Going to Vegas for a week....

[atomic_punk]

Going to be in Vegas for a week, this coming Saturday (10/2) to the next Saturday. First time there, always wanted to see it!
Any recommendations / thoughts / musings on what cool stuff there is to do (I know, gambling, etc.) and avoid? Hoping for some insight from others who have been there! Also, I am going to stay away from Ed Roman Guitars, since he requires appointments and a $100 DEPOSIT to visit his store. Any other cool / bizarre / unique shops I should seek out?
Thanks in advance!

[elreydlp]

The "Gold and Silver Pawn Shop" featured on "Pawn Stars" is a must.
If you're a car buff, "The Auto Collections" at The Imperial Palace and The Carroll Shelby Museum are great:

http://www.inetours.com/Las_Vegas/pages ... seums.html

Since you're there for a week, take some time when you first get there to find out what shows and performers are in town. Years ago, I caught The Everly Brothers on the first night of their reunion at the Las Vegas Hilton because I was driving by earlier in the week and saw it advertised on their marquee.

[fatcat]

Hoover dam.

[jps]

he requires appointments and a $100 DEPOSIT to visit his store

[johnallg]

Have a great time, Steve, and here's to Shakedown wowwing them in Lost Wages!

http://www.myspace.com/shakedowndetroit

[beatbyrd]

Going to be in Vegas for a week, this coming Saturday (10/2) to the next Saturday. First time there, always wanted to see it!
Any recommendations / thoughts / musings on what cool stuff there is to do (I know, gambling, etc.) and avoid? ?
Thanks in advance!

If you're gambling on the strip, play at Bill's Gambling Saloon (corner of Flamingo & LV Blvd) - always a couple of $5 minimum blackjack and Hold'em tables and a blue collar feel. The rest of the bigger strip casinos are $15/$25 minimums. Doubling down on those gets you broke very quickly. Stay away from roulette, slots, and the money wheels. Too much house edge.

Planet Hollywood has the "Pleasure Pit", which is a $25 minimum Blackjack pit that has bikini dancers on platforms that help distract you while you're playing. Play at Bill's, then just walk over to PH to watch the dancers without playing there.

Fatburger, across from the new city center is decent food for a decent price.

For a renewed fear of God, ride "Insanity" at the top of the Stratosphere. Very memorable.
"Speed, the ride" and "Manhattan Express" roller coasters are overpriced and not that good.

Prepare to be continually plagued by the flickers (an army of low lifes who try and give you x-rated cards advertising "Girls to your room in 20 minutes"). They constantly flick the cards to get your attention, hence the name. At night, they are everywhere, at least on the strip.

Free drinks are always the most expensive.

Don't let anyone wish you 'good luck' (kiss of death!).
YMMV. Enjoy. Tom

[johnnysain]

Fremont St.

The reasons are all over the internet.

[rickenbrother]

Have a great time, Steve!

[86kubicki]

Not a "shop" per se, but I've always enjoyed the Sin City Brewery stall in Planet Hollywood....
http://www.sincitybeer.com/lasvegasmicrobrewery.html
Have a great time Steve!

[atomic_punk]

Thanks guys! I will NOT be anywhere near the Strat-o-shpere...not a fan of roller coasters or rides that high up.
Fremont St. is definitely in the plan.
Good gambling tips! Yes, I'm not looking to get in on any $15 and $25 tables.

And I've been trying to get info on shows and performers in town, but info is kind of sketchy. I guess I will find out more once I am in town.

Any guitar shops OTHER than Ed's rip off palace? I thought there was a Bizarre Guitar there....might be wrong though. Good pawn shop info though!

[fatcat]

Bizarre is in Reno.

Sam Ash in Vegas, Ric dealer.

[ken_j]

Cow Town Guitars?

[8mileshigher]

Steve - the following weekend, October 16th is our SCARF Confluence, here in Los Alamitos, in the middle between L.A. and Orange Counties, if you can extend your travels !
We'll have more Rics on display than Ed Roman and no $100 fee !

[beatbyrd]

Thanks guys! I will NOT be anywhere near the Strat-o-shpere...not a fan of roller coasters or rides that high up.

Uhh, you ARE flying there, aren't you?
The Stratosphere is about 1100 feet tall, I believe. The plane will be flying at 35,000+.
C'mon, haven't you always wanted to be spun around, dangling 1100 feet over the pavement, held in your seat by only a lap
T-bar?
My son was around 10 years old when we went on Insanity. There were a couple of guys in their mid-40's who also went. Before it started, one said to the other, "Hope that little kid doesn't start screaming.". When the ride was over, my son and I were high-fiving and wanting to go again. I heard the same guy mention to his friend that he thought he needed a change of underwear. A proud Dad moment. Tom

[atomic_punk]

Would love to go to SCARF, but Vegas is as far west as this trip is going to take me...although some SoCal friends are coming over for a little partying.
And yes, I am flying there, but I won't willingly get on a ride meant to dangle me over the edge of a very very tall building. Even though I am an architect, the bad part of that is that people assume I LIKE being up that high!
I've been bitten by the 12 string bass bug again, so I might be looking for one while I am in town. Or an 8-string Rick.