Lone traveller in Vegas (sort of)

Technically I won't be alone but as MR DL will be holed up in any number of casinos for much of the time playing poker what do you all recommend I do to amuse myself (on my lonesome).I'm not bothered about doing stuff "solo" but would welcome any advice.Have fancied going riding and shopping (for a change!!!!Not.....)but don't know how else to think about filling the week.Any ideas anyone?? Also fancy a show -Barry Manilow (who is absolutely not my usual cup of tea) takes my fancy just for the showmanship.Any advice gratefully received.
Thanks
Julie

[Nottingham Nick]

IMHO Vegas is a great place for the solo traveller. Whatever your interests are, there will be something to appeal to you.

I have been going to Vegas for nearly 20 years, and in that time it seems to have tried very hard to rid itself of the sleazy 'adult theme' image. It hasn't managed it completely, as evidenced by tha army of folks handing out cards inviting people to partake in various escort services,[:I][:I] but it is a LOT better than it used to be.

Without knowing your particular likes and dislikes it is difficult to make specific suggestions, but the are several big shopping malls on the strip - the Mall at Caesars being my favourite.

There will be numerous shows and each casino hotel has its own attractions designed to draw you in. I would be a little wary of wandering the Strip (and especially off the Strip) after dark, but you can certainly get your bearings during the day and make your decisions then use taxis at night to visit your choices.

There are numerous websites, including this one. that will give you an idea of the things that are available when you visit.

Also, think of the fun you will have when your other half wins 'the big one' and needs help spending it. [8D][}:)]

Nick

Thanks Nick - the malls are already on the "to do" plan as Christmas will be beckoning. I fancy a trip to the Grand Canyon (and maybe Bryce) but have read varying reports on the quality of the excursions.Any personal recommendations would be really appreciated.
Don't know about Mr DL needing help to spend money -he's quite competent doing that already (although he has removed the joint credit cards from my possession due to my inability to pass a shoe shop without spending money).
Julie

I'd recommend any of the Cirque du Soleil shows (save possibly for "Zumanity" which seems to be catering more for the showgirl crowd). At Vegas prices not necessarily cheaper than a hallucogenic drug but the same effect and less likely to get you arrested.

Going riding western style should be a fun outing too...

And you can easily take a day or more just wandering the Strip going in and out of hotels, watching the fountains at the Bellagio, the Volcano at the Mirage etc.

Nick - funny you should say about the "image". When we first went to Vegas (1999?) Treasure Island featured a good old yo ho ho clash of pirates and navy types..now it's morphed into "a 21st century party. Experience music, dance, excitement and seduction."

Paul

Hi Julie, here are a few thoughts from me:

Beyond Vegas:
Take a drive out to Red Rock Canyon, only half an hour from the strip! Stunning scenery, really quiet...hard to believe you're still so close to the strip [y]
Grand Canyon: We used http://www.maverickhelicopter.com last year. They were excellent, picked us up from hotel at crack of dawn, flight to Canyon, landed at base for champagne breakfast - back in hotel by late morning.

Shopping:Agree with Nick re Forum Shops @ Caesars
Desert Passage @ Aladdin
Grand Canal Shops @ Venetian
Fashion Show Mall (opposite. Wynne)

Typical "must see's"
Fountains @ Bellagio
Volcano @ Mirage
Sirens of Ti @ Treasure Island

Hotel "pay" attractions worth a visit:
Shark Reef @ Mandalay Bay
Dolphin Habitat @ Mirage

Shows:
"O" @ Bellagio (fantastic, best show I've seen

Misc:
Wander round Bellagio - take in the huge conservatory with many plants & flowers. Also see the amazing chocolate fountain!
M&M/Coca-Cola Museum Stores

Hope you have a fantastic time, I'll be there come 2nd Oct

James

Might I assume that if you're on your own for a large part of the time, you might want to have some company (no not that sort!) ... I mean perhaps guided tours, groups and the like so at least there's other people to talk to and you never know what new friends to make?

If so, Grand Canyon yes - I used Papillon last year and they were very good, excellent pilot and being squeezed in a copter is very good for making conversation. Also try a guided tour of Seigfried and Roy's secret garden and that sort of thing. Watching shows yes, and even I am tempted by Barry M [:0]. Last year I had the shear joy of seeing Dolly Parton ... now there's an event to make friends at!

Oh, then what about some spa treatment, that can while away half a day or more then you'll look fabulous when you meet Mr DL and spend his winnings!

Thanks for all the advice chaps.Barry M has been booked for our last night -Mr DL is accompanying me(he volunteered!).Lets hope he's fit,well and recovered from whatever surgery he's just had.(Barry M not MR DL that is- although Mr DL might need to book into somewhere like The Priory after the show!)
A drive out of the city sounds good - I presume driving in Vegas is no worse than driving anywhere else in the USA.My big problem is navigation - I am useless at navigating so usually drive whilst Mr DL directs although having just spoken to him he's told me he's just bought some new stuff which should enable him to load the latest Tom Tom software onto his PDA via bluetooth (lost me completely but being the techie he is says it's going to work!)and which would prevent me from getting lost. Well, that's the theory anyway..
I've had a look on the Papillon and Maverick websites both of which look pretty good and I'll talk to anyone (even if I'm on my own ),so all I have to do is decide whether to land in the canyon or not, and what time of day to go.Will also take a look at O -Zumanity doesn't really grab me.
We're staying at the Bellagio so will do the conservatory etc while there but I hadn't thought about other hotel attractions like the shark reef, dolphin habitat and secret garden so thanks for those suggestions.Will definately be off to the Spa but can't guarantee looking fabulous when I come out - they've got some fab facials and massages on offer as well as conventional beauty treatments.They offer nasal and ear waxing so might book MR DL in for a "little treat" (he squeals when I wield the tweezers and pluck said offending hair from said orifices, big girls blouse that he is)
The pool area at the Bellagio looks pretty impressive - will the weather be nice enough to loll about on a sunbed for a few hours should I desire or am I being a little optimistic?
Cheers again for the info.
Julie
PS Are the rides still operational at the top of the Stratosphere?

Originally posted by DragonLady
A drive out of the city sounds good - I presume driving in Vegas is no worse than driving anywhere else in the USA.My big problem is navigation

It's no problem. North - desert. East - desert. South - desert. West - desert.

Actually, for an experience you have to drive out to Pahrump. The only place I've driven past a billboard and thought "did it just say 'Voted #1 Nevada Brothel of the Year" ? And as I recall you can also learn to shoot automatic weapons thereabouts.

Whatever, have a great time.
Paul

[ChuckC]

Julie,
I saw Barry M. perform his Vegas show at a charity event recently and I was blown away by how great he sounded. Whether or not you are a fan he will entertain you.

Everyone has already put up some excellent suggestions. From a food standpoint I tend to avoid all of the buffets in hotels (why would anyone want to stuff himself with such high calorie intake?) and instead eat lightly for breakfast and lunch, saving my main meal for dinner at one of the many signature restaurants throughout the Strip. Here are just a few of the many, many excellent restaurants: Olives at Bellagio, Emeril's at MGM, Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesars. And for a view nearly to New York City, try Mix at the top of THEHotel at Mandalay Bay.

Have a wonderful visit.

Chuck-

Originally posted by pjh
[It's no problem. North - desert. East - desert. South - desert. West - desert.

Actually, for an experience you have to drive out to Pahrump. The only place I've driven past a billboard and thought "did it just say 'Voted #1 Nevada Brothel of the Year" ? And as I recall you can also learn to shoot automatic weapons thereabouts.

Whatever, have a great time.
Paul

So no streets to get confused with eh?Just get lost in the desert instead! Wonder how they do the voting though -some form of customer satisfaction questionnaire??

Thanks Chuck for the food suggestions. I experienced a USA style buffet for the first time on the recent trip to Orlando (part of MIA jaunt)and have to say I was mortified by the ammount of food people actually forced into their mouths (and subsequently their stomachs).USA helpings of food are gargantuan anyway but without any measure of portion control I saw customers on 4th,5th plate with no sign of let up. Made me feel quite ill really (although I did manage two plates of good beef at Boma at AK!) -have to say the British visitors were equally as guilty as your fellow countrymen in the gluttony stakes too Chuck.
We may end up using a buffet at some point if neccessary but I think I'll be saving my calorie allowance for something a little bit less stressful (and tastier) than jostling for position at a buffet line.Thanks for the help.
Julie

Originally posted by DragonLady

Originally posted by pjh
[It's no problem. North - desert. East - desert. South - desert. West - desert.

Actually, for an experience you have to drive out to Pahrump. The only place I've driven past a billboard and thought "did it just say 'Voted #1 Nevada Brothel of the Year" ? And as I recall you can also learn to shoot automatic weapons thereabouts.

Whatever, have a great time.
Paul

So no streets to get confused with eh?Just get lost in the desert instead! Wonder how they do the voting though -some form of customer satisfaction questionnaire??

To get myself back on topic and sharing some (hopefully) useful information I did find the actual driving in Las Vegas a little more stressful than elsewhere in the US. There's a combination of visitors in cars who are uncertain about where they are going (myself included there..) on multi lane road and visitors on foot who are wandering about paying more attention to the attractions than to the traffic.

Navigating your way out of Las Vegas is straightforward (as long as you know which freeway you're headed for). Navigating your way in Las Vegas is pretty straightfoward (once off the freeway) as it's a standard grid system and you can keep the strip in sight pretty much all the time. We had to do this visual navigation earlier this year when we arrived having left the guide books and maps locked in the boot of the car.

Paul

Originally posted by DragonLady
Thanks for all the advice chaps.Barry M has been booked for our last night -Mr DL is accompanying me(he volunteered!).Lets hope he's fit,well and recovered from whatever surgery he's just had.(Barry M not MR DL that is- although Mr DL might need to book into somewhere like The Priory after the show!)
A drive out of the city sounds good - I presume driving in Vegas is no worse than driving anywhere else in the USA.My big problem is navigation - I am useless at navigating so usually drive whilst Mr DL directs although having just spoken to him he's told me he's just bought some new stuff which should enable him to load the latest Tom Tom software onto his PDA via bluetooth (lost me completely but being the techie he is says it's going to work!)and which would prevent me from getting lost. Well, that's the theory anyway..
I've had a look on the Papillon and Maverick websites both of which look pretty good and I'll talk to anyone (even if I'm on my own ),so all I have to do is decide whether to land in the canyon or not, and what time of day to go.Will also take a look at O -Zumanity doesn't really grab me.
We're staying at the Bellagio so will do the conservatory etc while there but I hadn't thought about other hotel attractions like the shark reef, dolphin habitat and secret garden so thanks for those suggestions.Will definately be off to the Spa but can't guarantee looking fabulous when I come out - they've got some fab facials and massages on offer as well as conventional beauty treatments.They offer nasal and ear waxing so might book MR DL in for a "little treat" (he squeals when I wield the tweezers and pluck said offending hair from said orifices, big girls blouse that he is)
The pool area at the Bellagio looks pretty impressive - will the weather be nice enough to loll about on a sunbed for a few hours should I desire or am I being a little optimistic?
Cheers again for the info.
Julie
PS Are the rides still operational at the top of the Stratosphere?

Ahh, solo trip to Vegas, I did it solo twice last year and loved every minute of both trips.

The rides are still operating on the strat however, they have now removed/closed the rollercoaster.
We're going back in October and have booked the Grand Canyon trip with Papillon, we've also got a fly over the strip included and it's a sunset tour so we'll see the lights works out at $309 each.
We've tried to go to the canyon twice before and both trips were cancelled, one for the weather and one for technical problems!
Back on to the Strat, I'd definitely recommend going up at night/sunset, by going at sunset you get some great views of the sun setting over the mountains then watch as the strip slowly lights up

Dragon Lady
Not too keen on your handle I am sure it is not true.
Unless Mr DL is a professional poker player and this is a business visit, I would be asking myself,
"WHY am I looking at doing these things alone, or even considering it?"
If this is his idea of a vacation for you I think a visit to the Mr & Mrs TARRENT mediation centre might be your first stop.
Go on take him to the malls, to the shows, to the attractions on the strip, walk its length together, and then you go to the casino together.
Am I old fashioned or just out of touch.
Steve

Originally posted by steve821
Dragon Lady
Not too keen on your handle I am sure it is not true.
Unless Mr DL is a professional poker player and this is a business visit, I would be asking myself,
"WHY am I looking at doing these things alone, or even considering it?"
If this is his idea of a vacation for you I think a visit to the Mr & Mrs TARRENT mediation centre might be your first stop.
Go on take him to the malls, to the shows, to the attractions on the strip, walk its length together, and then you go to the casino together.

MR DL would argue that the handle was spot on[}:)]No,he's not in the same league as Messers Helmuth/Brunson /Hachem/Lederer etc but does enjoy playing.Doing things alone doesn't worry me at all -he only moans when he comes shopping with me and in fairness will come to shows etc even when it's something he hates (which is most of the stuff I enjoy!!).He works pretty hard to keep us in the manner to which I have become accoustomed so I don't begrudge him a little enjoyment now and then:D.We'll have plenty of "quality" time together in the preceeding 6 days in San Fran before we arrive in Vegas. Don't worry -we have no need for mediation (yet...)Shame about Mr +Mrs Tarrant though.

check out the galleria mall - its the best one in vegas... though they are severely lacking in shopping as far as the average 'punter' is concerned (in terms of price that is).

its on sunset and stephanie - only about 15 mins drive from south end of the strip (mandalay).

Im in Vegas next weekend (Arrive Sat 7th on VS 43 depart Wednesday afternoon

I am a person that actually really dislikes Vegas and will be all bellagio'd out because our company conference is at the Bellagio so I will have had enough conference food and the like.

If I can get away for a couple of hours where and what should I do?

Originally posted by mysteryflyer
Im in Vegas next weekend (Arrive Sat 7th on VS 43 depart Wednesday afternoon

I am a person that actually really dislikes Vegas and will be all bellagio'd out because our company conference is at the Bellagio so I will have had enough conference food and the like.

If I can get away for a couple of hours where and what should I do?

If you are that fed up then why not go out into the dessert and shoot machine guns - like Ted Nugent and some of my friends did recently - apparently its great for relieving tension!!!

If you fancy this I will get the location address for you!!

http://www.thegunstorelasvegas.com

2900 E Tropicana
Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

[y]

Excellent. Thats a great idea.