While planning a trip to Las Vegas with first-timers, I asked myself,

carry your money,cc,in your front pocket

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D.A.G.SEATTLE
furdoo3@aol.com

1. Read Talk Vegas to ask questions and decide what all you want to do.
2. Comfortable shoes and pack light.
3. Divide your money into gambling sessions.
4. Don't gamble more than you normally would just to get 'free stuff'. That 'free stuff' can be VERY expensive.

jm

Excellent advise above, in addition I would recommend the following: 1. Obtain a map reflecting all of the hotel/casinos and their location. 2. Walking along the Strip (LV Blvd and/or Freemont Street is no more dangerous than any other city, USA - just be aware of what is going on around you , and be extremely careful when crossing streets on LV
Blvd. 3. Taxi drivers are unable to accept travelers checks so have cash when engaging taxis. There is alot of "free transportation one may take advantage of such as trams to or between" a. Ballys & MGM, Bellagio & Monte Carlo, Mirage and Treasure Island, Mandalay Bay and Excalibur with stops at Luxor. Shuttle buses (free), Sams town to Stardust & Fashion St Mall; Tropicana to Hardrock and Palace Station; Hardrock to Stardust; Barbary Coast to Gold Coast and Orleans; RIO to Harrahs; Stratosphere to Starbucks Shopping Ctr on LV Blvd and Convention Center. 4. Tipping is big in Las Vegas, so remember to do so when appropriate. Alot of shows in Vegas are free such as the light show on Freemont Street (downtown) every hour on the hour starting at dusk. The Pirate Ship battle at Treasure Island (first show at 4:15 pm), the exploding volcano in front of the Mirage, at night. The water fountain show in front of Bellagio (at night), the parade in the sky at the RIO. There is so much to see and do, you may not have time to see and do it all during your first trip, and you will surely know why Las Vegas is the most visited city on this planet - the main goal is to have fun. Wendell

Thanks to everyone.

I see I missed some good ones. Better yet, I'll just print out all your responses and hand it to them.

Jeff, Unfortunately, they don't have a computer.



[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 29 January 2001).]

The above advice was fabulous - I do believe almost everything was covered. Another idea would be to take one of us from the BB along for each "newbie" you are going with so they will always get instant, onsite, answers to questions we haven't thought of yet.

Wendell,

Your suggestion of taking a map of the area is most important. After many trips, we still carry a map of the area since there are many places we have not explored. Newcomers usually have no idea of the layout of the area

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Fred@talkvegas.com

Nice idea, Joyce.<s>

Beth

not intended to be funny--the first thing i do when entering a casino is ask where the pottys are.like in caesars you could be a long way from one.we always set up a meet here on the hour spot if people get separated from the group

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D.A.G.SEATTLE
furdoo3@aol.com

D.A.G.,

Nice thing to know. I'm one who should take your advice and do the same thing.<LOL>

Beth

My advice to someone going to Vegas for the first time is to do your research. It can be very overwhelming to someone who has never been there before. I think they also need to be realistic and realize that they will not be able to see everything, so they need to have some sort of a game plan to fit in the things that they really want to do. You can be easily distracted and end up not doing a lot of the things you really wanted to do if your not careful. Angie

Angie,

I agree. Planning is so important. And so is the realization that the strip is very big. An arial view does give you the true picture of how far it is from one casino to the next and how big each property is. We went last September for four days with two of them designated as sightseeing the new hotels built since our previous trip. On the second day of our trip we got up, put on our comfortable shoes and took our map marked with the itinerary for the day and started out. We walked and gawked, so many new things to see. Our day ended with the buffet at the new Alladin and the fountains at the Bellagio. We got in our car and headed back downtown to our hotel. We took in the Fremont Street Experience and hit the sack. The next morning we were so tired that the second day of the itinerary went unfulfilled and we just lolled around the downtown area and recuperated. The first week in March we are going back and will finish the second day of our September itinerary a little wiser.

So my advice is plan well and then cut your itinerary in half. It's supposed to be fun, not a chore. Las Vegas will still be there the next time.

Bob

There is definatly too much to see in one trip. Choose the things that are the most important to you to do and try to do them, if you don't hit them on your next trip. Our last few trips have been with "newbies" and it was quite exhausting, trying to conincide schedules is the hardest. My husband and I feel Las Vegas is not a place for sleep so we rarely get any while we are there. Our company on the other hand slept till noon so trying to set schedules for dining and sightseeing is difficult.

BTW how was the buffet at Aladdin? Any good? Our last trip there it hadn't opened yet.

Kayb16,

The buffet at the Aladdin was very good. The menu was one of the most varied we've seen and it was all good. They slice the crab legs so the meat is easy to get out. Trying to shell crab legs is one of my pet peaves. The only downside was the price. But if you don't eat there every day one trip would definitely be worth it.

And if you overdo it you can always go to the bazzar or whatever they call their mall and walk it off on those cobblestones. If you park at the self-park you have to walk through the mall and walk and walk and walk and walk.

Bob

You guys are right - it is difficult to see all in one trip - maybe that is how you get "hooked" like me. and of course IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, there is the forum shops of Caesars complete with talking statues, and Atlantis.
Don't forget the white tigers and shark tank at the Nirage, and the lion habitat at the MGM (I don't think I would like to get inside with the lions like these guys do) The observation deck of the Stratosphere (at night) is a sight to behold. The Strat is the tallest structure west of the Mississippi and the elevator to the observation deck and roller coaster travels 2l miles per hour and we could go on & on & on and that is why you have to keep coming back and back and back. Wendell

WOW,
Looks like you got most of the stuff covered.
1. comfortable shoes & clothing
2. have a plan on what you want to do, but if something else comes up that looks better, go for it. You may never get the chance again. Don't forget to smell the roses on the way through life.
3. money protection & managment
4. enjoy the people of Las Vegas. The locals, just keep on suprising me. There are a lot of good hearted people who live & work in Las Vegas. If you enjoyed there service, tip them, if they where nice, tell them thank you. Coming from the East Coast, (where everyone seems so rude at times) Vegans are a refreshing change. Just enjoy where you are after all....it's a vacation!

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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

Het,

First of all, let me welcome you to TalkVegas. Glad you joined us!

The part of the Strip that you most likely would want to walk during daytime hours is approximately 3 1/2 miles in length.

I refreshed this topic so that you can read some of the advice given by members to first-time visitors to Las Vegas. Please do ask any and all questions you may have as the members on this board enjoy sharing LV information and experiences no matter how many times one has visited our favorite city.

Beth

Thanks Beth, some great info and would like to say what a great message board this is.
My partner and myself are not big gamblers, but we will be trying our luck.
We would like to see a few shows, take loads of photos, and meet different people,and we would like to see some of the surrounding area, ie the hover dam, grand canyon.
we are also going to get married while in LV, nothing is arranged we are going to play it by ear,so any ideas would be welcome.
Have heard about the time share touts do they bother you much?
Many Thanks Het

Het,

IMO, the time share touts aren't as bothersome as some people lead one to believe. They usually ask where you're from and when you're leaving so they know whether you would be a target for show tickets and a timeshare presentation. We once answered and kept walking. Nowadays, we just keep walking and don't answer at all. I don't feel it is a problem.

I consider the Hoover Dam a must see for someone like yourself visiting the USA and Las Vegas for the first time. As for the Grand Canyon, it is a long day trip(nearly 300 miles one way) or best to make it an overnighter(unless you take a helicopter tour.) I'm not a person that would be anxious to go by helicopter.

A great sidetrip(if you plan to rent a car) would be the Valley of Fire. The park is majestic with great rock formations and colors. This I highly recommend for a quick daytrip.

There are many other sidetrips, but too many to try on a first visit. There is always the Black Canyon raft trip that we've enjoyed twice and I would definitely go again.

As far as wedding chapels, I cannot help you on that one.

Above all, be sure to plan(probably won't get to do it all), try not to get stressed out(that's a tough one) and have fun and enjoy. If you gamble and happen to win, that's icing on the cake.<s>

Oh, yes, please don't hesitate to ask any and all questions of the talkvegas members. They're always eager to help.

Beth

het,from reading your replies,if i may offer one last bit of advice,best plan your itinerary carefully.if you plan on --seeing the strip,outlying areas,getting married,shows and whatever---ain't gonna happen on a five day in town trip!

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D.A.G.SEATTLE
furdoo3@aol.com

I guess 7 nights would not be enough time to see all that LV has to offer, So i guess we will just have to come back again,good excuse eh!
I am relieved to hear that the time share do not pester you,they followed us down the street when we were in greece and we had to get a bit nasty with them
could any member give any guide lines on who and when to tip ? I understand this makes up part of their wage and we would not like to offend anyone.

best way to handle time share people is to tell them you live in summerlin,a local town.

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D.A.G.SEATTLE
furdoo3@aol.com

Het - I recommend you try this the next time the time share geeks approach

Look distraught and say "Oh I'm so sorry I didn't meet you sooner We just bought a time share unit yesterday from a nice old lady who gave us a great deal. We would be willing to trade time with you if you like."


[This message has been edited by bigboomer (edited 11 May 2001).]

Het,
Everyone wants a tip in vegas. Rule #1, always have plenty of 1 dollar bills!

We've covered this in great lengh before, but I'm not good at digging up old posts. Maybe Beth remembers where or what it's listed under.
These are my guide lines for tipping. Some tip more others less. This is what I'm comfortable with...
Valet $1 to $2, I tip when droping off and picking up.
Resturant waiters/waitresses, 10% to 20% of total bill, depending on service renderd. I've already left pennies if thay have been rude.
bartenders, cocktail waiter/waitresses. $1 a round for up to 2 people. more people served in your party.....higher tips! Note, if your drinking quite a bit at a particular bar, a higher tip will often garner better service, and stronger pours (more booze in the drink).
Cab drivers, $2 + the small change. Again a rude driver gets nothing!
Cab hailers, a dollar.
shows, if it's matri'd seating $20 for a decent seat for 2 at a nice show (above $35 a ticket) $5 or $10 for a modest show ($10 to $35 a ticket)
shows with reserved seating, I always give a buck to the person if they help me find my seat.
bellman that brings or takes luggage to/from room, approx $1.50 per bag, however, I have been known to tip a little heavier on this if they have gone out of there way in any fashion.
There are other people you can tip, but it's not nessesary, change people, slot attendents, change booth personel, cashier personel, security if they have helped you, dealers if they have been nice or you've been lucky, even doormen, they will all except tips!
As you can see, it can get quite expencive fast! <S>
Like I said at the begining, these are my standard tips, I can sway either way depending on service renderd, my mood, or if they just make me laugh! The key with me is, am I having a good time, and if others help in that respect, I like to show my appreation with a smile, tip and a thank you!




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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com