First Timer

Just registered on the forum, but have been reading for a couple of weeks. Great site, full of info.
We will be coming to Vegas for the first time to celebrate our 35th anniversary the week of May 21st. We are not new to casinos and comps as we play regularly here in the midwest, but I'm sure that Las Vegas is a completely different animal and I'll have several questions as our trip nears.
We have 4 nights comped in the Forum Tower at Caesars Palace. I understand this is a nice room, but should I ask for an upgrade anyway? How busy will Vegas be during that time? Anything else I should try to get thrown in? I am only a platinum card holder so I kind of expect to not be offered much.
We plan to go to several suggested casinos in the ACG, which I bought before I knew about this site. We will use as many deals from there as we can. We plan to spend one day Downtown, one day to rent a car and go to the dam and exploring, another day on the strip and the last day is open to suggestions. We have tickets for Love at the Mirage and are looking for another show to see while in town. I have done quite a bit of research, but without actually seeing it firsthand I'm sure we'll be a little overwhelmed.
So, how does the Hammer/Bolan parlay work to get both shows for $10? It is listed as #7 on the values page.
As I get a few responses and suggestions, I'll have more questions.
Thanks,
tommyoz

we did a hoover dam tour through viator. the drivers are very informative. enjoyed the trip. good luck! p.s. check out fivehundy.com its about vegas.

Good idea on renting the car and doing the dam. The dam has two different tours, if you want to do the extended tour of the dam you have to get there early 'cause they sell out fast, we've missed it both times. The regular tour is still very cool. The extended tour is several hours and the regular takes about an hour. Hope this helps a bit.

JOHN

I know this sounds anal, but, you need to have a tentative itinerary. I.E., first day…downtown and see XYZ, second day….South end of strip and see ABC, third day….North end of strip and see DEF. This will help you feel like you are not “wasting your time” and help you see all that you want. It will forestall the “what do you want to do? I don’t know, what do you want to do” time waster.
Vegas is truly OVERWHELMING!! There is so much neat stuff to do and see. Google is your new best friend. Type in and find free things to do, cheap things to do, etc.
My suggestions…Mix Lounge at the top of THEhotel. Free before 8pm. Go before dark. Awesome view! Buy the Members reward book, in addition to the ACG, as it has really good and different coupons. Go see Frankie Moreno at the Stratosphere. True Vegas show. See Jubilee at Bally’s. Another great Vegas show. Eat BBQ at Ellis Island. See the Bellagio fountains, Bellagio gardens and chocolate fountain, Venetian front desk area, Try and walk thru each casino just to see the decorations and the ambience.
Vegas.com has a complete list of where each parking garage for each casino is located. Print this out and take it with you. Huge time saver!
Have a great time and Happy Anniversay!

Mix opens at 5pm so don't get there too early. It's a great place.

My best Vegas trips are when we just sort of wander around and find fun stuff to do.

I recommend going on different sites and making a list of all sorts of stuff to do that appeals to you. If you have the list, you'll see you only get through about a third of it but you'll feel like you've accomplished a lot...and you'll have the ground work laid for your next trip.
Stu
My recommendation: Get up around 5:00am. Get an extra large coffee at Red Rock Casino (check out the casino) around 5:45 and go to the entrance of Red Rock Nature Preserve on Charleston. Watch the sun come up over the mountains...magical. Then hop on route 215 and head South at about 6:30am on to Hoover Dam. This will get you there early enough to miss the crowds and traffic backup on route 93 and early enough to get the full tour.

Welcome to the forums.

By all means ask for a complimentary upgrade at Caesars. In a friendly way, tell them it's your first trip to Vegas and you're celebrating your anniversary, then ask. Upgrades are based on availability and who's in the house. By who's in the house, I mean the number of players and the level they play at.

Ethel M. is a maker of fine chocolates unique to Las Vegas.

DonDiego recommends tommyoz and his lifemate visit The California Hotel on their downtown excursion, . . . to purchase Ethel M. Creme Liquers in a variety of alcoholic-spirits flavors. Enjoy them, . . . and purchase some as gifts for the folks back in Corn Country. They will never forget tommyoz's thoughtfulness.

Don't worry about busy. Vegas is always busy, but we've been when it should have been more busy (holiday weekends, NASCAR, March Madness, so-called big conventions, etc.), but we never really noticed major inconvenience because of it. Friday and Saturday evenings walking on the Strip can be crowded (and definitely driving down the Strip) and waiting for a table at supper, but that is true any time of year.

Ask if the Forum Tower room has been renovated. I think maybe they have, but ask. I think someone here said the room is great but bathroom small, and possibly has shower only, no tub? Tell them you gotta have a tub, if it matters.

You'll enjoy Hoover Dam...one of the best things to do in all of Vegas.

I think you have a great plan already, and you'll be surprised at how fast time goes and you don't get everything done you thought you would.

We aren't much for expensive restaurant eating...high prices, mediocre food. At Caesars, we like the Payard cafe/restaurant, nice and quiet, not expensive. They close up lunch around 1:30pm or so, then reopen later for dinner. Empress Court is good for Chinese, quiet, not cheap but not hugely expensive. Don't care for Central at all...noisy, snooty, crappy service. Go across the street to Mon Ami Gabi at Paris for breakfast, our favorite being their blueberry French toast and a side of bacon.

You mentioned 1 day for downtown - make sure you stay for the evening overhead shows (Fremont Street Experience) as that is what downtown is all about, plus the place comes alive at night with free entertainment, etc.