[Weimer]

My girlfriend and I are trying to come to a compromise about what shows to see since like I said we probably won't have the time or resources to see all of them. The way we're thinking about doing it is each picking one we want to see (regardless of whether the other person wants to see it) and then agreeing on one we both want to see. So we'll end up seeing a total of 3 shows most likely.

The one my girlfriend is going to pick is Love because she's a huge Beatles freak and there's no way we're leaving Vegas without seeing that show. The show we're probably going to agree upon seeing is either the Paris one or the Mac King Comedy Show because we both definitely want to see those. So my choice will be one of the other Cirque du Soleil shows (O, KA, Mystere). I'm just not sure which I want to see the most.

[mikez1031]

i've been to vegas many times, but not since 2004. august & september are the hottest, 100-115 during the day. you will want to not stay in the sun too long by the pool or you will ruin your vacation w/a bad burn. if i were going w/that kind of budget i'd stay downtown or off the strip. but if it is your first time the flamingo would be the best. it's right in the middle of the strip. a great place to gamble on the cheap is near there called o'sheas. they have low limits $1 or $2. great place to learn to play craps. check out a site called cheapo vegas for some inexpensive ideas. lmk if you want any other ideas.

have a great time & good luck
mikez

[Weimer]

I know August will probably be pretty brutal for weather, but I didn't think September would be too bad. The average high in September is 95 degrees, which is still hot but manageable given that we get around those temperatures in August here in Minnesota plus with a lot more humidity. I'm not really concerned with getting burnt sitting outside at the pool or anything because I don't really plan on spending any time at the pool. I've never really been a big fan of pools as I don't really enjoy swimming in the slightest and I find sitting in the water doing nothing to be pretty pointless. I can do the same thing in a tub/shower and not have to worry about all the screaming kids and idiots.

I'm not really interested in staying off the strip because we're not renting a car or anything. So we'll be doing a majority of our traveling on foot or the light rail if we need to use it. I'm trying to stay away from using a cab or the bus as much as possible. Which is why staying right on the strip is the ideal choice because everything we want will be within walking distance or a hop on the light rail.

[acfindysz]

I am going second week of August.

Staying at Harrahs. # nights comped with last night $40 thanks to player's card

If you ever hit the Harrahs riverboat get a player's card
If not, get a card while you are in Vegas

They will set you up with great room rates as long as you activate and use it

Harrahs on strip and near other great hotels (TI, Caesar's, Flamingo, Mirage)

The bottom line is that you only need a room to sleep in
Don't stya at one of the hug huge expensive hotels if you are trying to cut corners

Just make sure your hotel has a pool since you are going in August/September and especially if your woman has a kiler bod and you want to kill a few hours bythe pool each day (might have to if you want to limit cash flow)

My guess is that you'll be walking to each casino and sightseeing

That could be a couple days. Therefore, only plan on seeing one show.

Rio has a great buffet and Harrahs does a shuttle

Actually, Harrahs and Rio are now owned by same corporation as many of the other casinos so be sure to use your card whenever you pop into any of the casinos

take an evening trip to Freemeont Street downtown
$20 cab ride but you will make up for it with $.50 roulette and $5 table games at night (many other casinos jack up minimum at night)

Recommendations based on what you said about your budget
1) harrahs or Excalibor
2) Flamingo

if you are paying more than $60 a weekday night and/or $99 on a weekend night in August you are overpaying.

if you go in Septemebr, expect weekends to double due to football season

hope that helps

btw, have fun collecting "literature" from the locals while walking the strip after 8PM

[Weimer]

Here's a random question for you guys that have been to Vegas. Am I better off going through one of the travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline to get my tickets and hotel together? Or should I make the hotel reservation on the hotels site and buy the tickets separate?

[lasvegasbbch]

Weimer Wrote:Here's a random question for you guys that have been to Vegas. Am I better off going through one of the travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, Priceline to get my tickets and hotel together? Or should I make the hotel reservation on the hotels site and buy the tickets separate?

experiment w/ both and compare-if its not a big weekend here, event-wise you might be better off through the hotels themselves, especially if its hot (110+)

[G $MONEY$]

I stayed at the Excalibur about a year ago, really cheap place to stay at. It isn't a high class hotel or anything, but considering we were only there for 5-6 hours a day to sleep and get ready, we didnt care. Id stay there again if i went, had no problems with it.

[bballjunky24]

Well, I might be the expert for your Vegas Experience...

I went as a college student in August of 2007 for my girlfriend's birthday. If you are going with a newer g/f and want to impress her, my recommendations are not for you. However, if you have been with her for a while and basically don't need to act like you own the town, my experience is for you.

The #1 rule for cheap times in vegas is to stay at a place that is cheap and clean. The reasoning: how much time do you anticipate you will be spending in the room? If you are normal, none... You will pass out in the tub or on the bed every night, get up and shower and head back out for the day. The best place to accomplish this at a cheap price is the gold coast. The casino is crap, there isn't much to see there, but the rooms are clean and newly updated with flat screen TVs and what not... I think I paid $29 for Thurs & Fri and then $39 for Sat & Sun.

The gold coast runs a shuttle every 15 minutes to the strip. Just be patient and it takes you right to the middle. We walked the entire strip in one day and then went back every other day to eat, party, and gamble...

If you like country music and fun bars, Toby Kieth's I love this bar was fun (Great Burger)...

Margaritaville is a must...

Also, the RIO is a great hangout for those on a budget. The Tilted Kilt is a great bar and they have one in it. The food at the Rio was great as well. We saw Penn & Teller there and they put on a decent show...

Don't be afraid of going downtown as well... I honestly love the feel of the older vegas than I did the newer vegas...

Finally, Win... On the first day I went through half of my $1000 wad, but on the second day the tables treated me well. I hit 3 straight flushes @ 3 card poker and walked away with $2200 in my pocket... All of course made our trip even better because we partied like rockstars and came home with none of that money...

[Weimer]

Thanks for the insight everyone. It's been very interesting to read. Please continue to post your opinions and comments. I want as much information as I can get.

bballjunky, my girlfriend and I aren't at the new stage anymore, so our trip will be a lot like yours. We're just looking to go and get away and have a good time together. No need to impress one another or show off or anything like that. We won't be doing the whole club/bar scene though because she's not 21 yet and neither of us are much into drinking and the like anyways. All the rest of your information was very helpful though and I appreciate it.

[thomas46]

Try the airline for a package deal, sometimes you can get a great deal .