Discussion
numtumfutunch said:
Mortarboard said:
Maverick are good, but not cheap (as noted) can do business tours too, but you want the south rim, not west. It's alooooong way by bus/coach.
There's a fun tour that takes about four hours that covers Counts Customs, Shelby Factory/museum and Pawn Stars that is well run, done by "Annie Bananie". If you're into that sort of thing. Didn't take forever, didn't cost a fortune.
M.
Maverick were greatThere's a fun tour that takes about four hours that covers Counts Customs, Shelby Factory/museum and Pawn Stars that is well run, done by "Annie Bananie". If you're into that sort of thing. Didn't take forever, didn't cost a fortune.
M.
Pretty spendy but we were very happy supping 'Maverick champagne' on the canyon floor
Utterly stunning and a life long memory
We did the afternoon trip which got back to the strip at dusk when the lights went on - strong recommendation
Other heli operators are available, Google suggests not all of their customers come back !!!!
Cheers, am risk averse but would defintely do again. Honestly an unforgettable trip
My only complaint was that I ended up sat next to a very old man who was with his daughter, who needed to relieve himself mid-flight on the way back and ended up doing it in a sick bag. Having an old geezer with his todger out next to me was not really what I expected/needed on my honeymoon! And he tried to walk home when we landed in the Grand Canyon and it took his daughter/others about an hour to find him. Other than that, a great trip!
Visiting Vegas followed by NYC for the second time next month - can't wait.
I have the Sphere booked and a Grand Canyon day trip, but not much else at the moment.
Last time we were unprepared and didn't use our time wisely - totally missed the old town entirely so want to spend more time there. We did the rotating restaurant and Cirque de Soleil 'O' last time - Are any other regular shows worth seeking out?
Gun range above sounds good, assuming my Wife wouldn't want to shoot is there an opportunity to watch?
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes? Noted the one above by the mob museum. On that note, I wanted to visit this but looks a bit dull anyone been?
I have the Sphere booked and a Grand Canyon day trip, but not much else at the moment.
Last time we were unprepared and didn't use our time wisely - totally missed the old town entirely so want to spend more time there. We did the rotating restaurant and Cirque de Soleil 'O' last time - Are any other regular shows worth seeking out?
Gun range above sounds good, assuming my Wife wouldn't want to shoot is there an opportunity to watch?
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes? Noted the one above by the mob museum. On that note, I wanted to visit this but looks a bit dull anyone been?
joropug said:
Gun range above sounds good, assuming my Wife wouldn't want to shoot is there an opportunity to watch?
Probably not, as it would be a live firing range so they wouldn't want people hanging around - I remember when I was firing the MP5 rifle the bloke supervising you actually had his pistol drawn in case you went made. 
joropug said:
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes? Noted the one above by the mob museum. On that note, I wanted to visit this but looks a bit dull anyone been?
You'll get lower minimums Downtown or places like Luxor or Excalibur on the Strip. If you are staying mid-Srip it is worth strolling one block behind Horseshoe/Ballys to Ellis Island which is good value for gaming and has plenty of cheap food options (plus discounts if you sign up for the players club).The Mob Museum is good. Covers organised crime in the prohibition era as well as just Vegas history. Interesting building hosting it too.
The Atomic Testing museum is small but interesting.
joropug said:
Visiting Vegas followed by NYC for the second time next month - can't wait.
I have the Sphere booked and a Grand Canyon day trip, but not much else at the moment.
Last time we were unprepared and didn't use our time wisely - totally missed the old town entirely so want to spend more time there. We did the rotating restaurant and Cirque de Soleil 'O' last time - Are any other regular shows worth seeking out?
Gun range above sounds good, assuming my Wife wouldn't want to shoot is there an opportunity to watch?
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes? Noted the one above by the mob museum. On that note, I wanted to visit this but looks a bit dull anyone been?
Ring up battlefield vegas or drop them an email and ask. I suspect they might let her watch, they're a friendly bunch.I have the Sphere booked and a Grand Canyon day trip, but not much else at the moment.
Last time we were unprepared and didn't use our time wisely - totally missed the old town entirely so want to spend more time there. We did the rotating restaurant and Cirque de Soleil 'O' last time - Are any other regular shows worth seeking out?
Gun range above sounds good, assuming my Wife wouldn't want to shoot is there an opportunity to watch?
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes? Noted the one above by the mob museum. On that note, I wanted to visit this but looks a bit dull anyone been?
numtumfutunch said:
Mortarboard said:
Maverick are good, but not cheap (as noted) can do business tours too, but you want the south rim, not west. It's alooooong way by bus/coach.
There's a fun tour that takes about four hours that covers Counts Customs, Shelby Factory/museum and Pawn Stars that is well run, done by "Annie Bananie". If you're into that sort of thing. Didn't take forever, didn't cost a fortune.
M.
Maverick were greatThere's a fun tour that takes about four hours that covers Counts Customs, Shelby Factory/museum and Pawn Stars that is well run, done by "Annie Bananie". If you're into that sort of thing. Didn't take forever, didn't cost a fortune.
M.
Pretty spendy but we were very happy supping 'Maverick champagne' on the canyon floor
Utterly stunning and a life long memory
We did the afternoon trip which got back to the strip at dusk when the lights went on - strong recommendation
Other heli operators are available, Google suggests not all of their customers come back !!!!
Cheers, am risk averse but would defintely do again. Honestly an unforgettable trip
WRT the Sphere - I loathed it! In fairness it was the show itself rather than the venue, though it's not the easiest to get to. It's certainly walkable for an unfit adult (me!) but some of the area en-route from the monorail was less than salubrious - in fairness that was just because we didn't know you could get there through the Venetian (IIRC), which is how we left
joropug said:
Casino recommendations for blackjack and Roulette low stakes?
Ellis island, and they always have $5 craps, if you're looking for the "vegas gambling experience". The pit crew will look after you as a newbie.Alternative at the other end is a single bet on either red or black in the bellagio/Cesar's high limit room, if you're looking to say you've "played high stakes roulette on the vegas strip". It'll be $100 at an absolute minimum, mind
, and more than that on the weekend.M.
Just back, its all looking a bit shabby and grimy at the mo.
Resorts world and fountain blue
are nice but pretty dead, wynn and encore as ever decent, but the rest beginning to look tired, even the cosmo, aria etc. as for the 'lesser' casinos just cannot handle them now, they were never nice, but for cheap table minimums could be tolerated to enjoyed, but not now - the smell, the brownness of the decor yuck, the vibe, not good. a lot need imploding and starting again. Our suites (in MB) also a tad shabby which for over 4 figures a night is not great. Didn't look like they had changed since we were last there pre-covid - on the face of it luxurious, but small things, a not shutting properly saloon door in the bathroom, not closing all the way electric blinds etc. first world problems, but never used to be a thing.
Downtown had a horrible vibe both in the casinos and on fremont. Would typically recommend 1 night down there but wouldn't go back again, as its just completely skanky and actually felt unsafe given some of the folk wandering around. A view echoed by our uber driver, who said fremont street and downtown has gone to sh*t. whereas it used to be a novelty skanky and always a bit rough, now its just nasty skanky.
Plus the low table mins for BJ at least seem to come with bllx house edges 'lucky cats', $10 in golden nugget but all tables seemed to have a dealer busts on 22 rule where its bumped unless some silly dice shake comes up...
jewel nightclub in aria is worth a go with table service, and jaleo Spanish restaurant in cosmo was pretty good, stripsteak less so. Better steak at far more reasonable prices available in London's decent steakhouses.
table mins on strip of an evening will be minimum 25 unless you go in complete dumps (NYNY was the only on strip 'lesser' casino we actually gambled in and it was 25) in the nicer casinos 50, although i think the odd 25 could be found in cosmo or Mandalay Bay unless the alcohol fug of the evenings is clouding my memory. comp mixed drinks in all were noticeably weaker than they used to be as well.
a good time was had, but think that's it for a few years if again (although we have said that before and always end up back) as it needs a good refresh. still for the first timer will be an experience. for any returners i think i would look elsewhere.
the lounges at harry reid, sigh, are still crap!
Resorts world and fountain blue
are nice but pretty dead, wynn and encore as ever decent, but the rest beginning to look tired, even the cosmo, aria etc. as for the 'lesser' casinos just cannot handle them now, they were never nice, but for cheap table minimums could be tolerated to enjoyed, but not now - the smell, the brownness of the decor yuck, the vibe, not good. a lot need imploding and starting again. Our suites (in MB) also a tad shabby which for over 4 figures a night is not great. Didn't look like they had changed since we were last there pre-covid - on the face of it luxurious, but small things, a not shutting properly saloon door in the bathroom, not closing all the way electric blinds etc. first world problems, but never used to be a thing.Downtown had a horrible vibe both in the casinos and on fremont. Would typically recommend 1 night down there but wouldn't go back again, as its just completely skanky and actually felt unsafe given some of the folk wandering around. A view echoed by our uber driver, who said fremont street and downtown has gone to sh*t. whereas it used to be a novelty skanky and always a bit rough, now its just nasty skanky.
Plus the low table mins for BJ at least seem to come with bllx house edges 'lucky cats', $10 in golden nugget but all tables seemed to have a dealer busts on 22 rule where its bumped unless some silly dice shake comes up...
jewel nightclub in aria is worth a go with table service, and jaleo Spanish restaurant in cosmo was pretty good, stripsteak less so. Better steak at far more reasonable prices available in London's decent steakhouses.
table mins on strip of an evening will be minimum 25 unless you go in complete dumps (NYNY was the only on strip 'lesser' casino we actually gambled in and it was 25) in the nicer casinos 50, although i think the odd 25 could be found in cosmo or Mandalay Bay unless the alcohol fug of the evenings is clouding my memory. comp mixed drinks in all were noticeably weaker than they used to be as well.
a good time was had, but think that's it for a few years if again (although we have said that before and always end up back) as it needs a good refresh. still for the first timer will be an experience. for any returners i think i would look elsewhere.
the lounges at harry reid, sigh, are still crap!
just read the recent posts, trucko/BoB, what did you think, as repeat visitors who have been in the last few months, did you think its gone downhill compared to just before covid?
also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 17:34
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 17:35
Mortarboard said:
Ellis island, and they always have $5 craps, if you're looking for the "vegas gambling experience". The pit crew will look after you as a newbie.
Alternative at the other end is a single bet on either red or black in the bellagio/Cesar's high limit room, if you're looking to say you've "played high stakes roulette on the vegas strip". It'll be $100 at an absolute minimum, mind, and more than that on the weekend.
M.
will be more than that in the high limits room. but there boring and dead 99% of the time.Alternative at the other end is a single bet on either red or black in the bellagio/Cesar's high limit room, if you're looking to say you've "played high stakes roulette on the vegas strip". It'll be $100 at an absolute minimum, mind
, and more than that on the weekend.M.
theplayingmantis said:
just read the recent posts, trucko/BoB, what did you think, as repeat visitors did you think its gone downhill?
also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
Yes, it definitely has and it's not surprising - Covid will have hammered it, just as it was recovering from the financial crisis (casinos are build using a lot of debt financing).also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
The venues that have been there a decade or more are looking tired, like minimal money has been spent on them.
The Old Town has always been rundown, but it is perhaps even more so now.
There are newer satellite "resorts" dotted just on the outskirts of Vegas that are much more modern and clean though.
BandOfBrothers said:
theplayingmantis said:
just read the recent posts, trucko/BoB, what did you think, as repeat visitors did you think its gone downhill?
also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
Yes, it definitely has and it's not surprising - Covid will have hammered it, just as it was recovering from the financial crisis (casinos are build using a lot of debt financing).also echo the cost BoB mentions, used to able to get value at some places but everything everywhere is pricey now, poolside cabanas, the always pricey but convenient in resort convenience stores, even the crappy food options in food courts, just silly money now.
The venues that have been there a decade or more are looking tired, like minimal money has been spent on them.
The Old Town has always been rundown, but it is perhaps even more so now.
There are newer satellite "resorts" dotted just on the outskirts of Vegas that are much more modern and clean though.
oh and as for those asking when to go, avoid summer unless your a masochist, avoid winter if you want some guaranteed heat, spring (april/may not march) and autumn are the prime times. pools reopen end of march, but weather is up and down in winter, can be fine and warm can be crap and chilly.
theplayingmantis said:
just read the recent posts, trucko/BoB, what did you think, as repeat visitors did you think its gone downhill?
I have been twice, 2002 and 2015, the main differences I noticed were:1)Taxi drivers ripping you off. We got a taxi from the Airport to the Wynn and even though it had been 13 years I knew the way he was taking us wasn't correct. When we got out he charged me $45, I gave him a $50 and he gave me a disgusted look at a $5 tip. The actual fare should have been $20
2)It was my brothers stag do so we wanted to go to a gentleman's club. When I asked at the hotel for a taxi a big black car suddenly arrived. The guy drove us around for ages and charged us $70 when he dropped us off at the club he wanted to take us to (obviously getting a back hander). He made me put my number in his phone for the return trip. The whole place was deserted and an absolute rip off so we left, got in a yellow cab and it was $15 to get back to our hotel.
3)People just coming up to me in the hotel with some sob story about how they needed gas money.
4)The cost of everything, food is an absolute rip off before they add the tax and the service charge.
Basically I just felt the tourist tax on everything was absolutely rip off levels and on top of that every person you meet is trying to rip you off more.
I personally would not go back
was more for those who have been in the last few months... 
edit to add most gentleman's bars should give you a free ride to them, in a stretch, the money is made inside... well palominos used to at least.
edit again ive made it clearer now
edit to add most gentleman's bars should give you a free ride to them, in a stretch, the money is made inside... well palominos used to at least.
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 17:33
edit again ive made it clearer now
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 17:34
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I have been twice, 2002 and 2015, the main differences I noticed were:
1)Taxi drivers ripping you off. We got a taxi from the Airport to the Wynn and even though it had been 13 years I knew the way he was taking us wasn't correct. When we got out he charged me $45, I gave him a $50 and he gave me a disgusted look at a $5 tip. The actual fare should have been $20
I think now it's a fixed fee from the airport to the strip - 3 different rates depending on where you are going.1)Taxi drivers ripping you off. We got a taxi from the Airport to the Wynn and even though it had been 13 years I knew the way he was taking us wasn't correct. When we got out he charged me $45, I gave him a $50 and he gave me a disgusted look at a $5 tip. The actual fare should have been $20
They've sorted the main taxi issue by having a set change to/from the airport, so no issue if the drivers take the longer (but potentially quicker) freeway route - and you can always cross shop prices with Uber (sometimes cheaper, sometimes not).
The complaint of lack of investment in resorts by MGM and Caesars is valid, and well reported - places like Aria and Cosmo getting the brunt of it from what I've seen - both in need of refreshing their rooms but still charging top dollar.
I hear that Fontainebleau is now busy on weekends now that their pools and clubs are open, and hopefully they can build their customer database as time goes on so they can send out comps to bring people in midweek.
I've not noticed Downtown getting worse, but I don't spend much time on the street other than walking between venues - it always seems the demographics are similar to those to see wandering around on the sidewalks in the central part of the Strip.
You've also got the new Circa casino on Fremont Street that is a Strip quality resort (plus does ID checks to disuade certain types from crossing the threshold, which is more than any Strip resort does). Places like the Plaza and El Cortez have gentrified themselves. Main Street Station is a bit sad for itself these days which I believe was because they relied on the Hawaiian market which dried up due to travel bans in 2020-22.
I've never been hassled for money so must not look like a mark. (I probably dress more scruffily than the homeless).
They only time I've noticed the town being dodgy was my first post-covid visit in early 2022 - there were groups of youths loitering wearing covid masks - but they all seem to have been moved on since then.
There's still value to find on room prices (ie not spending 'four figures' as a previous poster did) using comps or picking a cheap week - I can see rooms at Venetian for $150+fees for the days between the F1 and Thanksgiving - and I can also get multiple free nights at all the mid-range MGM and CET properties for minimal gambling (I took $2000 for gambling on my recent 9 day trip and came back with $1500), so could do a 12 night Sunday-Friday trip and only pay for the middle Friday and Saturday nights and $40 a day in fees/taxes. You couldn't stay in your local Premier Inn for less.
For food, you have to avoid all the mid-range places in the casinos where you pay $30 for a crappy pizza or burger and a tenner for a crap beer - and instead either hit the bargain basement restaurants at places like Ellis Island (eg. play a fiver in a machine (while drinking a free beer) and get a huge plate of BBQ ribs and chicken for $16 - https://www.ellisislandcasino.com/ellis-island-bbq - I was a high roller and played video poker for as long as it took to drink two (free) pints, was $85 up and earned enough points to get the whole meal for free) or go to the super high end places where you might be paying $100 for a steak dinner but it will be a really nice steak dinner in fancy surroundings.
There's also plenty of independent bars and restaurants Downtown or off-Strip that just charge 'normal' prices that you'd see in any other big city.
The complaint of lack of investment in resorts by MGM and Caesars is valid, and well reported - places like Aria and Cosmo getting the brunt of it from what I've seen - both in need of refreshing their rooms but still charging top dollar.
I hear that Fontainebleau is now busy on weekends now that their pools and clubs are open, and hopefully they can build their customer database as time goes on so they can send out comps to bring people in midweek.
I've not noticed Downtown getting worse, but I don't spend much time on the street other than walking between venues - it always seems the demographics are similar to those to see wandering around on the sidewalks in the central part of the Strip.
You've also got the new Circa casino on Fremont Street that is a Strip quality resort (plus does ID checks to disuade certain types from crossing the threshold, which is more than any Strip resort does). Places like the Plaza and El Cortez have gentrified themselves. Main Street Station is a bit sad for itself these days which I believe was because they relied on the Hawaiian market which dried up due to travel bans in 2020-22.
I've never been hassled for money so must not look like a mark. (I probably dress more scruffily than the homeless).
They only time I've noticed the town being dodgy was my first post-covid visit in early 2022 - there were groups of youths loitering wearing covid masks - but they all seem to have been moved on since then.
There's still value to find on room prices (ie not spending 'four figures' as a previous poster did) using comps or picking a cheap week - I can see rooms at Venetian for $150+fees for the days between the F1 and Thanksgiving - and I can also get multiple free nights at all the mid-range MGM and CET properties for minimal gambling (I took $2000 for gambling on my recent 9 day trip and came back with $1500), so could do a 12 night Sunday-Friday trip and only pay for the middle Friday and Saturday nights and $40 a day in fees/taxes. You couldn't stay in your local Premier Inn for less.
For food, you have to avoid all the mid-range places in the casinos where you pay $30 for a crappy pizza or burger and a tenner for a crap beer - and instead either hit the bargain basement restaurants at places like Ellis Island (eg. play a fiver in a machine (while drinking a free beer) and get a huge plate of BBQ ribs and chicken for $16 - https://www.ellisislandcasino.com/ellis-island-bbq - I was a high roller and played video poker for as long as it took to drink two (free) pints, was $85 up and earned enough points to get the whole meal for free) or go to the super high end places where you might be paying $100 for a steak dinner but it will be a really nice steak dinner in fancy surroundings.
There's also plenty of independent bars and restaurants Downtown or off-Strip that just charge 'normal' prices that you'd see in any other big city.
Well yes trucko, of course there value if you don't want to splurge, but its vegas, splurging is the point, well imo, as an infrequent visitor every few years it is.
i hope fountain blue does ok, but can't see it. simply not enough footfall that far down, overcapacity on the strip as a whole that is a huge problem, increasingly so. the much publicized management issues and schoolboy errors aren't really its main issue. location is.
didnt go into circa, we were done with downtown by that stage, but looked ok and tbf and we were a tad overdressed for fremont as we were due in marquee later and having had a forgettable meal in oscars beforehand, huge portions, the famous well endowed barmaid doing her thing, but everything seasoned within an inch of its life which is a shame as more subtlety it would have been a decent meal and fair value, not as bad as stripsteak though.
edit and admittedly didn't go off the main drags to 'normal' places charging normal city prices, i'm sure there is but to us defeats the object of being on strip and the novelty given the infrequency of visiting, but i guess if your a regular and go more often than every few years, it makes sense.
edit agian yes taco was 21 boys from HR to MB exlcuding tip, the fixed fee is a welcome change from the nonsense they used to try.
i hope fountain blue does ok, but can't see it. simply not enough footfall that far down, overcapacity on the strip as a whole that is a huge problem, increasingly so. the much publicized management issues and schoolboy errors aren't really its main issue. location is.
didnt go into circa, we were done with downtown by that stage, but looked ok and tbf and we were a tad overdressed for fremont as we were due in marquee later and having had a forgettable meal in oscars beforehand, huge portions, the famous well endowed barmaid doing her thing, but everything seasoned within an inch of its life which is a shame as more subtlety it would have been a decent meal and fair value, not as bad as stripsteak though.
edit and admittedly didn't go off the main drags to 'normal' places charging normal city prices, i'm sure there is but to us defeats the object of being on strip and the novelty given the infrequency of visiting, but i guess if your a regular and go more often than every few years, it makes sense.
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 22:11
edit agian yes taco was 21 boys from HR to MB exlcuding tip, the fixed fee is a welcome change from the nonsense they used to try.
Edited by theplayingmantis on Thursday 18th April 22:12
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