"Describe your first trip to Vegas"

[Steve]

From Theresa comes this very interesting question"

"Describe your first trip to Vegas"

[KW54956]

It was in 1974. Took our five children, ages 5 to 13, to the Hilton to see Elvis.
Took them to the dinner show and then one of them and I went to the midnight show every night. It was an experience they will never forget. Did the things parents do in Vegas like going to Bonnie Springs, top of the Landmark. Naturally could not do too much gambling but did go down to the casino after they all went to bed. Husband is not a gambler so he stayed with them.

[vegasaddict]

Believe it or not, my first trip to Las Vegas was in September 2000. On our first trip I was awed with the mega hotels and tried to go into each one to check it out. I just couldn't believe the size and the shops in some of the hotels. We were only there 3 days and came home exhausted. I did find some time to play the slots and did pretty well at New York, New York. It was my favorite place as I'm originally from Staten Island, NY, and I worked in NYC when I was younger. The manhole covers with steam coming out of these reminded me of when I worked in the City and I felt like a kid again. We've been back to Vegas 10 times since our first visit and I still love it.

[GREGRIO]

My Dad had died, and around a year later I got a call from my Mom saying
she wanted to go to Las Vegas..."your Dad and I used to go and have such
a good time...I don't want to go by myself, come on!"
My reply was I thought I'd get bored. I didn't gamble, didn't know anything
about Las Vegas, the Shows, nothin'..... but FOR MOM, OK I'll meet you there.

She flew from Washington State, me from Oakland and we met at McCarran.
We were stayint at the MGM. I was blown away with EVERYTHING!.
We saw SIEGFRIED and ROY, LANCE BURTON, MYSTERE...did a buffet,
played slot machines...I HAD A BLAST.
My landlady is a travel agent and when I got home I told her to book me
a flight to Vegas...I went back the following week for an extended weekend.

Now, Mom's been gone a coulple years and I blame the whole thing on her!
Every third month, Shows and gambling...WHAT A BLAST (thanks Mom!)

[leighw55]

I took my first trip in 1985 and back then the strip was what is now considered "Downtown" on Fremont Street. I had fun then. Finally in 2000 I convinced my current husband to go there, as he had never been. And every year since then we have went there again. We love it and never get bored of it. So much to see and do. And every time it's different. This will be our 6th trip there and we still have not seen it all.

[jupeckhome]

My first trip to Las Vegas was to attend a conference for work. They put us up at the Tropicana. We were so busy with meetings that I really didn't get out a whole lot although I did walk around the casino a little bit. On my departure day, I ventured outside and was absolutely amazed - first there was the four corners and the overhead walkways. Then I ventured north on the strip. Then, it was time to head back and catch my flight home. About a year later, they had us come there again. Our conference didn't begin until Monday afternoon. So, Friday night after work, I was on a plane! I was clueless about where to stay, so used Priceline and ended up at the Golden Nugget. I've returned for many, many more stays, both solo and taking my mother along. I never had any desire to visit LV, I always thought it was all about the gambling - and quarters at that. Now I visit 2 or 3 or 4 times a year, play the penny slots mostly, but have also learned and enjoy video poker - - plus all the sights and walking and eating and walking, well, you know how it is!

[BobWerner]

It was 1978, I was 19. We stayed across the street from the Circus Circus at the Savoy Motel. I couldn't gamble (well, legally). I only remember the bright lights and how awestruck I was at the whole place. I also remember getting "propositioned" by some ladies. It was, shall we say, interesting.

I have been to Vegas now a total of 5 times. I plan on returning the first week of October and I am really looking forward to it.

[rrroome]

1988 was my first time in Las Vegas. I was excited and overwhelmed, to say the least! Stayed at the "old" Alladin. Could not sleep....didn't want to miss anything. Felt intimidated by table games, but, played Blackjack anyway. My friend won a jackpot ($800) on the slots at the Flamingo and we partied all night. What a great time!
I've been back (at least once) every year since. Some hotels are too big now, but, I still love it!:o

[Souette]

Accompanied my husband to a convention about 6 yrs ago. Knowing nothing of Vegas and my husband does not consider spending money on a hotel a priority...we stayed at the Stratosphere for $35/night. We went out a couple of days early to see the town.

My husband's first airplane ride has us arriving at night so the lights of the city/strip welcomed us as we flew in. It was a perfect visual and my excitement was almost too much to contain.

Rental car was of no importance to hubby. The shuttle ended up stopping at a half dozen hotels before reaching the far end of the strip to the Stratosphere. Not ever seeing a Vegas hotel before, I thought the Strat was the cream of the crop. Live jazz band and machines clinging all around me.

Our next day, we decided to walk the strip. Hah! Little did we know. Miles and miles. Crowds and crowds. My husband was raised small town country boy and the look on his face when he saw the half-dress women on the handouts in the street....PRICELESS!!

Next morning we rented a car for a day and just headed toward the big rocks. Amazing how the city just ended. Just stopped! and then nothing but desert. We drove and then parked the car and just sat looking at tiny little Vegas in the distance. That visual in itself was thought-provoking.

Next day husband headed to convention and I to the BIG hotels. Me? I like making a hotel a priority on my solo trips. I had some comparing to do!
Sooooo....I have returned once or twice each year since the first visit. And the Bellagio is my hotel of choice.

I love Vegas.

[chips]

i never had any desire to visit vegas. in 2004 my wife reached a milestone birthday and my daughter had suggested taking her to vegas because she always wanted to go. the three of us went and i have to tell you it became one of my favorite places to vacation. i was mesmerized as we rode down the strip in the limo i hired seeing the massive hotels. the hotel we stayed, the mirage was like a playground in itself. i never realized how much there was to see and do since i assumed it was simply a gamblers mecca. the restaurants were great, shows were first class. needless to say we've been back 3 times and going again this march. vegas took me by surprise and sucked me in.

[Hbaseballfan]

It was 10 years ago and my wife finally told me to go to Las Vegas as I always found a reason not to go such as the kids need something.
I booked through a travel agent onshort notice and spent 4 days at the Sahara. Well what a mistake because I walked everywhere. I wanted to soak it all up. The highlight was meeting Jay Leno at the MGM. He was doing a comercial for the tonight show and they had the craps table roped off and their was Leno with a blonde bimbo playing and loosing at craps, and then telling the pit boss he had no money and they were taking the gold out of his teeth. When it was over he came over and he shook my hand and said "how you doing", I was thrilled.
I also ate the Sahara dinner special evey night 7.77 steak and lobster.

[yooper]

Think it was in '92 or so. We stayed at Circus Circus, walked the entire strip in one day stopping everywhere(that was there then). Down to the Hacienda on the south end, and Vegas World to the north. The best stop was the old Aladinin for "shorty" beers.............

[Nanni]

Our first trip was about 1992 and we stayed at the MGM for a week. It took us the whole time to find our way around cause in those days the MGM was large to us. We went in February so it was kinda cool, but we had a blast. We walked the strip over and over again. We also got sucked into going to see about buying condo time at the PoloTowers. We wasted too much time on that. We went to the Hacienda to see a young up and coming magician "Lance Burton", the show was fantastic and cheap. We had such a great time, good food and great friends, this was the beginning of many many trips, and hopefully, God willing, many many more.

[mturner]

My first trip was in 89 just when they were building the Mirage and before the mega resorts era began. I went out with about 30 co-workers and we stayed at the Flamingo over Labor day weekend. You could stand on Flam.and LVBLVD and look south and see little but the still present strip malls and The hacienda. Looking west was a highway and that was about it plus the Gold coast.

I didn't spend one penny gambling. I have been out everyyear at least twice a year since. I was mesmerized then and just as mesmerized now...perhaps even more now and yes, that was the only time i didn't gamble. Not sure if that is a good thing.

Am checking now for rates and flights for whenever i can get a good deal but sooooon!

[Lori R]

Excellent Question. I love this story.

It was 1983. I had been in San Diego a few years and one of my best friends from college, Alan, decided to come out for a visit. It was March. It rained the whole week. Alan went to see a travel agent and the only two places where the sun was shining was Mazatlan and LV. I was pretty broke in those days. I told him to go to Mazatlan for a few days and I'd pick him up at the airport. He asked me if I would go to Vegas with him if he paid (R/T airfare was about $50 each--last minute). Why not? Alan was starting out as an attorney and was making approx. $25k. I thought that was big money and he could well afford it.

We arrived and took a cab to the Mini Price Motor Lodge which was right behind the MGM Grand (it's now Bally's). $25/nite. Not having ever been there and not having seen the strip yet, we went out and sunbathed at the pool. What did we know? Alan wanted to go home with a tan. Interestingly, there were a few slots in the lobby of said establishment and Alan warned me not to play them as they were fixed and I wouldn't win. Everytime I went down to the gift shop to buy cigs, I'd take the change and play the slots and I'd make my money back.

We changed and decided to walk up to the strip. Two 27 year olds from New York and I don't think we ever closed our mouths. We walked all the way up to Circus and back down to the four corners. We were in and out of every hotel and casino there was. There were no mega-resorts yet.

The next day, we went in the other direction down to the Trop. Later that night, we went back up to the north part of the strip. We couldn't get enough.

The TV sets (before cable --who remembers that?) had maybe three channels and then they had a gaming channel that taught you how to play all the table games. I would sit transfixed watching craps trying to figure out how to play. Didn't learn it that time around.

I remember eating breakfast at midnight for 99 cents. It was either Flamingo or Barbary Coast. We stopped for 10 cent beers at the Showboat (now Harrah's). Good times. I was hooked.

Lori R.

[LV Maniac]

We stayed at the Desert Inn and a round of golf w/the works was $50.00. Can't remember the year, but the price of the golf tells me 80's. Didn't gamble much but remember I loved having so much to do. I was hooked.

LV is my favorite vacation spot. Go out a minimum of 3 times a year. And yes I have the gambling bug now. I don't go to shows or try restaurants (eating is only to sustain enough energy to gamble). I never tire of being there.

[joanieT]

From Theresa comes this very interesting question"

"Describe your first trip to Vegas"
Our first trip to Vegas was in was in 1981. We stayed at the Landmark. There wern't any available rooms inside the Hotel, so we stayed in one of their buildings on the other side of the Hotel...
It was the days of "Cheaters be ware"... I guess... The first night,
my husband, happy to have won about $300 went to our room... more on that later... I was playing Blackjack and the tables were $2 $3 and up..
I played on $20 for about 2 hours, doing quite well too... then KBOOM, a guy
was surrounded by at least 4 Security officers, the Table went over, the Security guys were tossing chairs out of their way to get to the guy, who was rolling on the floor amid chips, money, drinks... it was about 10 feet in front of me...well, they got him and about 30 minutes later, I got my regular heart-beat back... although my hands wouldn't stop shaking, so I decided to go to our room...
Now, who would have thought this could happen, after a lovely dinner and dancing at the top of the Landmark Hotel...
We had gone into the Casino in the daylight, wow I thought, is this Vegas or the Bronx, Harlem maybe??? It was pitch black, I had to walk around a chainlink fence surrounding the parking lot, then down a very narrow passage along one side of the fence, and walk about 100 yards to our room... yep.. praying all the while... ahh, next trip, I'll bring a flashlight... finally the room. "Have fun honey"... couldn't get the words out to say "don't even ask"..
But still, we loved Las Vegas, when people dressed up in the Casinos, and
the dinning rooms were elegant.. we drove down Freemont St. the next night and again, although with pleasure, my heart-beat was up again. Just seeing all the lights and Casino/Hotel signs was breath taking...
The most beautiful Hotel in Vegas was Ceasers Palace, I believe it still is...
We also went to Hoover Dam and Mt. Charlston.
We've gone to Vegas many more times since and just can't get enough of it..
Thanks to Hurricane Jeanne tho, in 2004, we're still rebuilding our home, but I'm sure this Summer we'll be once again in heaven in Vegas...

[Coaltownannie]

My first trip to Vegas was in 1994. I went with my Mom, Aunt and Uncle. Was my first real vacation away from hubby and four kids. We stayed at the Flamingo hotel. Got a great rate as they were in the process of remodeling. I could not believe what I was seeing when we got there! Our trip lasted five days. I have been going back every year since then with my Mom and the plans are in the works for our trip this year. Over the years that we have been gone out, we have seen some really great shows. Have watched the prices of food, shows and overall the entire trip go way, way up. Seems like Vegas is really catering to a much younger crowd now, but we still enjoy the lights, action and the casinos.

[4patty]

I will never forget my 1st trip. It was about 4yrs ago, in the month of October. I was leaving from Bflo, NY where the temp was about 45, and windy enough to make it feel like it was 35 degrees. I got on the plane with a jacket and a sweater ( I was traveling light). We, me and my mom, (we went to visit my brother and his wife) arrived at McCarrin Airport at night, not sure about the time, I had to come out of the jacket because I was too hot. When we were landing,I saw The Strip from the air it was A W E S O M E. I told them that they couldn't move back to Bfalo and they wanted to know why and I told them "because I like it here", I also informed them that they are on my annual trip list. I have been going back every year since then (sometimes I would go twice). I am truly in love with Las Vegas.

Pat (Bflo, NY);)

[sdorton]

August 2003 was my first trip. WOW was all I could say. The strip was so big and I wanted to see it all. It was soooo Hot too! Little did I know how big it really was. We were there for a week and I did not get to see half of what I wanted to.. We rented a boat on Lake Mead and that was an awesome experience. I could not believe how different the terrain was from the eastern US. I loved it so much we went back in Dec and got married there. I've been 4 times total and that is not enough. My husband and I return now each Dec. for our anniversary. ;)

[phxlas]

My first trip to Vegas was in the late 80's.

I remember seeing all those fancy hotels thinking that they would all cost over 300.00 dollars per night to stay, so I didn't even bother checking them out for accomdations. Instead I stayed at the TravelLodge for 50 bucks.

My next trip I inquired at the Dunes, and guess what?
I got a room for 25.00 bucks. It was the weekday of course.

[shortygal533]

From Theresa comes this very interesting question"

"Describe your first trip to Vegas"
Our first trip to Vegas was in 1984 when I won a 5 day 4 night trip. My husband and I kept saying "What in the world will we do in Las Vegas". It didn't take long to find out. We loved it! We were staying at the Flamingo and the first day we walked north on the strip ending up at the Hilton and checking out every casino in between. We couldn't get over how different they all were and beautifully decorated. We have been back 2 0r 3 times a year ever since and always manage to find something new to see or do. We do get a car and have covered the area and are never bored or can say we've seen it all

[auntvonna]

I'm not sure of the exact year of my first trip, but I think it was in 1992 or 93, because the Dunes had just recently been imploded. I went with my parents and sister (at my sister's suggestion, she had been once already) and we stayed at MGM Grand. I was completely awed by the sheer size of the place and was still getting lost on the last day of our 5 day trip. I also remember how much bare desert there was between some of the hotels (NYNY, Luxor, Monte Carlo, Bellagio, etc...had not been built yet). I only played slots at that time and being on a very limited budget as a college student, I was pretty broke by day 5! I think we went to see Jubilee at Ballys one night and mom and dad went to see Wayne Newton while sister and I went clubbing (some place on the strip that was a stand alone nightclub. It's long gone). Things have definitely changed since that first trip. I now play BJ, VP, Poker, Craps and occasionally roulette and Pai Gow and I've stayed many different places since that first visit. I go at least once a year, and now that my in-laws live there, it's often more than once!:)

[noah6671]

I had always heard about the fun times in Las Vegas from my parents and a couple friends of theirs who went 3-4 times a year. They always stayed at Harrah's and were platinum card members. In 1997, they said they had enough comps to get an addtional room for me and my wife plus meals for 5 nights. Of course we had a fantastic time and have gone back at least 2 times a year since then. I have player cards for almost all the hotels and constantly get offered great deals from them all - and we don't gamble all that much. We walk the strip, deposit a little money in each casino, go to shows and have a great time, every time. We love Las Vegas!

[kestral]

Me too, Chips. Vegas was never on my list of places to go. But in 1996 (I think) my husband had a meeting in Vegas, and I thought I'd check it out.

I remember being surprised to see the mountains surrounding Las Vegas. Somehow I'd never known or noticed that in photos. We stayed at a small place off-strip, and the meeting was off-strip, but we did get to a few casinos. I played a little bit of slots - but this was before video slots were so pervasive, and before you could easily find nickle slots of any type.

I loved Treasure Island and the Desert Inn. I remember eating at the Sands buffet - it wasn't very good, but it was a lot of fun. And all the fabulous neon outside the Flamingo! And walking down Fremont Street when it was still a street - and seeing a movie being filmed there.

We also went to the Liberace museum - keep meaning to get back there!

It was fun, but not until his meeting cycled back to Vegas 5 years later did I get really hooked. I couldn't believe how much had changed. To this day my husband still says "Vegas is a city that re-invents itself every 5 years."

I no longer wait 5 years between trips. 2005 was the first year I went more than once in the calendar year. Hope that happens again!

[Pooch01_99]

Arrived in Las Vegas about this time back in 2002. It was close to Valentine's Day. First night, had that walk down the Strip. Was amazed and enchanted by the Bellagio,(why, had there a beautiful woman nearby, I would have propsed to her there and then!). Gambled a little, ate a little, bought a lot of tee shirts and caps. Took a trip out to the Hoover Dam. Because it was soon after 9/11, New York-New York had all those tribute tee shirts on display. Last morning, I was having breakfast with a really nice lady. One thing led to another, and well..., (hope I not being too, too personal:o here.). Didn't have time for the cigarette:D

[account_deleted]

1974 honeymoon, we booked and paid for the stardust through a travel agent that was close friend of my new brides family. When we got there we had no reservation or room. ( Back then hotels over booked all the time). After 5 hours of waiting and hoping for a room my new bride called home. Her parents got us on a 3 way call with the travel agent that told us to go to the front dest and ask for Mr. so and so. We did. He showed up had us walk behind the front desk into a back room where none of the other people waiting for a room could see us. We signed in for the room and he handed us our room key.

[BIG1ED]

Hi,
I particularily (?) liked Gregorio's story....nice one....Well here's mine:
1986.....coming back from Hawaii....stayed at LV Hilton for 2 nights in Feb ( Brrrrr....cold )......walked to Stardust for show thru the desert ( brrrr...cold)
Not a good start to Vegas.... Well, next time to Vegas ( our pseudo first time ): Year is 2000....stayed at Luxor....completely mesmerized by the mega resorts......it's very hard to describe my feelings toward the "new" Vegas. Also went to Disneyland in Ca. ( saw Shaquille O'Neill there )....Everytime we go to Vegas since then ( 5 times more in April ), it just gets better.... :o :o

[philipj]

We stayed at the Union Plaza. One particular evening I started out with $2000. I would play craps or blackjack until I was up 10% + a tip. I would cash in, and go from the plaza, to Lady Luck, and had a circuit of six casinos that I planned to gamble at, Good luck, I was up $200 at Union Plaza. Off to Lady Luck and again up $200, and the Las Vegas Club, and the Gold Nuggett, and Binions. At the end of the first circuit I was up a little over a $1000. I made that circuit 3 times. At end I was at Binions, and had a number of place bets up, and some one kept throwing numbers, and throwing numbers. Then he threw a 4. I took everything down, and put up a $1000 no ten + the vig. The woman I was with said something, and I lost my attention span,and put up a second $1000 no four + vig bet. Then I discovered I made a terriffic mistake....but the dice were in the air, and in came a 7. Both bets won. I kept them up at $1400 + the vig. A lady in a near see through dress was the next shooter, and threw a 7, both of my bets won. I put them up to $2000 + vig. ..I begged the lady to throw another 7, She did! I pushed both bets to $2800+vig. Another seven and I pushed both bets 3600.00+ vig. My rail trays were full of the change...and she threw another 7, We pushed up to $5000.00 at each end of the table. Needless to say several numbers and another 7. Good luck continued untill I had an excess of $25,000.00. When I colored up the olde box man just grinned. I was covered with sweat. My lady friend and I made friends with the lady who had been the shooter. It may never happen again, but Oh what a night we had. We had come to gamble and have a good time. Wow did we have a good time. A my lady friend did get an entire new wardrobe of clothing worthy of the trip we had.

[vegasbabe]

I was working on the road to remodel a store in upstate New York. I found out the band a good friend of mine was in, was playing at Excalibur. I had 2.5 days off over the weekend, and I decided 2 days prior to the weekend to book a flight. It took 4 planes to get me from Syracuse to Vegas. The plane from Atlanta to Dallas (a 757) nearly lost the wing flaps. I thought I was going to die. But, I made it to Vegas, my band was on stage singing "My Perogative," (tells you what year that was) as I walked into the casino, and it turned out to be a wonderful trip! Much too short though, and only 2 planes to get home. On a side note, my friend's band was sharing a stage for that month with the Earl Turner group. And I realized way back then, he was gonna make it big someday!

[Wilbur95]

I went to LA in 1987 to visit some family. When I found out that Vegas was a short drive from LA I had to go. I heard of a $19 dollar rate at the old Alladin on the radio driving in and thats where we stayed. I went at least once a year until we had kids. Got divorced around 10 yeras ago, and have been going to Vegas every February for my birthday since then. I typically go to Vegas 2 to 4 times per year. I am hooked for life and seem to enjoy it more each time I visit as I now can actually appreciate Vegas as I now pace myself unlike my first visits when I tried to see everything in 3 days. You just can't see and do it all in that time frame. I am going again at the end of this month and can't wait.

[momviolett]

It was Feb of 90 or 91,3 nights at the Imperial Palace.We didn't get in till night & taking the transport down the strip with all that neon was incredible.We checked in, stashed our luggage in the room, and grabbed a sandwich at the teahouse.Decided to do some exploring. Walked outside and the volcano was going off.I thought it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen.That trip we saw Jubilee at Ballys and my husband had on a 3 piece suit. While we where in line the magician came up and got him to be in the show. He pulled his shirt off. We saw Catch a Rising Star also at Ballys.We cut coupons from the magazines and collected free souviners while we saw the casinos.The thing that I remember most though was not being able to sleep. I'd close my eyes & just start to drift & I'd hear coins falling. We got no sleep that trip & it took us a week to recover.We've been back nearly every year since that 1st trip. Took 3 of our kids for their 21st birthday.(2 more yrs till the baby gets to go) We leave again in less then 2 wks.The changes have come fast & furious, some good some bad but we haven't found any where else we'd rather vacation.

[lynnwis]

I think my first trip was around 1981. My mother and I stayed at the Hilton because they had a promotion called Millionaires Weekend. The Hilton also at that time had a service called the Youth Hotel. You could leave your child for a time- even overnight. They had activites and such for the kids.The people were wonderful. I remember writing to the hotel afterwards and got a personal reply back. My son (who was 5) was not impressed, but it was great for my mom and I.
One night we went to the Flamingo (there was a shuttle then between the two Hiltons) and I won my first jackpot on a nickel machine- $100.00 for three red sevens. I bought a Mickey Mouse watch with my winnings. I still have that watch. I played my first slot and won three quarters.
This was a great topic- brought back some wonderful memories.
Twenty five years later- I still love Vegas.

[hnlulu]

My Father died in Dec 1971,In Feb1972,i figured life was too short so we took a vacation from new york to Vegas,Hawaii,and san Fran.It was an escorted trip.Upon arriving at the airport,we saw the billboards for the entertainers who were appearing>We were so excited because Elvis was appearing at the Hilton.We saw him the first night and we will never forget his show,you got goose bumps.We stayed at the Flamingo Hilton,in the rooms by the pool,small cottages.First time we had a phone in the bathroom also a bidet.After that trip we went back to vegas a every year,but than we always hooked it up as a stopover to Hawaii.at least 30 times to both places.We liked the old vegas the entertainment in all the lounges,it was great.We saw elvis 3 times after that and had tickets for his show in new yorkbut he passed away God Bless the King hnlulu

[honydo]

My wife and myself had been to Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe many times but had never been to Las Vegas. Then one of those offers from "VEGAS WORLD" of $199.00/per person for 2 nights and three days, which included $1200.00 in one time chips or coins, a free gift, shows, buffet meals, etc. and we said what the heck. I am guessing that was in the mid 80's and we would go down at least once a year for as long as those offers lasted. The first trip we never left Vegas World but since then we have been everywhere gambling. We sorta refined our pleasures now. :)

[King of Kurtopia]

1977

My wife's parents (from Chattanooga) were going to Vegas for a bakers convention. We lived in So. Cal and decided to make the 5 hour drive to meet them there. We scrounged up all the money we cold afford ($300), and headed to Las Vegas. We didn't know a thing about it, so got a cheap room at a motel six, or something similar (can't really remember). Drove over to the Hilton where they were going to stay and tried to get into their resrverved room to surprise them. They wouldn't give it to us.

They arrived several hours later, and there was no room available for them, even though we found their reservations earlier. My FIL threw a fit, and they found them a room. We went up with them, and the room was a penthouse with 3 bedrooms. To this day, we're not sure if our trying to get their room threw them out of the loop or not, but their original room was supposed to be just a regular room.

We ended up staying in one of their penthouse bedrooms and totally ditched our original motel.

We were in their room for about an hour, and I wanted to gamble, as I had never done so before. My wife stayed up and visted her parents, and I went down to the casino. I played the slots, blackjack, and roulette.

My wife came down an hour or so later to meet me. She wanted some money. I reached into my pocket and pulled out twenty bucks. That was all I had left and we had only been there for about 4 hours. Luckily, my in-laws bailed us out and we stayed for the entire weekend.

My next trip to Vegas after that was in December of 2004. Fortunately, I was better prepared for the trip and have made 2 trips since, the last being this last December. Luckily, I'm still married to the same lady! :)

Kurt

[meldodds]

Ist Anniversary of our new business, I wanted to take my husband to Las Vegas, for all the hard work he had done. Being a nature type of guy, he really did not want to go, but did for me. A friend who was a travel agent booked us at the Sahara. When we checked in Redd Foxx was right in front of us, flirting with the girls. I thought I was going to see all kinds of celebraties, but no. We walked our legs off and blistered our feet (now we wear comfortable shoes) Things have really changed over the years, but our love for Vegas will always be the same. We:D try to go 3-4 times a year, and now that we live in Colorado (from Iowa) we drive 1-2 times each year. We are leaving in 10 days for #2 trip this year.:D

[sonntex]

Our first visit was November, 1981 at a trade convention for the company where my Dad and I worked. Daddy, who loved Vegas, went 2 days earlier, then hubby and I came in on Sunday. We stayed at the Hilton. I think it might have been the only place in town at the time that had a convention center. After the meetings, we played a little slots and did sightseeing.

The first night, a Monday, hubby stayed in the room and watched Monday night football. Dad and I hopped a cab over to Circus Circus. I think the cabbie thought I was a hooker out with an old man. My dad smirked the whole way. We played slots and looked around and watched the circus acts. We thought the place was awesome.

Next night, hubby and I rode the shuttle bus over to the Flamingo and walked around the strip. We did a lot of walking around the Hilton, as well. Englebert Humperdink was playing and the line to see him was really long. Everybody was really dressed up. That was back when people dressed to be seen when in Vegas. The men wore suits and the ladies wore after fives when going to the shows.

We were intrigued. The next summer, I won $500 in a local drawing, so we spent it on another trip to Vegas and stayed at the Landmark. Awful. I reported on it in the worst hotel thread. But we were hooked. Started going every 3 or 4 months and stayed at Circus for $19 a night. We thought the Circus buffet was quite special. We really liked to eat at the Pink Pony. We made trips for several years, I guess until about 1988, then financial difficulties caused us to stop going.

The next time we went was in September 2004. I had gotten some coupons for free rooms at Harrahs and had to literally drag hubby. He was used to driving to the riverboats and thought Vegas airfare would be too expensive. He was mesmerised. We went to see Clint Holmes and the Scintas. We won more on the slots than we usually do at the riverboats. Now I can't keep him away. But we don't go to Circus any more.:p

[slotnana]

You know when you where a kid and the first time you ever went to a carnival, how Big, exciting and over whelming it was? That's how I felt. And still do! Now my kids are 21 plus and able to enjoy and appreciate it all. They will be going out with us, very soon! And I can't wait to be there to share that experience with them.

[mnpioneer]

My first trip to Vegas, was in February of 1985. What a totally different city it was, back then. I think I only paid $19.95 a night when I stayed at the Circus Circus hotel. I remember seeing Ann Jillian and Rich Little at the old MGM Grand (now Bally's). Driving around Las Vegas was much easier, because there wasn't as much traffic then, as there is now.

[ASTIDIXIE]

I belive this was one of mid life crisis........lolI got an email advertising George Strait at MGM in Vegas and I thought...
hmm..........I haven't seen him............I SHOULD GO!
So I booked it! Not something I would have normally done.
I made a reservation for San Remo, not knowing anything but it was cheap and right across from MGM so I would not get lost!
When booking a flight another girl from the office decided to go with me....not for the concert but for the weekend.
So off we went to the airport and the trip to a place we had never been.
Upon arriving there at 11pm and not being able to get into a room till morning, we walked the streets......lol THAT was an experience which included meeting a couple of ladies of the night......
We got into our room in the morning & were running constantly with less than four hours a sleep until we got home.......
We managed to ride horses in the desert and froze I might add.........
We went to the Grand Canyon, went to see LaCage, went to the Rio to see the free show, went to see the Chippendales AND I got to see George Strait!
Bought a ton of stuff.........figuring I would never get to go back.
Went to see as many of the hotels (quick views of) as possible and hopped a plane and were back to reality before we knew it...........EXHAUSTED and thrilled we got to go!
AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE BUG I HAVE TO KEEP GOING.........as long as I can find a poor working person's room rate........
:D

[Mr.C]

It was the early 70"s . I lived in L.A. and flew in on a friday night. I shared a cab , and ended up at the Stardust. Sat down at the Blckjack table. It was 10:30 at night. Low Rawls was singing in the lounge, drinks were coming , dealers came and went, along with other players. I sat and lost track of time, was winning and losing, betting $5 at a time and betting more when winning. Look at my watch and it was only 1:00. I thought I have only been sitting a couple of hours, think I go outside and get a breath of fresh air. LOL the bright light of the Las Vegas sun hit me like a ton of bricks, for I had sat, and played for about 14 hours and did not realize it!

[LasVegasBri]

Dec. 2000. I lied to my boss and told him I was going to South Beach because his wife and him would have wanted to come with my GF and me, and besides we were meeting my 2 best friends and their girls out here. So off we went 2 days after Christmas to spend 8 nights in Vegas. We used to go to either Mohegan Sun or Atlantic City just about every weekend so we were pretty psyched to go and see how much Vegas blows them out of the water. Leaving JFK on America Worst we get delayed almost 3 hours. Finally get to Vegas at around 1am, check in to our strip view junior suite and bam i'm at the tables playing. I lose about $700 by 5am and I'm hammered. I hit the let it ride table and by 7am i get up and somehow find the room with about $1500 in my pocket. I was hitting straights, flushes and 2 full house's like crazy on that table! Send my G/F to the spa and I catch a few hours of sleep. After my friends meet up with us, the next week was pretty much a blur. A non stop party of drinking, gambling, and a few other amenities. We watched the strip fireworks show from our room and partied like mad. After that first trip in Dec. 2000 we made 3 more trips out here over the next 7 months and then we moved out here in July 2001. After a year and a half out here, my then Fiancee wanted to move back to her home in FLA and I wanted to stay out here. She left and i've never been happier. :D I have a beautiful townhouse in Summerlin, run a successful business, and my current GF and I have been together for 2 1/2 years. :) I don't think I could be happier! Oh and did I mention the bars serve Grey goose and Tonics 24/7 and there are casinos 2 minutes from my house!:D
VIVA LAS VEGAS BABY, VIVA LAS VEGAS!:)

[Jacqui, Duskette8]

I've been going to Vegas for 6 years now but I don't think that anyone forgets their first time. I was going with my mum and the journey there was horrendous. We flew from Glasgow to London where we had around an 8 hour stop-over. We then flew from London to Chicago (which took around 11 hours) then had another stop-over for a couple of hours before our 3 hour flight to Vegas. It turned out that we arrived in Vegas 26 hours after leaving home! But boy was it worth it!!!

We arrived at 3pm and the first thing I saw from the window of the plane was the Luxor. I probably saw Mandalay Bay first but I recognised the Luxor because of its unique shape and I had been desperate to see it. We got off the plane and discovered that our luggage had been left in Chicago! We were promised that it would be on the next flight out to LV and I was so excited that I just wanted to get out and see the place. We had a shuttle booked from the UK to pick us up at the airport and take us to the hotel. We stopped at the Luxor and Excalibur first and was mesmerised! We then drove up Industrial Road to get to Circus Circus.

We had been recommended Circus Circus (never again!) and decided that we would stay there. I was at law school at the time so, like other poor students, I couldn't afford anywhere else anyway! If I can't say anything else positive about CC, I will admit that our room was very clean and did the job for 2 weeks. We didn't spend any time in it anyway as we walked up and down the Strip a million times!

The first place I went to in Vegas was Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat. I love animals and couldn't WAIT to see the white tigers. I have the gardens back in my itinerary again for my trip in June this year. I didn't, and still don't, gamble but I still couldn't fit in everything that I wanted to do in 2 weeks! I prefer Las Vegas during the day when you can see the beautiful architecture of the buildings (especially the Venetian and Caesar's Palace) and see the gorgeous backdrop of the mountains in the sunshine.

I can't believe how much Vegas has changed in the last 6 years alone. I don't know how it must compare to those who saw it in the 70's etc! It has to be the only place on the planet that gets into people's blood - once you've been to Vegas you will NEVER want to go anywhere else again!

17 weeks tomorrow until I get there....and counting!! WOOHOO!

[Marla Chi-to-Houston]

My first trip was 1984, my husband and I and another couple stayed at the IP. We were low budget, but I had a stash. My dad had gotten us tickets to see Redd Foxx, who was a longtime friend. I couldn't stand the wait in line for the show, as the slots were "calling" me. Needless to say, I came in 30 minutes late, with an usher with a flashlight, to the front table, and soon became part of Redd Foxxs' show as he ripped into me!

[sailor53]

Although I had wanted to go for years, I finally talked my wife into going in July of 2000. We had the host of the Imperial Palace in Biloxi hook us up with a host at the IP in Vegas who hooked us up with a room for $39 a night. They were in the process of building the new Alladin at the time.

The first day we were there I was so mesmerized with the strip that I dragged my wife up and down it all day. That night I dragged her all over Fremont Street and partied until about 3am. She was so worn out she couldn't get out of bed the entire next day.

Left to my own devices I bounced around playing at Harrah's, Casino Royale, O'Shea's, and Mirage. At the Mirage I sat at the VP bar near the sports book and hit my first ever Royal Flush. I was already hooked so that just sealed the deal.

But it took me 5 1/2 years to talk my wife into going back again because all she could remember about the trip was getting so worn out and sick. Finally went back in December and stayed at the Stardust but this time I took it easier on her and she had a great time. Now we're planning on going back again before the end of the year.

[PinkFloydActuary]

The first trip we took was in 1995, for spring break of our senior year. 6 of us piled into two cars and drove from Ft. Collins, CO. We got stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains, but made it through and arrived late at night. Because we were in school, we stayed at the Circus Circus - 3 to a room splitting the $39 a night! Lack of money was a cause for several memorable moments - we decided to eat dinner at the CC buffet. Not learning our lesson (or being able to afford much better), we returned to the buffet the next morning for breakfast. Unfortunately, so did several of the entrees from the night before.

Much of our time was walking up and down the strip, checking out all of the casinos. I only had about $20 in my budget for gambling each day, so we found $1 blackjack at Slots-of-Fun, and spent a few minutes a day at the video poker machines (only a quarter at a time.) My fondest memory, however, was the night we spent at the Gold Coast. It was fairly empty, so three of us went over to the slots/VP area and started to play. We got a free drink, then realized that we could track what area the cocktail waitress was going to hit next. So we'd get our drink, then watch for what area she was going to. We'd down the drink, hustle over to the next area, drop a quarter as she was walking up, order another drink, etc. She'd be tipped $2 per round, so I think she was happy enough (it really was dead over there that night). Of course, we were having a great time. That trip started a tradition of meeting out in Vegas once a year that has gone on for over 10 years now.

[Haze]

It was in 1992 and it was a gift to my husband and I. We stayed at the Mirage. I remember I was totally in awe of everything. Immediately fell in love with the place. The other thing I remember is that we walked and walked endlessly - wanted to see everything. We just came back a couple of weeks ago from what was our 49th trip to Las Vegas. We both still love the place!

[vegasdough]

First trip I arrived 1/1/1999. Vegas musicians had been waiting for years for that day - so they could play "1999" by Prince. Every band, lounge singer, even elevators were "gonna party like it's 1999"

It was amazing - and am fast approaching my 20th trip since then.

[talanhart]

My first trip was the summer of 1972. I was 12 years old and we stayed at the Holiday Inn (Harrah's). If you look carefully, you can still see the original building where our rooms were. When you looked to the south, all you could see is the desert everywhere with a few casinos here and there. The old Flamingo was right next door. The Dunes and the Tropicana stood in the distance. The casino wasn't even finished at the HI and it was going to be a showboat theme.
I didn't realize what I was missing until we went downtown. The lights on Fremont Street. That's when I fell in love with Vegas. Slot machines only a few feet away from the sidewalks where we were walking. I saw people putting money in the machines and then money coming out. I wanted to play. After 23 trips to Vegas, I still get excited about going back and I still love staying downtown. I have stayed on the strip and off strip, but downtown will always be my first choice.

[cindyinnj]

My husband had gone to LV in 1996 and took his camcorder with him. When he came home and showed me the video's he took, I fell in love! I went with him 6 months later. I was soooo excited! The lights, the themed casino's, and being treated like a queen was the best vacation I've ever had. The airport was so small then, but had all the slot machines. The noises they made was music to my ears! LOL
We stayed at Caesar's, which was one of the best then!
Saw Don Rickles at Desert Inn, tipped the Matre'd $50 and sat front and center. Don talked to us and kissed my hand. Ray Liotta was behind us. Memorable night. Best food I ever had was at the Italian rest. in Desert Inn. Unfortunately my memory sucks, so I can't remember the name of the restaurant. Didn't gamble too much (was a beginner), but still managed to lose a lot... ;) The first two days we went into every casino up and down the strip, took plenty of pictures. I'll never forget it as long as I live.:D

[erinnora]

It was August of 2003. I was working out in LA for a few weeks (I'm from Boston) and the team I was working with decided to head out to Vegas over the weekend. We got there on Friday night....flying into Vegas was one of the coolest sights I'd ever seen. The strip was so close to the airport - I couldn't wait to get over there! There was 8 of us, so we decided to get a limo from the airport. The guys were staying at the MGM and the other woman and I stayed at the Venetian. Definitely a great hotel to experience Vegas for the first time. I didn't do much gambling that trip - I was really just taking it all in. The energy and excitement of Vegas never goes away - I've been there about six times since that first trip and every single time it gets you. :D

[nchikk]

I'm sure the statute of limitations has run out... And I certainly do not condone this activity.

I was 15 and went with my mother and her cousin. We stayed at the "old" MGM Grand.

At 15, I looked quite older, enough so that no one questioned me when I played blackjack or went to some shows by myself. I saw Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Rodney Dangerfield and the Folies Bergere. I even played blackjack at the Mint and the MGM.

I was immediately hooked and have been going back ever since.

[mysweetevie]

I had just turned 21 and it was Spring break.:D The flight was the longest i had ever been on and the excitement made it seem even longer . Once i saw the orange glow from the sky i knew my life had changed forever.;) What goes on in VEGAS stays in VEGAS.:o

The food was awesome! I still remember my first buffet MGM GRAND's and I still love it!

[ampnrg]

was back in the late 80's. 1987 to be exact. I lived in San Diego at the time and my girlfriend and I decided to drive there! But we didn't like the old boring highways, we found a county road map and an old desert road map and literally drove thru the desert to get there. It took all day, we had a cooler with food and drinks in case we got stranded (we also had a gun-two women traveling alone in the desert). I remember the incredible sights, the road ending and us driving on sand, peeing on the side of the road in a ditch:o , wondering if we were going to make it by nightfall....it was a blast!! We did make it as night was falling and drove to the Hilton. What we didn't know was that there was the Flamingo Hilton and the LV Hilton...oops, we had just written down "Hilton." We discovered it was the LV Hilton. I don't remember much about the gambling...I think we played some BJ. Don't remember the food either. It was just a short weekend trip and we came home via the freeways! What an adventure....I will never forget it. Have been back to Vegas lots since then, but now my partner and I fly since we live in Houston!

[PoohRN1962]

We went in January, 2004, for a somewhat belated 20th anniversary trip...our first vacation without kids since our honeymoon!

Left a blizzard on the East Coast, and flew from JFK...landing in beautiful 60 degree weather. I knew very little about Las Vegas, but managed to plan a great trip. We stayed 5 nights at the Luxor. Saw a show almost every night, starting with the Fremont Street Experience the first night. We also saw O, Zumanity, Jubilee, and The Blue Man Group. Did all the first-time Vegas stuff...rode the gondolas at The Venetian, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, rode all the rides at the top of the Stratosphere. Walked up and down the strip, gambling at least a little bit in every hotel we went into. (I had torn the meniscus in my left knee the month before, so maybe I should say I [I]limped[I] my way up and down the strip!)

It was a great trip, a celebration of a marriage that almost didn't make it, but DID! We loved it so much, we went back in October of 2004 for our 21st anniversary, and October of 2005 for our 22nd anniversary...and hoping to go in October 2006 for our 23rd!

Vicki

[pacmangolf]

I will never forget it. I was in LA at a convention and four of us decided to take a southwest airline special ($19) to LV which we were able to get paid for by a casino host. It was during the NBA playoffs, after landing at McCarren we took a cab to Caesars a scouted the place...WOW... more than I had ever hoped for. The game between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons was still a few hours off so we decided to look around the strip. Our first stop was Barbary Coast. A friend of mine found himself at a mini baccarat table. I had no idea what this game was and neither did he. But we somehow found ourselves up about $300 in less than 30 minutes. We took our money and free drink and ran...We ran that profit into about $600 at a craps table by playing all kinds of prop bets (didnt know at the time what bad bets they were). We took that money and took it back to Caesars where we bet it all on Celtics and Larry Bird (that gives you some idea of how long ago this was). Larry and Celtics covered and in a few short hours I was up over $1200 and was hooked on Vegas. Two of my friends flew home that night and two of us stayed and missed the next day back in LA. Thats has to be twenty years ago and I still get goose bumps thinking about it. I go back a least four times a years and I still love it. The city never gets old, always something new to do or see. I love Las Vegas.

[mamatee]

How many of us remember the first time? It's like the first time for a few other things - It's emblazened upon our brains never to be forgotten. I was one of those Travel Channel junkies who would watch every show they ever made about Las Vegas just begging to go. My husband and I travel overseas almost every year and the joke among our friends is that he takes me all over the world but I can't get him to take me to Vegas. I teach 7th and 8th grade and 3 years ago it was a worse year than most. I really needed some time away from everything. Dan decided that we would go to Vegas for a few days just to relax since I wanted so badly to go. His thought was that I would get it out of my system and he'd never have to watch one of those shows again. Well, little did he know...

We arrived in McCarran in the morning and I was mesmerized by the airport. I looked like a tourist. I kept gawking at everything and was acting like a giddy little school girl. I had heard that the airport slots were the worst but I couldn't stop myself. They were begging me for my money and I had to oblige them! I would put a quarter in and lose, go to the next one and lose, etc. We had a shuttle and I couldn't stop pointing at things from the window. Our driver chuckled at me and I'm sure he's seen it a million times before but I felt like I'd never felt before. He told us to have a great time and to make sure we saw the whole strip. We couldn't get a room yet so we checked our bag and started walking. I had a pair of cute shoes on that were NOT made to withstand the strip. I had blisters on my feet but I trudged on. I was so high just off the idea of actually being in Vegas. We did all the first time things and much to my surprise, my husband became as addicted as I was. We are going back in August and taking my sister and brother-in-law. I will never forget the first time. It will always be the most special, I'm sure.

[SandyA]

1974 - My boss suggested that hubby and I and his wife and he take a trip to Vegas...first time for all of us. Stayed at the Riviera, changed clothes for dinner every evening, saw Liberace, Steve & Eydie, Bob Goulet, and Folies Bergere. Didn't know anything about gambling so probably spent twenty bucks in slots:) Lots of empty desert space between hotels in those days! Went to Caesars and it was love at first sight for me! Went back a couple of years later, then started making return trips once a year - now up to four visits a year and am still in love with Caesars. I have learned to gamble since then <g> and I've increased the amount of cash I bring and decreased the amount of clothing - just travel with a carryon now! What a great city!

[angelatwagner]

My first trip to Las Vegas was in 1996....to move here!

I had never been here before, my husband and I decided we needed to get out of NY and live a better life, get out of the cold weather and high taxes of NY State...he had come here a few months earlier and checked it out, came back to NY and said "pack up, we're going to move to Las Vegas, lots of job opportunities there and you'll love it"

Not knowing a blessed thing about the West Coast, Nevada or Las Vegas, my first question was "where do all the people live, on top of the hotels or something, do they even have houses there?"

Well, we made our trip, my first time in Las Vegas. I just knew after seeing the mountains, the desert, the hustle bustle and lights of the Las Vegas Strip that is was meant for me to be here. I felt at home immediately even though I had never been here in my life. On that, my very first trip here, we bought a house, furniture, appliances, set up our banking, doctors, etc. We returned to NY to pack up and five months later when our house here in LV was finished we moved here for good and never looked back!

[Spuddy]

Only one word could describe my first trip to Vegas... WOW!!!

[Chiefsscott]

Spring break of 2001 was my first trip to Vegas. We stayed at the Stratosphere. Not a bad place to stay back in 2001, that has sure changed now. :eek: Being on top of the Stratosphere Tower was the most memorable experience from that trip. I had a great time and have returned every year since then staying at a different hotel each time. 43 hours from now I will be back in sin city! I will post a trip report when I get back.:D

[ChicChas]

For several years, I'd been telling my friend Mike who visits LV frequently that I'd love to tag along some time. Last summer, he suggested that I join him and another mutual friend for a long weekend.

He got me a casino rate through his host at NYNY and off I went. What a great time I had. I had only a few things scheduled ahead of time. We ate each night at high end restaurants (Bobby Fley, Eiffel Tower, Emeril's, Craft Steak) and saw one show (Gladys Knight).

Mike had a car and we went downtown one night. Also a couple of afternoon field trips. The rest of my time I spent off on my own exploring.

The night I got home, I sat down at my computer and started my new hobby of planning trips to Vegas. I'm about to head back for my second actual trip on Friday. Four nights at MGM Grand on my own.

As soon as I get back next week, it will be time to start planning for a trip at the end of April when Mike celebrates his 50th birthday there.

I guess I'm hooked.

[singatune]

My first trip to Vegas was in 1998. Drove from Nebraska to Vegas in a van with my parents, older sis and my husband. My dad had just retired from his job, due to an illness, and the workers had pitched in to give him a trip to Vegas. The car trip was an experience, but that is another story. We stayed at Imperial Palace. Had alot of fun, my husband and father took a plane trip over the Grand Canyon, but due to the high winds, my hubby had a bad experience, LOL.

Been back twice now, ready to go back again!

[Steve]

I am very happy with the response the second TOPIC OF THE WEEK has generated. If you have a TOPIC you would like to have addressed, just email it to me at mrvegas98@aol.com.

Steve

[Rominjoe]

It was in the early 80's. We were suppose to go with my wife Mom & Dad, but about a month before time to go, she had to have heart surgery. So they say for their other daughter & son in law to go. They wheren't very big party goer. So My wife & I made a plan thet when they wanted to go to bed, we would go up to their room say goodnight & go back down stairs.
They didn't want to go to bed, so in 4days/ 3 nights we all got 3 hrs speel total. We all had a blast.
We stayes downtown at the Freemont.

Now we go 2-3 times a years.

[54hoppin]

The year, 1990. The place? The largest hotel in the world.(at the time) The brand new Excalibur. I was 33 and had always wanted to go. A friend of mine went with me on labor day weekend and we had a great time. I won 150 dollars at a crap table(my very first time) and was shaking like a leaf. I had heard stories how people win, then lose everything. But not to be. Went to a BiG SiX wheel and placed 5dollars on Joker. Hit for 200dollars. How does this place stay in business? Will never forget the smell of the Roundtable Buffet. Have been back many times and Camelot is getting old, but still has same smell as it did when it was Brand new, or maybe I just have an old nose. Going back in Jan. of 2007 for my 50thBD on Super Bowl weekend along with about 30 friends. I love Vegas. Enough said.

[PoohRN1962]

I am very happy with the response the second TOPIC OF THE WEEK has generated. If you have a TOPIC you would like to have addressed, just email it to me at mrvegas98@aol.com.

Steve

Yeah, but Steve, we want to hear about YOUR first trip!

Vicki

[tryon4]

It was 1977 (?) and I had just hit the numbers when my Dad suggested we go to Vegas. He was headed to San Diego to visit my younger brother. we stayed at The Flamingo Gardens thanks to my other brother. If I live to be 100 I'll always remember walking into the MGM(Now Bally's) via the side door. What a sight. I had never seen anything like it in my 32 years. Slot machines and tables as far as the eye could see. My only exposure to Vegas was throught the movie Ocens 11 w/ The Rat Pack. I did all the regular tourist stuff. I stillhave the mug from The Sands. went to see Steve and Edie at The Hilton. Learned the real meaning of tipping and a primer on how to do it. Must of done fairly well as I remember having $500.00 in my pocket the day I was leaving and I only brought $400.00. Once I found out drinks were "free" and all I had to do was ask for cigarettes I was in heaven.
10:30 A.M. on a Sundy and pro football is on the TV. I head for The Frontier for one last hit. I'm going to clean up I can feel it. beer 1 then beeer 2 and I decide I have this black jack thing figured out. Beer 3,4 and 5 and I'm sure the cards will get better. 6,7, 8 and 9 and I realize that my $500.00 is now $400.00 then $300.00. No need to worry I can beat this game. Lost count of the beers, after all they're free. Soon I'm down to $100.00 and the dealer is telling me I should stop. Not me, I'm fine, I'll win.
I arrived in Boston with $5.50 in my pocket not knowing what happned. But I'll go back and get my money. Did go back for our honeymoon in 1982 and our 10th anniversary in 1992. Since then we go 2-3 times a year.Oh yeah The Frontier still owes me. Maybe in MAY?????????:D :eek:

[Boston_Bill]

My first trip was in '96 before then Vegas was always a fantasy. I wanted to be Dan Tanna. I stayed at the Flamingo and it was the best trip of all my times to Vegas. I remember flying in at night and being thrilled to see the lights of the Strip for the firt time. Being amazed at all the people at the airport playing slots.
Even though I was on east coast time, not being the least bit tired. Staying awake 24 hours and loving every minute of it.
Won 800+ on my first roulette spin (10 black).
Drinking beer at 8 in the morning.

[stevevarro]

My first trip to Las Vegas was rather short. It was 1979 and I told my friends I was going to Vegas for the weekend on Friday to see if anyone wanted to join me. What a bunch of party poopers! Anyway I left by myself from The Riverside area of So. California. I had $300.00 in my packet and I was itching to turn that into thousands! The trip to Vegas took about four hours. Within 30 minutes of arriving in Vegas, I was on my way back to So. California, broke and humbled! I could not believe I had lost it all is such a short time. I did a lot of soul searching on my drive back home. I learned a lot about money management as a result of that trip.

My second trip lasted a lot longer but had a funny encounter you might enjoy hearing about. I was walking down the strip with a couple of friends, when I got a few steps ahead of them. Moments later a lady stepped out of the casino and began walking in the same direction. She looked over and said hello. I responded with a friendly hello and continued walking. Here's our conversation from that point on...

Lady: Are you in town for the convention?
Me: No, I'm just here for the weekend with my friends to have a little fun. Are you here for the convention?
Lady: No, I work here.
Me: That's nice. What do you do?
Lady: I'm in public relations.
Me: Really! Where do you work?
Lady: I work in the casinos
Me: Sounds interesting. What casino do you work in?
Lady: Several of them.
Me: oh, that's..... unique.... (Silence) Suddenly I realized exactly what line of work she was really in. Talk about feeling naive.

Actually it wasn't silent, I could hear laughter from my friends behind me. My friends never let me live that down. I gotta get some new friends!

My next trip begins on Saturday!

[sonntex]

Yeah, but Steve, we want to hear about YOUR first trip!

Vicki

Yes, yeah, of course, certainly, absolutely, aye, si, oui, affirmative, you bet.
Come on, Steve.:cool:

[vegasbelle]

My first trip was back in 1972 with my then first husband. We had no money so we contacted a place in New York called "Drivers Exchange" and I drove a Maverick to Las Vegas with only 7 days allowed.
Well, we drove like manics and managed to get here in 5 days and we stayed at Motel 6 (which was really $9.00 then) and we had no money to speak of, but every single casino we had ventured into was giving us money or coupons to play or eat at their casino.:)
It was a pretty quiet town and we enjoyed our little vacation and then we got on the highway ... put out the thumb and made it to San Francisco.
In the 60's and 70's we had no fear of anything.
Now I have moved here permanently and have alot of fond memories of the past. Yep, I am now on the third and final husband and we both love VEGAS.

[Tweeets]

The first time I went to Las Vegas it was under duress. My husband had been trying to get me to go for years
"I don't gamble" was what I kept saying. In 1989 I finally gave in. We went with friends who had been there several times before. We were on a package which included transfers, so the trip to our hotel was on a shuttle; stayed at the old Maxim Hotel on Flamingo (now the Westin). We stopped at several other hotel on our way there. To me it was like tour of Vegas, I was so green and so excited.
Our friends showed us the ropes including cheap meals, freebies, and comps. We spent our days walking Las Vegas Boulevard, and Fremont St. We must have gone into every casino. I picked up a souvenier coin cup from each one, and when got back home I counted about 23 of them. LOL! I was in such awe of the volcano, the bright, lights, and the fact that we could take pictures downtown, at night, outdoors without flash bulbs.
The Dunes was still in operation as was the Sands; Bally's had been there for a while; Ex Calibur had been recently built; the Mirage had just gone up. There was no Luxor, MGM, NY NY, TI, Bellagio, Venetian...or Wynn
We spent several evenings going to shows. We saw the Follies Bergere, Rich Little, Boylesque, and a female magician whose name I can't remember. We went on a day trip to Laughlin, a bus trip to Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Liberace Museum. The rest of the time we ate as many BOGOs, buffets and bargain meals as possible, We then began going once a year, some years twice after that.
As someone once said: "Once you.go to Vegas, you're never the same" and that's the truth.
Then in 1998, the company our son works for offered him a promotion, but it meant transferring to their Las Vegas office. Now we have two reasons to go out there at least twice a year, often 3 times, or more.

-Theresa in Buffalo

Now it's your turn Steve :D .

[charlievegas]

December 2001, my wife and I took both of our mothers to Las Vegas as a Christmas present. Had a wonderful time taking them to the various casinos. One of the best Christmas presents ever.

[Nevada]

THE first year was around 1998 the Sands was still there arrived around midnight from East coast, went to bed at 5 am so hopped up was awake at 7am. I was there three days walked from one end of strip to the other stopping at every casino along the way. lossing a lot more then I was lossing a lot more then winning. From that trip learned a big lesson on gambling in Vegas.I did not have wife along on first trip but since I took her there following year can,t keep her away. If she ever found out what I lost on first she wouldn,t have ever gone with me . But you know the saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas:eek: :eek:

[smmoo]

My older son who had move to Vegas in 1989 after a 3 year hitch in the Army called to say he had gotten engaged. I was thrilled and had not been to Vegas before. I immediately made plans to go to meet my future daughter-in-law. My husband was busy and said he had no interest in Vegas so I went with my best friend. My cousin in NY is a travel agent and she made all the arrangements for us. We stayed at the Flamingo. I'll never forget at the lights, the people walking around 24/7 with "DRINKS" in their hands on the "STREETS". I'm not a big drinker myself but found that so different than what I was used to. Well I got hooked on the lights, the slots, the shows, the buffets the whole VEGAS thing. The next year my husband went also for the big wedding at MT Charleston, then he was hooked. Now 15 years, 2 and 1/2 grandchildren later, we have been going 2-3 times a year. Our next trip we be either when the new grandson in born in April or when the other two grandkids have their Confirmation in May. VIVA LAS VEGAS:D

[Bama]

It was 1976 and I was a 15 year old boy on a month long trip with my family in a travel trailer. We stayed in the campground behind the old Hacienda at the far south end of the strip. After my folks went to sleep I roamed the strip from the Hacienda to the Sahara. I was run out of every casino on the strip as I attempted to play .05 slots. It was two of the most frustrating two days in my life. At least I got to see the Sands, Dunes and some of the grande dames of the strip in their mid 70s glory. I will never forget cruising through glitter gulch in the old family station wagon being blinded by the lights and:rolleyes: ........counting as many hookers as I could.

[hipster818]

My first trip to Vegas was in 1987, I was nine. I remember how over the top the place was and still is. I mostly played in the Bally's arcade, which was bigger and better back in the day. I also remember the how much fun I had just people watching and walking to strip to the Fashion Show Mall. Still remember getting hit on by a couple of women. Though I was nine I look older than I am, still is the case.
[INDENT]I've been back many times since then. and each time I am in awe of the city.

[larrygjones]

My first trip to Vegas was about 1996 to audition for an upcoming opening for one of the main singing characters in the EFX show at the MGM Grand. It was pretty cool for me since Michael Crawford was still the lead and I had never been part of anything close to that scale. I made the first 2 cuts and it was down to me and 1 or 2 others...but I didn't get it. All for the good in the end though since the show is closed now. My plans at the time were to move to Vegas and work on my show while doing another show when I got there, but then I got married, got cancer, and didn't make it out for another 4 years or so. Whew, was that really 10 years ago?! :)
Larry
http://www.larrygjones.com

[magicfish]

It was the Christmas season...stayed at Paris Las Vegas - great hotel and location for our first trip. My husband had been a couple times previously, and thought I would enjoy Vegas. Boy was he right! He now refers to me as Vegas obsessed - and he's right!!! :p We now go every December at/around Christmas, and I try to go about three more times per year, with or without him.

I have met siblings in Vegas, gone with friends, my husband (of course), and ALONE (twice)! I/we have made friends with several locals and I/we love to get together with them when we go!

My best memories of our first trip are 1)leaving my husband in the room about 8 am one morning and venturing out into the cold, early morning December air to hustle up and down the strip, running in and out of every casino South of Paris LV - seeing it all in just a few hours! and 2)my husband and I visiting (several times) the lounge in Paris which is under the large fake tree - enjoying the live musical entertainment and people watching!

These days we always spend about a week at Christmastime in Vegas-our fifth was in 2005. We take frequent other trips to Vegas, and at home we talk about possibly retiring there one day.

We now usually stay off the Strip at one of a few favorite places, and gamble at one of a few favorite casinos. I play blackjack almost exclusively, and track my winning/losses on each visit, practicing good money management - I tease my husband that I have "turned pro" - since my first tracking in 2003, I have increased my original stake by 68%, coming away from only one visit a loser!! It's been a great run - can only hope that it will last. :rolleyes:

[bamaruth]

We made our first trip to Vegas in 1992. (if I am remembering correctly!) A dear friend's daughter got married out there and we had always wanted an excuse to book a trip. It was a life-changing vacation for me. The Hotel San Remo was pretty new and rooms were the most reasonable - so that's where we stayed. I remember all the new construction on the MGM Grand going on across the street.

I could have never imagined what it would be like. We were so excited, that we did not sleep all weekend. We wandered up and down the strip (except for when we were at the wedding on Sat.) just in awe of everything. I never walked so much in my life. We didn't really get into gambling that much as we were so taken by everything else - the huge casino's - the decorations - the hustle and bustle and people. And most of all the "lights."

I knew immediately that my life would be forever changed because all I could think about when I got home was when I go could back! At first we went twice a year, spring and fall. Last year I averaged four times and that seems to be a good number for me. We have had two family weddings now over the years in Vegas, my son and my granddaughter. It was amazing and so much fun!

It is so much fun to be able to "connect" with others who have the same passion for this beautiful city - I am constantly trying to learn everything I possibly can, so the trips are not only action-packed with lots of different experiences, but also trying to keep the expenses in-check so I can go more often. I am mostly a penny gambler - sometimes two-cents or nickels - but love the choices of different casino's, especially on the out-skirts of town.

Have tickets to see Billy Joel in April - saw Hall and Oates last November - isn't it just great to be able to do something like this on a weekend off? Sincerely, bamaruth:)

[mamatee]

Come on, Steve! We want to hear about your first! Please indulge us in this one request, won't you?

[Tweeets]

Yeah, but Steve, we want to hear about YOUR first trip!

Vicki

Ditto Steve! :D

Theresa

[Mr.C]

Steve you are a real genuis, staring this "topic of the week"!! Why in the first two questions you have have more posts than any other time( I beleive). Looking forward to the following questions

[mbjts]

My first trip to LV was an early "inheritance" gift from my Mom (she's still around, thank goodness!).:D

We stayed two/three nights at the Flamingo, and Mom made reservations to two shows a night! These were the years that the hotels had dinner shows.

Cannot remember the hotel, but I'll never forget the first dinner show: Fred Travalena opening for Shirley MacLaine!:eek: I was awestruck, and just couldn't believe how wonderful the experience was. The surprise of the evening came when we discovered Dean Martin sitting at the table in front of us! He went onstage, and I'll never forget the number they sang together.

Don't think we had much sleep, but we were roped into seeing a taping of the "Dinah Shore Show" being filmed at the then MGM Grand. It took hours, and we just made it to the dinner show there to see Mac Davis headline.

Enjoyed some slot machines, but don't remember hitting anything big. I was hooked, though, and made sure I went back the next year with my best friend and cousin.

My most recent trip was a little over 3 years ago, and I couldn't believe how the the strip changed!!:eek:

It's an incredible experience, for sure. Just spoke with someone who is making her first trip there. It's a playground for adults, and although I love seeing the new themed hotels, and the Fremont Experience, I really miss the dinner shows. Not that the food was ever that great, but it gave the shows a more intimate and comfortable atmosphere.

[batteryman]

First trip was 1989 or 90. The Mirage was brand new. The Excalibur was being built. Stayed 3 nights at the Sands and had a ground floor room with a cement patio and even a grassy lawn. We sat on the patio and watched the volcano go off. Saw the Fire and Ice show (topless ice skaters) at the Hacienda which is where the Mandalay Bay is now. Went up in the Landmark for the view and ate a .99 cent breakfast buffet at Circus Circus. Saw Hoover Dam and "DROVE" on Freemont St.

[Steve]

My first trip was actually with my Mother many years ago. We stayed at the Frontier. I can remember how cheap the buffets were at that time with dinner topping out at about $6.95.

I also remember seeing Siegfried and Roy for $14.95.

I have since been there over 50 times and hope to go 50 more.

Steve

[LasVegasChef2B]

My husband and I were on our honeymoon, we drove in from Los Angeles. We drove 15N and saw the strip for the first time until getting off on Craig Rd. OMG!! What a site it was for the first time! It was love at first sight! We went to Tournement of the Kings and loved it what energy! We were only there for 2 days/2 nights(I think) so it was short lived but we went downtown and all the hooplah! That was in Feb 2004. We returned last Aug 2005 and have deceided to move there. I'm a Culinary Arts student so it seemed to make sense. We move March 2006 and CAN NOT WAIT! We LOVE Vegas!

[Steve]

Steve you are a real genuis, staring this "topic of the week"!! Why in the first two questions you have have more posts than any other time( I beleive). Looking forward to the following questions

I also noticed that and I am very enthusiastic about this new Forum. It took a while to get off the groud but it looks like it's soaring now!

Steve

[Steve]

Cannot remember the hotel, but I'll never forget the first dinner show: Fred Travalena opening for Shirley MacLaine!:eek: I was awestruck, and just couldn't believe how wonderful the experience was. The surprise of the evening came when we discovered Dean Martin sitting at the table in front of us! He went onstage, and I'll never forget the number they sang together.


Sounds like The Sands to me?

Steve

[Elliern]

Our first trip was in 1982. My Husband and I and our 16 y/o daughter. We stayed at Caesar's Palace. The 'bedroom' was separated from the sitting area by a sheer purple and gold curtain. The room colors were purple, red and gold....lots of gold. There was a gold colored phone in the bathroom. There was a large mirror over the bed! The wall paper was flocked with some kind of purple and gold design. The room was a hoot! We could only stay one night. The 2 days we were there, we walked from one end of the strip to the other. We went into every casino and played slots and VP. We had .99 breakfasts. We loved it! And I couldn't wait to go back. We couldn't afford to gamble much, and I don't remember if we came away with more or less money. But we definitely came away feeling like winners. Oh, and I saw my first hooker! ;)
Ellie

[mbjts]

Sounds like The Sands to me?

Steve

That sounds right! Thank you!:)

I'll never forget the experience!

[jrrestoule]

My first time in Las Vegas was in November 2005. It was unbelievable and I will sure be back soon. You can read about it in the Trip Reports section of the Forums. :D

[Steve]

Steve you are a real genuis, staring this "topic of the week"!! Why in the first two questions you have have more posts than any other time( I beleive). Looking forward to the following questions


I was just looking around and actually the first "Topic of the Week" about the Superbowl has over 5,000 views!

Steve

[iam4nd]

It was in the late eighties and we stayed at the Flamingo. About all I remember is playing quarter slots and being totally awestruck by the size and the glitz of all the casino hotels. Just wish we had gone out much earlier and had a chance to see the original "Rat Pack".

[gcw]

In December 1989 I flew a lady down to Las Vegas, I think so we could decide whether to pursue things or not and also for her Christmas present. She had no idea where we were going until we got to the airport. We stayed at the Dunes and caught Skip Stevenson & the comedy show and ran into Skip in the halls later - a nice enough fellow. What was his TV show...Real People?

Anyway, we flew down on Sunday and had four wonderful days exploring the Strip and caught Barbara Mandrell at Bally's. We really enjoyed ourselves and went to all the casino's we could get to. My friend was robbed on the trolley in front of Mirage. LVPD was very helpful and really wanted to impress upon us that they do not take kindly to people robbing the tourists!

On Thursday night we went back to the airport only to find that our plane was snowed in back in Canada. The tour company put us up in The Flamingo for one night and because they gave me a key card to a room that was already occupied, (I really am sorry about that Ma'am!) I got a mini suite on the 23rd or 26th floor. I was more than a little disappointed when our plane arrived on Friday to take us home. I've been back several times since staying mostly at Harrah's, but also Paris, Las Vegas and Stratosphere.

My 81 year old mother figures it's about time we went again and who am I to argue with Mom?

...and, no, things didn't work out between my friend and I sad to say.

[Lackqueen]

In 1999 we celebrated our 25th anniversary. Hubby was not a traveler, but I convinced him to go to Vegas (we live just outside of Buffalo, NY). We stayed at the Lady Luck for 7 days. As we were checking in I heard my husband talking to someone & then saw him hugging another woman. I then realized it was one of my old girlfriends that I had worked with over 20 years ago! She was there with her husband & we had a blast! They had been to Vegas several times & had a rental car. The took us everywhere on the strip & we hung out together the whole time. We've been to Vegas twice a year since then, along with our long-lost friends. "Lady luck" brought us together, hubby is now a "travelin' man" (at least to Vegas) and counting the days till we go in March to celebrate my retirement :D Staying at the Flamingo.

[HedoTom]

Our first visit to Vegas was done on the cheap in 1984. We got our airfare as a promo when we bought our new Van and to save money (remember we just bought a van and were experiencing the costs of raising a 5 year old) we stayed at Circus Circus (only repeated 1 time when we took our son with us a few years later - learned then that the upstairs arcades could easily be more costly than the casino).

Highlights of the trip-
1) Show at the Stardust (can't remember the name but I think it had Lido in it) - we did fall for the "You want 1/2 price tickets" and ended up listening to a sales pitch for vacant land. Didn't buy it.
2) We rented a car for 24 hours and worked in trips to Hoover Dam and Valley of Fire
3) Barb's (my wife) pursuit of any freebies she could get from coupons. The highlight of her pursuits was a fuzzy tugboat that she won at the Riveria. She loved giving that to the kid. The low point was spending an evening at Vegas World (now Stratosphere) redeeming a promo that required us to stick around 3 hours - this was more painful than the sales presentation.

Looking back, it's funny how that first visit creates such an unique experience. We even were impressed with the Circus Circus buffet (the rose colored sun glasses came off quickly when we stopped in on our 2nd visit).

Tom

[TeacherVic]

I went to Vegas 3 years ago from Dec. 26 - 30. I thought I had the sniffles, but nothing to worry about. Once the plane made it into the sky, I had lost most of my hearing. Arrived in Vegas about 1:00 pm. So excited to see everything, we didn't stop to eat (had breakfast about 4:00 am in Cincinnati). Started getting worried about my hearing, and starting a migraine. My friends went out while I tried to lay down a while and rest. I felt so bad that at 9:00 that evening they got me to a medical clinic and sat with me for about an hour. I had a severe sinus infection and could have busted my eardrum. Trip to the Walgreen's for almost $200 worth of perscriptions! Had to have food to take perscription. Found a cafe, ordered something mild, waited about 15 minutes for my carry out. Got back to the room, wasn't my order, and couldn't eat it. Headed to the pop and snack machine! Finally made it to bed about midnight. Needless to say, I only made it on about half the outings - which I loved! Heading back the first of this April, and I will be checking with my doctor before I leave.

[wiley]

First of all, I love this topic because these are actually our first trip reports and I really enjoy all the TR I can read!

Our first trip to LV was June 1995. Well, that taught us not to go in the summer - yeah, it's dry heat, but when it's 108 degrees, it's hot.

We stayed at Treasure Island, and it was totally pirate-themed to the nth degree. Loved it!

We saw "Mystere" for $57.20 per ticket ( I have the stubs in our photo album). Also saw "Legends in Concert" - $29.50, and "King Arthur's Tournament". Ate at Spago, and at a rib place in IP, had $1 breakfast at El Cortez - bacon, eggs, toast, 2 cups of coffee.

We went to The Gambler's Book Store, Sam's Town, downtown (before the Freemont St Experience), and the Debbie Reynolds Movie Museum (now Greek Isles, I think). MGM had the Emerald City and an amusement park. The sign outside The Sands advertised "Glitz" with Allen & Rossi for $21.95, and Tom Jones was playing at the MGM. Showgirls were posing for pictures with tourists outside a casino (Tropicana?) and I took my husband's picture with them. Would you believe, something happened to that film and the pictures were ruined. Really!

We also took a 2-day bus trip (Gray Lines, I think) to Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. There were beautiful rainbows over the Canyon. Then the weather changed and it snowed! We were there on our anniversary, June 17, and that was definitely the only time we had snow on our anniversary.

And that was what we did on our first trip to Las Vegas.

[iam4nd]

Interesting to see some of the prices of shows and meals back several years ago. Reminded us that we went to see a virtually unheard of Danny Gans at the Stratosphere in the early nineties because a friend recommended him to us. Pretty sure the price for a ticket then was $24.95, a far cry from what they are now. Shortly after that he moved to the Rio (where a few years later we paid $49.95 so our son could see him with us), then later to the Mirage.

[Lackqueen]

I also noticed that and I am very enthusiastic about this new Forum. It took a while to get off the groud but it looks like it's soaring now!

Steve

Great idea Steve!! And thanks for all your hard work. Enjoyed reading about your first trip to Vegas. Hope to meet up with you & Eileen on one of our trips, especially since we're all NY'ers:D

[frankr163]

1st trip to Vegas was in 1988,and stayed at the original Alladin. This was long before TI and the Mirage was just a whole in the ground(more on that in a bit!). Being new to Las Vegas I assumed everyone was always dressed up,so my wife and I were ready for a night on the town ,so off we go to meet up with friends at the Stardust,which I was told was just a short walk up the street. Oh yes did I forget to tell you that it was July and still 110 degrees at 8pm! So after a 90 minute power walk I was dripping wet and in need of a cocktail.There I played BJ for the 1st time and had my hand slapped by the dealer for two hands on the cards.Then proceeded to lose $200 before I got the game down. Next day went to the Ye Old Lobster House for dinner,neglected to ask the waiter "market price " on the lobster and ordered the biggest one they had.Another $200 down the drain.It gets better, after dinner we were walking down the strip and my wife fell on the broken sidewalk that was to become the Mirage.Seperated her shoulder and was in a sling for the rest of the trip,(no buttons on the machines back then) but I was proud of her, she was able to "play" thru the pain.
Finally our last day there had arrived and we were anxious to get out of town, but has that couldn't go easy either. as part of our package we had a limo pick us up at the airport.(very cool, name on sign and everything)and also pick us up at airport for our return, but no one showed up, so we had to scramble a taxi, which got us to the airport just in time to mss the redeye to Chicago.So we spent the night in Mccaron waiting for the next flight in a mere 8 hours!
The really funny part of the story is that we have gone back to Vegas 1/2 a year since then. We figured no place or trip could be as bad as our first time in LAS VEGAS.Lady Luck owed us a good time and have been having a ball ever since.:) Not really a lot of luck, but always a good time.

[leef3053]

My first visit to Las Vegas had two of us sitting on one of the old balconies that the Stardust had watching a lunar eclipse. It was perfect!

[marmirdc]

My first gambling trip to Vegas has me and two other buddies staying at the old El Rancho at the north end of the strip. When we arrived and checked in, the clerk told us the room number(forgot that already) and the others around her giggled!..we couldn't figure out why...well,,we soon found out...the room was HOT..the heater wouldn't shut off and it was a constant 80+ degrees and we were too naive to ask to change!..(we were young and stupid, this was in 1986) but we didn't spend alot of time in the room and had the best time of our lives, the gambling, drinking and fun were enough to have one of us going back there to get married and the other two of us go back at least twice a year( I go more) and we still joke about the "hot" room!

Mr. Keno

[Tweeets]

Great idea Steve!! And thanks for all your hard work. Enjoyed reading about your first trip to Vegas. Hope to meet up with you & Eileen on one of our trips, especially since we're all NY'ers:D


Ditto Steve! We also hope to meet up with you and Eileen again, it's been a whle. When ARE you going again?:)

Theresa in Buffalo

[VAL125]

The first time to Vegas was in 1989.I was like a kid in a candy store.Was there for 10 days,and we went to every casino downtown and on the strip.It was a very expensive vacation.I believe there was 53 of them at the time

[Suubie]

Our first trip was in Oct. 98. 10 days total with 7 in Vegas. We wore ourselves out and it was great. We probably saw at least 10 shows, saw just about every attraction available and had meals all over the city. We stayed at the Strat the first 4 days and then spent 3 days traveling(Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon)stayed 1 night at a small hotel in Utah, then 1 night at the north rim lodge and then 1 night at one of the south rim lodges and then back to the Strat for 3 more nights. The National Parks were unreal and the greatest pictures don't do them justice of what they look like in real life. We've been to Vegas 5 other times and that 1st trip was the only time that I had a winning session in gambling.
Don't know when our next trip will be, but, I hope soon. Every trip after the 1st has been 5-7 days, that's enough. We love it there!:)

[Larry Robinson]

From Theresa comes this very interesting question"

"Describe your first trip to Vegas"
Our first trip to Vegas was in 1978 and we stayed at Caesar's Palace.
My wife was there for a meeting and we paid $39.00 a night. In those
days you could get a nightly buffet for less than $5.00. However,
Caesars and Vegas is much different now. Some things for the better
and some for the worse. Even though we don't gamble much we just fell in love with the Vegas atmosphere. We never get tired of going and hopefully will be making our 26th trip in May.

[thunder49]

I was going from San Jose back east to Pennsylvania. The travel agent said I'd have an hour stopover in Vegas. Well, I had to make sure I got to see a little bit. She set me up with a night at NY NY. I had about 36 hours to play.
Understand that I am a low roller. I was always on the lookout for cheap games. Being on the strip the quest was a tough one, but I managed to scratch the surface. My hours included a walk up the strip, through the Monte Carlo and on through to Bellagio. I wanted to experience the Rio Seafood Buffet so I set out, on foot, for the Rio. Let me just tell you the Rio is a lot closer than it looks. It was worth the blisters though. I enjoyed Rio and the Palms. I was hoping to find a cheap poker tournament somewhere, but I was never in the right place at the right time.
If walking to the Rio wasn't enough, I walked back. When I got back to the strip, I went through Caeser's. I think I was most impressed with the Palace. Got up as far as Treasure Island and crossed the street and headed back. Amazing how many of the properties use the same player's cards. I probably had my most fun at the Casino Royale. They had a need coupon sheet and some of the cheapest games I saw. Carribean Stud for $2? You're kidding. Hey and I even lifted my bets to $5! The most disappointing aspect of my visit was the annoying sex peddlers who nearly forced you to take their cards. I'm surprised that a town so dependent on visitors doesn't at least make them pick the cards up the next morning.
I went the other direction for breakfast. Visited the Tropicana first, their coupons were pretty good too, including the match play coupons. Backtracked to Excalibur and enjoyed their breakfast buffet, played poker at Luxor and Blackjack at Mandelay Bay. Excalibur was fun and they had cheap table games and even nickel video poker. Did I say I am a low roller?
I messed up by not scheduling my departure to McCarren on the shuttle, so I had to get a cab. I wonder how many make that mistake. I was just about even for the trip until my final hour or two at NY NY and their higher priced games cost me. I don't feel like I even got a real good idea of what's there for me to explore. My next trip will be for more days with much more variety to the plan.

[Nedebpats]

My first visit was in mid 80's, my husband and I were meeting 8 friends who were returning from Hawaii and stopping in LV for 3 nites on the way home. Since my husband and I weren't able to go to Hawaii we flew out from East coast to meet them.

My husband and I arrived early afternoon and we were all staying at the Flamingo in the Motel type rooms out back beyond the pool area ( long gone now). We explored Caesars and my husband won some playing blackjack. We were just astonished with the whole town, I don't think we slept more than 6 hours in 3 nights there.

Our friends arrived around 10pm that night and we explored, gambled,ate, saw Siegried and Roy at the Frontier Hotel, saw Dianne Warwick at the Hilton and after her show went to the top of the Landmark for a drink. So much fun and so little time. We have returned more than 20 times in past 20 yrs and we never get tired of it.

Thanks everyone for your great stories, loved them all.

Debbie

[AnnPedi614]

Our first trip was in 95 I think. We fly from VA to Las Vegas. Arrived at 10pm and I was in awe. My then boyfriend's parents and sister and brother in law met us out there. They were at the Flamingo, I had booked with a Travel Agent who put us at the San Remo.The place was a dump, we walked into our room and the window had been left open, room was full of moths! Got them out and went down to the casino, walked across to MGM and soaked in the sites. The next morning was breakfast at the Sands. That was the only time I was ever in the sands that I remember. I remember winning some money, because I took home more than I went with, which was always nice.
The lights, the gambling, everything about Vegas excited me, it was such an amazing place. The restaurants, everything! WOW.
The only downer of the trip was our room, we came back one afternoon to change and the ceiling was leaking water, they moved us to a suite and the bed was broken! It just wasn't good. It is weird to think about LV back then, I can't remember if the Dunes was still there, but NYNY wasn't, Paris wasn't, the Old Aladdin was still there, The Sands was still there, I can't remember if Luxor was there, but the Hacienda was still standing. Paris was being built, just strange. I remember sitting outside of Caesars, and just being amazed at the sheer size of the hotels. I was hooked. We didn't get back for two more years after that, but have been going atleast once a year since then, lately it is more like 2-3 times a year. We love it so much we got married there in 99!!

[FL Mary]

My first trip to Vegas was in December 2001. In previous years, I spent my vacation time and money on trips to Disney World. My son finally grew up and I was ready for an adult vacation so my mother, two sisters and I made a “girls trip” to Vegas. We stayed at the Mirage on that trip. I was overwhelmed at the size of the Strip. We had intended to walk the Strip and see all the casinos, but weren’t able to do that. I had not done advance planning for this trip, so I didn’t even think about all the entertainment opportunities. We did go to one dinner show at Caesar’s Palace that had a magic show.

One of the highlights of the trip was riding a bus to Fremont Street to see the light show. We live in a small town with no public transportation, so the bus trip alone was extremely interesting. A drunk man tried to get on the bus, searched his pockets for his bus token but couldn’t find it, so the bus driver politely told him to get off. As he was getting off, the drunk man stumbled and fell onto the sidewalk. I thought he might be hurt, but the bus driver acted like this happens all the time. Remember I’m from a small town. We really enjoyed the casinos downtown as well as the Fremont Street Experience.

I learned a lot on that first trip. Since I had no idea of how much walking I would do, my feet were aching after a few days. I know now to take comfortable walking shoes. We only spent 4 nights on that first trip so there were many things I didn't get the opportunity to see, like the Bellagio Fountains, which I didn’t know about, since I had not done any research. Now, I’m on-line finding out everything I can before my trips.

Since that first trip, I was “hooked”, and I try to go to Vegas twice a year now. I’m beginning to become an expert and do lots of planning for my trips thanks to the internet and message boards such as this. I have now been into every casino on the Strip. I see a couple of shows on each trip and also try at least one new restaurant. Even having cancer did not stop me from my trips to Vegas. I had surgery for liver cancer in April 2003 and went to Vegas in June of that year. My next trip is in May and I’m already planning!

[Nedebpats]

My first trip to Vegas was in December 2001. In previous years, I spent my vacation time and money on trips to Disney World. My son finally grew up and I was ready for an adult vacation so my mother, two sisters and I made a “girls trip” to Vegas. We stayed at the Mirage on that trip. I was overwhelmed at the size of the Strip. We had intended to walk the Strip and see all the casinos, but weren’t able to do that. I had not done advance planning for this trip, so I didn’t even think about all the entertainment opportunities. We did go to one dinner show at Caesar’s Palace that had a magic show.

One of the highlights of the trip was riding a bus to Fremont Street to see the light show. We live in a small town with no public transportation, so the bus trip alone was extremely interesting. A drunk man tried to get on the bus, searched his pockets for his bus token but couldn’t find it, so the bus driver politely told him to get off. As he was getting off, the drunk man stumbled and fell onto the sidewalk. I thought he might be hurt, but the bus driver acted like this happens all the time. Remember I’m from a small town. We really enjoyed the casinos downtown as well as the Fremont Street Experience.

I learned a lot on that first trip. Since I had no idea of how much walking I would do, my feet were aching after a few days. I know now to take comfortable walking shoes. We only spent 4 nights on that first trip so there were many things I didn't get the opportunity to see, like the Bellagio Fountains, which I didn’t know about, since I had not done any research. Now, I’m on-line finding out everything I can before my trips.

Since that first trip, I was “hooked”, and I try to go to Vegas twice a year now. I’m beginning to become an expert and do lots of planning for my trips thanks to the internet and message boards such as this. I have now been into every casino on the Strip. I see a couple of shows on each trip and also try at least one new restaurant. Even having cancer did not stop me from my trips to Vegas. I had surgery for liver cancer in April 2003 and went to Vegas in June of that year. My next trip is in May and I’m already planning!
Mary, good for you!!! Enjoy your trip in May, havea wonderful time.

Debbie

[wifebob]

My first trip to Vegas was in 1960 on our High School Senior class trip. We had five carloads of students touring the western states for 25 days. We spend a weekend in Vegas, staying in a motel. From there, we walked downtown to the casinos, I especially remember the Golden Nugget. Being 17 and 18 years old, we could not do much in Vegas. We did see Sophia Tucker perform. On Sunday we attended a church service, and after the service, we bought our lunch at the church buffet. I didn't get back to Vegas again until 1990, but there have been many trips since.

[Lola]

I can't remember the exact dates, but it was early to mid 80's, we were touring by auto, and decided to drive from CA to Las Vegas (we live in Iowa.) Having no knowledge of how reasonable the hotels were, we chose to stay at a small motel a little off the strip. BIG mistake. We only allowed one night there. I wanted to go to one of the hotels for dinner. We decided on Circus Circus, where we went to the buffet. BAD choice. Hubby was not feeling well, so didn't eat much, and we went back to the motel. Left early the next morning. But, we did return many times, and it became our favorite vacation spot. We no longer travel, and I miss it so much.

[luckybmr]

The first time I went to Vegas was in the mid 80's. I went with 17 people, most of which were relatives of my mom. My mom's cousin invited me to go as I had never been. We stayed at the Castaways which is now where the Mirage is. The rooms were way in the back of the casino, through a large parking lot and way way back. It was spooky walking to the rooms. I was amazed that at 4:00am there were still so many people out on the Strip. I marveled at how if you couldn't sleep, so what, plenty to do. I remember playing .50 machines in the Castaways until all hours of the morning, drinking Tom Collins with my mom's cousin. We had a blast! I remember that my bankroll for the day was $50 - yes for the day! Now...well, only the slot machine gods and I need to know how much the bankroll is per day! Every morning, I would be up before most everyone else in the group and my great uncle would find me in the casino and take me across the street to the Holiday Casino - now Harrah's. We would have the breakfast buffet and he would always pay - wouldn't let me. I was the only one he looked for and took to breakfast. He is 94 years old now and still talks about those trips. I remember walking up and down the strip playing in the casino's and looking in the shops. It was great. For many years, those same cousins and I went once a year and whoever else wanted to go with us could. Sometimes we had just four people and once we had twenty. We always had a great time. So great, that I have gone at least once a year, every year since then. Sometimes twice a year and I think once I went three times. Vegas is my favorite vacation destination!

[Kabbett]

This is my first post - I love this site!!

Anyway, my first trip to Vegas was in 1993 for New Year's Eve. I went with my husband and 2 girlfriends - we stayed at Imperial Palace. My husband thought he was the king of the hill, strolling around the boulevard with three women.

Well, we were getting ready for the big New Year's Eve celebration and I realized that I had forgotten my dressy shoes to go with my dressy New Year's Eve outfit - so we ran over to Caesars to pick up a pair! I was stunned at the prices, but desperate. I think I paid $50 for a basic pair of black heels...more than our hotel room!

On New Year's Eve, they closed the boulevard off to traffic and everyone just flowed into the street! It was crazy! Hotels were giving away bottles of champagne, not the good stuff mind you, but it was free and it was flowing!

The clock struck midnight while we were at Caesars...it was awesome - everyone was hugging everyone - and for a few seconds, people actually stopped gambling!

The highlight of the evening was when two very rich looking middle eastern gentlemen approached my husband and offered him $500 for the three of us girls! I guess they assumed that he had "acquired us". We all got a big kick out of it.

The next day, we were going to drive out to Sam's Town, but we lost the rental car in the IP parking lot. We couldn't remember what floor it was on and you know that all rental cars looked alike. We were starving and freezing by the time we found it...never made it to Sam's.

Because of the holiday, everything was packed. Room service took 2 hours, you couldn't find a place to eat that didn't have a wait and forget about waiting for an elevator to get downstairs. It took an average of 10 minutes just to get an elevator. Soooooo, being smart, my husband and I decided to walk down 14 flights of stairs at IP. When we got to the bottom of the stairs, the door was locked. In fact, every door was locked. Didn't have cell phones back then, so we were stuck in the stairwell! After beating on the door until our hands hurt, we started back upstairs and found a phone in the stairwell. Security came and let us out!

It was quite the interesting trip! But, it was still a blast. How can you go to Vegas and not have fun! In fact, we are heading to Vegas in 5 more days. We now go twice a year and love it, love it, love it!

[mrsfuzzo]

was in August, 1969. My girl friend and I drove my Mustang from Milwaukee, Wi. to see my aunt and her family in Huntington Beach, Ca. We decided to stop in Las Vegas along the way. We parked the car in front of the Flamingo. Went inside and got a room without a reservation! We intended to stay only one night. Got a reservation to see Elvis that night! :) I don't remember much, our table was so far back, we could hardly see him. I don't think we gambled much as we didn't have alot of money. But we decided to splurge and stay a second night. Back then the room was $25 a night! The second night Paul Anka was appearing at the Flamingo and we were lucky to get tickets. Unheard of these days. Anyway, this made up for the night before. I had a big crush on Paul An