YEARLYKOS: What to do in your downtime in Las Vegas

Let's just jump in here because it's May 2nd and you have 13 days left to book your room at The Riviera.  You probably still need to register and you'll need to book your flight, like last week, because you just know that airlines will pass that fuel cost on to you.  But you're fretting. You're either are still trying to get Friday  off or wondering if flying Friday night and leaving Sunday night is enough time.  Not only do you want to get all the YearlyKos goodness you can stand, but...it's Vegas, baby!  How can you go to Sin City and not catch a show, drop down to Hoover Dam or hit some of the hottest nightclubs in the western US?   It's a timing issues and this post will just add to your diliemma.

As previously noted, there are gajillion and one things to do in Las Vegas and you'll be wondering what do when, with who and how fast...all so you can go to the next thing.  Well we've got LasVegasShowToGo ready to help you with your ticket purchasing needs.  Here's a breakdown:

SHOWS:  Purchase your tickets for just about any show in Las Vegas.  Book early because seats go fast.  This link should take you the page for the search for shows starting June 7, 2006, but feel free to run your own search.

TOURS:  Grand Canyon tours by air or foot, trek out to the desert or discover a new hotel--you can't lose in finding something to do before or after the convention.

NIGHTLIFE:  You think it's hot in Vegas during the day, hit the clubs and you'll really feel the heat.  Some of the best DJs in the world spin at the hippest clubs I've ever been too.  Dance 'til dawn at afterhours clubs, get your groove on no matter what your musical tastes (except maybe emo), get your tickets now or stand in line when you hit Vegas with no guarantee of getting in.

GOLF:  There's always golfing.  You can get tees times as several courses throughout the Las Vegas valley.  

As you can see, you'll never be at a loss to do anything and if you're dragging along someone they'll never be bored.  To get started call Paige at 1-800-591-6423 or just click the links.  Don't forget to mention YearlyKos!

A tip from psuedopol over at the YearlyKos page:

Saving money and fun things to do: OK, here are some tips. Restaurant.com is selling $25 gift certificates for some Las Vegas retaurants for $10...but if you search on google for "restaurant.com discount code", you might find a 50% or 60% off coupon. I managed to score $75 in certificates for Quark's Bar, Commander's Palace and Little Buddha for $12. (Note that there may be some restrictions on usage, like "doesn't include tips or drinks, must include dinner". It still makes some pretty good places to eat cheaper than hotel coffee shops if you do it right.)

Also, Cheapo Vegas/Big Empire is doing their Cocktail Soiree in downtown Las Vegas that Saturday Night- it sounds like a great way to have fun after the dinner and keynote.

•  Good ideas.

  I hear there may be a little gambling in the town as well.

  by AnthonySF on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:12:04 AM PDT

  •  Gambling

    I purposely didn't add that in because it seems like such a given, y'know?  I'd like to think that people would rather get something for their money.  That being said, you will find me at the nickel slots someplace.  

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:27:23 AM PDT

    •  I wish more folks would recommend this

      I would like to see one YearlyKos diary on the recommended list each day - at least until registration closes.

      by ETinKC on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:19:52 AM PDT

•  Gotta confess

  since my wife has decided not to go I have been wondering what to do in the evenings. I figured I'd try to find some progressives to hang out with...

  by AndyT on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:13:24 AM PDT

  •  I'll chill with ya

    I'm leaving the old ball and chain at home with the kidlings, though he's threatening to come out for a few days.  I practically never sleep when I'm in Vegas, so I'll be up for some fun!

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:31:38 AM PDT

    •  I'm coming alone, too.

      I thought that as the dates get closer, I'd post a diary about going to YKos alone, to see if people want to meet up. Having meals alone sucks!

      by casperr on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:01:32 AM PDT

      •  I am still loooking for someone willing to

        share the room I got...it has two beds and I usually don't snore.

        by ETinKC on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:14:16 AM PDT

      •  Lots of solos

        There'll be lots of people going by themselves, so I'm sure you'll find someone to hang with.  I've seen several diaries about YK solos...just wish I could find them.

        by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:35:35 AM PDT

•  If I were going...

  I'd be golfing and getting out of the city for awhile.

  I've been to Vegas something like 7 times in the past six years.

  The one thing I recommend is renting a car and getting out of the city.  There are some really pretty spots outside of Vegas (Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire).

  That, and the golf is pretty nice...provided your temps aren't in the 100s and the wind isn't whipping your ball into the arroyos.

  by wmtriallawyer on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:17:42 AM PDT

  •  Amen to getting out of town

    Valley of Fire is spectacular, but mid-June could be pushing it in terms of temperatures. (Of course, I say that having visited with my Vegas-dwelling buddy in mid-July, but we also didn't get out of the air-conditioned truck much.)

    by musing85 on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:33:15 AM PDT

  •  Not that hot

    The temps in June are pretty mild and very pleasant.  The company listed above provides tours for all the locations you mentioned along with golf packages.  

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:36:32 AM PDT

•  comped drinks, the cheetah, then dre's around 4am

  ;)

  by skyterrain on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:24:22 AM PDT

  •  If you're feeling adventurous

    check out The Beach at around 11 pm on Saturday.  They fill the entire dance floor with foam.

    by LithiumCola on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:27:49 AM PDT

    •  They still do that?

      I used to go to The Beach when I was in college (girls get in for free), but I get the shakes thinking about going back in there.  It's funny because for our Sat. night event, that one of the few places big enough to hold everyone and I was praying that I wouldn't have to have Senator Reid give a speech next to the go-go boxes on the stage.  Thankfully, that dream came through.

      by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:38:46 AM PDT

•  Other ideas

  Gamble if you're very careful.  Do not, ever, risk more than you can afford.

  Roller coaster the New York New York casino has a fun roller-coaster that runs around the top of the place.  It's not too scary.

  Burger If you're from the East, you should try an In-and-Out Burger.  Las Vegas has a lot of good burger joints.  Fatburger, In-and-Out Burger, etc.

  Hoover Dam Definitely check out Hoover Dam, if you have time.  It's pretty remarkable.

  People watching  Just hang out on the Strip and watch people for awhile.  It's fun.  The only depessing thing about that is you will occasionally see someone who is weeping, because they just lost everything they own.  That's no fun.  But mostly it's fun.

  by LithiumCola on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:25:08 AM PDT

  •  secret menu @ in & out burger...

    get yours "animal style" .. I think its doused in mustard before they throw it on the grill.

    by skyterrain on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:26:00 AM PDT

    •  Animal style

      It's that with pickles and grilled onions.  No matter what In-n-Out I go to, I always get weird looks when I ask for "animal style, no pickles", like it's the pickles that make it great.  Also good is animal style fries--cheese, pickles and grilled onions.  One other thing that's awesome about <In-n-Out is that you can get as many patties and as much cheese as you want, so sometimes (rarely), I'll order a 3 by 5 animal style which is 3 patties with 5 slices of cheese, done animal style.</p>

      by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:05:04 AM PDT

  •  Unless they've cut back

    the security restrictions, I wouldn't waste the time on Hoover Dam. I understand that since the Day That Changed Everything (TM) they no longer allow tours inside the dam proper: you just get to see the visitor's center, and look at the dam from the outside. (A crying shame, too, because the interior is simply chock full of glorious Art Deco touches.)

    There's also a roller coaster at the top of the Stratosphere--but you have to pay (and wait in a hellaciously long line) to get up to the top of the building, and then for the roller coaster. The view is good, but it isn't that great.

    by musing85 on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:32:03 AM PDT

    •  not quite true

      I Went before 9-11 and took the hard hat tour.

      Went last year and took the abreviated tour...you do get inside the damn but not nearly as far as you used to...if I remember correctly the furtherst we got was into the generator room.

      You used to be able to get into the middle and look out of the vent holes...right about in the middle of the damn.

      by KennyBabes on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:48:45 AM PDT

      •  The hard-hat tour

        was the one we wanted to take, but we arrived just after the last one for the day had left--and that was in December 2000.

        by musing85 on Tue May 02, 2006 at 12:28:40 PM PDT

•  I'll be looking for

  other members of the IOFS. (Introverted Old Fart Society)

  by bumblebums on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:26:04 AM PDT

•  When in Vegas, don't forget to visit...

  ...my favorite resident: the Borg Queen from the Hilton's Star Trek exhibit.  She's sheer "perfection" and bigger than Elvis in the 24th Century.

  

  by wonkydonkey on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:27:33 AM PDT

  •  That's funny

    I just posted this photo on another thread:
    
    That's us at Quark's Bar & Restaurant in Oct. '03.  We love that place and go everytime we go to Vegas.  

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:29:35 AM PDT

    •  Here's me in Quark's after a too much...

      ..Romulan ale, leaning on a very cute male "Dabo girl,"  who was very skilled in his craft!

      

      by wonkydonkey on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:36:37 AM PDT

  •  That reminds me

    I was at the Star Trek restaurant, and a Klingon came up to our table.  He said:

    "I don't understand your human football.  At the end of the game, everyone is still alive."

    That cracked me up.

    by LithiumCola on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:29:45 AM PDT

  •  BTW, you can't tell from this pic...

    ..but she's injecting nanoprobes into my neck from behind me....  the nanoprobes that allow me to hear the Kossak hive mind in my head at all times, the voices of millions working in perfect harmony to assimilate all.  Resistance is futile!

    by wonkydonkey on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:31:04 AM PDT

•  For shows...

  if you're not picky (i.e., have no requirement to see one of the Cirque shows), I suggest Tix 4 Tonight, which (like TKTS in NYC) lets you buy day of show tickets for half price.

  by profmatt on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:28:33 AM PDT

•  Also a show to recommend

  pricey, but cheaper than going to see it on Broadway...

  Avenue Q at the Wynn.

  Saw it my last trip out there in October. Well worth the money.

  by wmtriallawyer on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:42:30 AM PDT

  •  It closes...

    the week before YKos, not having been a big success in Vegas.

    by profmatt on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:49:33 AM PDT

    •  Awwwww...shoot.

      I'm sorry to hear that.

      Can't say I'm surprised, though.  It was definately targeted to the Sesame Street generation, and the folks who could afford the tickets were primarily my parents age...

      and most of them looked horrified at what they saw!

      ;-)

      by wmtriallawyer on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:24:13 AM PDT

  •  Closing down

    Apparently, Avenue Q was such a huge loser for the Wynn that they're closing it down.  On the YearlyKos page, someone said it was closing down this month, even though the Wynn was still selling tix.  I called the Wynn 3 times and got 3 different closing dates for the event.  Oddly enough, Vegas locals all say the same thing, it will be closing down around May 15th.

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:50:17 AM PDT

    •  That...

      coupled with the fact that they have another production ready to go into the theatre ("Spamalot")--if they'd kept it open, they would've had to build a second theatre.

      by profmatt on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:52:01 AM PDT

      •  Ambitious

        I thought Spamalot was being placed at the MGM Grand.  Do you know when Spamalot is going to open?

        by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:58:29 AM PDT

        •  saw Spamalot in Chicago -

          well worth the price of admission

          by ETinKC on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:17:44 AM PDT

        •  Per Time...

          March 2007.

          by profmatt on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:34:15 AM PDT

  •  I have heard

    that they abridge the shows that appear in Las Vegas, especially if they run over a certain length. I'd hate to see someone spend money on show tickets only to find out that they weren't getting what they expected.

    But Las Vegas has more entertainment choices than a pit boss has chips, the attention span of many visitors is fleeting and in any case casino owners don't want their guests diverted from the slot machines and table games for hours on end. Attendance from the beginning was disappointing enough that in January producers shortened the show to 90 minutes and eliminated the intermission but in the end even that wasn't enough.

    Nonetheless, "Spamalot" will be a condensed version of the popular Broadway show when it opens in March 2007, just as "Phantom" will be cut to about 90 minutes when it opens this spring.

    and here:

    Apparently, people in Vegas enjoy a Broadway show - as long as it doesn't take too much time away from the tables. With the trimming of Avenue Q, Mamma Mia! - the queen at three years running, which started the move of Broadway shows here - is the only remaining Broadway show with an intermission. Even The Phantom of the Opera, opening June 4 at the Venetian with new sets by hot designer David Rockwell, will be down to 96 minutes.

    Hairspray, which opened earlier this week, was cut from two hours and 20 minutes to 90 minutes. The cuts came from excising the intermission and three songs: The Big Dollhouse, Miss Baltimore Crabs and Cooties.

    "The average stay of a visitor is 3 1/2 days," says producer Michael Gill. "There's a lot for people to do in that time, and not just gaming. There's shopping, there's fine dining, and shorter just works better."

    Avenue Q is one of the few shows that was allowed to run over 90 minutes. That and the definitely non-family oriented tone of the show probably contributed to its demise. People want to have fun in Vegas, and occasionally a big production number type ending will be tacked onto a show for that "boffo" Vegas touch.

    by Sharoney on Tue May 02, 2006 at 01:05:09 PM PDT

•  Drive west

  out Charleston Blvd. to Red Rocks National Monument.  If you've been to Vegas, but have never been out there, you should go check it out.  Some of the most beautiful sandstone in the country in colors of white, black, blood red, and pink.  Go for a hike or better yet go bouldering.  You can also try and track down some of the wild burrows that live out there.

  by walterpmitty on Tue May 02, 2006 at 10:51:15 AM PDT

  •  Speaking of natural wonders...

    Yeah, I agree about Red Rock. Also, if you go out east towards Lake Mead, you will find Frenchman Mountain, which has an outcropping of the Great Unconformity you'd see in the Grand Canyon:

    http://geoscience.unlv.edu/...

    by pseudopol on Tue May 02, 2006 at 04:31:17 PM PDT

•  Casual

  I will be there sans the much_nicer_and_better_looking grrl.  Bummer for you guys.  Heh.  But it gives me an excuse to raise a little hell without embarassing my better half.

  by out grrl on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:01:57 AM PDT

•  Can you get around town without a car?

  Is there public transport at all?

  by casperr on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:02:35 AM PDT

  •  I'm hurt

    I write the beautiful entries that detail almost every question that can be asked and no one reads them.  [sniff].

    I wrote about transportation on the YearlyKos page awhile back.  The only walking you really have to do is around the hotel and casinos.  You can take a cab, the Deuce (which services the Strip and downtown), or the monorail.  Check out the link above, since it has more info.

    by fabooj on Tue May 02, 2006 at 11:08:04 AM PDT

    •  I'm so, so sorry

      I try to read everything, I really do! I feel like I usually miss more than I see. Thanks for responding and for writing about transportation earlier. I'll go read that now.

      by casperr on Tue May 02, 2006 at 12:53:58 PM PDT

•  You MUST MUST MUST go to the Double Down Saloon.

  It's a few blocks off the Strip, very unassuming, but once you get inside it's a total mindblow. Suffice to say, this is the favorite bar of both Tim Burton and the late Timothy Leary.

  No baseball on the TV screens, instead you'll get 1940's adventure serials and midget porn. No Britney in the jukebox - instead you get a massive collection of eclectic music that spans back thirty years of the bar's lifespan.

  It's the best place in Vegas - period.

  Other than Friday night at the Bar in Times Square at the New York New York. Duelling piano men who know every song you've ever heard - ever - and can do it in the voice of the original singer... a must-see.

  by HollywoodOz on Tue May 02, 2006 at 12:48:21 PM PDT

•  More info...

  I less than three Cheapo Vegas for information about Vegas (they are the folks behind Big Empire's Cocktail Soiree):

  http://www.cheapovegas.com

  They cover pretty much everything- gambling, shows, sportsbooks, and so on.

  by pseudopol on Tue May 02, 2006 at 04:28:11 PM PDT

•  Horseback riding.

  Going Places (the AAA magazine) has an article on things to do outside of Las Vegas. There's a dude ranch (which might be fun or might be tacky) near LV that offers guided horseback tours of the Red Rock canyon.  I'm a technoklutz, so I don't know how to post links, but if you google Bonnie Springs Ranch you'll find it.  The website says shuttle service is available if you don't have a car.  

  by BarbaraB on Wed May 03, 2006 at 09:03:53 AM PDT

•  World Cup!

  World Cup 2006!  At the Hilton Sports Book.  See my diary for info.  

  by rabel on Wed May 03, 2006 at 08:34:45 PM PDT

•  Minor League Baseball

  The Dodgers' AAA team, the Las Vegas 51s, will be playing the Mariners' AAA team, the Tacoma Rainiers, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7, and on Sunday at noon.  I'm hoping to get to at least one of these games.  Cashman Field isn't bad, although you'd want to take a cab or car there.

  Anyone else interested?

  by merp on Thu May 04, 2006 at 04:33:49 PM PDT