Being Dragged to Vegas

[Scout26]

Yep, I had totally "memory holed" the fact that we're leaving for Vegas for my step-MIL's surprise 60th birthday party this weekend.  My FIL and his wife live outside Vegas, and I've never been.

Here are the facts:

1) I don't like gambling.  Hanging out with some friends/family and playing some cards/poker is fun.  Going to a Casino = major suckage.  In fact a few years ago at deer camp, we went to a nearby riverboat one night.  As we're walking onto the boat, I look up at all the glitz, flashing lights and neon and say " I wonder how they pay for all this ?"  To which my cousin responded with "You know how to suck the fun out everything."   

2)  Shows - I take the trip to dentist instead, unless they can guarantee that one of the flamers gets eaten by a tiger, or I can shoot Elvis impersonators, not because I'm an Elvis fan, but just for GP.

So what else is there to do there that doesn't involve giving away my hard earned money, or watching/listening to two-bit (I don't care how much they get paid) lounge act ??

[Azrael256]

Legal prostitution?












You asked.

[BridgeRunner]

Aren't there some near ranges round that area?

I vaguely remember reading something...

[Boomhauer]

I am not a gambler either, nor a fan of shows, but I really enjoy Vegas. Wandering around watching the people is a lot of fun, plus seeing the sights. I really, really want to go back soon.

Go to Hoover Dam if ya get the chance.

Go to the upscale casinos, like the Venetian (I stayed there last summer), the MGM, Cesar's Palace, etc. Just wander around. Don't bother gambling, just go see the other attractions.

Believe me, I HATE the thought of gambling. I'd much rather explore the town.

Vegas is a bit overwhelming for the first time. The night we got there, I just wandered around the Venetian for 4 hours or so, getting my bearings and watching people and seeing the sights. The people I was traveling with were pretty much only interested in gambeling, so I ditched them and headed out on my own. The Strip is beautiful at night, all lit up. You also need to go see the water show at the Bellagio, and the pirate show at Treasure Island.

Legal prostitution?

I don't think prostitution is legal in Vegas.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

whats the fastest you ever drove a car?  theresa place that rents cars there has some fast ones. lots of fun

[Scout26]

Additional info:

I'll be there with the wife and kids:  Daughter 14 and son 7, I'll probably be the "Designated Parent" so that Mrs. Scout can hang with her family.  So prositution legal or otherwise is out.   

We are renting an SUV while we're there, so any Prius I see will get runover or run off the road. 

We're mostly shotgunners, so shooting ill fitting shotguns don't sound appealing, and I got my fill of FA in the Army where I shot everything from an M16/M203 to 155mm Field Artilery and qualified in an M1 Abrams. 

Hoover Dam sounds good.  My FIL is retired Air Force.  I'll see if he can get us into Area 51    Is there anything cool to see at Nellis ??  My son loved the SAC museum outside Omaha when we went to visit my MIL last year.

whats the fastest you ever drove a car?  theresa place that rents cars there has some fast ones. lots of fun

After breaking my ankle Skydiving on day two of a ten day Hawaiian vacation a few years back, I'm banned from doing anything remotely dangerous while on vacation.   

[Declaration Day]

Eat at the Rosewood Grille.  You won't regret it.  This is my number one recommendation, especially if you like seafood.

Go to the Star Trek experience at the Hilton.  It's awesome, even if you're not a Star Trek or even a Sci-fi fan.

Go through the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  Very affordable, and very cool.  Afterwards, eat at Shanghai Lilly; it's reasonably-priced and surreal.

Go to Cafe Gelato at the Bellagio.  You can get just about any of your favorite foods in an ice cream flavor.

Visit the reproduction of Tutankhamun's tomb at the Luxor.

See the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur.  It's a family/kid - oriented show but plenty entertaining for adults.

Eat at the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere.

[quiet]

Do the indoor skydiving thing. Your kids will love it.

Go shoot machineguns with your kids.

Check out the Atomic Testing Museum. www.atomictestingmuseum.org

Shark Reef is a great aquarium.


Prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas and the rest of Clark County.

[Antibubba]

A day trip out to Red Rock Canyon is good.  The Shark Reef is good too.  Actually, Vegas is very kid-friendly, because the casinos want Mom & Dad to go there instead of Disneyland.  I'm assuming you're getting a good room rate at a casino, so ask at the desk about kid stuff.

Also, since Vegas has hundreds of wedding chapels, have you considered getting married again?  Your kids will enjoy it, and there are plenty of "themes" you can choose--including being married by "Elvis" (but check around, and you might be able to have "Liberace" do it).  Speaking of which, the Liberace Museum is, well, fabulous!

So what else is there to do there that doesn't involve giving away my hard earned money, or watching/listening to two-bit (I don't care how much they get paid) lounge act ??

If you want to make this trip suck, you can, but why do you want to? 

[De Selby]

Yep, I had totally "memory holed" the fact that we're leaving for Vegas for my step-MIL's surprise 60th birthday party this weekend.  My FIL and his wife live outside Vegas, and I've never been.

Here are the facts:

1) I don't like gambling.  Hanging out with some friends/family and playing some cards/poker is fun.  Going to a Casino = major suckage.  In fact a few years ago at deer camp, we went to a nearby riverboat one night.  As we're walking onto the boat, I look up at all the glitz, flashing lights and neon and say " I wonder how they pay for all this ?"  To which my cousin responded with "You know how to suck the fun out everything."   

2)  Shows - I take the trip to dentist instead, unless they can guarantee that one of the flamers gets eaten by a tiger, or I can shoot Elvis impersonators, not because I'm an Elvis fan, but just for GP.

So what else is there to do there that doesn't involve giving away my hard earned money, or watching/listening to two-bit (I don't care how much they get paid) lounge act ??

Rent a Harley and don't stop until you hit Gallup. 

[Regolith]

Legal prostitution?




You asked.

Prostitution isn't legal in Clark County.  You'll have to travel to Nye, Lincoln, or Mineral County for that.




Anyway, as some of the other posters have suggested:  Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon are both fun places to go.  My uncle is a lawyer-type down there, so I went to visit a couple of times when I was a kid (not too often, though, because my parents hate cities).  A lot of the casinos have fun family-friendly things to do as well.  I highly recommend seeing the Treasure Island Casino pirate battle show (can't remember exactly what it's called).  If go to the right spot, you can feel the heat from the cannons; they put on a pretty impressive pyrotechnic display. And it's free.  Also, the Circus Circus theme park was pretty fun. 

Edit': nevermind.  It appears they discontinued the pirate show in 2004.  That's rather...disappointing.

[Scout26]

If you want to make this trip suck, you can, but why do you want to? 

I don't, that's why I came here and asked what else there is to do other then watch a machine with spinning wheels suck my wallet dry or sit in a smoke filled, velveteen room listening to some has-been never-was belt out Liberace tunes.

Hoover Dam, Shark Reef, Bellagio Water show (Can I see the inside of their Vault ??   ), Tournament of Kings, Circus-Circus and the Star Trek thing are on the list.  I'm bummed about the Pirate show.  My son would have loved that !!

Do the indoor skydiving thing. Your kids will love it.

Love what ??  Watching Mrs. Scout pound me like cheap veal for even suggesting something with the words "Sky Diving" in it ??   

[Jamisjockey]

We are renting an SUV while we're there, so any Prius I see will get runover or run off the road.   

Line of the day!

[Fudgieghost]

I'll second Red Rocks.  I was in Vegas for eleven days back in January.  Had to stay over a weekend.  I too do not gamble.  And since I was by myself, didn't feel like wandering around downtown. . .

There are several trails/hikes within the Red Rocks Conservation Area.  The area itself is only about a 30 minute drive from downtown Vegas.  Gotta kick out of that. . .the city just. . . .stops  BAM!  and your in the desert! 

I hiked up Turtlehead Mtn.  Beautiful view from up top.  This was back in January, so it was only in the fifties. . .by now. . . pretty hot. . I'm trying to post photos, but apparently I can't cut/paste from my hard drive, and snapfish seems to be having problems----I can't access any of my albums----otherwise I have some good photos from the hike.  If you go, bring water, lots of water. .

Also, for breakfast:  The Cracked Egg, on Rainbow, just north of I-15.  Best breakfast in LV, hands down. . .


ETA: here's the photos. . :

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, I just got back from Vegas and had a great time. I ate, drank and gambled a lot.  Went to a show and did some sightseeing.  And some other stuff. 

I've done the Hoover Dam tour, though, and it's worth it.  There are (or used to be) several levels of tours.    Take the one where they give you the hard hat to keep.

[RoadKingLarry]

Rent a Harley and don't stop until you hit Gallup. 

This is a real strange day, first I agree with paddy on a topic and now I agree with Shootinstudent... I feel so dirty

[Scout26]

Well, I just got back from Vegas

Well, so much for running Priuses (Priui ?) off the road........

 

[Brad Johnson]

Depending on how long you're there, and depending on whether you've been before, rent a car and take a day trip to Grand Canyon.  About four and a half hours, if memory serves. 

On the way you could side-trip old Route 66 beginning at Needles and up through Oatman, Kingman, Truxton, Peach Springs, and Seligman.  Watch Cars, including the behing-the-scenes, before you go.  Puts you in the nostalgic mood.

Getting close to the Grand Canyon you'll hit Tusayan.  They have a pretty good air museum there.

Might make for a looooonng day, but you could always overnight at the Canyon or in one of the Motel-Econo places in Williams (on the interstate).

Vegas has a pretty good Conv And Visitors Bureau.
http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/index.jsp

Brad

[The Annoyed Man]

The Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon Utah are both worth the trips, too.

[Scout26]

Now that would be ideal, run Priuses off the road into the Grand Canyon.....

 

[RoadKingLarry]

Now that would be ideal, run Priuses off the road into the Grand Canyon.....

 

ONly if you pick up your trash when you are done

[The Annoyed Man]

Well, lessee.  Gas is about $4/gal. The Prius averaged 45 mpg running through the desert at 80+ with the A/C, CD player and GPS running.  We took several pieces of luggage and an ice chest.  On the way back, I stretched out for a nap, all in complete comfort.  And there was still plenty more room in the back seat.

But, if you've got money to just burn up out your tailpipe, that's fine with me.   

[The Annoyed Man]

Oh, and remember the Prius is a SULEV and leaves a very small carbon footprint, also.

That's for you greenies out there. 

[Brad Johnson]

Oh, and remember the Prius is a SULEV and leaves a very small carbon footprint, also.

Throw one in the Grand Canyon and it leaves a small greasy spot at the bottom. 

Brad

[The Annoyed Man]

Throw one in the Grand Canyon and it leaves a small greasy spot at the bottom.  laugh

Yet compared to a bigazz SUV (in one of their typical rollovers), the Prius, with a smaller gas tank and less oil capacity, still comes out ahead.  And the SUV most probably has a big fat driver, too, which will make even more greasy splat.

You can't win.