goldberry Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Normally we are nature people, not city people. We always vacationed in the mountains, but now we live here! So we don't always have to vacation here anymore. We wanted to take a trip with DD before she goes to college, but didn't want to go somewhere too far away or too expensive. We're not gamblers, so when someone said Las Vegas it was the last thing I thought of. But, then this person started talking about the pools, the shows, just relaxing and eating and swimming... win! So we booked a 4 day trip, so cheaply with airfare and hotel that we are doing THREE shows that we all want to see: Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, and Cirque du Soliel. So what would you see during the day that's just fun or interesting? I know the casinos are just cool to go look at, but is there anything in particular you enjoyed (at a casino or otherwise) that you would recommend not missing? We spent most of our budget on the shows, so looking for just "go and see" kind of things. Although good food recommendations are welcome also please! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Will you have a car? I might throw in a drivable day trip to some local vistas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) Will you have a car? I might throw in a drivable day trip to some local vistas. Nope, not renting a car. Didn't seem worth the money. Would consider a tour that wasn't crazy expense, we looked at some of the Hoover Dam ones. Not sure on those though. Edited July 8, 2017 by goldberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) My parents were with us so we went to Las Vegas's Chinatown as my dad prefer Asian food. It is a very short drive from the LV strip. Lonely Planet's description https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/las-vegas/travel-tips-and-articles/the-most-unexpected-neighborhood-in-las-vegas-chinatown/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d276e3d6 My parents enjoyed the monorail and the Bellagiio music fountain especially after sunset. There were lots more people smoking while walking so the monorail was better for us. https://www.bellagio.com/en/entertainment/fountains-of-bellagio.html My kids enjoyed (all free) M&M world (store) https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/m-and-m-world/ The Aquarium https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/silverton-aquarium/ Bellagio conservatory (garden) https://www.vegas.com/attractions/on-the-strip/bellagio-conservatory/ Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden https://www.vegas.com/attractions/off-the-strip/ethel-m/ We also took a day trip to Grand Canyon and a half day trip to Death Valley. We bought bottled water at Walgreens. ETA: Just saw you are not driving. We ate at the Venetian food court. https://www.grandcanalshoppes.com/en/directory/food.html Grand Canyon was a Gray Line bus tour. Edited July 8, 2017 by Arcadia 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Garden https://www.vegas.com/attractions/off-the-strip/ethel-m/ We also took a day trip to Grand Canyon and a half day trip to Death Valley. We bought bottled water at Walgreens. ETA: Just saw you are not driving. We ate at the Venetian food court. https://www.grandcanalshoppes.com/en/directory/food.html Grand Canyon was a Gray Line bus tour. OMG, I forgot about Ethel M! I love them! The fountains look beautiful, and we would love M&M world also... Edited July 8, 2017 by goldberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm37 Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 My parents live there. I really enjoyed the drive we had through Red Rock Canyon. They had a little nature center at the time (12 years ago or so). Visiting them this August, so that is the one thing I want to do again. We will skip the strip this time. Red Rock Canyon is right there, visible, to the west. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 My favorite casinos for walking around was Paris and the Venetian. The Bellagio has the fountain show and botanical gardens indoors. The Mirage has an outdoor volcano show. We wanted to go to Red Rock but it didn't work out for us. There are tours and Uber/Lyft is very big there. We also used the monorail to get around, which was very convenient. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Seconding the conservatory at the Bellagio. Not yet mentioned: Since your DD is older, maybe a trip to the unique Mob Museum. Some friends loved this. Also if you're into history there are things from the Titanic at the Luxor. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 Also if you're into history there are things from the Titanic at the Luxor. We are Titanic fanatics! Thanks for the tip! Keep in mind it has been 105+ these past two weeks. Sitting outside by the pool does not sound fun to me. Inside the pool or in the air conditioning is the only way I'd go. Also, Cirque de Soliel has adult-themed shows and general audience shows. Check which one you have tickets. http://insider.ticketmaster.com/best-cirque-du-soleil-shows-for-families-kids-show-reviews/ Yes, the heat.... :( We're planning on mornings to 1-ish maybe at the pool, probably mostly IN. Then afternoons exploring/sightseeing, then shows at night. We're seeing O, the water one. It sounds awesome, and was our most expensive purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 . It's a foodie paradise, but cheap buffets are a thing of the past. That's a bummer! Any other food recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I'm a Sweet Adeline, and our chorus is competing at Internationals this year in Las Vegas in October. Friends and I are seeing O, too! I'll keep an eye on this thread for recommendations; it'll be a busy trip, but I want to see as much as I can! Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 If you do not live where there are mountains, possibly go up to Mount Charleston. I went on a tour of Hoover Dam when I was a child and will never forget looking up at all that Concrete, from just above the River. Many things to do. NOTE: If you are with Minors (under 21) stay well away from Casino areas.... NOTE #2: DO NOT drink and then drive in Nevada. The penalties are very severe. Enjoy your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 You need to see the lights on the hotels at night on "The Strip" (Las Vegas Blvd. South). You should go downtown to Fremont Street at night. We ate in the Chinese restaurant in a hotel downtown one night. My cousins husband was with us and he knew the people there. Very nice. As I write this, I can't remember the name of the hotel, but it's the biggest one downtown I think. The Buffet Lunches will really fill you up. I still remember the Desert Bar in the Lunch Buffet at the Rio. As the woman told my wife and me, "you only live once". Incredibly hard to just select one or 2 items if you enjoy sweet things. There are some zip lines and roller coasters on the roofs of some of the hotels. NOTE: Regarding the prices of rental cars vs sightseeing tours: You might find it much less expensive to rent a car than to pay for 3 people to go on a sightseeing tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Sugar Factory restaurant/candy store Carnival World & Seafood Buffett at Rio hotel (easy cab ride from strip), insanely busy so expect to wait over an hour or go early Dancing lights at Bellagio (free, at night, really cool) Bingo!!! New York New York has a roller coaster There is a hotel downtown with a water slide that goes through a shark tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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