Vegas 2011 was my (and every one else's) first visit to Sin City. Here are some tips:
- Plan. At least a bit. Like which hotels/areas you'll hit up each day and how you'll get there. You'd be surprised at how quickly time flies by
- Transportation. If you're lucky (and rich), your hotel is smack in the middle of the strip. We, on the other hand, were at the bottom end of the Strip. The Strip is about 5 miles long and walking it is a pretty long way. The Deuce/Express bus is a good (read:cheap) option to get from bottom to top, and so is the monorail.
- Cab rides are not cheap. Some are there to rip you off. If you are further north than Tropicana, it's cheaper to take a shuttle bus to your hotel from the airport.
- Budget. Food costs money. Gambling costs money. Beer costs money. Transportation cost money. Everything costs money. Goes hand in hand with planning. Figure out what places you'll blow your $ on .. and try not to bet your first born kid and your house.
- Beer is cheap in the little beer/souvenir stores on the Strip. Yes, it is real beer. Yes, it is cheap, and YES you can drink it on the street! Double your beer intake by buying it in the store and not in the hotels.
- Stamps are a rip off at the hotel concierge. They charge you double, as I've found out. I found a beer/souvenir shop that has a stamp vending machine!
- Forget the north end of the strip. Like anything near Circus Circus/Sahara (which is closing down)/Riviera/Trump. They are lame and time-wasting.
- Go to the Las Vegas Premium outlet mall and buy craploads of clothes! (and don't waste your time at the outlet center at the bottom of the strip)
- Watch the Bellagio fountains at night (try not to fall in if you're drunk). If possible, watch it from the Eiffel Tower in Paris hotel.
- Eat at Bouchon in Venetian. Don't get the french toast (not so great), but get the chicken and waffles and a cup of coffee (excellent food).
- Best bathrooms are in Palazzo
- Be serenaded in a gondola in the Venetian ($16/person)
- Eat a dessert or bakery item from Jean Philippe Patisserie. And drool at the fondue fountain!
- Visit Freemont St at night time. It's pretty cool and free.
- Buffets at Wynn/Bellagio are expensive and overrated. But try at least one.
- The nicer the hotel, the less smoke smell you'll find in the lobby/casino area. For example, Bellagio has a soapy scent while New York New York reeks of smoke.
- Best indoor areas (casino/shopping/lobby) are Paris, Venetian, Palazzo, Bellagio, Mirage and Cosmo. Nods also to Luxor, Aria, and Mandalay Bay.
- If your flight is quite a while after check out, most hotels let you leave your luggage with them for free. Just don't gamble or lose your luggage ticket!
- DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR ID.
- If you get a chance, go visit Red Rock Canyon and Grand Canyon. Something to see at least once in your lifetime.
