What to see and do in Las Vegas

I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August and
will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into many US
dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and places to
see.

I'm thinking of staying in either Mandalay Bay or the Luxor at the south end
of the Strip or Treasure Island, mid strip. Does anyone have any other
suggestions?

When do the Hotels starting offering their deals for this time of year? I've
checked a couple of the websites and most only have prices up to June as
yet.

Regarding food, I've heard that most places have buffets, but some are
better than others. Any recommendations for these or other places to eat.

Besides wandering the Strip to see the sights, are there any other must sees
or places to go.

Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for your help in advance.

Glenn

ps I know it will be very hot that time of year but it is the only time that
will fit in our schedule.

Aussie Glenn wrote: As our money doesn't convert into many US
dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay

Hotel rates midweek are half that of weekends.

George

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:15:27 +1100, "Aussie Glenn"
wrote:

I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August and
will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into many US
dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and places to
see.

I'm thinking of staying in either Mandalay Bay or the Luxor at the south end
of the Strip or Treasure Island, mid strip. Does anyone have any other
suggestions?

When do the Hotels starting offering their deals for this time of year? I've
checked a couple of the websites and most only have prices up to June as
yet.

Regarding food, I've heard that most places have buffets, but some are
better than others. Any recommendations for these or other places to eat.

Besides wandering the Strip to see the sights, are there any other must sees
or places to go.

Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for your help in advance.

Glenn

ps I know it will be very hot that time of year but it is the only time that
will fit in our schedule.

Hi Glenn

We stayed at Fitzgerald's in Fremont Street (the older
section of earlier Vegas) in 2003 and loved it.

Depending when you're going it may be heavily booked, but
this is what their site showed on a spec booking just now:
http://www.fitzgeraldslasvegas.com/

PRICE OF 1 ROOM
Thu, Aug 10, 2006 ( $45.00 x 1 ) $45.00
Fri, Aug 11, 2006 ( $69.00 x 1 ) $69.00
Sat, Aug 12, 2006 ( $69.00 x 1 ) $69.00
Sun, Aug 13, 2006 ( $45.00 x 1 ) $45.00
Mon, Aug 14, 2006 ( $45.00 x 1 ) $45.00
Your subtotal: $273.00
Your tax is: $30.03
Your total with tax: $303.03

That's in US$ of course; roughly AU$400 for 5 nights.

To get the best value, you may find it wise to stay in
Fremont St for two or three nights then switch to the strip
for the remainder.

While there we did the day trip to the Grand Canyon using
Vision Air http://www.visionholidays.com/tours_airplane1.asp

Cheers, Alan, Australia

"Aussie Glenn" wrote in message
...
I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August
and will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into
many US dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and
places to see.

I'm thinking of staying in either Mandalay Bay or the Luxor at the south
end of the Strip or Treasure Island, mid strip. Does anyone have any other
suggestions?

When do the Hotels starting offering their deals for this time of year?
I've checked a couple of the websites and most only have prices up to June
as yet.

Regarding food, I've heard that most places have buffets, but some are
better than others. Any recommendations for these or other places to eat.

Besides wandering the Strip to see the sights, are there any other must
sees or places to go.

Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for your help in advance.

Glenn

ps I know it will be very hot that time of year but it is the only time
that will fit in our schedule.
check the group alt.vacation.las-vegas and do a search for inexpensive
hotels. There is a wealth of information. You can also check
www.cheapovegas.com for some great tips.
If you plan on walking, stay mid strip. The distance from Luxor to the
Stratosphere is exhausting!
Have a blast! We surely did.
Momma

Glenn, there are a number of good web sites with lots of info; for
example try cheapovegas.com for comparisons of hotels, buffets, etc.
Hotel prices can fluctuate quite a bit; they'll go up on weekends and
up when there are conventions in town.

One tip for buffets (which can be expensive) is to eat there as a late
lunch (when prices are cheaper) rather than as dinner, and make that
the main meal of the day.

Some folks save money by staying at the older hotel/casinos around
Freemont Street (several miles from the Strip where the new places
are). Personally, I find most Freemont Street places a little dreary
compared to the Strip, and for a first visit I'd recommend staying at a
nice place on the Strip if your budget permits.

Besides wandering the Strip to see the sights,
are there any other must sees or places to go.

Seeing the Strip will probably be your main activity; the big
hotel/casinos are a lot of fun to visit even if you don't gamble. Also,
lots of great restaurants and buffets, and some wonderful shows.
A few miles away is the Freemont Street area if you want to see old
Vegas.

If you have a rental car (or take a tour bus), see nearby Hoover Dam
and/or one of the area parks such as Red Rock or Valley of Fire, to see
dramatic desert scenery. Or you could take a day trip to Death Valley.
(It's extraordinarily hot there in August, so don't do any hiking
without taking proper precautions.)

Jim

Want to add something to my previous post. The Grand Canyon is one of
the most spectacular sights in the U.S. and would be a wonderful side
trip. It's about a 5-1/2 drive to the South Rim from Vegas, so an
overnight (or longer) trip is best, but it's certainly possible to do
it as a day trip. If you left early morning you could spend most of the
afternoon at the South Rim (the main tourist area) and drive back in
the evening. Several companies also offer one-day bus tours from Vegas,
such as:

http://www.grayline.com/franchise.cf...details/id/122

There are also one-day plane or helicopter tours available from Vegas.

Jim

wrote:
Want to add something to my previous post. The Grand Canyon is one of
the most spectacular sights in the U.S. and would be a wonderful side
trip. It's about a 5-1/2 drive to the South Rim from Vegas, so an
overnight (or longer) trip is best, but it's certainly possible to do
it as a day trip. If you left early morning you could spend most of the
afternoon at the South Rim (the main tourist area) and drive back in
the evening. Several companies also offer one-day bus tours from Vegas,
such as:

http://www.grayline.com/franchise.cf...details/id/122

There are also one-day plane or helicopter tours available from Vegas.

I'd like to second James' original suggestion, though, that this is best as an
overnight trip. To go to the Grand Canyon and deprive yourself of Sunset and
Sunrise would be a terrible shame.


--
Julie
**********
Read my blog on the adventure of learning a second language as an adult at http://www.livejournal.com/users/zweisprachen
Web Page: http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm

Aussie Glenn wrote:
I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August and
will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into many US
dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and places to
see.

I'm thinking of staying in either Mandalay Bay or the Luxor at the south end
of the Strip or Treasure Island, mid strip. Does anyone have any other
suggestions?

When do the Hotels starting offering their deals for this time of year? I've
checked a couple of the websites and most only have prices up to June as
yet.

Regarding food, I've heard that most places have buffets, but some are
better than others. Any recommendations for these or other places to eat.

Besides wandering the Strip to see the sights, are there any other must sees
or places to go.

Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for your help in advance.

Glenn: In general the cheaper prices are mid-week. And downtown is
definitely more value oriented than the strip.


Glenn

ps I know it will be very hot that time of year but it is the only time that
will fit in our schedule.

"Aussie Glenn" wrote in message
...
I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August
and will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into
many US dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and
places to see.

Glenn, have you considered using Priceline and bidding for your
accommodation? We used it when we went to the States and saved a bundle.
Have a read at Bidding for Travel first though

http://p070.ezboard.com/bpricelineandexpediabidding

Just know that you are bidding in U.S $$$ though.

Debbie - fellow Aussie traveller )

"Aussie Glenn" wrote in message
...
I'm an Aussie going with my wife to the US for the first time in August
and
will be staying 5 nights in Vegas As our money doesn't convert into many
US
dollars, I'm looking for value places to stay, where to eat and places to
see.

I'm thinking of staying in either Mandalay Bay or the Luxor at the south
end
of the Strip or Treasure Island, mid strip. Does anyone have any other
suggestions?

Look at vegas.com