Hi everyone,

I am graduating university at the end of December and as a gift my father is sendig my SO and I to Las Vegas from the 25th-29th of December. There is a sporting event taking place there that we have been DYING to see and we are soooo excited we'll be able to go!

I have been doing research galore and I seem to be pretty well covered but I have a couple of basic questions that I am having trouble getting solid answers to.

1) What should I wear? I see that the temps are slightly cool but I have gotten such a range of suggestions regarding clothes that I can't make up my mind Some people have said dress for early winter, others say it'll be super hot during the day so bring light clothing etc etc. What's right and what's not? I love wearing those knew leggings that are in style these days. Would I be OK to wear those with some comfy flats and a light shirt during the day...then for the evening throwing on a shrug or zip up? I'm not sure????


2) Are the deals at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets normally good? We are thinking about checking them out as we LOVE to shop

3) Lastly, if anyone has any suggestions about something special to do on xmas day i would love to hear it....we were thinking about a Gondola ride at the Venetian and a nice dinner? But if there's anything that would be more fun I would love to know.


Thanks in advance for your answers!!!

Layla

www.cheapovegas.com has great reviews!

You will NOT need warm-weather clothes in vegas in the winter!! It is actually pretty cold so you'll want a coat and long pants. Yes, it does get brutally hot in the summer, but NOT in the winter.

As for the weather, we can have pleasant winter days here in Las Vegas. If it is sunny during a winter day there is a good chance you can walk around in shirt sleeves, no coat.

An overcast day will be chilly.

Once the sun sets it will get cold, nights possibly high 30's to low 40's.

Have fun visiting us.

What you wear seems to be dependent on from where you are arriving. Most locals bundle up when the temp drops below 70, but my parents from Colorado are fine with a light jacket or sweater in December. It has snowed in LV in the past around Christmas, so it can be quite chilly. OTOH, if you are walking around, you might be too hot with a winter coat, etc. Where are you coming from?

As for your shoes, wear comfortable walking shoes. You will walk a lot and your feet will thank you for comfort.

As for the Premium Outlets, I don't find them to be a bargain. I've only been up there a few times, but the prices to me did not seem like they were much, if at all, below retail. At any rate, there are a lot of good, high end shops in one spot so it might be worth your time.

I prefer the Fashion Show Mall for shopping. Even as a local, I'll drive over to the strip to visit Macy's or Nordstrom's there. The stores tend to have a good variety of clothes and styles and there are many smaller stores that are fun to shop in.

Cold and hot are relative terms, but I don't know anyone who would think it is "super hot" in LV in December, unless they are from Antarctica. Or it's a heat wave.

I was in LV last December and while it was very sunny during the day it was also extremely windy and on the "chilly" side. Most people were wearing jackets during the day and some people coats. Layers would be your friend, but absolutely do not dress for "hot" temps. At night it got quite cold and almost everyone was wearing some type of coat.

"I love wearing those knew leggings that are in style these days. Would I be OK to wear those with some comfy flats and a light shirt during the day...then for the evening throwing on a shrug or zip up?" - it all depends how many you take in

Dress in layers. And 10 days before the trip, check weather.com so you'll know approximately what to expect.

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for all your replies! I will pack a bunch of diffrent stuff just to be safe. Hopefully we'll have some good weather!

I've checked many reviews and have looked at a few maps about my hotel, The Riviera, I know it's not center strip...but I was wondering if any of you have stayed there or know of it? I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have.


Thanks again!

Layla

Oooh...I forgot to ask....we are planning on going to the buffet at either The Bellagio, Paris or The Wynn for our xmas dinner, which of those would you recommend most and why?

Thanks!!

Layla

I saw a variety show at this hotel some time ago, the hotel looked good inside, safe. As for location, to save money we sometimes stay even closer to downtown in Sahara.

Not sure about the monorail, it's not very convenient anyway, but there is a bus running the strip 24/7 "the deuce", it stops in front of Riviera.

You didn't do bad, you'll walk to some places, take the bus or taxi back when feeling exhosted.

I would avoid the buffets altogether- they're expensive enough that you can get a good freshly made meal somewhere else for the same price.

DH eats like a bird- 2/3 of his body weigh daily- and we still don't do the buffets.

The monorail is slow, you waste alot of time waiting for it, but fun to take once or twice.
For a special Christmas buffet, I'd pick the Bellagio Buffet. Paris or Wynn buffet might be good for a lunch or breakfast buffet.
Had GREAT crepes at Bellagio, in the Jean Phillipe patissiere.
Wolfgang Pucks restaurant POSTRIO in the Venetian on the "canal" has nice atmosphere, but make reservations in advance!

Have Fun!

Hi guys,

Thanks again! I'm not too worried about the hotel as the reviews seems decent, but I just wanted to see what Fodorites had to say so thanks!

Anout the buffet....we actually are excited to try a buffet in Vegas since there are so many! lol! We barely ever do a buffet in out home town so we thought it would be something fun and different. I think we'll go with the Bellagio...that's what we were leaning towards anyways. However the Paris buffet does look extremely beautiful! I also wanted to do a Champagne brunch so maybe we'll do that at the Paris or Wynn.

Thanks again for all your help!! I'm so excited!!

Layla

The Bellagio buffet looked great. And, I consider it a value considering the quality of what you get and how much you can consume.

For shopping, I actually liked and plundered the old and tacky Las Vegas Outlet mall on the Mandalay Bay end of the strip. It is a throwback to tacky 70s but man, there were some good deals there!

Across the road there is a new mall, can't remember the name but it is very lovely....also worth checking out. Have a great time!

p.s.- even back in early October, I was not hot during the day and was cool at night. I would prepare for cool to cold. Summers are scorching so whoever said that must have had that emblazened in their impression.

Go see the show at the Excalibur while you are there. I don't remember what it is called but its the show where they do a staged Knight tournament. It's pretty entertaining and not overly expensive. One of the few shows with no topless women though, which could be good or bad depending on what you are looking for I guess.

Hi guys, thanks again for your recs!

I am definitely looking forward to shopping...I hope I find some good deals (and even if I don't I'm still excited lol!)

Irish - Topless shows don't really interest me....my SO on the other hand......lets not go there lol!

Layla

Seriously, the buffets are only a "good value" if you stuff yourself like a pig. If you eat a normal amount, you'd be better off going for a decent meal elsewhere. You can always go in to take pictures of the buffet, since they look so good (of course, they look better than they actually are, generally speaking)

My wife and I were in Las Vegas last Christmas. It was chilly during the day and cold at night. I recommend warm clothing. Because you will be doing a lot of walking, I also recommend the most comfortable pair of shoes you own.

I believe that the best way to get up and down the strip is to walk. If you want a slow ride on the strip, take the deuce, the double decker pubic bus. The buses are new, clean, and the drivers helpful and friendly. The deuce is the best way to get from the strip to downtown.

I think that eating at a buffet is part of the Vegas experience of indulgence. I have dined at the three you mention. Bellagio is the best in terms of quality and variety of food, slightly ahead of Wynn and Paris. Paris has the best atmosphere, especially if you sit in one of the small rooms off the main dining room. Wynn is the most comfortable and least hectic. It is also the most expensive. Service was excellent at all three. I like all three, but if I had to pick only one, it would be Bellagio.

If you like steak and old fashioned steakhouses, I recommend Binions Ranch Steakhouse in downtown for a special meal. Make a reservation and be sure to ask for a window seat. You will be 24 floors up and from the window, you can see the entire Las Vegas valley. At night, the lights are spectacular. The food and service are excellent. A three course meal with wine and tip should run about $200-250 for two people.

Enjoy your trip.

Bellagio it is!! Thanks again for all your replies, they were very helpful.

Even though this is a quick trip (4 nights) it is by far one of the hardest in terms of planning because there is SO much to do. We are having issues prioritizing and we don't want to overplan etc.

Have any of you taken a gondola ride at the venetian? We were thinking it would be a nice romantic thing 2 do on xmas day? what do you think?

Layla

I always wanted to do the gondola ride at the Venetian with my DH, but unfortunately he's no longer my DH (we're divorcing next month, ugh), so if you have the opportunity to do it with your very special loved one, do it! It looks very romantic and fun! Enjoy a gelato after that too! You only live once!
Have a wonderful time in Vegas!