Need advice from the experienced crowd

Here is the back story: My 82yr old grandmother just came into some good fortune and she would like to start gambling again like she did before the economy went down. Anyway, I am bringing her back to Vegas for the first time in probably 20 years. My wife and I come about twice a year but we are in our early 30s. What recommendations would you have for sightseeing, shows, slots and VP for her. My tastes of the table game and bar/club scene will do nothing for her. For someone who has not been back in such a long time, what should I show her that she would really appreciate.

thanks for the help.

JT

if she has not had any relationships with a casino host in recent years, that would be a good place to start. that is of course if you think her coin-in will be significant. if she is paying for rooms and food, a good host will be able to cover at least some of her charges before checkout. try to keep your play within one gaming company or two, such as MGM, CET, Boyd, Station...etc. I'm no VP expert, but many here at the forum are, and should be able to offer a lot of good, sound advice. it is not the Vegas of 20 years ago, that's for sure!! GOOD LUCK to all of you!

Maybe start off downtown. Easier to navigate

Thanks for the help so far. Yes, we do have a host to coordinate the trip but I am really looking for things around town that many people used to visit that she would like to see. Downtown is on the list as I do my best gambling there as well.

Bellagio Fountains are a must see. She'll probably enjoy seeing all the changes. Have you asked her? My mom and her husband enjoyed Jubilee and Anthony Cools. This year, before mom passed, mom and I saw Ka, Menopause the Musical and Million Dollar Quartet. She loved all 3. If Grandmom likes show tunes, she might like Show Stoppers at Wynn.

Terry Fator is a very good show for all ages!

Don't overplan the trip and try to do too much, afterall she is 82. She is going to be so overwhelmed at all the changes in the last 20 years. Don't know your g'ma but mine would be appalled at the vulgarity of the street "entertainers" and beggars on Freemont. I'm sure she will have a great time. I agree that the Bellagio Fountains and Atrium are a must see and the High Roller at night is spectacular too.

We recently saw the show "Frank, the Man, the Music" at the Palazzo - it was fantastic (tickets available at the Tix4tonite booths). I also loved the Cirque shows, "LOVE" (Mirage) and "KA" (MGM).

She'd probably love a drive up and down the strip to see all the new casinos (they're probably ALL new to her!) You could maybe look up where all the old properties were so she'd have some frame of reference. For example: The Wynn = The Dessert Inn, The Venetian = The Sands, The big hole in the ground = The Stardust. Although they are losing some of their theming inside, the Luxor, Excaliber, Paris, and New York New York, for example, are all pretty spectacular to look at.

I'm sure she'd marvel at the difference between a buffet from 20 years ago to some of the better buffets today.

Have a great trip!

- Linda in TX

Mac King for an afternoon show that is funny and clean, at Harrahs. Then she could gamble a little in the Harrah's casino.

If Rita Rudner is still performing, your g'ma would enjoy her one woman monologue...very funny, clean, and Lily speaks clearly enough to be followed easily. Not an assault on the ears.

Legends in Concert and Jubilee are vintage Vegas shows. She may have seen them already.

There is a similar show at one of the theaters at Planet Hollywood, I forget which one, perhaps the V?, but a small theater and musical 'history' of Las Vegas. BEWARE: It is a long trek to those theaters at Planet Hollywood. So you would want to combine that with a little gambling in Planet Hollywood.

Bellagio has good self-parking which takes you right into the Conservatory. Combine this with a little gambling there. Consider the Petrossian Bar for relaxing and taking tea or a cocktail, people watching.

I agree that unless she is unusually vigorous for her age, she won't be up to bouncing from place to place hours and hours at a time. But, from Bellagio you/she can walk down the sidewalk to the Cosmo. You could take the tram from Bellagio to Aria/City Center or Monte Carlo, but beware that it is a trek to get to the Bellagio end of the tram.

I recommend a breakfast at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. Sitting on the patio is nice, but the "inside" room just inside of the patio is just as good if there is a wait for the patio. My favorite breakfast is Blueberry French Toast and a side of their excellent thick bacon. You could combine this with some gambling in the Paris casino.

So much to do...so little time! Hope you are staying for several days.

Sorry that I am not so familiar with Downtown. I'm a Strip gal.

Edited to correct female performer was Rita Rudner, not Lily Tomlin. Rita was super.

A heads-up for grandma: Las Vegas's video poker inventory is not nearly as plentiful or profitable as it used to be 20 years ago. If this is her game of choice, you all might want to stick with the off-strip casinos or head to downtown where she will have a fighting chance of keeping her bankroll intact. On the other hand, the slot machines look decidedly more fun and interactive than they did in the 90's with all the themes, bonus rounds, community gaming, and penny-level play.