Got some questions?? About This Page:

[rieandmatt]

Has anyone been to Las Vegas?? If so, can you tell me anything you'd like to about it? and...... Has anyone ever been to Branson in January?? If so, how was the weather...does it snow, is anything open during this time?? Thanks in advance for all of you help!!!!

[TiggerTails]

Our son got Married in Vegas (yes, he had an Elvis wedding)
We were only there for a few days, we stayed at the Westward Ho hotel, near Circus Circus a very 'no frills' hotel.........but, it made up for it on space for us. We had a three room, two bathroom suite for very little $$$$.
Our Dil (to be's) family were all sqeezed into a room at Treasure Island, a beautiful hotel but, we felt we got the better deal!
I think my favorite hotel that I visited was the Excalaber (for location and theming). Our newly weds stayed at the Luxor, they liked it. Good value a little out of the way being on the end of the strip (but, I don't think it bothered them too much!)

[Jennifer2003]

I've never been to Vegas but my parents just got back in July. They stayed at TI(which is the "cool & hip" new name for Treasure Island) and also spent a lot of time at the Rio. The Rio is home to The Scintas, a musical/variety group that originated here in Buffalo, and to Tony and Tina's Wedding, and my parents did both.

Have fun!
Jennifer

[poohmaine]

With Vegas, you either love it or you hate it. It's not for me.

It is over-the-top, out-of-control glitz and kitsch, 24/7. It was surreal. If you like to party, enjoy gambling, and glitzy shows, you will probably love it.

For all the really interesting things I saw (the changing ceiling in the Caesar's Palace shops, for example) there were many more negative things. (No, I'm not talking about Celine, but dear me, who told her impersonating Michael Jackson would be a good career move?) The saddest thing I saw: at 2 a.m., an obviously drunk mom with her toddler in a stroller playing the slots. I was there only because it was for work, and it isn't anywhere I would go again. And I would never bring my children there, ever.

[2princessmom]

We stayed at the Excalibur and I really enjoyed it. It is on the far end of the strip and made for alot of walking. But it is attached to the Luxor and there is walking bridge to NY NY hotel and the MGM Grand. We weren't able to see any shows as most were dark. But it was a fun trip and it is very over the top. I am glad we went and I would go again for an adult only trip.


As far as Branson in January. My parents live about 50 miles from Branson and I am always home for the holidays. It is cold and the snow is hit or miss. The weather can change drastically depending on where the fronts are. If there is snow it can make it hard to drive since alot of Branson is on hills. Many of the major attractions are closed during winter. Many are open thru the holidays and then shut down for a bit. Here is a good link for you to check out www.branson.com. If you have any other specific information feel free to pm me.

[Eeyoresmom]

I haven't been to Branson, but I have been to Vegas and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to going back some time. We went in the summer, and I spent my days around the pool at Caesar's - which was wonderful. In the evenings, we played slots and enjoyed looking at some of the other Casinos.

We did do 2 tours, we flew to the Grand Canyon and toured part of that with lunch. That ended up being a wonderful highlight of our trip. We also did a tour of the Hover Dam. We saw "O" which was absolutely wonderful. We also ate very well. They have some excellent restaurants! I guess it depends on what you enjoy doing, but Vegas doesn't have to be about drinking and gambling, if you don't want it to be!

[PhillyPooh]

No info on Branson but my best friend and I went to Vegas two years ago in May. We stayed at Mandalay Bay and I loved it. I definitely wouldn't take children to Vegas but it is a great get away for adults.

[iamgrumpy]

I went on Columbus Day Weekend of 2004 and stayed 1 block off the strip right near the MGM and Aladdin hotel casinos. It was a Time share hotel called the Carriage House and it was an all suite hotel and was very nice. I was able to walk to Bellagio, Paris, Aladdin, MGM, Tropicana, New York New York, Excalibur Casinos. From the excalibur I Took the Tram to Luxor and Mandalay Bay. The only casino I took a cab to was the Venetian as It was just a bit far to wear heels too as we had a fine dining experience there. It was an Italian Restaurant that overlooked the canal and the food was outstanding. We missed shows as the prices were outragious and we were there to meet up with family before driving to Arizona. The Crowds were low even with the holiday and we were able to see the M&M Store, and we made sure we played in every casino we went to. In terms to where I would stay on the Strip I would have to say Bellagio or the Venetion as those properties were outstanding, If price was a concern I wouldn't mind staying at MGM or the Luxor. IMHO I would stay away from the Boardwalk as I just thought it reminded me of a shady hotel in a rundown city, but maybe I am not giving it a fair shake. The weather in October was great high 70's to Mid 80's no humidity and the walking wasn't that bad since it wasn't extremely hot. I had dinner once at the Harley Davidson Cafe (think Hard rock Cafe but themed to Motorcycles) The food was good but the portions were huge! You could definately split any meal there. The Aladdin Hotel had a great breakfast restaurant if you walk in and head towards Starbucks its more like a diner but the food was great the service was superb! We ate breakfast there every day. I took my 79 year old Grandmother and she had a blast and was suprised at how much there was and the low cost compared to home.

Any other questions feel free to ask. I would love to go back see some shows and donate some more money to the casino's but my love for Disney keeps me going there so will have to find a way to outsmart myself to go back.

Amy

[Straitlover]

Hey Amy, I am staying at the Carriage House 10/8-15!!! Did you stay in the studio or the 1 Bedroom? Do you know if there was a back way to the monorail at MGM from there?

To the OP; I am headed to Vegas in little over a week. Let me know if there's anything in particular you would like for me to find out for you. Also, here's a branson website someone told me about when I was researching a trip there:

http://www.getawaysaver.com/forum/index.php

[DawnDenise]

I went to Vegas last September with my in-laws. They it there. It was my first trip there and it was okay but it wasn't something that I would do every year (much to the chagrin of my in-laws). We stayed at the Tropicana but spent a lot of time on the strip at the other hotels. We did like the hotel though. We got a free upgrade when we checked in to a strip view which was pretty cool. Oh all the hotels that we visited while we were there, I would love to stay at New York New York or the Venetian. DH and I did the indoor gondala ride and it was probably the best part of the trip in my opinion.

[Joanne929]

Went to Vegas at least 15 years ago and enjoyed it. I'm not a big gambler (although I did end up winning @ $500 on the slots!!) and the musicians were actually on strike when we were there so we didn't get to see any shows (hmmm . . actually I think we saw the Folies Bergere . . . interesting). It was very dynamic and exciting to see and experience. Stayed at the Imperial Palace (kinda' dumpy but I'm sure they've since refurbished with all of the new hotels that were in the works when I was there). I wouldn't take my kids there - it's just not (IMO) a place for kids.

Have never been to Branson.