Las Vegas Travel Information

[LittleCupcakes]

Here's some info that may help travelers to Las Vegas:

First, a map: Google Maps

Zoom in near the airport and you'll see a good layout.

The House of Blues is located in a hotel called the Mandalay Bay. For those unfamiliar with the town, the Mandalay Bay sits near the south end of Las Vegas Blvd (a.k.a. The Strip) and there are several other (behemoth) hotels in walking distance. The Mandalay Bay is rather near McCarren Airport as well.

For preshow drinking, Mandalay Bay has quite a few bars, none of them particularly pub-like. "the lounge" as it's called is the closest thing.

October is a popular month to visit Las Vegas, and it's a convention month as well, so rooms can be a bit dear. Weather is rather pretty that time of year (but 90F is also possible), and the odd thunderstorm is not an uncommon occurrence.

In the area of Mandalay Bay, the MGM Grand is a nice place with many amenities, New York New York is also pretty good, and so is the Mandalay Bay itself. These places are likely going to be rather expensive (a quick check shows the Mandalay Bay at about $250/night weekdays for the week of October 9th). If you don't mind kids and European and Asian tourists, you can get a better deal at Excalibur, a kitschy place if ever was one. Still, a check shows them at $120/night weekdays. There's also a Motel 6 not too far away (maybe 10-15 mins from Mandalay by foot) and they are usually cheap but clean. I see rooms there for about $50/night (expensive for a Motel 6!). There's also the Tropicana, whose rates are especially volatile (depending on with whom you book).

Other choices:
Budget: Circus Circus (again, kids all over the place) at the North end of the Strip (and that's a looooong way from the South end-don't even TRY to walk it), Travelodge near Circus Circus (no casino or restaurant), and various "Stations" (Sunset Station, Palace Station, etc) that are rather far from the Strip but offer more amenities at good rates.
Mid: Imperial Palace, (mid-Strip), Fitzgerald's near Imperial Palace
Upper: Venetian, Caesar's Palace, Mirage (all mid-strip)
Crazy Talk:Four Seasons and TheHotel (both near Mandalay Bay), and Bellagio, mid-strip. Wear a ratty old Pogues tour shirt in these places and be ready for disapproving scowls (it's quite fun, really).

Check this site for hostel information: http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php ... ountry.USA

Other places whose rates can vary from not bad to OhMyGod: Rio Suites, west of the Strip, Aladdin and Riviera mid-strip, and Tropicana (near the South end and Mandalay bay), all nice places to stay.

You should really look around for rates; depending on the site (Hotels.com, Expedia, Hotwire, etc) rates can be volatile, and many times the hotel's own site gets you the best rate.

There are of course plenty of other lodging options, but as a warning, Las Vegas is not a great walking city, and when walking on The Strip, distances can be deceiving. You may want to walk to a hotel only one or two away from yours only to find it a much longer walk than you imagined.

So unless you want to use the poor bus sytem or cabs (which are not horribly expensive) you may wish to stay near the Mandalay Bay. If you're confining your activities to the Strip, then the bus is fine. The "Deuce" bus runs up and down The Strip 24 hours a day. Really, the best way to get around is in a car.

There are other great benefits to having a vehicle. Las Vegas does actually have some great, non-surgically-enhanced scenery. Red Rock Canyon is just outside of town, and it's sedimentary charms are something not to be missed, especially if you want to do some hiking or climbing (bring water, a hat, and some sunscreen!). Mt. Charleston is further out, but is a beautiful spot as well. Hoover Dam is impressive as well, if that's your sort of thing.

A vehicle can also get you to some wonderful, inexpensive restauarants. One of the best Thai restaurants in America is in Las Vegas: Lotus of Siam at 953 E. Sahara (more near the North end of the Strip, and just a bit East of it). This place is the real deal, and is some of the best Thai around (and one of the best wine lists, tailored to the cuisine). I also found one of the best pizzas I've had at Metro Pizza (1395 E Tropicana Ave). Tropicana intersects The Strip, and the corner of Tropicana and The Strip is near the Mandalay Bay. Metro is East of The Strip a few miles and worth the trip.

Of course, fast-food joints are well-represented.

Each major hotel will have several restaurants from casual dining to all-you-can-eat buffets (a Vegas tradition) to world-class cuisine. Buffets can be good to get fat on a budget at cheaper places, but at better places (Mirage, Rio) also can provide really good eats.

I haven't mentioned bars yet, as there are several in every hotel/casino, including the ones I've already mentioned. Usually, they're themed in some way, but drinks are not usually that expensive, so find one that suits you. The better the hotel, the more expensive the drinks.

Las Vegas has some great "brewpubs" where beer is brewed on the premises. Gordon Biersch is pretty good, and Monte Carlo Hotel/Casino has a nice one.

What else? Strip clubs (that is, tittie bars), over the top production shows, Penn and Teller, movie theatres, bowling, nightclubs and much more can be had without much trouble.

There are some decent record shops (as Las Vegas is also a university town), head shops, and music stores in the area as well, but you'll need a vehicle to get around.

Of course, many of the hotels are attractions in themselves, with their grand scale and themed decor.

I hope this helps. I've been to Las Vegas many times, and I think it's a great city (and I almost never gamble).

Let me know of any mistakes, and tell us what you'd do in Las Vegas!

edit:Cleaned up some links, added some content

[georgecat]

And the Elvis-O-Rama musuem is a never miss for me.
Caesar's is the best casino wtih the best drinks.

I can see it now...driving there after work and leaving at 5am the next morning for work...

[LittleCupcakes]

And the Elvis-O-Rama musuem is a never miss for me.
Caesar's is the best casino wtih the best drinks.

Forgot about that one! The Liberace museum is a real hoot as well!

edit: I'll leave L.A. to Carmen and georgecat!

[MJ]

Ever come across the Double Down Saloon in your visits?

[georgecat]

You're too funny I just emaiiled that to Carmen and said that is where our meetup has to be at!!!
I looove the DoubleDown.

Ass juice!!!

And if anyone hates it the reproduction of the Haufbrau Haus is across the street.

[LittleCupcakes]

Ever come across the Double Down Saloon in your visits?

That is a great place where folks from all walks of life can get together in a fun atmosphere! Don't miss the ass-juice!

It's near the University, and not too far off the Strip. Bring a designated driver!

edit: It's by the Hard Rock Hotel, which can be fun, but is also a little tourist-trap kitschy.

[MJ]

Thanks - Bacon Martinis all round!

[Marc-NS]

Here is a good site for Vegas information....

http://www.cheapovegas.com

[keith]

i have also been to vegas. the 'strip' is six miles long and the mandalay bay hotel is the last 'big' hotel at the south end. A good place to eat in there is 'red white and blue' and the best way to get from one end of the strip to the other is by taxi going around the adjacent side streets or travel in luxury and take one of those limos. i stayed at the excalibur hotel and they are dirt cheap. the stratosphere tower and freemont street (as featured in u2's i still havent found video) are all at the north end.

[mrpurple]

I live In Vegas. I'd be happy to do me best to answer any questions you might have. I'd also be happy to meet up for a pint with other fans who are coming into town for the show.


I stumbled into this forum looking for tickets to the California show. Unfortunately I arrived too late. Fortunately the very next day I saw the anouncemnt of the HOB shows in Vegas. Assming I get my tickets without a hitch in the am I'll be the happiest man in Vegas.

[dave 81]

I'm booked for a room in San Francisco, and only a couple blocks from The Fillmore. Has anyone been to, or stayed at Mandalay Bay? It appears to be very close to the airport with The House of Blues on the premises, which makes it attractive to this traveler. Any comments?

[DzM]

I'm booked for a room in San Francisco, and only a couple blocks from The Fillmore. Has anyone been to, or stayed at Mandalay Bay? It appears to be very close to the airport with The House of Blues on the premises, which makes it attractive to this traveler. Any comments?

Very nice hotel. Expensive too. Has a casino in it.

[georgecat]

I'm booked for a room in San Francisco, and only a couple blocks from The Fillmore. Has anyone been to, or stayed at Mandalay Bay? It appears to be very close to the airport with The House of Blues on the premises, which makes it attractive to this traveler. Any comments?

Buffet is top notch. It is expensive DzM is righto, taxis are cheap and so very easy to get it doesn't matter much where you stay in Vegas.

[mrpurple]

Vegas is very much a get what you payb for kind of town. Mandalay is one of the priciest strip properties and one of the nicest. It has an artificial beach, great resturaunts and a cool shark reef aquarium. Being an expensive property the gaming tables have higher limits than the lower priced properties.


if you can easily affor it its definately worth staying there.


If your on a budget I'll second the excalibur recomendation. There is always a deal to be had on the net and it connects Mandalay via a free tram.


Regardless of where you stay, nothings outrageously far. But, be warned. These hotels are HUGE. What looks like a short 3 hotel walk can easily be over a 20 minute wak in 100 degree heat..... Cabs are the way to go.

[dave 81]

What the hell, a bit early but never too soon for Pogues shows. Vegas accommodations are still up in the air, but I was looking at Mandalay Bay, where HOB is located. On-site nightclub "Forty Deuce" requests "upscale club wear."
Does this mean my "Support Your Local Hells Angels" t-shirt would be acceptable?
I think it's the only club wear I own.