Need some advice on Vegas

kyzen

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2005
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Optional backstory:

Met a girl online 3 years ago, we hit it off great, talked on the phone several times a week. That summer, I flew out to North Carolina and spent a week with her in a beach house in Corolla, had a blast. We continued talking often until I got a new job, met a local girl, and had my life turned up-side-down. Then communication kind of trickled off to a 2-3 times a month thing. Recently though, me and internet girl decided we were going to meet in Vegas for 5 days in March. The hotel is booked already (Stratosphere), tickets are paid for, so now I want to figure out what to do while we're there. Unfortunately, we're both the kind of people who could spend half a day sitting in the hotel room trying to decide what to do... so it would help to have something of a game plan in advance.

Also, I had casually mentioned going somewhere really nice for dinner... she apparently really liked this idea, because before we even talked about what kind of place to go to, she went out and bought a dress to wear.

Now, there are two things that are going to cause some trouble -

Firstly, we're both 21 - too young to get a rental car, so we'll be relying heavily on our own feet, and public transportation.

Secondly, last week my car died, so my budget for the trip is going to be a lot less than I thought.

So... here's what I need:

Suggestions of somewhere nice to eat, where a girl in a dress and a well-dressed guy wouldn't look out of place (so no McDonalds), but preferebly somewhere that isn't ridiculously expensive.

Things to do that don't cost all that much, and are easy to get to.

Any help would rock.
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,641
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There is a Shuttle that runs up and down the strip as well as a dedicated bus line, cheaper than renting a car or getting a taxi. You just have to be paitent.
As for things to do, there are tons...
 

phreakah

Platinum Member
Feb 9, 2002
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damn, no car... stratosphere is like 2 miles from the good part of the strip, too


i like this cool little place in mandalay bay called burger bar.. i really like the burgers there, but expect to pay at least $30/person for the burgers + drink

a little better than that is emeril's in mgm grand.. it's a seafood place and you can expect to pay about $50-80/person there

other than those places some good buffets are aladdin, belagio, rio and paris :)

 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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Use the search function for suggestions regarding food and entertainment

The Strat is at the far north end of the strip.

Being dependent on public transportation/taxi limits you slightly.

Just sightseeing each major casino will burn up 1-2 days.

There is a movie theatre (United Artists) at the other end of the strip (MGM).

Circus-Circus is within walking distance for coin operated entertainment/amusements.
There are a couple of coasters at the top of the Strat as well a msall one at Sahara and NY-NY.

Frys is at the other end ofthe strip (South) right near the airport.

Some decent food places (Seafood/Italian/Steak) are on Sahara within a 20-30 minute walk (East and West) or a 5 minute bus.

Most casinos have decent food; some have better buffets that others.

Good luck and enjoy the visit; You will have nice weather for the trip.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
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There is also the underused monorail that runs from the sahara (across the intersection from the Stratosphere) all the way down to the MGM. Since the stratosphere is at the extreme north end, it might be worth considering a day ticket or somesuch.
 

anxi80

Lifer
Jul 7, 2002
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yep, the monorail is awesome. wait times are minimal, it moves to the stops quickly and since it runs all night its really convenient. id recommend a pre-paid ride ticket though because i quickly found myself depending on it.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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Discounted 20 ride tickets are available for the rail.
You may also be able to buy a weekly bus pass. Monthly is $40
 

PingSpike

Lifer
Feb 25, 2004
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You don't need a rental car in vegas and I wouldn't get one. If you legs work, between that and the ample transit systems you shouldn't have much trouble getting around. The city (strip anyway) is well designed too, foot bridges all over the place, monorails...I really admired the ease with which I could just walk around there.

There's tons of good food and its really cheap too. The shows are are a lot of fun IMO, but many of them are pretty expensive. I saw the mock sword fighting one...tournament of kings at the excaliber and watched the circa du sole (?) Zumanity (This ones 18+, topless girls and adult themes) and enjoyed them both. Walking the strip itself is free and a lot fun in and of itself IMO. We did most stuff at night because nothing closes and it can get pretty hot out during the day.

If you don't gamble, Vegas is a really cheap place to visit. Pretty much all the vacation related things are subsidised by the gambling.
 

Starbuck1975

Lifer
Jan 6, 2005
14,698
1,909
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Also, I had casually mentioned going somewhere really nice for dinner... she apparently really liked this idea, because before we even talked about what kind of place to go to, she went out and bought a dress to wear.
She already purchased the dress, so you are screwed...Vegas has multiple tiers of dining options, but if you are getting dressed up, you probably want to go to a nicer restaurant...the good news is, lots of people dress up for a night out in Vegas, so you wouldn't look out of place even in a McDonalds.

What is her favorite type of cuisine...that would help us narrow the search.

As for getting around town, get a multi trip pass on the Vegas monorail...easiest way to get up and down the strip quick and inexpensive...last time I was there, I think it was like $20 for 10 trips.

As for things to do, catch the bus from the Stratosphere and check out old downtown Vegas...the casinos there tend to pay out more, particularly the slots.

Since you are on a budget, take advantage of the free shows...Treasure Island has an outdoor pirate show in the evening a couple of times a night...the Volcano at the Mirage is cool, as is the fountain show at the Bellagio.

If you want to do something romantic, try the gondola ride at the Venetian or the Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris.

Also, if you want to treat her to a show on the cheap, there are numerous box offices along the strip that sell same day tickets for all of the hot shows at a serious discount...just make sure to get there early, as the lines form quickly.

Met a girl online 3 years ago, we hit it off great, talked on the phone several times a week.
I assume you have already checked under the hood to ensure she is in fact a woman. :D
 

kyzen

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2005
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www.chrispiekarz.com
Any input on which shows are really really worth seeing?

As for gambling, we're not likely to spend too much doing that, most money is for entertainment.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
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Originally posted by: kyzen
Any input on which shows are really really worth seeing?

As for gambling, we're not likely to spend too much doing that, most money is for entertainment.

Look for concerts in town (helps if you like the 80's they're usually reasonable -- for example, I saw Huey Lewis for $20 a couple of years back). Plus some of the smaller venue shows are still great but cost less. If you want to spend lots of $$ on a show, there are plenty of good ones. I've heard that avenue Q is funny (the song "the internet is for porn" is from this show), but it's over $80 a ticket AFAIK.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
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Oct 30, 2000
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Originally posted by: kyzen
Any input on which shows are really really worth seeing?

As for gambling, we're not likely to spend too much doing that, most money is for entertainment.

Use the LV-RJ Entertainment section to get a handle on what is available and the quality of it.

There will usually be a couple of musical entertainment acts in town also.

 

Patt

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2000
5,288
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There are tons of free shows around ... and half-price ticket booths too for some of the shows the day of. If you really want to impress her though, take her to cirque de soleil ... it was freakin' amazing.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
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Originally posted by: So
I've heard that avenue Q is funny (the song "the internet is for porn" is from this show), but it's over $80 a ticket AFAIK.

AveQ is worth everypenny, but "budget," it is certainly not.
 

Sex Smurf

Golden Member
Oct 13, 2004
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Hooters Casino just opened (or is opening soon).

Free animatronics show at Caesars

Free Water show at Mandalay Bay (or is it Bellagio?)

Free shuttle from Harrah's to the Rio (to get to their world famous buffet)

Free circus circus entertainment

Free topless peep show at the Caesars Palace pool (if you can sneak past the pool attendants. Just say you're with "the wedding party") ;)

Window shopping is free

Watching all the freaks in Vegas is free.

Break the budget, well worth it Sunday Brunch at Bally's - $50/person.
 

Starbuck1975

Lifer
Jan 6, 2005
14,698
1,909
126
Any input on which shows are really really worth seeing? As for gambling, we're not likely to spend too much doing that, most money is for entertainment.
The Cirque de Soleil shows are all amazing, but come at a pretty penny...again, use the same day ticket resources on the strip to find tickets to shows that did not sell out...We Will Rock You is supposed to be great as well.

As others said, lots of bands play Vegas, and the venues tend to be intimate and small...Hard Rock and Mandalay Bay tend to have the best concerts...depends on your musical tastes, and when you will be in town.

 

jiwq

Platinum Member
May 24, 2001
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The Stratosphere itself has a nice fine dining restaurant at the top. You just need reservations. It will run about $40 a plate.

But if you are the $20 a day kind of person, check out this site:
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You should also check out their $20 a day adventure. They factored in lodging, transportation, food, and some gambling!
 

kyzen

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2005
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$20 a day is nothing; I'm trying to get away from $180 a day, which was my original budget :p

My exact budget remains to be seen, but I imagine it will be in the vicinity of $50-$75 a day. We were planning to split things up evenly, though obviously I'll be picking up the tab for a dinner or two, and perhaps a show.
 

So

Lifer
Jul 2, 2001
25,921
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Originally posted by: kyzen
$20 a day is nothing; I'm trying to get away from $180 a day, which was my original budget :p

My exact budget remains to be seen, but I imagine it will be in the vicinity of $50-$75 a day. We were planning to split things up evenly, though obviously I'll be picking up the tab for a dinner or two, and perhaps a show.

at that price range, there are definitely plenty of shows. Check out Las Vegas themed websites, and the local paper, the Las Vegas Review Journal.