Las Vegas with a Car

[Cruiser1969]

Hi!

We (2A 2Ch) are going to Vegas in August and thinking about renting a car.

1) Good idea or Bad? and why?

2) Also, if we do have a car, is there a charge to park at the hotel. We are hoping to stay at one of the major hotels on the main strip.

Thanks for your help

 

[StageTek]

1) good idea because it give you freedom to explore off the strip.
bad idea because you don't really need one depending on what you plan to do.

2) all the hotels have free parking.

 

[Cruiser1969]

1) good idea because it give you freedom to explore off the strip.
bad idea because you don't really need one depending on what you plan to do.

2) all the hotels have free parking.

Thank you for your reply!!

Funny enough, we are going to Vegas, but we're not big gamblers, so we won't be glued to the strip, so to speak. We do plan to explore, and I already have outlet shopping and the Hoover Dam on my list of things to do (if we have a car).

Any other "do-not-miss" activities fairly close by?

 

[Peri]

Nearby car stuff -

The Disney Outlet Store!!! It is in a large and fun Outlet Mall just south of the strip a few miles.

Also in that area is the Ethel M Chocolate factory with free samples and a nice cactus garden.

Go out to Red Rock Casino and look at the views!! (Plus the Resort is pretty, too).

We always drive - all parking is free at your hotel and the others have free parking, too. It takes us several hours to drive there but is totally worth it to have a car!

Also drive out to Sam's Town Casino - they have a large free outdoor desert animation area with coyotes and theme sounds, etc that is fun and, did i mention, free.

Freed's bakery - you can get wedding cake by the slice - you sometimes see their fabulous cakes on Food Network shows!!! So worth a visit!

Liberace Museum - interesting and funky - worth about an hour or two to tour. All his wonderful pianos and LOTS of the costumes - amazing plus a gift shop.

There is also a museum for kids downtown (real downtown, not gambling downtown) and I think a small zoo, but never have been to either of those, as i like the shopping more.

Big outlet mall downtown (gambling downtown) as well - and very upscale outlets not seen everywhere else including a disney STORE outlet (not the same as the other one out at the south end of strip.

Remember the town is "upside down" so "downtown strip" is actually up North. Don't let this confuse you like it did us for several years - LOL.

 

[everylastbreath]

Hi!

We (2A 2Ch) are going to Vegas in August and thinking about renting a car.

1) Good idea or Bad? and why?

2) Also, if we do have a car, is there a charge to park at the hotel. We are hoping to stay at one of the major hotels on the main strip.

Thanks for your help

1) I would say Bad, traffic on the strip is horrible, turning into anywhere is very difficult because of pedestrians, takes longer than walking!

2) Parking is free, but you still have to tip the valet, so count on that- if you plan on moving your car to every diff. hotel parking lot, at say $5 per shot, it would add up, and if your planning on walking to diff hotels, what's the point of having the car?

If you plan on staying on the strip, everything is within walking distance and easy to get to, I think the money you would pay to rent the car would pay for the cabs to get to the few places you want to see off the strip. My advice would be stay center strip and walk/cab it.

 

[Magix]

While traffic can be bad on the strip, it's still fun to look at everything, so if you're not in a big hurry, it's kind of fun (at least I always think it is). Turning into places can be a bit tricky, mostly because pedestrians pay no attention at all to the walk/don't walk signs. Just be aware of them and take it slow, you'll have no problem

There's no need to ever valet park at any of the hotel/casinos. All the hotels have huge, free public parking structures behind the hotel, usually with extremely easy access to the casino (the idea is to get you in quickly and get you gambling). Just follow the signs for free parking at each one. If you'd like to visit a block of casinos, just choose a central one to park at, then walk from there. That way, you're never walking any lengthy part of the strip, just going casino to casino and minimizing the time outdoors (which is often outrageously hot).

I've done Vegas both ways (with and without car) and I ALWAYS prefer to have a car! Navigating your way into each hotel parking structure is very easy, if you just pay attention and take it easy. Trust me, I hit Vegas at least twice a year (4 times this year) and it's really a very easy place to deal with.

 

[Chuck n' Keith]

Yes, have a car. Parking is free everywhere in the “self parking lots.” And if you do valet, you only have to tip like $2. Not $5.

Las Vegas is a mirage, everything seems close, but just walking to the hotel next door can be a hike, believe me. Going from the MGM to the Bellagio (you have to go there) seems like its right across the street, but it’s like a half hour walk.

Traffic can be bad on the strip, sometimes awful like LA, but once you’re off it, it’s not so bad usually.

And there is a TON of stuff to do for visitors of the strip, and with a car it is very convenient. And remember the best places to gamble usually are at the “locals” casinos. They give the best comps and offer the best deals for eating and such.

 

[Cruiser1969]

Thank you ALL for your helpful tips

It is very appreciated!! We will be renting a car and splitting our trip between the Vegas strip (and local area) and Anaheim. Peri, your list of things to do and see is very helpful. I didn't know there was a Disney outlet nearby.

 

[jlima]

Hi!

We (2A 2Ch) are going to Vegas in August and thinking about renting a car.

1) Good idea or Bad? and why?

2) Also, if we do have a car, is there a charge to park at the hotel. We are hoping to stay at one of the major hotels on the main strip.

Thanks for your help

A handful of hotels downtown charge for parking, but will validate for several hours. For instance, at the Golden Nugget, the parking validation machine is on the counter at the main cage and you can validate the parking yourself. Take the ticket you pull in the garage and walk up to the machine and slide the ticket in like a time card and it will stamp the validation on the ticket. Believe it's for three hours. You can also validate parking from the city garage on Fremont St. at most downtown properties.

Not all parking is created equal in Las Vegas. The garage at Bellagio has one way in - from the strip. The garage at The Venetian is HORRIBLE - low ceilings, tiny spaces and ramps in random places that don't make sense. The garage at MGM Grand is HUGE and I usually try to avoid it when I go there & valet park instead. Some properties have dual entrances but you have to know where they are.

When you make your reservations, post again & tell me where you're staying & I'll try to help.

 

[lcasa]

There's a road paralleling the strip behind the hotels ( Mirage /TI side ) we always use - can get into most parking from there. Driving the strip takes forever!

 

[LunchMoney]

If you go to Ethel M's chocolate factory, they don't have the production line going on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Mid-week, it's best to go before 1:00pm. It's a nice little factory, but not as exciting if they aren't making anything.

Stay away from the 'zoo', it's just plain depressing!