Hi - I apologize in advance for the length of this... We're planning 2-3 nights in Las Vegas, probably Sunday-Tuesday in June/July. This is a low budget trip. There is so much info out there, and so many choices, I'm hoping someone here with experience can help pare down our options for our ground arrangements (we have free air on Southwest).

We are in our mid-40's and like to gamble, but won't spend all our time doing that. We want a moderately priced hotel on the strip with a nice pool. Nothing fancy, it only needs to be clean and comfortable. And, the fewer children, the better. Otherwise, we have no major requirements.

With that, my questions:
1) should we book a land package that includes hotel, group tour to Hoover Dam, and airport transfers (SW vacations offers such a package for under $200 for two nights for both of us); or,
2) book directly with hotel, and rent a car for a day and go solo to the Dam and maybe drive to Red Rock (or the other one... name escapes me)?
3) *Can* we do the Dam solo, and is it worth seeing?
4) ideally, we'd like a package that includes at least one meal a day, and maybe a show, or a 2 for 1 coupon for same, etc. Any ideas/deals?
5) should we prebook airport transfers, or do most strip hotels have shuttles, and if so, what do they cost? How much is a cab?

I'm sure I've forgotten something, but this is already too long. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

1. Check your Sunday paper travel section and/or call the airlines for the best deals. Summer months are a good time for deals to Vegas. - Packages (air & hotel) are usually the cheapest.
2. Rent a car and drive to Hoover Dam. However, I've heard they will no longer let you go down into the dam (post 9/11 issue I've been told). I usually advise to rent a car but others will tell you differently. It just depends on what your budget will allow. I find them much more convenient than cabs and when you add it all up, not too much difference.
3. Dam is definitely worth the hour or so drive even if they won't let you go inside (so I've heard?).
4. Again, check the paper as most airlines offer hotels, a show or two and airfare (Sun-Thurs. stays are the cheapest!). FYI- almost any hotel on the strip will have a nice pool.
5. PS: Be sure to go to downtown Vegas (another good reason to rent a car) and see where the a lot of the locals go to gamble). I usually stay on the strip and gamble the most/heaviest down town. Enjoy!!

Hi,
The Rio is off the strip but they have great facilities for families, and wonderful pools for kids, one with a sand beach.They do a Masquerade in the Sky,Mardi Gras kind of thing every day and everyone loves that,especially the kids.I think they are doing some good specials this summer, I was offered a room for $19.00!! but of course it was midweek,next week.
Also the Rio does two for ones to the shows there.Try www.playrio.com
I would (and have) rent a car and drive yourselves to Red Rock.It is much nicer that way.You can take a picnic, it is only about half an hour from the strip.
There are many places to stop,hike,just take a small walk,and you can park and watch the climbers on the big rocks.You might even get to see some of the wild burros!
We were there pre-Sept 11th,but I have heard that they are no longer allowing cars and visitors at the Dam.and it is a long boring drive,once you are past Lake Mead.Which could be a good day trip also.
In June/July,it will be really hot, you might think of driving to Mt Charleston, it will be cool and comfortable there,another great place to drive to and have a picnic.
Just take a cab from the airport, all cabs are about $10-$12-to the hotels on the strip and the Rio.
I hope you have a great time, it is fun there, Good Luck~

You mentioned you are on a budget? Then I suggest renting a car. Look around for coupon codes, you can probably get a rental for very cheap in Las Vegas. In addition to not being pressed for time as with tour groups, you can easily go to a local grocery store to stock up on water/juice and snacks. By going to a local grocery store, you'll save a lot of $$ than if you had no choice but to head to the overpriced hotel shops.

Okay, let me be one of the "others who will tell you differently". Rent the car ONLY for your planned excursion -- not for the time you will be spending in Las Vegas. I would not recommend purchasing airport transfers in advance. Take the shuttle in from the airport, if you want, but do not buy the round-trip option. The airport is very close in and cabs are cheap. Going back to the airport, I've even taken limos for $6 that were dead-heading -- so don't leave yourself waiting from one particular shuttle company because you saved a buck or two by buying a round-trip transfer. By the time you take the shuttle fee times two passengers, you're just about in the same place with a cab, money-wise. Don't buy meals in a package. There are cheap eats all over the place in Las Vegas and you'll easily find them. Sunday through Tuesday, you should be getting your hotel for a very good rate unless you're fighting a convention schedule. If you're not seeing low rates, keep looking!

Hi - Thanks for the replies. Appears we will do best to book hotel directly, take shuttle or cab from airport, and rent a car for one day to go touring--Hoover, Red Rock or wherever. Didn't plan to get a car at all, until I decided a day touring outside the city would be fun.

I'm still interested in ideas for cheap shows, food, etc. A reminder that we already have free airfare through Southwest, and we do *not* have kids, nor do we want a lot of kids around where we stay. I've found a few web sites with info (cheapovegas, off2vegas, lvol); anyone know of others?

Thanks again!

http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/neon/



This was very helpful to us in our planning of our first trip.
There are good lists of best and worst also that help.
Have fun! Kate

Personally, I'd skip the tour. I have heard its dull and with only 2-3 days, you will want to soak up the fun and festivities of the strip.
A hotel suggestion is Ballys. It has a superb location - mid strip very near Paris, Belagio and Ceasars. They also offer very moderate rates, particularly mid week. Enjoy.

We're going to LV for our first time this July for my sister's wedding. We're staying at the New York, New York. Our travel agent suggested to find a hotel with the fewest children as possible, avoid the ones where the children stay for free in an adult's room. NY, NY is one of those, which is why we are staying there. I honestly can't recall what the other hotels with this policy were, but there were several.

I'm disappointed to hear that tours of the Hoover Dam are no longer allowing people inside. Darn. My parents did the full tour 2 years ago and were amazed, and my husband was really looking forward to it. Oh well.

Here is the CORRECT information about tours at Hoover Dam:

The standard tour has been changed, and you don't get to see as much of the dam as you used to. Basically, they just take you down to the generator room, and you stand on the balcony and see the generators from a distance. You don't go down to the generator level, and you don't get to go outside to look at the dam from the bottom. They have also cut out the part where you stood in the room on top of one of the main water pipes.

The new tour ends with a visit to the roof of the vistors center...but in the past you could always do that on your own.

It's disappointing compared to the old tour, but, the Dam is still a sight well worth seeing! My wife had never been before so she didn't know what she was missing, and she really enjoyed it

There is no behind-the-scenes "hardhat tour" until further notice (but they admitted it might be re-instated some day)

We stayed at the Hilton for $44 a night. We booked directly from their website. We didn't see that many kids overthere.
The Hoover Dam was the most impresive thing I've seen in my entire life. We didn't take a tour just saw it from the outside.
We were able to rent a compact car for an entire week for $153 (taxes included) at Dollar. The gallon of gas was $1.39, give or take a couple of pennies.
We went to a couple of fancy restaurants but we also went to the to the grocery store. There are plenty around.
My advice is rent a car and buy a good map.

Your message sounds like you prefer a package deal, which is ok, but my recommendation, particularly so as your itinerary is Sunday-Tuesday, (generally the slowest days of the week in LV)is to order a-la-carte. More work, but less cost. Bally's or Monte Carlo (mid-priced strip locations) have good pools, clean, comfortable rooms and generally less children. You might also ask for specials that get you 2-4-1 buffet or show tickets.

2 nites may limit your show/boulder options. few hotels offer airport shuttle. Taxi fare to say, Bally's, is @ $10, but DON'T let them take you via the underpass/Interstate. If you rent a car most casino/hotel parking is generally free & easy.

Enjoy your visit!

ck all the casino websites and get on their e-mail list.they alwayshave specials...and also coupons...Flamingo is a good,central hotel...great pool..and next door is O'Sheas an annex of Flamino..w/Burger King,Subway,etc....alot of hotels have a car rental agengy in them,so renting a car for the day is easy.if you haven`t seen the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead,it might be worth the trip.....don`t let the cabbie take you through the tunnel..maybe ask them how much to your hotel b4 you get in the cab...and tip..

Check out lasvegas.com for a list of "free" entertainment. If this is your first trip to Las Vegas, you will want to see the hotels and the "free" shows. I had a blast doing this. We have rented a car the couple of times we went. There are a couple companys that have a $18/day rental, but watch out, the taxes are almost 25%!!! It inflates it quick, but it's an easy city to get around and you will have the flexibility to see the Hoover Dam, which is an engineering marvel. Remember it was built in the 30's without a lot of today's technology. We did the Dam when we had a 5 day trip, so didn't feel rushed to see everything. As for hotels, you are going at the best time of the week. Rooms are cheaper Sunday-thursday. I thought the downtown casino's took my money just as fast as the strip casino's, remember, it's a game of chance!!

Good luck and have fun

Have a good trip.

Note to Christie: Your agent is an idiot if he/she said that NYNY doesn't have many kids staying there. Everytime I've walked through the place or seen the pool, tons of kids. It has a Roller Coaster and large arcade, kid magnets. If you don't want kids I'd look more at Mandalay, Mirage, Bellagio on the high end and Flamingo, Bally for more mid-scale.

Go to this link and read my post (about the 6th one down) which is all free/cheap things to do in Vegas:

http://pub50.ezboard.com/flasvegasta...ID=11823.topic

OMG!! NY NY is crawling with kids and strollers!!
Stay away from NYNY & MGM

Have you checked Southwest's vacation packages? They offer hotels at all prices and can include sidetrips and/or a car. They also can be a good value, though I don't think the Vegas packages offer as good a value as in some other cities since the hotels are always having some kind of specials in Vegas. Make sure if you check into the hotel's websites that you sign their guetbook. I have received many special offers for hotels via e-mail that way.

Hi Peg,

Vegas is my favorite city to visit. I would suggest one of these hotels.
Treasure Island
Mirage
Bally's
Any hotel in this area is great and easy walking distance to all the hotels.

Also, I suggest that you book the hotel by itself and purchase your Dam tour site tour tickets when you arrive ($20-25). If you need more tips email me or go to http://www.freehotelguide.com. We also have great hotel rates in Vegas.

Hope this helps, Randy
http://www.freehotelguide.com/

On a budget I'd try the Orleans. They have good weekday rates, the rooms are lovely(ask for strip view on a high floor), and the pool is nice and not many kids. The gambling is excellent and the restaurants are moderate. Only trouble is it's not on the strip, but they have a free shuttle every hour or so that ends up right at center strip. Runs until about midnight.
www.orleanscasino.com

At www.ballyslv.com they have some good summer rates , and the Monte Carlo is another good choice though the huge pool does attract families.