My Southern Strip Vacation

Setup: Last year I stayed at nyny over spring break, but I really had no idea what to expect. I brought like a $300 gambling budget for 3 days, but with some luck at craps I did alright and had a lot of fun. Since then, I have done a lot of research (primarily from this site) and had an absolute blast a couple months ago mid-strip. My trip is about 18 hours long, I do not plan to sleep but I have a room at the Excalibur.

I plan on looking around at Luxor/Mandalay Bay and doing the majority of my gambling at Mandalay. I might do my sports bets and look around at MGM a bit, but in reality I feel like I might want to save MGM for another trip since that could probably take an entire weekend to explore.

What I want from people is some interesting things to "do" south of Tropicana ave/road whatever. This includes and is south of Excalibur/Tropicana hotel. I have "do" in quotes because all I plan on doing is gambling, but if someone has maybe a favorite cigar shop or a great place to grab a bite to eat (I'll be alone, so please no romantic-like places and someplace that a single guy can just walk into other than McDonalds at the food court in Excalibur) I would absolutely love some input. I'd be willing to trek up to MGM or Monte Carlo, but I'd like to find something fun to do south strip.

Thanks~

Is your mental map correct? Excalibur is at the SW corner of LV Blvd and Topicana Ave. Clockwise you have NYNY, MGM and Topicana, all connected by pedestrian bridges. North of NYNY is Monte Carlo and then City Center. It's not much of a "trek" to MGM, but if you are hanging out at Mandalay Bay I guess it would be a time drain for such a short trip.

If you like Martinis or other vodka concoctions, check out Red Square in Mandalay Bay. If nothing else it's fun to watch a group go into the sub-zero room to down a bottle of vodka. You might find prices a tad high, though. I haven't done much else besides play craps at Mandalay or Luxor.

I liked the Shark Reef a lot, and it takes less than an hour. House of Blues for a concert is a good idea. Burger bar is very popular, but there are plenty of good options to eat.

The Cirque show Believe at Luxor gets very bad reviews. I also love the roller coaster at NY/NY.

Quote: seattledice

Is your mental map correct? Excalibur is at the SW corner of LV Blvd and Topicana Ave. Clockwise you have NYNY, MGM and Topicana, all connected by pedestrian bridges. North of NYNY is Monte Carlo and then City Center. It's not much of a "trek" to MGM, but if you are hanging out at Mandalay Bay I guess it would be a time drain for such a short trip.

All true, but by trek I mean to another "section" of the strip strictly by my mental map. Id like to save nyny and mgm for another time.

Dick's Last Resort in Excalibur is a good place to get a modest bite to eat and some lowbrow entertainment.

The Lion King in Mandalay Bay is very good.

The last time I went through Excalibur they had one of those party pits with scantily clad women. That was a year or two ago, tho.

Do you like good beer? If so, it's worth a short cab ride down to Towne Center to go to the Yardhouse. Good food, and something like 150 beers on tap.

I found the topless show "Fantasy" at Luxor to be surprisingly entertaining. And thoroughly topless. I think last minute tickets can be gotten dirt cheap, too.

If you have never had an "In & Out Burger", you simply must make the trek right across I-15 to what I believe is the finest fast food chain on the planet. You can't miss it. I believe there is a walkway on Tropicana across I-15, and the In & Out is on your right just after you cross over. It's just East of the Westward Ho Motel/Casino (may the King-8 RIP).

They only have burgers and fries. Their signature burger is the "Double/Double" which is double meat and double cheese. Their fries are made from fresh cut potatoes. No matter what time you go, be prepared to wait. There is always a long line. The prices are downright cheap, and the wait is worth it.

Once you've had an In & Out, you'll never settle for a burger from anywhere else.

bring more money to gamble with. $300 can go superfast.

Quote: scotty81

If you have never had an "In & Out Burger", you simply must make the trek right across I-15 to what I believe is the finest fast food chain on the planet. You can't miss it. I believe there is a walkway on Tropicana across I-15, and the In & Out is on your right just after you cross over. It's just East of the Westward Ho Motel/Casino (may the King-8 RIP).

They only have burgers and fries. Their signature burger is the "Double/Double" which is double meat and double cheese. Their fries are made from fresh cut potatoes. No matter what time you go, be prepared to wait. There is always a long line. The prices are downright cheap, and the wait is worth it.

Once you've had an In & Out, you'll never settle for a burger from anywhere else.

In and out is way overrated, that is all.

Quote: rudeboyoi

bring more money to gamble with. $300 can go superfast.

Just to be clear, I was stating what I ORIGINALLY came with when I FIRST came to Vegas.