Going to Las Vegas this summer, what to do?
Drumster asked:
Me and two of my roommates are going to stay at the Flamingo for 4 days. We are all 22. What are some things we should do (besides gambling)? Any good deals to look for (free drinks, buffets)? Any specific places to go? How much money should I take?
Me and two of my roommates are going to stay at the Flamingo for 4 days. We are all 22. What are some things we should do (besides gambling)? Any good deals to look for (free drinks, buffets)? Any specific places to go? How much money should I take?
Thanks!
Colleen
Tags: Flamingo, Good Deals, Roommates
March 11th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Josephine
The Flamingo has a great pool. Be sure to take advantage of that. It can be a great scene out there, and if its really hot the crowds get kept down which is nice.
Check out Carinval Court next door at Harrahs. Its a great outdoor bar loaded with younger people and live music.
March 14th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Laurie
Gambling! That is precisely you should not do.
March 14th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Paul
There are lots of fun things to do in Vegas. You should start of with the Free attractions before paying for any attractions.
Try and get a copy of American Casino Guide. The book has over 140 pages of Vegas coupons and will save you a bunch.
Skip breakfast and pig out at the buffets for lunch. That should keep you going till a late night snack. Play the penny and nickle slot machines and you will be offered free cocktails while you play.
March 16th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Darryl
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 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.
If you are a Star Trek Fan, go to the Hilton (off the strip) for “Star Trek The Experience”; it cost about $35.
If you want to see a production show, I recommend the show at Bally’s, “Jubilee” and the show at the MGM, “KA”. I have seen the show at Bellagio, “O” also but I think KA is a better show. I havea also seen the Folies Bergiere at the Tropicana but I think Jubilee is better. 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 see most of the stuff on the Strip by walking, so you don’t need a rental car. There is a free monorail 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 Bills Gambling Hall Hotel (formerly 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). 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 There is a Cheesecake Factory and a Planet Hollywood in Caesars Forum shops. There is a Margeritaville in the Flamingo hotel. I recommend Tony Roma’s, a ribs and chicken restaurant; 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).
You can have a lot of fun gambling playing the penny machines. But pick the slots that have between 9 and 15 or 20 lines and then play one or two pennies per line. You’ll have fun and your money will last longer. If you want to play low minimum table games like roulette and blackjack, go to the smaller casinos on the strip, like O’Sheas which is next door to the Flamingo, or Bill’s Gambling Hall which is right at the front door of the Flamingo. A lot of the bigger casinos will have $5.00 and $10 table minimums. You can get free drinks while at the slots and table games playing but you should tip the waitress when she brings your drink, maybe a dollar. So what I usually do is order two drinks at once.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Nicholas
all i have to say is that i just walked outside and its 106 degrees outside. some kind of record, and so was 2 days ago, and probably two days from now. just be warned, the erath will soon orbit around vegas.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Martin
Well Vegas is a place where there is always some place to throw you money.
So taking money really depends on the type of experiences you are looking to have!
The Flamingo ROCKS! Hopefully you are staying in one of their new “GO” Rooms, because those are HOT!
But bring as much money as you are willing to loose, and have fun!