Why should first timers stay on strip as opposed to Fremont Street? Or is either one good?

As far as New York goes, are you saying there is more to New York than Manhattan? Heresy!

There’s nothing wrong with Downtown or Red Rock or The Orleans or AIRBNB or the million other options off-Strip.

It’s just that for someone under the age of 40, they know Vegas from the movies, TV and other media as the Strip. You can obviously stay somewhere else and drive to the Strip, but at least for me that’s just not the same. And I honestly don’t see any good reason against staying there unless budget is the biggest concern. Maybe Red Rock if you’re mostly about nature but I don’t think the majority of tourists who travel from Europe would pick LV as a destination if they felt that way.

I can see your point. Thanks for answering.

+1 to everything madlex said

Royal Resort would be suitable for what you are looking for ... it's a resort only by name, no resort fee! In my opinion it's better than the average review they get. Otherwise I'd book a place downtown, everything around downtown Vegas tends to be a lot more value for money than the Strip ...

Also, I would spend time in San Francisco over L.A.... San Francisco is a lovely city with a lot of charm. in L.A. it feels you have to spend all day in a car just to get around ...

He should know that Royal Resort is undergoing renovation from 8am to 7pm and has been since January. It is supposed to end September, but I don't know if that means the beginning or end of September.

Also, wifi seems to be an additional $9.95 a day.

Well, the problem is San Francisco is about eight hours from Vegas while LA is four hours.

If they go to LA, they do need to be prepared for the highway traffic. It can go from ninety to zero in nothing flat.

Las Vegas is just a part of our trip we will also visit LA, San Franscico, San diego and some natural parcs in between.

What I'm the most looking forward in Vegas is the activity we will do (shooting, tag archery, etc) so I would rather spend money on activities that Hotel.

So basicly as long as we can sleep well the cheapest the better. And we won't stay long so pool, gym, spa seems useless for us.

Just be sure to get a turd map (maybe it's an app?) to avoid the piles of human feces on the sidewalks.

For Yosemite, it's tremendously crowded. Be sure to plan ahead, make reservations, and see if you need permits for climbing.

For cheap and dumpy but well located, check the Flamingo and Harrahs. They're in a great spot to start, and end, drunken casino crawls.

This is bad advice for a first time visitor on vacation. Just stay somewhere on the strip (by that, I mean anywhere between Mandalay Bay and Encore), there are enough reasonably priced options. You don’t need to start gaming it and hunting for value until the second trip. Do it right the first time.

The point some of us are making is that Vegas hotels in general run cheaper than comparable hotels in other cities, and there are plenty of places that will provide a reasonable accommodation at a reasonable price, and still be located well. Linq, Flamingo, Bally’s, Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s, TI, etc. You will want to be relatively central to all the action, even if you’re heading off-strip for other activities. For a first-time visitor you really should be on the strip.

Also, if you’re planning on Yosemite check into whether you need a reservation or not. I’m not entirely clear on it but I do know there are times you can’t just show up, it’s too crowded.

Also also, parts of the drive along the California coast will be among the most beautiful scenery you’ll see.

There is a post above which says it IS played at the Wynn and Caesars, called Big O.

Grand Canyon for sure, you might want to go to the South Rim. Definitely DRIVE there.

For what it is worth, I think you underestimate the distances involved in your 2 week jaunt. Grand Canyon, LA, SFO, and assorted national parks in 2 weeks ? This is NOT Europe. places here are FAR apart, keep in mind the distance is measured in miles not km. You will be driving 6 or more days out of your trip, not counting day of arrival and day of departure.

Either take 3 weeks or save some vfor another trip ?

If you do want to go/hike/climb to Zion/Bryce, and there is not snow at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, I would change my recommendation from the South Rim.

I do highly reccommend the Angels Landing climb in Zion, it is easy with great views and you should go all the way up, but would not go up it in rain ir bad weather. Yes, THAT would make it difficult.dangerous at spots.....

Unless one of your crew is a non-drinker or you are willing to take turns being the designated driver, I wouldn't suggest staying off the strip because you guys will probably do a lot of drinking while at the casinos. I don't know how it is viewed in Europe, but driving drunk is no joke in this country. By staying on the strip, you can walk to your hotel instead of driving or taking a cab.

Also, with four of you splitting the costs, you should definitely be able to find an affordable room on the strip.

I heard there is a new service in Las Vegas called Uber, all the kids at the clubs are using it these days ....

The point is if they don't stay on the strip and they go drinking on the strip, they will either need one of them to serve as a designated driver or they will have to pay to be driven from/to their hotel.

Shakespeare said it best, "a cab by any other name would still cost to ride."

The Royal Resort is less than 5 minute walk to the Encore. Most EU citizens do not mind to walk. In fact, often times, we enjoy it. My advice was based on what OP wrote about his wish list for Vegas. Some of you seem to ignore that wish list and try to send the guys mid strip at any cost (and yes, it will cost more)

I stayed there in February for 14 nights. Did not notice any renovation related hassle, neither paid a dime for internet.

And no, I'm not affiliated to the Royal Resort in any way or get any commission from them. I just like to call a spade a spade.

The renovation information I got from their website while the internet charge information I got from a third party site.

Another option depending on time is go to the North Rim and then visit Bryce Canyon & Zion Canyon. Use Kanab, UT as a base, about a 4 hour drive from Vegas. Stay night 1 in Kanab, then drive to North Rim, do a hike or two back to Kanab. Night 2 in Kanab, then drive up to Bryce do a hike or two, then back to Kanab, Night 3, then drive over to Zion, hike or bike (rent bicycle put on shuttle up canyon and then ride down it's awesome). If you really like parks, stay another night in Springdale, UT, get up early and hike the Narrow in Zion. then drive back to Las Vegas. So basically 3 or 4 nights and see Grand Canyon, Bryce, & Zion!

I agree with other to avoid going to Indian Reservation on South Rim, if going to South Rim, head to Grand Canyon Village and definitely hike at least one trail like Bright Angel...

So many possibilities ...

America has many incredible national parks. Of them, Yellowstone is the crown jewel. There is nothing like the geysers and paint pots anywhere else on Earth. There is superb guided trout fishing nearby too. September, if the second week or later, is good timing because the snows won't have hit but tourists are reduced.

For Vegas, I remain a staunch advocate of the Pinball Hall of Fame. If you like the mafia, the Mob Museum is surprisingly good. Hit the fine dining and casual dining threads here - you should never eat a bad meal in Vegas! There are many free and fun attractions, like the Richard MacDonald sculpture gallery in the Bellagio, the Venetian shoppes, and the rare book store. There's also a lot of pure tourist junk, which can also be fun.

Should you make it to San Francisco, and having lived there for many years, my #1 recommendation is to rent a mountain bike in the Marina or Girhardelli Square, bike up through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge, then cross, coast down to your right into Sausalito, have a milkshake there, then catch the ferry to Pier 39 and bike back. Also, read up on SF food before you go. SF has the highest spending per capita on restaurants in the U.S., and it shows.

No clue about Los Angeles.

You still coming? Your original post was from April.

Thanks

If they are, I hope they got their accommodations booked soon enough. Even though I have a room booked for my upcoming trip, I have continued looking and prices for the strip seem to have jumped.

I wish I had another week because I forgot about things like shooting a gun, driving around the racetrack, and the Mob Museum.

I am currently trying to figure out when I can squeeze in the poker book mecca, Gambler's Book Club.

If you can actually remember any of your drunken exploits, please make a thread.