New Years Help

The wife and I are planning to spend New Years Eve in Vegas. We did this one year and stayed at the Hilton which didn't do much in the way of a New Years party. We went out to eat at Vintnor's Grill and came back to our room to watch the fireworks from our room. We wanted to experience something a little different this year. We are 60 and 56 years old respectively and view our selves as somewhat young at heart. It's the rest of the body thats a little worn out My understanding of the Strip area is that early evening they shut it down to car traffic and that later in the evening the hotels start locking their doors to allow only those with room keys. Does this mean you should just stay at your hotel for the evening and not venture out? Is there any kind of entertainment provided outside or are you just there to see the fireworks? What works best? Is Fremont a better options with it's outdoor entertainment? Clubbing is not an option. I'm sure we will be in bed by 1:30. I would like to hear from some of you who have done this.Thank you.

Frankly,
I have never done new years on the strip, but I have been on Fremont Street on new years eve 3 or 4 times.
They also block Fremont street off with metal gates and heavy security. The only way on or off Fremont street or in and out of the casinos is with a colored wrist band. I have always had mine comped by the hotel that we stayed at, but "I think" you can buy one for around $20
Obviously there are no real fireworks, but the Fremont Street canopy puts on a great countdown show all night.
There are usually 3 or 4 stages with good tribute bands playing. I was there a few years back and they had the real band "Chicago" as the last band on. They were great!
Every time I have done fremont street on New Years eve, it has always been packed!I mean not one slot machine to sit at waiting for the countdown, no open spots at tables, etc. Of coarse all table stakes will be higher than normal but will still be better than the strip.
One of the great people watching spots on Fremont is the "VUE" bar which hangs over Fremont street in the fitzgeralds Casino(very small)
If you rent any room in Fremont street Casinos ensure it is not right on Fremont street as that party does not get over until 3 or 4 AM!(let the young ones who dont get in until the wee hours of the night have those rooms) I rented a room at the Golden Gate and could open the window and look right down on the street. The bed actually vibrated from the speaker noise right outside the window and with crowd noise we got zero sleep that night. I even had ear protection from work (little spongy things) and still couldnt sleep.
Let us know how you make out!

Hope this helps........ weggie

I'm in Las Vegas for NYE about every other year.
I have been on the Strip a couple times for NYE.
I saw the motorcycle jump in front of Paris 3-4 years ago.I quickly retreated inside.
A few years prior to that there was a stage near mid strip with some big name bands.Not sure what they have scheduled for this year if anything.
If your looking for outside entertainment head to Fremont St.Avoid the Strip!!
Picture tens of thousands of drunk kids fighting,throwing cans and bottles.Out of control.
Plenty of NYE party options in Las Vegas.Some are inexpensive some are not.If you want to stay on the strip,call the hotels to find out what parties they have.Most have several options.
Whatever you do,stay at or near where you are going to party.
CABS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND .Driving around town is not much easier.

2 years ago the only entrance in and out of Paris was the side facing Ballys. Inside security manned the other entrances and did not letting people in or out. Outside they put up a chain link fence. It appeared anyone could enter/exit Paris provided they used that one entrance. Although there was wall to wall people, everyone seemed calm and orderly. I left my room around 11:15, weaved my way through the crowd and made it to the barricades about 5 minutes to midnight. About a minute to midnight, Ballys marquee switched to a countdown clock. After the fireworks, Bellagio had 2 fountain shows. I stayed at the barricades until the crowds thinned and was back in my room at 1:30 am. That year Anderson Cooper broadcast live in front of PHo. I wasn't aware of any live bands on the strip.

Earlier in the day, they gave me a wristband at Caesars DL. I never made it back to CP and don't know if they checked or not. If you're not staying on the strip, plan how you are going to get back to your hotel. The traffic east of the strip was total gridlock at 2 am.

We stay at Sam's Town, and if we are not already in bed or at their NYE party, we go up to the 8th or 9th floor at midnight and watch the fireworks on the Strip from the windows. (It is quite distant, so be prepared to be underwhelmed).

It's about as safe as you can get. They sent a security guy up there to to control the crowd of 7 or 8 people.

- bcc

One year we were at Palace Station and everyone went up on the parking lot roof to party & watch the fireworks. Pretty good view from there. I know, not much ambience, but it was a fun time.

For some ideas, check out the link to the NYE party list on the LVA home page.

I have always been tempted to try the Fremont Party but never have. This year the cost is $30 and they have 12 different tribute bands.

I see that East Fremont is having their own free block party with fireworks off the Ogden Suites. I am not sure what else might be going on down there to make it a block party or how much area the block covers if any past Hennesey's.

The last couple of years my girlfriend and I (mid-fifties) have gone down to the Strip around 10PM just to check out the scene and walk around for an hour. It is basically just a big drunken party, and is usually very cold. Then around 11 we head over to the Gold Coast to pop a cork on a bottle of champagne and watch the fireworks from the roof of their parking garage. The Rio blocks some of the view of fireworks but otherwise it is a pretty good location to watch and not have to fight traffic to get off the Strip after midnight.

You can actually arrive late on the Strip like this and still get in and out of parking off Frank Sinatra drive which runs behind NY NY, Monte Carlo and the other casinos on that side without too much difficulty.

I'm thinking maybe an Irish Pub this year.

Options include:

Quinn't at Green Valley Ranch with Darby O'Gill and the Little People performing. No Cover. Option for $30 all you can drink beer.

Brendan's at Orlean's with Kilian's Angels performing. No Cover.

Jack's at Palace Station with 'Nuff Said performing. No Cover

Any thoughts?