Vegas: the good, the bad, the ugly
By maezee
@maezee (41988)
United States
July 26, 2011 5:33pm CST
Just got back from Vegas 2 or 3 days ago and thought I would start an All-Vegas discussion. Have you been? If so, what were some of the more memorable parts and what were some of the overrated parts? Here are some of my random (incoherent) thoughts:
1.) EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING is overpriced. Drinks, food, coffee, buffets, whatever - ALL ENORMOUSLY expensive. I remember some older people telling me that back in the 80's, buffets and drinks and food were all super cheap. Don't know if it's inflation or if something drastically changed but that wasn't the case at all. It was so hot that the heat suppressed our appetite (we ate about once a day because of this lol) and the only really 'free' thing was the free shows we saw (I suggest the volcano at the Mirage, that was cool!) and the free drinks (must tip) at the casino. They will make you anything. I fell in love with Malibu Pineapple over there. The trouble is just not spending all your money at the slots while waiting for your "free" drink lol. Drinks especially poolside were so overpriced that we ended up walking to a more seedy part of downtown and buying a case of beer, and sneaking the beers in our purses so we could still have a buzz and walk around and swim and all that without paying $10+ for a drink.
2.) Downtown was way cooler than the strip. In my opinion. Fremont street was fantastic. I loved the light show, the atmosphere, the casinos, everything. Even seeing two guys get arrested right off of Fremont street was an amazing tourist experience. LOL. I almost wished we would have stayed down there at the Sahara or something rather than TI. Definitely something to see if you are considering going down there.
3.) HATED the peddlers. Got a collection of cards promoting naked "full service" ladies (pretty reasonably priced too LOL), brochures of naked ladies, people promoting night clubs, people selling water on every corner of the strip. Did not see any of this downtown (maybe part of the reason why I liked it better).
Overall we did a lot of the tourist stuff. Walked a lot. took tons of pictures. Chilled by the pool. Had a lot of fun and it was a good experience. Didn't gamble away all of my spending money either (this is shocking for me, I love to gamble). Also did not (sadly) have any crazy stereotypically wild affairs while I was over there (I blame my sister being there for this lol). I'm thinking the next vacation I take will be one a little less busy.... I'm thinking white sand beaches... lol.
Now, on to your Vegas experiences - good and bad - what do you think? What was overrated, and what was actually really cool?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
27 Jul 11
I have only ever spent one night in Vegas. I saw the volcano, the pirate fight, the moving statues at Caesars and something at Circus Circus, because that's where mom and I stayed.
We didn't gamble, and because I have trouble walking, we also didn't get any further down the strip than Caesars, even with riding the bus for part of it...
I would like to go back, but NOT in the summer, I can get all the heat I can stand HERE, I don't need to go to Vegas to get it!
@maezee (41988)
• United States
27 Jul 11
LOL it was SO hot when we went..Over 105 degrees every day. It's the desert afterall. We really only went cause it was my 21st birthday. But it was a nice escape from Minnesota summers which are HUMID, sticky and hard to breathe in. In Minnesota (like last week) it is only in the 90's but with the humidity at 75%, feels 20 degrees hotter. I liked Vegas because it was dry heat. But I agree, next time I will go somewhere hot in the winter. Just makes more sense.
1 person likes this
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
1 Aug 11
I love Vegas and every chance we get to go out that way, we stop in Vegas. We now live in Tennessee, however my husband's family all live out on the West coast, so we end up going through Vegas all the time. I love Vegas because there is always something to do 24/7. I guess because I always keep strange hours anyways, Vegas is a major attraction for me. I also am lucky to have several friends that live in Vegas so between them and all my travels to Vegas I have learned how to eat cheap and pretty much drink for free. I will admit, I drink for free in the casinos and if you go during the week day, you don't have to wait forever to get a free drink..LOL We usually get our meals comp'd so I usually never have to pay for a buffet, or we end up paying so little it is cheaper than eating at McDonald's. There is a ton of free stuff to do in Vegas that even our teenagers love to go.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 11
I haven't ever been to Las Vegas but I have heard it is a loud place with lots of glitzy lights. It was a shame everything was overpriced. Many tourist destinations can be very expensive indeed. The peddlers sounded awful and very bothersome. I am pleased that you enjoyed the light show. Chilling by the pool must have been relaxing.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
30 Jul 11
I went last fall, and I had more or less the same experience you had. We also stayed at TI, and the discounted cirque show was what I could consider as one of the best. Also hated the overpriced everything, and all the peddlers as you walk along the strip.
Didn't you try those discount booths? You could a good price for any buffet (and even shows) if you walked up to the booth.
