My wife, Kathy, and I have been travelling together for almost 40 years.
We started going to Las Vegas on our 10th anniversary and have been returning for the last 25 years. Our visits have numbered in excess of 50 and we have always worked within a budget. We have frequented most of the MGM property resorts and can offer some insight if you are planning a trip to Las Vegas. I will cover the hotels and shows in other posts. In this post I will discuss some basic planning considerations.
Basics for Las Vegas
- Rental Cars
If you intend to leave the strip for shopping or sight seeing you may want to get a rental vehicle. Las Vegas is quite easy to drive around, especially with access to a GPS or google maps.
Costco members can book cars online through the Costco Travel account (http://www.costcotravel.com) and all you need is your Costco membership number. The savings are significant and they provide car rental comparisons for up to four different rental car companies. They also include a second driver at no extra charge.
There is a dedicated transfer bus system from the airport to the car rental terminal. It takes less than 10 minutes. Be sure to book online to save time. I have used Alamo and have been able to get pre-approved to “skip the counter” and go directly to the cars for pickup.
There is a Chevron gas station south of Mandalay Bay to fill you car before returning to the rental car facility.
- Parking
The hotels now charge for parking. There is a way to have this covered when staying at MGM Resorts with the Mlife players card discussed below.
- Mlife Players Card
We are not big gamblers and rarely play slot machines. We tend to play blackjack and we do stay a the MGM Resorts.
The Mlife players card is free and does track your play when you use the card in slot machines or provide it at the blackjack tables. The second level of the card is “Pearl” and this is the level I seem to stay at. This status gets us free parking at MGM Resorts. In addition, we book our rooms on the Mlife website and there are discounts on the rooms. In the past we have had free night room offers sent to us as well. These offers appear to have dried up.
You do hear of people who have their rooms comped and I expect their play is far higher then ours. Las Vegas is not designed to be free so their play must justify the perks.
- Blackjack
If you are new to Blackjack, Las Vegas will be happy for you to learn at their tables. Before hitting the tables, go to the nearest snack store in a hotel and spend $2.95 on a card showing the “basics of blackjack”. You can go online and get the same information. Once you have studied the basics, play at a machine to get the game down before you venture to the tables. The other players will appreciate this and so will the dealers.
- Tipping the Dealers
When it comes to the dealers, be sure to place a dollar in front of your bet for them when you are having good luck. If you win, they win. If you lose, they lose as well. They share these tips and most work hard at dealing and are helpful when you ask for advice. I think it is embarrassing for a player to walk away with a nice profit and to have not given the dealer any consideration with tips.
- Restaurants
Las Vegas has a wide variety of excellent restaurant options and the prices can vary. Most of the hotels have high end restaurants with prominent chefs. Expect to pay more. We went to StripSteak at Mandalay Bay and it was good; however, for us, the price does not justify the difference in other restaurants.
We have found very good food at reasonable prices. New York New York has the best restaurant options. The Beerhaus on the walkway to T-Mobile Arena (between New York New York and Monte Carlo) has a good happy hour from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm everyday, other than days when there are events at the T-Mobile Arena.
We tend to go to the following restaurants and enjoy our experience.
New York New York – Beerhaus, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, America, Il Fornaio, Greenbergs Deli, Tom’s Urban, Broadway Burger Bar and Grill.
Luxor – Pyramid Cafe for breakfast.
Mandalay Bay – Burger Bar, Slice of Vegas, House of Blues, Fat Tuesdays for drinks.
Excalibur – Food Court for breakfast or snacks, Lick for a candy treat.
Planet Hollywood – P.F. Changs.
MGM Grand – Food Court for breakfast, Fat Tuesdays.
Flamingo – Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville for margaritas and wings and nachos.
Mirage – Carnegie Deli (share sandwich), LVB Burgers and Bar.
Treasure Island – Gilley’s BBQ.
Ellis Island – Off the strip and has a good BBQ deal.
IHOP & Black Bear Diner – Both are south of Mandalay Bay in front of the Las Vegas Premium Outlets South. Good for breakfast.
Boulder City – Southwest Diner. Go here for breakfast when you go out to see Hoover Dam.
You will note there are no buffets listed. We have not been to a buffet in years as we tend to eat more than is needed!
- Shopping
There is shopping on the strip and it is quite expensive – Shops at Caesars Palace, Fashion Show Mall and Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
We tend to go to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets North and South. The North Outlets have good parking and have outside access to each shop. These are probably the best of any and are located off the I – 15, north of Circus Circus. The South Outlets are located south of Mandalay Bay and also have good parking. They have inside access to the shops. You will need a taxi or car to get to either location.
- Taxi, Uber and Lyft
The hotels provide good access for taxi’s. More of the hotels are now providing dedicated spots for Uber and Lyft pickup and drop-off.
The best way to get to know Las Vegas is to get out and enjoy the warm weather and entertainment. You will find things that work for you that may not be workable for other people. Las Vegas will be happy to take your money no matter what your budget is – so ENJOY!
My second cup is now empty……………..