Las Vegas Experience And Travel Tips

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 2 people | Log in to rate

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Guys and Dolls Welcome. Learn About Americas Playground and Pack Your Bags! Hotel's, Casino's, Entertainment and Restaurants. Win Lose or Draw your guaranteed a Great Experience and Memorable Good Time. Sure Bet when you get home everyone will be asking about your Trip!

 

How Would I Know? 

Been There, Done That and More in Las Vegas

First of all let me explain that I do know alot about Las Vegas from the perspective of the Average Guy. Not a "High Roller" or "Whale" but the regular working class guy. I have been visiting "Sin City" since 1977 at least two times a year so I have seen the changes and growth. Dont believe that Las Vegas is "too hot", "too expensive" or "out of your class". Vegas was built by our nickles, dimes and quarters and they know it. Without the "regular people" Vegas would never be what it is today. I have stayed at many Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and have eaten meals for 100.00 per person and 4.99 per person. See you have choices in Vegas you wont find anywhere else and I will try to guide you through my experiance and opinions.

So How Is The Weather? 

You Can Even Pick Your Weather In Las Vegas!

Month............... Low............... High

January............. 39.................. 58
February........... 41.................. 61
March................ 49.................. 71
April................... 55.................. 77
May................... 66................... 91
June.................. 74................. 100
July................... 81.................. 102
August.............. 78.................. 102
September........ 71................... 82
October............ 59.................... 81
November........ 46................... 66
December........ 39................... 57

Vegas Hotel and Airlines Info (MUST READ) 

Best Sites to Research Rates and Fares-Just like the travel agents

Im going to give you what I consider the two most informative, and free, sites for all your hotel and flights. You be the Travel Agent! Believe me they dont want you to know about these sites,

You can Thank me later
Travelaxe
With Travelaxe you can find all the rates of all the hotels for any location and for any dates. Then you can book with Travelaxe or call the hotel direct!
ITA
With ITA you can check every airline from anywhere to anywhere at any time. You see all the schedule and the prices! Then again you can book through them or call the airlines with the info from this site.

When you get to this site click....Search Airfares Using QPX

The Venetian Hotel 

Five Stars

The Venetian Hotel has been for the past several years one I have most visit. All the rooms are spacious without exception. Dining from $$$$$ to $. Matter of fact one of my favorites for anytime meals is the Grand Lux Cafe where the prices are right and the food is outstanding in quality, taste and portions. I find this to be a adult hotel and would not suggest bringing the children.

The Architecture of this hotel is themed to Italy and no detail has been overlooked. You are surrounded with the sights, sounds, aromas and the very essence of Italy. I feel very "at home" here in spite of this hotels massive size. The staff has always been gracious and accommodating and most any request fullfilled. I have only one small issue with The Venetian and that is there is no buffet which I always did fine unusual. But as a bonus they do have a great food court with anything you desire.

Your room will be a suite! Large, about 700 square feet consisting of a bedroom area with your choice of one or two beds, end tables and large dresser containing a tv. A living sitting area usually with floor to ceiling window view, couch, chairs, coffee table, writing desk and of course another tv. Your bathroom here is probably bigger then a few rooms in your own home. Double sinks, seperate shower and tub area, enclosed toilet with a telephone and a makeup table and chair for the ladies. Everything is here for you from shampoo to lotions. Hair dryers to make up mirrors.

The Venitian has a sister hotel which in on the same property. The Palazzo Hotel follows in the same Italian theme. The rooms are pretty much the same with some changes to room decor. This addition is newer so of course a bit more fresher and a bit more expensive.

The Venetian Gallery 

Caesars Palace Hotel 

Five Stars

Caesars Palace is truly a spectacular architectural achievement. Of Roman theme this hotel will overwhelm you with it's Roman Gardens, statues, fountains and landscape design. The hotel design has been structured from the Roman Empire leaving no detail overlooked. Remember those old historic movies? Well you can do a remake right here! Even if you do not stay at this hotel you must explore what can only be called a Empire. Built in 1966 this hotel has consistently expanded adding tower after tower of rooms and a Coliseum that will make you want to battle the Gladiators for your Queen. Outstanding restaurants and food services compliment this Empire with decadent palate pleasers. Of course you pay for such pleasures on all levels. The rooms here are very nice and well appointed with all the amenities one would expect from a hotel of this class. I would have expected that the rooms should have been more in the 700 square foot range but still they are comfortable. If you do decide to stay here I would make one suggestion based on experience...Dont stay in the Roman Tower! I was once given a room in that tower that up to today I consider the worst room I have ever had. And as we know sometimes a bad taste lasts forever.Be that as it may I suggest you pick the Palace Tower, The Augustus Tower or the Forum Tower in that order. Maybe by the time you get there the Octavius Tower will be complete. This hotel can be a bit expensive but you are paying for a experiance not just a stay. The service here was good but not outstanding but then you always will find a disgruntled employee who maybe is just having a bad day. Hey we all have bad days and the employees are human just like you and I. In my opinion this is not a hotel to bring the children along to. I would stay here again if the deal was right.

Caesars Palace Gallery 

Fremont Street Experience 

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Walking the Strip 

Be prepared for this walk and don't underestimate!

Let me first say that thing's are not as close as they appear and that is because everything is so big and tall that it gives the illusion of being "right next door". Well consider this. Most hotels on the strip have at least two to three football fields worth of frontage and some entrances are set so far back from the side walk that they have installed "people movers", you know moving walk ways. If you have never been here you will be amazed. Crossing from one side of the street to the other is mostly done by overhead walk ways like bridges.

If you plan on walking the Strip, and I suggest you do, be sure to wear very comfortable foot wear and clothes. In summer a hat would also be a good idea plus you will look good! Bring a bottle of water with you ,though there are numerous places to stop along your walk it's always nice to have your own. Ladies leave that big shopping bag like pocket book behind but be sure to bring those cameras. I hate to bring this up but if you are taking any medications be sure to bring them with you because you never know when you will be back. It's very easy to lose track of time here.

You will stop at every hotel along the way and they all have their own unique theme. Grab a small snack to keep up your energy, while visiting make a rest room stop and freshen up. There is a long way to go! Can you make it? As you pass each hotel sooner or later your gonna say "Let's try that one next time"! This is no walk to make pushing or carrying a baby.

If you just can't take anymore don't despair because The Strip provides, for those who give up, many easy ways to get back to your hotel to soak your feet. Bus, Taxi and a Free Tram that connects many of the hotels together. As you visit each hotel along the way just look for the TRAM sign and make a note of it.

For me the best time for a long walk is in the morning but be sure to plan to walk a bit at night to see the Strip in all it's lit up glory. Facinating to say the least.

Time Zones and Watches 

Best way to adjust yourself

Best way? Don't. Vegas is one of the few place's you do not have to change your internal, body, clock. Your body tell's you when it is time to sleep, eat, work and play etc. When you force you body into change you confuse your whole system and its needs time to adjust. You really don't want this and there is no need for it in Vegas. For example there is a 3 hour, back,time difference between where I live and Las Vegas so when my watch and internal body watch says it's "6pm time to eat dinner" it's only 3pm there. So I go to eat. In Vegas it simply doe's not matter because everything is pretty much always open for you. I rise in the morning at 5am so it's only 2am in Vegas and guess what? The place is alive and kickin so go for breakfast, play and roam this watchless town. Vegas will adjust for you, you don't have to adjust for it. Using this method will keep you energy up without shocking your system.

Jet Lag 

How to schedule your flight

Finding a direct flight today is a bit hard to do unless your a state or two away from Vegas. Most have stop overs or plane changes which add from a average of 1 to 4 hours to your travel time. It has taken me up to 7 hours to make a 4 hour flight. Jet Lag doe's not mean just in the air time, it is a combination of your total time spent getting from one place to another on a jet. And Jet Lag is real! If you have to change planes enjoy it, have a snack, stretch your legs, wash up and refresh yourself.

Here's what I do. I don't change my normal schedule and book my flights around me. Being a early riser, about 5 am, I would try to book a flight around 9am or 10am or as close to these times as possible.I would be awake at this time anyway so my system is right on schedule. And as a bonus if the flight takes say 6 hours, if I took the 9 am flight it would only be noon in Vegas time so I have the whole day there.

Red Eye Flights are great if you can sleep on the plane. These flights are usually scheduled from 11pm to about 3am. Again you don't have to change your schedule. If your normal bed time is around 11pm simply book a Red Eye and you can sleep as usual and as a bonus you can see Vegas lit up from the sky. As a rule Red Eye's are also less expensive.

I have one caution for you and it is serious: BEWARE OF THE ONE HOUR PLANE CHANGE! This is too close for comfort for me and my baggage especially if you must connect with a different airlines. I have seen too many times people or their luggage or both not make this connecting fight due maybe to a slight delay on their first flight or the connecting airline being on the other side of the terminal not giving you enough time to get there. A Stop Over is where you and your luggage stay on the plane while picking up passangers and it's safe. A Plane Change is a different animal and should not be booked unless there is at least 2 hours time between flights. Always ask your booking agent what kind of flight it is.

What to Wear 

What dress code? Not anymore.

When I first started visiting Vegas everyone was dressed nice regardless of what time of day it was or what season. I recall nights in the casino and restaurants where the ladies would be in dresses or other nice outfits. Men would be in suits or sport jackets. Both men and women were accented with of course their jewlery and every hair in place. Those days are gone for the majority of the visitors. Today almost anything is accepted. No longer do you need fine suits or dresses. Vegas has become super casual with only a few "elite" establishments insisting on fine wear. Chances are you wont be going to these places so....go casual.

If you are going to hang out by the pool almost any bathing suit is fine. Matter of fact at a few hotels women only need half a suit meaning topless. These are seperate areas not in view of the other guests where tops are optional. Be sure to have extra sun screen if you lounge at these pools. For the regular pools be sure to have a pair of sandles or slip ons and some kind of light pool jacket.

Casual day wear is now acceped everywhere including the casinos and restaurants. Jeans, casual shoes or sneakers, short sleeves. Stay away from the tee shirts especially if they have questionable remarks on them. Look neat and clean and you will be fine. Even if your not a "whale" you can pretend.

Nights it's acceptable to go casual in all but those restaurants that require a jacket and tie. There arent very many of them and personally the food is good but to me not great or worth the price. Forget them. So for dinner a nice pair of slacks and a nice shirt for the men and a nice outfit for the ladies and your set. For "Shows" you can dress in the same manner.

Let's talk. Most of us don't get the opportunity to "dress up" for our regular jobs or in our everyday life. What is nicer then spending time in Vegas with our other half looking good not only for ourselves but for them. What is better then seeing your other half "looking damn good"!

Tipping In Las Vegas 

What to tip in Vegas

1. Cocktail Waitress where the drinks are still free $1.00 to $2.00 per drink
2. Bartender where drinks are not free $ 1.00 to $2.00 per drink
3. Bellman $ 1.00 to $2.00 per bag
3. Room Maid $ 2.00 to $3.00 per night
4. Buffet Waitress or Waiter $ 3.00 to $5.00 table of two
5. Room Service Tab 15%
6. Room Service Delivery Person $ 5.00 to $10.00
7.Concierge $ 5.00 to $10.00 for assistance
8.Taxi 10 to 15%
9. Valet Parking $ 3.00 to $5.00
10. Restaurants are the usual 15% to 20%

Other Tips I am not permitted to print here..sorry

Of course these are only common basic guide so feel free to tip more......no one will mind.

Lock your luggage 

Lock it up with TSA approved locks and have peace of mind

By using TSA approved locks, notice the symbol, you can travel a bit more comfortable knowing your luggage is secure from all but TSA Agents. TSA Agents can open these locks with a master code or key if they need to inspect and then they will re-lock your bag. They come as a combination lock or keyed and in colors.

Please see below for TSA items at Amazon

TSA Approved Items 

Order it now before you forget!

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