<p>
That’s just what the law says. It’s functionally legal.</p>
<p>Wow…how could you say there is nothing to like about Vegas? Here are my favorite freebies: go to the Bellagio and walk through their beautiful Gardens. Stand outside at night and watch the water show.
Go to the Tapas restaurant in the Venetian shops. Have an appetizer and listen to the gondoliers below you…some of them have beautiful opera voices.<br>
Go to the shops at the Forum and watch the show right outside the Cheesecake Factory.<br>
I know I have more but I’m late for the gym…later I’ll post again.</p>
<p>ebeeee. Now we are talking. You are reading my mind (at least that part of my mind determined to keep costs down).
I am going to print out this thread and take it with me:)</p>
<p>A few tips from a Vegas semi-regular:</p>
<p>The buffets in the hotels are generally inexpensive and generally not so good.
The best map of vegas is here: [THE</a> Las Vegas Map](<a href=“http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/condomap.htm]THE”>http://www.vegastodayandtomorrow.com/condomap.htm)
Best dinners for your money are off the strip. We like Ellis Island (C9 on the above map)
Don’t rent a car. Take a free shuttle from the airport to your hotel. Travel by foot or monorail to other points on the strip. Rent a car the day you need it from your hotel or a nearby hotel.
Run away from the people offering free show tickets
Do not be tempted to take a card from the “snappers” (you’ll know what I mean as soon as you see them.
The water show at Bellagio viewed from the top of the Eiffel Tower is awesome.</p>
<p>Oh, and IMHO, Hoover Dam is worth the drive.</p>
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<p>True, but you don’t have to go all the way to Las Vegas to find places where prostitution laws are weakly enforced or not enforced at all. If that’s what you are looking for, you can find sections of towns where it is winked at in many American cities.</p>
<p>And the police in Las Vegas do make an attempt to enforce the law:</p>
<p><a href=“Prostitution arrests close Las Vegas pool - UPI.com”>Prostitution arrests close Las Vegas pool - UPI.com;
<a href=“http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2868188[/url]”>http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2868188</a>
<a href=“http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/09/national/main2906799.shtml[/url]”>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/09/national/main2906799.shtml</a></p>
<p>You may well get away with hiring prostitutes in Las Vegas, but you shouldn’t kid yourself that it is legal.</p>
<p>Take a ride over to Freed’s Bakery for some wonderful cake or baked goods sold by the slice.</p>
<p>[Freed’s</a> Bakery - Las Vegas, NV](<a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/freeds-bakery-las-vegas-3]Freed’s”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/freeds-bakery-las-vegas-3)</p>
<p>IMHO, Death Valley is worth two days. I’ve been in June (for the solstice)–121 degrees and I loved it (I’d been dealing with the aftermath of pneumonia for months, two days there and I felt wonderful–all that DRY heat). I’ve been in October/November–great for hiking. My favorite trip was in April of a rainy year, when the desert was in bloom. Desert violets have a sweet scent! </p>
<p>Of course, I’m fascinated by geological processes, and they’re in full display–no vegetation on top of them–throughout Death Valley.</p>
<p>We all enjoyed the Hoover Dam and the downtown Freemont light show. DD loved the Luxor King Tut recreation, the lions at MGM and the white tigers at the Mirage.<br>
One thing to keep in mind is that everyone seems to smoke in Vegas. If you don’t, be sure to request a non-smoking room. I pack a couple of travel candles, too. The cigarette smoke smell really bothers DD.</p>
<p>Another vote for the Hoover Dam. A terrific side trip and NOT far at all. </p>
<p>Also, I LOVE Zion…even more than the Grand Canyon and it’s not as far. </p>
<p>Also, Snow Canyon in St Georges Utah is probably about an hour (on the way to Zion). After a nice hike, there are good cheap restaurants in town (we had some of the best mexican ever…cafe rio…cheap, cafeteria line food but great!) </p>
<p>Bryce is also awesome but may be too far. </p>
<p>Note: I like to hike though and I hate casinos and glitz…so I personally would spend most of my time trying to get out of LV …lol. My brother says the shows are great though! Have fun!</p>
<p>Two days in Death Valley–certainly not for everyone. I’ll take Hoover Dam too.</p>
<p>We have found the tap water in LV awful (at nice places: Bellagio, Wynn, etc.). We always have to find bottled water and get it back to our room. We find the snack shop in each hotel and carry a few bottles back to our room often with a few little snacks. If you have a rental car, I’d find a grocery store away from the strip and get some large bottles of water, soft drinks, and snacks.</p>
<p>You have to think about your meals in advance in LV. Look for likely places and decide ahead where you want to eat dinner. You may need reservations for dinner. We have had several good dinners at Olives in Bellagio. We liked the dinner buffet at Wynn, but not the one at Bellagio. All food is very expensive there.</p>
<p>The shows are fun. I have seen Bette Middler, David Copperfield, and most of the Cirque de Soleil shows. Are you seeing one of those?</p>
<p>I’m going there, too, in early January (first time in a long, long time).</p>
<p>So far, have tickets for Bette Midler, Cirque Du Soleil and Penn and Teller. Plan on going to the Hoover Dam (and Techatticup Mining Camp). I guess hit the Freemont Street Experience.</p>
<p>Other than that, just relax.</p>
<p>On our last trip in May most restaurants were happy to take people off the street and offering deals. At least around 7pm you could have your choice of many in the major hotels. We walked into Craft, Table 10, Mesa and others.</p>
<p>We let the kids choose this years family vacation (this is it for 2010) and since the youngest just turned 21 this was their idea of great entertainment! They all (DH/DD/DS) play cards and plan on entering a number of hold em tournaments. The side trips are to keep me happy! Ugh… I am a good wanderer and and am happy people watching etc. We are seeing Ka but already paid way too much for tx. </p>
<p>This is seriously so helpful. I have a hard time trusting many of the websites I have found but I TRUST CC judgement 100%!!!</p>
<p>Dadinator: Bette Midler! I’m coming with you!</p>
<p>Sax, we bought the cheapest seats on line through Bette Midler’s web site and got the second row of the front mezzanine!</p>
<p>I guess things are going to be really slow next week.</p>
<p>The tickets were about $60 each, including the taxes, service charges, etc.</p>
<p>Here’s 40% off for Penn and Teller, if you are interested (I called the box office directly):</p>
<p>[Tickets:</a> Penn & Teller, $45 – ‘Best Show in Vegas:’ Penn & Teller at 40% OFF | Travelzoo](<a href=“http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-entertainment/718756]Tickets:”>http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-entertainment/718756)</p>
<p>Sax: I’m so glad you are going to see Ka! I loved that show so much that we have seen it twice. I felt it was worth the money. It’s my favorite of the Cirque shows I have seen (O, Love, Mystere). Good choice for the young adults too. It’s not like anything else you’ve ever seen.</p>
<p>It’s funny how reasonable minds may differ (of course restaurants can vary according to chef, how busy etc.) Bouchon in the Venetian for brunch was absolutely delightful when we were there a few weeks ago - so good that we went back a second time. THE best coffee - I even asked the waiter what kind of beans and what kind of machine they use to brew. I also second the fountain show in front of the Bellagio - really nice (holiday display in the Bellagio was beautiful, too). There’s also the wax museum at the Venetian. Lots of people head to do shopping or window shopping at Caesars/Bellagio and the Venetian complex. A great side excursion that your kids would probably enjoy a lot is a Hummer tour of the desert. They let the air out of the tires - fun, but bumpy! </p>
<p>On the other hand, The Fremont Experience downtown? Ugh, tacky and seedy (but if you are interested in historic Vegas may have some interest ) are the only two words that come to my mind! I understand that the slots in the downtown area have better returns since they are trying to revitalize the area and draw people in - so for the serious gamblers, maybe something to say for the area, but otherwise, not much I could see. </p>
<p>Since I am not into the gambling (I won $50 on the $50 free slots credit that came with my room and called it a day - I’m not the kind of customer Vegas wants, that’s for sure!), the shows and restaurants were highlights. Check out tripadvisor and zagats online (although you may have to subscribe to get onto that, it’s worth it, IMO)for restaurants in your price range. We were there on a busy weekend when it wasn’t the case (rodeo and pharmacy conventions - quite a funny combination at times!) , but hotel prices have been ridiculously low there lately.</p>
<p>“but hotel prices have been ridiculously low there lately.” We staid at the Venetian two weeks ago BECAUSE Bouchon would be “right down the hall”. Add to that a 900 sq ft suite for $49(???) a night(on a weekend yet)…it was an inexpensive birthday treat for DD. We had eaten dinner and brunch at Bouchon several times before. This time we got the same table and waiter we had months ago. The waiter told us that “we keep track of things our customers like”. A spectacular dinner-----pork belly to die for. And we even had a good “star sighting” --Gary Oldman at the table next to us.</p>
<p>Another suggestion. We like to eat lunch at the front of the Wolfgang Puck(get the meatloaf!) in the Caesars Mall and watch the world go by. It is the MOST entertaining show in Las Vegas.</p>
<p>Sax: Rear orchestra for Bette Midler $45 ($60 with all the taxes and fees):</p>
<p>[Tickets:</a> Bette Midler at The Colosseum, $45.45 – January: Bette Midler’s Final Shows (Reg. $127) | Travelzoo](<a href=“http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-entertainment/720791]Tickets:”>http://entertainment.travelzoo.com/las-vegas-entertainment/720791)</p>