Viva Las Vegas, baby, yeah!

[Drakecula]

Is three months before a trip too early to start a trip report? I think not. I'm excited! We're off in June. First overseas trip since our RTW trip in 2019 (I'm not counting my work trip last year as a holiday) so it feels a bit weird. Anyway...

Why Vegas? It's because MrD got invited to attend a convention, and not only that, they're covering his flight and hotel too! This is what he's attending: Home | FlightSimExpo 2024
He enjoys his flight sim stuff, does reviews on products (some often get sent to him for free to review!) and moderates some online communities. So he was very excited and honoured to be invited by a company he is quite familiar with as their guest so they could lean on his experience and network to further their business.

And I of course immediately offered to accompany him! How generous of me.

We managed to snaffle up flights during a Qantas sale, so we're doing CBR-SYD-LAX-LAS and vice versa. I believe we've got an American Airlines and an Alaskan Sky West flight in the mix for the LAX-LAS legs. I'm Gold with Qantas, so I'll be taking advantage of lounges where possible - open to suggestions for what else is available in LAS and LAX.

We're staying at the Rio, which is where the convention is at. I've heard it's gone through a lot of renovation and may still be halfway through while we're there, so my expectations are low. I can't complain, I'm not paying for the hotel after all. The pool looks pretty amazing so I'm keen for some pool time. Penn and Teller operate out of the Rio, so keen to see if we can make one of their shows too.

While MrD may be busy for a few days with this convention, I'm going to go out and explore! I anticipate lots of walking and just looking at all the things. Keen on seeing some of the casinos featured in Austin Powers (a quote of which is this post's title). I'm definitely going to gamble (responsibly) and see if I can remember how to play coughs. One morning at an empty Star Casino in Sydney, I asked the staff how to play and they got me to get a few chips and showed me how, I was the only player, so it was quite fun being able to learn slowly instead of at a fast paced game.

I'm also planning to research Grand Canyon helicopter flights, so any tips are appreciated! I think we can do that the last day as our flight home doesn't leave LAS til 7pm and shouldn't conflict with any activities MrD may be involved with as it's after the convention.

 

[drron]

But if I started a TR 3 months before a trip I would have only just started the previous trip.

 

[Drakecula]

But if I started a TR 3 months before a trip I would have only just started the previous trip.

Alas, I am just an AF - an Australian Flyer. Not so frequent for me. One day maybe...

 

[Denali]

How exciting! One thing Mr Denali would like to do is scuba dive Lake Mead, so much Hoover Dam history. I would want to eat myself stupid at the strip restaurants and catch a concert.

So exciting!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Am on board @Drakecula !

 

[kookaburra75]

I'll message you about getting together for a coffee for suggestions in Vegas as you can't make dinner at the Kingo.

 

[Drakecula]

I'll message you about getting together for a coffee for suggestions in Vegas as you can't make dinner at the Kingo.

Sounds like a plan!

 

[n7of9]

I did my Grand Canyon helicopter tour with Maverick, excellent experience. They picked us up in Vegas super early and we flew on a small plane to Arizona. The helicopter ride went all the way to the North Rim, it was magical.

Best Helicopter Tours | Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Maui | Maverick Helicopters

Experience the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Maui sightseeing helicopter tours on your next vacation. Tours depart daily from Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and Maui.

www.maverickhelicopter.com

Everyone else feel asleep as soon as the small place took off so i went and hung out with the pilots, and they were very indulging of all my questions - what's that down there, where are we now, what does this button do, can i touch it.

I don't know if it's changed now, but at the time the majority of Grand Canyon helicopter tours from Vegas were a 10 hour round trip minimum because you'd ride a coach to Arizona, which i think is at least 3 hours each way. Some only fly over the South Rim which is only at the edge of the National Park. And the ones that land in the Grand Canyon, you're not actual in the National Park but in an Indian reservation (because you can't land a helicopter in the proper NP).

I really do recommend finding a tour that includes the North Rim so you can see the full majesty of the canyon - and it was all created by a little steam of water.

Other than that, premium outlets North

Las Vegas North Premium Outlets®

A shopping center in Las Vegas, NV

www.premiumoutlets.com

And dessert at the Bellagio cafe

 

[Drakecula]

I did my Grand Canyon helicopter tour with Maverick, excellent experience.

I keep seeing Maverick pop up in my searches, so seems the way to go. Thanks for the informative reply.

 

[craven morehead]

+1 for Maverick

 

[Happy Dude]

I'm a tightar$e shoestring traveller and can safely say that Vegas is no place for a family on several fronts. The sight of whacked out yanks in ironic and ill-fitting active wear lumbering or (rolling on mobility scooters) up and down the strip holding yardies of frozen margaritas got old after about 10mins. There is a pinball/arcade game museum that I, as a kid of the 80's, found to be totally rad. Queuing in the blazing sun to take a photo of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign remains a highlight. Drop heaps of cash and you'll have a great trip.

 

[jastel]

There are many different helicopter tours, the most popular basic one doesnt do the North Rim but just flies from Vegas and lands in the Western Indian Controlled area for a picnic. No tourist landings in the main National Parks are allowed.
Sunset is the most popular time to do these, you leave about 4pm, limo takes you to airport, you sign the indemnity forms and get weighed etc for loading purposes, be aware that its in pounds so you weigh twice as much haha, they might split up large groups but a couple should be fine, you wont have a private chopper unless you pay big bucks...and then fly in a group of several helicopters past the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead to the landing site which is on the bottom of the canyon near the Indian Glass Skywalk. One company costs more and lands lower down a bit closer to the water than the other.
Have a picnic, take photos watch sunset and fly back as the strips lights come on, limo back to hotel.

The Rio is not on the Strip but off to the side a few blocks, it is walkable but Vegas can be hot in summer. There is a monorail that goes up and down behind the strip, opposite side to Rio but, get a day pass is easiest. Just looking at all the Casinos is like a (fake) world trip, Paris, Italy, Eqypt etc.

Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano and Treasure Island Pirate show are good free entertainment...not sure if they are all still running? The compulsory Giant Ferris Wheel, tall tower for views (Stratosphere), zip lines, Vegas sign, old Fremont St are also worth a look. If you are a car person Kounts Customs, Welderup and Shelby have tours of their places as does the Pawnstars TV Show shop. The Pinball Museum is a favourite of mine as well.

If you want to blow more money apart from shops/restaurants/gambling you can shoot guns, drive sports cars, go horse riding, play cowboys, tours of Route 66, Grand Canyon South Rim, Hoover Dam, see shows/concerts/sports depending on whats on.

I agree it can be tacky and cliched with drunks, bucks parties etc, it does look dirty and not so nice in places especially in the day, but at night it is totally different with all the lights.

You cannot be bored in Vegas...you will have fun.

BTW unless its new, no Admirals Club in Vegas airport...a WTF moment for me when I got to the airport early.

 

[I love to travel]

There is outlet shopping about 20 mins out of Vegas as well if you are into that

 

[Notyourbag]

There are many different helicopter tours, the most popular basic one doesnt do the North Rim but just flies from Vegas and lands in the Western Indian Controlled area for a picnic. No tourist landings in the main National Parks are allowed.
Sunset is the most popular time to do these, you leave about 4pm, limo takes you to airport, you sign the indemnity forms and get weighed etc for loading purposes, be aware that its in pounds so you weigh twice as much haha, they might split up large groups but a couple should be fine, you wont have a private chopper unless you pay big bucks...and then fly in a group of several helicopters past the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead to the landing site which is on the bottom of the canyon near the Indian Glass Skywalk. One company costs more and lands lower down a bit closer to the water than the other.
Have a picnic, take photos watch sunset and fly back as the strips lights come on, limo back to hotel.

The Rio is not on the Strip but off to the side a few blocks, it is walkable but Vegas can be hot in summer. There is a monorail that goes up and down behind the strip, opposite side to Rio but, get a day pass is easiest. Just looking at all the Casinos is like a (fake) world trip, Paris, Italy, Eqypt etc.

Bellagio Fountains, Mirage Volcano and Treasure Island Pirate show are good free entertainment...not sure if they are all still running? The compulsory Giant Ferris Wheel, tall tower for views (Stratosphere), zip lines, Vegas sign, old Fremont St are also worth a look. If you are a car person Kounts Customs, Welderup and Shelby have tours of their places as does the Pawnstars TV Show shop. The Pinball Museum is a favourite of mine as well.

If you want to blow more money apart from shops/restaurants/gambling you can shoot guns, drive sports cars, go horse riding, play cowboys, tours of Route 66, Grand Canyon South Rim, Hoover Dam, see shows/concerts/sports depending on whats on.

I agree it can be tacky and cliched with drunks, bucks parties etc, it does look dirty and not so nice in places especially in the day, but at night it is totally different with all the lights.

You cannot be bored in Vegas...you will have fun.

BTW unless its new, no Admirals Club in Vegas airport...a WTF moment for me when I got to the airport early.

Correct. Just flew out of LAS and no admirals lounge (and sounds like no plans or room to add one in)

 

[Drakecula]

Correct. Just flew out of LAS and no admirals lounge (and sounds like no plans or room to add one in)

I have a Priority Pass membership, and I think there's a lounge I can access at LAS through there.

 

[kookaburra75]

I have a Priority Pass membership, and I think there's a lounge I can access at LAS through there.

But why would you go into a lounge, when you can keep playing the pokies in the terminal?

 

[RooFlyer]

But why would you go into a lounge, when you can keep playing the pokies in the terminal?

Or in the aerobridge, as when I was there?

Must say I'm envious of @Drakecula for conferencing in Las Vegas. For about 5 years I attended an annual conference in Nevada - at Reno . Not quite the same vibe.

 

[justinbrett]

I’m a frequent traveller to Vegas, averaging twice a year lately.

No OW lounge at the airport but it’s not really needed. Just don’t get to the airport too early (there is a fast lane through security for AA domestic F, I’m not sure if that extends to OWS in Y). Plenty of bars and restaurants you can plant yourself in (eg Chili‘s) and use as your makeshift lounge. The priority pass lounges “The Club” are terrible. You can also walk within the terminal drinking alcohol so it’s just like being on the Strip.

Don’t bother with the monorail if you’re on the west side of the strip (and Rio is even further west). Use the free Aria tram that runs between Bellagio and Park MGM (with access to Cosmo, Vdara and Aria) and a short walk to NYNY, and also the Mandalay Bay tram that runs between Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur (and again a short walk to NYNY). Use Uber if you want to go to the North strip, or the Duece bus if you’re cost conscious (but beware it is a cultural experience that exceeds the Hollywood Subway. I personally stay well clear of it).

Most casinos run free table game lessons in the mornings (coughs, blackjack etc).

If you intend to gamble, sign up for the players club cards (MGM Rewards, Caesar Rewards). Even just gambling $100 should get you free hotel rooms on your next stay (if you do return). I’m generally getting comp rooms for most of my Vegas trips these days (you still have to pay the resort fee, but I’ve been getting US$50/night F&B credits so it balances out).

Get a Grand Canyon helo flight that leaves from LAS airport. Who wants to be stuck on a coach.

If you want some freebies download the MyVegas app, don’t spend a cent on chips but use the free ones and earn rewards. Lots of 2 for 1 deals (eg buffets) and free coughtails etc. Not as good as it used to be but a free drink is a free drink. Just redeem before you leave Australia as once your phone is in Vegas the rewards a severely restricted. Vegas is very expensive these days but you can still do it cheap if you want.

Make sure you see the Mirage Volcano (every hour on the hour after 8pm) as it’s being torn down. This could be the final year of operation. Bellagio fountains obviously. The Wynn lake show is good but generally better if you can book a table for a drink as there’s not many places to stand. Definitely check out Fremont St (Downtown, or “Old Vegas).

Be careful at the Rio. Some guests were robbed recently. Also walking around off strip can be a bit dicey in some areas so be sensible. Uber is relatively cheap.

 

[Drakecula]

Lots of great info there. I'll digest and I might have follow up questions

 

[Happy Dude]

Definitely check out Fremont St (Downtown, or “Old Vegas).

I only went there because of the U2 video. It was just as packed as in the clip and it is no wonder that Bono couldn't find whatever it was he was looking for.

We caught a bus there, which was cheap. The drunk guy dressed like Tiger Woods banging on, to no-one in particular but everybody at the same time, about how to beat the casinos, was a bonus.