What's best in Vegas - if you don't gamble?

[scooterca42]

We're celebrating our friend's first anniversary with them in Vegas in November. We don't gamble, so what else is good to do? We do want to go to the Hoover Dam, and maybe the Grand Canyon on a day trip, but what else is good right in Vegas?

We like rides but they don't, but we all like bargain hunting and we're all techies - we spend a lot of time at Disney figuring out how things work. We range in age from 45 to 60, and are reasonably fit. We've known each other for over thirty years, and have travelled together before. (Yes, BTW - it was a LOOONNG engagement! )

Any ideas would be welcome. Things that residents might know that visitors wouldn't necessarily be aware of are welcome too!

[Touchdown]

My suggestions:

-Stay at a place with a good pool, Ive only stayed at the MGM Grand so I cant comment on other pools but MGM had a river pool where there was no tubes, the pool floor was sanded so all you had to do was put your feet in front of you a bit, and glide on it (think waterski position) with only your head above the water. Also since they have to keep the current going, the water is cool (not 90 degrees like the other pools on the resort) and refreshing, I could stay there all day.

-Get some tickets to O, the Cirque du Soeil show at the Bellagio, its one done on a submerged stage and still considered to be the best show they have ever done.

-While we are on the Bellagio subject, make sure you catch the free fountain show in front at night (like in Ocean's 11 when they are breaking up, they play classical music syched to those fountains)

-For the rides, be sure to hit the Stratosphere (make that the Stratosfear) tower. They have a bunch of rides on top of the thing and they use their height to an advatantage to bring out the acrophobia in anyone. The only one that was around when I was there was the Big Shot, an S&S spaceshot drop ride (Dr. Dooms Fearfall) that replaced the lighting rod on top of the tower, worth it, do it at night the city looks magnificant up there.

-If theyre are any Treckies in your group be sure to do the Star Trek experience at the Flamingo, you will litterally be beamed aboard the Starship Enterprise (from what I have seen the effect is quite cool.)

Have fun!

[WDWfanatic742]

We went last month and had a so so time. If it wasn't for our hotel (Treasure Island) and our plane on the way home getting into an accident with another plane the night before, it would have been a great time. Anyway, me and my brother are both kids so we couldn't do most of the stuff in Vegas anyway. We did the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton and it was very good especially for my mom because she is a big trekie. If you are any type of fan of Star Trek or even Disney, do the backstage tour they have. They tell you tons of stuff about Star Trek, and they take you behind the scenes of both rides and down below the simulator they have and they put it in motion with you down there.

The shows we saw were Blue Man Group, Ka, Le Reve, and Mystere. The Blue Man Group was really funny our first night, then the next night we saw Ka. If you have to see only two shows this and O (which was sold out all during our trip about two month's before our trip) would probably be the two. Saw Mystere the next and I think we got spoiled by Ka. Still really good. Then saw Le Reve which is I think supposed to be something like O and was really cool too. There is a topless part in it though, yet they still let kids in .

We went to Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, and grand Canyon. Hoover Dam was our first time there and was really cool standing in two different time zones at one time. Mt. Charleston was really cool for my brother and me because, in Florida, we never get snow and that was our first time seeing it in person. Grand Canyon was my second time, the first was when I was really little so I don't really remember it, but it was really cool to stand almost off the edge. The company we used to tour the three with is called Pink Jeep Tours which, yes you do ride in a pink jeep, but they give you tons of facts about the places and have an exclusive part of land next to the edge of the Grand Canyon where only people on their tours can go .

The three rides on top of the stratoshpere are Big shot which shoots you up 160 feet in the air plus the 900 feet you already are up on the top, Insanity which spins you over the edge of the tower, and X Scream which places you 27 feet off the edge of the tower. We went to Adventuredome for a couple hours before one of our shows. Just don't expect it to be anything like Disney but more of a traveling park with carnival ride and a coaster that goes everywhere in the dome.

I think that's it

[Cinderelley]

Personally, I love the Venetian. They have two gondola rides - one indoors, and one outdoors. I prefer the indoor one. There's also a museum there that hosts several different interesting things, and Madame Tussaude's wax museum. There's lots of shopping opportunites in all of the hotels if you're into that. Treasure Island has a show in front of it in the evenings. Someone already mentioned the water show in front of the Bellagio. The Bellagio also has a fine art gallery that you can tour. I don't know what they are currently showing. The Mirage's volcano erupts at several times during the evenings. I like watching it from the balcony in front of the Venetian. There's also the white tigers and I believe the dolphins are at the Mirage. MGM has the lions that can be seen during the day. The Luxor has an exhibition about King Tut, but I haven't made it in there yet. If you walk up and down the strip, there's lots of interesting shops & things all over.

There's helicopter flights around the area if you want to see the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Depending on when your trip is scheduled, you might be able to get a donkey ride down into the canyon itself. I know there's more, but I can't think of them right now.

[NotaGeek]

Don't forget about ALL the great places to eat! Emeril's Delmonico's Steakhouse is one of my favorites ... it's pricey, but worth it!

I love to just walk the strip at night with a cocktail and people watch! The Freemont Street Experience is also worth a try!

[Disneyluvr2]

I don't gamble either but don't worry, there are so many other things to do! I love just going through each hotel and checking them out. They're all HUGE and the decore is amazing! Most of the bigger hotels offer free things to see and LOTS of shops! My #1 suggestions to you would be wear the most comfortable shoes you own! You'll do lots of walking on the strip! You can also get on the internet and pull up a Las Vegas site that will tell you about all the entertainment. There are so many shows to see! I think you could spend several weeks there and still not see everything! Have fun!

[Goofeygal]

We love the shows. We are leaving for vegas in a week woohoo.

[scooterca42]

Thank you so much for the information ! We're staying at the Luxor, I have to see what kind of amenities it has, but I know there's something about an obelisk and a King Tut museum.

Hope hope hope there's a pool too!

[mamacatnv]

Since you are bargain hunters - there is a huge outlet mall there. I went with a friend and we spent most of the day. It is indoors and air conditioned.

Good window shopping at the Cesars Forum Shops and the Venetian.

The aquarium at Mandalay Bay is fun.

[Roger Rabbit 89]

We have went up to Death Valley everytime we have been out. This is one of our favortie places. It is about 2 hours away.

We have also driven up to Bryce and Zion Canyons in Utah. Both are just beautiful!! We did these trip in one day. We left LV early in the morning and did both parks and drove back to LV later that day.

We have also done Hoover Dam, Lake Mead area, Grand Canyon, Mt Charleston. We don't gamble much either that is why we have found all of these other places. Valley of Fire State Park is just out of town, we haven't been there but heard it was really cool.

Michael

[scooterca42]

Even more cool ideas - especially Death Valley!

Does anyone know what the last date the pools are open is? We're going for Thanksgiving, will they still be open?

[NJGIRL]

We are going in October and staying at the Venetian and were told that one of the pools would be opened but they usually close the rest for reno during the fall. They told us the same at Mandlay.

[ChipDale2708]

You need to check with the Luxor about the pool still being open at that time of year. I was at the Mirage one Thanksgiving and they closed the pool at the end of the weekend for the next month. Which would have been fine since it was too cold to swim, but it was still sunny enough to relax in a lounge chair w/ a book.

I also recommend checking out the Freemont Street Experience. You can take the Deuce bus or a cab. The light show there is amazing. We were there last November over Veteran's Day and they had a terrific patriotic montage. I do suggest going earlier in the evening and having dinner someplace there. Check out the Golden Nugget. You can see their new pool from the lobby. They have a shark tank in the middle of it!

Now I can't wait until our next trip in June!

[nwotraveller]

The floral display at the Bellagio should not be missed.

Penn and Teller is a good show (though 4.5 years ago it was 1/3 the price it is now).

If you want Vegas hokey, there is always Wayne Newton. He's pretty weak now, but the house orchestra is awesome.

We spend most days touring hotels and evenings at shows.

[LibertyTreeGal]

I haven't been there in 8 years, so maybe this is out of date advice, but if you are Trekkies, one of the casinos just off the strip has something called "The Star Trek Experience." It was totally cool.

Just for the record, Trekkers are Trekkies who take themselves way too seriously

[Marilyn Michetti]

I'm going the last week in Feb. for the Creative Painting Convention, and will be in a four hour class each day, but the rest of the time, there's PLENTY to do. Each hotel is a mini-resort, and most of them have some sort of outdoor show - just stand and watch. Get a Birnbaums Vegas. There's just too much to post here. DON'T miss the M & M store, right next to the Coca Cola store, however.

I've never been to Fremont St. - never had time, but plan to this trip.

You'll have a ball, if you know what's available. I don't gamble either, and in four trips, I haven't scratched the surface.

[cetacean01]

OK heres my perfect Vegas:

1. Stay at Mandalay Bay - it never gets too crowded, the rooms are MAGNIFICENT as well as the "Beach" and Spa. Plus, you never need to walk through the casino to get to any of it.

2. Shows: KA is an absolute must, as is the Blue Man Group. Phantom is pretty neat, but watered down story, but better effects than even the NYC production.
"O" put me right to sleep!!!!!! I can nap at home for free.

3. Stratosphere has good rides, New York New York rollercoaster is great only if you enjoy migrains after.

4. FREEMONT STREET IS A BLAST!

5. Try the steak house in Bellagio, its top notch but very pricey!

6. Best Buffet is in Bellagio as well, Paris has a nice one as well as the Wynn.
WORST BUFFET: EXCALIBUR- in fact AVOID EXCALIBUR AT ALL COSTS!

7. The Forum shops at Ceasars is lots of fun.

8. AVOID THE PIRATE SHOW AT TREASURE ISLAND. NOW I KNOW YOU WILL SEE THE CROWDS AND CURIOSITY WILL TRY TO BECKON! DONT DO IT- ITS 15 MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE YOU WILL NEVER EVER GET BACK!

8.Just relax and have fun! You wont see it all, so dont try but I always have a great time!

[Twinsowner]

We havent been to vegas yet but some frinds of ours just got back and they said the Danny Gans show was the best thing they had ever seen. He is an impersonator/comedian/singer. I have heard of him many times and his show is one of the most popular in vegas, if you like that sort of thing try him out!!

[CleveSJM]

Another thing is to actually try gambling a little, especially if you never have. It can be fun and not cost that much. I'm saying set like a $20 loss limit and a $10 win/walk limit. The casinos have free lessons so you can learn the games for free. And you can enjoy free beverages. I like a game called Pai Gow. You can play for hours at a $5 table and have a great time not winning and not losing much of anything. You can also meet some very interesting people.

Good luck and have a great time.

[thrillme]

Gosh for non-gamblers there's almost so much to do that there won't be nearly enough time.

On a "economical" plan. Just touring the hotels is a cheap way to REALLY enjoy the place. I know that sounds silly but you've never seen a hotel till you've seen some of these. But paying for some of the other stuff like rides or Star Trek can be cool

The Venetian with it's marble floors and a river with a gondolia driver floating through it

Cesars Palace...beautiful statues fancy window shoppes.

Bellagio georgous glass flower sculptures and outside...Dancing Waters

The Hilton with it's Star Trek experience and of course the Borg experience (LOVE IT)

Stratosphere (some MAJOR thrill rides the X-Scream...a teeter-totter actually makes ME nervous)

Mandalay Bay has a beautiful aquarium and dolphin pool

Mirage the White Tigers...Oh oh oh and at night...be sure to check out the Volcano outside.

Treasure Island has a nifty FREE Pirate Show.

And shows...Whew...they're loaded down there.

Really the people that just "gamble" are the ones missing out.

The Dam...Unless you're there for more than just 3-4 days...you'll hardly have time