I will arrive in Vegas ~ 8 pm on June 25, traveling in from Zion. We will be leaving on the 27th for the Grand Canyon. My question: I would like to get the Vegas experience (all the hotel free shows and fremont street) and was wondering if I reserved a show for Mystere on June 26 would I miss seeing alot of the town? It seems going to Vegas you should see all the hotels and a show but would I actually have enough time to accomplish all or should I skip Mystere? We will not be gambling or hope not to!!! Thanks

See Mystere.
It's unique, much better than the other smaller Cirque du Soleils sprouting up across the country, and much more of a spectacle than the freebies (which is why it costs so much money, of course).
You can't see everything in LV in a couple days anyway.
See the highlights.
Mystere is certainly one.
"O" is the other option. Best tickets in town.

In two days, I think it could be tough to see everything. You may have to hit the highlights.

That said, most shows run between 90 minutes and 2 hours. I can't remember if Mystere is at Treasure Island or Mirage, but either way, that should position you nicely to see the Treasure Island naval Battle, the Venetian and Ceasars. I'd say go see the show.

If time becomes an issue for you, the least impressive "site" in Vegas for me was the Freemont Street Experience. Yes its big and its loud, but isn't overly impressive. I'd also say skip places like Circus Circus & LV Hilton. It's a hike from the main part of the strip and some of those older hotels are looking a little worn out.

Ryan's correct, go see Venetian, Bellagio, Treasure Island (pirate show), Mirage's volcano, Paris, NYNY, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and you'll have seen the real highlights.
I would never recommend a trip downtown simply to see the Fremont Street Experience. There's nothing else downtown to see or do if you're pressed for time and not a gambler. Downtown is dying.
See Mystere and walk around the above hotels and you'll have a solid impression of what LV is about.

The posts above are right. See the better hotels/casinos (Venetian, Treasure Island, Mirage, Caesars, Paris, Bellagio, MGM, NY NY, Luxor, & Mandalay Bay) all are worth a good look. Freemont Street is pretty cool, but I surely wouldn't spend the cab fare just to see it. If you want to treat yourself, see one of the shows. But I think you'll stay plenty busy even if you opt not to indulge. Enjoy!

Just curious as to how early I should reserve tickets to see "O" or "Mystere". Planning August trip. Thanks.....

Can someone tell me what Mystere is like and why it is better than O ? Thanks.

O is in ,on and around water the entire show.It is amazing for that reason among others.But at the same time, there is a sameness that made it become a bore to me after a while.
Mystere takes place on a stage, that moves, rises and falls.There are people in the air over the stage and on it.
For me, it was somehow more interesting and I just liked it more.
Especially the Kodo drummers hanging over the stage, they were soooo coool!

Hi I would like to go to the grand canyon and vegas in august am I too late?
Has anyone hiked down into the grand canyon to the Phantom ranch how far a dirve is it from Vegas?
Thanks

Took your advice and called and got my Mystere tickets last night. 3rd row, center. I am excited now!

3rd row is not too close is it?

We were 2nd row to the left of center and thought they were great seats. It took me a little while to realize that the seat backs lean back so you're not craning as much to see what's going on overhead.

OK. I know I'm in the minority but someone has got to explain to me the attraction of Mystere. My wife and I hated it. My wife and I have seen almost every major show in Vegas and this was our least favorite (haven't seen O). The first 20 minutes are a fat guy in diapers humping a big red ball. What the heck is that? And PLEASE, someone tell me what the snail was all about!! I suppose a major part of our disappointment was that we has seen many of the acts already. Most had appeared as intermission acts at the other shows we had been to.
Most people love the show. We wanted our money back. By comparison, we loved Jubilee, the Blue Man Group and Lance Burton. We considered EFX, Follies and Splash to be fair.
Again, If anyone can explain the snail to me please do.

Hate to be blunt, fatguy, but you asked: imagination....that's what's missing. Not the producers of the show, you. You need some imagination.

Here's a litmus test: ever been to an art gallery with modern, impressionist or abstract art? Did you walk out saying "what a bunch of trash...I could make that stuff"?
Another litmus test: did you see Moulin Rouge (2001 movie)? If you did, I'll bet you hated and/or didn't "get it".

Some people are very black and white. The medical term is "concrete". They aren't abstract thinkers and as such they don't appreciate abstract art or movies or books. They like straightforward cut and dried entertainment....like magic shows, sporting events, bells/whistles/buzzes/lights/sound.

This may sound like a criticism....it's not meant to be. Everyone is wired a little differently. Trick is to learn what you like and go with it. I've heard many people say they didn't like Mystere.
BTW, to the best of my knowledge, there's no "explanation" behind the characters or "story" of Mystere and "O". They're meant to be platforms for imagination and inspiration. Much like some of the Beatles' lyrics.

Mystere is only 2 hours, so I doubt you would miss much.It is a great show,very entertaining.The free shows are not much and will not take up much time.Just walking and taking trams from one hotel to another takes time,but you would probably wish you had seen a show if you didn't..more than you would wish you had seen a particular hotel.

Marshall I would respectfully disagree with your analysis (and no I don't consider being called grounded an insult). By the criteria you suggested I would be considered to perhaps have an over abundance of imagination. No I have not seen the film you suggested because by and large I do not like period pieces (nor Ms. Kidman). Regarding my taste in paintings, considering I spent several hours in the Monet gallery at the Musee D'Orsay and have a print of "Sunrise" in my office your evaluative criteria seems to be a bit off base. I don't know. I perhaps am a bit grounded, however my imagination likes to have a trail, theme or path in which to travel down and experience an emotional tie with the artist. I find no such connection in Mystere. My Aunt and uncle loved Mystere but when I asked them the meaning of some of the demonstrations, their reply was a simple "I don't know". They said they just ignored everything they didn't understand and enjoyed the presentation. I have gotten the same response from several other people who enjoyed the show. They usually got a twisted look on their faces when I asked them to explain the meaning of the performance. They had no clue. It's almost like no one wants to tell the King he has no clothes on. I have no problem telling people when they're naked. JMHO

Mystere was wonderful - have fun!!!!

So, am I to gather from this thread that heading to Fremont Street just for the "experience" isn't worth our time?
Have 2 teenage sons, thought they would think it was cool.
Will have 3 nights in Vegas, first night strolling center strip, second night Fremont St., third night a show. Is this a good plan or not?

It's a good tentative plan, but if you're there for 3 nites you can certainly see Fremont (which i recommend for your kids sake, as well, the kids might like "old-style" vegas with all the lights of the downtown casinos).

You can see center strip one nite, do some more of the center strip the second nite, before heading down to Freemont St. at about 9:30 (as the "Experience" runs until midnite i think), and you can catch up on whatever you missed before/after the show on the third nite.

3 Nites/4 days is just enough time to see "most" of Vegas, if you plan accordingly and don't plan on going out of town (ie-Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, etc).

I have an itinerary that i put together for my sister and her family for their Vegas trip of all the things to do, you can get it by searching on Fodor's with my name "thereuare" in the search box, or post your email and i'll send it to you.

With kids you should be able to see all you need to see of downtown in less than 2 hours. You don't need to devote an entire night by any means. The entire "downtown casino area" is only a few very small blocks. Can be walked in 20 minutes tops without effort. You could fit the entire pertinent downtown casino area inside the little lake in front of Bellagio.