Same old same old or new experiences during your Vegas planning?

Happy anniversary!

Very soon into trip planning is the realization that "we're not staying long enough!" We love to go back and do some of our favorite things (M Resort buffet, bingo @ Gold Coast, stay @ Paris), but we always have to do new things each trip. Our November trip is so full of new things (KA; Menopause, the Musical; Veronic/Voices; Dennis Bono Show) the schedule is starting to get tight. We have the free Buffet of Buffet passes so we'll be trying the Bacchanal buffet for the first time. Almost every trip I have "Ronald's Donuts" on the list, but we haven't made it there yet. This time, for sure! The timing is right for this trip so we'll be able to sit in on Bob Dancer's NSU Deuces wild class (we attended his JOB class many years ago). We're also staying a few nights at M Resort (first time for me). When we mix the old and the new, our trips are always highly anticipated. I love to do the research and seek out all the new things to do - that's half the fun! I even went online to learn how to play "Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em". New games, new places to stay, new places to eat, new shows to see - I never have trouble finding new things to do.

Great topic - Thanks for starting it!

- Linda in TX

We too use the power of comps to dictate a lot of our trips, but we have been trying other things. We used groupon to take the 3-wheel vehicle(can't remember there name) ride thru red rock. Lots of fun-about 2 hours. We also are trying different places to eat even tho we get comped where we stay. Never been to Golden Steer-trying it this trip again with a groupon.

Podemski,
That is exactly how I feel. I jot down notes all year long of new things we have to check out this year or great deals that pertain to us. Then starting after Labor Day I start typing the itinerary. I love doing this itinerary. I can't do it too early because I get all excited. So I do it with only a couple of weeks to go. But I love putting down all the new things to go and check out that are new since last year.

I agree about the Mirage buffet.

Interesting thread. The first time I went to Vegas I was hooked. I would go 3-4 times a year for several years. Then I had a son and my Vegas trips were few and far between for many years. I got divorced. my son is in college and I went to Vegas in April for the first time in a long time and it was my girlfriends first time ever.

It was kind of like starting over. We did a bit of everything. Hoover Dam, lots of shows (6), stayed in a suite, went to almost every strip casino, went downtown, etc...

We are going back in October and now that she's been there once we can be more specific in what we do. No suite (well we are staying at Rio so it's technically a suite). She wants to go out to Red Rock so we'll do that. Maybe a show or two. Definitely some pool time.

When I was going frequently I did find myself doing the same things over and over. There would be a couple of casinos I really liked and that's where I pretty much stayed. I'd go check out a new casino when one opened but that was it. It's kind of fun re-exploring Vegas again.

its amazing how I am starting to spend more time at the same places. I think I've finally been everywhere in the city so I can focus on hanging out at the places I like most.

Whats more is I find myself spending less and less time on the strip. I almost have to force myself to go there to catch a show or two. I hardly gamble or eat on the strip at all. And I'm even starting to spend less time downtown too. Last trip I probably spent 2/3 of my time bouncing around Boulder Highway and North Vegas. I dont know why but I seem to spend a ton of time at Boulder Station. There's nothing fancy about it at all. I just seem to win there alot. I like their bartop VP and low limit craps.

We are creatures of habit when we go to Vegas and frequent many of the same restaurants and casinos but always take in at least two new places to eat and one new show (new to us). I think it gives us a good mix.

Well....we are doing something new this time- we are going to do the hot air ballooning thing. Something I have always wanted to do, and a groupon came up for about half price. Now I just have to wait and see how my fear of heights works with thisLol.

That's cool. My only question about that is what if it's too windy to go while you're there... I've never been in a balloon but I remember a friend of mine had a gift certificate once to go and it took 4-5 times before the wind was calm enough to actually do it. Maybe that's no longer an issue...