Vegas

[mikekama1]

What can you say about the city that has something for everyone? Las Vegas is so diverse, that whether you're looking for gambling, restaurants, amusement, shows, shopping etc. etc....you'll probably find it in Las Vegas.

Let's start with the lay of the land....

1. The Vegas strip. This is where pretty much everything you see on TV is based on. Here you'll find the replica of the statue of liberty, eiffel tower, erupting volcano etc. The strip is the heart of all the action in Vegas. High tier hotels would have to be the new Wynn hotel, Four Seasons. Excellent hotels are the Mandalay Bay, Bellagio. The strip also has more reasonable hotels as well. I suppose this depends on how much time you spend at your hotel. You could walk from one end of the strip to the other, but it's a bit of a hike.



2. Freemont Street. Represents a lot of the nostalgia of vegas. The original casinos are here, Golden Nugget, Binion's Horseshoe etc. Recently Freemont street closed itself off to road traffic so that the public could walk freely from hotel to hotel. Consider Freemont steet a 'group of hotels' - that group being under a 5 block long big-screen tv (you have to see it to believe it). Think more old west casinos, more down-to-earth fun when you think of Freemont. Freemont is about 2 miles north of the strip.



3. Henderson NV. I see hotels posted with their address in Henderson and haven't stayed there, but they're at least a car ride to the strip.

Shopping in Vegas is also very diverse. If your taste is Harry Winston go to the forum shops at Caesar's palace. If your taste is Polo Outlet, there are two outlet malls (one at north end and one at south end of the strip.) If your taste is somewhere in between, go to fashion mall (across from the Wynn) there are enough stores in there to make your head spin.



Dining. Again, depends on what you're looking for. You can dine atop the Paris' eiffel tower or go to an all you can eat buffet. I prefer the former and would recommend for a romantic experience you won't forget.



Entertainment. You can walk the strip and see the fountain show at Bellagio or Volcano eruption at Mirage as these shows are going all the time. You can find tickets to most any of the shows ie. Cirque du Soleil right on the strip. There are many, many dance clubs as well depending on your tastes.



Weather. Remember you're in the desert! Depending on the time of year, but most times it's hot. However, I found out that the pools aren't open year round. So if this is a concern, you might want to investigate.



Sightseeing. You can take a helicopter ride around the strip or a helicopter around the Grand Canyon. I did the cruise around Lake Mead and saw the Hoover Dam. I figured worth seeing considering its significance....it was a nice way to spend a day.



There's so much to see in Vegas...by the way....notice I never even mentioned gambling?

[yasakani]

What would you recommend for couples looking for a romantic getaway?



Thanks.

[mikekama1]

Vegas definitely has options for romantic getaways. I'll try to provide you with a few suggestions....hopefully some will be to your liking.



In the hotel department, certainly Bellagio, Paris and Venetian would be atop my list for romantic getaways. I suppose it all depends whether you'd like an Italian-like experience or a French one. The Bellagio and Venetian have great displays of art, Paris emulates its namesake quite well.



The Bellagio has the famous 'fountain show' that you may have seen on TV or movies. Definitely worth seeing.

The Venetian has gondola rides which are very romantic.

Paris hotel has a 1/2 scale replica of the Eiffel tower. You can ride to the top and have dinner atop the tower (I would recommend this).



There are also other options. For example a helicopter ride around the strip, or maybe you'd like to take in a show. There's always something going on...you won't be bored!

[lhbrown]

We spent a few days in Las Vegas and stayed at the Bellagio Hotel. I believe this is a LL property. The hotel was beautiful. Yes, there is a lot to do and to see in Las Vegas, but staying at a good hotel you have the choice to avail yourself of the many things the hotel offers. We loved the Pool at the Bellagio, it was a real oasis away from all the hussle and bussle outside. We also took a champagne helicotper flight, which the concierge at the hotel arranged for us, over Lake Powel and the Grand Canyon, landed on a bluff in the Grand Cannyon and were served champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Flying close to the rocks in the Grand Canyon was amazing and on the way back at dusk we saw lots of wildlife coming out, like Elk and Moose. The most amazing site was flying back into Las Vegas at night over the Strip. The lights were beautiful. It was truly an unforgettable trip.

[enewseven]

Club Pure - Is a nice night club to go..... go to Tao for an exciting dinner....I'm from NYC so In and Out Burger is a must for me too (not romantic but worth it)!!!

[mary-j]

We actually got married in Las Vagas in The little White Chapel. We stayed at The Luxor, very nice, but my sister was there last year for her honeymoon and from what she was telling me,I think their standards have slipped a little. Ifwe return to Vegas I would probably try out The Wynn. Either that, (probably only if I have a win on the lottery!!) I would love to stay in The Terrace Suites at MGM Grande. Has anyone went on to their website and looked at the 360 degree tour they do?These Terrace Suites have humungous terraces with views over the strip. At firstI thought it was a public area of the hotel but it is the Terraces own private area.Bet it will be really expensive to stay in one of these. The other one which I like the look of are The Signature Suites. More of an apartment rather than a hotel room.Theylook very nice too.

[enewseven]

I'm heading out to Vegas for a business trip in March always looking for new places to go as they are always opening something there. Let me know any new places to eat, things to do, etc I'll be at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay.

[claassenam]

Enewseven - I just stayed at THEHotel in November, it was excellent. Very nice suites, I think it even made the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. It is also just a nice quieter haven from the rest of the strip. Also checked out Pure, what a scene but fun!

[enewseven]

Hi Claassnam:



Good to hear, I'm heading out in next month ! We originally booked TheHotel and I been there once before, but I might have just gotten a nice deal over at The Wynn Resort which I've walked through but never stayed yet. Hopefully I'l get to check out Club Pure again, I was there whenthey first opened so I can't imagine what the scene is like now !

[marolyn]

Just returned from a business trip to Vegas...with a little time for fun, of course. A new restaurant that we enjoyed was Craftsteak in the MGM Grand. Great beef, even bison, that was buttery and tasty. Wine list was extensive; service was great. Cheers...Marolyn