Thanks! And thanks a lot for the reply.

 

I wasn't aware there were buses that took you to the starting line, that helps a ton.

 

NYC is insanely expensive. I mean you could try New Jersey, which is short train ride away.

Thanks! And thanks a lot for the reply.

 

I wasn't aware there were buses that took you to the starting line, that helps a ton.

 

They provide you with three options to get to the start line: 1) Bus from Midtown 2) Staten Island Ferry 3) Bus from the Meadowlands (Giants Stadium). Everything I read said that the Staten Island Ferry is the coolest experience (skyline/statue of liberty views). Make sure to check your email. They make you pick an option sometime in the summer.

 

Well I'm glad I didn't stay on the strip this time in Vegas, avoided that mess.

 

Staying downtown was definitely very different, some good things and some bad things.

 

Good:

Cheaper tables: during the day you could play $5 craps pretty easily.

Pool: Golden Nugget pool was heated, and lounge chairs were in excess and free. No worries in getting a spot or having to pay to sit.

Walking: Never had to leave a 4 block radius unless you wanted to.

Food: Some great places for reasonable costs. Vic and Anthony's never disappoints.

Drinking outside of casinos: Cheap drinks were in abundance.

 

Bad:

Crowd: Size was good, not too busy and not empty, but VERY different from the strip. Don't do a bachelor party there or if the goal is to hookup then it won't be your scene. A lot more old people (just guessing that around 10% were under 30).

Variety: Not as many options as the strip for shows, food, entertainment, etc.

 

 

Overall, it was pretty much exactly what we expected. Had a great time, it was definitely a nice change from the strip though if that was our first trip to Vegas we probably would've been disappointed.

 

The Golden Nugget Spa Suite was a great hangout place as well. The only real downside is that it only had 1 king bed and the couches were big but not ideal for sleep, so it's really not meant to be a multi-person setup. If you're staying downtown, the Golden Nugget definitely seemed to be the nicest place over there.

Holy s***, that's your suite??

 

And I'm glad you say that about the MGM Sig, because that's where I'll be for a bachelor party this summer.

MGM sig is great, just a bit of a hike from the main drag via foot. But I liked that it was set back.

MGM sig is great, just a bit of a hike from the main drag via foot. But I liked that it was set back.

Honestly, if the Sig just had an entrance on the NW corner to the compound it would help immensely. That corner isn't too far from the strip, but having to walk down the street and then back up their driveway for any in/out is annoying.

 

For a non-bender trip, the Sig would be a go to for me.

Honestly, if the Sig just had an entrance on the NW corner to the compound it would help immensely. That corner isn't too far from the strip, but having to walk down the street and then back up their driveway for any in/out is annoying.

 

For a non-bender trip, the Sig would be a go to for me.

we stayed there the first time before they had the moving walkways and it was definitely a hike. But the rooms are super nice and the pool is great.

 

 

The walkways help to the MGM, but even then it took about 15 minutes to get between the places. It's crazy how far out everything is there.

The walkways help to the MGM, but even then it took about 15 minutes to get between the places. It's crazy how far out everything is there.

I liked THE Hotel at Mandalay as well, similar but a little easier to get to. Great pool as well.

 

Man I miss vegas, its been too long.

It was so nice being in Vegas last week for the sweet 16 games. Weather really cooled down before we got there but still was great. 3 days is a lot, was absolutely spent all day yesterday after getting home Saturday afternoon.

 

Now, my need to go back to New Orleans is back on my mind. Still my favorite place in the world.

How was the Bellagio/Cosmo area with all the s*** that went down? Or maybe you just missed it.

How was the Bellagio/Cosmo area with all the s*** that went down? Or maybe you just missed it.

My friend was there, said he didnt even notice

My friend was there, said he didnt even notice

We had heard from some people that it was on lockdown for a long time, just glad it wasn't worse.

 

The Bellagio Rolex store robbery is one of the stupidest heist stories I've heard.

How was the Bellagio/Cosmo area with all the s*** that went down? Or maybe you just missed it.

 

I left for the airport about an hour before it happened. My friend who was there an extra night had to wait over half the day to get back into his room at the cosmo though.

July 29th my best friend is getting married in New York and me and my buddy plan on driving instead of flying. The 29th is a Saturday but we plan on heading out that way Thursday morning. What are some cool stops along the way? Niagra Falls and the Statue of Liberty are a given.

 

We are both love food and after spending the next 5 months dieting and exercising we have definitely decided to make stops at awesome restaurants along the way, so if you have any favorite spots I would love to hear about them.

 

Sucks that the Sox are playing Cleveland that weekend, but in Chicago. Would have been nice to catch the game in Cleveland.

What part of NY? I mean, Niagara Falls is really f***ing far from NYC/Statue of Liberty.

What part of NY? I mean, Niagara Falls is really f***ing far from NYC/Statue of Liberty.

 

Yeah, not sure you can do both. Assuming you're starting from Chicago, that's a 9-10 hour drive, so Thursday is basically shot. Niagara Falls is at least a 1/2 day to enjoy, then you gotta drive another 6 or 7 hours to NYC. And then your wedding is on Saturday. That's a tight window.

Heading to Monte Carlo/France/Switzerland in a few weeks. How do you guys feel about accessing currency?

 

Best to get money to leaving the states? In Europe? At European ATMs?

 

What about setting up phones, credit cards, etc? Any advice?

 

Heading to Monte Carlo/France/Switzerland in a few weeks. How do you guys feel about accessing currency?

 

Best to get money to leaving the states? In Europe? At European ATMs?

 

What about setting up phones, credit cards, etc? Any advice?

Ooh, where are you going in Switzerland? I was there a few years ago.

 

I think we just used ATMs, but I'm not sure. My wife will remember, but she's sleeping now.

Edited April 13, 20179 yr by Leonard Zelig

Ooh, where are you going in Switzerland? I was there a few years ago.

 

I think we just used ATMs, but I'm not sure. My wife will remember, but she's sleeping now.

A town called Lugano.

 

In other news, the wife made us buy luggage for our vacation yesterday. I feel like that was half the money I wanted to spend on the whole trip

I always used European ATMs when I traveled to Europe. Just find a trustworthy bank one, they are everywhere, and use it. If you have a Schwab account it's free ATM usage worldwide FYI.

A town called Lugano.

 

In other news, the wife made us buy luggage for our vacation yesterday. I feel like that was half the money I wanted to spend on the whole trip

Down south by Italy. I didn't go down there, but what I saw was beautiful.

 

 

Heading to Monte Carlo/France/Switzerland in a few weeks. How do you guys feel about accessing currency?

 

Best to get money to leaving the states? In Europe? At European ATMs?

 

What about setting up phones, credit cards, etc? Any advice?

You'll get the best rate at an ATM. Also use credit for as much as you can. Besides, Switzerland is ridiculously expensive. My brother lives in Zurich. You will laugh at what things cost.

 

You'll get the best rate at an ATM. Also use credit for as much as you can. Besides, Switzerland is ridiculously expensive. My brother lives in Zurich. You will laugh at what things cost.

Agree with this 100%. Anywhere in Europe, use an ATM or your Credit Card/Debit Card for purchases. You will be charged the actual conversion rate. If you change currency in country, the bank or whoever is changing cash will levy a commission into the rate, which can mean you'll lose 5-10% or even more with every currency exchange.

 

Your bank or credit card may charge a foreign transaction fee. It's usually less than 2% but there are several banks that don't charge this fee. Capital One in particular does not.

Going to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons this summer (staying in Driggs, Idaho). Anyone have any recommendations for specific tour companies to either park? And just general recommendations to do around the Jackson, Wyoming area?

Going to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons this summer (staying in Driggs, Idaho). Anyone have any recommendations for specific tour companies to either park? And just general recommendations to do around the Jackson, Wyoming area?

 

Do you have any specific things that you want to see in Yellowstone, or any specific length of time? Are you looking for day trip type tours?

Do you have any specific things that you want to see in Yellowstone, or any specific length of time? Are you looking for day trip type tours?

Basically we want the best opportunity to see wildlife. Day trip tours sound ideal. Will spend three days in the Yellowstone area.