Going to Vegas. I don't gamble. What would you recommend?

[prolesunited]

We're renting a car, so it doesn't necessarily need to be on the strip.

Also, we're trying to be budget-conscious, so any big shows are out as well.

[Duer 157099]

1. Eating

[progmom]

2. a day trip to the grand canyon?

[underpants]

15. YES! Hoover dam and then the Grand Canyon--5 hours one way

well worth it.

The Grand Canyon is truly amazing. Awe inspiring.

[Reverend_Smitty]

3. since you got a car...

consider taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam, it's some neat scenery that doesn't involve gambling

[progmom]

6. jinx!

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. lol...great minds must think alike

[ForrestGump]

10. Or Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire SP, or Mt Charleston

And the Chicken Ranch. :D

I very rarely gamble even a dollar here, but I can attest to the world's of fun and adventure to be had if you perambulate the Strip and check out some of the hotels, especially the big new 'theme park' ones -- they have no Vegas soul, and no character, but they are undeniably spectacular. And the people-watching is unparalleled in Las Vegas, which can basically afford the observant visitor an anthropological field trip par excellence. Great place to start and finish a psychology dissertation.

There are also free shows, and the best place to find details on them all in one place is some Web site that I don't recall but that you could probably find by using Google to search with keywords "free shows" and Vegas." I haven't gone to that many shows of any kind, but one free show I'm familiar with is a dude named "Big Elvis,": who is monumentally overweight (500-800 pounds, we're talking...the dude's gonna die, I'm afraid) but has a very rich and powerful voice and also does a great Roy Orbison vocal (maybe better than his Elvis, actually) and even does Jimmy Buffett songs -- he's at the Barbary Coast (in the lounge -- free), center Strip, weekdays from 3-6 PM (not sure exactly what days, but the Web'll tell you).

Also, by joining players' clubs in all the casinos -- free -- you can sometimes get hold of some cool deals on shows, food, drinks (including free), and at the very least take home some souvenirs (I kinda like my MGM Grand keychain with the golden lion on it, though I like it too much to actually use it as a keychain and get it all scratched up).

I haven't been to Circus Circus since I moved here, but remember if fondly from 16 years ago -- maybe some low- tyo no-cost distractions there. And Downtown is pretty cool, Disneyfied and made safer and cleaner to some extent by the pedestrian mall there now, but still retainign the last remnants of 'Old Vegas' to an extent. The feeling here is more laid back than the Strip and it's all very compact -- it's also cheaper to eat there and buy most things than it is on the Strip, and if you feel like gambling at all either there or off in the boonies (where the locals play, which is often preferentially on machines in convenience stores as well as in hinterland casinos) you'll find lower limits and better payoffs than the Strip, usually. Vegas is nowadays an expensive destination -- I could probably get to and stay in the Bahamas for less, which sound sbetter to me -- but Downtown is relatively more affordable. Also there is the Fremont Street Experience, an overhead screen graphics show that at this time of year runs on the hour every hour from 8PM to midnight, witha different show each hour..kinda cool. Music down there, too, on the street.

Watch out for Elvises...one of them might be me... :-)

[mwdem]

12. Ditto on Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire...

both are beautiful. Btw, Forrest, you don't work the men's room at the Palm in Caesar's by any chance? :evilgrin:

[ForrestGump]

14. Only when my pimp makes me

:P

Nope. Not me. Is that an older dude? I thought he actually worked out in the restaurant...met him once.

[mwdem]

18. Yeah, he's older. I saw him there once, hanging out by the restrooms.

A friend of mine said he met him working the restroom, thought he could sing, and paid him to come over to his table & sing "Love Me Tender" to his wife. He took the money, but he couldn't sing worth a damn!

[ForrestGump]

20. Moral of the story: don't pick up strange Elvises in the restroom

Maybe he'd do better as a mime.

[Orrex]

4. Who'll ever win? You're so ephemeral

Oh wait, that's Heaven or Las Vegas, not Going to Vegas.

[eyesroll]

5. I like doing science experiments on the strip.

I don't gamble either, but I decided to get a roll of quarters and play one quarter in one slot machine in each casino along the strip until I either ran out of quarters or ran out of steam. I came out $8 ahead when I finally collapsed. (There's a lot more space between casinos than you might think.)

Or you could walk with someone who is unclear on the concept of "calling cards," and who collects them thinking they are coupons or something, and decides to dispose of them, and on upon discovering there is no trash can handy asks you to put them in your purse, and you promptly forget about them until you are chosen for a thorough bag search at the airport...(eyesroll option)

The Star Trek thing at the Hilton is kind of amusing, if you're into that sort of thing.

I've had enough of Vegas personally.

[Orrex]

7. Funny--I knew a guy who liked to strip while doing science experiments

Until one day he got too close to a bunsen burner and scorched his beaker.


nyuk nyuk nyuk
I gotta million of 'em.

[seemunkee]

35. I collected those

And mailed a couple to a friend every week.

[azmouse]

9. Short drive to see Red Rock Canyon or the Hoover Dam

All the casinos have small lounges next to the gambling floors where bands play. Some are reasonably good and there is no charge. Have a drink, put your feet up and listen to some music.

[XNASA]

11. Here's a few suggestions.

Go to the Star Trek Experience at the Hilton and go on the "Borg Invasion 4D" ride.

http://www.startrekexp.com/

Try out "Insanity: the Ride" atop the Stratosphere Hotel.

http://www.stratospherehotel.com/las_vegas_stratosphere_ride.html

I enjoy parking my ass in the some nice casino bar, like the one at Caesar's Palace, and having a couple of Martini's.

Checkout Fremont Street.

http://www.vegasexperience.com/

And go to a couple of Strip Clubs. That's always fun.

[prolesunited]

21. Those are all on the list

although I think the observation deck will do and I'll probably skip the strip clubs.

[bbernardini]

13. Shopping, architecture admiration.

My wife and I went a year or two ago. We mostly play a few slots, so we did a lot of walking and admiration of both the indoor and outdoor architecture. I was sick the whole trip, so we usually went to bed pretty early. Mostly daytime activities.

[RandomKoolzip]

16. Go to a McDonald's on the North Side

and just sit and talk to yourself. For a week.


Or you could rent a giant convertable, hire a Somoan to pose as your lawyer, fill up the convertable's trunk with all sorts of drugs, guns, and Hawaiian shirts, and go looking for "The American Dream."

[ThomCat]

17. photographing lots of beautiful tackyness.

There's no city quite as tacky as Los Vegas.

[progmom]

19. oooh oooh oooh

the Liberace Museum!!

http://www.liberace.com/museum.cfm

[tuvor]

29. You beat me to it!

If you don't go there, you haven't really seen Las Vegas.

He paved the way for Elvis, for crying out loud.

[NNadir]

22. Go fishing at Lake Mead.

[Redstone]

23. Valley of Fire State Park. There's another just west of the city whose

name I don't remember, but it's a good one. Just drive out of town and see the desert.

Redstone

[SoCalDemGrrl]

24. Go to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and watch the indoor sunrise &

sunset and the talking statues. All for free... Then check out one of the only still existing FAQ Schwartz Toy Store
in the same center. Lots of eye candy there. Also you can take a tram to the Mirage and see the tigers (although about
a month ago the tigers were off display).

[leftofthedial]

25. hookers and blow

[WCGreen]

26. Here Here.....

A Fancy Hooker and an Eight Ball....

[WCGreen]

27. Here Here.....

A Fancy Hooker and an Eight Ball....

[prolesunited]

33. Wow, double post

The very thought of it must have excited you.

[tuvor]

28. The two best things about my only visit to Vegas...

The Liberace Museum and the auto museum at the Imperial Palace. Admission was reasonably inexpensive back in 1995. I'll do it again if I ever get back down there.

(You've never lived until you've seen Liberace's Bicentennial hot pants outfit!)

[radwriter0555]

30. Strip shows, burlesque shows, are all very cheap.

I can't imagine not gambling, LOL!

[Seabiscuit]

31. Put all your money into the first Majestic Lions machine from the central

elevators at the MGM Grand. Within an hour or so you should hit a jackpot worth over $1K and you'll accumulate winnings well over $1K before that. Then quit and book yourself a nice room wherever you like.

Then go see the "O" show at the Bellagio. If you can't get in, try "La Mystere" at TI.

[sandnsea]

32. Here's some stuff

We had a great time when we went, we took our kids and we don't gamble either. We spent a lot of time at Circus Circus watching the acts and the kids loved playing the games. My folks liked going to Henderson to all the factory tours. And Hoover Dam tours. Then, like everybody else said, there's lots of history in the area, and amazing scenery if you like the desert. Here's some links and stuff. Hope you have a good time!!

http://www.scenic-america.com/nevada/nevvegas.htm

[Coventina]

34. There's a Goddess temple a short ways out of town.

If you are interested in Wicca/Paganism.