Anyone know Vegas?

[MelanieCheeks]

DH and I are off to Las Vegas for the last week in August.

We approach holidays (and life in general) in different ways. To borrow from the Myers-Briggs thread, I'm an INTJ - I like everything planned and organised, on a colour co-ordinated spreadsheet. He's an ISTP and he likes to indulge in what he calls "aimless wandering". I'm a bit worried about going half way round the world to do aimless wandering and miss out on some essential attractions.

That said, we DO have booked a helicopter flight down the strip at night, and a full day tour to Grand Canyon.

Anything else that it would be worth booking in advance?

And what sort of clothes do I need?

I'm not sure if you can book in advance but I'd recommend dinner at Smith & Wollensky's, we had the best steaks there we've ever eaten.

Clothes, smart casual and some nice dresses for the evenings.

The Bellagio is beautiful - the evening fountain displays to music are super, the art gallery inside is fantastic and we had a nice meal there too.

I'm not sure what's on over there at the moment but we went to see a Cirque du Soleil show and it was amazing.

It is a great place for just wandering around.

I would book a show if you like that kind of thing though I'm not sure if it's cheaper to do when you are there.

Vegas is a great chance to wear your nicest clothes. Anything goes really, unless you are going somewhere with a dress code. You will see people in black tie, amazing dresses, the clubbers in micro dresses and then others in shorts and t shirts.

We've been to Vegas 3 years in a row... 2008-2010 for the World Series of Poker (to support my DH), but currently in a baby hiatus.

Definitely book a show... We've seen a few of the Cirque de Soleil offerings... O at the Bellagio was amazing, water-based acrobatics, Love at the Mirage which is all based around the songs of the Beatles and a real feast for the eyes and Ka at the MGM Grand, which I didn't rate as highly as the other 2. You can chance waiting to book until you get there... There's a ticket outlet at the Fashion Mall opposite the Wynn but I think the big shows do book up in advance.

Other than that, Vegas is a go with the flow kind of place. Although the helicopter and Grand Canyon trips are a must!

Would recommend an evening drink in the outside patio area of the Parasol down bar in the Wynn, we had fab steaks at Charlie Palmers Steak House at the 4 Seasons and SW steakhouse at the Wynn. The Bellagio is amazing to wander round, love the fountains and the botanical gardens bits. Plus if you want aerial view at night, the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris is a good place to go. Downtown (old Vegas) is also good to visit in the evening. We just loved it! Have fun!

I meant to say. August is extremely hot, so you may aimlessly wander in the evenings outside.

Agree with steaks at Smith and Wollensky, and cocktails at Parasol Down.
I also love Mon Ami Gabi at the Parisien for fabulous French bistro style food. The onion soup is delish.
For more unusual things to do, I really enjoyed the Atomic Testing museum.
I hate the gambling floors, so avoid those, but like to wander through all the hotels for the shops and to check out all the bars and restaurants. And wandering up and down the strip at night to take in all the sights.
I've been three times now, most recently was in April with three DCs, and have had a great time each visit.

Lovely suggestions, thank you all!

We're staying at The Excaliber - gets mixed reviews on Trip Advisor.

Not that into Celine Dion etc - have seen Cirque du Soleil before and loved it, so we're happy to wait and see what ticket prices are like last minute.

Is it worth getting discount dining certificates in advance?

I agree, don't plan too much. Just wander.

Excalibur is fine. Good location. I've been to Vegas 7 times.
Make sure you see

• bellagio fountains at night
• mirage volcano show- check times - free happens every night
• sirens of TI ( treasure island) free- check times
• Fremont street experience- free- get the deuce bus from excalibur ($8 dollars for 24 hours unlimited travel)
• go up the stratosphere tower to see the views

Cheap bottled water and supplies can be bought from ABC stores which are next to the coca cola store opposite new New York New York or from Walgreens or CVS up the strip.

MGM grand has free wifi in the casino for 2 hours so go in there if you want free wifi.

Grand Canyon is a must but don't book through concierge it's a rip off.

Buy show tickets at the half price ticket booths on the strip there is one at the showcase mall
Which is next to the cinema at the MGM grand.

For shopping visit the north premium outlets get the strip and downtown express bus from the strip. Much better than the south.

Experience a gondola ride at the Venetian pricy but worth it.

If you like rock music raiding the rock vault at the LVH is an amazing show and they were doing two for one tickets last week.

Enjoy! It's a fabulous place.

Oh I love Vegas! I'm so jealous!

It really is a go with the flow type of place. I found out last time I was there that you can buy a wrist band for $100 each to see as many shows as you can in 48 hours! They give you the best available seats! It isn't advertised at all but you can buy them at the desk of any of the shows. After spending $80 each for one show we found this out from an American family that had managed seats at the front next to our pre-booked seats.

There is so much to do in every hotel that you will just wonder around looking in amazement.

Smith and woollensky is amazing. Cheesecake Factory is also amazing. You can't book the Cheesecake Factory in advance.

Even if you aren't much of a gambler, remember that you get free drinks whilst gambling. If you sit at a bar there is usually a gambling machine in front of you. Stick $20 in each and order your drinks, gamble a dollar or so, drink your drinks then take your money back out! There is a minimum amount you have to put in to get the free drinks but you don't have to gamble it

Hoover dam is worth seeing if you have time. We hired a novelty sports car for the day and drove there.

The roller coaster at New York New York is great and the ride lasts ages. The duelling pianos at The Bar At Times Square in New York New York are really good. You have to pay to get a seat though so a whole evening entertainment. If you want to request a song do it straight away for a few dollars rather than waiting as people start paying hundreds for songs later on.

I love the smell of the Venetian hotel and mall. Weird but true! It's a great mall and looks just like an Italian street. Very expensive shops though!

I don't know about the other hotels as we have only stayed at the Venetian.