Vegas.... Do I NEED a rental car?

[Tim Hancock]

I will be in Vegas Friday through Weds to attend a trade show at the convention center for work. My wife and I are flying commercial, but my boss and his wife are driving. They will not reimburse me for a rental car as they will have their car there. We are staying at a Residence Inn Marriott supposedly with in walking distance to the convention center and supposedly with in walking distance of the strip. I will be attending the trade show during the days, so I will not have time to drive to Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon. Do I really need a car to enjoy 5 nights in Vegas?

Are there free trams to visit the strip at night? How expensive are taxi fares up and down the strip? I would hate to blow the extra $300 for a rental car if I can get by in the evenings with public transportation. I am also unclear whether there is ample free parking along the strip even if I do rent a car.

This trip would be nearly entirely paid for by my employer but with my wife tagging along, I will likely end up paying for most everything other than my airfare and the hotel room. Any tips on inexpensive things to do/see during the evenings would be appreciated as neither my wife nor I are the type who enjoy blowing large amounts of our hard earned money on overpriced food or entertainment.

[Danny_Ocean]

If you are staying at/near "the strip", you won't need a car. The car becomes a burden, actually.

[deanp]

When I'm in Vegas for tradeshow duty I try to use the monorail. Fair amount of stops, easy to use, pretty cost effective.

[carreradpt]

No car needed, if you are not planning on seeing the local area sites. The monorail is convenient and this time of year walking around in the evening is very pleasant. Take in some shows, tickets are generally cheap. Have a great time. Vegas is a cool place to visit.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

My wife and I...

Be forewarned. If you are staying at the Residence Inn at the Convention Center, that is within spitting distance of three/four big shopping centers/malls. Don't let the missus loose with your casino winnings!

[Hugh R]

You might need a cab, but Tabs and I recommend Jerry's Nugget about a mile north of the Old Strip for Prime Rib and dessert. It's fabulous and very, very well priced.

Also, the buffet at the Bellagio is well worth the extra couple of bucks. If you get there are 4 PM (IIRC) you can get the dinner buffet at the lunch price. The walk from the CC to the strip isn't too far.

[layzee]

Monorail isn't cost effective if there are two or more of you.

Factor $15 per cab ride on the strip with tip. I always rent a car, just the freedom to be able to go to the store makes it worth it, but then coming from Europe I usually go for longer than a week.

Monorail is only really convenient if you are staying at a hotel with a stop. It is a long ass way from the strip sidewalk to the stations.

[ODDJOB UNO]

dont FORGIT "LIBERACES MUSEUM" before it CLOSES DOWN FOR GOOD! (the horror the horror).



grab tabby and go hit the indoor range and blast some MACHINE GUNS for giggles. about the same price as a round of golf(expense reimbursed).

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by layzee

Monorail isn't cost effective if there are two or more of you. Monorail is only really convenient if you are staying at a hotel with a stop. It is a long ass way from the strip sidewalk to the stations.

Three day pass on the monorail is $28. If staying at the Residence Inn @ the Convention Center, the monorail will drop you off basically at the front door.

[TechnoViking]

I would not mess with a car. Vegas traffic SUCKS. And I don't think you can park too many places on the strip without paying for vlaet and garage fees.

Get monorail passes, bring comfortable shoes. Use taxis only when necessary.

[Tim Hancock]

Actually I am at the Las Vegas Marriott which is right next to the Residence Inn. The monorail option is looking like the way to go with a three day pass going for $28/person. Thanks for letting me know about that guys.

OJU, I have no urges to blow a hundred bucks on a few seconds of machine gun mayhem. I got my fill in the Army many years ago.

We will definitely hit the Bellagio or the Wynn buffet one evening (preferably the Bellagio at 3:59 if I can sneak out of the trade show )

Found an Andrew Dice Clay show, but my wife would definitely not go for that . She wants to go to see Donnie and Marie . Maybe a compromise would be a Cirque du Soleil show.

Are there plenty of carryouts to pick up booze/beer/wine coolers scattered about?

[Danny_Ocean]

More importantly, what trade show? I love trade shows, even if not in a related industry. Trying to figure out how to crash SEMA next year.

[vash]

donnie and marie? ouch. which one is a little bit country, and which one is rock in roll?

for the holidays, my wife and i are driving to texas. taking our time. we pretty much decided to stop in LV along the way (there). thanks for the prime rib, at jerry nugget tip. we are all over it.

5 days in vegas is too long for me. i'm good for 2 nights, then i'm out.

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Are there plenty of carryouts to pick up booze/beer/wine coolers scattered about?

Google Maps is your friend. A couple blocks from the Marriott:

Strip Liquor
3049 Las Vegas Blvd S # 22
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 733-9700

There is also a Walgreens across the street. Not sure if the Walgreens in NV are permitted to sell beer/wine, but my guess is "yes".

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

More importantly, what trade show? I love trade shows, even if not in a related industry. Trying to figure out how to crash SEMA next year.

IBIE (International Baking Industry Exposition).... I will be setting up and possibly babysitting/adjusting some oven loaders that the company I work for just built for a German high end oven manufacturer. I am an automated machinery designer, but our new owners bought our company to develop a line of automated food equipment. I will also be meeting with several international baking machinery manufacturers that we may be utilizing for some parts of our equipment lines.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that our owners will tire of being at the show after a couple days and then decide to spend a day driving out to the Grand Canyon.

[9dreizig]

Tim, why not just have Tabs chauffer you around ? He's got nothing better to do and would probably work for the Belogio Buffet :-)
Why not the Penn and Teller show ? I hear it's fantastic

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

IBIE (International Baking Industry Exposition)....

I am there! That's one on my list. Hot spokesmodels serving fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies at their booths...

[The Gaijin]

Took the shuttle to the hotel and applied the rental car monies to cabs and drinking. A win win.

It looks like a walking town, but those complexes are huge. It is miles from one end of the strip to the other.

[Eric 951]

Tim,

For the shows if you want to see some interesting acts go to one of the cirque shows. They have several depending upon what you are looking for. The original is "Mystere" at Treasure Island, but there is also "O" a water-based show, "Zumanity", a little more adult-themed, "Ka" sort of myth-saga type, and if you like the Beatles, there is "Love" at the Mirage.

I am not a show person, but found them to be very entertaining.

And if you are on the strip at any time, try to get to the Imperial Palace to see the car collection up on the fifth floor--you can usually find coupons somewhere for free admission, or if you are in AAA it is free as well.

Ignore the hard sell time share folks--they are everywhere--even in the casinos. My preferred method is as soon as they say anything I say "I'm leaving today" shuts them up quick.


Have fun.

[red-beard]

Taxis are not expensive, but always tell the guy you just want to go to "X" and don't need a tour up the strip. Say it nicely, though.