1. The Rio is nice but it is NOT on the strip. You have to cross over the freeway to the strip. Great seafood buffet but not cheap.
2. Mirage, MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Paris are all very nice but very expensive and don't plan on winning there.
3. Tropicana, Flamingo, Ballys are a little older but probably a little less expensive.
4. Barbary Coast, Imperial Place, Circus Circus, Sahara, Riviera (where I work) are all older and cheaper but definitely OLDER...
5. My pick... Excalibur (big Castle), Luxor (big Pyramid) and Mandalay Bay are all owned by Mandalay Resort Group (where I used to work) if you stay at one of these then you can take the tram between all three and use the facilities at all three (Mandalay Bay has a great wave pool and lazy river) but stay at the Luxor for the best all around. Don't plan on winning much money on the strip... they pay for these multi-million dollar casinos somehow.
If you get a "What's on in Vegas" magazine when you get here, it will have coupons and possibly free tickets to the Auto Show at the Imperial Palace. The magazine is free and is usually available where you buy tickets or any 7-11. Don't plan on finding a bunch of free shows cause those days are over. But the Fremont Street experience downtown is free. It's a big light show over the main downtown street, Fremont (scheduled times).
Sites to be seen... Top of the Stratosphere. Dolphin tanks at Mirage. Volcano in front of the Mirage (free, scheduled times). Fountains in front of the Bellagio (free, scheduled times). Virtual racing at the Sahara. Star Trek experience at the Hilton. Pirate battle in front of the Treasure Island (free, scheduled times) And tons more...
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My '98 Vegas Pony
'98 Rio Red Clearcoat Convertible GT
Full black leather, K&N Filter, Kenny Brown Extreme Matrix Kit with Super Subs, 9mm FRPP ignition wires (RED), 5-speed, 3.27, All the options...
Great lookin' Blonde in the passenger seat!
Next to come... Tri-Ax shifter, Chrome Strut Tower Brace