MelissaHI

Hi Stu, the time length you mention is not uncommon. That's probably the most popular package--Thursday to Monday.

As for striking up conversation, I wish I could help you. Most of the time when I am striking up conversation with people in general, it's at the blackjack table! I've been to some of the clubs but didn't really find anyone other than my own friends to talk to. At the bars, I usually was there to eat a meal so I would end up talking to the bartenders more!

For what it's worth, I'm topping this to see if anyone else has suggestions.

StuQ

Another question----can one have a good trip if one is on a tight budget? Or is it better to wait until you can gamble more, do more, etc....

MelissaHI

I think Vegas can be done for cheap. I usually stay downtown on a flight/hotel package, but if I am by myself (since I am a member of the Stardust players club), I will stay at the Stardust at very cheap weekday rates. Actually, travel packages are the way to go on the cheap....you get air, hotel AND meals for a very good price.

I think there was a thread about stuff you can do for free or cheap in Vegas. You can watch the Bellagio fountains, the show in front of TI, check out the cheesy statue shows at Caesar's, see the tiger exhibit at the Mirage......there's a lot of free stuff to see without having to splurge on shows.

Gambling, however, would be up to you. You can take free lessons during the day at almost any hotel. I first cut my teeth on the daytime crap table at the Horseshoe, where they had a 50 cent minimum, if you can believe it. I'm not sure if it's still there. Many off-strip casinos have lower minimums, which helps you stretch your gambling budget. Always remember that gambling is a form of entertainment, however, and set a daily limit for yourself. Makes me sound like your mother, doesn't it? Actually, that's how my parents taught me to gamble, and so far that's kept me in line.

StuQ

Thanks Melissa. since I am going over the weekend, I will be staying at some Best Western for 3 nights, and then at Mandalay Bay for sunday night, when it is affordable.
Is seeing something like the Hoover Dam worthwhile?
I am probably renting a car, as it would seem to be more convenient sinceI am staying off strip, and with no shuttes after 11 at night, I might end up paying as much in cab fare anyway.

SimoneSassett

Hoover Dam would be fun - I think you should plan to do that during the week, as weekends can be more crowded.

I think you can totally do Vegas on the cheap. Meals alone are soooo cheap, as long as you're not picky. I know buffets get a bad rap, but honestly, I have no problem with them. In fact, we've even found that by the time you order an entree and an appetizer or salad and then dessert and drinks at a regular restaurant, you're going to spend about the same amount of money, and with a buffet - you just get more choice. If you go to buffets in the more ritzy hotels, they will have much fresher fare. Recently, I've been attracted to the renovated buffet at TI (aka Treasure Island). It's got that "small plates" theme - which I love, since I'm not a big eater.

Suggestion: if you're staying off the strip - drive to one casino and then spend the day/night in that one area and do another area another day. For example, hit the 4 corners at MGM Grand one day - and you'll see MGM, NYNY, Mandalay and Luxor. Then, next day, do the middle of the strip - park at Bally's/Paris and then walk across the street to Bellagio and Ceasar's and next door to Aladdin. Then, maybe another day, do the Wynn corner and you can walk to Venetian, TI and Mirage. Then, another day - maybe do Downtown/Fremont Street and spend an afternoon or evening there. Basically do Vegas/Strip in sections, so you have less driving and more fun time.

And, I agree - pace yourself with gambling. Agree to only pull out X amount of money on each day. If you reach your limit - know that you can't play anymore until tomorrow. The success to gambling is money management. Don't fight the cold streaks - go take a break - grab a drink or watch a lounge act. Then, try a few hours later. I know this is anecdotal, but I have always found that if I don't win and get positive on the first night, then it's a harbinger of things to come and I won't do well the rest of the weekend. So, basically, if I win the first day, then I allow myself to gamble another day.

As for meeting people - that's tough for a guy by himself, I think. Just be natural, don't be too pushy. You can make easy acquiantances at the gambling tables and/or bars and lounges. After all, it is a city of strangers and travelers and a lot of them are solo.

Have fun!

StuQ

So it really is full days just to see some of the hotels huh? My initial plan was: Arrivin around midnihgt on thursday, so goin right to bed. Then Friday, dirving to onee of those areas on the strip, and walking around all day. Sounds like I may only get to a few of those hotels. It must take more time thani think to walk in and look around, even if I am not gambling at those times. Is Fremont Street better to do in the evening or late afternoon?
Then Saturday in the morning fdrive to Hoover Dam, then return and do more hotels.
Sunday I have my room at Mandalay Bay, so I wantot be at the pool for a bit, even if the temp is only 65.
Someone had mentioned a 50% discount ticket booth at the Fashion Mall for shows each night. Do they have for all shows, from small, to big (i.e. Cirque de Soleil).
and I am guessing nighttime is a great tiem in Vegas, and I may be out til 2 or 3 just being in bars or lounges or casino?

thanks for the tips

MelissaHI

re: Fremont. DEFINITELY in the evening! You can't see all the pretty lights till then!

Yes, Vegas is one of those places that is much more exciting at night. I have a friend who sometimes gambles throughout the night till 9 a.m.! Daytime is for shopping and excursions. And gambling lessons.

For gambling, I have a $100/day limit for losing, and once I lose $100, I pack it up and go back to the room. (But remember, you are not there to lose!!) My experience with gambling is a little different from Simone's. Many times I will find myself losing for the first 3 nights, but on the last night win it all back. I've also been on trips where I win every night. My last trip, however, had me losing every night. Hey, that's why they call it "gambling!"

I think you will find (at least at the tables) that women are much chattier than men. Like Simone says, don't be too pushy. If I am correct in telling you that women are much chattier, you may find that you don't have to do much at all to start a conversation!

Simone, how much is the buffet at TI? Sounds interesting!

StuQ

Thanks. I hope I am not giving the impression that I am going there with the purpose of "hooking up." Hey, one never knows what could happen. But I think it wouldbe cool to meet a fellow solo traveler, strike up a conversation, and maybe then spend some time together just hanging out.

Also, do all the hotels have bar/lounges that are free, but are nice. Or does one need to go to one of the "hip clubs?" I'm 40. And though there is nothign wrong with 20-something women (LOL), are there places that are more known for the 30-50 group?

Melissa and Simone? Where are you both from? NY here.

stu

LoveItaly

Hello StuQ, here is my take on solo men that are looking for some female conversation. If you are dressed properly for the occassion, polite and have something interesting to talk about most women will enjoy talking to you. It is men that come off as "threatening, agressive, creepy, oddballs" so to speak that turn women off IMO. Most women today are secure enough to hold a conversation with a gentleman if she feels that is "all" he is interested in. And if romance happens well that was meant to be I presume. I would assume that you have enough street smarts that you will not find yourself being "used" by some woman. That can happen to males as well as females.

I too have always had a daily budget for gambling. Although I am not a great gambler I have always done pretty well at 21. But as someone else said here I look at it as "entertainment" and have always budgeted accordingly. If you do this you will not go home broke..wallet and heart wise. Have a fun time in Las Vegas! And btw, I think Hoover Dam is a very interesting place to visit.

MelissaHI

Oh, Stu, I didn't think you were trying to hook up! But I don't think I have ever looked to hang out with anyone I've met in Vegas. While these people are all really fun & nice, the whole timing/coordination issue seems like a challenge. Meet them again the next night at the same blackjack table, yes. Meet them for dinner before that? Hard to do. Then again, I have never met anyone who was traveling solo when I am traveling solo, so that could be part of it.

I'm from Hawaii. So many Hawaii people go to Vegas for a vacation, we refer to the city as "the ninth island."

StuQ

Thanks for all the replies. I see what you mean Melissa.....I guess hanging out? i don't know what I was thinking. I suppose many of us have that dream of connecting with atotal stranger on a vacation.

I have never been very good at approaching a total stranger in a bar setting. especially more than one woman, as I find often that men will be there single, but women are at least in "pairs." Do things as simple as "Hi, how are you doing tonight" work.

Also, does anyone know about the 50% show booth at Fashion Mall? Do they usually have top shows there, or only bad shows?

Thanks. any other tips I'd appreciate. I've never been to Vegas.
Here is my "itinerary": Staying at a Best Western Thursday night thru Saturday, and at Mandalay Bay Sunday night. Arrive thursday night midnight---straight to bed. Friday--do one of the areas on the strip. Friday night see some sort of show, hang out in a bar or lounge, listen to music, check out the strip at night. Saturday---Hoover Dam, then another part of the strip. pretty much same as Friday except Hoover Dam. also need to work in Fremont Street at some point. sunday, go to Mandalay Bay, and spend some time by the pool. See the other hotels in that area, and spend my night at my hotel or one near-by. Leave Monday around noon. and I am renting a car.

Phew.
Stu

E

Stu, all the hotels I've been to in Vegas have nice bars and lounges that are free to enter--everyone does it, the hotels expect visitors who are not necessarily hotel guests to wander around. For example, we found several small, (20-seat?) bars scattered around the Bellagio, plus one that had a cover band playing, and anyone was free to pull up a seat.

Have a great trip, and let us know how it went when you return!

E

I just read about the following website in the newspaper: www.lasvegasadvisor.com. The guy who runs it is a prof. gambler who specializes in rooting out bargains in Vegas. It's a membership site, but you don't have to join to read tons of info on dining, casinos, etc.

StuQ

I might as well keep asking questions since people have been great so far.
1) If I am only going to go on one "excursion," do I make it Hoover Dam or Red Rock? If I go to Hoover Dam, do I want to pay for the tour, or just check it out myself.

2) Since I am staying for three nights off the strip, is it better to get a car than pay cab/monorail/bus charges? A car for the week is about $90. the cheapest bus tour to Hoover Dam is $45.

3) What are things that are better during the day or at night. for example, is Fremont Street a better expereince after the sun goes down?

4) Is the Fremont Street area the place I will be able to find $5 blackjack tables?

Stu

MelissaHI

Hi Stu, I can only answer a couple of questions.

2) I Don't know if you need a car for the whole week, but you should have a car at least part of the time. I say this because--depending on where you are going and what days--it is REALLY hard to catch a cab back to the casinos from the outskirts. Doesn't matter how much it costs. I once went out to Trader Joes and had to wait for hours to get a cab back.

3) Fremont Street is better at night simply because you cannot see the lights during the day. Exploring the Strip, however, is still pretty good during the day.

4) Downtown (and all off-Strip properties) have the $5 tables. If you are gambling downtown during the day, the bet minimum is even lower. On the Strip during the day, you can find some tables for $5 minimums.

StuQ

After all the great and much appreciated tips, it looks like financially, this is not the best time for my first visit to Vegas.


Stu

BigJim

Stu, there's 2 main companies that sell half price tickets. One of them is located in the Fashion Mall and the other one is located next to the Coca Cola store near MGM. One of them also has a location near the Harley Davidson store. Of course neither one of them will have tickets to the "big" shows, like Cirque or Celine Dion or Blue Man Group, etc. That would be too easy, right???

If you're going to be there during the week, you MIGHT find some $5 blackjack tables on the Strip, but it's unlikely. If it's the weekend, forget it! It just depends on how busy they are or how the casino is feeling that day. I hate when they do this! But you're more likely to find them in Downtown.