Where to spend New Year's Eve?

I have been going to Vegas since 1969, but have never been there on New Year's Eve. That changes this December because we have another reason for going at Christmas time. I have comps, and can probably get into the free parties, at places on The Strip, Downtown, and at Red Rock. Where should we stay? (I'm leaning toward Downtown, with its wide range of foolishness.)

If you stay downtown, there is usually a NYE event on Fremont St, with bands and fake fireworks on the canopy. You can't really see the strip fireworks very well, but we've done downtown twice on NYE and enjoyed it both times. I love Red Rock (will be staying there for 6 nights in January) but I've never been there over NYE. One year Connie and I spent NYE at the JW Marriott (great rooms, good VP) and watched the fireworks on the strip from the roof of their parking garage (with about 200 other people). Kind of far away but it was fun. Personally, I don't want to stay right on the strip on NYE.

You better make dinner reservations today if you are going to be in Vegas on NYE. Crowds are outrageous - for everything.

Its definitely not for me. Way too much stress, money, and hassle to just see some fireworks and drink cheap champagne.

If you stay Downtown for NYE you will regret it forever. If I had your options, Red Rock would be the place. Just make your room and rest. reservations way ahead of time

PJ's got it right. It just isn't worth the crowds and noise. We have tried it twice with everything comped and we just are not going to do it again...ever.

I'm sorry your opinions are so wishy-washy, Johnny, but now that I think about it, I can see how Downtown might be more fun for a 28-year-old than a 68-year-old. I also get how the whole thing might be more difficult than fun. And it seems as if the general feeling here is that Red Rock, which we like very much because it is very civilized, might be the place to be. We, too, could watch the far-away fireworks, just as we did one Fourth of July.

After years of having to turn down offers from a couple of DT casinos for NYE because I always had a good-paying gig, I turned down a NYE gig this year thinking I'd finally go to LV this year. But to be honest, I think I'm better off going a couple of days after NYE, with no crowds, cheaper airfares, etc. Or maybe I'll get a buddy to go out Super Bowl weekend.

Two years ago my wife and I got an invite to Sam's Town for NYE. Five nights comped, food included and some gambling money. This is the first time we went and had a great time. Of course it's hard to see the fire works on the strip from there, but we were having a good time anyways. We are both in our sixty's, so that might have something to do with it also, besides, we're not strip people, nice place to visit but wouldn't want to stay there. Went to Sam's Town again last year and had even a better time. We're from Michigan so the weather is not a problem for us, and hopefully we'll get invited back this year.

The fireworks display from Las Vegas Blvd is pretty fantastic, but the boulevard is so crowded that it's hard to turn around. If you are in one of the larger strip resorts, you will probably be roped in for the display. If you don't want to take in the party, and have a room with a Strip View, the fireworks are astounding. If you're not staying at the resort, there's usually a healthy cost. You can't enter many of the casinos on the strip during the night because of private party arrangements. It's extremely crowded, and prowling the strip is a real nuisance. It's every bit as crowded on Fremont Street, but you have access to the casinos. You'll probably have to buy a ticket to get under the canopy, unless you're staying in one of the downtown motels. You won't see the strip display at all (except from some of the hotel rooms windows.) As it gets closer to midnight, mobility becomes very limited. Unless you're a real techie, the video display isn't much. Lots of live music under the canopy. Lot's of very inebriated patrons.

Anywhere you go, get there early (before dark), and plan on staying there for the duration. You probably won't be able to get out with much ease until well after midnight, unless you have a vehicle at your disposal. My wife and I both prefer Fremont Street. We're the over 60 crowd, and aren't put off by the party for NYE. We were well pleased to stay at MSS the last time we did New Years in 2014.

Since you like the foolishness, good for you. Go for it. From what I read, the Strip hotels all lock their doors at a certain hour before Midnight and you can't get in our out for a while, so pick your party wisely. Downtown might be the best.

If we were to do NYE in Vegas, I'd try for GVR or Red Rock, with a room that faced somebody's fireworks (even far away), buy a bottle of good wine (I don't care for the bubbly stuff), order our meals from room service, and enjoy it all in my jammies.

However, it isn't likely we'd be awake at MN even if I did all that, so y'all can have my space!