Newbie going to Las Vegas

[TruHart1]

I am planning a trip to Las Vegas in October. I have a few questions because this will be my first time ever in Vegas and I do not have a clue about how big the city is or how to get around while I visit. Looking at the range of prices and locations of the multitude of hotels, I was wondering if anyone out there could recommend a place to stay for a week that is close to the “action” and whether it might be better to rent a car or get around by taxi. I will be grateful for any suggestions from people who are familiar with Vegas. Thanks for any responses anyone is willing to share.

 

TruHart1:cool:

[ErieBear]

Contact Ace and ask him for recommendations. He's extremely knowledgeable about Vegas and he's a great guy!

[+ purplekow]

Traffic along the strip moves at a snails pace. You can walk faster than the traffic and there is a monorail for part of the strip from Mandalay Bay to Excelsior i believe. So I would take the money you are planning for a rental and just use that for cabs, you will probably come out ahead unless you are planning to go to Lake Las Vegas or Hoover Dam and even then there are public transportation means of getting there that are not too expensive. As for hotels. Strip DownTown Off strip. If you are going to stay on the Strip check out travel sites, there are always deals on hotels. Downtown More old school and less expensive. Off strip there is at least one Gay Resort though I forget the name, I am sure someone here will refresh my memory.

[bigvalboy]

Contact Ace and ask him for recommendations. He's extremely knowledgeable about Vegas and he's a great guy!

 

+1 for Ace as well. He is ALL knowing when it comes Vegas.....

[+ azdr0710]

I only very quickly met Ace, socially, but he certainly is a savvy guy to ask, as the others here say....

 

if you want to be in the "action", a place on the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd) is it, especially between Spring Mountain Rd and Tropicana Blvd....most hotels/casinos are enormous, busy, and fast-paced and range from tired 50s-era dumps to glitzy castle-like towers...parking is always free in their huge garages, but valet is always available, too (very busy at times)....you may want to rent a car for just a couple days of your week to do the outlying sites, like Hoover Dam/Lake Mead, Valley Of Fire, Red Rock Canyon....Death Valley is about two hours away and very highly recommended, but plan an overnight there (at the Furnace Creek area) during your week so you can see all the important stuff there....google all these places I mentioned.....if familiar with them, use sites like hotwire, priceline, orbitz to get a good rate at the hotels....weekday rates are much cheaper and I think all the major places now charge an extra "resort fee", but LV is traditionally very cheap for decent to excellent lodging, especially on weekdays.....

 

walk the Strip in the evening for fantastic people-watching and to see the freebie stuff like the volcano at Mirage (check the schedule), the pirate battle at the TI (check the schedule), and the fountains at Bellagio (my very favorite - stay for several songs done every 15 minutes in the evening)....

 

others here may chime in about the show choices and food options....if you do rent a car, be careful as LV drivers are among the most aggressive and fastest I've ever seen....the city is very spread out, as most Western cities are....

[TruHart1]

Thanks for all the great advice so far guys. I was told by a friend that the older hotels in the downtown area are quite inexpensive but some are kind of run-down and they are also quite far from the Strip. Also I was curious about shuttles from McCarran. Is there free transport connected to some hotels or is it more like a fee of say, $50 to various hotels? Thanks again for all the comments from all of you who know more about Las Vegas than I (which, of course, is everyone!)

 

TruHart1:cool:

[down_to_business]

I am planning a trip to Las Vegas in October. I have a few questions because this will be my first time ever in Vegas and I do not have a clue about how big the city is or how to get around while I visit. Looking at the range of prices and locations of the multitude of hotels, I was wondering if anyone out there could recommend a place to stay for a week that is close to the “action” and whether it might be better to rent a car or get around by taxi. I will be grateful for any suggestions from people who are familiar with Vegas. Thanks for any responses anyone is willing to share.

 

TruHart1:cool:

 

Thanks for all the great advice so far guys. I was told by a friend that the older hotels in the downtown area are quite inexpensive but some are kind of run-down and they are also quite far from the Strip. Also I was curious about shuttles from McCarran. Is there free transport connected to some hotels or is it more like a fee of say, $50 to various hotels? Thanks again for all the comments from all of you who know more about Las Vegas than I (which, of course, is everyone!)

 

TruHart1:cool:

 

Hotels: They are usually very reasonable Sunday through Thursday and then can get pricey on Friday and Saturday. Downtown isn't that bad to stay - they cleaned it up somewhat years ago when they built the canopy. You can also snag a decent hotel strip side or near strip (i.e. Stratosphere or Riveria). One website I like that lists all the deals and specials etc is http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm

I prefer staying at Aria, Cosmopolitan, Caesar's Palace myself but I wouldn't necessarily call the room rates good there.

 

The website above lists transportation info as well (and a whole lot more), but basically there are no free shuttles to the strip or downtown casinos from the airport. A few way off-strip casinos do offer them. You can get a shared shuttle to your hotel for approximately $7-8 each way. They are easily located right outside baggage claim. If saving money is your absolute goal, you can snag a ride on the Westcliff city bus for about $2 which will drop you on the strip right by NYNY. You do not need a car, but if you get one- plenty of free parking is often available. There is bus service and monorail service and cab service if you don't want to get a car. I rarely if ever get a car. I would get one only if I wanted to drive out to Hoover Dam or something like that. If you wind up staying off-strip you may also want to have a car as those $20+ cab fares can add up.

 

Some hotels offer transportation to other hotels for free (i.e. Harrah's, Bally's, RIO by shuttle and monte Carlo, Aria, Bellagio by monorail). To get from strip to downtown will require a cab or the bus.

 

Have a great time in Las Vegas.

[+ not2rowdy]

October is a nice time to be in Vegas. Nice weather.

As stated earlier the casino hotels can be have great prices Sunday thru Thursday. But watch out for the tacked on "resort fees" when comparing prices.

You probably don't need a rental car - certainly not every day. I would suggest getting a room on, or near, the center part of the Strip and bring comfortable walking shoes.

You can buy a bus ticket on the RTC system for $8 that is good for every RTC bus for 24 hours from the time of purchase. "The Deuce" is the RTC bus that runs up and down the Strip. For other ticket options and schedules see:

http://www.rtcsnv.com

There is a monorail that runs on the east side of the strip from the LVH Casino (Old LV Hilton) to the MGM Grand. It is not free.

On the west side of the Strip are some free trams. One connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur. Another connects Monte Carlo to City Center (Aria) to Bellagio. A third connects Mirage to Treasure Island.

Also consider hotels that are block east or west of the Strip. With the time you have to plan maybe even look into a time share rental.

The most interesting shopping for people watching is:

Fashion Show Mall*

The Venetian/Palazzo Shops

The Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace

The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood*

Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall South*

Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall North*

Town Square Mall (a huge Fry's electronics store is next to it).

*Go to their information center and get a free (or maybe $5) discount coupon book. Gotta ask though.

[TruHart1]

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm[/url]

I prefer staying at Aria, Cosmopolitan, Caesar's Palace myself but I wouldn't necessarily call the room rates good there.

 

The website above lists transportation info as well (and a whole lot more), but basically there are no free shuttles to the strip or downtown casinos from the airport. A few way off-strip casinos do offer them. You can get a shared shuttle to your hotel for approximately $7-8 each way. They are easily located right outside baggage claim. If saving money is your absolute goal, you can snag a ride on the Westcliff city bus for about $2 which will drop you on the strip right by NYNY. You do not need a car, but if you get one- plenty of free parking is often available. There is bus service and monorail service and cab service if you don't want to get a car. I rarely if ever get a car. I would get one only if I wanted to drive out to Hoover Dam or something like that. If you wind up staying off-strip you may also want to have a car as those $20+ cab fares can add up.

 

Some hotels offer transportation to other hotels for free (i.e. Harrah's, Bally's, RIO by shuttle and monte Carlo, Aria, Bellagio by monorail). To get from strip to downtown will require a cab or the bus.

 

Have a great time in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

October is a nice time to be in Vegas. Nice weather.

As stated earlier the casino hotels can be have great prices Sunday thru Thursday. But watch out for the tacked on "resort fees" when comparing prices.

You probably don't need a rental car - certainly not every day. I would suggest getting a room on, or near, the center part of the Strip and bring comfortable walking shoes.

You can buy a bus ticket on the RTC system for $8 that is good for every RTC bus for 24 hours from the time of purchase. "The Deuce" is the RTC bus that runs up and down the Strip. For other ticket options and schedules see:

http://www.rtcsnv.com

There is a monorail that runs on the east side of the strip from the LVH Casino (Old LV Hilton) to the MGM Grand. It is not free.

On the west side of the Strip are some free trams. One connects Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur. Another connects Monte Carlo to City Center (Aria) to Bellagio. A third connects Mirage to Treasure Island.

Also consider hotels that are block east or west of the Strip. With the time you have to plan maybe even look into a time share rental.

The most interesting shopping for people watching is:

Fashion Show Mall*

The Venetian/Palazzo Shops

The Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace

The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood*

Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall South*

Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall North*

Town Square Mall (a huge Fry's electronics store is next to it).

*Go to their information center and get a free (or maybe $5) discount coupon book. Gotta ask though.

 

Wow! Thanks down_to_business! The Las Vegas Advisor link sent me off exploring the various info and offers on that site! What a resource!!! Both you and not2rowdy also gave me excellent information regarding transportation available along with accommodation ideas. Not2 rowdy, looking at time shares is a great idea and I plan to check that out. I think I would definitely need to rent a car though, as most time share rentals might be a $20 to $30 cab ride to the Strip but I know so much more about everything Las Vegas than before thanks to ALL of you!

 

I knew I would find some helpful, knowledgeable guys who were glad to help me here! Thanks again. Now I just need to do some homework and decide what I want to do. Around September I am going to be checking out whether Ace and a few other guys based in Vegas who have great reviews on Daddy’s will be in town and available during my visit.

 

TruHart1;)

[+ not2rowdy]

Actually, there are several large vacation club time share resorts (which reportedly do rentals) within easy walking distance of the Strip. I have not tried any of these but:

Hilton Grand Vacation Suites has at least 3 locations near (or on) the Strip

Marriott Grand Chateau is a half block east of the Strip

Wyndham Grand Resort is a bit further - maybe a mile from the Strip

If you do drive all the major Strip casinos have free parking. Most of that parking is accessed from the "backside" which is good because that traffic moves much better than traffic on the Strip. I try VERY hard to avoid driving on the Strip itself - especially Friday and Saturday evenings.

Don't forget to look into the production shows. http://www.lvol.com is a good start. There are "half-price" ticket outlets that can offer good deals. Casino player cards (free) can also get you ticket discounts. Military ID cards can too.

[+ azdr0710]

Frank Sinatra Dr. is a "secret" road to those "backside" parking garages on the WEST side of the Strip (google map it)....just follow the signs to "self-parking"....yes, avoid the Strip in the evening.....if able to walk a decent distance, park in one of these garages near the center of the Strip (Flamingo Rd area or just N of that) and cover the entire area from there....or valet.....

[Tighty]

I would only stay at the hotels along the strip. Other hotels are cheaper but oh so inconvenient.

[TruHart1]

While checking out the many excellent suggestions you wonderful, Vegas experienced people have made, I came across a “gay hotel” called the Blue Moon Resort. The information on their site indicates that they are only three blocks from the Strip and that they have a clothing optional pool area.

 

Does anybody have any experience with this resort? Especially since I will be there solo, (except when using the services of one of the fine Vegas escorts I plan to meet!) I was curious if the hotel might be geared more to gay couples.

 

Thanks again guys!

 

TruHart1:cool:

[+ not2rowdy]

Don't know about the Blue Moon Resort.

Physically, the location isn't bad. I would feel a bit uncomfortable walking that area alone at night. But would feel OK if I had a rental car (or use taxis). With a rental car you would have easy access to the Strip using Industrial Road (which is my preferred access to the Strip). Park at Fashion Show Mall or Caesar's Palace or Excalibur/Luxor to walk various portions of the Strip. These parking garages can be accessed from Industrial and/or Frank Sinatra from the "backside".

I've heard favorable comments about the bar/lounge at the Artisan Hotel which very close north of Blue Moon Resort.

Palace Station is just across the freeway (I-15) and has a pretty decent buffet at MUCH lower prices than buffets on the Strip.

The Stratosphere is close by. You should go up to the observation tower at night for a wonderful view of the city. There's a very nice ($$$) rotating restaurant up there too. Unfortunately, with the demise of The Sands and The Stardust the Stratosphere kinda sits alone and isolated on the very north end of the Strip.

Sahara Ave is a major east-west road. Some good restaurants along it with prices typically much lower than restaurants on the Strip.

There's a half-price show ticket outlet at Circus-Circus which also very close to Blue Moon Resort. That is usually a good half-price ticket place because the lines are usually short.

[+ azdr0710]

good comments from sometimesrowdy.....I've often driven by the Blue Moon as it's right at the popular I-15/Sahara interchange about one-third mile west of the Strip....not at all a smashing location and looks a little small, so might be better for couples...may've been something else before it was the gay place....I'd rather stay right on the Strip so I can walk everywhere

 

http://www.bluemoonlv.com/