Road trip to Las Vegas?

When you go to Las Vegas these usual things you will want to see for FREE:

1. Number one on my list is to watch the fountains displays in front of the Bellagio hotel. It usually runs every 15 minutes in summers starting at 3:00 PM; runs continuously until about midnight. Each show is different (there are more than 20 different tunes choreographed) so stay and watch at least 2 or 3. ALSO, go inside the Bellagio hotel to its lobby and view the beautiful glass sculptured ceiling AND the seasonal floral arrangements in the Atrium.

2. The “Sirens of TI” show (spectacular) in from of the Treasure Island Hotel; it runs every 90 minutes starting at about 4:30 PM. Simply stand on the sidewalk in front of the TI Hotel.

3. The volcano erupt in from of the Mirage Hotel; starting at dark until midnight. Again, just stand on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.

4. Go down to Fremont Street and see the light shows. There are usually 3 or 4 different shows, starting after dark (about 8:30PM) and lasting about 5 or 10 minutes each.

5. Go to the RIO hotel to see the Masquerade in the Sky show. It is like Mardi Gras parade, only suspended from the ceiling over the gambling floor. It runs every 60 minutes starting about 3:00 PM; the last show starts at 9:30 PM..

6. Go to the MGM Grand hotel to see the Lion habitat. This is better then the tiger habitat at the Mirage Hotel because there are usually trainers in with lions to keep them active.

7. Go to the Mirage hotel to see the white tigers that Siegfried and Roy show used. This is kinda passe because the tigers rarely do anything but sit and stare.

8. Go in Caesars Palace and walk through the Forum shops to the first fountain (its spectacular) then take the first fork to the left to go see the aquarium. Then continue on through the shops to the second fountain and wait for the show to start.

9. Go into the Flamingo hotel to see their animal habitat with flamingos and penguins.

10 The Excalibur hotel also has a free show starting at 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM.

If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for "Star Trek The Experience"; it cost about $25.

BEST HOTEL/RATES

First, when you look for a hotel in Vegas consider this. All of the big hotels on the Strip are great. The most important things to consider are location, price, and in the summer you want to consider the hotel’s pool area. So, stay on the strip in the center of all of the hotel locations so that you can walk to see all of the hotels and casinos, and all of the free attractions. The best place to stay to do that is in one of the hotels on or nearest to Flamingo Rd & the Strip. At that corner is Caesars Palace, Bellagio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and the Paris hotels. I am not saying you need to stay in one of these but stay close to them. I do recommend the Flamingo and Monte Carlo hotels if you are looking for a good price, location and pool.

The next thing to consider in picking the BEST place is price. Rates go down in the summer (and again after Thanksgiving, until about mid-January (except new years eve when prices double)). So pick a place that has the best price for you. Caesars, Wynn, The Venetian, and Bellagio will cost top dollar all of the time (like $150 and up) per night during the summer. The Flamingo, Ballys Monte Carlo, and some others you can get into for around $100 (but most times for less) during the low seasons. Its also more expensive in all Vegas hotels on Friday and Saturday nights by $40 to

$60 more. So to get a lower rate plan to go to Vegas on Sunday and stay through Thursday night.

In the summer you probably want to spend some time at the pool areas, which in Vegas are fabulous. All of the big hotels have great pool areas. But the Mandalay Bay, and Monte Carlo hotels have a wave pool and a lazy river for tubing or body floating. The MGM hotel has a huge lazy river and a water fall. The Flamingo has a water slide (not big but nice and refreshing) and also a water fall. The pools at Caesars and Bellagio are good because they have multiple pools and plenty of places to sit. Caesars even has a topless pool areas called the VENUS POOL.

I have stayed at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, MGM, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, Caesars, the Rio, the Flamingo, Ballys, and Harrahs. But the BEST place for me when I go is who has the best price. Again, all of the Strip hotels are great. So shop the web sites, look at the hotel rate calendars, and go when the price is the lowest. That's the best place to stay on the Strip. You can probably get lower priced rooms at the Circus Circus, Sahara and Rivera on the north end of the Strip, the Tropicana on the south end, and also at the hotels on Fremont Street. The Tropicana is one of the older hotels that has not been renovated like many others. The other locations will place you a long way from the center of the strip action and you’ll have to take a bus or taxi to Strip action. In addition, if you need to run to the room for a little R&R, it’s a long ways.

SHOWS

If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally's, "Jubilee" (there is a "top covered" version for families at about 7:00PM) and the show at the MGM, "KA". These will cost about $100 each; that's the going rate for production shows in Vegas now. I aso suggest that you buy tickets online before you go, particularly if you want to see a Circ d Sol show. You can try for discounted show tickets at a booth in the building with the coke bottle, look for Coke World and the M&M factory. They are same day tickets sold on a first come basis. I have never done this but see people doing it. If you are in Vegas as a couple, you will be stopped many times by folks in a number of hotels trying to offer free stuff in exchange for listening to time share presentations. They will get on your nerves. But if you don't mind sitting through a time share presentation you can get free show tickets or some cash. I also recommend Gladys Knight’s show at the Flamingo and also the George Wallace comedy show at the Flamingo. Clint Holmes' show at Harrahs is good but I didn't care for The Scintas at the Rio Hotel. If you like oldies, go see the show at the Sahara Hotel featuring the Drifters, Flamingos, and Coasters.

WHAT TO DO

SIGHTSEE THE FREE STUFF: People go to Vegas to sightsee as well as gamble. You can see most of the stuff on the Strip by walking, so you don't need a rental car. There is a free monorail between Bellagio and the Monte Carlo Hotel and also another free one between Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The one on the opposite side of the street which runs from the MGM to the Hilton you have to pay to ride. There is a free bus between Harrahs Hotel to the RIO Hotel that runs every half hour. There is also a free bus that you can get outside the Barbary Coast Casino that will take you to the Orleans and some other off strip casinos.

Plan which hotels/casinos you want to visit each day so you can make the most of your walking and the free monorails and scuttles. When you get to Vegas you will probably have in your hotel room a free guide to the city called either "What's ON" , “Showbiz”or "Las Vegas Today". These are helpful guises as they have a map of the Strip and city with the hotels marked, current hotel shows and prices, plus useful coupons. Some coupons will give you a free souvenir from certain hotels; you just have to take the coupon to the hotel. They also list hotel restaurants and buffets time sand prices.

JOIN PLAYERS CLUBS: Do join ALL of the players clubs because they are your ticket to

lower priced return trips. The hotels will email you, or send by regular mail, specials on room rates and shows. The players clubs are free; all they want to see is your driver's license. You can join some of these clubs online before you go.

SHOPPING: There's shopping at Fashion show mall right next to Treasure Island Hotel (across from the Wynn Hotel), or you can drive or take a taxi or the bus south of the Strip (just past the airport) to the outlet mall. For more shopping, drive south on

I-15 to Primm, NV (at the Calif border ... about 45 miles) and there is a big outlet mall and some casinos.

DINING: The hotel coffee shops and buffets are now much more expensive than they were years ago. So, if you want to eat for less go to the food courts located in many hotels and also try one of the several Denny's restaurants on the Strip (one in the Casino Royal hotel/casino and another across from the Monte Carlo hotel/casino). There are also a number of McDonald, Burger King, and other fast food places on the Stip. You can get breakfast and dinner buffets a few dollars less at the Imperial Palace hotel/casino and at the Gold Coast hotel/casino. Buffets also cost less at the Circus Circus hotel/casino and in Fremont St hotel/casinos. There is an Outback Steak House in the Casino Royale Hotel and another across from the RIO. There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Caesars Forum shops. There is a Margerittaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Roma’s, a ribs and chicken restaurant; one in the Stardust hotel/casino, one on Fremont St and another on Sahara Ave near Paradise Rd.

MOVIES: There are movie theaters in the Palms (multiplex) and also another on the Strip across the street from the Monte Carlo hotel, near the MGM hotel.

BOWLING: If you like to bowl, there are alley's in The Gold Coast Hotel/Casino (beside the RIO) and in the Orleans Hotel Casino. .

ACT LIKE A KID: If you like roller coasters, there are roller coaster rides at the NY, NY hotel/casino, at the Sahara Hotel/Casino, and, for those with a strong heart, three rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. The Circus Circus Hotel/casino has arcades and an indoor amusement park. There is a place called Game Works below the Coke World experience that has all type video games. In addition, many hotels have an arcade area.

OTHER THINGS:

RED ROCK CANYON: Its about 20 miles west of Las Vegas out Charleston Blvd (you can

pick up that street at the north end of the Strip) It’s a scenic drive-through park. Go early, not in the heat of the day; there's no shade.

HOOVER DAM: Drive about 30 miles southeast of Vegas and go to Hoover Dam; the National Park Service offers tours there (@ $15.) and its interesting stuff. Go on past Hoover dam to Boulder City and then to Lake Meade for a swim and/or to visit the new casino there. Also, there are tour companies that will take you on a cruise of the river below Hoover Dam. Check the Vegas web sites.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK: Drive about 35 miles north of Vegas on I-15 and go to Valley of Fire State Park, another scenic park area.

ZION NATION PARK: It’s a long drive (about 2-3 hours), but you can drive North on I-15 to Zion National Park and back in one day.

DEATH VALLEY: If you like to visit National Parks, drive about an hour and a half south of Vegas on I-15 and take RT-127 to Death Valley National Park (total drive may be 3 hrs each way).

GRAND CANYON: The drive to the Grand Canyon is 5 long hard hours on mostly two lane roads with trucks and campers (only a short way on I-40). You can drive there and back in one day if you leave early morning, like 6:00-7:00 AM. That will put you there about noon and you will have 4 or 5 hrs before starting back and getting back to Vegas about 11:00PM. I recommend staying overnight at the Canyon (there are plenty of motels near there, like Best Western, Ramada, Quality inns) and drive back the next day.

I go to Vegas 2 or 3 times a year

Las Vegas is the most interesting and amusing city on earth and with hotelbye you will discover out more. Nowhere else in the world you will find a town that's most of the journey amenities that only a complete resort location can provide: lavish casino resorts, fine food, wonderful live amusement and state-of-the art convention and trade display facilities. Las Vegas is definitely a magnificent city and anything that you'd assume from the world-class town, and more, is right here for your vacation pleasure. One of many areas you have to visit in Las Vegas is the Fremont Street, a pedestrian area with all kinds of special sites.

Pick a cool, rocking hotel located ON the strip and go from there! There is so much stuff to do in Vegas....little needs to be planned ahead unless you want to go to a concert or "O" (Cirque Du Soliel - which is incredible). Otherwise, there is tons of shopping, gambling, entertainment, bars, lounges..... most from WITHIN your hotel - or neighboring ones on the strip. You'll have a great time no matter what!

No, sorry. maximum lodges require somebody to be 21 at examine in. they are going to examine identity. attempt those lodges for 18+ examine in: Riveria (On Strip) Las Vegas inn (close by Off Strip) Golden Nugget (Downtown) great 8 (close by Off Strip) so some distance as roa holiday information pass...in case you're in seek of for unusual places to end alongside the way then attempt highway u.s.. additionally, in case you by no skill drove in the time of the barren area make certain you end and get gas once you notice a station (no longer needed once you like gas because of the fact there probable basically isn't something for miles). it may well be a sturdy thought to plot your direction previous to time and the two ask somebody who has made the holiday in the previous the place they stopped or examine on line for the gas stations. the only direction i be attentive to is Las Vegas to l. a. and the gas end in Barstow.

hat's off to tinkertoy....very informative...it actually says it all...i've been to vegas so many times but i didnt know that some of those free shows exist although i've seen some of them...and they are all fabulous.....bellagio flower garden..u should see it...it's magical..no show...just for appreciation of flowers.....and the ceiling in the lobby with all those glass flowers..dont miss that...... oh well just print the answer of tinkertoy and u will have fun time in vegas........

I suggest get with the AAA