Going To Vegas!

[slot monkey]

This monkey is leaving the treehouse and gonna be going to Vegas in November. The last time I went to Vegas was about 10 years ago. I know alot has changed since then, I wanted to get some input from others here for must see casinos, favorite casinos or upcoming slot events or tournaments. I plan on gambling on slots only, no table games. I will have access to a rental car for some local traveling. I will try to make a trip to NLG if possible. Any input would be great. Thanks, Slot Monkey!

[stayouttadabunker]

Make sure you get there the same time as knagl and both of you guys can go half on the rental....LOL

[slot monkey]

Good thinking Bunker, Knagl is lucky too, banking some nice coin when he won at the airport.....haha

[knagl]

That wasn't me at the airport.   

If you haven't been to Vegas in 10 years, you won't recognize the place! 

Must-sees:
- Bellagio Conservatory
- Bellagio Fountains
- Red Rock Resort
- Fremont Street Experience at night (downtown)
- Pinball Hall of Fame (if you're at all into pinball)
- Wynn/Encore


There's more, I'm sure.  How long are you going for?  Where are you staying at?

[slot monkey]

Sorry about the miss identification knagl, must be time for me to turn in, long day. 

Nice list you got going....... pinball hall of fame is a definate yes!

I'll be there for 4 days, I'm staying at Harrah's.

I won this trip from a local radio station.

It will be nice traveling on their dime.

Are there any casinos that still use coins and tokens or are all of them tickets?

[Bettor Slots]

I will be there myself along with another NLG Member October 27 to November 2.

Some tips for you near Harrahs:

1)  Right outside the doors to the south be sure and got to Guirideli's and order a large $8 chocalate shake.  You can thank me later.

2)  In the same area most every day (near the Starbuck's) in the afternoon you will see a cuty that hands out buy one get free buffets for your choice of either Harrahs or Flamingo.

3)  When you check into Harrahs, be sure and ask for the "coupon sheet"....some good deals on there for food, drink, and a free T-shirt.

4)  At Harrahs, don't play the slots near the strip, they are tight as can be....the machines down the steps have consistently paid out better for me over the past many years.

5)  For dinner one night be sure to cross the street to the Mirage and have a corned beef sandwich at the place near the front of the casino....it's about 10" thick, all meat , with a pickel wedge on the side for your vegatable.

6)  Don't get coffee at the Java Coast inside Harrah's....instead just pour hot water into your shoe and pour that into a cup....tastes the same and will save you 5 bucks.

Have fun.

Jim

[jdkmunch]

Booked for November 8th to the 13th.

I have a conference in the Flamingo.

[slot monkey]

Thanks archjds, sounds like I better pack an extra pair of larger pants after this 4 day eating and gambling fest!!

Now that I think about it, that's what I do now, eating and gambling fest at the treehouse except I don't win any money.

1) The shake sounds like a meal all by it's self, that's a check.

2) I can handle that job of looking out for a cutie, whether she has coupons or not! 

3) Will definately get a coupon sheet

4) Funny you mention that, I remember having a similar vibe when I was at Harrah's years ago. I always liked the Imperial Palace, it had a good vibe and the cocktail waitress were always smokin' hot in their working attire.

5) Corned beef is one of my favorites so that's a check.

6) Coffee at the Java Coast is no problem, I don't drink coffee but will give the heads up to the others in my group.

I'll be there on the 19th to 23rd, actually 5 days but leaving early on the 23rd.

Good luck to both archjds and jdkmunch, hope you two can bank some nice coin while you're there.


slot monkey

[stayouttadabunker]

I remember the Imperial Palace had old, old cars on the second floor back in '91...
if I'm not mistaken, they had JFK's and Hitler's cars on display there too...
I thought that was weird...

[slot monkey]

Bunker, I stayed at the Imperial but never made it to the museum on that trip.

I remember seeing the vintage motorcycle that Steve McQueen rode in The Great Escape, it was in a huge display case by a set of stairs.

We will check out the museum this trip if it's still there.

[tollguy316]

Hello Slot monkey.......I'm a huge fan of Vegas and I recommend the following..... 1st and foremost... Get the coupom book called " The Las Vegas Advisor"... You can get it on e-bay or through their website. It will pay for itself tenfold. It has match play coupons, b1g1 buffets, b1g1 shows, coupons for free slot play, etc....  you'll thank me later.   ................Go to the Fontana bar at Bellagio after 6 p.m. to see the  fountains. It has the best view . Drinks start at $5 ; but If you don't want to drink; then give the waitress $5 or so and watch the fountains.   Sam's town.. There is a b1g1 coupon for the buffet in the above mentioned coupon book , plus matchplay coupons and a coupon for a free beer.  You'll want to see the free wilderness show in the evening.   Downtown "Old Vegas strip" at night.  The laser shows are every hour , on the hour from 6 to 12.   Paris Casino... beautiful inside... you can also go up the Eiffel tower ( yes ; there's a b1g1 for that in the coupon book also).    If you're feeling adventurous and might enjoy a death defying amusement ride ; go to Stratosphere for the 3 rides at the top of the tower ( There is also a b1g1 in the book for the ultimate ride pass ( ride each 1 time)... it's not for the faint of heart and blows any ride you've ever been on away...... There's soo much more ; but this is a nice start.  You'd swear I was getting a kickback on the Las Vegas Advisor coupon book; but I'm a fan of bargains... and this book is the best by far.  Have a great time, Bill

[jdkmunch]

Ever since the Rio took out the water/foam night club, I think vegas hasn't been the same.  That club would have all the girls in their bathing suits and then it would rain and spray foam on them. 
Now it's a bowling alley -   

I would recommend two things -

Hoover Dam & the Grand Canyon .    The part of the canyon where the indians built the glass bridge skywalk is pretty cool and close.   (The 45 minute  dirt road stinks but it's worth it) 

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

Casinos are casinos - from vegas to atlantic city

[CommTech]

OK, since you have not been to Vegas in 10 years... here are a few updates that you will want to know about:

1. The Bally's/MGM monorail has been extended all the way to the Sahara down the strip, and is no longer Free.  I would suggest looking for a coupon for a day pass if you intend to use it.
2. Since you are staying at Harrah's, I would suggest you eat at Imperial Palace for breakfast (it's a lot cheaper).  There is a shortcut from Harrah's ... Take the elevator to the Second Floor and follow the signs down the hall to the Monorail entrance. You can cut across the monorail platform entrance straight across into Imperial Palace (completely avoiding walking around the front by the strip).
3. Since you are already at Harrah's, you can catch multiple FREE shuttles from the back bus lot.  These shuttles leave at scheduled times (listed at the back bus lot) to Sam's Town, Rio, and a few other properties.
4. Save your money for the slots at Sam's town or any other off Strip property.  I found the slots are Harrah's are tighter than a drum.
5. The food off strip is also MUCH cheaper. Use a coupon book as was suggested.
6. The Traffic on and around the strip is always very heavy. I would suggest saving the gas money and aggravation and keeping your rental car parked unless you need to leave the Vegas metro area. Take advantage of the Free shuttles, and Monorail.  Since you will be staying near the center of the strip, you can walk to most of the Strip Casino's.

Have fun!!

[jdkmunch]

The payouts are better off the strip too.   No locals no near a casino on the strip.  But if your there for fun enjoy!!!

[knagl]

Get the coupom book called " The Las Vegas Advisor"

I've been an LVA member for a few years -- the coupon book is great, but if you're only going to be there for a few days you may not get to take enough advantage of it for the $37 membership fee.  A cheaper alternative is the American Casino Guide.  If you can get the 2010 book before your trip, that's great as the coupons are good as soon as you get the book, and won't expire until December of 2010.  The book is roughly $13 on Amazon, and has tons of coupons that will pay for itself many times over.  The 2009 book is obviously still valid too, although the coupons will expire at the end of this year.

http://www.AmericanCasinoGuide.com/ is the website -- there's a detailed list of all of the coupons here:  2009 Coupon List -- 2010 Coupon List

We go to Vegas a couple of times a year, so I always have the Las Vegas Advisor coupon book and a couple of the American Casino Guides and we do Vegas on the cheap!

[slot monkey]

Thanks guys for the replys!

I will check out both coupon guides: LVA and AmericanCasinoGuide

Will be checking out most of the ideas that everyone came up with.

The roller coaster and sky walk are not me cause I don't like heights but will gladly watch anyone from my group that want to participate.

I will probably go to the Hoover Dam.

The monorail sounds good too, will check into the one day pass and the free shuttles.

I will be going to Sam's Town, I liked the steel bowls they used on their slots, they make all kind of noise, if they still have them.

Are all the casino slots in Vegas TITO or are some still coins and tokens?

I'm off to do some coupon book shopping!

Later

Slot Monkey

[StatFreak]

slot monkey, I see that you stayed at the Imperial Palace. How nice were the rooms and how long ago did you stay there?

Is there anyone else who has stayed there recently who could tell me if the rooms are clean and if it is a decent place to stay?

[CommTech]

I stayed the the Imperial Palice about 10 years ago. Personally I thought it was somewhat of a rat hole compaired to the other adjacent strip properties (Harrah's and Flamingo). When I stayed there it was pretty run down and in need of an update. I have no idea if they have been updated since.  The last time I was in Vegas was two years ago, and I stayed at Harrah's. I did visit IP for breakfast each morning and from what I seen, the Casino and Buffet were still the same. It was kind of like stepping back in time to Old Vegas. It made me reminisce of the good old days (not that long ago - early 90's) when the food was still cheap on the strip!

[stayouttadabunker]

I stayed at the Imperial Palace in 1991
(The last time I was in Vegas)
I loved it but that was what....almost 19 years ago? LOL
Sorry,  I cannot help you on this one Stat...

[StatFreak]

Thanks guys. I have a comp offer to stay there free for two nights, but was concerned about the cleanliness of the rooms.

[slot monkey]

StatFreak, I agree with CommTech, I was there about the same time. When are you planning on going? Just wandered, when I get back I'm sure I will have some coupons left over that I can send your way.

[a69mopar]

Hey Rob,
  I am planning a trip to Laughlin in November, was almost Vegas, but I've never been to Laughlin and I can cross the river to see the "Command Center".

W

[knagl]

Are all the casino slots in Vegas TITO or are some still coins and tokens?

Many are TITO, but when you get off the strip and also downtown you can still find coin-in coin-out slots.  Downtown, specifically, Fitzgeralds and El Cortez have lots of coin slots.

If you're looking for some really ancient slots still in operation, the Skyline Casino in Henderson still has a bank of Fortune II video poker machines in operation (coin in, coin out, no credits kept on the machine, meaning if you get a pair of jacks or better it spits coins out at you).  It's about four or five miles past Sam's Town on Boulder Highway (1741 N Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV 89011-4123).  They also have a lot of PE+ machines with some odd video poker titles and the standard fare.  They also have a couple of classic one-armed bandits (like real antique slots) that are still in operation as well.

[slot monkey]

Thanks knagl,

I like the experience of the coins in and out.

The newer slots are fine, I don't need to play any older or antique slots.

I hardly ever play video poker but might try some this time around.

I'm just a slot "junkie" monkey!

[reho33]

If you look hard they might have a 1903 Liberty Bell!