My daughter turned 21 in March and I turned 50 August 1, so a trip to Vegas was our celebration. My husband and her boyfriend (whom we love!) also came. Booked our trip in March through American Airlines. I had accumulated enough points for a reduction on their vacation prices, so our 3 night stay at the Flamingo plus our flight for 4 people was only $1100!! I thought that was a great deal.
Sunday, July 31 - Left Shreveport Louisiana at 7 am and it was my daughter and her boyfriend%26#39;s first flight. Really exciting watching someone experience that for the first time! Went through Dallas and then to Vegas. Arrived at 9:30 am, so we had the whole day. I had rented a car from Dollar and it was $65 for the whole 3 days! What a bargain. Checked in at the Flamingo and made it to our rooms on the 17 floor. We had stayed at the Flamingo before and liked it. It is more personal and not so cavernous as some others. We were starving, so we ate at the 24 hour cafe, Tropical Breeze. Their %26#39;wraps%26#39; were pretty good. I had the Hawaiian Chicken wrap.
We then took in the pool - very crowded. Wall to wall people, but I think this was mainly because it was almost 2 for 1 happy hour! The sun was not out, so we went up to the room to clean up. Explored the strip a bit and took in the Improv at Harrah%26#39;s. I am the coupon queen, so we had 2 for 1 admission. Very much worth it! Daughter and boyfriend loved it. Saw fountains at Bellagio and their fabulous blown glass ceiling in lobby. Gambled a bit back at the Flamingo, and then turned in.
Monday, Aug 1 - MY BIRTHDAY! We let the kids sleep in a bit, and my husband and I went to Terrible%26#39;s for breakfast. This is off the strip, and of course, I had a coupon book from the internet. (I%26#39;ll tell you later where to get this stuff). The coupon book had 2 free buffet coupons (buy one and get one free). The breakfast buffet is perfectly adequate and costs only $4.99, so breakfast for both of us was only around $5. We later went downstairs to apply for 2 of their player cards and were given 2 more coupon books! More meals!! Gambled a bit and then went back to the Flamingo, where the kids were ready for Hoover Dam. Its a good 30 - 45 minute drive, but worth it. Super hot up there! On the way back, we stopped at Ellis Island for dinner. Again, a bargain. Their steak dinner which is not on the menu, is only $4.99. It comes with a great salad, potato, and green beans. Both of us ate for around $12. We are both school teachers, so we are not swimming in the dough! But we have a good time. Later went to the Stratosphere where the rest of my party went up to the top and went on those crazy rides!! I opted for an hour or so down in the casino. I am not a daredevil, but they enjoyed it. I would have had a heart attack!
Went back to the room and got cleaned up because we had tickets to Blue Man Group at the Luxor. We were in the poncho section, which means you are issued a plastic poncho if you sit in the first 5 rows (we were in the 3rd). Excellent performance - very unusual, but I suspect some people would not %26#39;get it%26#39;. My husband and I both teach art and my daughter is an art major, so we thoroughly enjoyed it. Not a word is spoken, and creativity abounds! After BMG, we took the tram to NYNY because ----- I had free passes to Coyote Ugly ( again off the internet). I had said that I would dance on the bar at CO for my 50th BD and I did! My daughter and I got up and danced together for a few seconds while my husband recorded it as proof! What I didn%26#39;t expect were the %26#39;shots%26#39; we were given - I am not a real drinker. But believe me, this stuff was like snowcone syrup. Couldn%26#39;t taste any alcohol and didn%26#39;t affect either of us. Boy, was I glad about that! We gambled a bit and turned in for the night. My husband always poops out before me, so he goes up to bed and I stay downstairs in the casino and play the penny slots for a while.
Tuesday, August 3 - My husband and I got up, got in the car and went back to Terribles for another $5 breakfast. Came back to the Flamingo and spent the day at the pool. Got cleaned up, and walked down to the Paris where we had a wonderful chocolate tart and coffee at a little pastry shop. Walked to the Aladdin where I was on a mission to buy my mom some earrings. (She had come up from New Orleans to stay with my son, so I wanted to get her something nice) There is a jewelry shop on the north side of the Desert Passage where I always buy something. Everything is 50% off and it is wonderful!! After this, we picked up the kids and went back to Terrible%26#39;s for 2 for 1 dinners. Coupons again! They are both college kids so they wanted to save where they could.We then went downtown for the Fremont Street Experience. Saw two shows (these are free, if you didn%26#39;t know), explored a bit, my daughter bought her obligatory souvenirs, and we went back to the Flamingo. On the way back, we saw the volcano erupt at eh Mirage. We were still in the car, so that was convenient. Back at the Flamingo, my husband went to bed and I gambled until 3. The kids went on their own to Caesar%26#39;s and then down to the Barbary Coast where Michael played blackjack.
Wed, Aug 3 - Time to come home - how sad. Left Vegas at 12:30 PM and arrived back in Shreveport at 10 pm.
I am glad to say that I have booked another trip to Vegas, this time for New Year%26#39;s Eve!! We will be staying off the strip at the Gold Coast.
Tips:
1) Check out Vegas Resource.com for your coupons. This is where I got all of mine. You just check off which ones you want and pay a little fee, and they come to your door! Shows, meals, whatever!! Its definately worth it.
2) Have a roll of dollar bills for tips. I had 20 and had just enough.
3) If you can afford a car, get one! Valet parking is free, just tip the attendant. It really saves your feet!! Our car was $14.00 a day though Dollar.
4) When you get to Vegas, there are tourist magazines everywhere which have coupons in them. I already have several for our New Year%26#39;s trip.
Thanks for reading all of this - this was our 5th trip to Sin City and we love it! Enjoy your trip!!
50th birthday trip to Vegas
Great report, thanks!
50th birthday trip to Vegas
Mrsq - First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you and your daughter. I enjoyed reading your report, and it%26#39;s great to hear you had a wonderful time. And I have to give you a ';shout out'; for dancing on the bar at Coyote Ugly - Way to go!!!!
Also, great idea to include tips at the end of your trip report.
SS
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