March 12-18 is Milwaukee in Las Vegas Week on OnMilwaukee.com. Last month, Funjet Vacations sent our editorial team to Vegas, where we sought out connections between Brew City and Sin City. These are our stories...
When it comes to Las Vegas, nearly everyone has a story. And, everyone with a story has a tip -- or 10 -- about what to do in Sin City.
"You've GOT to stay at the (insert hotel here)."
"You simply MUST try the (insert food here) at (insert gourmet restaurant here)."
After visiting Vegas as a group and talking to various national and local experts, the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff is pleased to present the following tips to help you enjoy Las Vegas. Use the Talkback feature to add your own:
Stay at least three nights: Las Vegas is a city of excess, so the idea of staying there for a week would be physically and financially draining. A stay of four days and three nights seems about right.
Dress for success: Because it's in the desert, Las Vegas can be very hot for much of the year. Nights can be cool, though. Check the weather before you head down and be sure you have the right array of clothing. Although casinos can be very casual and warm-up suits aren't uncommon, you'll want to bring some "nice" clothes if you plan to go to upscale restaurants and clubs.
Take a walk: Traffic on the strip can get very congested, so there are times that walking can be the most efficient form of transportation. (It helps to get exercise after hitting the buffets and the slot machines). Take the monorail from Point A to Point B on The Strip. Don't bother trying to hail a cab in the street. They can't pick you up. Go to the nearest hotel instead. Be sure to use crosswalks and don't jaywalk (a $95 fine). And, this might be the most important tip of all, especially for the ladies: wear comfortable shoes! You'll be walking a lot on the street or in the casinos. You don't want your dogs to be barking.
Know your limits: Those big, beautiful hotels pay their light bills with help from tourists trying to play "one more hand" or trying to "get back to even." Set a budget for gambling and entertainment and stick to it. Resist the urge to draw from your credit card in the casino (or the strip clubs, for that matter). Set aside amounts for food, shopping and entertainment and keep your gambling cash separate.
"I have been to Vegas three times, twice as a rich person and once as a poor person," says Carrie Wendt, who works on the "Bob and Brian Morning Show" on The Hog (102.9 FM).
"Being rich involves staying at great places, dining very well, seeing the shows, doing the clubs. Being a poor person entails staying in crappy places, eating the cheapest buffets (try the foot-long hot dog for $1.99 at Westward Ho) and drinking for about 36 hours straight in places darker than your crawlspace. I recommend going as a rich person, you just can't beat the pina coladas poolside at Wynn."
As for gambling, Wendt says: "I'm not a big gambler, preferring instead the 'sure thing' of the Forum shops at Caesars; I know when I put my money down, I walk out with my Gucci sunglasses and this is far more satisfying than progressive nickel slots. But, I must say, the siren song of instant riches gets stronger the longer I stay. In the end I probably lose about 50 bucks, but I feel like a huge degenerate gambling at the airport, but you just keep thinking, "What if? What IF?!"
Be a player: Sign up for the player's clubs, even if you don't intend to gamble a lot. What you do spend can lead to rewards like free buffets, comp show tickets and room upgrades.
Play the max: When playing slot machines, it's usually best to bet the maximum amount on each "pull." Also, be advised that machines with lower jackpots pay back small amounts more frequently. That gives you more play for your money.
Sanitize for your protection: Although the hotels and casinos are kept remarkably clean, it's a good idea to carry a small vial of hand sanitizing lotion with you. You'll be glad you have it.
Venture away from The Strip: You can spend a week on The Strip and still not see everything, but veterans like Mike Wojciechowski know that Vegas has much more to offer.
"There are about 17 different versions of Las Vegas I can tell people about," said Wojciechowski, the Admirals vice president of business development who has made 66 trips to Las Vegas.
"I really got into the non-traditional, non-touristy Vegas during my last eight or 10 trips. Don't be afraid to rent a car and stay away from The Strip. You can find some great little casinos where gambling minimums are lower. There really are some fun places going up Boulder Highway. I went out to Boulder City, which is a quaint little town and I found a sports bar that had a great bloody Mary. We hit some antique shops. I found a little Italian bistro and sat outside for lunch. There is just so much to see."
Have a tasty, non-alcoholic cocktail: According to Anthony Curtis and the Las Vegas Advisor, one of the best deals in town is the 99-cent shrimp cocktail at the Golden Gate. Served in the Deli in the back of the casino, it comes in a tulip cocktail glass with lemon, crackers and a tangy homemade sauce. If you're feeling saucy, upgrade to the bigger version for about $4.
Be sure to check out lasvegasadvisor.com for more hot deals.
Root for the home team: Craig Stoehr, the chairman of the Milwaukee Mile, makes it a point each year to put down a bet on the Packers inning the Super Bowl. "Yes, I'm an eternal optimist," he says. Stoehr likes to go to Vegas, but only for a few days at a time. "I've been there twice in the last year for the MAGIC fashion industry trade show for Blue Marlin Corp. (the contemporary sportswear apparel company in which Stoehr is an investor and board member). As you can imagine, people from the fashion industry know how to have a good time."
Ask for help: If you're looking for a restaurant or an exciting show, ask a fellow tourist or a hotel employee. More often than not, they'll give you very helpful, enthusiastic advice. It can help stave off disappointment.
Plan some non-gambling activities: Hit some local attractions to get you away from the casino. Golf is a hugely popular pastime in Vegas, but there are other things to do. Wojciechowski recommends heading to Cashman Field to watch a Class AAA game.
"You get to see the stars of tomorrow on an 80-degree night," he said. "You can have a couple frosties (beers) and it's a great atmosphere."
Get a workout: Vegas has some world-class spa facilities and it is a great way to gear up for a day of gambling/partying or unwind in the middle of the day. "At home, I might work out once very two months," Wojciechowski said. "In Vegas, I do it every day. It's really the best money you can spend. Most of the time, you can go to a great spa/health club for 15 bucks. That's about nine seconds at the blackjack table. After you work out, you can eat fruit, nuts and bananas. You eat drink some juice. Get a steam. Take a sauna. Hop in the hot tub. You spend about two hours and it's a great way to get ready for the day.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.