Las Vegas - What are the "Must See" Sites for New Visitors?

Although I've been to Vegas numerous times, I haven't been there recently. On Monday, I'm taking my mother out there for a three night stay at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. She has not been to Vegas since something like 1965!! Not counting actual "shows," what are some of the free or cheap things to see as far as "taking in the sights?" I'm already planning on showing her the Volcano at the Mirage and the fountains at Bellagio. But what are some of the other sites we should be sure not to miss?

I'm renting one of those motorized scooters for my mother since she cannot walk long distances. So anything requiring lots of walking is not an issue. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks!!

Neal

Took my mother there a few years ago here are some of the "free" thing I took her to see;
1) Ceasars Palace indoor mall, try to time it that she sees one of the "moving statues" shows, plus all women love shopping :)
2) White tigers at Mirage.
3) The live lions at MGM Grand ( she can actually stand under them)
4) Conservatory at Bellagio
5) Walk around the reception area etc of the Venetian with Vatican museum type ceilings. Watch the simulated Venetian gondolas
6) The glass tower wine cellars at Aureole, Mandalay Bay ( just pop in duriing opening hours - no need to dine)
7) Depending on her age, the rock memorabilia at the Hard Rock Cafe.
8) The best view in all Vegas the Voodoo lounge ( i believe they may have changed names of the lounge) AT NIGHT at the top of the Rio, combine that with the free Mardi Gras show at the same hotel every evening about 700PM??
9) Interior of the Luxor, I believe they still have that boat ride but it may not be free.
10 ) Finally take her to Emerills Fish House for the Banana cream pie.

mike

You will find all kinds of ideas and information at www.VegasResource.com If you are interested in their coupons, they no longer deliver directly to your hotel so you may have to call and see if you can pick them up. There is probably not time for the mail at this point.

Your mother also might enjoy going up in the eiffel tower. There is a great view of the strip and the Bellagio fountains from there.

You will find all kinds of ideas and information at www.VegasResource.com If you are interested in their coupons, they no longer deliver directly to your hotel so you may have to call and see if you can pick them up. There is probably not time for the mail at this point.

Your mother also might enjoy going up in the eiffel tower. There is a great view of the strip and the Bellagio fountains from there.

There's also a nice restaurant in the Eiffel Tower (not cheap) that has a great overview of the Bellagio fountains.

You can look at this:

http://www.cheapovegas.com/vegas_cheapo_thrills.php

and the other elements under the Cheapo Thrills heading in the left navigation.

Wow...Thanks all for some great suggestions! Speaking of Paris and Bellagio, where would be the best place to view the Bellagio fountains? Is the observation deck on the Eiffel Tower a place where you can get comfortable and stay for a while? (For some reason, I envision it as a small crowded room.) Where is the best common area on the Bellagio property to view the fountains?

Have any of you been to the Liberace museum? We definitely want to go there and I was wondering, is there is a lot of walking? Although we'll have the scooter for my mother, I just assume leave it in the room if she won't really need it there.

I also have a question for anyone who's recently been to Star Trek at the Hilton. I saw the original exhibit but not the new one. I understand tickets are now up to $35.00 for both features! Does anyone know if you can buy a ticket for just one feature? If so, how much is it?

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!!

Neal

I always suggest the Freemont Street Experience (http://www.vegasexperience.com/) for first timers or those who have not been there for a very long time.

Michael
http://www.biztrip.com

Cannot answer regarding updated Star Trek,seen only the original one.
The Liberace Musem is not actually on the Strip, but on W.Tropicana so if you have a car it should not be too far, I havent been there so I cannot comment further.

One of best places to see the Bellagiio fountains will actually be from one of the overhead walkways that directs pedestrians over Las Vegas Blvd and/or Flamingo Drive, problem is that it tends to get a bit crowded as people position themselves before the shows starts, plus its going to be a bit of a cool wait (for Florida residents) if you try to secure a nice early vantage spot.
IMHO best overall is to have dinner at either Circo, Le Cirque ( both a bit expensive) or perhaps Jasmine or Noodles in the Bellagio and request a window seat which will give you a great view of the fountains. The restaurant in the Eiffel Tower is good but fully enclosed, if memory serves me, so you might not be able to hear the accompanying music.

the link below IMHO is the best in terms of finding out all you ever need to know about Vegas.

http://lvol.com/

mike

Liberace museum is a little bit of walking, with not too many places that you could stop and have a seat. It's in two parts, with a strip mall covered walkway between the two sections. You'll have to determine if you think the scooter is necessary.

$12 for adults, $8 for students and 65+, and there are a variety of $2 off coupons around. You can see some photos here:

http://www.liberace.com/museumBrochure.cfm

and from what you can see, there isn't any seating. I don't remember any seating in the costume room, which we spent 20 minutes or so looking around. Additionally, the automobiles and pianos displays didn't have seating that I can remember, though there might have been something available.

The eiffel tower has a small walkway and is sometimes too crowded to spend allot of time viewing the fountains. At night the fountains go off every 15 minutes. During our eiffel tower visit I believe we arrived during one show then stayed for the next and left. The view is great of the strip from there.

There is allot of room to view the fountains on the sidewalk right in front of the Bellagio. Your mother would likely be most comfortable to use her scooter and wait if necessary to position yourselves by the rail. It will be cold so maybe fewer viewers if your lucky. Then watch a few shows if you like. The restaurant suggestion is ideal however dinner would be very expensive.

For a good dinner choice plan to eat at the Italian restaurant at the Liberace museum. It is very good and reasonably priced. We've never toured the museum, but we eat at the restaurant frequently. You might give them a call to see if they have wheelchairs available to use while you are there. Here's another link to their webpage: http://www.liberace.org/index1.htm They do have a shuttle from a few of the hotels.

For a good dinner choice plan to eat at the Italian restaurant at the Liberace museum. It is very good and reasonably priced. <snip> Here's another link to their webpage: http://www.liberace.org/index1.htm They do have a shuttle from a few of the hotels.

I can second this recommendation for the Italian restaurant. We visited friends who live in LV, and they took us there for our big night out. They raved about the food, and they were right. It was very good. I have not been to the Liberace Museum, either. I really wanted to go, but the rest of my family thought it would be too tacky. :eek: It is definitely on my list of places to see (together with the Fremont St. Experience) when and if I ever get back to Vegas.

I thought Liberace would be tacky, but it was actually pretty interesting, though I'm still not a fan of his theatrics.

Fremont is cool for once or twice, but I didn't feel as comfortable there as I did on the strip -- seems a little more of the questionable types spend their time around Fremont vs. the strip.

These are all great suggestions and we will no doubt do many of them. The bad news for now, is that I'm sick and we will not be making the trip scheduled for Dec. 7-10. But the good news is that I've rescheduled it for next month. One reason we waited until December is because it's Vegas's slow time and hotel rates are always very low.

We were going to stay in a suite at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay for $169.00 per night. The rates in January are much higher everywhere and we aren't big enough gamblers to get comps or discounts. Any suggestions on how to find the best rates? My mom just turned 92, (looks and acts 70,) and hasn't been there in over 40 years. I want to get a really nice room and make this trip really special for her. We're flying first class on AA using miles and just need to book the hotel. Thanks again for such great suggestions!

Sidewalk in front is the best place to view the fountains. The Plexiglas on the pedestrian overpasses has become scratched and opaqued over the last five years.

QL

For lodging in January, you might try a Petite Suite at Treasure Island. I've gotten them at great prices in the past. Another lower-cost suite altnerative is MGM. Sign-up on their Web site and you might get offers (I've received several over the past year) for free suite upgrades.

Another idea for the Bellagio fountains is to have an early dinner at Olives. Their pricing is reasonable and you can usually get a window seat when it's not crowded. (The patio probably will be too cold.)

Another activity idea not mentioned is the Stratosphere Tower (great views).

I agree that Liberace Museum is worth the trip. Last time I visited (August) they still had a young man who gives a show a couple times a week -supposed to sound just like Liberace! (haven't seen his show) Check out www.liberace.com which has links to museum info. I, too, am not a big Liberace fan, but the museum was great. Museum is on Trop East of the strip, oddly located in a strip center.

I have a few other suggestions: this time of year, Ethel M. Chocolates decorates their cactus and succulent gardens for the holidays - great viewed at night, and free! They always offer free factory tours, as well. Check it out at www.ethelm.com

I love the Air Playshow at the Tropicana - its a great little free show - you can take her upstairs in the scooter via elevator - it's in the main casino area, under the vaulted stained glass ceiling - she can park at the upstairs railing for an awesome view of the free show - presented six times daily - website is www.tropicanalv.com/ent_casinoent.asp . The upstairs landing is a great place to view the show - the acrobats "launch" themselves from that area.

HAD to mention our fav restaurant -Lawrys the Prime Rib, on Flamingo at Howard Hughes Pwy (a little E of strip, but W of Paradise Rd) - great food, with reasonable Prices considering quality and including potatoes and bread, lots of food, plus - this time of year, they have Dickenesque costumed carolers who stroll through the restaurant singing your favorite Christmas carols - you can even request favs - we are going to Vegas later this month for over a week - will be visiting Lawrys twice during our visit - we LOOOOVE the place! If you can, go a little early for the worlds best homemade potato chips in the bar.

Hope you both have a great time!

These are all great suggestions and we will no doubt do many of them. The bad news for now, is that I'm sick and we will not be making the trip scheduled for Dec. 7-10. But the good news is that I've rescheduled it for next month. One reason we waited until December is because it's Vegas's slow time and hotel rates are always very low.

We were going to stay in a suite at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay for $169.00 per night. The rates in January are much higher everywhere and we aren't big enough gamblers to get comps or discounts. Any suggestions on how to find the best rates? My mom just turned 92, (looks and acts 70,) and hasn't been there in over 40 years. I want to get a really nice room and make this trip really special for her. We're flying first class on AA using miles and just need to book the hotel. Thanks again for such great suggestions!

Neal, I've got to tell you that The Hotel at Mandalay is one of the nicest hotels I've stayed with in any city.

Have you considered changing your dates to the second half of December? When the rodeo people leave there are all kinds of deals - in fact, this year I am getting constant e mails from all the hotels in Vegas. Have you thought about a possible non-casino location ? I noticed your HHonors affiliation - Embassy Suites has locations on both Paradise and Swenson, and they would offer you space and sleeping options on your trip with mom - also, the newest Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Vegas, the HGVC on the Las Vegas Strip is currently running a points special on one bedroom suites - it's a new, very nice facility - however, in August they still had a long way to go on running things smoothly.

A few days ago HGVC at the Hilton also had point availability for later this month, as did the Paradise Rd. Embassy - just be aware that it is some distance between GVC at the Hilton and the Hilton. I'm not sure about Swenson (or anywhereelse) in January.

NYNY has a few $69 nights in December according to a recent email, and everything from $79 to $129 in January. Code is INT102.

The Trop sent out an email for rooms from $25 and up in Dec and Jan; offer was supposed to end Dec. 3rd, but you might check!

Bellagio sent out mail for deluxe rooms for $139 in Dec.,TI did same for rooms for $69 and $79 in Dec and Jan, code DEST03. MGM is offering a free suite upgrade with dining credit, with rooms rates from $79 in Dec, with a few dates in early JAn for $89-109, code if INB03. Sahara sent a email for holiday rates from $35.95 (plus $3+$1=$4 daily extra charges) - not the nicest, but usually certainly clean enough. Barbary Coast sent an email offering an online deal (code Edeal04) for $49.99 plus tax Sun- Th. through Jan 27th - haven't seen rooms, but it's a fantastic location. Can call them to book, butyou'll get a $10 food voucher for booking online. I also got a mailer from Circus Circus for good rates - don't remember details!

Another possibility for Holidays is what I booked - late December at Terribles, a locals casino/hotel - nothing fancy, slightly better than rooms at the Sahara - for $19/night - I think it goes through about Christmas Eve. Our other booking, another favorite hotel, is Alexis Park, on Harmon Ave, just across from the Hard Rock (Alexis is non-gaming) - suites usually available from about $59 on the right dates - I'm paying $69/night for a true suite (make sure you tell them that you need first floor - stairs!) from 24th - 30th of December.

I usually check out all places on Travelaxe, a free download at www.travelaxe.com, and them check it against individual hotel websites - travelaxe is great! It searches numerous booking sites, and gives you the best deal (as well as the others). Happy hunting - have a great time.

I just got an email from MGM offering suite upgrades for bookings in December on a variety of dates. I love December sales. :)

"magicfish's post: Barbary Coast sent an email offering an online deal (code Edeal04) for $49.99 plus tax Sun- Th. through Jan 27th - haven't seen rooms, but it's a fantastic location. Can call them to book, butyou'll get a $10 food voucher for booking online."

Wow! Great price for Barbary Coast. I love their restaurant Michael's but have never stayed there. It is a very small quaint older hotel which I've heard gives great personal service. No long walks or rides to the elevators! It is also very well located at Flamingo and the strip. You may even be able to get a room with a great view of the Bellagio fountains! There website has a best rate guarantee http://www.barbarycoastcasino.com/hotel/best-rate.html

Sorry you're not able to travel in late December. That is truly the least crowded time of year. Although many of the shows are dark then.