Las Vegas - leaving Reality behind (Las Vegas)

Member Name: jonotinx

Product:	Las Vegas
Date:	09/07/04 (215 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The glitz and glamour, free entertainment, might win big !

Disadvantages: Seedy 'adult' entertainment, You'' go mad after a while, might lose your life savings !

My partner and I had 3 nights in Vegas in early June 2004. We stopped at the MGM Grand (see my review on this hotel)

My other half wasn't really looking forward to Vegas (we were going for one of my mates' wedding) but to be fair, she enjoyed it more than she thought.

I thought it was a cool place - but 3 nights wasn't really long enough (although we lost the best part of a day on a canyon trip; highly recommended and another day with the wedding).

As you're probably aware, most of the action takes place 'on the strip' - this is basically a very large road with most of the major hotels right on it.

Vegas is a bit like wandering around a huge film set; a lot of it seems very familiar even if it's your first visit. I guess this is because we're so used to seeing images of Vegas on TV and films.

As most things are on the strip (or only just off it to the side) getting around is easy; walk up 1 side, cross the road, and walk back down to see most of it. I guess the main bit strip is probably about 2 miles, running from just near the airport towards Freemont street (or 'downtown') - it's all flat, so no hills, and the pavements (sidewalks) are nice and wide (as are the roads - so cross only at a crossing !!).

If the walking and heat (tops 100 F in June - although there was a nice breeze) gets too much for your feet, take the CAT bus which just runs up and down the strip. There's plenty of stops, and a bus runs about every 10 minutes. Its $2 per ride to go as far as you want. However, if you're in a rush, this isn't for you - because of the hectic traffic, and the fact it stops virtually every 100 yards, it does take a while to get anywhere.

When you first hit Vegas, it's a sensory overload - the whole town is rather unreal and seems to be in a fantasy world. It's consumerism gone mad, with all the hotels trying to be bigger and better than the ot
hers.This isn't the place for quiet contemplation - but is very much the place for anything goes fun.

All the major hotels (and there are a lot of them) are huge, and each one has it's own theme (Luxor = Egyptian, Excalibur = medieval, New York New York = work it out for yourself, Venetian = Venice (complete with canals and gondoliers) etc. etc.) In each hotel, you'll find countless places to eat, loads of shops and of course the casinos. - The size of these places is amazing. When I say there are shops in the hotels, I don't mean 1 or 2 gift shops - I'm talking sometimes hundreds selling everything from designer clothes to fridge magnets. Most hotels have literally thousands of rooms. The hotels are fantastic, and you could spend all your time wandering round the hotels and marvelling at how they've recreated things. - It's usually very tastefully done and obviously no expense spared.

Of course there's all the famous shows up and down the strip, and some hotels do free shows at certain times (Check out one of the free booklets to tell you whats on and where). Prices vary from reasonable to expensive depending on what / who you want to see.

There's plenty of free entertainment at the hotels - from the Lion enclosure at the MGM to the aquarium at Ceases palace (in the Forum shopping mall). There are some free outside shows worth a look at too at the hotels - The treasure island pirate battle (Get there at least 45 minutes before show time for a good view), the erupting volcano at the Mirage, and the fabulous water fountains set to music at the Bellagio. In typical Vegas style, most things are completely over the top, but very well done.

Further afield is Circus Circus & the Stratosphere - these are situated mid way between the main strip & 'downtown' so will probably be a bus / cab ride for you to get to.

A trip downtown tothe 'freemont street experience' is a must at ni
ght; on the hour, a giant tunnel of lights are set to music. Great rock tracks (Stones, Hendrix, Beatles etc.) thump out whilst the tunnel comes alive and animates with pictures and a kaleidoscope of colour. Here you'll find the famous Golden Nugget amongst others. - But don't stray too far from the main bit here, otherwise you'll find yourself in a seemingly rather dodgy area.

Eating out is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be, with your choice from a variety of cuisines from around the world. Vegas is very informal, and shorts / t-shirts are acceptable attire - even in the casinos of the 'posher' hotels.

There is a seedy side to Vegas; you have to run the gauntlet of pushers trying to thrust adult magazine and calling cards into your hands, and there are some dodgy looking folk lurking in the backstreets. But on the whole, on the main strip, it's pretty safe.

It's always busy, day or night and most things are 24 / 7.

My top tip is for the casinos - I found that if you are playing the tables or machines, the floor waitresses will get you drinks (day or night, alcohol or not) - these are actually free, although it is polite to tip the waitress (say $1 / drink) and this will make sure she looks after you when your glass is empty.

A week in Vegas should be enough - you'll see plenty, but just about manage to keep your sanity. Consider an excursion though; we did the Canyon which was fantastic. We got picked up from hotel, taken to the local airport and flew for about 45 minutes on a high wing small plane over the Hoover damn & lake mead. We landed at the Canyon and transferred in a helicopter to descend to the Canyon floor where we then did a boat trip down the (Colorado) river before going back up top and having lunch at the rim before we headed back. It was well worth it (even though it was nearly £200 each - although there are cheaper versions available) as it's the type of thin
g you only do once. The canyon is awesome, and you can't get your head round the size of the place.

another tip is limit yourself to a gambling budget; when it's gone, quit & walk away - it's very tempting to keep spending, but of course there's only one winner at the Casinos; they don't build hundreds of multi million dollar hotel / casinos for nothing you know...

Happy holidays

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