Las Vegas - things to do/see

Hi all,
Off to Las Vegas in a few weeks for business and the SEMA trade show, and as such I'll be busy during the work day and perhaps a few weeknights doing the usual business drinks and networking etc.

Apart from the 'usual' Las Vegas stuff - the strip clubs and the casino's is there anything else to see ? i'll probably be there for about 6 days in all, and it'll be early November when I'm there.

One or two of my suppliers will probably let me tag along as they've attended in prior years, but I don't want to be dependant on those guys!

Any suggestions and tips please?!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

I hope you enjoy your stay.

Which hotel do they have you in?

Things to do,

Hoover Dam

Death Valley

Ride the new double decker buses (made in Scotland) up and down the strip.

Visit the Auto Museum

It's a bit away from the strip, but I thought the Atomic Testing Museum was fascinating. I also liked the Titanic Exhibit in the Luxor, but it was a bit expensive. Check out downtown Las Vegas for a taste of the old school casinos.

I don't know your budget but if you have the time and the money you should look into a helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon! We just went on one in September and it was AMAZING! I booked through http://www.viator.com/las-vegas-tours/d684-ttd?pref=02&aid=g3320 I did notice several stands on the strip that were booking the same trips so if you don't want to get locked into a trip or don't know your schedule yet check with one of them for last minute deals. If you've never done it before definitely check out Fremont Street! The Light Show is worth seeing and it's free!

hiya

Thanks so far for the suggestions !

I'll be choosing my own hotel, and I'll 'probably' rent a car to get around in. Hoover Dam and Death Valley with the Grand Canyon sound good! - however, knowing my luck I probably won't get a chance with all the business stuff that'll be happening.

Might have to pop back for a little longer in early jan 2010 as its the CES show then, so could slot in these and other recommendations then!

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

hiya

Thanks so far for the suggestions !

I'll be choosing my own hotel, and I'll 'probably' rent a car to get around in. Hoover Dam and Death Valley with the Grand Canyon sound good! - however, knowing my luck I probably won't get a chance with all the business stuff that'll be happening.

Might have to pop back for a little longer in early jan 2010 as its the CES show then, so could slot in these and other recommendations then!

cheers! DtM! West London & Slough UK!

If your activites are on the Strip I would opt out of getting a car. If you want to explore out of town then you will need the car.
They don't charge for parking at the hotels but they do at the convention center but there again they have free shuttles going from the hotel to the CC.
Let me know which hotels you are considering and I will give you my opinion. Most Brits stay at the Circus Circus which I don't like.
Treasure Island is good as is the Venetian.

Stay in the center of the strip.  I found great hotel prices as the Luxor which is at the far end of the strip.  By the time we added up all of the taxi fares etc to take us to the center which is where we spent most of our time it actually cost us more than a room at one of the pricier hotels.  We were a family of four so taxi was actually the most economical way of getting around.

We did Vegas a few years ago (you know, before kids...) and we had a blast. We stayed at the Bellagio and just went up and down the strip playing the slots. We tried to win enough money everyday to pay for our meals, and we pretty much did! We didn't win big, but enough to pay for a buffet at a casino. I love it there and would LOVE to go back!! We also did a Maverick helicopter down into the Grand Canyon, and it was the experience of a lifetime!

Enjoy!

If you are only there for a few days, I wouldn't worry about it - you will find plenty to see and do on your own! But, there is a rollercoaster on top of the New York New York casino, and if you are a true daredevil, you can go to the Stratosphere and rise the crazy bungee thing at the top. I went to the top of the "Eiffel Tower" at the Paris casino and watched the water show at the Bellagio down below at dusk, and it was awesome. More food than you can eat, more lights than you have ever seen, and more free booze than you can shake a stick at. I think you will be just fine. 

you can go to the Stratosphere and rise the crazy bungee thing at the top

That'll be closed for the season, I think.

Hi all,

Cheers for the responses and suggestions, I'll look into them all and see what I can or can't squeeze in.

Jewlz - I did the crazy bungee cage thing in Amsterdam a few years ago, twice ! in the space of about 10 minutes! fantastic ! all my friends thought I was mad! so I might have to look that one up! one thing is, I won't do it after getting my usual amounts of Alcohol intake!

Rachee - I'm almost afraid to go into a Casino - I'd be too terrified Robert De Niro will haul me off into the back room and hammer my hand! - Yes, I've watched Casino too many times!

I will most likely get a car, as I'm also going to have a snoop around some of the properties for sale in and around the area.

As it's a business type trip for me, I'm not so bothered about doing the whole 'Vegas' thing - it's getting harder though as some of the suppliers I know I'll be visiting there keep dropping hints as the type of places we may go during the evening!  - not that I mind of course!

Cheers all once again !

DtM! West London & Slough UK!

DtM,

Property selling is a massive issue in LV. People are just walking away from their property. I think the house next to my daughter is a case in point. It is a 4 bedroom 3 bath with a huge rec room, 3 car garage, luxury kitchen, family room, fireplace and living room (parlor, sitting room to you ) and I think the price was $285,000.

They tend to have small lots in LV and in recent years they wont allow new builds to have a grass lawn in the front. This house is about 4 years old.

If you talk to a realtor you would ask about 'foreclosures' or 'short sales' but you probably already know that. Also, you can look at these homes on the computer at Realtor.com, Zip.com and Zillow.com but you probably already know that to.

For my money I would buy a new Townhouse with one bedroom and a 2 car garage for about $100,000.

I just talked to my dd and she said the house just sold and she thinks there would have been several offers on the house because of what it sold for originally.

If you can book yourself a room at Bellagio, do it.  The standard room is 200 bucks. My husband and i were just there about 3 weeks ago.  Bellagio is right in the middle of the strip.  Caesars is next door, Planet Hollywood and Paris Las Vegas is across the street.  You will love driving up La s Vegas Bld, i sure did. My first time driving back in the States in 18 months.  If you have time and have friends or co workers that want to blow it on a fabulous dinner, eat at the Eiffel Tower restaurant at Paris. Then go up to the top of the mock Eiffel Tower. It cost s 15 dollars for that.  Well worth it.  The Grand CAnyon is a 3 hr drive, beautiful if you can do it.  Hoover DAm is 30 miles northeast of Vegas.  Drive it slow through there.

I want to go back.  For gambling, go to Caesars or MGM grand.  Luxor sucks.  The Venetian is a nice look around, mock Venice.  If you wait til Dec, there is a Mandarian Oriental that will be open.  What ever you do, you will have a blast.  Have fun

The Monte Carlo has a brewery in the back of it and it's excellent.  Great beers at a great price.   I believe it's closed Sunday and Monday however. 

The gondola ride inside the Venetian is also a really fun thing to do. 

I would definitely suggest going into every casino.  They are all so different and unique.  Just a walk around is fun.

Treasure Island does a live pirate show outside every night.   I think it starts at 7-ish and they do one about every hour.

And of course the shows... check online for whats current.  I'm not sure when you are going to Vegas, but I just checked online and the annual Comedy Festival is November 20-22.  Loads of top comedians/comediennes like Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, Ellen Degeneres, Cheech & Chong, etc.

Have a great time! 

Hiya all,
I forgot to update this after I got back!
I'm now back out in Las Vegas later on this morning and remembered the advice here- so thanks to all who responded, much appreciated!
I got to see 60% of Vegas in amongst being super busy, stayed at the Stratospere which I found to be excellent for paying what turned out to be the equivalent of £36/night. Had a hire car, super easy to get around too. Drove up and down the strip many times for just pleasure as well as getting supplies, meeting with other business associates , sightseeing! no chance to do the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam etc, time was short for that. I was also a 'very good' boy and didn't get plastered on any evenings, I didn't go to any naughty shows, and I set my gamble limit to $100 - which went on a slot machine I actually understood ! (read the simple 1 Dollar one!) - I don't understand the craps/poker tables at all - so I just stood at one pretending I knew what was going on so I could also pretend I 'actually' was in 'Casino' ! after about 45 seconds I felt like a plonker so wandered off - that requirement all 'done' !

I'm flying later on today, back there for the next week or so, then a couple days in LA then over to Cinncy for 5 days or so. All business so very little time for relaxing

I'll get a bit of leisure time in though! Thanks all for your advice and suggestions - when I do get some more time, I'll probably do Vegas 'properly'

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!