Vegas trip -Need fine-tuning, thx
 

Good-morning all,
I will be visiting Vegas for the first time next month and was interested in staying in a hotel in prime location (mid strip), as I'm not renting a vehicle. I'm looking at MGM Grand, although I'm a little apprehensive upon hearing of its size. I really like the decor of the MGM as I can't stand outlandish florals and prefer neutral tones. My hotel of choice is TheHotel in Mandalay Bay but didn't feel like spending 450/nt. Is the MGM centrally located for walking to the other casinos? I'll be there 4d/3nts. I've listed a temp itinerary and need opinions on if this is feasible during my stay.

Day 1:
Breakfast at the Bellagio Buffet
Circus Circus, Venetian, Treasure Island, Mirage, Flamingo & Ceasars.
Check out the Freemont Street experience that night
Dinner at The Steakhouse in Circus Circus**.
**Circus Circus gets such bad reviews as far as the hotel goes so I'm leery about the restaurant, but it received pretty good reviews.



Day 2:
Breakfast at Le Village Buffet (Paris)
Bellagio, Aladdin, Bally's, New York-New York, Paris, Hard Rock
Would like to have dinner at a really good seafood restaurant, but don’t know of any. Your help is desperately needed here.
Maybe check out the Dueling Pianos (NY NY) after dinner or have drinks at VooDoo

Day 3:
Breakfast at Spice Market Buffet (Aladdin)
Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, MGM
Dinner at Aureole or 3950?? Get drunk and depressed to head back to NYC, just kidding I love NY.

If I’ve left anything out or you have any advice, suggestions, “instead ofs”, anything, anything at all would be greatly appreciated. Sorry it was so lengthy.
Thanks and have a great day.

For a neutral hotel in a central location, try Bally's. They can have some suprisingly inexpensive rates. The 450 for Mandalay Bay seems high. Try to avoid a Friday or Saturday night stay. Room rates often triple. Also, check a few date ranges around when you want to stay. Could be a convention or something is driving up prices.

After breakfast at the Bellagio, you should follow your itinerary in reverse. Going from Caesars, to the Mirage, TI, across the street to the Venetian (much more worthwhile than Circus), then you can stroll through Harrahs to the Flamingo.

Then you can catch a bus or cab downtown. I would highly reccomend eating downtown. Any restaurant in the Golden Nugget has to be better than Circus or is you're interested in another buffet the one at Main Street Station is excellent. I can't think of any compelling reason to leave downtown early to have dinner at Circus.

Day 2 you can easily cover all the hotels on your list. Bally's is attached to Paris and Paris in turn is next to Aladdin. MGM is about a half mile down the road. Bellagio is across from Bally's and there's a free tram (it's way in the back) that connects it to the Monte Carlo. That's the best way to get there. The Monte Carlo is worth a look and is much closer to NY NY, then Bellagio. There's also a monorail, which you now have to pay for, connecting MGM to Bally's. For seafood, check out the Flamingo buffet. It's a beautiful room with a wide array of all you can eat seafood. You can take a cab to the Hard Rock after for nightlife.

I might reccomend the Luxor buffet over the Aladdin. There is a free tram running between Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur. Also the Tropicana is worth a look for a glimpse of old Vegas and there's a free casino/gaming museum that's pretty interesting.

If you like to shop, be sure to visit the significantly expanded Fashion Show Mall across the street from Treasure Island.

As for shows "O" is often considered one of the best in Vegas. Or to save a few dollars and enjoy a more traditional experience, Wayne Newton at the Stardust is great.

To get to the hotel from the airport, the airport shuttle is best. They're right outside baggage claim. The only difficulty is the trip back. You're supposed to call the night before to reserve a space, but what always happens to me is they don't show up the next morning. However, there are several shuttles that make frequent stops at all the hotels, so just hop on whatever shuttle is there. They should honor your ticket.

The strip bus is crowded and slow, but it is a cheap and effective way to move along the strip if you're too tired to walk, and it runs downtown. There is also a private trolley that covers the strip for about the same price.

As for the Circus and other north strip hotels, personally, I like them for a taste of old Vegas, but it's a long walk from one to the other and they're not exactly glamourous anymore. The Sahara really has an old Vegas feel, in a good way, and until fairly recently they always had $1 table games. If you were lucky, you could spend the night playing craps on a $20 bill. The north strip might be worth seeing if you have time, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

ok - this is my third try posting this so sorry if it ends up double posting ...

I have heard good things about the Circus Circus steak house BUT since you are going to Freemont Street I highly recommend the steak place (called The Ranch I think) at the top of Binions ... my husband and I had an excellent meal there.

First of all throw out the itinerary, 'Vegas is no place to follow a "set plan". We go often and there are so many distractions that I doubt seriously if you will get to all the spots you listed with such a short amount of time. It's a vacation, just sort of go with the flow and enjoy things without running from one end of the strip to the other.

MGM Grand is fine and rooms are nice, but we prefer to be a little further down the strip, i.e. Mirage, Venetian, etc. If you stay at MGM (or any MGM affiliated hotels) you can charge meals to your room - Mirage, Treasure Island, MGM Grand, etc). which is very convenient.

There are so many fun places to go and see that I just would not "plan" out every minute. While you can walk between the hotels distances are deceiving as most are set back a good distance from the street entailing quite a walk before you actually get inside.

You don't memntion shopping (or looking at shops) but I must warn you, many hours can be spent at Forum Shops at Ceasar's :-) The shops at Venetian, Desert Passage (Aladdin) are also "time consuming" :-)

I'd skip Circus Circus entirely amd if you feel the urge to see the Stardust (rather tacky these days, "old Vegas") I'd get tickets to Havana Night Club which is appearing at the Wayne Newton Theater at the Stardust. H.N. is the revue put on by the troupe of Cuban dancers who have asked for asylum in the U.S. It's a very high energy show (all music and dancing, most in Spanish - but we found that no problem). I have tickets to it again in Feb. as a matter of fact.

You will need a cab to get downtown, the Fremont St Experience is fun to see.

MGM is not mid-Strip. It is on the 4 corners of NYNY, Excalibur and Tropicana. There is a tram by Excalibur that will run to Luxor and Mandalay Bay.

I always plan an iteniary that will help us see and do everything we want on vacation. There are plenty of things to see and do in Las Vegas that one trip will not cover it. I would get a map of all the hotels on the Strip to help guide easy flow from hotel to hotel. Try to plan your iteniary in which your in a central spot for the day and not running up and down the Strip as that is time consuming and tiring. For example the hotels you listed in Day 1, Circus Circus is very far from them and if you going to eat at the Steak House no need to venture into the hotel before then. Here's is a site to a map: http://www.vegas.com/resorts/index1.html?key=hotel01 Use the bus to get around it is very convenient and cheap. Unlike cabs.

We've eaten at the Steak House in Circus Circus and loved it. The steaks are huge the sides dishes are not ala cart, which makes it very reasonalbe.

If you plan on eating at the Paris buffet, go when the doors first open or expect an 2 hour wait. They will give you a card with a time to come back so you not actually standing in line for that long. Probably 30 minutes. We've tried 4 times at different hours of the morning and always had a 2 hour wait, so never ate there.

Same with the dueling pianos at NYNY. The area can not accomendate very many people, so get there early and claim your spot. There is also dueling pianos at Harrahs.

If you go downtown just take the bus, cabs will be quite expensive. We've eaten at Stefanos at the Golden Nugget, Center Stage at the Plaza and Hugos Cellar at the 4 Queens. Do go to the California and get the .99 shrimp cocktail. Very good.

If you decide to go to Rio probaly will need a cab since it's off Strip. Try to go when they have the Carnival in Sky show going on in the casino. To get into the VooDoo lounge it was a $20p/p cover charge unless you have dinner at their restaurant.

If you like good Martinis try Red Square at Mandalay Bay. There food is good also, but service quite questionable. The martinis make up for it. If you like tequila go to Bally Tequila Bar. They have great inexpensive tapas and if you go during happy hour you get a free shot with every beer.

It has taken us 5 trips to see and do most everything on our list and we still haven't done it all. Would love to go back, but we currently exploring the Caribbean Islands.

I'll throw in .02 here.

So far the best advice you got was from Lori. Reduce your list! Much too much structure for a first visit to Vegas. Also somebody mentioned a tram between Bellagio and Monte Carlo (which I loved). Last I was there, that was closed due to Bellagio expansion construction with no definate reopen date...if ever. Don't like outlandish florals? Get used to it, many decor's in Vegas are outlandish something or another....part of the attraction.

MGM is fine for the South end of the strip. Your agenda takes you to Bellagio on the first morning. While doable, it is quite a hike. I think that you need to get a hold of a strip map and then heed the advice that the distances are more than they appear. Especially if you consider the setback of the properties off the street.

I do not see a show on your agenda. I believe this is a mistake. You should take in something even if is an afternoon show. Much preferable is a Cirque show if you have never been.

Random other thoughts:

I do not consider Freemont a must do for a 1st time visitor. Neither is Hard Rock or Excalibur. I would add Ballys and Flamingo to that list as well unless you change where you are staying.
There is a long thread here on Vegas seafood.
Take a gaming lesson if you have never done it before.
Rio is worth doing but not worth the $20 roof.
Join the slot clubs if you have any intention of returning in the future.
Lunch at the Monte Carlo Brew Pub is great if you are near there.
I'm with the others on Circus Circus.
If you really want to be centrally located try: Paris, Ballys, Flamingo
I love the dueling pianos.

Find time to do wild and crazy things, you know what they say!

As a person who loves doing the planning and having a planned itinerary I have to put in my .02 ... when my husband and I went to Vegas we had a detailed itinerary. We did not hold ourselves to it and went totally "off memo" as my husband calls it whenever we felt like it. BUT ... having the itinerary helped us not miss things we really wanted to see and helped us make decisions when we felt overwhelmed by all the choices. I think the planning and research that goes into making a detailed itinerary helps even if you toss it out the window when you get there.

I also want to add we really enjoyed the Freemont Street Experience and coupled with a dinner at Binions it was a great evening.

I agree with the others! Skip Freemont especially on your first visit. There is so much to do on the strip. We visit LV regularly from NJ and have only been to Freemont 1X. Also, the Luxor buffet is much better than Aladdin (go during lunch the price is less)I would also stick to the major hotels, between TI and MGM when walking. It looks like the hotels are close but when you start walking.....A must see for dinner on my list is Circo at the Bellagio. You will have a fountain show every 15 minutes after 7:00. The menu is varied- from pizza to $50 dinners. The monorail is great $3 a person for tired feet. Watch out when shopping. Remember you have to carry everything you buy back to your hoteland pack it up for the return trip. Most airlines charge $25 for anything over your weight limit. We love Las Vegas! Our favorite hotel is Bellagio then Mandalay Bay. The MGM room we stayed in was black and red- not exactly neutral tones....

I recommend staying at The Aladdin. They ahave great rates. The MGM is too far down.

I stayed at Caesars Palace and was very dissappointed. I would not stay there again.

My parent just went and stayed at The Mirage and Loved IT!! It is smaller than most hotels and has nice rooms.

As far as restaurants. I would go to Hugos Cellar. It is located in the 4 Queens. It is a wonderful experience. One of a kind. I recommended it to my parents, and their traveling group and Hugos was their pick, and they won the restaurant trophy. My other pick is Kokomos in the Mirage. The prime rib and seafood is great. Be sure to get the shrimp cocktail...you are in for a treat.

While downtown, definitly see the light show.

Incidently, the Spice Market buffet is really good. I also love lunch at Paris at Mon Ami Gabi outside. Great views of the Bellagio water show.

Let me know if I can assist any further.

A general comment is that you have way too many hotels on your list that you want to visit. I would definitely cut some out, starting with -

There really is no reason to go out of your way to see and eat at Circus Circus. Yes, the Steakhouse seems to get good reviews but there is an abundance of steakhouses in Las Vegas that will be as good and better than the one at Circus - e.g, Delmonico's (Venetian), Prime (Bellagio), Nero's (Caesar's), the Range (Harrahs), Gallagher's (NYNY), etc.

Also, unless you are there with kids (and even then, I'd question this), there is no good reason to see Excalibur. The big ones, IMHO, to see include Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's, NYNY, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, and Hard Rock (only because it is very different than a typical casino - circular, hard wood floors, rock memorabilia).

Bally's is okay but if not staying there, it does not warrant a separate visit.


MGM is huge but a good choice. It has many restaurants, and is in close vicinity to NYNY, Luxor, Excalibur and not too far from Mandalay Bay.

Regarding dinner at Auereole or 3950 - I haven't eaten at Aureole but I've eaten at 3950 several times. It's one of my favorites. Pretty expensive but excellent food, atmosphere and service.

Regarding seafood - if you plan on going to the Voodoo Lounge at night, you might want to check out Buzio's at the Rio. Nice atmosphere (all light woods, high ceilings, open kitchen) and very good seafood.

Agree with Lori, ditch the itinerary. Pick a few things you must see (Fountains at the Bellagio) and just go with the flow.

I may be in the minority but I think once you've seen the inside of the Venetian, Bellagio, and maybe one other, they all start to run together.

I do love the VooDoo Lounge at The Rio.

The craziness of the Hard Rock is best enjoyed if you are a twenty something partier.

Hey nystateofmind

What are your thoughts now? You have gotten significant feedback on your question.

Wow, and I thought I was ahead of the game. Back to the drawing board. Thank you all for the input and wonderful advice/suggestions. I've looked at a strip map, think it was on cheapovegas and have decided to stay at either Aladdin or Bellagio, will run it by hubby and have him decide.

Think the itinerary will get tossed and just go with the flow. I was skeptical about Circus Circus' restaurant because reviews of the hotel itself was so crappy. My must see hotels are Bellagio, Venetian, Mandalay Bay, Paris, Mirage & Aladdin. Will do some gambling, shopping and don't even get me started on the shows. I wanted to check out O, Mystere or Zumanity and can't decide which of the 3. Was also looking for one a little more racy to surprise my hubby with as it's a belated birthday gift for him. Our jobs have these freaking earnings blockout periods and we finally have free time at the same time. One person suggested Skintight or X. Just the name "X" alone scares me, don't want to end up at some crazy swinging club. Think I may have to pass on that and put my own racy show on...ooops to much info..lol

Thanks again for all the info, and if you can add anything please feel free. I won't be there until mid-feb so please keep it coming. Restaurants, something you think is a must see, whatever. Especially restaurants, I love to eat. Also what's the weather like during that time?

What did you think of my restaurant ideas? I also recommend Jubilee and EFX. Jubilee is at Ballys and EFX is at the MGM Grand.

NYstate...now you are getting down to it...LOL

How about a couples trip to Olympic Gardens for a lap dance...for the both of you? I have not done that but have heard good stuff. Should get everybody's motor running and pay off for both of you ;-)

If you can afford it, staying at the Bellagio would be worth the money.

If I remember correctly, the last time I was in Vegas in February, the highs were only around 60 degrees or so. It was a little on the chilly side.

As the above poster stated, stay at the Bellagio if you can - it is wonderful and you can't get more mid strip than that. The rooms are big and beautiful, neutral toned and very soothing - well worth the extra $$.
The hotel staff will treat you like royalty. The casino is very luxe, without all the noise that will give you a headache after a while. You can easily walk to Ceasers, or take the waklway across the street to
Bally's and from there you can go to the Flamingo and beyond. We visited mostly all the hotels and were always very happy to get back to the Bellagio. We also always dine there for dinner as the restaurants are top notch- Ceasers has great places to eat as well, and a short walk from the Bellagio. It is also very convenient for "O", which was so great we saw it twice. Nothing beats having a drink at the Fontana Bar watching the fountains or petrossian for people watching.


I recommend buying a Fodors guide to Vegas or the Unofficial vegas guide. The strip can be deceiving...it's a longer walk than you think (4 miles long I think.) Then again taking a cab will not break the bank either...it's not like NYC:)

Vegas is like DisneyWorld. you will never get it all in on 1 trip. Just go and enjoy. Don't waste your time running all over town, just have fun.

The best thing to do is to sign up for players club before you drop 1 quarter in the casino. If you stay at the bellagio, your card/and room key (for charging) is good at the MGM, NYNY, and a couple of other hotels. About an hour before you check out go to the players club desk and tell them you are leaving. Our last visit, they took $1500 off our tab:).

PS we also always win at the bellagio, so maybe that's why we are partial!

Place4u...
i think I may have to treat him to one of those lap dances. he's such a sweetheart, it would be fun to break conservative shell of his, and what better way than a lap dance from another woman with his wife right there, he'll never believe that I would go for that...lol

Tina..a coworker suggested hugos also might have to try them, and I read some mixed reviews(more good) about kokomos, peeked my curiousity a bit so they may have to be added to the list as well. He loves seafood, I figured i'd try to find one for his birthday dinner, incredibly good food, really nice, without the snooty athmosphere. Also heard spice market was in the top 3 buffets also.

Gotravel....temperature sounds like early spring in Ny..thank you

kvr..thanks for the map.

so many choices, so little time...

tina,

I do not believe that EFX is in existance anymore. I did see it several years ago when David Cassidy was starring and enjoyed it. MGM now has a new Cirque show called KA that I have read great things about. It is on my agenda for the next visit.