done this, but heard it’s decent) Music Memorabilia (Hard Rock Café): guitars, pictures, clothing, autographs, etc. (also note the giant guitar sign out front!)…. Stop by the concierge desk and ask for a "Rock Tour" map and you can take a self-guided tour of the hotel and all the rock'n'roll artifacts MISCELLANEOUS: Antique Car Show (Imperial Palace): free with coupons they “hock” in front of the casino Star Trek Experience (LV Hilton) Dolphin Habitat (Mirage) Magic and Movie Hall of Fame (O’Shea’s, next to Flamingo) Leid Discovery Children's Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Las Vegas NV, (702)382-KIDS(5437) or (702)382-3445 (1 mile north of Fremont St) Ethel M tour – free chocolates at the end Gameworks- NICE!! arcade with rock climbing wall (next to MGM). If you go, be sure to get coupon in “What’s On” (local LV advertisement magazine) for $10 Free with $10 Purchase (gets put on a card) Rollercoasters- NYNY’s is good Breakfast Buffet (Paris): Rumored to be SUPERB! with great crepes, omelets to order, and pastries (~$13 adults, kids ?? ½ price ??) Lunch/Dinner Buffet- Aladdin best for value and quality I HIGHLY recommend the show "Mystere." Expensive, but worth it!

While at the Rio, go the The VooDoo Lounge for the views, the great bands, and a cocktail.

What kind of rate did you get? I have read many reports here from UK visitors whose travel agents have arranged ridiculously overpriced packages at less than top notch hotels (because they receive a kickback). Please be sure you're getting the most for your pound. Lodging rates can be very competitive in LV, and there are some REALLY nice hotels which can be had for very reasonable rates if you know where to look. Luxor is fine. It's about a 5 on a scale of 10. Location is a negative. Difficult to get to and from rooms in the pyramid. If you're booked into the non-pyramid rooms, I'm not sure why your agent would have selected Luxor. It has nothing over many of the more centrally located hotels except unique shape/interior. Give us more details, please.

Just got back last month. Also a first-timer. The strip tour is great. That alone will take you maybe 2 days. Definitely book early to catch a couple shows. O at the Bellagio, Myster at Treasure Island and Blue Man Group at Luxor. Lots of walking and watch the heat. Have fun!

We greatly enjoyed our recent Luxor stay-found the location to be an advantage rather than disadvantage. It's on the very southern end of the strip,very close to airport,and connects by tram/walkways to other resorts. Ask for a tower room - they're newer/roomier/quieter/quicker elevators. Some hints on things to do: 1. See "Blue Man Group" at Luxor - unique, funny show - book tickets early! 2. Take connected walkway to Mandalay Bay to view "Shark Reef" aquarium (very nice)- have lunch at Rock Lobster - dinner/clubbing at The Rum Jungle. 3. Browse the varied shops at Caesar's Palace - be sure to purchase Ethel M chocolates!! Many delicious varities! 4. Bellagio's floral conservatory is a must - beautiful scents/flowers. 5. After dark, view Bellagio's dancing water fountains - Mirage's flowing volcano - Treasure Island's pirate ship battle - (all on same side of strip). 5. (On opposite side of strip)- Art museum/canal shops at Venetian. 6. Ride to top of Eiffel Tower at Paris. There's lots more to do - bring good walking shoes!! Also, another hint: PLEASE mind the traffic/crosswalks for pedestrians, even if others don't. In just two days, we saw 1 person killed/1 injured in two separate accidents - tempers flare/cars just go when lights turn - wait your turn to cross!!