Who can tell me about

[Ursulinda]

Las Vegas for the non-gambler?

Spending a few days there before the DL marathon.

[roodad]

Red Rock canyon is a great natural area not far from LV. As a big Cirque fan, I love that there are five different Cirque shows in LV. Blue Man Group is a great experience as well. I also like just strolling from one extravagant casino to another. Oh, you can also take a land sailing excursion - haven't done it yet, because I have never been there during their season, but hope to some day.

[FLSharon]

I was there once long, long ago and i just wanted to see the casinos which were nothing like now. We saw a couple shows too. I also took a flight to see the grand canyon for one day and drove up to hoover dam.

Last year I stayed at a casino on the ohio river with my girl friends. While they were doing serious gambling, i had a blast playing the penny slots. won 100 bucks total.. so it paid for my gambling.

I'd love to see vegas again...just for the elaborate hotels, find all of cru's cheap food, and perhaps a couple shows.

That's the itty bitty story of my limited Gambling trips.

Team Mom, Maybe there's a tour there of the hotels that would limit the walking.. I'm sure Cru will be reading here to give you the true scoop.;)

[Robin]

Doesn't Las Vegas have a monorail?

[zakerdog]

There is a monorail that runs along the strip, it makes several stops at different hotels. There is so much to do in Vegas without ever setting step in a casino.

The Cirque shows starting with "O" as my favorite and then Mystere, I wasn't all that fussy on KA.

Watch the pirate show outside the Treasure Island hotel, see them sink the ship but save the crew.

The conservatory in the Belligio, the flowers are beautiful, also an art gallery. Watch the dancing fountains.

The Mirage has the dolphin habitat and the white tigers. Also the volcano erupting at night.

Ride in a gondola in the Venetian and enjoy walking through the many, many shops.

Experience a desert storm in the Aladdin and watch the street entertainers and shop in the Desert Passage.

Visit the tiger and lions in the MGM, have lunch in the Rainforest Cafe.

Eat with jousting knights in Excalibur, the horses are amazing to watch.

Wander along the cobblestone streets in Paris and go up the Eiffel Tower at night to see the lights.

Visit the largest aquarium at Mandolay Bay and if you have time see Mama Mia, it is one of my favorite shows (I've seen it 4 times)

Shop in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and if you can get tickets to see Celine Dion, totally awesome show.

There is so much more but I will run out of space soon, but I will close with my ranking of Vegas - It is my second most favorite spot next to Disney :yes:

[LeiasMom]

There is a Phantom of the Opera show that looked really great. You can almost always get shows 1/2 price if you talk to some of the casino people the night of the show.

Shopping is great. I second the recommendations for Caesars and the Dessert Passage.

I also recommend the Bellagio show (as well as the flowers -- ah, the smell).

The pools are beautiful -- enjoy the one at your hotel.

Lots of good restaurants to enjoy, too.

One thing to remember is that it is HOT (maybe not in January) and there is a long distance down the strip. You can really get a workout walking.

You will have lots of fun.

[Ursulinda]

Wow! Thanks!
Carol, I'm printing that and following it!

Sharon, I'm hoping to score an ecv (fingers crossed)

Amy - not January - SEPTEMBER - a mere 12 weeks away!

Robin, i've heard mixed reports of the monorail - it's open - it's not - it only goes in one direction - so who knows?

Roodad - Cirque - check! One of my favorite things - did you see delirium when it came around?

Thanks! Any one else??

[BriarRose]

Linda

If you stay at MGM you can rent an EVC from the bell desk! Great rate. It is the only place we stay because I can rent one and not walk. Otherwise I can't get around in the hotel alone :D

Don't forget

M&M world
Blue Man Group
lots of magic shows.
oh so much to see and do!

[lllovell]

I have only been once, but it was in April and I was surprised how the temperature changed so dramatically in the couse of a day. (we FROZE in the mornings and were burning up in the afternoons) We were there for a wedding, so we didn't do any special shows, etc but walking from hotel to hotel and seeing the sights was a fun way to spend some time.

I hope you have fun!

Laura

[Mickey4Us]

zakerdog did such a fine job.
I guess I would add that there is alot of "free" stuff to do along the strip (i.e. the pirate show in front of Treasure island (beware of pickpockets), the fountains, the volcano, etc). There are also fashion show in the mall near Ceasar's.
Hoover Dam is just a short drive away. The tour was very interesting. We also drove to the Grand Canyon. It made for a very long day but at least we got to see some of it!

[JJ]

You've gotten some great thoughts.

- You MUST get downtown at night just to roam through Binions (it's small but catch the atmosphere) and watch the overhead show on the old Strip.

- If you don't mind pricey - you MUST eat dinner in a small casino called the Barbary Coast at a place called Michael's. I've eaten there on 3 different occasions and it's truly one of the best restaurants I've eaten at (must dress). The casino looks like a dive and the place is hidden in the back. Reservation a must

- If you like King Crabs legs try the Redwood Bar & Grill in a casino downtown called the California Club - been there about 5 times (not in the past 4 years) but the best King Crab I've EVER eaten. Make reservations.

- Pricey - but well worth it to take a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.

- If you're a non-gambler but would like to play just for fun - Try Slots o Fun and Westward Ho on the strip across from The Riviera. Small, oldtime places with cheap, cheap tables and lots of fun.

- Book a no-name comedy show if you can find one (like the Improv. if it's still there or someplace else) - you can see great shows in Vegas without paying the high prices of the "name brand" shows.

- Avoid cheap buffets

- At breakfast at the Peppermill Inn - fabulous! (can you tell I like food?)

- Walk the strip at night and view the free outside shows like the Volcano at The Mirage, Pirates, Dragons at Excalibar, Laser show (if the still have it) at Luxor.

- The mall at Caesar's is a must - see the statues come to life.

- Venetian was nice (we stayed there for our 10th anniversary 2 years ago) but I still think Caesars does the "mall thing" better if you have to choose.

- Take cabs - they aren't that expensive and it will save your feet!

Have a blast

[Frogman]

Doesn't Dimple like roller coasters? ;)

I know she is only 5 so she may not be allowed to ride. However you could go and tell her how they were. And then she can tell me. :lol:

[Ursulinda]

Sorry, Froggy, neither Dimples nor her 'person' like roller coasters, and neither Bruce nor 'OC', the family daredevils, are going. However, she HAS aquired a feather boa to wear :-)

[SusanP]

Zakerdog...we missed some of your free things!

We took dd for her 16th to see Celine (highly recommended!) so were not in it for the gambling. Of course, you must walk through the casinos to get to anything! We were non-stop for 4 days and most was free. I did write a trip report here -we went Nov 04 if that helps. Hoover Dam, Ethyl M chocolate factory, were our off-Strip outings, the rest was down the Strip. We would have driven to the North Rim of Grand Canyon but it was closed in Nov (often snow) and it was too far given the time we had to drive to the South rim.

http://www.vegas.com/attractions/freeattractions.html was a great help when I was planning-and make sure you make a list of what you want to do and the days/times of things unless you will have internet access while there. We would have been lost not knowing x was Tue-Thurs 10&2...y was Wed only at 3 etc.

Best advice from Cru..."objects down the Strip are further than they appear"!!! They LOOK close...the monorail was not yet open when we were there.

[Stinkerbelle]

I don't think I remember seeing these mentioned yet.

1.) Hoover Dam - great experience
2.) Liberace Museum - fabulous for the kitsch factor
3.) Have to eat a Fat Burger
4.) Go see the world's largest golden nugget @ The Golden Nugget Casino
5.) The Old Neon Museum

and I second the earlier poster who mentioned the Peppermill - drinks by the firepit, baby!

[ddoll]

Linda, we don't gamble and we went there with the kids in 2001. We barely spent any money at all. We toured all the casinos, day and night, walking up and down the strip. So much to see!

We did go to the Hoover Dam and we did spend money on tickets to see Wayne Newton. And it was money well spent, I can tell you that!!

[TracyMB]

I HIGHLY recommend Danny Gans show at the Mirage. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, but went because my friends wanted to. I was ready to buy another ticket for the next night, but it was sold out.

If you are daredevils head down to the Stratosphere and ride the rides at the top of the hotel. There is the Big Shot, X-Scream, the Rollercoaster and one other. These are not for those who have a fear of heights, but I loved them.

[Ursulinda]

We barely spent any money at all.

That's just my style! Things are a wee tight this summer.

Thanks everybody for your responses! I've changed hotels now, to Excaliber - it was less $$ and I was warned away from the Trop.

Susan, I remember your report of your dd's bd trip - must go reread, because I remember thinking at the time I'd like to be YOUR daughter. heheh.(old enough to be your mother, here)

GOOD suggestion about writing things down - i will not have a computer - HOW will I ever survive a week without Tags????

Anyway, thanks again :-)