Honeymoon in Vegas

I will be going to Las Vegas on my honeymoon in Mid October. We have booked our hotel at Mandalay Bay. We also have tickets to see "O" during our stay as well. For some of you who either live in Vegas or get there more often than I do, I want a few suggestions.

1) We would like to see another show, but would prefer that the second show not be a Cirque show. Perhaps a comedy routine or something along those lines.
2) We would like a good restaurant with a great view of the strip at night. I know of Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, but we are from the Chicago area and we have eaten at that place locally. What I often find in those restaurants with a great view is the food oftentimes doesn't measure up to the view. I would like the food to be worthy of the view.
3) A sportsbook that you would recommend watching an entire football game at, not just making a bet. We are both avid Packers fans and would love to find a place that is comfortable, preferably on the South Strip, but not a requirement.
4) While the spa thing isn't my cup of tea, would you recommend the Spa, whatever it is named at Mandalay Bay, or would you recommend someplace else for her?

Quote: Gabes22

1) We would like to see another show, but would prefer that the second show not be a Cirque show. Perhaps a comedy routine or something along those lines.

I recommend Penn & Teller at the Rio (free shuttle from Harrah's and Bally's). Their show is part magic, part commedy, part libertarian politics (or so it seems). Or Rita Rudner's stand up act, I think at the Venetian now.

Quote: Nareed

I recommend Penn & Teller at the Rio (free shuttle from Harrah's and Bally's). Their show is part magic, part commedy, part libertarian politics (or so it seems). Or Rita Rudner's stand up act, I think at the Venetian now.

I thought Penn and Teller had one of the worst acts I'd ever seen in Vegas. Penn Gillette rattles on and on and on about nothing, till you want to throttle him. Who cares what his political views are, shut up already. The magic is lame and predictable, I felt totally ripped off. See Rita, she never disappoints.

I've watched Games at the Mandalay Bay sportsbook and it was pretty good. Depends if the game you want is on the main screen or not. If it isn't, finding a bar somewhere that has it on (or a casino bar where the barman will put it on, which they'll do normally if your drinking) is okay.

Canyon Ranch Spa at Palazzo is fantastic.

Thanks for your suggestions. If Mandalay Bay doesn't have the game on the main screen is there a good sports bar nearby that would be more likely to have the game on?

Quote: Gabes22

Thanks for your suggestions. If Mandalay Bay doesn't have the game on the main screen is there a good sports bar nearby that would be more likely to have the game on?

http://www.lvrj.com/living/valley-bars-get-ready-for-kickoff-102247204.html - this list -might- help you. I'd check with the bar itself before making a trip though... the old Lions bar I went to had changed when I headed there two years ago.

Do you know if it's one of the feature games the week your going (if there is a season)?

I have no idea why I'm helping a cheesehead though :)

For #1 - I'd suggest Mac King - it's a magic/comedy show, and it also is an afternoon show - it frees up the evening for the dinner or anything else you'd like to pursue.

-B

I like Penn & Teller, but that that show is not for everybody. For example, the first time I saw it they had a very realistic depiction of dropping a bunny into a wood chipper. Blood sprayed all over the stage. That kind of humor is not for everybody -- but I liked it enough to see them twice. That said, here are my answers.

1. I hate to say this, but Phantom. I didn't like it, never known a straight man who did, but I've never known a woman to not like it. You may be bored, but you'll earn a lot of husbanding points. Otherwise, Jersey Boys or Blue Man Group. In other words, all three shows at the Venetian/Palazzo.

2. Mix at the Mandalay Bay. Second choice, The Top of the World at the Stratosphere.

3. Palazzo, definitely. Warning: you may have trouble getting a seat. Second choice, Bellagio.

4. I'm not a big expert on the spas, but I think they are all more or less equally as good at the high-end properties. I've just done the common area at the Mandalay spa, which was very luxurious. My wife has had lots of treatments there, and always left happy.

Quote: Wizard

I like Penn & Teller, but that that show is not for everybody.

I thought the show amateurish and preachy. I was going to tell Penn Gillette that to his face as he signed autographs afterwards, but my god, he's 8 feet tall!

Quote: Gabes22

2) We would like a good restaurant with a great view of the strip at night. I know of Mon Ami Gabi at Paris, but we are from the Chicago area and we have eaten at that place locally. What I often find in those restaurants with a great view is the food oftentimes doesn't measure up to the view. I would like the food to be worthy of the view.

Lettuce Entertain You, which owns Mon Ami Gabi and the Chicago area restaurants also owns another restaurant in Paris that is up the Eiffel Tower. It has nice views, but is not open air. It's name is something simple like the Eiffel Tower Restaurant.

Mandarin Oriental has a bar with nice views, but it is expensive. May be a good place to get a drink.

Panevino is a place to consider. Oddly enough it is a few miles from the strip, but it is up on a hill so you get a good view of the strip (see website). While this is not a cheap restaurant, you have the option of pizza and pasta to make it reasonable. As you can imagine, some of the prices for a place right on the strip with a view will be astronomical.

(1) Criss Angel maybe, Penn and Teller, maybe a headline act that might be in town that weekend? Maybe some burlesque to sweeten the mood?
(2) My (1st) wedding dinner was at the Top of the World. Great view, but touristy food. You pay for the view. The Eiffel Tower restaurant at the Paris might be a good bet.
(3) Sportsbook at Mandalay Bay or Bellagio's a good bet. Actually, I liked the sports book at Ballys - it's hidden on the ground floor away from the casino.

The Range steak house inside Harrah's is quite good and reasonable. They have a very good strip view and is very comfortable.

Top of the World has great food and a very good view. Just a word of warning - things sway/shake a bit at the top of a 100+ story tower with 3 thrill rides on the roof. If that will affect your meal enjoyment, then something like Mix or the Eiffel Tower Restaurant might be a better choice.

I'm going to echo the Mac King (at Harrah's) sentiment, you can easily get "free" tickets (just have to buy a $10 drink) and it is a funny show, and has good sleight-of-hand.

I also enjoy penn and teller tremendously, but the show is not for everyone, and it is off the beaten path. Discounts are easily available though.

About a dinner with a view, does the location matter?

I ask ebacsue at the Stratosphere you can see both Downtowna nd the North part of the Strip very well, but the rest of the Strip is more or less melded together. At the Eiffel tower you get a better view of the central area of the Strip, but not much of the North and no Downtown at all. SO if you ahve a favorite area or building, you shuld seek an appropriate location.

.....

I don't know if price is a factor, but the Bellagio has several restaurants that face the fountains. Not exactly a sweeping Strip view, but maybe better. Pricey though.

Rooms with a view also include the Steakhouse at Wynn. Some of the tables face the "lake" which puts on a multimedia show in the evenings. Good meat. Pricey, but you can get the show. There is also a five star restaurant on the other side of the patio from the steakhouse, that I assume has a similar view, but I haven't eaten there. Me personally, I would prefer the steakhouse at Binion's (downtown). Sunset view is fantastic, and food is pretty good (try the lobster bisque). Classic Vegas.

If you are looking for something really different, and don't mind driving a bit, the Black Pepper Grill at Lake Las Vegas might be what you are looking for. It's about 20 minutes out of town, on the mountains near Lake Mead. Take a walk by their lake, shop in the the little village, and check out the sunset over the valley on your way back. Follow this link for more information about Montelago Village.

Is there a certain type of cuisine that you are looking for? It is hard to top the food in Chicago. Recommending a steakhouse anywhere else feels giving basketball advice to Michael Jordan.

Edit: If you want to be with Packer's fans on game days, check out the Rum Runner on Tropicana.

I always figured Penn and Teller were a couple of closeted juggalos.

Quote: MrV

I always figured Penn and Teller were a couple of closeted juggalos.

Nope. In fact they aren't even close friends. They never socialize with each
other, its strictly business. Penn says its the secret to their longevity. Teller is
8 years older than Penn.

Jersey Boys was one of the best shows I have ever seen anywhere and the wife and I have seen many shows in Vegas and New York. Restaurants, Alize at the top of the Palms is supposed have great foos and a great view but a little pricy.