Las Vegas - New Year's In Las Vegas Update

Here is some information from Norm! (columnist from the local Las Vegas Review Journal) about some prices and events on or around New Year's Eve.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-29-Wed-2006/news/11111696.html

Get ready to party hearty, and pay hearty for the privilege!

But if you are interested, I strongly suggest you book early (like NOW) as, despite those prices, tickets will be hard to get.

My Las Vegas New Year's strategy is: Arrive the day after Christmas; stay three or four nights; then GTFO before New Year's Eve.

I'd rather spend the night in Baghdad than New Year's Eve night in Las Vegas. It's that bad.

Excellent Plan Brian.

The strip is shut down to traffic for New Years Eve and becomes packed with people. Unless you are a registered guest at a strip hotel - you will not get in - even to gamble.

This chaotic atmosphere is not my kind of fun. Plus the room rates are ridiculously high for the week-end as are the cost of the private parties. You can make the same trip on other week-ends for 1/3 the price or less. I suppose for some "20 something's" it may look like something that can't be missed.

...then GTFO before New Year's Eve.

I'd rather spend the night in Baghdad than New Year's Eve night in Las Vegas. It's that bad.

Are you sure you don't live here DenverBrian, because you sure do sound like a local Las Vegan!

Yes, you can't get most locals anywhere near the Strip on or about New Year's, even at gunpoint...but I thought I would post the update for those who are bound and determined to put up with the madness.

And besides - going to the Strip ONCE on New Year's is probably fun, if you have unlimited funds and are up for the challenge. Just like going to Munich's Oktoberfest is really fun - once - but most people never feel the need to go back for a second visit.

Are you sure you don't live here DenverBrian, because you sure do sound like a local Las Vegan!'Course I'm not a local...then I'd be LasVegasBrian, silly. :D :D :D

Yes, you can't get most locals anywhere near the Strip on or about New Year's, even at gunpoint...but I thought I would post the update for those who are bound and determined to put up with the madness.

And besides - going to the Strip ONCE on New Year's is probably fun, if you have unlimited funds and are up for the challenge. Just like going to Munich's Oktoberfest is really fun - once - but most people never feel the need to go back for a second visit.

Now, if the weather was good and everybody got naked ala Mardi Gras, I might be persuaded to stick around...

the best place to be on NYE in VEGAS is in front of the TV laughing at all the idiots on LVBLD and Freemont Street! :)

I'm pretty much stuck in Vegas for New Year's Eve after being there to cover the Liddell-Ortiz fight the day before. So I take it it would be best to lay low and watch everybody go crazy?

I am going to Vegas NYE because I got a comped room at Rio and I always wanted to find out how it was. I have heard it really gets crazy on the strip with shoulder to shoulder people everywhere, drunkeness and puking all around. Is it really that bad? I have called and the clubs cover charges range from $150-250 and that's if you can get in. Anybody experience it first hand and can tell me how they saw it? Thanks.

I'm pretty much stuck in Vegas for New Year's Eve after being there to cover the Liddell-Ortiz fight the day before. So I take it it would be best to lay low and watch everybody go crazy?

rent a car and visit zion or flagstaff. when you're in the crowd it is hard to see how frenetic it is. on TV it is obvious LOL.

I'm pretty much stuck in Vegas for New Year's Eve after being there to cover the Liddell-Ortiz fight the day before. So I take it it would be best to lay low and watch everybody go crazy?

Well, as long as your are here, PARTY!
Sure, it is insane; sure it is expensive; and no doubt you will be caught up in the madness, but if you are already here, by all means get out and experience it!

Las Vegas is 100% wild party on New Year's, and you would be a fool to miss out, especially if you, and Hectekk are already here!

But as my link above mentioned, prices will be steep, and tickets will go fast, so hurry up, book one of the clubs, give youself PLENTY of time to get to the club and back, and just go with the flow! I guarantee it will be a night you will never forget.

(Most locals don't want to deal with it - we live here, can go out any night we please, and don't feel the need to be in the midst of the thundering herd...but 250,000 people disagree and will be tooting their horns and partying hearty all night on The Strip...we locals are just the fuddy-duddies.)

Thanks, DMark. I'll have to watch my partying anyway, though, because my flight back out leaves at 8am on New Year's Day.

Which brings me to my next question: in your experience - should I plan some extra time for getting to the airport (rental car) in the morning? I'm staying at the Palace Station on Sahara and am planning on just getting on the highway and exiting at the airport. As long as I steer clear of the Strip, it shouldn't be too big an issue, should it?

Your planned route to the airport is quick and simple. I would not expect that traffic will delay you that early on New Years Day.

Your location at Palace Station could be great for seeing the fireworks up and down the strip. Try to get an upper floor room with a strip view.

Thanks, DMark. I'll have to watch my partying anyway, though, because my flight back out leaves at 8am on New Year's Day.


8:00 AM on New Year's Day?!?! Did you lose a bet or what?
That means getting to the airport early (my guess is two hours at least) plus the time to drop off the rental car which means leaving the hotel at 5:00 AM at the latest?! Which means getting up at 4:30 (if you are a fast person in the morning.)

No - traffic probably won't be all that bad...and you picked a good route (don't get confused by the exits, and watch closely for the car rental return lanes - it will be pitch dark at that time of the night and it is tricky, even for locals driving there.) but I doubt seriously any sleep will happen with fireworks, people slamming doors in the hallways and laughing and talking loudly.

If I were you, I would just sleep in New Year's Eve day as long as possible, maybe even take a late afternoon nap...then just stay up all night New Year's Eve and take an early morning taxi to the airport and sleep on the plane. The casinos will be busy all night and into the early morning, so you won't be alone, nor will you be bored.

8:00 AM on New Year's Day?!?! Did you lose a bet or what?

Actually, I need to be back in Germany at 8am local time on Jan 2, so that's my only option. Normally I'd have taken off an extra day or two but no can do this time around.

the best place to be on NYE in VEGAS is in front of the TV laughing at all the idiots on LVBLD and Freemont Street! :)

I have to agree....was in LAS for New Years one year and decided to stay in my room. My friends wanted to go and have the experience on the strip. It was packed with people and after the fireworks, my friends said troublemakers started to push and compact the crowd. They said it actually started to get scary but gave credit to the security on hand, many who were on horses, any sign of trouble they broke it up immediately and they kept the crowd moving.

Hi,

Just got 3 FF seats from EWR to LAS returning mid day on 1-1. We are staying at the Las Vegas Hilton. We really like fireworks. Is there any place that the locals go to watch the fireworks? I am using Hilton points for a free stay so I'm not sure how happy they will be to give me a room looking towards the strip.

I really don't think I want to go out to with the insanity happening. Suggestions? It is me, hubby and 16 year old son.

Cheers

Excellent Plan Brian.

The strip is shut down to traffic for New Years Eve and becomes packed with people. Unless you are a registered guest at a strip hotel - you will not get in - even to gamble.


I couldn't agree more. We did it once, and never again. I thought I was smart, and could beat the traffic and system. We stayed in Henderson, drove to the Venetian where I so brilliantly parked for a quick exit out the back streets. HA HA HA HA HA

When we got to the parking garage to beat the retreating crowds, the police were blocking the garage. No cars allowed out until the traffic and pedestrians were gone. We were also warned not to leave the hotel/casino grounds because we probably would not get into any other hotel/casino until the crazies were all gone. Sat in the coffee shop until 2AM.

Never again. :rolleyes:

Hi,

Just got 3 FF seats from EWR to LAS returning mid day on 1-1. We are staying at the Las Vegas Hilton. We really like fireworks. Is there any place that the locals go to watch the fireworks? I am using Hilton points for a free stay so I'm not sure how happy they will be to give me a room looking towards the strip.

I really don't think I want to go out to with the insanity happening. Suggestions? It is me, hubby and 16 year old son.

Cheers

On Fourth of July, there are lots of fireworks and plenty of places for locals to see them, but on New Year's Eve, the whole game is on The Strip - so locals usually try to find friends who can see The Strip from their house (I get a pretty good view from my kitchen window, and usally stand there and watch.)

However, seeing as how you are at the Las Vegas Hilton, you are far enough back that you might actually get a good view by standing outside anywhere on the LV Hilton property! The fireworks are shot from the tops of the casinos, so from that perspective, you might actually get a decent view - at least of those shooting off the Stratosphere, but maybe even a wide shot of the entire show?!

If I were you, I would ask at the front desk how the view is - they should know - and maybe they have some place towards the top of their property that would allow you an even better view. But again - you are just far enough back that my guess is you might actually be able to see quite a bit just by going out and standing in the front parking lot - and trust me, that would be nice so you can just turn around and go back into the casino when the madness begins following the fireworks!

Have fun!

A few years ago the LV Hilton would hold their NY party on their pool deck (3rd floor) which has a great view of the strip. I don't know if they still do it. It was not open to the public as far as I know but was by invitation.

If your room does not overlook the strip, I might look into standing on one of the upper levels of the parking garage on the North end of the hotel. I think there would be a pretty nice view from there.

I've been sent free invites by both the Hard Rock ("Rock Star Supernova") and the Venetian (Lionel Richie) for NYE. Still not going...

I've been sent free invites by both the Hard Rock ("Rock Star Supernova") and the Venetian (Lionel Richie) for NYE. Still not going...

...how about if they up the offer and let you use Nicole Ritchie as a swizzle stick?

Still, I totally understand - although that free Lionel Richie show would be tempting...

A few years ago the LV Hilton would hold their NY party on their pool deck (3rd floor) which has a great view of the strip. I don't know if they still do it. It was not open to the public as far as I know but was by invitation.

If your room does not overlook the strip, I might look into standing on one of the upper levels of the parking garage on the North end of the hotel. I think there would be a pretty nice view from there.

The NYE parties where never held on the pool deck it much too cold for that ( can you say low 20s;) )
The parties were held in ballrooms on the other side of the casino nearest to the convention center. At about 1140pm all elevators where sealed off to all but the parties guests and they/we were then escorted to the pool deck area to view the fireworks.
One done the area was closed of again, though not many would have wanted to hang outside dressed for a NYE party.
The view from the East Tower elevator lobbies will give as good as view as any.

mike

I am going for NYE for first time and all I hear are horror stories. I got a room comped at Rio with a strip view and more and more I am thinking of watching the fireworks from my room. My wife wants to do the strip thing but it sounds like it will just be a very cold and drunk mob there.

NYE is ridiculous on the strip, but it might be fun on your first time. It's sort of like a Mardi Gras feeling with drunk people and beads being tossed aroud. But after you do it once, you will not want to do it again. They start closing off the strip between 7pm and 8pm, depending on how many people are out there

If you go, make sure you dress warm, because it will be close to freezing by the time midnight comes aroud. Its funny to watch people in their party dresses and suits with no overcoat shivering as they are trying to look sexy.

If you're staying at a strip hotel, I would suggest that you stay on property. Most of the hotels have some type of barrier to prevent the people on the strip from coming on to their property until after the fireworks. Go to the valet or the front area of the hotel where you can see the people and the fireworks, but you'll be able to get back inside by showing your room key. If you go off property, dont expect to get back in to your hotel until atleast 1:00 a.m.

The strip wont be open for traffic until at least 3:00 a.m. So if you have to drive somewhere, park off property and walk to the strip. I wouldn't suggest parking in a parking garage, it will be too busy to get out, if you can get out. Find a parking lot off the strip, it will be easier.

You can have a good time out there, just remember that once you're out there, you can't get back into the hotel. It doesnt matter if you're a guest or not, they will not let you back on propery until its over. Dress warm and if you have to go to the restroom there are porta pottys out there, but I wouldn't use them with 250,000 people walking around me.

I am going for NYE for first time and all I hear are horror stories. I got a room comped at Rio with a strip view and more and more I am thinking of watching the fireworks from my room. My wife wants to do the strip thing but it sounds like it will just be a very cold and drunk mob there.

A strip view from the Rio will be a great place to watch the fireworks! You might want to watch the fireworks from your room then go join the celebrating right at the Rio.

Your description of "a very cold and drunk mob" is a nice way to describe the chaos on the strip.

A strip view from the Rio will be a great place to watch the fireworks! You might want to watch the fireworks from your room then go join the celebrating right at the Rio.

Your description of "a very cold and drunk mob" is a nice way to describe the chaos on the strip.

I got a very nice invitation from the Rio to an "exclusive" party, dinner, table glass etc. for the Prince concert. It is only $1,000 per person! However, it is limited to 200 people.

So, while most of you will be paying through the nose to party-hearty New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, there are reports that Pure nightclub is paying Brittney Spears $300,000 just to show up at their party.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Dec-31-Sun-2006/news/11715035.html

Damn...I woulda gone there for half that money.

I am going for NYE for first time and all I hear are horror stories. I got a room comped at Rio with a strip view and more and more I am thinking of watching the fireworks from my room. My wife wants to do the strip thing but it sounds like it will just be a very cold and drunk mob there.

Get yourself a VIP Invite to the 51st Floor Voodoo Lounge at The Rio^