Must see attractions in Vegas for first timers?

[fluff]

Hi,

This is probably slightly off topic, so apologies in advance.

I'm taking my parents (mid 50s) to Vegas for the very first time this coming Monday. We are going to stay 3 days. I would really appreciate some input as to what to take them to see. We will have a car available. Also a guesstimate for price would be much appreciated.

Specifically, I'm interested in:

1) Shows. If there was one show you would take your middle aged parents to see, what would be it? Note: nudity with parents don't really mix. At least not for me. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

2) Food. I heard a lot about tasting menus being the hot thing to try. Can anyone recommend a good place? Also info on reservations/dress code would be appreciated.

3) Attractions. I was thinking Hoover Dam is probably worth seeing. Any other museums/exhibitions, etc. in or around LV you could recommend?

Thanks for the help!

[sternroolz]

For attraction food combo you may want to try the Stratosphere tower.

Lunch is cheaper with most menu items being about $15. The food is good, the menu is limited. With drink tax and tip, it will set you back about $20-25 a person. Also the drawback is that the view from the tower is so much more impressive at night. At night, dinner will cost $40-60 per person including tax, drink, and tip. The view is impressive to say the least. The ride up the tower is free if you are eating there. A third option is to simply have a drink in the cocktail lounge that is near the top. The drinks are huge, cost $10-20, can be ordered virgin if you like, and you get to keep the glass. I would call ahead just to make sure, but I believe the ride up is free in this case as well. Dress code is evening casual for dinner. You would not be out of place in slacks and a dress shirt nor would you be out of place in a suit & tie.

I also would not pass up seeing the Bellagio. There is a garden, a open piano bar, and simply the atmosphere is worth seeing. There is also a water show in the front lake at multiple intervals throughout the evening.

If you want to try one of the high end buffets, I recommend Alladin Spice Market Buffett. It is about $23 a person and has a large variety of very good food including crab legs.
Bellagio is also quite good and runs $30 a person. However, I have found that the food runs a little too high society for some of my guests. Many of them want ribs and drumsticks, not lobster bisque, boar, venison, quail, etc. If you are intending on spending $15-20 on one of the normal strip buffets, I really recommend you reconsider eating at Alladin. For instance, on a recent trip many of my friends wanted to eat at the $17 Flamingo Buffet which was basically Hometown Buffet plus chewy prime rib(bleah). A grave disappointment and I surely would have spent the $5 more for Alladin Buffet.

Another free attraction not to miss is the pirate show out in front of TI.

[Boris]

The rollercoaster at New York, NY is awesome. Instead of the Hoover Dam go see the Red Rocks. To get there drive north on the strip until you come to Charleston. Go West on Charleston for 20 miles. You will see signs for the 13 mile scenic loop. you can get out and take a nice easy hike at numerous pull outs.

[Demana]

Cruise the strip at night and see all of the hotel shows (Pirate Ship, Volcano, Bellagio, etc.)

If you're up for a bit of fun, go to the top of the Stratosphere and try the Big Shot (I think that is its name). It is good times.

[Acesover8s]

Red Rock Canyon is a good quick afternoon trip, pack some water, then pack more just in case.

The Venetian is a beautiful hotel to walk around, there's a wonderful fountain garden upstairs, skip the museum though, overpriced for its size.

Other casinos that just have to be seen are Bellagio (conservatory, picassos, fountains, poker room), my mother got a huge kick out of the Luxor (mid 50s as well).

Finding a show that both 20 y.o.s and 50 y.o.'s could enjoy was difficult, but we settled on the Amazing Jonathon and a few of the standup acts, which turned out pretty good. I just couldn't stomach Wayne Newton or Danny Gans. . .

I also heartily reccomend the spice market buffet at Aladdin. The buffet at main street station is pretty good as well and damn cheap.

[Luv2DriveTT]

[ QUOTE ]
2) Food. I heard a lot about tasting menus being the hot thing to try. Can anyone recommend a good place? Also info on reservations/dress code would be appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

SIMPLE! Avoid the tourist traps. Go to the geat foodie places. Expensive, but what do you care... pay for it with poker winnings!

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[bunky9590]

As far as shows go,

Mystiere by Cirque du Soliel at treasue island was a fantastic show.

Food, jeez, they're all pretty good what I had.

See the Bellagio fountain, the Mirgae eruption was kinda cool (nice view from the venetian) mezzanine overlooking the strip. The Sirens of TI was okay, I like the version that shows the skin though.

[PokerFink]

If you have the money and the means to get the tickets, O at the Bellagio is simply outstanding. I saw it with my parents when I was 17, and we all could not stop talking about it when we got home.

[AllVegasPoker.com]

Two other good shows are Blue Man Group and Mac King. Mac King is very good show for the money, you can often find 2for1 tickets. He is a really funny family oriented comedian/magician. He won't say anything that will offend your mom.

I think Hoover Dam is a good idea because you will have a car. It's definitely worth seeing. I'm not sure if they still offer the tour after 9/11, but if they do, then take it.. you'll get to ride an elevator down to the bottom of the dam and check out the generators. Pretty interesting stuff.

[tek]

Take them to Glitter Gulch. Pretty lights. Old People like that stuff.

They also have slot joints there with helpful slot attendants who steer out-of-towners to hot slot machines [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]