Discover Must-See Attractions in Vegas for Your DH's Birthday | March Trip

[pc_jessica]

Okay so for my DH's birthday we are going to Vegas! and so far all we know is where we are staying...any great recommendations on attractions that are a MUST?? This will be both mine and his first time so we are not sure what is a must to see. I heard Maddem Tussauds is a good choice, but any other places or ideas, or any tips would be greatly appreciated!! TIA oh we are going in March if that makes a difference.

 

[ElizabethPurvis]

My DH and I went in July for our anniversary. We did a lot of sitting by the pool , but did see a couple of shows and Madame Tussaud's. It was awesome!! I would say definitely do that. The statues are so real looking that it's like you're really there with those stars. I got my picture taken with Johnny Depp! We also saw Nathan Burton at the Flamingo, which was really funny, and my parents sent us to Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil. If you can swing the expense, I'd say see one of their shows. They are INCREDIBLE!! We mostly walked around the strip, and gambled some as well. My DH is a huge poker player so he played some there...definitely different than here at home! We did the Eiffel Tower as well. There's so much to do there that you might have to go back a second time to get it all in!! Oh, and if you get the chance, Fremont Street is really cool too. They have a canopy over it and do a nightly light show there. All the older casinos are down there as well. Hope you have a blast!!

 

[chefheidi2003]

Where are you staying?? I liked the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur. Also make sure that you get to MGM to check out the Lions. It has been a while since I lived there, I moved back to PA in 2002 so some things I know have changed. But I do agree with going to see Madame Tussaud's. Also if you like Seafood the Rio has a great Seafood buffet then you can watch the Marti Gras Parade in the sky while you are there. The Seafood Buffet is pricey..but well worth it in my opinion. What kinds of things do you like?? The Nascar Cafe at the Sahara is cool and you don't have to eat there if you don't want to, we went there a few times just to check things out. Also if you are into Star Trek (which I am not..but my friends were) there is a restaurant at the Las Vegas HIlton call Quirks..which I liked. I am sure that there are others here who can answer better than I can but here are some of my favorites.Also don't forget about the free shows on the strip. Treasure Island..Volcano at the Mirage..the Fountains of the Bellagio (LOVE THEM)

 

[Gina M]

Definitely try and see a show - there are some acts that are there year round and then some big name celebrities that do shows there as well. Well worth it. The very first time I went to Vegas was with my mom when I turned 21 and I've been there 5 times since. Lots of fun - tons to look at with all the beautiful hotels - prepare to walk a lot! Definitely check out downtown Fremont St. - cheaper tables for gambling (generally) especially if you play blackjack. If you want a good side trip - check out Hoover Dam - so impressive! Where are you staying? I've stayed at the Flamingo Hilton, Bally's, Monte Carlo, Caeser's, and The Venetian. I liked the Monte Carlo the best especially for where it's located on the strip. Have a blast!

 

[Chef Gilles]

Make sure you go up the Eiffel Tower at night so you can see a different view of the Fountains and all the lights. The last time I was there, if you signed up at Paris Paris Casino, you had the ticket for the tower FREE and it's free to sign up!!! Don't forget to visit Louis Phillippe for a dessert crêpe at the Bellagio...Everything is sooo awesome and people are all friendly and relaxed! Have fun!!!!!!

 

[Gina M]

I agree with going up in the Eiffel Tower - it's very cool! The lights are amazing - it's really something to see.

 

[chefjeanine]

DH and I are not big gamblers but we love Las Vegas. My favorite thing is to just go and SEE all the casinos. The architecture, decorations and costumes are amazing.

I suggest you buy a book (Fodor's does great ones) and make a plan for things you'd like to see.

 

[pc_jessica]

Thanks for all your tips and advice!! We can't wait to go. We are staying for 5 days so hopefully that will be long enough to get everything we want in! Last night on Travel Channel they were doing a Man vs. Food episode in Vegas and we now know we are for sure going to the NASCAR cafe...my DH thinks that will be cool. And after doing some research last night I have made a temporary list of sights we want to see: Maddam Tussauds, Adventuredome Theme Park, M&M's World, CSI: The Experience, Eiffel Tower (possibly do dinner there one night in their restuarant), Gondola Ride at The Venetian, Penske Wynn Ferrari Display, Classic Auto Collections.
As for where we are staying we were going to go with Circus Circus but after reading more about it everything says its more directed towards children...and since we don't have any of those...we are now rethinking where we are going...since we are staying for 5 nights we are hoping to get a good deal and I have been looking at different Vacation Packages on Expedia and so far have found a few different ones in a good price range: Four Queens, Sahara Hotel and Casino, Stratosphere, Fitzgeralds, Riviera Hotel and casino. Anyone know anything about these hotels??? To us its just a room we plan on spending lots of our time exploring the strip and sights but we don't want to stay somewhere creepy, gross and dirty.
We are not big gamblers so we probably won't spend much time in the casinos, however we are planning on going maybe one night just for the experience of it all.
Anyone know what the weather is like there in March?

Also one of the BIG things we are doing is renting a Viper for a day!!! I am suprising my DH with this on his actual birthday! His dream car is a blue Viper...and I found an Exotic Car Rental place there in Vegas...with a few of them for rental!!!! I am so excited my DH will soooooo LOVE me!!!

 

[chefheidi2003]

I would recommend that you not stay at the Stratosphere, Four Queens or Fitzgerald's, I don't know how they are as hotels and Fremont street is neat to see..but it is not somewhere to walk to or from..neither is the Stratosphere..all places that I recommend you check out..but I would stay somewhere more on the main strip that way you can save money by not having to take a cab so much.

 

[chef131doreen]

DH took me in May for my 50th we stayed at Harsah right on the strip we don't gamble too much too , we went to the pool, and WALKED alot that was great , even late at night walked up and down the strip. We also just went again in Sept with my brother and a few more couples we stayed at MANALAY BAY beautiful hotel but too far away from every thing way to long of a walk up and down the strip/
Just walking in and out of all the hotels was such fun alot to see we wen to an improve comedy and a magic show that was good We saw Jay Leno in Sept he was great . The show are $$$ so ask at the deck for coupons .
Have Fun

 

[jetcitysandy]

We have stayed at Harrah's the last couple times we have gone there. You can go to their website and find the hot deals and see what the rates are for the time you are going to be there. Sometimes you can get a room there for $39 a night and the rooms are nice. We enjoy hanging out at the Carousel Bar outside of Harrah's sometimes. It is usually free entertainment there and we have a good time. We saw an Improv show there last time we stayed there and it was fun. We also like where it is located.

 

[chefcharity]

I ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant and it was WONDERFUL!!! I think it is in Ceasar's but can't remember exactly. It has been a few years. Anyhow, I still talk about the food and have actually recreated some of it. The sweet potato tamales were to die for! Of course, that is what I had trouble recreating!

 

[chefpenny99]

We have stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton and we liked it. There is a monorail that you can take from the Hilton over to the strip and walk/explore from there.

 

[chefjeanine]

We have stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton and we liked it. There is a monorail that you can take from the Hilton over to the strip and walk/explore from there.

We've stayed there too and it was fine. My recommendation is to stay on the strip. There will be a lot of walking regardless of where you stay, but there's a lot more to see on the strip as compared to downtown.

 

[Gina M]

Definitely stay on the strip! The hotels are way nice there as well. My favorite is the Monte Carlo - good location (near MGM Grand, New York, New York) - nice rooms - good casino.

 

[PamperedChefLayla]

Thanks for all your tips and advice!! We can't wait to go. We are staying for 5 days so hopefully that will be long enough to get everything we want in! Last night on Travel Channel they were doing a Man vs. Food episode in Vegas and we now know we are for sure going to the NASCAR cafe...my DH thinks that will be cool. And after doing some research last night I have made a temporary list of sights we want to see: Maddam Tussauds, Adventuredome Theme Park, M&M's World, CSI: The Experience, Eiffel Tower (possibly do dinner there one night in their restuarant), Gondola Ride at The Venetian, Penske Wynn Ferrari Display, Classic Auto Collections.
As for where we are staying we were going to go with Circus Circus but after reading more about it everything says its more directed towards children...and since we don't have any of those...we are now rethinking where we are going...since we are staying for 5 nights we are hoping to get a good deal and I have been looking at different Vacation Packages on Expedia and so far have found a few different ones in a good price range: Four Queens, Sahara Hotel and Casino, Stratosphere, Fitzgeralds, Riviera Hotel and casino. Anyone know anything about these hotels??? To us its just a room we plan on spending lots of our time exploring the strip and sights but we don't want to stay somewhere creepy, gross and dirty.
We are not big gamblers so we probably won't spend much time in the casinos, however we are planning on going maybe one night just for the experience of it all.
Anyone know what the weather is like there in March?

Also one of the BIG things we are doing is renting a Viper for a day!!! I am suprising my DH with this on his actual birthday! His dream car is a blue Viper...and I found an Exotic Car Rental place there in Vegas...with a few of them for rental!!!! I am so excited my DH will soooooo LOVE me!!!

I took DH for his birthday a couple of years ago. I got a much better deal doing the trip myself instead of using a vacation package. I checked the internet (Orbitz & the hotels) then I called the hotels directly. Calling the hotel directly, not the 1-800 number, gets you great deals. You talk to a real person. I told her it was our first time, that is was DH's birthday, and we had just gotten married recently. All true. She gave us a great room, tickets to shows, and a great price. We stayed at the Planet Hollywood and had a great strip view. Treasure Island , Paris and New York New York are also nice. Have a GREAT time!!!

 

[Jean DeVries]

Vegas...a topic near and dear to my heart.

I would echo the peeps who said not to stay off the strip if the strip is where you're going to be concentrating all of your time. The hotels on the north end of the strip, while cheap, are not walkable to the strip (long walk &, if you ask me, a bit scary). The bus is a nice option, but it could get pricy if you took it both ways for 5 days.

5 days will be plenty to see everything there is to see in Vegas. Just start at one end and work your way down & back. Visit every casino...even if you don't gamble, there's something to see in almost every one of them.

I've stayed at Circus Circus plenty of times. I have no kids. The rooms are nice and there are some good, reasonably priced restaurants there. Yes, there are a lot of kids, and kid-themed things, but if you don't mind wading through ankle-biters to get out of the casino, it's not bad. I would stay there again, despite it's kid-ness.

I've also stayed at the Flamingo. Also perfectly adequate for the money, and centrally located on the strip.

If you have a map, try to stay between Circus Circus/Riviera, and probably Monte Carlo. The south end hotels have a tram that runs between them, so it's not that big of a deal if you end up at the Luxor.

If you've got a car, head out to the Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon. Not far drives, but great scenery..something besides neon

I saw the "O" show at, I think, the Bellagio. It was amazing. I would definitely try to catch a Cirque du Soleil show if you can swing it.

My sister lived there for 4 years in the military, so I was there at least 4 times a year for a while. Haven't been there in a few years....but still love it! You'll have a blast!

 

[PCinAZ]

Definitely stay on the strip. I have been to Vegas frequently in the last couple of years. I have stayed at the Excalibur or NYNY at each visit. You can pick up the monorail at MGM grand and ride that down the strip. Don't buy a single ride ticket but get a pass so you can get on and off of the monorail. The rooms were nice at Excalibur and NYNY. Definitely walk through the hotels/casinos along the strip. The Bellagio has a beautiful floral garden in it. The Venetian is gorgeous. The Forum shops at Ceasar's Palace are nice. I could go on and on about the hotels along the strip. :blushing: Oh there is also a little tram that runs from Excalibur to the Mandalay Bay and stops at the Luxor along the way. It is free!

The Fremont Street thing is OK. The show on the overhead screens plays once at the top of the hour and lasts about 5 minutes. Fun to walk around on Fremont Street but that's about it. More sights, restaurants, and attractions on the Strip.

As for shows, you might check online to see if there is a good concert at the House of Blues which is at the Mandalay Bay. Nice venue. Phantom of the Opera is great at the Venetian. I saw Ka at the MGM in July and that was very good. A lot simply depends on what you are interested in.

I have booked my hotel rooms directly with the hotel online and have always been given great rates. Also my sister and I have booked Vegas trips through US Airways online and got good deals.

You will have a TON of fun while you are there. Weather could be nice, cool evenings, mild daytime temps.

Sorry to ramble. I am not a Vegas expert by any means but have gone there frequently over the last 20 years, and in the last 18 months have been there 6 times

 

[PampChefJoy]

We stay on the strip, north end... TI, Mirage, and Paris... I'd like to try Planet Hollywood... I like the vibe of their casino. We usually only go for 2 nights so we meander the middle of the strip mostly. Get on all the casino mailing lists.. they will send you great deals for the next few upcoming months. Last time we went in October, we got an upper floor suite at the Mirage for $150/nt and that included a $40 dining credit so net $110/nt. Not sure what your budget is and there are surely lower rates but we like to be pampered so we stick with stuff that's around 4 stars and up.

 

[pc_jessica]

thanks for all the advice...i can't wait to go. we are waiting til about jan. to book the hotel to see if any good deals surface anywhere else. as for the mailing lists i have gotten on a few so hopefully they will send some great stuff our way as well!!

 

[RossDeb2]

Has anyone stayed at the Bellagio or the Venetian? I am going in Aug with dh and another couple. I want a really nice room to come back to at the end of the day.I want to be pampered. Its our first real vacation in about 18 years. Any good restaurants to recommend? I love good food, simple or fancy, as long as the quality is there. I can't wait!