If you are looking to travel to Las Vegas - I am open to give a few pointers, I have lived in the Valley for over 30 years . So, just ask away .

Thought I'd tag on to your post about Vegas.  I really had a great time writing up my 10 reasons that I love Vegas.

I'm sure you could tell me even better things to do and I'd love to hear them!

http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Reason-I-love-Las-Vegas

Mandalay Bay! It's a great hotel. The outdoor simulated beach is one of the coolest parts of Vegas, you have to see that. Just get there early, it fills up quick. It's at one of the strip and a little far from the rest of the hotels, but there's enough to keep you occupied for quite some time there.

Actually, the only place I've been outside of Canada is Cleveland, Ohio, for business mind you. But, I would love to go to Vegas, that;s the first trip I would want to take.  I've been wanting to go all my life, and it's not about the gambling. First I hear Cher is now doing shows which I thought I was over with but apparently not so, love her. Secondly I am always in the house, I want to go somewhere that is alive with lots to see and do, I don't want to go relax on a beach somewhere.

Where would you recommend a Canadian go and see if gambling is not at the top of the list?

Hey Chantelg4! I have some suggestions for you. I'm not a gambler at all, but I LOVE visiting Vegas and there's lots to do for us folks who aren't into the whole gambling scene.

My top picks for hotels are: Wynn, Palazzo, Bellagio, and THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay. THE Hotel has great rooms and cool stuff with a "W" kind of feel and no casino in the hotel itself. It is attached to the Mandalay Bay, which has a casino (but we don't care about that) and several great restaurants including Auriole (may be misspelled) which has "wine angels" repelling up and down a huge wine rack fetching wine for you, a cool Russian themed restaurant called Red Square with its own ice block vodka bar, and a House of Blues with a Foundation Room for great music. The show, Mama Mia there is worth seeing too.

Speaking of shows, there are some killer shows. Wynn has Monty Python's Spamalot, which is hilarious, as well as a very cool water themed Cirque de Soleil style show called Le Reve, inspired by a famous Picasso painting that Steve Wynn owns/owned.

There's a Gameworks on the stip if you like video gaming and two cool places for carnival style games are the old Circus Circus hotel and the newer Excalibur.

If you're into shopping like me, then you'll love the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace, Desert Passage near the old Aladdin, now Planet Hollywood, and the hip/trendy upscale shops at Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn (great Chanel store) and Bellagio.

The dancing fountains show at Bellagio can be best enjoyed right from the stip or from the Eiffel Tower across the street at Paris hotel.

Nearby, Lake Las Vegas and Lake Mead offer swim fun.

Last but not least, great restaurants and great spas abound, with most of my hotel based faves being at Wynn (the Brown sugar scrub is to die for) and Bellagio (try Picasso restaurant there) and The Caviar Bar in the lobby, which is awesome for people watching.

Hope that helps!

Wow, thanks, you've given me a lot to think about. I hope to go before year's end. What about Hell's Kitchen, isn't that where the famous restaurant is with Chef Ramsey?

Going to Las Vegas in less than a month- part business, part pleasure/anniversary celebration. If you had to recommend only 3 shows, 3 restaurants, and 3 activities not to miss, what would they be?

The immensity of Las Vegas will blow you away.  I can remember when the Stardust with 5000 rooms was the largest.  They tore it down.....  to small not fancy enough.

A walk down the strip is amazing.

Take your walking shoes,  the strip goes on and on.

I hate buffets but the best seafood meals I have ever had were the Seafood Buffet at the Rio.  I make it there at least once every time I hit town.

Take in a concert at the House of Blues.  It doesn't even matter who it is.  The performers love the facility as much as the crowds..

Rick

Thanks so much, Rick. I never would have thought about the House of Blues if you hadn't mentioned it. I will definitely check it out. My husband loves seafood, so we'll try that, too.

I recently stayed at the Signature at MGM Grand. These are 3 tall skinny hotels that are behind the MGM hotel. My stay at this place was awesome! It is a gated hotel community but is connected through walkways to the MGM Casino.

The hotel was nice with refrigerator, over, microwave, Plasma HDTV, seperate shower and jetted tub, and even a small TV in the bathroom. The price was comparable to any other hotel in the area but it was larger, newer, and cleaner. Its just a walk to the casino but I recommend this place and would stay again!