View Full Version : School me on Las Vegas: How to Survive, How to Have Fun, How not to go broke....
Doc Safari
11-07-13, 15:25
I'm making my first trip to Las Vegas after the holidays, and I've got some questions for you "veterans" that have been many times, or simply travel a lot (not necessarily just to Vegas).
There are some things I know, like Blackjack is a game with halfway decent odds for the gambler, compared to a lot of other games.
I also know a lot of casinos feed you free drinks as long as you're gambling.
But there are other concerns:
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards?
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)?
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me?
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there?
6. What shows would you recommend?
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend?
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)?
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon?
10. Anything I've forgotten?
Any advice will be appreciated.
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards?
Whatever you bring in, expect to lose. Consider all your cash to be "entertainment expenses" whether that be buffets, fine dining, gambling, shows, etc. Prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas. If you happen to win money, consider that a bonus. But go in with every expectation to lose all your cash. That being said, you can limit yourself by bringing cash and not cards. Make the decision now, not when you're on the floor and you feel like you've hit a lucky streak because you haven't. There is no such thing.
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)?
It all depends where you stay and what you do. You can get by very cheap in Vegas, and you can spend hundreds a day. On off-peak times, $100/day can cover it. Then again, you can pay $200/meal if you want, so it really depends.
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me?
I like those paracord necklaces with my cash/id/card hanging from my neck but under my shirt. Makes it very hard to be pick pocketed. Just be aware. It's not as bad as many parts of Europe.
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
You can open carry in Vegas. You can carry a loaded weapon on your passenger seat. I wouldn't carry it loaded in a suitcase though, that might be considered "concealed."
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there?
Yes, book as soon as possible. There are lots of conventions at all times of the year, so you never know what random hotel might be completely booked. But if you're just looking for any lodging, it shouldn't be a problem.
6. What shows would you recommend?
Zumanity and Penn & Teller are my favorites.
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend?
I don't think there's a zoo in Vegas... besides the MGM. Go visit Hoover Dam / Lake Meade if you have time, you can get helo rides from Vegas to the Grand Canyon too if you haven't seen that. Red Rock Canyon is neat, and Mt. Charleston a short drive away has skiing and such in the winter.
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)?
Driving on the strip itself is a nightmare. If you're planning on staying on the strip, walk/monorail/taxi/free shuttle/bus. There are tons of free shuttles from the airport to the strip and back. If you're going to leave the strip to visit more of Vegas (there isn't a whole lot more to Vegas than the strip for a tourist), get a car for those specific days.
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon?
Not really.
Koshinn gave you some really good advice, here are mine. I am a thrifty traveler and not much of a gambler.
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards? I usually bring $500 in cash, it's for tips, gambling (limit $50 a day, that's nothing) and other expenses. I used credit cards for food. I don't drink.
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)? When booked as a flight/hotel package, staying at a 4.5 star hotel (Mirage), it cost me just under $1200 for two. All the hotels have buffet, they're not like your local Golden Corral buffets. They have excellent food from every parts of the world. Buffets are anywhere from $15 for breakfast, to $45 for dinner, depend on the hotel. All casinos also have different types of restaurants serving anywhere from coffee, sandwiches to big named chef restaurants ($100 per person easy). Portions are huge no matter where you eat, so you won't get hungry, unless you're a really picky eater. We usually eat light during the day and have one big meal (either buffet or at a bistro). We save the fancy restaurant for one special meal.
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me? See Koshinn's response.
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something? I always fly, and I never needed a car while in Vegas. So no handgun for me.
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there? Yes. I've already booked our hotel/flight for the SHOT show (mid January 2014)
6. What shows would you recommend? We've never had any interest in shows.
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend? Sightseeing on the strip will occupy at least 3 days and it will wear you out.
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)? Car is not required for staying on the strip. When we had to travel more than 2 miles, we rode taxis. From the airport, we do either taxi or shuttle.
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon? Don't get arrested. LOL
10. Anything I've forgotten? You will be shocked the first time you walk the Strip. There will be groups of Mexicans standing around corners of Las Vegas Blvd. handing out hookers cards. Each of them will snap the cards with their fingers and hand out our 5 or 6. In 200 yds. you'd collect about 2" of cards.
Go to the Forum Shops at the Caesars Palace, if you like watches, there is Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, they sell high ends watches. There are watch stores in just about every hotel/casino.
Have fun.
Yeah, you can easilly spend your entire vacation eating and exploring hotels on the strip. Adding shows and gambling means you should add days to the vacation. I've never seen someone go without taking a nap by the second full day there, lol.
Doc Safari
11-07-13, 16:39
I'm not really a gambler or a drinker. I figured I'd play a handful of "token" games of Blackjack just to say I did it. I'll be traveling with the GF and her daughter so meals are going to eat a lot of my money.
They're into shows and reptile exhibits and whatnot.
A little dated but with useful info: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?38992-Must-see-do-in-Vegas
We don't drink or gamble, but had a good time in Vegas sight seeing, people watching, eating, and taking in a few shows. We flew in, used the Deuce a lot, cabs a little, and shuttles to and from the airport. We bought show tickets through (cheap tickets?) or something like that. Otherwise, you can spend as little or as much as you like. Get maps of the strip and locations you want to go to for best time management.
I like to stay somewhere on the strip between MGM Grand and Treasure Island. You can walk to most anything from there or get an unlimited tram pass, although it seems like a ten mile hike to get through the casinos to the tram.
One of my favorite things to see in Las Vegas is the fountains at the Bellagio. Don't miss it. All of the Cirque du Soleil shows are pretty good, but you may want to look them up online and see which ones you would like best. Penn and Teller do a great show at the Rio.
Also, while prostitution is illegal in Vegas, if a beautiful 22 year old girl seems really interested in you, you aren't as interesting as you think. ;) A friend of mine was drinking at a casino bar at three am one night and a a girl was chatting him up. When he finally found out she was a prostitute he was like "you have got to be shitting me". He told me that he thought all along he was just that amazing, but that happens to the best of us when we are drunk at 3am. :D
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
I'm short on time and will advise more later… The vehicle you are driving is considered an "extension of your home" type of thing here in Nevada. The glovebox, under your leg or concealed are all perfectly legit while in the vehicle. Outside of the car you can open carry legally here. LV Metro are very up to date on OC stuff and if you choose to do so shouldn't give you any grief. Carry in casinos is legal but being private property they make the rules at their place type of thing.
While prostitution is illegal in Vegas, it is not in most of the rest of the state if you go to a brothel. There are a few right on the Clark County line.
I've never actually been to one, but living there, I've heard stories.
Kind of expensive, around 100 bucks, but the Sky Jump at the Stratosphere was one of the most fun things I have ever done.
Each of the major hotels are a mall in their own. If you like engineering and architecture then you will enjoy the buildings. They are pretty amazing and beautiful. I don't drink and I had a lot of fun there.
Been 15 years since I've been there but for what it's worth
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards?
Personal choice, I prefer to take a wad of cash out each day and deal it out as necessary. I've never had my CC# stolen
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)?
Again, personal preference. You can eat pretty damn cheap there if you look for it. This won't be on the strip. Lodging same, the hotels on the strip are wonders to behold and convenient, there is a price for that which can be somewhat mitigated with packages. Whatnot depends on how much whatnot you want to buy.
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me?
I've never had a problem with security in general, don't remember anything untoward when I was there. Anything you should be doing at home is the same stuff you should be doing there.
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
Don't remember their laws and reciprocity issues (assuming you have a concealed carry license) would be dependent on what state you're from. You'll have to look them up on the Nevada state website
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there?
Depends on whether you want to stay on or off the strip, although even on strip you could probably find something without much prep if you don't have a very specific preference on which hotel you want to stay in. Pre-booking usually helps, IMHO, finding the deals though.
6. What shows would you recommend?
Only thing I did was the star trek exhibit, no clue if it's something still there, pretty damn cool.
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend?
Hoover damn was cool as hell.
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)?
You can pretty much do a whole vacation with 75% walking and 25% cab pretty easy. We might have rented a car for a day or so for something like hoover.
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon?
I couldn't think of a place conus more attitude liberal than there. Perhaps mardi gras but iv'e never been.
10. Anything I've forgotten?
I treat the gambling as such: I dedicate $20 per day for gambling, when I lose that I'm done. It's timed entertainment, you aren't going to get rich. If you do win something put it in your pocket at the end of the day, walk out, and say thanks to the lord for the gift.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Good luck
At least one range has submachine guns for rent. Fun. Check the yellow pages.
But there are other concerns:
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards?
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)?
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me?
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there?
6. What shows would you recommend?
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend?
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)?
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon?
10. Anything I've forgotten?
Any advice will be appreciated.
1. Pick a hotel/casino that will be your base of operations. Wire $10-15k to your hotel. You do not need to spend all of this money. Anything you do not spend can be wired back. The hotel will comp you (seriously) thousands of dollars worth of perks because they think you are high roller and assume you intend to spend the whole nut Vegas. Most everything can be billed to your room. If you want to jump around, I like about $500-1000 in cash for just walking around. However, in my particular case, it is very unlikely I would get robbed in Vegas.
2. Right now, you can get hotels for $100-200 per night depending on what you want. Of course, the sky is the limit. Right now the Luxor is less than $60 a night. Maybe plan for another $100 per day as mad money. In general the hotels will comp you very good food and drinks as part of the experience (also see #1).
3. Do not get one of those stupid neck wallets that screams tourist. Trim down your wallet to folding money, ID, and one credit card and keep it in your front pocket. Basic travel rules apply. Don't look like a victim or an easy mark.
4. Don't know. I do not find it necessary and I have travelled to far worse places than Vegas (see #3).
5. Book in advance for the best deals, and shop around.
6. I (and the wife) like Cirque du Soleil and Penn & Teller.
7. People watching on the strip.
8. I really think that will depend on your group dynamics. I don't like being tethered to a car but my wife feels a car to be a necessity. If you want to check out the Cat Houses you will need a car.
9. I am pretty sure they have seen it all. You really could not surprise them. Just general rules for life, be respectful, remember you are a tourist, and try to stay reasonably legal.
10. Don't get a tattoo.
Doc Safari
11-08-13, 12:57
3. Do not get one of those stupid neck wallets that screams tourist. Trim down your wallet to folding money, ID, and one credit card and keep it in your front pocket. Basic travel rules apply. Don't look like a victim or an easy mark.
LOL! I was looking at those at Amazon yesterday. :lol:
What I did order was a wallet you loop over your belt and stash it down inside your pants.
At least one range has submachine guns for rent. Fun. Check the yellow pages.
Almost all of them do!
If you want to shoot some full auto, go to American Shooters via taxi. Locals go there all the time. Ignore "The Gun Range", it's a tourist trap.
Las Vegas
Great show: Penn and Teller
Cheap/ clean Hotel: Hooters Hotel and Casino
Nicer Hotel/ Resort off the strip: Redrock Casino & Resort
Security: Most Hotel rooms have a safe in the closet, if you stick to the tourist areas you should be fine. The Police are everywhere, because dead tourists are bad for P.R.
BTW: Do not drink and drive in Vegas between the Police and Highway Patrol many are picked-up for DUI. Take a cab it is much cheaper.
Lastly, the machine gun ranges are fun but figure something like a buck a shot. I usually drop a hundred or so when I go.
If you are a single guy, Vegas is a fun town.
P.S. Check with the hotels before you decide on your travel plans, because if there is a convention in town the room rates triple.
ForTehNguyen
11-09-13, 18:28
be sure to visit the Twin Peaks restaurant too near the Harley Davidson restaurant on the strip.
Las Vegas
Great show: Penn and Teller
Cheap/ clean Hotel: Hooters Hotel and Casino
Nicer Hotel/ Resort off the strip: Redrock Casino & Resort
Security: Most Hotel rooms have a safe in the closet, if you stick to the tourist areas you should be fine. The Police are everywhere, because dead tourists are bad for P.R.
BTW: Do not drink and drive in Vegas between the Police and Highway Patrol many are picked-up for DUI. Take a cab it is much cheaper.
Lastly, the machine gun ranges are fun but figure something like a buck a shot. I usually drop a hundred or so when I go.
If you are a single guy, Vegas is a fun town.
P.S. Check with the hotels before you decide on your travel plans, because if there is a convention in town the room rates triple.
Hooters casino has/had $0.25 wings after mid night!
Ive only been once so far (shot 2012) and planning on shot 2014. I really like vegas and am excited about possibly going back. Im lucky in that A friend of mine who met up with me there had lived there before and had some connections, so I was pretty fortunate in some cases. The others pretty much summed up all your specific Q's so Ill add some impressions.
Id always heard vegas was cheap... not really especially if your not gambling. Drinks in the casino on the main strip where quite a bit more expensive than home. Not just a buck or two more, closer to double IIRC. Food was equally expensive on the strip but the quality is pretty high and the selection is enormous. I fast made friends with the "In and Out Burger" and some random Mexican café that made great breakfast omlettes. Its not fair to all women there but generally assume all pretty girls are prostitutes even if their travelling in packs. Yes, I too was fooled into thinking being in vegas made me a stud and I needed something to "stay in vegas". Even flirty girls at the burger joint turned out to be strippers on the way to work. Ive been told cheaper fare can be found on the old strip, but I didn't make it there.
The Hooker card thing is pretty entertaining to me, it really is everywhere on the strip. Its Vegas' pimply pasty underbelly poking out from under its ill fitting cheap suit. Every corner, entrance, steps, escalators, if its public outside and a choke point youll hear the clicking immediately and when you get closer the side walk is covered in the trampled cards. Don't make eye contact just keep your hands in your pockets and keep going, otherwise they have a way of stuffing them into your possession so your left being the jerk to drop them on the sidewalk or be stuck needing a trash can or stuff them in your pocket with the intent to toss later only to forget and possibly face embarrassing questions from someone who invariably wont understand. Id hate to take kids to vegas and have to explain to them why there are pictures of naked women all over the ground.
If you have time to get out, which I did, go see Hoover Dam/Lake Meade, its incredible. No picture or video can capture how massive it is. Take time to meander across to the other side and check out the bypass tunnel(?). You could probably throw a house down it and not touch the sides. Even just not being from that part of the country the landscape is awesome and id love to be able to have the time to take some closer looks.
The only discomfort I faced, I think resulted from the dry conditions. My eyes were dry and irritated a lot of the time and I ended up carrying visine everywhere. Not really had that problem before, so it stood out.
Quick tip… Sit at the bar, any bar, drop $20 in the poker machine. Play $1.25 and order a drink, it's free. Cash out, tip bartender, cruise and booze.
Go to Firefly, it's inexpensive and a really good Spanish Tapas bar close to the Strip. I've taken myriad people there and everyone's loved it.
Any taxi cab will have a book of coupons for you to take with you in the back seat. The guys who rent the machine guns always have a coupon in there. (last 2 times I went I just mentioned it and got the $5 off)
My rule for gambling is to start with $20 at the 5$ table. If I lose it within an hour I don't gamble the rest of the day. If I have more than $20 by then I walk away and hit another table/casino. I usually walk away a winner, but never come home with it.
Vegas is as much fun as you can afford. Any of the Cirque de Sole shows are really interesting imo.
Oh and if you go to Saphire's (strip club) have them drop you off a half a block before the building. They kick back $20 to the taxi driver and charge it to you as a cover charge.
I'm making my first trip to Las Vegas after the holidays, and I've got some questions for you "veterans" that have been many times, or simply travel a lot (not necessarily just to Vegas).
There are some things I know, like Blackjack is a game with halfway decent odds for the gambler, compared to a lot of other games.
I also know a lot of casinos feed you free drinks as long as you're gambling.
But there are other concerns:
1. How much cash should I take, as opposed to using credit cards?
2. How much should I expect to spend, per day, on food, lodging, and whatnot (excluding shows & gambling)?
3. Given that Vegas is not for amateurs, and that professional thieves undoubtedly make a good living there, what security measures should I take as far as how I carry my cash and credit cards on me?
4. Can I carry a loaded handgun in our travel vehicle, as long as it's in a suitcase or something?
5. Do you recommend booking hotels well in advance, or is there enough to go around that we shouldn't have trouble finding lodging once we get there?
6. What shows would you recommend?
7. What year-round attractions (like zoos, boat rides, etc.) would you recommend?
8. Do you recommend renting a car, or are taxis okay (we are traveling to Vegas as part of a group)?
9. Is there any sort of social demeanor that is frowned upon?
10. Anything I've forgotten?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Happiness is Vegas in the rear view mirror in my book. Only show I'd say is always worth seeing are the cirque du soleil shows, which I always enjoy. Employ all good personal security measures for obvious reasons. I tended to bring an inside door lock for hotel room, cash always stored where it can't be accessed (short of armed robbery) and stuck mostly to the strip unless accompanied by persons who knew the area.
I really liked getting out of the city and seeing the desert. It's quite beautiful in its own stark way. Wouldn't want to live out there, but an afternoon of hiking was really enjoyable.
Good luck.
Ellis Island Casino and Brewery, off the strip but close. Where the locals go. Great BBQ cheap drinks like it should be, or used to be.
The Orleans is a nice place to stay thats just off the strip. Plus, it's home to the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team! It's worth going even if you're not a hockey fan, it's a sport that you have to see in person. Tickets are pretty cheap, around $20, and you're pretty close to the action from any seat.
Cheap way to get hammered is to sit at a Keno game and just keep playing cheap games.
Omlette House is good place to eat, they're far fron the strip though.
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