teesalsa

Hello travelers!

I'm comtemplating taking a trip in Dec to Las Vegas for my birthday. I've never been and it looks like I'll have to go solo because all of my friends are otherwise occupied or broke!

Just looking for suggestions on how to have a good time when going it alone. I'm not really worried about safety, I'm a very careful person.

If anyone has traveled to the area sans friends or loved ones please let me know of your adventures.

Thanks a bunch!
teesalsa

MelissaHI

Hi teesalsa, I travel solo a lot, and have done Vegas a few times like this as well.

Are you staying on the strip? If so, then you can easily access the fun stuff there by walking or by cab. You can check out the unique hotels, shop, see a show.

The most awkward times for me are mealtimes. One thing about dining solo: you don't need a reservation to sit at the bar, and there's always room there for one. The bartenders are always friendly and make good company. Some good spots for solo bar dining include Olives and Bouchon. I didn't care for .... oh, gosh, the name escapes me but it's in the Venetian.

Good luck and have fun!

ltt

there are quite a few casinos that play live music in their lobbies. those are usually good and you never know if someone will ask if they can sit with you so you have some company if you want it. the light show downtown on freemont street is worth a look. i would definitly stay in on the strip so keep yourself in all the action.
depending upon your age, there are some hotels that may be more suitable if you want to meet people.

teesalsa

Thanks so much for your responses! I found a good deal at the MGM Grand for 3 nights --- That's on the Strip isn't it?

I'm sure I'll have fun... I'm pretty friendly so it shouldn't be a problem...

teesalsa

toncasmo

i usually go with my husband while he's in a class so spend all day by myself and everyone is always very nice there to a solo. commanders palace acutally is supposed to cater to the solo diner so try and go there- it's wonderful. there's so much to see, i don't think you'll have any problems

BigJim

Vegas is perfect for solo travelers! It's one of the few, if not the only, city where you can walk down the street by yourself at all hours of the day and night and feel safe because there will be tons of people around.

fehgeddaboudit

Yep, you're on the strip.
check out www.cheapovegas.com for some decent maps. There are more detailed maps available elsewhere, but these give you a relational view of where MGM is located.

JRP

Don't think I could enjoy another destination more when going solo. Done it many times and love every minute. As stated, as long as you stay on The Strip, you're as safe as can be expected. And, as anywhere, if you should decide to explore parts unknown, a considerate up-front tip should endear a cabby and allow you the safety and guidance necessary. Never a wasted minute asking, "I don't know, where do you want to go" or, "Where do you want to eat". It's all good. 'Round the clock choices of activities and dining. Stop, sleep and go as you choose. Converse or not, your choice. Always remain as invisible or attractive as you feel and never be concerned of judgement. Great for "clearing the mechanism". Looking forward to 2 solos in the next few weeks.

teesalsa

Thanks all!!! You've been most helpful! I'm definitely a people person, but I won't be hampered from adventures just because no one can come with me!

JRP, you sound like my kind of person. Please explain what "Clearing the mechanism" means. I'm intrigued!

teesalsa

MelissaHI

By the way, I'll be there solo next week!

One thing about Vegas, since you've never been....people are right, everything there is really "over the top." It can seem garish or wierd or excessive, but just take it at face value--it's all for fun. I like Vegas not just for the gambling, but also because everyone is in a whole different frame of mind there. You're not just on vacation.....it's as if you've been propelled into a cartoon or something. Everything is so big, yet close together, that it's surreal. It really is like an adult Disneyland.

I can't remember what the title of the thread was, but there was one here a long time ago discussing things you find yourself saying/doing in Vegas that you wouldn't say at home. Like, "This one's for the stick man!" And stuff like that. Or like the time I was solo and found myself on a blackjack table with three little old ladies from Pittsburgh--all drunk and demanding another one! Or the time this old man next to me was winning a lot of money--so I rubbed him for good luck. Truth be told, I think he was a little offended at me! ha ha!

Jane_R

I've been there alone for a conference-- no one else from my work attended. I agree with others- Vegas is great for solo travelers.

You can pull up to any table for a game of blackjack or whatever-- and meet people at your table while you're there.

Lots of shows to choose from that you can attend(my favorite is Mystere but O is great too).

Schedule a spa session-- pamper yourself for your birthday!

LV has great shopping so that's one of my top activities there as well.

As for dinners, find a sushi bar and chat with other diners or the sushi chef.

Have a great time!!!

JRP

Tee..."Clearing the mechanism" is borrowed from a film. It's a re-setting of the mind to prepare yourself for maximum performance. I find it necessary to ward of the doldrums of "the grind". Melissa has it right when she speaks of the surrealism. If accepted, the frame of mind that you morph into can allow for "clearing the mechanism". You can completely recreate for a couple of days, shake it off on the way to the airport, snicker and smirk in reflection as you live the "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" escape to wherever home might be. Like running of into the desert and screaming yourself hoarse just to let it out- without the screaming. A little over two weeks until re-set, can't wait!

JRP

My apologies. I'd make it a whole lot easier for you if I would use 2 fs to spell off.

SimoneSassett

As a girl, my only warning would be to be careful at night. I know you said that you are a careful person, but still... Don't drink more than you can handle and never accept a drink from someone else - you never know what might be in it. I hate to be a wet noodle on the party, but I don't want you be to be a casualty either. And, I'm always nervous when I hear that it's anyone's first time in Vegas.

That said, I've done Vegas alone several times and had good clean fun each time. I do a lot of gambling, so the people I meet at tables are usually harmless. Eating? What's that? Just kidding... I tend to forget to eat for say 24 hours when I'm gambling. But, when I do finally decide to get some nourishment, I have no problem eating alone. I usually request a table that is on the periphery so I can have a nice view of the restaurant or out a window. I refuse to accept a table in the middle of the room. Eating at the bar is also a good idea, because you have built-in companions from your neighbors next to you to the several bar tenders behind the bar. One time, I was in Vegas on a lark - just drove out there from Orange County one afternoon when I was depressed, got into Vegas as the sun was going down and ended up gambling at the Paris Hotel for hours! I was at a wonderful table with a great old lady who was from the South - all spunky and robust. I didn't have a room reserved and it was 3am and supposedly every hotel was booked (it was in the middle of college basketball finals). I lamented that I didn't have a room (after gambling for like 5+ hours at the same table with this lady - me with my $25 blackjack hands and she with her $500 blackjack hands) and that spunky old lady talked the pit boss into comping me a room for the night! I was stoked! Since the room was paid for, I indulged and got a little room service for fun around 5am.

Ok, so I digressed.... anyway - you never know who you can meet in Vegas. If you're going to do some gambling and you never have before - be sure to go to lower stakes tables during the day and get a lesson from a nice table of players or by yourself. It will make gambling less intimidating at night. And, pace yourself! You don't want to spend all your money on the first night!

Enjoy!

jetset1

Hi~ I went solo last spring and loved every minute of it for three days. I really enjoyed the Annie Bananie tour I took to the Red Rock area. I met some very nice people on that tour van and we had a great day away from the strip.
I have stayed at TI by myself and on the last trip, the Sahara, where I was stuck in an elevator for a long 15 minutes(felt longer), and later, moved up to a suite for being so brave,lol.
I loved being out by the pool, riding the monorial around between hotels, dining whenever/wherever I liked, and the relaxation of the nice weather.
I'm not a gambler, but it was a fun trip and I felt safe and would definitely go there again as a solo traveler.

MelissaHI

When I saw Simone's post, I remembered that I do dress a little sluttier than usual when in Vegas (alone or not). I do notice that taxi drivers tend to hit on me more when I am alone. One guy wanted to be my Egyptian husband. Another wanted to be my Croatian boyfriend. No physical hitting on me, so I never felt like I was in danger, but I just thought I'd give you a heads up just in case. It's December, so you'll probably be better covered up than I ever am!

JRP

3 days to the first, 4 weeks to the second visit. Who'll be there? GTG?

SimoneSassett

MelissaHI - LOL - I actually do the same thing, too! And, I agree with ya - ya can't bee too careful. I was actually sort of offended when recently I was in Vegas alone - but meeting up with a friend (wife & husband) at the Bellagio where they were staying. Admittedly, it was midnight on a Friday and I walked into Bellaggio off the Strip bridge and I was wearing a very nice cocktail dress with high heels...alone. So, within 5 seconds of walking into the Bellagio, I had a red-coated security guard following me! He actually followed me all the way onto the casino floor! I think he thought I was a "professional" - the nerve! LOL Of course, I met up with my friends at the poker room and that's when I finally dropped my shadow security guard. LOL.

Another time, I was flying into Vegas to meet my husband on a Friday night and I like to get a bit dressed up for him, if ya know what I mean... wink wink. So, I was sporting thigh high boots, short skirt and cleavage and when I got in the taxi cab, the guy asked me if I was coming in to work for the weekend! Damn, these cabbies sure have a lot of guts and not much tact. I laughed it off easily enough. LOL.

MelissaHI

Ooooh, Simone, all I can say is, Thank God people can still think that about us! I just turned 40 so in some ways, I'm complimented when someone thinks I'm a pro. Then again, I'm sure they come in all shapes & sizes in Vegas!

StuQ

Hi everyone who has been part of this thread. I'm a 40 year old guy, and may be going to Vegas for my first time November 10 weekend. And I am going solo. A little nervous about going alone. Not safety-wise, just having fun-wise. But it sounds like traveling to vegas solo is alright to do. I am planning to arrive late on a thursday night, and leave around noon on Monday. too long? should I cut one day out?
where will all you nice, but sluttily-dressed women be? Just kidding.
because of finances, I willbe staying off the strip for three nights, and at Mandalay Bay on Sunday night. I'll be at the Best Western Mardi Gras or the Howard Johnson Airport Inn the other nights.
Are any of the hotel bars/lounges better than others in terms of strking up a conversation with someone of the opposite sex? Any suggestions for good places without cover charges or minimal charges?
Thanks all.

Stu