What should I see and do in Las Vegas?

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.

OK, HERE"S THE FREE STUFF:

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.

I think you really ought to see a show, Mystere is amazing. We got our tickets the day of the show at half price tickets or something like that, located inside the Fashion Show Mall. We got a significance discount and great seats! Another night, we were walking by and ended up at "Slots of Fun" during the night owl special, blackjack for $1...had a blast. The outdoor show at Treasure Island is really spectacular, you may have seen part of it in Miss Congeniality II. There are some fabulous clubs as well, Studio 54 @ MGM Grand, Rum Jungle @ Mandalay Bay, Pure, Ghost Bar, etc. If you go to the Travel Channel's website, you can find out the "Top Ten" things to do in Vegas (sorted by category). Whatever you decide to do, you will have a blast, I always do!

The sights are many to see. Get out and see the out skirts of the city. I agree to see the Hoover Dam.

Las Vegas in December, the weather could be either warm and sunny or cold and rain/snowy. Take two types of clothes.

Oh, Las Vegas is the given name but to the people who have been there a lot, it is known as Lost Wages so hold on to your money. Just a thought.

Las Vegas, often referred to as Sin City

But a far departure from Sodom and Gommorah

Las Vegas is like Conrad Twitty

And a lot like that place in Florida

Las Vegas, when we get down to the nitty gritty

Has developed a very special formula

People come here for more than the titty

So there’s really no need to warn your ma

In Las Vegas, there’s a lot that’s really pretty

We’ve much more than what’s stuffed in a bra

So, now I want you to take this ditty

And give it to both your ma and pa

Vegas, a place where you may win if you outbid me

Or if you’re a member of Sha Na Na

by: Ricky J. Fico

http://www.linkinlasvegas.com/

http://www.tri-umphs.com/

It sounds like your first trip so I wouldn't book too many shows. You can spend a full evening just touring each of the mega-hotels and doing a little gambling. The one show I would definitely see for a first-timer is Mystere at Treasure Island. Book your tickets NOW and I mean right now! It's one of the many Cirque du Soleil shows, all of which are good.

http://www.treasureisland.com/pages/ent_mystere.as...

I'd also see a topless show (whether you're male or female) and highly recommend The Follies at Tropicana. It's the oldest and original topless show plus the price is quite reasonable.

http://tropicanalv.com/ent_folies.asp

Here's a few other web sites to help you plan your trip...

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/topten.cfm#4

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/buffets.cfm?CFID=26...

http://www.vegasfreebie.com/

http://www.ratelasvegas.com/attractions/arank-attr...

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/?CFID=2672123&CFTOK...

http://www.bigempire.com/vegas/freetosee.html

http://www.vegas.com/attractions/

Trying to plan Vegas with so many options and choices can be overwhelming so you may just want to wing it. It's not like you won't be going back.

I'd definitely see the Freemont Street Experience downtown, Bellagio fountains and all the mega resorts. If time permits I'd go to Hoover Dam.

Have a GREAT time.

Well, all of the hotels you have chosen are reasonably close to eachother and are at the south end of the strip, perhaps that is why you chose them. MGM Grand is one of my favorite hotels, I absolutely love that hotel. The rooms were amazing and comfortable, and most importantly (to me) the rooms didn't smell like smoke. The pool is amazing, the restaurants are great. I have never really seen any celebrities there except for Kurt Thomas and I assuming he was in Vegas because he was traded the day before :) It is the the last stop on the monorail on the south end and quickly connects you to the rest of the strip. New York New York has an amazing casino. I love everything about the ground floor. I have heard the rooms tend to be smaller at this hotel. Mandalay Bay is amazing. One of the Southern most strip hotels with mini monorail connecting to Luxor and Excalibur. The hotel in its entirety is amazing. Good pool. Luxor gives me vertigo, I will probably never stay there. But the clubs are good. LAX is popular for celebrity sitings. You may even see Carrot Top on any given day! : ) My pick: MGM grand!

I'd see one of the Cirque shows - Mystere, O, Ka, etc. They're pretty amazing. If you're male I'd recommend one of the topless shows at the big casinos - like Fantasy at the Luxor, or Le Femme at the MGM. If you're female (or otherwise inclined), I'd recommend one of the male shows - like Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur or Chippendales at the Rio.

Make sure to visit a couple of the great buffets, as well. Most of the big casinos have great ones.

I reommend that you see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian, and check out the fountains at the Bellagio! Oh, and be sure to rent a car, it's a neat city with lots of stuff outside the strip! The drive to Hoover Dam is certainly worth it.

I too recommend the topless show at the Tropicana (the Folies). There are B1/G1 tickets at the entrances at the free spin sites outside the casino. We actually won our two tickets on the free spins. We saw both the Folies and the nagician for free by winning on the free spins.

catch a few shows... Elton John, Celine...

Check out the Ice Cream shoppe in the basement of the Bellagio.

Go to the Police Department and demand to speak to a CSI cast member (example: "WHERES NICK?!")