What do you do when you are in Vegas

[MrsKellyPierce]

I scare old people by running down the street naked

[my my my!]

Last time (only time) I went to vegas, I went by airplane, got in a taxi, and went to my reserved hotel room at the Excalibur.

Pardon the naive questions:
I've never actually driven in to Las Vegas, what is the best way to approach it, in the sense of showing up , getting a room on the strip?

Do the Hotel Casinos have parking for my car? In other words can I drive up to the Mandalay bay and park in a garage and go up to the hotel lobby and rent a room for couple of nights?

Do I need to reserve the rooms in advance? We are doing a "winging it" type of trip and don't know if we will show up Monday 22nd of July or 23rd. Is it possible to get a room on the strip on the same day or are they usually sold out in advance?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[JPorter]

Whenever I've gone to Vegas it has been a drive in "wingin it" type of trip, lol. I think the thing about the strip is that unless there is a convention happening, there is always an available room,...wherever you might want to stay. If not, I'd be willing to bet that next door is available....and you are showing up on a weekday so no doubt just pick where you would like to be.

I've also found by doing the old "I had a room booked next door but it won't be available untill later, what can you do for me" trick has always worked for a great rate.

[MDinMD]

Do the Hotel Casinos have parking for my car? In other words can I drive up to the Mandalay bay and park in a garage and go up to the hotel lobby and rent a room for couple of nights?

Do I need to reserve the rooms in advance? We are doing a "winging it" type of trip and don't know if we will show up Monday 22nd of July or 23rd. Is it possible to get a room on the strip on the same day or are they usually sold out in advance?

Many or all of the casinos do have parking garages. The last time I was there I stayed at Treasure Island, and they sure did. I've stayed at Mandalay Bay before, but not with a car.

I'd advise reservations, but I suspect that if you show up with no reservations, getting a room won't be a problem.

[Ben in LA]

Lucky for me I have relatives who live in the city haha. I usually drive in anyway; don't want to deal with the drama at McCarran. Also, since I don't gamble too much AND like going to off-strip casinos (like Red Rock), it's great to have my own ride. When I AM on the strip, I usually park at Caesars or The Wynn and foot it,

When downtown I park in one of the garages...usually the one on the corner of Carson and Las Vegas...no problems yet!

When a hotel says they don't have any rooms, they're probably lying. Still, it IS best to plan ahead; anything could happen. ive been lucky; I usually seem to get a room at Echelon on every try without any problems!

[serial138]

I'd recommend reservations just because its cheaper, but if you don't mind spending a bit extra every casino has rooms available every night of the week. The only time I can think that every casino is booked is big weekends like Labor Day/Memorial Day, NYE, and maybe during CES. Every casino has parking somewhere, but once you park on the Strip I recommend leaving your car wherever you parked at and walking it. It'll be much quicker, safer, and more fun. If you're in a hurry take a cab, let them take the risks and they know backroads that the tourists don't use too much.

[serial138]

Carrot Top gets a bad rap, but his show was hysterical.

It's been a few years, but I remember the Wynn golf course was pretty good too.

. And unless you're going to be a regular and looking to go places on the cheap, avoid the dive casinos that aren't on the Strip or Freemont St. If you're going for the Vegas experience, you're better off at a big hotel.

Most of your post was accurate, however these ideas not so much. Carrot Top is terrible, you will want to off yourself as you walk out the door for paying to see that twat.

The Wynn golf course is also pretty much crap, unless you're referring to Shadow Creek, his original one. Also I'd rather play Rio Secco than the Wynn course. Greens are nicer and much more fun. Fees used to be cheaper as well, but its been about 2 years since I could take out the irons.

As for the casinos off the Strip and Fremont, I'd have to disagree with you again. Stay out of any of the ones on the East side, like Sam's Town or Eastside Cannery, but any Stations Casino isn't bad (other than maybe Boulder Station). Rampart is pretty nice, Suncoast isn't bad, South Point and the Silverton are very nice, the M resort is absolutely gorgeous and as good as Red Rock in my opinion. Green Valley Ranch is also very nice. I've heard Alliante is nice as well, but that's too far north for my tastes. If you want to find young drunk kids and idiot tourists that believe the nonsense about Vegas being no hold's barred, stay on the strip, if you want to enjoy your cocktails, get a good percentage on your gambling, and eat very well for half the price...go local.

[Ben in LA]

A nice little post on Downtown Las Vegas: http://todayinlv.com/2013/07/the-reb...own-las-vegas/

I took my folks to Aliante Station the last time they were there. Yes it's out in the boonies (have they finished the CC-215 yet?) but they LOVED it. The Salted Lime is a pretty nice restaurant, as is Bistro 57.

Speaking of the Stations, I've notice the newer the place, the better. Palace and Boulder are ugh, while Sunset and Aliante are pretty nice.

I've gotta check out M. Of course I always pass it on the way into town, but I've never stopped there. Hmm...

[rockabilly]

Win big or lose big.

[bluesoul]

Last time (only time) I went to vegas, I went by airplane, got in a taxi, and went to my reserved hotel room at the Excalibur.

Pardon the naive questions:
I've never actually driven in to Las Vegas, what is the best way to approach it, in the sense of showing up , getting a room on the strip?

Do the Hotel Casinos have parking for my car? In other words can I drive up to the Mandalay bay and park in a garage and go up to the hotel lobby and rent a room for couple of nights?

Do I need to reserve the rooms in advance? We are doing a "winging it" type of trip and don't know if we will show up Monday 22nd of July or 23rd. Is it possible to get a room on the strip on the same day or are they usually sold out in advance?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

e-mail or call the hotel and ask those question. you'd get more accurate answers that way