Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report Trip Report: Last Minute "Sweet 16" Trip to Las Vegas

In case you didn't see my thread last week, I had promised my daughter for years that for her 16th birthday I'd take her to Las Vegas, to see Criss Angel (she wanted that instead of a party.) There were lots of school conflicts, but then last weekend opened up, so with the help of you great Fodorites, I planned a last minute trip.

Intro and Day 1:
I figured that the last time I was in Las Vegas was 1971, so perhaps I'll make it an every 40 years tradition. Our room at the Luxor was $98 for each of the first two nights and $34 for Sunday night. I had read that the Luxor was run down but our room was quite nice. I asked for an upgrade and went from the Pyramid to the Tower. The bathroom even had a separate soaking tub. (Would probably be in the $250-$350 range in Dallas or Chicago.)

Anyway. Arrived at about 8 pm (our bodies thought it was 10 pm.) I had rented a car at the last minute ($12.95 a day on Hotwire.) We could choose the car within the class we had rented, and there was this tiny Fiat and D talked me into it. OMG, it was some sporty thing that made a ton of noise. D thought it was fun and I was mortified. Upon arrival, headed to NYNY to ride the outdoor rollercoaster. I'm sure I lost IQ points - very rough and painful (D even agreed.) Ate pizza in the fake Greenwich Village.

As for dress code...fortunately for everyone, this is mostly for the younger women (not a lot of adult women but any is too many): Heels a minimum of 4". Skin tight dress that exposes all portions of the female breast that can legally be exposed, and that looks as if an attempt has been made to cover the butt cheeks. Don't know where they buy those dresses...Fredericks of Hollywood wouldn't quite be trashy enough. D and I were amused

Day 2:
We walked down to see the iconic sign. Went to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay, did the CSI Experience at the MGM Grand and ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. All leading up to The Reason Why We Came: Criss Angel. I bought tickets to the 9:30 pm show at the discount ticket booth (we already had tickets to the 7 pm.)

We got all dolled up (but I certainly felt like a frump, showing neither boobs nor butt!). Our seats were in Row M, which was close, but of course, D wanted to be closer. Between shows we were standing around in the casino and D spotted a party of three that turned out to be Criss Angel, his fiance and his bodyguard. We made chase up the escalator, following them up to a sushi restaurant. D asked the body guard if she could have a picture with Criss. He said "after they eat." Sure. We are such inexperienced celebrity stalkers! We sat on a bench near the entrance to the restaurant but after a bit, from the corner of my eye, I saw the group going down the escalator. They gave us the slip. Again, we are such rookies!

D was crushed that she couldn't have her picture taken with him. She also SO wanted to sit in the front row. Our 2nd show discount tickets were in about the 25th row center...excellent, but not front row. D wondered if all the front row seats would be taken and I told her to scope them out. When the show began there was a single empty front row seat three in from the aisle. After the latecomers had been seated, it was still empty so she waited until the big reveal of a trick then walked down there. She was in heaven!!!

Day 3:
We went to the Adventuredome indoor amusement park at Circus Circus. It was so pathetic, all run down, with dying palm trees. But it was part of a discount package that we had purchased with the aquarium and CSI tickets, so no big loss. Next was Caesars Palace, more specifically the Forum Shops, more specifically H&M. We both tried on a ton of clothes and bought a few things. Then frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity.

BTW, the restrooms at the casino at Caesars Palace are fabulous.

After a few more stops, back to the hotel for a nap. We went to the 10 pm show of Blue Man Group. It was very entertaining. D chose the show and I was dreading it but it was very funny.

Day 4:
Slept in a bit. I had to work VERY HARD to get the things we had purchased into our luggage (we had carried on.) Ate lunch at the Bellagio. Back to the airport. All in all a great trip, mostly because it made D so darned happy. And no, we didn't see Prince Harry.

Thanks everyone for your help!