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yteranger · 01-10-2015, 08:51 AM

......with the S.O. It's been 10 years since I've been to Vegas. Anyone got any non hobby related activities I should check out when I'm there? We're skipping shows and clubs. Primarily going to gamble, eat and drink and check out the sights. Restaurant suggestions would be appreciated. I'm a steak and potatoes kinda guy. No sushi places please.

Andrea Davis · 01-10-2015, 12:37 PM

Steak Dinner: Gordon Ramsey Steak at the Paris Hotel. They have great food, the wine can be a little pricey, but if you aren't trying to indulge in over priced drinks the rest of the menu is priced really well. It has a great atmosphere and the steak their is to die for.

Mexican: I like Roberto's. Its more of a whole in the wall local restaurant but really good food at a cheap price.

Burgers: In and Out. It is cheap I love the burgers and the good Christian message that they bring. There special sauce is really nice as well. They don't offer a huge menu but what they do offer is fantastic.

Best Seafood Buffet: This is located at the Rio. They have a wide variety and I usually eat my heart silly. They have a nice gelato bar with plenty of options.

Seafood: Hot'n'Juicy Crawfish. They serve stuff in plastic bags, it is not a 5 star restaurant but the food is Divine. They have plenty of options if you are a seafood lover.

Cocktails: The Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. They have a nice relaxed atmosphere. Drinks are pricey but you are really paying for the great pours and the nice atmosphere.

Show's
1. You can't go wrong with any of the Cirque de Soil shows. My favorite is O. It is a water show so don't sit upfront unless you plan on getting wet.

2. To watch something during the daytime I like the Price is Right. It is located in Bally's. Its just like if you were at the real thing. Prizes can be fun and its something nice to do during the day besides gamble.

. I am not sure if Total Rewards still does this but you would have to check out the Booth at Bally's. They used to offer 24Hr pass to see unlimited Shows for 99.00. 90% of the Total Rewards shows were available for you to see(i.e Showgirls, Chipendales)

Shopping:

The 3.99 Shoe Store is my favorite. Its off of Maryland Parkway. Its maybe a 10 dollar cab ride. They have tons of shoes and there is not a pair in there for over 25 dollars. They are great quality too.

So this is a little about Vegas. If you want more options don't hesitate to ask me as I did live in Vegas for quite a while. Also always use your players club card and if you don't have one at that properties chain get one. They usually give you free gambling money or tshirts just for signing up. Get your drinks while gambling they are free. Put in a dollar and call over the waitress. DO NOT BUY FROM THE BARS they cost money at the bars. There is a liquor store on the strip right next to CVS buy a bottle and carry it with you.

Enjoy your stay!

Andrea Davis

yteranger · 01-10-2015, 06:07 PM

Wow. Andrea, thank you, thank you, thank you! That is a wealth of information and I'll check out as many of them as possible. You had me at Gordon Ramsay steak house.

Andrea Davis · 01-10-2015, 06:14 PM

No problem. I love Vegas and It was a great time in my life to Live there.

gregaustin · 01-11-2015, 06:53 AM

The Burger Bar in the shops by Mandalay Bay is very good, cool and not too expensive considering it's on the strip. The following are all amazing depending on the food you want:

Deli - The Bagel, where Vegas Jews go for chopped liver
Pizza - Rocco's NY pizza - Where NY expats go for a slice
Dim Sum - Orchard's Garden - Where Vegas' surprisingly large Chinese population goes for a fix. Never had it? Get some.

Parks - Red Rock Canyon is amazing and only 30 minutes out of town. It's like a mini Zion and a morning hike will cure what ails ya.

Mandalay Bay fountains at night. Can't even describe how beautiful they are. And free

Deep fried twinkies in the old town part of Vegas. Can't remember who sell's them so you should google it.

Madam Tusauds Wax Museum. Take a camera, you'll have a blast. It's like a huge tacky fun party.

The Conservatory at Bellagio is spectacular, free and not to be missed. They change the exhibit four times a year. It probably has the Chinese New Years theme now. Vegas likes their Chinese tourists and really rolls out the rug for them.

All due respect to Andrea, but Love is the best Cirque show and I've seen them all. Saw Love three times.

A trip to Hoover Dam (the tour is worth it) or Valley of Fire (bigger version of Red Rock) is worth it.

Lot's of good golf, but play the locals courses.

The locals play poker at the off strip casinos. Your odds are better playing the drunk tourists on the strip.

I loved my time there too and we never gambled. The shows, concerts, National Parks and free stuff to do are pretty amazing.

shayla84 · 01-11-2015, 02:38 PM

That sounds like its gonna be super awesome, I hope you have fun, never been there but I want to go someday...

Dochook29 · 01-11-2015, 05:47 PM

If you like tournament hold em poker try Planet Hollywood's daily tournaments, they were guaranteeing 1k for 1st and $500 for 2nd place payouts, which when I was there u would usually chop when u got down to 4 people. Its a fun, quicker tourney, with plenty of scenery and people watching. Drink service is pretty fast as well.

Guest091515-1 · 01-11-2015, 06:42 PM

Ditto In And Out Burger, also loved Death Valley, Red Rocks, and Valley of Fire. If you go to Death Valley make sure you drive through the valley and see The Devil's Golf Course. I also liked the Hoover Dam tour. Favorite buffet was at The M.

hornytraveler2014 · 01-12-2015, 11:34 AM

I lived in Vegas in the mid 90's, and I would agree with everything Andrea said. Although they're a bit pricy, you should also try a Bellagio Cocktail. I don't know all of the ingredients, but a buddy of mine that works there said that several are imported. Very smooth going down, but they hit you hard after a couple!

Golfer1 · 01-12-2015, 06:31 PM

If you like really good steak and old Vegas, go to Hugo's Cellar. Actually the steakhouse at the old Benny Binion, which I'm not sure if it is still open is good, and surprisingly the steakhouse at Circus Circus.

Don't let the casino fool you if you decide to check out Hugo's Cellar. The restaurant is another world, especially if you bring your wife. She'll get roses when she walk in. All walnut and mahogany trim. Same for the Circus Circus, the casino is low class, but the steakhouse is very good.

Hard Rock has two places they get dry aged rib eyes from. One in Chicago and one in KC. Very good as well.

Look, if you go to Hugo's Cellar your wife will be very pleased, and you'll have found a place not many know about.

The Golden Steer off the strip is also old Vegas. The Rat Pack used to frequent it because some hotels wouldn't let Sammie Davis stay due to race.

Just my preferences. Substance over Style and Flash.

The new flashy places absolutely wrecked that town. I still go and get rooms and food comped, but it isn't anything like it used to be. It's a shame really, but if you should happen to check out especially the Golden Steer or Hugo's Cellar, you'll be well pleased and experience what the whole town used to be like.

Batista's on the strip is o.k. Italian, and several persons of note frequented that place including Henry Hill. When I say o.k., I mean well above average, but I make my own from scratch so it is hard for me to get really excited.

The other suggestions, with some exceptions, are all fine by me also. I just prefer old school Vegas where they appreciate my business, and they aren't into the younger flash. And I'm not that old. Long story. I know some folks that used to run casinos there. Before the corporation wrecked them all.

gregaustin · 01-12-2015, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfer1

If you like really good steak and old Vegas, go to Hugo's Cellar. Actually the steakhouse at the old Benny Binion, which I'm not sure if it is still open is good, and surprisingly the steakhouse at Circus Circus.

Don't let the casino fool you if you decide to check out Hugo's Cellar. The restaurant is another world, especially if you bring your wife. She'll get roses when she walk in. All walnut and mahogany trim. Same for the Circus Circus, the casino is low class, but the steakhouse is very good.

Hard Rock has two places they get dry aged rib eyes from. One in Chicago and one in KC. Very good as well.

Look, if you go to Hugo's Cellar your wife will be very pleased, and you'll have found a place not many know about.

The Golden Steer off the strip is also old Vegas. The Rat Pack used to frequent it because some hotels wouldn't let Sammie Davis stay due to race.

Just my preferences. Substance over Style and Flash.

The new flashy places absolutely wrecked that town. I still go and get rooms and food comped, but it isn't anything like it used to be. It's a shame really, but if you should happen to check out especially the Golden Steer or Hugo's Cellar, you'll be well pleased and experience what the whole town used to be like.

Batista's on the strip is o.k. Italian, and several persons of note frequented that place including Henry Hill. When I say o.k., I mean well above average, but I make my own from scratch so it is hard for me to get really excited.

The other suggestions, with some exceptions, are all fine by me also. I just prefer old school Vegas where they appreciate my business, and they aren't into the younger flash. And I'm not that old. Long story. I know some folks that used to run casinos there. Before the corporation wrecked them all.

Since you seem to know the steak places, do you recall the name of the classic steak house about five miles north of town that's around 60-70 years old? It would be in an area that is now known as Centennial Hills. I went there about eight years ago and they told me that back in the day there was nothing but desert and dirt roads between them and the strip and that they could see cars coming from miles away by the dust plumes. Still had a very 50/60s type look on the inside and had great steaks and big martinis.

Golfer1 · 01-12-2015, 07:25 PM

I think it's Bob Taylor's. Does that ring a bell. That's a blast form the past. I was out there one time, and I thought there were two steakhouses there, but one was old and had been around for a while.

gregaustin · 01-13-2015, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfer1

I think it's Bob Taylor's. Does that ring a bell. That's a blast form the past. I was out there one time, and I thought there were two steakhouses there, but one was old and had been around for a while.

Could be, but doesn't ring a bell. I loved all that old school Vegas stuff.

yteranger · 01-14-2015, 03:13 PM

Amazing suggestions from everyone. Thank you for all your great ideas. We were going for a weekend but now I'm thinking about making it a week just to fit in all these activities.

DivingDeep · 01-17-2015, 05:10 PM

I've been to Vegas a few times. Did a few things for the first time this last trip:

Fremont Street Experience - pretty cool. Interesting place to spend some time as a couple.
Pizza Rock - pretty good New York style (and others) pizza - in the Fremont area

I'm also a huge fun of the Cirque shows. Have fun.

Cheers.