Vegas

AWP

AWP

SOF Support
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
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Location
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I know we have some folks local to Las Vegas plus some folks who travel. My wife and I are going to spend a night or two in Vegas mid-June and we want to do "tourist stuff", hence this thread. We really only have two goals with a possible third:
1. Take in a show.
2. Get "married" in pure cheesy Vegas fashion, Elvis is probably involved. October is our 25th anniversary.
3. (Optional) She wants to visit the neon museum/ graveyard...whatever that is.

Background done, here's the question: Where should we stay? Again, "tourist stuff" so the Luxor, Bellagio, Caesar's etc. It's probably the only time we'll stay in Vegas, so the best "tourist stuff" are the answers.
 
I went in September and stayed at the Wynn. It is very nice. I’ll be going back this September for an anesthesia conference also at the Wynn.

The Cosmo is pretty dope, I enjoyed the time we spent there. For gambling nothing beats downtown, but it is sleazy in a fun way.
 
AWP said:
I know we have some folks local to Las Vegas plus some folks who travel. My wife and I are going to spend a night or two in Vegas mid-June and we want to do "tourist stuff", hence this thread. We really only have two goals with a possible third:
1. Take in a show.
2. Get "married" in pure cheesy Vegas fashion, Elvis is probably involved. October is our 25th anniversary.
3. (Optional) She wants to visit the neon museum/ graveyard...whatever that is.

Background done, here's the question: Where should we stay? Again, "tourist stuff" so the Luxor, Bellagio, Caesar's etc. It's probably the only time we'll stay in Vegas, so the best "tourist stuff" are the answers.
Click to expand...
Anything cirque du soleil there is lit. Enjoy the buffets at the Wynn too. Top notch.
 
Good luck and congrats on 25!!!!

Great call asking a local. They will know the secret hide outs and unlock magical rooms!

From my few trips, anything on Freemont is worth the journey. Hash House a Go Go is a great place to eat. The Wynn is a good staging base.

I have no clue on shows, but we always joked about the Thunder down Under.


:ROFLMAO::thumbsup:
 
My takes...

Stay on the strip.

You can find some good lodging rates if you shop around, but quality and condition can vary greatly. I've recently stayed at the following:

* Sahara: Recent reno, so it's nice. Great pool. End of the strip near Stratosphere, as a result not the center of action but only a short walk to the convention center, where I needed to be. Also, rail accessible, but I never rode it. No parking fee. Room rate was ~$50 night through Expedia in late Aug. You read that correctly and can't really beat it.

* Paris: Location, location, location. It's the center of the action. Hotel room was nice, but a little dated. Overlooked the strip and Bellagio. Pool is mid. Room rate was ~$120 through Expedia. Again, a bargain.

* Trump: It's about a block off the strip, but still fairly central so no big deal. Pay attention to Cybertrucks in the valet/check in pull through. No pool that I'm aware of. That aside, it was probably the nicest room I've stayed in. It was like a small suite. Room rate through work was ~$130.

All hotels on the strip will also have a resort fee from $25 - $45/per day. Parking can run ~$20/day.

Rates can change daily/weekly, but I would recommend any of the above. You can definitely spend A LOT more if you want.

As for things to do, one more vote for catching a Cirque show. I liked "Ka" a lot. The size and complexity of the stage is incredible.

The Sphere is a once and done kind of thing. Inside is just a giant Omnitheater. Might be cool if there was a concert you're interested in.

If there's a band you like with residency, try to check them out, although many acts sell out fast and the ticket prices aren't exactly cheap.

Fremont Street is "old Vegas" and always an experience.

Also, while you can find good room rates, dinners are going to cost you.

Day drives; off the strip:
* Red Rock Canyon
* Zion National Park
* Hoover Dam (don't need to spend much time there...30 min)
* West rim Grand Canyon (if you haven't seen the Grand Canyon, but it is kind of like the seen in the original National Lampoon's Vacation)
 
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MGM properties will give you free parking as veteran (or they did when I was there in Jan 2024). You just have to go and get the casino loyalty card to verify. Just have your DL/passport and some form of proof of service. I just used my VA ID.

Can save you some coin when on the strip if you have a vehicle.
 
I only ever go for DEFCON each year so don't get out past the LVCC nowadays, and since we're transitioning into austere measures again.. I'll probably be staying at Circus Circus, or turning tricks on the strip.

If you were gonna go see a show though I would definitely do Cirque du Soleil. Both Ka and O are pretty good. Can't speak for the other ones. I don't know about any of the current musicals playing, but I saw Mama Mia a while back and it was pretty amazing... but I'm a bit biased for Abba stuff.
 
Florida173 said:
I only ever go for DEFCON each year so don't get out past the LVCC nowadays, and since we're transitioning into austere measures again.. I'll probably be staying at Circus Circus, or turning tricks on the strip.

If you were gonna go see a show though I would definitely do Cirque du Soleil. Both Ka and O are pretty good. Can't speak for the other ones. I don't know about any of the current musicals playing, but I saw Mama Mia a while back and it was pretty amazing... but I'm a bit biased for Abba stuff.
Click to expand...

We went in 2018 with my nephew for a single night before hitting all the Utah national parks. We thought “circus circus is kid friendly and cheap it should be great” my wife walked in the room, turned around and walked out. Trash in the garbage can, cigarette burns on the carpet and comforter. To their credit my wife walked right down and said “we don’t belong here” and they agreed and refunded our money.
 
TLDR20 said:
We went in 2018 with my nephew for a single night before hitting all the Utah national parks. We thought “circus circus is kid friendly and cheap it should be great” my wife walked in the room, turned around and walked out. Trash in the garbage can, cigarette burns on the carpet and comforter. To their credit my wife walked right down and said “we don’t belong here” and they agreed and refunded our money.
Click to expand...

This last year when DEFCON moved to the LVCC and I got last second approval from client and my company on funding, I chose Circus Circus to try and stay as close to per diem rates as possible. To their credit, I was originally set to be over in the across the street side and the lady said.. "I'm not gonna give that to you since you will be right back over here," and she "upgraded" me to a nicer spot at the main building. It wasn't as nice as the Fontainebleau or Cosmopolitan, but it was definitely cheap as hell. I'm thinking of staying at the Fontainebleau this time around.
 
Man I love this town. Plenty of great suggestions here already- don't sleep on Summerlin for some of the best food you can find, second only to China Town. Basically, every 3-5 star chef that ends up on the strip gets their menu together in China Town, it's the food capital of Vegas. Both are easy ubers and have amazing stuff everywhere.

I agree with @TLDR20 if you wanna do a no-kidding Vegas strip stay, go to the Wynn. It's gorgeous, with great rooms, and they take care of you the whole stay. If you wanna spend a little more, get a tower suite, you have your own check in and a whole staff taking care of you, it's worth it. I'll throw some other hotels at the bottom, but the Wynn is ridiculous. Wing Li is one of their signature restaurants (cause you aren't getting a Four Sixes reservation unless you start looking now) and it's amazing.

Favorite off strip restaurants-

China Town- Sparrow and Wolf
Best Thai in Vegas, ate there last night- Le Thai downtown (on Fremont)
Brunch with bottomless mimosas everywhere. My favorite spot is in Summerlin- Honey and Salt (next door to another fantastic place, North Italia)
Hungover, way too big portions and great drinks- Hash House a Go Go (go to the one on Sahara, not the one in whichever casino on strip)

Shows-
Anything Cirque (I am a fan of O)
Anything Sphere - mind blowing
Van Gogh art exhibit at the Arte Museum (on strip, crazy good)
Absinthe is weird and worth it
Check the Cosmo concert schedule while you're here- small venue, outside, on the pool overlooking the strip, I saw Childish Gambino there

Fun stuff-
Atomic Golf, a local and cooler top golf with better prices, near the Strat and Arts District
Brookyln Bowl, always has great shows and bowling, near the Linq Promenade, which is also awesome
PopStroke- Tiger Woods' mini golf course- food, drinks, minigolf for grown ups.

Cool areas-
The Arts District near Fremont- it's the cool, hip place that Fremont was meant to be before it got super weird, near the Strat
Container Park- more family friendly vibe, tons of shops and cool stuff
Red Rock (easy hikes, not far from the strip)

Favorite Casinos/Hotels-
Circa Swim- something like 15 pools, stadium seating, huge TVs, you can chill in a pool and watch every game on TV if that's your thing
FontBleu- gorgeous, great rooms, new property
The Durango- south of the strip on 215/durango, hidden gem. New property, 5 star food court (from pizza by the slice to an oyster bar), great pool

Wedding Chapel-
Little White Wedding Chapel it's exactly what you're looking for, my brother got married there a couple months ago it was awesome. Pics in a pink Cadillac, elvis impersonators, Jordan got married there.

Also, hit a brother up when you're in town, I have a trip around the 20th, but other than that I am here we can link up for a dinner or something.
 

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