Going to Vegas for the First Time!

[RippedMan]

Hey, so I'm planning a Vegas trip. Never been before. Anyone have any idea how to stay there for cheap? All the hotels seem kind of expensive. My flight is cheapish so i just want to keep the whole trip manageable. 

[Jordan Catalano]

I love Vegas! Depending on when you're going, you can find rooms on the Strip at either New York New York or The Excalibur (I prefer NYNY) for around $60 a night. Of course that changes depending on when you'll be there and the days of the week, but those are right there on the strip and very affordable. For usually around $20 or so more you can upgrade to a room with a view of the Strip, but since you won't be in there that much it's not worth it. 

 

[South Florida]

Don't gamble.  The wooden horses are amusing.  $20 on your home team to win the Super Bowl next year is a fun diversion.

It could pay for another trip.

[FindingNamo]

NYNY.

 

 

[ArtMan]

Look at various hotels that are in Downtown (off the strip) Vegas, around Freemont Street Experience.  Some do not charge resort fees or they are quite cheap.  If you are pricing various hotels on sites, make sure the resort fees are stated in your total due, or you will have quite a suprise at checkout. If you stay Downtown, the Duece bus is right there and for $8 a day you can ride it for 24 hours. Example, of prices.  I am going in June am staying at the El Cortez.  They recently filmed Elle Goulding video here.  My five nights with taxes, resort fees and 5%online discount is $250.  Not bad, for Vegas and amount of time staying in room.  Staying Downtown, I will be in walking distance of Mob Museum and Neon Museum, which will be my first visit.  If you plan on going out to gay bars, most are off the strip and you need to take the bus/taxi to get there.  So don't let that be a reason not to stay Downtown.

[RippedMan]

I really don't care where we stay as I've never been, and I'm sure there are buses/cabs and whatnot anyway. We're just going to see Britney and some shows. 

I'll look at the El Cortez. 

[ArtMan]

If you haven't purchased your Brittney tickets yet, Travelzoo is offering discounted tickets for various performances.  Also, there is a half off for tickets option In Vegas, that I have not used.  However, when I spoke over the phone to them the prices quoted to me were not that cheap.  Groupon current has some good discounts. Sign up for M-Life.  They sent me an email yesterday for some of the bigger shows with discounts. (Like Love, O etc) These discounts were for March, so don't know when you are going.

[RippedMan]

We're planning for April so we have time to save and whatnot.

[Mr Roxy]

Been to Vegas 10 times. Always stayed on the strip. Last year, we stayed downtown at the Golden Nugget. Pool is not like normal hotel pools. It has a shark tank in the middle. Kind of reminded me of certain people on BWW.It was ok. Downtown the Fremont Street experience is free nightly. A great place to visit is the Mob Museum. If you are on a budget, this is the place to be. They also have a zip line that runs the length of Fremont street.

 

Go to Vegas.com for more info. Enjoy yourself.

[Jordan Catalano]

You forgot to mention that you saw Al Pacino in HUGHIE. 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

I've been thinking about going to Vegas too. Not to see mime-act Britney, though - not when (arguably) the world's greatest diva is on just down the road at Caesar's Palace, actually singing live (!) every night.

[RippedMan]

Yeah, I don't love a Celine. But I get it. I'm not arguing that Britney is a great singer or anything.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Each to their own. Enjoy!

[ArtMan]

Jay, Make sure you check Celine's schedule, if her show is on the top of your list.  For example, she is not performing during the month of April.  They have Elton John, Rod Stewart and Jerry Seinfield.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Thanks. A new batch of tickets for September - November just went on sale, so that's when I'm thinking of going.

[ArtMan]

Mr Roxy, Would you say your Downtown Vegas experience was positive? This will be the first time, for me, not staying on the strip.  Considering, I am going to the Grand Canyon, one full day and Red Rock Canyon for a half day, the room is not that big a deal for me.  I also know Downtown, is the last place to find some cheap eats.  I enjoyed a $8.99 prime rib dinner at Tony Romas a couple of years ago.  They still have that same special.

[ArtMan]

double post

[Mr Roxy]

We just like the fancy places on the strip . Downtown is fine and you should have a great time.

[RippedMan]

Do the cirque shows do any kind of rush or should we just get everything in advance? 

Any other lesser known things we should see/do? Any cool/fun nightclubs?

[Mr Roxy]

Near the Fashion Mall on the strip is, I believe, some sort of half price booth. Check on the website I gave you for this type of info

[RippedMan]

Have any of you done these "bundle" deals on like Kayak or Expedia? They're pretty cheap, but I can't seem to find a flight back that is reasonable at all. They all have me leaving at 2am and flying for 12 hours.

[Mr Roxy]

Cannot help you there. 

[rosscoe(au)]

Don't stay at Luxor, awful hotel. Better places to be found.

[Mr Roxy]

Possibly a worse one would be Circus Circus which is long past its shelf life.

[ArtMan]

Ripped Man, There is no rush for shows.  If Cirque shows are what you are interested in, join M Life as I stated earlier.  They represent the Cirque shows.  Also go on the Cirque website and register for Club Cirque.   They will then send you promotions for the shows.  O is not much of a discount.  But they currently have buy one get one free ( or for $15), for Ka, Love, Zumanity and Cris Angel.  The half off booth has some of the Cirque shows for various discounts.   As I stated earlier, I did not find it to be much of a discount.  I believe the discounts are off the top ticket price.  As far as the flights, sometimes you got to take the good with the bad.  My flight was free with airline points.  Going to Vegas, my two flights are a dream.  Coming home, I take three flights starting at 8 pm and not getting home till 10:30 am the next day.  When booking flights out of Las Vegas, do not book with tight connections.  It has been my past experience that flights do not leave at the scheduled time.  Especially in mid to later day.

[Mr Roxy]

Totally agree with Art re flights leaving Vegas