[Bondurant]

I'm headed to Vegas from May 3-7. On the 5th most of my time will be spent attending the LP convention. My other days are up in the air. I was curious what locals might recommend for the non-gamble (though I may "invest" some time in slots at my hotel or somewhere on the Strip). It will be my first time there so everything is new to me. I tend to like things historical or offbeat. I would also like to know some restaurant recommendations with an emphasis on places unique to Vegas.

I am flirting with the idea of seeing Penn & Teller on Sunday but the tickets are a bit out of my budget range. Is there any way to score discount tickets?

I'll be staying at a place called Red Rock Resort and will likely rely on my feet and public transportation to get around.

[LVPoker1]

I'll be staying at a place called Red Rock Resort and will likely rely on my feet and public transportation to get around.

You will be about as far away from the strip as you could be and be at a casino, with some possible exceptions in the far north and northwest. You will be about 12 miles from the strip. Red Rock's shuttle may take you there, but a cab is going to be in the $50 range. There is nothing interesting to walk to from Red Rock, it is surrounded by uninteresting suburbs (which I live in).

The restaurants at Red Rock are expensive for what they are. There is a shopping center across the street filled with restaurants that are better deals. You might want to consider renting a car since you will be so far away from everything. Taking the bus from Red Rock to anywhere in the tourist corridor sounds like a nightmare. If you rent a car, there is a massive park to the west of Red Rock called Red Rock Canyon.

[logline]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

I'm headed to Vegas from May 3-7. On the 5th most of my time will be spent attending the LP convention. My other days are up in the air. I was curious what locals might recommend for the non-gamble (though I may "invest" some time in slots at my hotel or somewhere on the Strip). It will be my first time there so everything is new to me. I tend to like things historical or offbeat. I would also like to know some restaurant recommendations with an emphasis on places unique to Vegas.

I am flirting with the idea of seeing Penn & Teller on Sunday but the tickets are a bit out of my budget range. Is there any way to score discount tickets?

I'll be staying at a place called Red Rock Resort and will likely rely on my feet and public transportation to get around.

Penn & Teller ROCK. In fact, I just saw them again about a week ago. Get tix on Craigslist or maybe try halfpricetickets or another discount broker. I think tix were down to $49 recently... totally worth it.

Here are some offbeat/historical ideas, depending on your tastes:
Neon museum
Erotic Heritage Museum
Mob Museum (new in downtown, I hear it's great, but I haven't been there yet)
Atomic testing museum
Go to the top of the Stratosphere and have a drink overlooking the whole valley.

You'll like Red Rock. It's a very nice locals casino, but LVPoker is right, you're definitely going to want to rent a car. Get a cheap one for about $15/day from hotwire.com or priceline. it'll pay for itself in saved cab fare, bus fare... and time.

[nmnita]

We will be there for a week in May. My husbands cousins who are non gamblers will be with us a few days: here are ideas we are thinking of: Red Rock Canyon: Valley of the Fire, Pawrump, hotel hoping (we have done this with non gambling friends before) to see the themes, we are going to see O. There are lots of other ideas, Vegas isn't just for gamblers anymore.

Nita

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by logline

Penn & Teller ROCK. In fact, I just saw them again about a week ago. Get tix on Craigslist or maybe try halfpricetickets or another discount broker. I think tix were down to $49 recently... totally worth it.

Here are some offbeat/historical ideas, depending on your tastes:
Neon museum
Erotic Heritage Museum
Mob Museum (new in downtown, I hear it's great, but I haven't been there yet)
Atomic testing museum
Go to the top of the Stratosphere and have a drink overlooking the whole valley.

You'll like Red Rock. It's a very nice locals casino, but LVPoker is right, you're definitely going to want to rent a car. Get a cheap one for about $15/day from hotwire.com or priceline. it'll pay for itself in saved cab fare, bus fare... and time.

Neon Museum is only open certain days and you have to make your tour reservation in advance, just an FYI.

Atomic Testing Museum is pretty cool, there's a LOT to absorb there, so if you are a person who likes to know all the details, allow plenty of time. They have been working on an Area 51 exhibit that looks pretty cool.

[binionrat]

North and South outlet malls, Flower conservatory (inside) and light show (outside) at Bellagio, robotics show "Atlantis" in Caesars forum, Fremont St. light show, walk-through of Wynns/Encore lobbies and waterfall, get a tattoo at Vince Neils in front of O'Sheas! All free, except for the last one...LOL.

[binionrat]

Ooops, and my absolutely favorite show "Jersey Boys"! I've seen it twice and would go again!

[Cyborgt800]

Originally Posted by binionrat

North and South outlet malls, Flower conservatory (inside) and light show (outside) at Bellagio, robotics show "Atlantis" in Caesars forum, Fremont St. light show, walk-through of Wynns/Encore lobbies and waterfall, get a tattoo at Vince Neils in front of O'Sheas! All free, except for the last one...LOL.

Lol, depending on the tattoo/placement the cost could be employability!

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by nmnita

We will be there for a week in May. My husbands cousins who are non gamblers will be with us a few days: here are ideas we are thinking of: Red Rock Canyon: Valley of the Fire, Pawrump, hotel hoping (we have done this with non gambling friends before) to see the themes, we are going to see O. There are lots of other ideas, Vegas isn't just for gamblers anymore.

Nita

LAS Vegas never was just for gamblers.

FYI: It's Valley of Fire not Valley of the Fire.

Pahrump not Pawrump.

But why Pahrump? There is nothing there. It is one of the gateways to Death Valley though, and the China Ranch Date Farm. China Ranch Date Farm

When going to The Valley of Fire State Park most people take I-15 to the turnoff at the Indian Fireworks store. But they miss the really scenic route which is the North Shore Road of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Then return to Las Vegas via Overton and Logandale, stopping at the Lost City Museum on the way back to I-15. Lost City Museum

Either way, take plenty of water and maybe some snacks, and wear sturdy hiking shoes and don't be upset when they turn red from the sand.

Don't forget Hoover Dam. You can tour the dam and museum on your own, and you can take the guided tour within the dam. And the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge too. You can park on the Nevada side and walk out on the bridge for a fantastic view.

If you are from anywhere east of the Rockies you would probably be awed by Mt. Charleston. Maybe breakfast at Charleston Lodge in Kyle Canyon, then explore around the mountains over as far as the Ski Resort in Lee Canyon? One way to do it is go up the mountain via Kyle Canyon Road, and return via Lee Canyon Road. Then when you get back to U.S. 95 at Lee Cyn, turn left instead of right for a few miles to Indian Springs and Creech AFB. There you are very likely to see a drone aircraft flying around. This is where they pilot the drones that are protecting our soldiers in Afghanistan and spying on half the world. Turn around at Indian Springs and head back to town. As you do, you'll see mountains to your left all the way to town. Over those mountains is where they detonated hundreds of atomic bombs. Before testing went underground Las Vegans would sit on the front porch and watch the mushroom clouds form over those mountains.

Other things that always surprise visitors are The Springs Preserve and Nevada State Museum Nevada State Museum .

Also, Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, Spring Mountain Ranch SP, Bonnie Springs Ranch, and the Clark County Museum. Clark County Museum

List of Nevada Museums. We're in Clark County. Historical Museums of Nevada - A History Guide

[Buzz123]

This is a pretty good list: Parks, Gardens and Nature in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Attractions - TripAdvisor

...and I forgot the Shark Reef: http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertain...-aquarium.aspx

...and March through about mid May is the best time to see Death Valley, as all the wildflowers are in bloom (if there was enough rain during the winter).