I'd be interested in this also as my niece is going next year for her 21st but can only go for 4 days

Where are you staying? That might make it easier to suggest things in the area.

Number 1 would be the Bellagio fountains, preferably at night when they play every 15 mins.

What about a trip to the Grand Canyon? We managed a full day trip to the South Rim the first time we went and were only there for 4 nights. An alternative is a helicopter trip to the West Rim. If you do one of the early morning ones you could be back at the hotel mid morning. There is a topic HERE with suggestions for companies to try.

Visit the Venetian hotel, both inside and out.

Visit the Lion Habitat at the MGM and see the lions. However be aware that they are only there between 11am and 7pm so don't have a wasted journey outwith these times.

HERE is a map of the strip to help you plan things in the same area. The strip is just over 4 miles long and everything is further away than it looks.

What about a show or two? There is a list HERE, but don't book on that site as it is expensive and you can get better deals elsewhere. Terry Fator is a very good show and might appeal to the 15 year old.

luci

If you need to go for a feed you can't beat the Bellagio Buffet Champagne Lunch. Great way to perk you up in the morning (afternoon)!

Wow thats excellent advice, thank you soooo much!!!

We are staying at "Harrah's" - its not well known but the reviews look quite good!

The helicoptor trip is something we will definately do - it sounds expensive but we are only there three days so why not!

Would also like to book a show so thanks for the list - does anyone have a site that does good ticket deals?

Im so glad I posted now

Grand Canyon is a must do!
Bellagio fountains, Freemont Street, MGM Lions, have a nice meal, see a good show, win a jackpot

Cheers,

TC

to the Bellagio fountains, I would add the Mirage Volcano (every hour, on the hour) and the Treasure Island "Sirens" show ( it'll be labelled as "sexy" but not overly) Both free, both do-able in one evening.

For tickets for shows try Tix4tonite. they have booths up and down the Strip, and offer tickets at up to half-price for that evening's performances. Tickets for the huge headliners won't be there, but you will get tickets for many of the Cirque Du Soleil shows, as well as shows like Phantom, Blue Man Group and so on.

Many of the hotels' buffets are excellent value for a real good feed!

Casears Palace for the Forum Shops, and don't miss the curved escalators!

I have printed this off as you have given me lots of ideas and links - thanks again.

Having never been before although we were excited we were sort of a bit "daunted" as the time seemed so short we didnt know where to start in a city so big!

Hopefully this thread might help others who dont have lots of time to spare and need to do the "essentials" also!

Although I agree that The Grand Canyon is a "must do" do NOT be tempted by the Skywalk at "Grand Canyon West". It's not actually the Grand Canyon ( the "west" bit is a giveaway) - it's an arm of the Canyon. It's awkward to get to, expensive to get to, and not particularly exciting when you get there.

If the 15 yr old likes white knuckle rides there's a great roller coaster at NYNY; there are scaringly terrifying rides on top of the Stratosphere tower, and another roller coaster at the Sahara. There maybe height/age restrictions - I've not done them so can't say for sure.

Your 15 yr old will not be allowed in the casinos, not even to watch. there are marked walkways through which under 21s have to keep to, and this is enforced pretty strongly.

Also try the Mirage for the white tigers - one ot add to the lions at MGM!

Thank you Sancho. Its good to know how not to "waste" money on trips, so we will avoid the West of the Grand Canyon - has anyone done the helicopter trip? if so is it worth the money? Still making up our minds on whether to do the coach or helicopter trip.

I see the Forum shops mentioned at Ceasars Palace - what sort of shops are they - and do the prices compare to the UK for things?

(sorry to keep asking questions! )

thanks again everyone - all feedback is greatfully received.

This link Forum Shops at Caesars Palace will tell you all about the forum shops.

There is a wealth of shopping up and down the Strip; in addition to the Forum shops, there's the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood, the Fashion Show Mall opposite the Wynn, the Outlet Mall at the South end of the Strip.....and every hotel/casino has some shops.

Some prices are higher than the UK, some are about the same but I find many are cheaper, especially in the outlet malls (bought some Levi jeans for $32!!)

Grand Canyon by coach makes for a long day; it's at least 4.5 hours each way, and you need 4, 5 or 6 hours there to even scratch the surface ( as it were). No idea about the price of the helicopter trip but it's a whole lot fatser than 9 hours in a coach!

Harrah's is in a good location as it is fairly central. I have read that the rooms are quite small, but that may be by Vegas standards so I'm sure you will be happy with them if you are used to the rooms in say Spanish resorts. There is also a monorail stop at the back of the hotel which will get you to the MGM in about 5 mins for $5. Walking would take about 45 mins to an hour.

You can't do the GC South Rim by helicopter as it's too far. We did it in a Cessna, but I can't recommend it as the turbulence was horrendous and spoiled the experience. I think there are trips that fly you to the canyon then you get on a helicopter.

Re shows, once you have an idea of which ones you might like to see, post them here and someone will be able to suggest the cheapest way of getting tickets. I can recommend the Jersey Boys at the Palazzo which is excellent, however it will be a lot more expensive than seeing it in say London. Terry Fator is also an excellent show. He is a ventriloquist who won America's Got Talent. I enjoyed it far more than I expected to and have seen it twice. There are several Cirque du Soleil shows. The Love one is based on the Beatles music and is very good. A great free show is Big Elvis at Bill's Gambling Hall. I think he is on from 3-5pm, but you need to get there early to get a seat. He doesn't look like Elvis, but he certainly sounds like him.

Tix4Tonight also have something called Tix4Dinner where you can get up to 50% off entrees for a $3 per person fee.

In addition to the shopping mentioned, there are also the Premium Outlets near downtown http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58 You can get there on the Gold Line bus which is much faster than the Deuce as it is an express service. Stops going there are at the MGM, Paris and Wynn. Coming back the stops are the Fashion Show Mall, Bellagio and Excalibur. The fare is $7 for a 24 hour pass.

luci

Thank you ever so much for the huge amount of information you have given me.

I have so much to go on now, and feel a lot more confident.

The first time anywhere is a bit daunting, especially if you only have a few days, you dont want to waste a minute!

Will post when we come back with a review for Harrahs and let you know how we get on!

All information is printed off and in place with our guidebooks!

Thanks again!!

We used Harrahs buffet twice and enjoyed it and it is very central and Freemont street experience was great, if you go by bus go on one more stop to the bus station and then walk back to there when you go home, it's only a few minutes, as it is alot less crowded

dont sleep

Bellagio fountains
take the bus down town and see the freemont street lights and all the old casinos that way you will see all the strip for five bucks

go into the venetian, luxor, ceasers

go yo NYNY and get on the roller coaster

take a photo of excalibur and MGM

Go into walmart chemist and buy tacky souvenirs

TAKE A HELICOPTER NIGHT FLIGHT OVER THE STRIP

have a walk to WYNN and see the water fall

take a trip to the top of the eiffel tower and see the strip, get a buy one get one free ticket from the book that you will find in the back of a cab.

I have been there 12 times and stayed 10 nights every time and still not done everything