Restaurant/Show/Activities Advice?

Well now that my trip is booked I need to decide on restaurants, shows, and activities. First up is restaurants.

For restaurants, we did CUT last year as the big one. We didn't get to Mon Ami Gaby which made the 2016 Best of Las Vegas list. I'd like to get to Marche Bacchus as we haven't been in a few years now, but two French restaurants in one trip might be a bit much. We get a free buffet at the Wynn and we'll almost certainly walk up to Tacos El Gordo. We've never been to Todd's Unique and that used to get a lot of talk. Is that worth a visit? What other restaurants would people recommend?

Next up would be shows. We caught Matt Franco's magic show last year and really enjoyed it. The Cirque du Soliel branded shows we've seen are 'O', Mystere, and Beatles: Love. We caught David Copperfield's magic show two years ago and really enjoyed that one. Going back further we've also seen Wayne Brady at his run at the Venetian, Elton John at Caesars when it was called 'The Red Piano', and Celine Dion in 2013 at the start of her second run in Las Vegas.

Is La Reve worth a look? I understand it is a bit of a copy of 'O' so I'm not sure. Should we see a branded Cirque show like Michael Jackson: One perhaps? Maybe we should try a stand up comedy show. We haven't done one of those yet. My wife talked about Donnie and Marie Osmand. Is that worthwhile?

Last thing to decide on are activities. Despite last year's misadventures on our hike in Red Rock Canyon, I think my wife would do another one as long as she brought her sturdy hiking boots this time. What hike would people here recommend? We did Calico Tank last year. We haven't been out to Valley of Fire state park yet and I hear there are some good hikes there too.

I wouldn't mind getting downtown and try the zip line over Freemont and also get in some gambling with decent minimums and odds. Are they charging for parking downtown too? We haven't done the High Roller yet, but it seems a bit pricey for what it is. I'm a golfer and I travelled with my clubs for the first time last year. My wife and I went to Scotland last summer for our 25th wedding anniversary and I got in quite a few rounds. A Top Golf opened in Las Vegas so that might be fun. I would love to get a round in in Las Vegas for $100 or less. I get two free bags with Southwest so I could bring along the clubs.

It might be fun to get to a gun range and fire something exotic. I'd prefer an outdoor range with some distance if I wanted to fire something bigger just to see how good a marksman I am.

Any other suggestions for activities, restaurants, or shows?

--helpmespock
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Hey spock,

I have tid bits to throw at ya, you probably know some of these categories much better than me, so just putting my favorites out there. I really love the Bacchanal buffet at Caesars. They seem to have just about everything and every time I've been there it was fresh (and all you can eat king crab which is a dream for me =D).

Activities there's a ton actually. Gangster museum. The gamblers book store. Grand canyon. Zip line both downtown and at the Rio. I haven't yet but would also like to golf in Vegas too.

They charge for parking downtown ($3 or $5 weekends) BUT you can get it validates/for free if you play at the casino hosting the parking lot for 10 minutes or something (X points - most are pretty easy to get).

We're on the same page with the gun range out there too. I've had a couple buddies do it and said it was a definite blast. I too would want to do some marksman stuff, and would presume they have that available, but I'm not sure =p. If the trip is booked mind if I ask when you're heading there? I'll be heading out that way in the not too distant future as well.

If you are looking for a Cirque show, you might want to consider KA at MGM. We saw it a few months ago and it was outstanding.

Do you do MyVegas? We were able to get comped tickets for KA through MyVegas.

Ka is my favorite cirque show. The engineering which went into it is amazing.

Also recommend Absinthe at Caesar's Palace. It's an intimate show with some cirque-like aspects, but also kinda racy and totally hilarious.

If you are walking down to Tacos El Gordo and like to have a drink or 2' check out the Fireside at the Peppermill. Classic Vegas in a relaxing setting. Also some of the best Wings in LV.

Two walking trails you might like.
1) The wetlands preserve off Boulder Highway. It's a couple acres unlike any landscape in Vegas, with lots of birds and wildlife.
2) The old railroad path from the Lake Meade visitor center. It slopes down to the Lake and you pass throughout numerous railroad tunnels. It's not your typical walk. Double up with a visit to the park in Boulder that the Big Horn sheep frequent.

Mac King's afternoon show at Harrah's. It's a must see !

Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo's little showroom, if he is still there.

Pinball Museum on East Tropicana. You'll need a car or a bus ride for that one.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/life/owner-says-pinball-hall-fame-alive-and-well-las-vegas

https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/trip-reports/22600-a-few-pix-from-the-pinball-hall-of-fame/

Quote: Romes

I really love the Bacchanal buffet at Caesars. They seem to have just about everything and every time I've been there it was fresh (and all you can eat king crab which is a dream for me =D).

We ate at Bacchanal buffet two years ago. I think it has the best food, but that eating area leaves a lot to be desired. It needs some sightline breaks to divide things up to improve the atmosphere.

Quote: Romes

Activities there's a ton actually. Gangster museum. The gamblers book store. Grand canyon. Zip line both downtown and at the Rio. I haven't yet but would also like to golf in Vegas too.

They charge for parking downtown ($3 or $5 weekends) BUT you can get it validates/for free if you play at the casino hosting the parking lot for 10 minutes or something (X points - most are pretty easy to get).

We're on the same page with the gun range out there too.

Thanks for the tips. We're there from March 11th to the 16th this year.

We stayed at the Golden Nugget on our first trip to Las Vegas and I've only gotten downtown a couple times since so I'd be nice to get back.

My cousin and his wife said they might join us this year so golfing and the gun range would be good activities for us men-folk while the ladies enjoy the spa.

--helpmespock

Quote: Joeman

If you are looking for a Cirque show, you might want to consider KA at MGM. We saw it a few months ago and it was outstanding.

Do you do MyVegas? We were able to get comped tickets for KA through MyVegas.

I haven't signed up for MyVegas. I've never been much of a points guy.

Quote: PapaChubby

Ka is my favorite cirque show. The engineering which went into it is amazing.

Also recommend Absinthe at Caesar's Palace. It's an intimate show with some cirque-like aspects, but also kinda racy and totally hilarious.

Hmmm...that's two for KA. We'll keep it in mind. We'll probably go the Tix4Tonite route, but my wife is leaning towards Donnie and Marie. Many on the board liked Absinthe too. I'm not sure we're into the raunchy/racy thing, but I'll talk it over my wife. We'll see what deals are around and make a choice after.

--helpmespock

Quote: Boz

If you are walking down to Tacos El Gordo and like to have a drink or 2' check out the Fireside at the Peppermill. Classic Vegas in a relaxing setting. Also some of the best Wings in LV.

I checked out the Peppermill's website and it looks like we'll have to stop by. My wife isn't keen, but I'm a sucker for wings and the retro Las Vegas atmosphere looks nice.

--helpmespock

Quote: billryan

Two walking trails you might like.
1) The wetlands preserve off Boulder Highway. It's a couple acres unlike any landscape in Vegas, with lots of birds and wildlife.
2) The old railroad path from the Lake Meade visitor center. It slopes down to the Lake and you pass throughout numerous railroad tunnels. It's not your typical walk. Double up with a visit to the park in Boulder that the Big Horn sheep frequent.

Thanks! I'll look up those hikes on the web.

--helpmespock

Quote: JohnnyQ

Mac King's afternoon show at Harrah's. It's a must see !

I did think about Mac King's show as a number of people have said it is very good, but we caught Matt Franco last year and David Copperfield in 2014. We'll probably save that show for a future trip. We've caught Penn & Teller's "Fool Us" on Netflix and saw Mac King's appearance and thought he was very good.

--helpmespock

Mac King is unlike either of those shows. More comedy than magic, but the magic is amazing.

Hmmm, something exotic; you like ziplines, and ask for suggestions.

I've always wanted to do the Bootleg Canyon Zipline: looks like a lot of fun.

see: video

It is. I took my friends there but was unable to do it myself as I'm not close to their weight limits.
Best bang for your money, as far as they were concerned.

Quote: billryan

Mac King is unlike either of those shows. More comedy than magic, but the magic is amazing.

I would describe it by saying he is hilarious and his slight of hand is hilarious and his audience interaction is hilarious. He doesn't take himself and his Vegas tenure too seriously. Inexpensive afternoon show, watch for / ask for discount coupons at Harrah's. There used to be something in the ACG, but I don't know about this year's edition.

Quote: MrV

I've always wanted to do the Bootleg Canyon Zipline: looks like a lot of fun.

That does look like a lot of fun. I'd go for sure but my wife might be intimidated by the 60-70mph top speed.

--helpmespock

Quote: billryan

It is. I took my friends there but was unable to do it myself as I'm not close to their weight limits.
Best bang for your money, as far as they were concerned.

I know the setups are completely different, but I wonder how they would compare Bootleg Canyon zipline to the ones at the Rio and Freemont Street from an experience point of view.

I guess if I'm only going to do one and my wife isn't intimidated by Bootleg Canyon then which one should I do?

--helpmespock