First trip to Vegas
 

My sister and hubby will be visiting from the UK in July, she would like to spend a few days in Vegas. Is there a defintive web site?

We would like to attend a show, but they seem to be quite expensive, are there coupons or discounts available?

If we were to take a short drive for maybe a photo opportunity, what is a good place?

What are the best (moderately priced) eating (buffets?) places.

Any and all suggestions and advice would be welcome. Thank you

For a first-timer in Vegas for "a few days", you will have your hands full just seeing all of "The Strip" (the main road with all the massive hotels). The hotels themselves are incredible attractions...the New York New York (complete w/skyline), Venitian (complete w/gondolas), Paris (w/Eiffel Tower), Bellagio (w/art from the great masters...monet, Van Gogh, etc), Luxor (w/Larger than actual size Sphinx), etc. The architecture & oppulence of it all is amazing. I believe the Venetian is now the largest hotel on the planet!

The food is generally inexpensive, every hotel has a decent buffet...the Rio has the "Worlds Largest Buffet" and it is massive. The shows as you mentioned are comparable in price to a Broadway show ($75-125 each). That being said the quality of the shows is also equal to a Broadway show...worth the money in my opinion. How often do you go to Vegas? Not very often...spend the money and see a show! You wont be dissappointed. The Cirque du Soleil shows are always facinating, The Blue Man Group at the Luxor is hilarious & in my opinion a "must see". Penn & Teller also do an awesome/freaky magic show at the Rio.

If you still have time, Hoover Dam is close by...an amazing feat of engineering.

...oh...and you can gamble there as well. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif




[This message has been edited by Pointfreak! (edited Feb 08, 2004).]

Take a short drive(less than 30 minutes from the strip)west on Charleston Blvd, the Red Rock Canyon is worth the drive.

You won't find any discounts to the top Vegas shows, which now cost up to $200 a ticket. There are a couple places on the Strip that have half-price tickets but they are never for the top shows.

As for food, Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world. None of the cheap buffets are very good and I would avoid them. Bellagio and Aladdin have good buffets but they are not cheap, especially Bellagio. The new food court at Caesars is very good but not really a bargain. There isn't much cheap food on the Strip any more.

I love Vegas but don't expect a bargain. It's engineered to part you from your money quickly and painlessly.

QL

www.cheapvegas.com
www.vegas.com

There is a half-price ticket booth run by Tix4Tonight (www.tix4tonight.com) right next to the Harley Davidson (just moved there under new ownership). The rumor is it will have a better selection than its predecessor in the Showcase Mall. The fact you're going in July (when business is slower than usual) may work in your favor.

For a real bargain, go see the Mac King show at Harrah's in the afternoon. If you sign up for the slot club, you get two free tickets (with a one-drink minimum) and a really enjoyable time. Even without the freebies, the show is cheap by Vegas standards. I've seen it twice and would go back a 3rd time.

Another free don't-miss experience is the dancing fountain show at the Bellagio.

If you do want to splurge on Cirque du Soleil, don't bother paying extra to see O . Most people I know think Mystere is both a better show and a better buy (I certainly do).

As for websites: The official website is at www.lasvegasfreedom.com. Definitely check out www.lasvegasadvisor.com, which always runs the month's best values and specials in Vegas.

Red Rock, the Valley of Fire or Hoover Dam are all good choices for photo ops, but you're going to fry out there in July. The Strip at night always makes a good backdrop--and it's a lot cooler on a hot July night. The Cactus gardens outside the Ethel M factory make for some good photos, too. (And you can always pop in and a get a free sample of chocolate after you take your pictures.)

As for buffets, I like the Luxor in the middle range: the atmosphere is great and everything was fresh and tasty when I was there. I know a food writer who likes the Paris buffet. And though I've never been there, I've heard nothing but good things about the Main Street Station downtown.

A quick note: June is actually the slow month in Vegas. July and August are much busier, particularly on the weekends. This is because the majority of Americans still take their vacations in the summer and Vegas is still a popular destination...despite the heat.

Load up on the sunblock and drink plenty of water!

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A site for travelers by a traveler with 20+ years experience
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Thank you all for your replies. I have a lot of homework to do.

Pick up a Frommers, Fodors etc and do some reading and recommend this to your friends (or visit a library). Narrow down what interests you and then ask some advice.

MisterNice

If you all are comfortable financially, you might look into a one-day plane tour of the Grand Canyon, leaving from Vegas.

JP

This is good advice for all trips; FT is great for advice but it's better to see all the options and select for yourself. For Vegas the websites (pointed out above) will list current shows and prices.

Will I get miles? LOL
Couldn't resist! BTW for someone who has never been there - I now know a lot about Vegas

This one.

Probably not. Avoid people who offer you something for nothing (e.g. free pulls on slot machines / coupons / sales presentations).

1) Hoover Dam 30 or so miles south. 2) On top of the Stratosphere Tower. 3) In front of any of the themed casino hotels, e.g. NYNY, Paris, Treasure Island, Venetian.

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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">What are the best (moderately priced) eating (buffets?) places.

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Everywhere you look. Probably one in your hotel - the typical hotel has a buffet, 24 hour coffee shop, and probably several fancy restaurants. Since USD are so cheap compared to UKP probably everything will seem moderately priced to you.

{/QUOTE]Any and all suggestions and advice would be welcome. Thank you[/QUOTE]

Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring swim suits.

Downtown and the light show.
It's unique, very vegas and free, plus it will get you downtown to check things out there.

As mentioned before, Grand Canyon shouldn't be missed if you can swing it.

Just walking down the strip with the pirate show,lakes,fountains,roller coasters will be entertaining if you've never been there.

But along with the sunblock, water, sunglasses, add a hat. have fun.