Vegas - Advice Required

[Greavsey]

Following on from the Best Bars in the World thread - I am going to Vegas in a couple of weeks, mainly for work, but should get out for the odd evening for food and drinks.

I have been before and never really been that impressed, probably because I don't gamble, can NSC please suggest some places to visit that might change my opinion of the place as I know there are people that can't get enough of the place? Perhaps some hidden gems, as obviously I have done the dancing fountains, the volcanoes and the gondolas on my first visit - is there anything that is slightly less tacky to do in Vegas!?

Much appreciated!

 

[Springal]

What kind of age groups, and what do you like doing?

I bloody loved Vegas, but we basically partied + gambled non-stop for 4 days, with sightseeing during the day. But I could see how some people don't rate it.

 

[helipilot]

Fremont Street experience... the real home of gambling in Vegas. Amazing light shows on the ceiling and very good live bands at the week. It's a bit off the strip but well worth the cab ride.

 

[Greavsey]

What kind of age groups, and what do you like doing?

I bloody loved Vegas, but we basically partied + gambled non-stop for 4 days, with sightseeing during the day. But I could see how some people don't rate it.

Good questions - basically I guess you could describe us as 30 something middle class business men and a few women (so probably no strip clubs!), so probably a little different requirements to yours. Was thinking suggestions of cool bars or restaurants hidden away in hotels or off the strip. As I said gambling will be off the agenda!

 

[helipilot]

Mandalay Bay has a cool (sic) ice bar which is fun for a few drinks.

 

[Badger]

I got back from Vegas yesterday, had a great time.

If you want something a bit different to the usual in-your-face experience I'd recommend going to Freemont Street East, there are some great little bars there, I went to a piano bar which had some decent live music (karaoke from people who can actually sing). There's also a container yard which is a load of bars, shops, restaurants etc. made from shipping containers with a live music stage along with a giant praying mantis with fire coming from it's antennae.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I don't gamble, ... I have done the dancing fountains, the volcanoes and the gondolas on my first visit - is there anything that is slightly less tacky to do in Vegas!?

No. No there isn't.

 

[clippedgull]

Following on from the Best Bars in the World thread - I am going to Vegas in a couple of weeks, mainly for work, but should get out for the odd evening for food and drinks.

I have been before and never really been that impressed, probably because I don't gamble, can NSC please suggest some places to visit that might change my opinion of the place as I know there are people that can't get enough of the place? Perhaps some hidden gems, as obviously I have done the dancing fountains, the volcanoes and the gondolas on my first visit - is there anything that is slightly less tacky to do in Vegas!?

Much appreciated!

Maybe a helicopter trip to Grand Canyon (early evening as sun sets then back over Vegas lights!)

 

[Springal]

Good questions - basically I guess you could describe us as 30 something middle class business men and a few women (so probably no strip clubs!), so probably a little different requirements to yours. Was thinking suggestions of cool bars or restaurants hidden away in hotels or off the strip. As I said gambling will be off the agenda!

Thats not a bad position to be in, as some bars etc prefer that.

The duelling piano bar in New York New York is quite good fun entertainment. Gordon Ramseys BRGR is meant to be a real hit for burger or steak, and quite a fun atmosphere. Ghost at the Palms is good, its a nightclub, but more of a bar during hte week. Excellent views, and really nice. If its a 'young hip' type crowd, Cosmopolitan hotel has a lot going for it. Good casino, some great bars and restaurants, and generally cool feel.

 

[Greavsey]

Thats not a bad position to be in, as some bars etc prefer that.

The duelling piano bar in New York New York is quite good fun entertainment. Gordon Ramseys BRGR is meant to be a real hit for burger or steak, and quite a fun atmosphere. Ghost at the Palms is good, its a nightclub, but more of a bar during hte week. Excellent views, and really nice. If its a 'young hip' type crowd, Cosmopolitan hotel has a lot going for it. Good casino, some great bars and restaurants, and generally cool feel.

Thanks - got taken to Palms last year, must have been Ghost, and that was pretty cool. Looking for more of the same!

 

[Rugrat]

Apart from all the obvious I'd add these as particular likes

Restaurants - Roys (on E Flamingo) ... fusion, moderately priced, and Mortons Steakhouse just further down more expensive but a real treat ... both near strip, and both have websites for more info

Informal would be PF Changs at Paris and also the veranda area at Paris for lunch and people watching. Ramsey in Caesars is OK

Sunday Brunch in the Wynn at restaurant overlooking golf course does a buffet for about $30 which is all you can eat (+cocktail), goes on for 2/3 hours and top food

An abundance of places in City Centre

Go up to the top of the Rio (Vodoo Lounge) late afternoon for drinks on the deck and great views .. take the camera

Best show (by a mile) is "O" at Bellagio

 

[LennyD]

recommend the voodoo lounge in the rio, great views of the strip at nighttime. Likewise we went to see the Hives at an evening rooftop pool party at cosmopolitan, was amazing.

Also, another vote for the duelling pianos bar in NYNY (think its called Times Square??) a cool place to go in the afternoon i found. Also recommend the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil show, been twice, was great both times.

 

[Scoffers]

I did the Cirque Du Soleil in the MGM Grand last time I went, was pretty impressive and it's right on the strip.

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ka/default.aspx

We also had a meal Trevi in Caesars Palace which was pretty good:-
http://www.trevi-italian.com/

Have fun!

 

[driddles]

I'd go to http://www.frankiestikiroom.com/ very small, unique, potent drinks. You would need to cab there and back. It does not look like much from outside but inside it's a great little bar.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

There are so many shows you shouldn't need any advice. Pick what you like. I agree with the helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon. That's phenomenal.

My biggest tip is that there is no such thing as fake t1ts. Remember that and you'll have a great time

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I got back from Vegas yesterday, had a great time.

If you want something a bit different to the usual in-your-face experience I'd recommend going to Freemont Street East, there are some great little bars there, I went to a piano bar which had some decent live music (karaoke from people who can actually sing). There's also a container yard which is a load of bars, shops, restaurants etc. made from shipping containers with a live music stage along with a giant praying mantis with fire coming from it's antennae.

nob any hookers?

 

[BrianWade4]

Been 10 times
Got back last week
- comme ca restaurant in Cosmo
- penn and teller at rio
- absinthe at Caesars
- marquee club in Cosmo
- Grand Canyon
- Hoover dam / boulder city
- cocktail bar at top of stratosphere hotel
- mix bar
- ghost bar
- KISS rock crazy golf
- Fremont street experience
- any if the surrounding national parks
- drag racing in desert
- pool party at Wynn
- Bellagio fountains

 

[BrianWade4]

nob any hookers?

Not my thing but apparently.....

There is a brothel called the Chicken Run which is one price at the door, then as much as you can grab in two hours

Bit like an as much as you can eat buffet

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Depends really on what you personally like to do...when I went, spent first night on the machines...and although I won a little didn't touch them again,hired a car,went down to the Hoover Dam,Part of route 66,,Grand Canyon,Death Valley (In which the lowest golf course in the world is situated) casinos outside Vegas have the original 'Bonnie and Clyde' shot up car as well as Al Capones car...saw the Santa Fe Express train...beneath Ballys hotel are streets that run for seven blocks under the Paris hotel ,theme changes from 'Paris' to Morocco...plenty to see.
If you like scary rides try the Stratosphere..

 

[Surf's Up]

Seconded - "O" at the Bellagio is amazing