If this is your first trip to Vegas, here are some tips that in hindsight l wished I had known. First - Vegas can be overwhelming, so I highly recommend having some sort of basic trip plan/agenda for the days you are there. Our group just "played it by ear" and honestly we missed out on a lot of great things that we had wanted to do. Second - If you are renting a car, make a reservation. By the time we decided to do this there was not a single car available in Vegas. If you are not renting a car, plan to budget a fair amount of $$ for transportation.
Also, taxis (even the vans) only allow 5 people per vehicle. As for lodging, we stayed at the Aladdin. The rooms were large & tastefully decorated. The food was wonderful and the drinks, strong. My main complaint was that in general, service was poor and unfriendly. As for food, everywhere we ate was wonderful with one major exception - Sam's Town Buffet. Under no circumstances should you allow yourself to be dragged there. It's very cheap and has gotten some good reviews but trust me, it is NOT worth it. As for the sites, the night view from the Stratosphere is spectacular and a must for everyone. The NY rollercoaster is overrated and pricey, don't bother. Paris and NY are beautiful casinos to just walk through. The MT Wax museum had several exhibits removed for repairs when we went. We were not advised of this upon entry, so be sure to ask before paying if there are particular ones you are interested in. Treasure Island's pirate ship show is being revamped & is closed to the public until October(?). Bellagio's fountains and the Mirage's erupting volcano were very beautiful (and free!). The Freemont Street Experience light show was fun. Also, it is actually a different show every hour. Las Vegas was great and we all had a wonderful time. We will absolutely go back - however next time we will do a little more advance planning :)

We just returned from an enjoyable week in Las Vegas. For those planning to go for the first time, we have some suggestions First rent a car. With all the free parking available at the Hotels, you will provide yourself with flexibility, minimum frustration and a saving of time. However, use Koval Lane to avoid the heavy and slow moving traffic on Las Vegas Blvd. For value and quality of food, Luxor's Pharaoh's Pheast Buffet would be hard to beat. As for entertainment we saw five shows two of which were outstanding and in themselves made the trip worthwhile. The shows are the fabulous Clint Holmes and his talented group at Harrah's and Cirque du Soleil's spectacular "O" at the Bellagio. Take a couple of drives outside oif the city such as to Ethel M. Chocalate Factory and Cactus Garden Tour only 15 minutes from the Strip and the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area west of the Las Vegas Strip. A note of caution, Caesar's the Race for Atlantis Imax 3D ride should be avoided. In short Race from Atlantis and save yourself time and money. They offer motion free seats, two folding chairs, for people with neck and back problems. The guide who introduces the show looked about 14 years old and mumbled. The picture was not in focus. It was a real rip off.

My husband and I travel to Las Vegas twice a year. It is a wonderful place to get away from it all. Where else can you drink too much and sleep with all your clothes on in a bath tub and still want to come back in six months. Not too many places. The value is still in Las Vegas.. But, downtown is friendlier and looser.. And of course there is always the chance that you could get lucky on a slot machine or whatever your game of choice is.. Sure, your not going to Vegas to gamble.. So then go visit the Pope in Rome.. Viva Las Vegas forever..

I absolutely love Las vegas! I've been reading the reviews & some people are being alittle picky. No-I would not take my kids to Vegas, "sin city"-nothing more needs to be said. I go there 3 times a yr and I, my husband nor friends are rich. We have spent alot if want to and very little. On hotels-you need to search the net for deals.
tripreservations, travel worm, vegas.com. Do not book until you get one on the huge hotels for no more than $79/night. I have never paid more and I have gone every time of the year. I have stayed at the Rio, Excalibur, Luxor, Tropicana, Aladin and even at a cheap hole in the wall 1 mile from NYNY/MGM-WIld Wild West at $29/night Fri & Sat. I have never had a bad experience and I find that the standard rooms are pretty much the same in all places. The bad about the big hotels is that it takes forever to get to your room-thru the hotel, up the elevator, so I like the smaller ones just to get around quick-San Remo, etc. I've rented a car & that is perfect to get around, just drive down the back streets & stay off the strip. You can relax at the pools or party the entire time. And you can find cheap drinks. Their are $1 drinks at many of the small hotels between the big ones. Or downtown, but you'll pay for the taxi. Buy some and walk around. Buy beer and drink it on your room. Improvise! Yes, if you go to the clubs, the drinks are outrageous, but thats always so. Or don't drink and people watch. You can find places everywhere to just sit and watch. I like to go for no more than 4 days or it gets a bit overwhelming. As many have said. If you like crowds, tons of things to do, shopping, hanging out at the pool, (Rio and tropicanas are the best), it's the place for you.
If if you do not like people and crowds, I do not recommend Vegas at anytime!