Coin slots/machines were all gone last time I was there (2007 for a Red Flag exercise at Nellis). One bought tickets at a machine and fed them in. Once you cash out, the machine gave me another ticket that I had to insert into a machine/kiosk whick would spit out the cash. Took most of the fun out of it for me.

All the casinos have changed. I was there in 1990, and practically nothing looked the same as I remembered it.

there is all the freaks handing out those prostitute cards. And some really good strip clubs (that's second hand...honest)

Took my wife and teen kids March 2016. First time I'd gone since I was like 10-11. I recall Circus, Circus as amazing in the late 70s. Total dump now. I had a good time but we stayed 5 days and I definitely ready to come home after 4. Enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by Orguss:
If you're into driving, be sure to check out Exotics Racing. (http://www.exoticsracing.com/) I had a blast and returned a second day for more driving, but it's expensive. Least expensive is $250 for five laps, but you are with a trainer the entire time and get to take home video of the experience.

Otherwise, I just went for the shows and food. I didn't do any gambling. I don't know how the other Cirque du Soleil shows compare, but I went to Ka and really enjoyed myself. Penn & Teller was a great show, also. If you and your wife aren't afraid of heights be sure to check out the skydeck at the Stratosphere, but be warned: it gets really, really windy up there.

I did all the exhausts and tuning on their cars a few years ago! Great group of guys.

Love Penn and Teller's show. Great guys. Not sure why anyone wouldn't enjoy it...it's an excellent magic show, and you get to meet Penn and Teller afterwards as you leave.

I recommend "Love" at the Mirage. At least you get some great Beatles music in remastered arrangements along with the Cirque circus. But I've seen enough of those Cirque du Soleil shows, they all look the same to me at the point.

I find Vegas exhausting. Last we were there, 4 years ago, there was a car chase, complete with gunfire and explosions, and they shut down the strip. It ended basically in front of the Flamingo and we were staying at Bellagio. Made it impossible to get around.

See a Cirque show.
And eat at M&M Soul Food.
Visit the Springs Preserve/Nevada State Museum, if you want some local flavor and culture.

Bruce

"O" at the Bellagio is really good. Be sure to check out the Conservatory while you're there too. I'll be in Vegas from 4/9 to 4/13 staying at the Venetian.

IMO Vegas is a lot more fun now.

More shows, GREAT restaurants, more family stuff....

My wife has about two business conferences there a year. I tag along, we stay at the Venetian... hang out at the pool, eat good food, get a massage, see a show.

We'll be there 3/18 thru 3/20... have to use up some perks before they expire.

quote:

It's now all expensive.

Nah. More expensive than before, yes. A suite in Vegas is still less than half a similar suite in another town.

Oh, when I last went, Gordon Ramsay had just opened Burgr at Planet Hollywood. Awesome burgers. Of course, he was there that week taping Master Chef, so can't vouch for the current quality. But we loved them, then, and had lunch there twice.

Also, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris was fantastic. And I was a skeptic...TV chef and all that. But we'd tried one of the local favorites and it was so bad, they tore up the check. Ramsay's place delivered a great meal.

Bouchon at the Venetian is excellent. Yardbird too though it's expensive for fried chicken. The sandwiches at Carnegie Deli in the Mirage are enough for two. Hash House is huge portions of diner food and tasty. Good burgers at the Ramsay joint at Planet Hollywood and the Hubert Keller spot next to Mandalay. Secret Pizza at the Cosmo is great and allows for some great people watching late night though much better weekends than mid week. Egg Slut at the Cosmo is also solid. Momofuko just opened at the Cosmo and I'd def hit that up. Delmonico in the Venetian has a killer tough pricey whiskey list if that's your jam. Mon Ami Gabi at Paris was a delightful lunch.

The Conservatory at Bellagio is a nice walk and good pic opportunity. The Chandelier Bar at Cosmo is visually stunning. I haven't hit the sky bar at the Mandarin yet but the view is supposed to be top notch.

Play golf. Renting a car and playing 18 was way cheaper than the money I would've spent in the same amount of time on the strip.

As long as you have the rental, go to Hoover Dam and take a dam tour.

I forgot to add that if you can, go have breakfast at the Peppermill. It's been a staple for me since I was a little younger. Share the pancakes.

Wife and I May be there around that same time. just retired, and looking for fun. Maybe we could get together for a good meal, or a machine gun shoot.....

It may not be the Vegas of old with the freebies, but it is still a good time.
Plus airfare is usually good to get there.

Just back a couple of weeks ago. We get there once a year on or trip to Casa Grande.
Saw my first Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island. Great show. Penn & Teller is great.

Food. We want food not an "Experiance." Starbucks has breakfast at a reasonable cost. A lot of the hotels have a "comfort food" cafe where you can eat cheaper. We have found that there are Denny's and Ihops normally that n walking distance.

A few years ago we were at the Luxor and were invited to a time share tour. Part of the deal were tickets to the Titanic exhibit, a free dinner and discount to a show. It cost us an afternoon out at their operation. My wife simply enjoyed tormenting the salesman. After we said "No" the limo disappeared and we were bussed back.

Did see one of the pseudo military "shoot a machine gun" operations. It seemed popular with the Asian tourists. Not impressive.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I might just be me, but I find Vegas completely underwhelming.

Too expensive, too smokey, too dirty, too cliche'.

I don't disagree, but it's mostly you.

It's changed. The last time I went to Vegas I didn't know half the people there.

If you're into history and looking for something a little quieter than a casino, the National Atomic Testing Museum is there: http://nationalatomictestingmuseum.org

I love atomic age history and really enjoyed the museum. I have to say the Area 51/aliens exhibit was a bit cheesy. I hope you have a great time!

Mandalay bay has this buffet for 25 bucks and you can eat as many king crab legs you can stuff in your mouth, my wife all 125 lbs of her ate 13 of them. she was hurting but said it was worth it. I had fun just watching her , I sampled everything until it hurt. it really depends on where you are staying for me I like the 5 star hotels and usually just hang out not to far away.

I have been going to the SHOT Show past few years and staying at the Monte Carlo. Perfectly fine, not expensive but that may change as they are part of the MGM group which is doing renovations and is behind the recent "pay for parking" crap. There hotels are the only ones doing it now but I'm sure others will follow. Casinos interest me not at all but just walking through the unbelievable hotels is worth the trip . We usually take a day off and head out into the surrounding areas. There's Red Rock Canyon and Death Valley. I just love the desert and the vastness of it all. There's Nellis AFB nearby where you might see the Thunderbirds coming and going as they do practice runs. Creech AFB from where the mideast drones are controlled. There are ghost towns nearby as well as the Boulder (Hoover) dam area. The new Shelby American facility is very nice and costs nothing, full of iconic Cobras and Mustangs . The Mob Museum is interesting. It's in the old post office bldg. Frys electronic store is interesting, sort of like Best Buy on steroids. Their parking lot is right on the airport flightpath so jetliners are coming over every minute or two a couple of hundred feet off the ground. We usually hit Ellis Island restaurant on Koval St. The Pawn Stars shop, Rick's Restorations an the car guy are pretty much tourist traps unless you just have to tell someone you were there . Anyhow, for someone who has never been there, I would definitely say go. For return visits, you be the judge .