Ask Las Vegas Locals!

cirena166 · February 2014

Need insight from those of us with feet on the ground? Ask!
I'm a 7-year Vegas resident and know the Strip, Fremont Street (under the canopy and Fremont East) and the west side of town really well. I'm an active hiker and swing dancer, so my recommendations tend to the quirky, cultural and outdoorsy.
If we weren't getting married in Zion National Park, we'd either be at Mt. Charleston or the Smith Center.
Look forward to hearing from you!

thesepinkdays · February 2014

We are going down to Fremont on the DDB we want to offer a quick bite if anyone wants it... We where thinking pizza from pop up pizza at the plaza....any other ideas close ish to that end of the canopy? Thanks!

cirena166 · February 2014

If the DDB takes Las Vegas Blvd all the way down to Fremont, the Plaza isn't the most convenient spot. It's at the far end of the canopy, so you'll either walk under the canopy or the driver will take Ogden, the street after Fremont, over to the Plaza.
The Plaza is the end cap of Fremont, and it faces the Las Vegas Club (haven't been there) and the Golden Gate, which was recently renovated. I hear its kept its vintage style - it's the oldest hotel in Las Vegas, possibly the first - and it's cheap shrimp cocktail. The deli is a good place for a snack.
If you want to stay at the corner of LVB and Fremont, check out Radio City Pizza, which offers slices and full pies. It's a smaller place though, so if you have 40 people, it'll be a tough squeeze. For a more adventurous on-the-go bite, try Kebab Korner. Again, a small place, just get in and out, but tasty pitas. The two are practically right across from each other in the hip Fremont East area.
Note that the bus can't park on Fremont in the areas we're talking about. There's pretty ample parking, even for busses, north of Fremont. You'll have to walk a few blocks to get to the action. Please, please, pretty please, do not ask or force your driver to stop anywhere along LVB itself for your safety and our sanity.

If you're into kitsch and greasy spoons, then consider Tiffany's in the White Cross Market on LVB just north of the Stratosphere, before you get to Fremont. It's got one of the few remaining lunch counters in town. It's not pretty, but it's a fun atmosphere, especially after a rowdy (read:heavy drinking) experience. If you're not into greasy spoons or you're not drunk, skip it.
Now I'm hungry!

ssteele04 · February 2014

I've gotten a few suggestions on where to eat for our wedding night, looking for something on the strip we are staying at the Flamingo, Looking for something nice, not uber expensive

shoebunnie · February 2014

We are looking for a place to buy Rothschild champagne for the reception and hopefully get a bulk discount. Lee's doesn't list their champagnes and Total Wine doesn't show they stock it on the website. Do you happen to know of a place that has a good champagne selection? Thank you!

Jiimanie · February 2014

Thanks for the offer of advice, I'm looking for an extra hair stylist to come to my hotel room and style the hair of my two bridesmaids on my wedding date. My current HMUA doesn't have any spare stylists so looking to book an additional one, I don't want anything too fancy for them so looking for someone who'll come to the hotel room and put their hair in an up do for a reasonable price. If you have any suggestions of good, reasonable, mobile hairdressers, please let me know!

missmo14 · February 2014

Where oh where in Las Vegas can I buy mixed drinks (ie Mikes Hard Lemonade) in CANS?

Valeriecruz82 · February 2014

Do you think with getting married on fight/ cinco De mayo weekend that there will be a bunch of traffic that will interfere with our photo strip tour? I'm a little worried.

KikiMira · February 2014

Valerie - I was down for a fight weekend once and the strip was noticeably busier, traffic and people. It took us 25 mins to get from paris to mandalay bay.

Valeriecruz82 · February 2014

Oh wow! That sucks I'm going to be one angry bride if we can't get in all our photo spots

KikiMira · February 2014

Maybe they can take back roads?

tcnoble · February 2014

I'm a 5 1/2 year Vegas resident, happy to help any way I can!!

@valeriecruz82 depends what time everything is happening. If you're trying to do your DDB and pictures within an hour if fight start time, you'll hit the traffic. If you're aiming for DURING the fight you might experience a little less of a problem. Is the fight at MGM? Where are you hoping to do pictures??

Jiimanie · February 2014

I second MissMo's query as well! You can get pre-mixed cans all over the place here in the UK, but it seems they may be much harder to get hold of in the U.S.?

Valeriecruz82 · February 2014

@tcnoble I'm not sure what time the fight starts but I'm guessing it would be around 9? I'm almost positive it is at MOM I have out strip tour booked from 5:30-8 hoping to get pics at Bellagio, Paris, and the LV sign

Thanks so much for your advice

ssteele04 · February 2014

I would think you can get the cans at any gas station, cvs, apex, any type of handy store like that...we have them all over the place where i live ( washington). We have them in bottles and cans

cirena166 · February 2014

@ssteele Since you're at the Flamingo, I'd actually recommend an off-Strip place or two that are still relatively close to your hotel. Try Firefly on Paradise. They moved locations due to a salmonella scare, but their tapas is da bomb-diggity. I chose it for a company Christmas party a few years ago, and there was something for everybody.
Roy's, refined Hawaiian,is just down Flamingo a few blocks. Probably not within walking distance, but $50/person for amazing meat and a swanky salad bar.
The fiance took me to Mint Indian Bistro for a surprise dinner due to their Himalayan menu options in addition to the standard Indian fare.
I'll give you one on-Strip suggestion - KGB Burgers at Harrah's. Make your own or take one of celebrity chef Kerry Simon's creations. Expensive for a burger, but fun atmosphere and food.

cirena166 · February 2014

@shoebunnie I'll swing by Lee's and Total Wine sometime this week and see if I can't get an answer for you.

If they don't have it, I'd try Marche Bacchus, Khoury's and Valley Wine and Cheese. They are all on the opposite side of town from me, so I'd recommend calling.
Good luck!

cirena166 · February 2014

Valeriecruz82KikiMira
Strip traffic is a beast any time except after midnight. At night, any night, everyone's getting to dinner, shows, etc. If it's not a fight, it's a major concert or party. Traffic slows to a standstill in front of Bellagio when the fountains go off because every tourist is trying to get a picture from their car. <facepalm>
But it's not all doom and gloom. 2.5 hours should be more than enough time to cover the area you're looking at, about 5 miles one way.
Using the "back roads" means that you miss out on the Strip experience that you're paying for, since the casinos, lights and displays are all on the Strip, one next to the other. However, once you've been down one side, you can use a side road to skip the Strip hassle to get back to your hotel.
It is a spectacle, that is for sure. Have a great time!

AllyIdo · February 2014

Hi local ladies! Perhaps you can help me order my day of errands before my guests arrive. I am planning to rent a car at Planet Hollywood since we are staying there.

We need to:
Go to the courthouse to pick up marriage license
Buy a ton of booze for our in suite happy hour
Buy beer for the DDB
Drop beer and money for ice at DDB depot (not sure where that is yet!)
Buy items for gift bags
Drop all the booze and gift bag stuff off at hotel
In and Out Burger

Any suggestions on the order of these errands, where to shop and how long this might take?

Thank you! April 13 is right around the corner!!

tcnoble · February 2014

@allyido I have nothing to help with your planning except that I might hit In N Out first AND last haha I'm a local and still a sucker for it.

ssteele04 · February 2014

thank you!! i will look those up!

cirena166 · February 2014

AllyIdo I'd suggest starting with getting the license, which happens downtown on 3rd St. There's a big sign that says "Marriages" and something else, I don't remember the full name. Both you and your man must be present, with photo ID. You can get the full details here. I don't remember how long it took me my first time getting married, but I think we were in and out in less than an hour.
While you're downtown, you can head through Fremont Street to find Vegas-themed trinkets and kitsch. If downtown is too annoying, head south on Las Vegas Blvd to Sahara for the Bonanza Gift Shop.
After Bonanza, take Sahara to the 15 southbound for an In-And-Out break. Exit 15 at Tropicana for your Animal Style (of whatever style). Nom.
Get back on the 15 south after lunch and exit at Blue Diamond Rd. Turn south on Las Vegas Blvd and look for Lee's Discount Liquor on your left. That's your booze, beer and ice HQ. If you didn't find what you were looking for on Fremont or at Bonanza, take LV Blvd north to Warm Springs and the Las Vegas Premium Outlets South. You should be able to find anything you need for those gift bags there.
To get back to your hotel, either take LV Blvd straight north. It's that easy.

shoebunnie · February 2014

@cirena166 thank you! You are amazing!

AllyIdo · February 2014

cirena166 said:

AllyIdo I'd suggest starting with getting the license, which happens downtown on 3rd St. There's a big sign that says "Marriages" and something else, I don't remember the full name. Both you and your man must be present, with photo ID. You can get the full details here. I don't remember how long it took me my first time getting married, but I think we were in and out in less than an hour.
While you're downtown, you can head through Fremont Street to find Vegas-themed trinkets and kitsch. If downtown is too annoying, head south on Las Vegas Blvd to Sahara for the Bonanza Gift Shop.
After Bonanza, take Sahara to the 15 southbound for an In-And-Out break. Exit 15 at Tropicana for your Animal Style (of whatever style). Nom.
Get back on the 15 south after lunch and exit at Blue Diamond Rd. Turn south on Las Vegas Blvd and look for Lee's Discount Liquor on your left. That's your booze, beer and ice HQ. If you didn't find what you were looking for on Fremont or at Bonanza, take LV Blvd north to Warm Springs and the Las Vegas Premium Outlets South. You should be able to find anything you need for those gift bags there.
To get back to your hotel, either take LV Blvd straight north. It's that easy.

Thank you!

Can you suggest a Walmart type place we can stop to get waters and snacks for the gift bags?

Also, are champagne splits commonly sold at liquor stores?

Valeriecruz82 · February 2014

I know there's a Walmart by the airport but I'm not good with directions Lol

cirena166 · February 2014

I'll give you two options. The first comes right after the Bonanza gift shop. Instead of turning west and hopping directly on the freeway, head east to Maryland Parkway. There's an Albertson's on the right. Head back west on Sahara to the freeway to continue your route.

Option 2 is after Lee's. Instead of taking LV Blvd all the way back, take it to Sunset. Turn right on Sunset, pass the airport, stop and watch planes taking off and landing if you want - there's a pullout for observation on Sunset. Turn left (north) on Eastern, and Wal-Mart is on the left after the airport. Take Eastern north to Tropicana or Flamingo to get back to the Strip.

Vsantistevan · February 2014

Can you tell me a nail salon on the strip that's not outrageously priced? All the bridesmaids and I would love to go but we aren't looking for any $100 manicures. Any suggestions because when I google there are tons, but not sure which one I should pick?!

[Deleted User] · February 2014

@Vsantistevan - I got a simple manicure at the Flamingo for about $35 when I was last in town. The salon isn't anything special but the ladies are very nice.

ssteele04 · February 2014

what's the cheapest place to buy liquor and champagne? We are at the Flamingo and are going to Albertsons to get the party trays I think it's close to the Flamingo

cirena166 · February 2014

@ssteele04 I'm a big fan of one-stop shopping and Albertsons will have booze at fair prices.

ssteele04 · February 2014

thank you!!

Ask Las Vegas Locals!

Re: Ask Las Vegas Locals!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards