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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 7:22 am
My daughter is going to Las Vegas on business and going to take me. On the 10th of October I had surgery on my right hand, rebuilt my thumb with a tenon out of my right arm. Any way I have been really uncomfortable and so looking forward to getting out of the house. I keep warning her that she will even have to tie my shoes... So I will not be able to drive. We are staying at Tropicana. Does anyone know the best place to play the slots? A good vegetarian restaurant? Is it better to take a taxi or does the trolley work? Which is the best shopping outlet? I have been trying to check on the internet but would really appreciate some first hand experience. I really want to go see the Liberache museum..okay I hear the groans..but he was from my era and he was so over the top in costumes etc. Thank you for any advice
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 7:30 am
Biloxi!!! We need the link to that trip report thread.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 8:36 am
Oh I have the link lol. Sg check out this site. These are Vegas trip reports and always have alot of good information.
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:17 am
Thank you very much Mocha. I put the link in my favorites. At least I read some good reports on Tropicana. I was kind of leery about staying there but that's where her business group has booked.
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:22 am
yw
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Vacanick
Member
07-12-2004
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 10:56 am
SG .. you asked about taking a taxi or the trolley. The first day we were in Vegas we walked ... the second & third days we purchased all day bus passes. Walking is fine if your going just a short way. And the bus is great for getting across town except it makes all the stops ... it takes a long time to get from point A to point B. If I had to choose between walking and the bus, it would be the bus. Just remember to allow for extra time. Have a wonderful time SG!
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Konamouse
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 4:17 pm
Tropicana is down at the south end of the strip, across from the Excalibur (the Tournament of Kings is fun, but it's not a vegetarian meal), the Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. Many of the good restaurants will have some vegetarian options. Ask to speak to a conceriege (sic) when you check in and ask that person for recommendations. The CanyonRanch SpaClub (at the Venetian) has some nice vegetarian options (with NON Smoking) but that's about two miles up the strip. Bus is very stop & go. If you go across Tropicana to the MGM you can walk to the back and catch the monorail which goes as far north as Sahara. But it's behind all the hotels so you are still walking through them to get to the strip. Taxis are plentiful, watch how they take you the LONG way from the airport to your hotel (down to the 215, then over to the 15) since they charge by the mile. If you go out by Swenson you end up on Tropicana Blvd and saves quite a bit of mileage. Best slots? Seriously? The local casinos off the strip, like Green Valley Ranch, Sunset Station or Sams Town. High end shopping found in Cesears Forum Shops, Venetian Grand Canal, and Aladdin Desert Passage (Mandalay has a small one). Medium high mall prices at Fashion Show across from the Wynn at the north end. Beltz Factory Outlet mall is two miles south of Tropicana at Warm Springs & Las Vegas Blvd. Anything else? When are you going to be here? I'm working at Canyon Ranch this weekend (28th & 29th). 'squeek'
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 6:06 pm
I loved GVR!
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Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 6:25 pm
Great tips, I appreciate it very much. We don't leave until Nov 4th. I would love to meet you Konamouse. I haven't gotten to meet any TVCHers yet! We will leave the evening of the 8th. DD has meetings Mon & Tues so I was looking for entertainment by my self. DH and I were married in Las Vegas in 1957...seems so long ago yet just the other day. Weird.
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Biloxibelle
Member
12-21-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 6:35 pm
Oh good Mocha you had the link. I'm late to the party as usual. Supergranny, the LVTR has a ton of great tips. The best one I learned is telling the cab driver "no tunnel" when you leave the airport. It can add anywhere from 15 to 20 dollars on to the fare. If you plan on walking keep a bunch of cough drops or hard candy on hand. Pop one in your mouth the dry air will really dry your throat out. Especially if you have your mouth open talking all the time like I do. The Tropicana is a nice place to stay. When we went out we only used a cab 4 times once to and from the airport and then to and from downtown. Never did ride the bus, but the new double decker buses looked nice. The rest of the time we rode the monorail. But we were staying at Caesars. We just walked over to Ballys and got on there. I really liked playing at Paris. New York New York looked nice. We didn't play there we just passed through on our way to M&M. You're are going to have a blast.
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Konamouse
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:45 pm
OOh, I don't work on Saturday, the 4th. I'll be at Canyon Ranch on Sunday the 5th. We're going to have a little TVCH meet that weekend, right??? Mocha? When you coming back to LV? 'squeek'
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, October 24, 2006 - 4:46 am
The Konas are great people Sg. Kona we're gonna try for next summer.
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Schoolmarm
Member
02-18-2001
| Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 2:31 pm
Watch the fountains at the Bellagio! They have a 1/2 price same-day tickets booth at the neon Coke bottle on the strip. This works the same way as TKTS in NYC. There are tons of buffet places that you could get a vegetarian meal. I remember eating a buffet for $2.99 at a casino that didn't have a hotel with it. I also enjoyed eating at Quark's at the Hilton. Maybe you will have a Klingon waiter! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
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Wapland
Member
08-01-2000
| Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 7:33 am
OHHHHHHHHH you are so lucky. I miss Vegas Baby!! Definately do Freemont. If you are a Star Trek fan do not miss Star Trek Experience at the Hilton. Ride the gondola at the Venetician. (what the heck, like I'll ever get to Venice) Use the hotel room safes. Don't feel pressured to tip the hotel staff. Eat the buffet at the MGM Grand. Its pricey but worth it and lots of vegetarian choices. See Wayne Newton, if only for nostalgia sake. Hairspray was an excellent show, but seats are uncomfortable. If there are more than 2 people, take a cab, its lots cheaper. Make sure to play the slots at the airport. My hubby won $180 waiting to go home. Kona, the next time, I want to meet you!!!! Fondly Wappy
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Konamouse
Member
07-16-2001
| Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 7:47 pm
Airport slots suck. Wappy's hubby got very lucky. Wayne Newton is not headlining anywhere right now. Geordie Brown is at the Venetian, Danny Gans at the Mirage (for singing acts that are not Celine Dion). Hairspray closed (I got to see the second to last show). Phantom is playing at the Venetian, The Producers has not opened at the Paris yet. Avenue Q is also now gone. But Mama Mia still reigns supreme (at Mandalay Bay). Up to 5 people can ride in the same cab for the same price. What a deal! Fremont is free entertainment and great for people watching. Bellagio Buffet is wonderous! But about $30. See you soon! 'squeek'
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 1:15 am
We are staying at Tropicana. My coworker and her husband Always stayed at the Trop. There are two buildings, the one behind is not quite as nice and new. You are on what I consider the BEST corner of the Strip!!! I always stay at the Excalibur. There is so much to see and enjoy you may find you dont want to leave the hotels there. MGM grand had A live FREE show in their main casino area on the Left hand side of the casino as you enter from the strip by the walkway beside Tropicana. I love Egypt so the Luxor was really great! NYNY was okay but you wont ever get me on that Rollercoaster! It had a great Blues Bar though. things I'd recommend: Pirate show infront of Treasure Island- Volcano infront of Mirage- The Forums in Caesar's Palace- Dancing Water of Bellagio and check out the gorgeous marble interior of the hotel. The blown Glass ceiling is AMAZING!! I really felt like I was back in Rome LOL} Does anyone know the best place to play the slots? The odds vary depending on the time of day I found. However, Best odds are often at out of the way places which want to up their business...Like the Stratosphere! My friend played with only $2 in quarters....we played for a couple of hours winning and winning again. I also really like the MGM Grand and the set up there. Clean, safe, good clientele. A good vegetarian restaurant? Depends on how strict you are. Almost every hotel has a buffet. You will be able to get the basics there. Is it better to take a taxi or does the trolley work? There is also a monorail at the MGM grand that you can travel up the strip with INSTEAD of trolley or taxi. We used the BUS! it goes straight up the strip and is frequent. The trolley took FOREVER to get up the strip...It honestly was 1.5 hours to do a 20 min trip! never again. since the strip is straight, a taxi is the best way to travel in my opinion. Since there arent any turns, you cant get ripped off by a scenic detour (LOL happened to me in Hawaii...extra Half hour in the cab LOL) anyways, I love Vegas. Really want to go! Havent been to USA since Sept 11th so my info may not be as current as others.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 1:16 am
oh yeah, there used to be a Shopping Outlet that was like a designers liquidation place ....just to the side of the strip about half way up to Fremont. sorry, cant remember the name but you'll see it on a map.
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 3:39 am
Supergranny, If you can change your reservations I would consider NOT staying at the Tropicana. At the very least Do NOT stay in a Garden Room. The hallways to the rooms are dark and very dirty, the rooms themselves are absolutely disgusting. They smell really bad, carpets are filthy. I went to open the patio door and my hand stuck to the window. We were switched to Paradise Tower Rooms after complaining and they are better. But still not great. It is in a good location, close to New York, MGM, Excalibur.... But please don't accept a Garden Room.
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Konamouse
Member
07-16-2001
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 4:45 pm
The "Pirate" show at Treasure Island is now the "Sirens of TI". They wanted to get rid of the pirate theme a couple of years ago and "mature" the crowds (i.e. dis-encourage the children). Tropicana is getting old, definately needs renovation. I know there is talk about selling it. Older casinos have lower roofs and fill with smoke (less ventilation). Anything on Las Vegas Blvd between Stratosphere and Fremont is scary territory. Some neat little antique places but have a few friends with you. 'squeek'
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 5:56 pm
Sunshine...you described some of my fav places, I love that outlet too!
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 6:02 pm
The Tropicana is not as nice as it used to be. I'd heard it was scheduled for implosion last October, but obviously that didn't happen. (The last time I stayed there -- for a conference -- it rained in Las Vegas AND it rained in MY ROOM!) Anyways, it's not as nice as it used to be, so don't expect lots of luxury. The four corners at the Trop are great for walking... over to Excalibur (too many kids), the Luxor and Mandalay (they have some great restaurants!), New York New York, and MGM. MGM is HUMONGOUS... takes a half hour just to get to the monorail station! Both NY NY and MGM have great restaurants, too. And all restaurants have decent vegetarian options. They are also pretty willing to make adjustments (use roasted veggies instead of seafood, for example). I'm a vegetarian, and I've never had a problem in Las Vegas. If you are a big eater, you may want to check out some of the buffets. The Luxor's breakfast is close to you and it's reasonably priced. All of the hotels have buffets and some are a bit more expensive than others (the Bellagio's is quite expensive but it's also quite extensive!). The "evening" shows at Bellagio (fountains), Mirage (volcano), and Treasure Island (Sirens) are a bit fun to watch. I think I've seen them so many times (the volcano show is cool to watch from your room in the Mirage!) I've gotten bored with them. Go to the bar, damn I can't remember the name... it's just north of the Aladdin, between two smaller hotels. Check with the concierge at the Trop and ask for the bar that has the flair bartenders. They are a kick to watch in person! The Aladdin used to have a great shopping area inside... the Desert Shops. I haven't been in since it changed ownership so I don't know how it is now. And there was an Italian restaurant that was absolutely yummy there, but I dunno if it's still there (it's been 5 years since I did the Aladdin thing). Caesar's is fun. Crowded, though. Time it so that you can see the Roman statues come to life inside the Forum Shops area. And check out the ceiling... it changes, too. The expensive shops are fun to browse thru. It does get crowded there, though. If you take a cab from your hotel to mid-strip (like around the Mirage) you can walk to Caesars and Treasure Island. The cab WILL take you off-strip... the cab drivers hate the traffic on the strip, especially during peak hours. The monorail... I think it's expanded, but it's a great way to get to the mid-strip area (take it from the MGM down to Bally's, and you're across from the Mirage group). Definitely check out the downtown area. Some of the better slots are down there, too. But the Fremont Street light show is pretty darned spectacular. If you really wanna splurge, order a limo for a couple of hours. It's well worth it, and you feel like a million bucks! If you plan to do a lot of gambling, be sure to see a casino host and sign up for a frequent flyer card. We ended up with some goodies from the Trop due to the amount of gambling we did (we didn't actually spend that much $$, just ended up on a winning streak). Check with the concierge if you want to attend any shows. I dunno who's playing there now, but note that the major shows are no longer cheap (seats can run $100!). See if the concierge at the Trop knows where you can get last minute tix, as sometimes you can get good seats that way. I tip everyone in Las Vegas, and tip 'em well. I always get great service there, but I also demand it. If you're curious, talk to your cab drivers. Sometimes they'll steer you to an off-strip restaurant that's really good. Have fun! It's a cool place to go if you've never been there. It's fun if you've been there, too, it's just that I've gone so often, I get bored (I'm not much of a gambler).
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 6:17 pm
The Bellagio has a beautiful garden area and this chocolate fountain which is just yummy looking. There's also a great tattoo place up by the Stratosphere. Can't think of the name but it's in a grafitti building lol. Also people watching is fun too.
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Sunshyne4u
Member
06-17-2003
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 7:03 pm
I said There are two buildings, the one behind is not quite as nice and new. Resortgirl said Do NOT stay in a Garden Room Yes, I remember being told that the Garden buildings were not nice and not new. I didnt want to scare her as so many of the hotels have a semi-old raunchy area out back for cheap people to stay in. If Supergranny is going with Daughter on Business, I'd guess the daughter has already specified what she wants in a room. I always call and talk directly to the front desk BEFORE my trip and make sure that I have the Room I want and on the side of the building that I want! You can specify a fair amount of things since Many people dont care about their room there as they dont spend much time in it. people watching is fun too NO kidding Mocha. I've gone to Vegas alone even. It is so easy to blend in and the People watching is fascinating. Mind you, I feel really bad for grown men who sit on the steps bawling their eyes out....obviously blowing all their money on gambling. It is a manic city with a touch of depression when you scrape the surface. Freemont street was scarey to me when I took my mom up there. My mom was wearing a bright print Blouse that looked 'touristy' and we stood out like sore thumbs. The Average person was creepy and we hung onto our purses tightly. It was also kind of old, rundown and dirty. I was told later at my Hotel that Downtown is mostly locals....and they dont care for 'tourists'. like I said though, Havent been for years and things may have changed. After all, NO pirate Show?? Sirens eh?? No doubt sleazily dressed women giving the audience peepshow views eh? I just cant imagine it being fun for women to watch. However, I am dying to go to Star Trek Experience. Trouble is, no one I know likes that kind of stuff. Thinking about Bribing my sister into going with me, but now we need a PASSPORT to come from Canada. Ridiculous (JUST my Opinion)
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Sunday, October 29, 2006 - 7:42 pm
Sunshine, go to our next TVCH vegas meet...there was a group that went to Star trek and loved it the last time we all were there I think we are shooting for a July meet
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Monday, October 30, 2006 - 5:31 am
Yep the Star Trek experience was excellent, very interactive. Oh and I really enjoyed the Siren show at TI (Treasure Island). I think it was enjoyable for both men and women. You have the Sirens and the hunky Pirates.
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