A Gamer lost in Las Vegas

[Alexander Heppe]

Well met and greetings from Germany,



Travelling to Las Vegas, NV, from 21st to 28th of August this year, I was wondering if some people from the international community of Gamers might provide me with hints and advice concerning the sights to see and things to do. Let me use three questions:



What are attractions and sights of interest for a Gamer/SciFi-Fan/Fantasy-Fan/Horror-Fan?

I alleady have got Star Trek – The Experience at the LV Hilton on my To-Do-List, and the Excalibur and the Luxor as well, but I believe there is more to see. So keep the advice coming, please.



Where are the stores a Gamer wouldn’t want to miss?

Not only the best gamestores in town, good new and used book and DVD stores would be appreciated as well, plus any stores which may be of interest for a gamer/sci-fi-fan/fantasy and horror fan.



Where to escape the city and the heat

Coming from central Europe I can only take limited amounts of heat in a couple of days. If there are any beautiful must-see areas within a reasonable driving distance (say about three to four hours maximum), I’d appreciate any advice on your part. I would prefer beautiful mountain ranges or forests where one might even take a hike of a couple hours or so. (Grand Canyon is already on the list, so probably don’t aim for the obvious)



[font=&quot]I would really appreciate any advice, be it from fellow travellers or locals and I am looking forward to reading your replies. Many thanks in advance! [/font]

 

[thalmin]

To escape the city:
Hoover Dam: take the hard-hat tour.
Lake Mead cruise
Drive to the top of Mt. Charleston and hike in the woods up there.
Visit Red Rock Canyon
Valley of Fire

All of these are within about an hour of Las Vegas.

To escape the heat:
Mt. Charleston
maybe Lake Mead
stay in the cassino

 

[DaveMage]

Blue Man Group has a show at the Luxor.

Do not miss this show.

If you go to Las Vegas and miss this show, then you have deprived yourself of the best show there (IMNSHO).

Tickets are expensive (US$80+), but it's well worth it.

 

[Templetroll]

Just walking down the Strip at night is great. Various hotels have outdoor shows. It's been a while so I don't recall the hotel names but one had a great pirate ship attack, another was a volcano eruption. The Luxor would make a fantastic dungeon.

main problem is lots of people trying to hand you cards for strip clubs and other things like that. Just take the cards and keep moving. I don't know if pickpockets are a problem at the outdoor shows, because I always looked too broke to rip off but they do get crowded when they are going on.

 

[DaveMage]

***double post***

 

[DaveMage]

main problem is lots of people trying to hand you cards for strip clubs and other things like that. Just take the cards and keep moving.

I would advise you NOT to take the cards and/or pamphlets they give out.

By law, these people cannot touch you, so just walk on by.

If you start taking what they have, you'll quickly be overloaded with porn.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

I get out to Vegas occasionally for work. See a few of the fountain displays in front of the Bellagio. I always try to if I have any time. Lots of shows in Vegas besides Blue Man Group. Met up with a bunch of relatives there several months ago and saw Mamma Mia. I enjoyed it but might not be your cup o tea. But there's the We Will Rock You musical based on Queen's hits, maybe Elton John (might/might not be there yet?), Penn & Teller, etc. etc. GAMBLING of course. Go shopping (even if you don't buy anything); just walking past the shops in Ceasers Palace looking at the decor was an interesting way to kill time. For that matter, you can just walk around the casinos on The Strip and decide which is your favorite. Ride a few rollercoasters - I STILL haven't stopped at Buffalo Bills in Primm to ride the Desperado but I think about it every time I drive by. If you can't find a good meal in Vegas it's your own fault.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Funny, I just got back from Vegas yesterday. I was there for my sister's wedding. I'd advise a SciFi geek to try out the Star Trek experience. There are two seperate events to choos from, The Borg Invasion in 4-D, and the Klingon Encounter. A ticket for either event costs $30 per person. The Space Needle has a rollercoaster at its top, which is extremely fun. The elevator ride up is a unique experience as well.

 

[devilbat]

If you start taking what they have, you'll quickly be overloaded with porn

You say that like it a bad thing.

 

[IronWolf]

Blue Man Group has a show at the Luxor.

Do not miss this show.

If you go to Las Vegas and miss this show, then you have deprived yourself of the best show there (IMNSHO).

Tickets are expensive (US$80+), but it's well worth it.

There have already been several other good suggestions - just walking the strip can be fun. But the Blue Man Group is awesome. We went the last time we were there (courtesy of a gift from my parents) and they were great! If you can only catch one show, this should be the one.