I'm going to Vegas for a few days next week and was wondering if anyone has some good tips on what I can do... my bf is going to be "conferencing" all day so I have to spend the day by myself. I won't have a car, and am not interested in Hoover Dam. Anything that you think is cool (cafes, restaurant, people watching sites, etc), and not necessarily found in every guide book is greatly appreciated. TIA!
I haven't been to Vegas since college (translates into a bazillion years ago). I was amazed by just about everything. I did enjoy a drive to the mountains. It was odd seeing such beauty just up the road from what I considered to be "Myrtle Beach on acid".
We went to Vegas last year. You could spend hours and hours just exploring the casinos. You don't have to gamble. Each one is very unique and has many things to see! The Bellagio was amazing...be sure to see the ceiling of the lobby. The Venetian and The Wynn were gorgeous. You can sit in a $250,000 Ferrari and get your picture taken at The Wynn ($10 admission, $20 for the picture). The Rio has quite a free show every hour. Gawk at the shops. Take a bus to Freemont Street...it's a "don't miss".
We didn't even go to any shows.....we loved the fountains at the Bellagio. We couldn't get enough of them.
Thanks everyone... we're staying at the Hilton on the strip. I've been reading up on it, and that's what I gather... alot of people watching, and casino hopping. I'm just excited to get out of here for a while!
I just got back from Vegas a couple weeks ago. My hubby and I got married 3/24 and went to Vegas the next day for our honeymoon. We stayed in a deluxe suite at the Circus Circus (the Hilton is just barely North of the Circus Circus - unless there's more than one Hilton). We were on a budget while there but we came away with only spending $170 while there because of what we won. If you're gonna be gambling any, my highest recommendation would be to go to Slots A Fun next door (to the South but on the strip) to Circus Circus. Their machines are older machines so you don't have to worry about them computer-operated. And their machines pay out in coins - nickels, dimes, and quarters. All our casinos in Oklahoma pay out in tickets so we were really looking forward to the sound of change falling from a slot machine. The cocktail waitresses were abundant there at Slots A Fun too so you could always get a mixed drink within a couple minutes.
The best way to see the Strip without killing your feet is to ride the Deuce. It's the double decker bus that goes up and down the strip. It's $5 to ride it for 24 hours. And the bus pass for the Deuce also works on the CAT which is the public bus system that runs off the strip to some of the other hotel/casinos. (We took one over to the Orleans and also from/to the airport.)
We found Fremont Street to be disappointing personally. We did find an awesome restaurant manager at the Fitzgerald (named James Holden). We complemented him on the service we received in the Cafe in the Fitzgerald and he gave us a completely free dinner the next night. If you have the chance to see him, tell him the Honeymooners that came to Vegas for the First Time at the end of March sent you and he'll give you free drinks.
When you're walking the Strip, there's Tahiti Village people everywhere (timeshare people trying to get you to come to a presentation and they'll give you tickets to a show of your choice). We gave in and did a presentation to get free tickets to the Lance Burton show. No problems. It is time consuming--took about 3 hours or so round trip to go to their presentation--it's an awesome property but way out of our price range. If you don't want to do a presentation though, just tell all the people that you already did one and keep walking. They'll thank you and leave you alone most of the time.
I'd definitely recommend checking out Caesar's Palace--it was so gorgeous...my favorite pics are from there. The volcano at the Mirage in the evening was surprisingly neat as well. We were disappointed with the fountains at the Bellagio--it was only one song so we thought it was too short. The Sirens at Treasure Island were cancelled every night due to high winds. The Wynn was really pretty inside and out.
Anyways, I could go on and on. Are you flying? Hopefully you're not using a shuttle service called ODS (through Worry-Free Vacations). They made us miss our flight and we ended up staying in Vegas another night to catch a flight the next day (which led us to use the public bus to and from the airport that time). If you need anymore info or anything let me know....it's all fresh in my mind still. We had the time of our life out there and plan to return!
Stephanie
The one place I want to go when i go to vegas is Freed's bakery. Suppose to be great food and I think I could spend a day there just looking through all of their pictures.
I am looking at going out there with my BF later this year too, but He will be in conferences for 8-10 hrs each day too. So you'll have to let me know what you do while your there. I am kinda leary about going by myself for the days.
edited b/c I forgot the website http://www.freedsbakery.com/
These are the places we always go when we go to Vegas. I have kids so it's all about the freebies for us! 
-Mandalay Bay - Awesome pools and grounds. Shark Reef- pricey but fun to see. Shopping mall area between here and Luxor.
-Luxor- "Pyramid" hotel, IMAX theater, big game room, neat shops.
-Excalibur- Free shows every 30 min upstairs from the casino, huge game room for the younger crowd, costumed characters walk through out the casino.
Take the free tram between the three hotels mentioned above instead of parking at each one.
-New York, New York- fun shops, rollar coaster and rides
-MGM Grand- Free lion exhibit, lots of shops, Rain Forest Cafe.
-Aladdin- currently under renovation so not sure on what's still there but they have a big mall inside where it "rains" inside.
-Paris- really fun to walk through, authentic looking shops/restraunts, Eiffel Tower.
-Belliago- Outstanding hotel, gorgeous, don't miss the fountain show day or night. Very upscale shops. Beautiful gardens inside.
-Caesars Palace- free ancient Greece type show several times a day, lots of shops, cool aquariums.
-Flamingo- free to walk around grounds to see lots of wild life including of course lots of flamingos.
-Mirage- volcano erupts outside hotel
-Treasure Island- Free pirate show numerous times a day. Gets very crowded so get there early.
-Venetian- Really pretty hotel, Venice boardwalk/waterway, gondola rides, lots of shops.
-Wynn- very upscale, fancy hotel. Upscale shopping. They do not allow strollers if you are not a guest staying in the hotel.
-Circus Circus- free circus acts numerous times a day, huge game area, big amusement park with rides.
-Stratosphere- Fun shops, amusement park rides at top of hotel as well as a look out viewing area.
-Rio- free Carnival type show includes singing, dancing and floats that ride above the casino.
- Not a hotel, but check out the M&M store too. Fun to see everything there but it's pricey.
Hope that helps!
KimAZ
You must go to the Ghirarelli Shop! They have free samples, yummy!, and ice cream treats. 
I spent more there then any were else. It's in Carnival Court next to Harras. They have live music outside. If you decide to take a day trip you can visit Ethel M's chocolate factory. They have really cool chocolate sculptures. The M&M shop is neat and so is the Coke. Use the montreal, I think that's what it's called, it's worth the money and so much better then walking. The helicopter flights over the strip at night are neat. Wish I was going with you! Have a fun and safe trip!
See the Pirate Ship show at Treasure Island! Do NOT miss this! It's outside and the above post is right ... it fills up early, so get there early to get a good place to stand and watch.
I had a job that took me to Vegas 3-4 times a year. The best part of my job! We always stayed at the Hilton, too!
Wow, that's so much stuff! Hailey's Mom, I may be pm-ing you in a few days to ask you specifics. I'm headed out of town for a few days, and when I get back. Thanks again everyone! Leily, I'll let you know what I did when I get back. I would love to go to Freed's, we'll see if I make it 
We were just in vegas last week . . . my BF took me to see Phantom at the Venetian. Its a bit expensive, but it was really worth the experience. I had seen Phantom before years ago but the theater and special effects at this show were really impressive. The nice thing about Vegas is that you can spend as much as you want--a little or a lot--and still be thoroughly entertained.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%