Going to Vegas In Feb But Don't Know Where To Stay

[StatFreak]

<ADD> You might want to check out the Stratosphere tower, especially if you get there just before sunset and remain after. You'll be over 1,000 feet up and the view is spectacular. Arriving at that time will give you the best of both the daytime and nighttime views, as well as the sunset.

I used to dine in the restaurant and book my reservation so that I was there during that time. It revolves once per hour and I'd always get a small table at the outer edge for the great views. Alas, that was back in the '90s when it was a good steakhouse. Having the casino comp my $100 meal and bypassing the line (VIP comp) was always a great bonus! Then they converted it into an overpriced sort of family fare menu and the food quality took a dive. I can't tell you how it is now because I haven't been there in almost 10 years.

[knagl]

Hey! How far is it like from the Flamingo to the Golden Nugget.
we tried to walk it one time...gave up...

The Flamingo is nearly center-strip, while the Golden Nugget is downtown.  That'd be one hell of a walk (it's just over 4 miles each way), and would involve walking through a less-than-stellar area between the strip and downtown.

If you are going to be staying several days and visiting lots of locations, renting a car is another option.

Indeed!  In fact, in 15 trips to Vegas we have rented a car 15 times.  Car rentals are cheap in Las Vegas (compared to almost any other major city), and we love the freedom of being able to go where we want to go, when we want to go, without having to rely on shuttle or bus timetables.  You should be able to get a car for under $20 a day (including all the taxes and fees), which is what you'd pay for one one-way cab ride somewhere.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the shows yet. I recommend seeing at least one or two of the Cirque du Soleil shows if you can. They will run about $100 per person per show. February is slow so you shouldn't have much trouble getting tickets, but it's still a good idea to book them before leaving home. Mystère is the oldest and still one of the best. I haven't seen the Beatles Love but it's supposed to be very good.

Cirque's LOVE is fantastic.  It's a double-edge sword, though.  It beats out all the other Cirque shows by far (in this writer's opinion), and as such can "ruin" the other shows for you.  The other shows are really good, too, but once you see LOVE you may run into the issue we did in that the other shows just don't stack up.  Mystère at TI is my second favorite, and KA at MGM Grand is my third favorite.  We've never seen O at Bellagio, but I've heard nothing but good about it.  You may want to consider one of these other Cirque shows first before seeing LOVE.

This past trip we saw Absinthe at Caesars Palace.  It's a mixture of Cirque-style acts, a variety show, and some of the dirtiest, raunchiest humor you've ever heard.  If it's possible to offend you, I'd suggest passing on this show because you will be offended, but if you don't mind a lot of dirty jokes, you may really enjoy the show.  We picked up tickets for Absinthe at Tix4Tonight while in Vegas for around $65 each.

<ADD> You might want to check out the Stratosphere tower, especially if you get there just before sunset and remain after. You'll be over 1,000 feet up and the view is spectacular. Arriving at that time will give you the best of both the daytime and nighttime views, as well as the sunset.

This reminds me, I would highly suggest picking up a copy of the 2012 American Casino Guide.  It's currently $11.71 at Amazon and you'll easily get triple that back in matchplay coupons, free slot play coupons, BOGO buffet coupons, and new member sign-up bonuses coupons in the back of the book.  A full list of the coupons is located here.  The info in the book is good, and the coupons make it a no-brainer purchase if you're going to Vegas, especially if you're a first-timer.  I generally buy two each year to double up on a lot of the coupons.

Again, I would encourage you to check out my Las Vegas Advice Forum and ask questions there.  We've got a ton of Vegas veterans who will be happy to help you get the most out of your trip, plus car rental discount codes and the like in the "full access" section (which I'll promote any  member to immediately upon registration).  There's no slot repair stuff over there, but it is full of great Vegas info. 

[uniman]

<ADD> You might want to check out the Stratosphere tower, especially if you get there just before sunset and remain after. You'll be over 1,000 feet up and the view is spectacular. Arriving at that time will give you the best of both the daytime and nighttime views, as well as the sunset.

I used to dine in the restaurant and book my reservation so that I was there during that time. It revolves once per hour and I'd always get a small table at the outer edge for the great views. Alas, that was back in the '90s when it was a good steakhouse. Having the casino comp my $100 meal and bypassing the line (VIP comp) was always a great bonus! Then they converted it into an overpriced sort of family fare menu and the food quality took a dive. I can't tell you how it is now because I haven't been there in almost 10 years.

About eight years ago my wife treated me to dinner at the top of the Stratosphere. Before boarding the elevator a security guard had us emtpy our pockets, take off my belt, and wanded both of us. Then we got a small table closest to the center, not near the windows. (They weren't available) Then our waitress says "What would you's guys like to drink" in perfect Mel's Diner dialect. As the seating area revolved around to the kitchen side we were treated with the sounds of waitresses talking into a microphone giving their orders to the kitchen, ala drive thru window. "Screeech, yeah, one filet mignon, two asparagas, screeechhh." Then we got to hear two busboys discussing a girl's "fine booty".
The food was good and the view was nice. Wasn't upset, actually laughed my ass off and said "Never Again!"
But that was a few years ago.