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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I am trying to plan a trip to the NFR this year. My husband and I will be going with my best friend and her significant other. I've never really had a desire to go before (I know, I know.... but Vegas just doesn't seem like my thing and I'm really not much on rodeo), but when my best friend mentioned it I started thinking about all the amazing shopping it will have to offer and after reading all the threads I can on here about everyones experiences I'm ready to go!
They want to "plan on a budget", but I'm not sure what their budget entails. I am the so called "travel agent" of the group so I am trying to get some ballpark figures set up. We want to stay in Vegas for probably three nights and do at least one to two performances. Obviously not trying to go on the 10th round, but when are the cheapest performances (not factoring in seating as we will probably be higher up)? I know that rooms can vary on which nights you stay, so would that mean I would need to base all my planning off finding performance tickets? I've never had to plan a trip around availabilty, just flights and rooms.
Best place to get tickets? Should I go thru a secondary vendor or the UNLV website?
Any suggestions on hotels? They're actually more affordable than I ever dreamed, but my version of afforability might not fit into their budget. We don't have to have anything luxurious, but we also aren't wanting anything on the cruddy end.
I think we will forgo a car since we're all four active and won't mind waking and taking cabs... or do we really need one?
When is the best time to do the shopping? What other activities would be offered for our guys while my best friend and I shop?
Suggestions for things to do at night(s) while not watching the NFR? My husbad and I don't drink (we're not offended/uncomfortable around it, but a bar/nightclub isn't our scene).. any options for us that don't include having to have alcohol to have a good time?
I'm sure I will have a million questions to add to this post as my planning progresses... so please share all that you can!! |
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 Banned by Booger
Posts: 2168
 
Location: Huffman, Texas | We have gone the last 4 years and stayed at the Flamingo which is lots cheaper than the Mirage we stayed at last year.. This year we are staying at the Golden Nugget..the price range is abot the same as the Flamingo however we find the food is lots cheaper down there instead of on the strip. The prices I believe are all the same each nite for the rodeo, its the seating prices that differ. We have friend that we get ours from however the first year we bought off the internet. high prices and high seats..LOL..if ur shopping Cowboy Christmas, there are 4 venues i think it is. MGM, Sands, LV Convention Center and one more i cant remember. they are open from 9-5, (i think), get there early to avoid crowds. The rooms are higher on Friday and Saturday nites as well. First year we took cabs everywhere however there is the monorail if u stay on the strip and the hotels usually have shuttles to the T & M. Last year we had a vehicle and we found off the strip very afforable and good places to eat along with other bars that had $1.25 beer!! that was a bargain!! there is something for everyone there! have fun!! |
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 Strong Willed Woman
Posts: 6577
 
Location: Prosser, WA | Usually the hotels and rodeo tickets are cheaper on weeknights than on weekends. It really depends on what you want to do on if you want to rent a car or not. Any food on the strip is expensive. We drive down there and don't spend much time on the strip. Restaurants are about the same cost wise off the strip as they are around where we live. Some people love the strip but it just doesn't do much for us. I don't buy my tickets through the NFR Experience site. Too expensive. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks, y'all! My friend has a former co-worker that buys a four pack or season tickets each year and they're going to give her a price for two nights when they won't be there! So, hopefully we have the tickets taken care of!
any thoughts on staying at the MGM Grand??
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| debhorses - 2014-07-12 5:07 PM
We have gone the last 4 years and stayed at the Flamingo which is lots cheaper than the Mirage we stayed at last year.. This year we are staying at the Golden Nugget..the price range is abot the same as the Flamingo however we find the food is lots cheaper down there instead of on the strip. The prices I believe are all the same each nite for the rodeo, its the seating prices that differ. We have friend that we get ours from however the first year we bought off the internet. high prices and high seats..LOL..if ur shopping Cowboy Christmas, there are 4 venues i think it is. MGM, Sands, LV Convention Center and one more i cant remember. they are open from 9-5, (i think), get there early to avoid crowds. The rooms are higher on Friday and Saturday nites as well. First year we took cabs everywhere however there is the monorail if u stay on the strip and the hotels usually have shuttles to the T & M. Last year we had a vehicle and we found off the strip very afforable and good places to eat along with other bars that had $1.25 beer!! that was a bargain!! there is something for everyone there! have fun!!
Mandalay Bay is the other.
One thing I don't like about MGM is the size, very easy to loose someone, and if you are on the casino floor, it is nearly impossible to hear a cell phone ring.
I thought the only one that opens at 9 is south pointe.
For cheap entertainment the bucking horse futurity at south pointe I believe is Friday, and I just heard that the futurity horses now have to be proven prior to Vegas, this will make the competition even better.
At each trade show they have lectures, seminars, some have been very interesting that I have went to.
There is also the outside the barrel with flit rasmission (I know I spelt that wrong)
Each day of the rodeo at the host hotel they alternate event autograph signings, I can't remember when the barrel racers is. (I believe during the first 4 days)
There is so much to do that is rodeo related I haven't got to do much non rodeo related in Vegas
Excalibur or one of the three has the titanic display it was neat and costs less then 20/person took about an hour to go through, at your hotel they will have a Las Vegas book which has coupons for attractions/shows and meals.
The blue man group is someone I would like to see I believe they are still playing at the Venetian
Each hotel has their attraction, I really didn't like the white tiger exhibit at MGM a lot of money for not much, same goes for Mandalay bay's aquarium attraction.
A vehicle is about 20/day sometimes you can get 10/day I would never go to Vegas without renting a car.
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | kakbarrelracer - 2014-07-12 6:44 PM Usually the hotels and rodeo tickets are cheaper on weeknights than on weekends. It really depends on what you want to do on if you want to rent a car or not. Any food on the strip is expensive. We drive down there and don't spend much time on the strip. Restaurants are about the same cost wise off the strip as they are around where we live. Some people love the strip but it just doesn't do much for us. I don't buy my tickets through the NFR Experience site. Too expensive.
I about had a heart attack when I priced rooms on a weekend vs. weeknight! We want to do atleast one fine dining experience (prefer a nice steakhouse).... Any suggestions? |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | cheryl makofka - 2014-07-12 11:14 PM
debhorses - 2014-07-12 5:07 PM
We have gone the last 4 years and stayed at the Flamingo which is lots cheaper than the Mirage we stayed at last year.. This year we are staying at the Golden Nugget..the price range is abot the same as the Flamingo however we find the food is lots cheaper down there instead of on the strip. The prices I believe are all the same each nite for the rodeo, its the seating prices that differ. We have friend that we get ours from however the first year we bought off the internet. high prices and high seats..LOL..if ur shopping Cowboy Christmas, there are 4 venues i think it is. MGM, Sands, LV Convention Center and one more i cant remember. they are open from 9-5, (i think), get there early to avoid crowds. The rooms are higher on Friday and Saturday nites as well. First year we took cabs everywhere however there is the monorail if u stay on the strip and the hotels usually have shuttles to the T & M. Last year we had a vehicle and we found off the strip very afforable and good places to eat along with other bars that had $1.25 beer!! that was a bargain!! there is something for everyone there! have fun!!
Mandalay Bay is the other.
One thing I don't like about MGM is the size, very easy to loose someone, and if you are on the casino floor, it is nearly impossible to hear a cell phone ring.
I thought the only one that opens at 9 is south pointe.
For cheap entertainment the bucking horse futurity at south pointe I believe is Friday, and I just heard that the futurity horses now have to be proven prior to Vegas, this will make the competition even better.
At each trade show they have lectures, seminars, some have been very interesting that I have went to.
There is also the outside the barrel with flit rasmission (I know I spelt that wrong )
Each day of the rodeo at the host hotel they alternate event autograph signings, I can't remember when the barrel racers is. (I believe during the first 4 days )
There is so much to do that is rodeo related I haven't got to do much non rodeo related in Vegas
Excalibur or one of the three has the titanic display it was neat and costs less then 20/person took about an hour to go through, at your hotel they will have a Las Vegas book which has coupons for attractions/shows and meals.
The blue man group is someone I would like to see I believe they are still playing at the Venetian
Each hotel has their attraction, I really didn't like the white tiger exhibit at MGM a lot of money for not much, same goes for Mandalay bay's aquarium attraction.
A vehicle is about 20/day sometimes you can get 10/day I would never go to Vegas without renting a car.
Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I'm a big Titantic person!! I wouldn't mind a few lectures and seminars, either! |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Longneck - 2014-07-14 6:36 PM kakbarrelracer - 2014-07-12 6:44 PM Usually the hotels and rodeo tickets are cheaper on weeknights than on weekends. It really depends on what you want to do on if you want to rent a car or not. Any food on the strip is expensive. We drive down there and don't spend much time on the strip. Restaurants are about the same cost wise off the strip as they are around where we live. Some people love the strip but it just doesn't do much for us. I don't buy my tickets through the NFR Experience site. Too expensive. I about had a heart attack when I priced rooms on a weekend vs. weeknight! We want to do atleast one fine dining experience (prefer a nice steakhouse).... Any suggestions?
Prime at Bellagio would be my suggestion for nice steakhouse. You can get a table facing the fountains, looking out over the Eiffel Tower at Paris. Great atmosphere and some of the best food you will ever eat. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| Longneck - 2014-07-12 10:37 PM Thanks, y'all! My friend has a former co-worker that buys a four pack or season tickets each year and they're going to give her a price for two nights when they won't be there! So, hopefully we have the tickets taken care of!
any thoughts on staying at the MGM Grand??
MGM is a great hotel for those who have never been to Vegas before. Its HUGE, lots of things to do. You have a variety of rooms to choose from, and LOTS of great places to grab a bite to eat. THere is also shopping there in the MGM convention put on by NRS.
Downsides are that it is VERY big, takes some time to learn whats where.
You are on the SOUTH end of the strip so if your walking, it takes a while to get anywhere, but you are closer to Thomas and Mack so quicker cab ride to the rodeo.
During the NFR it will be CRAZY crowded here because of the gold buckle zone. They sponsor more big name cowboys/cowgirls than anyone else so this is where you will see them after the rodeo and buckle ceremony.
We have stayed at MGM many many times. Its a great hotel. |
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | Renting a car is actually the way to go. Last year we rented one from Enterprise for $90 for one week! You can walk but it's a lot of walking! If you're only going to be there a few days you might be better off buying the 3 day mono rail pass I think it's $25 a person or put that towards a car?. We stay at a time share so can't help you to much on rooms but the best site to look at rooms and reviews is www.i4vegas.com South point is cool after the rodeo to watch the buckle presentation. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | kboltwkreations - 2014-07-15 7:52 AM Longneck - 2014-07-12 10:37 PM Thanks, y'all! My friend has a former co-worker that buys a four pack or season tickets each year and they're going to give her a price for two nights when they won't be there! So, hopefully we have the tickets taken care of!
any thoughts on staying at the MGM Grand??
MGM is a great hotel for those who have never been to Vegas before. Its HUGE, lots of things to do. You have a variety of rooms to choose from, and LOTS of great places to grab a bite to eat. THere is also shopping there in the MGM convention put on by NRS.
Downsides are that it is VERY big, takes some time to learn whats where.
You are on the SOUTH end of the strip so if your walking, it takes a while to get anywhere, but you are closer to Thomas and Mack so quicker cab ride to the rodeo.
During the NFR it will be CRAZY crowded here because of the gold buckle zone. They sponsor more big name cowboys/cowgirls than anyone else so this is where you will see them after the rodeo and buckle ceremony.
We have stayed at MGM many many times. Its a great hotel.
Thanks! The NRS show is a big reason why I'm so keen on it, but then I wonder if maybe one of the other shows (with vendors who might not have catalogs that I look at) might be better... oh well, hopefully we (or I) can hit them all!
I'll look into Prime for sure! The fountain show is on my bucklet list for while we're there and that sounds like hitting two birds with one stone. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | watchpeppydoc - 2014-07-15 8:34 AM Renting a car is actually the way to go. Last year we rented one from Enterprise for $90 for one week! You can walk but it's a lot of walking! If you're only going to be there a few days you might be better off buying the 3 day mono rail pass I think it's $25 a person or put that towards a car?. We stay at a time share so can't help you to much on rooms but the best site to look at rooms and reviews is www.i4vegas.com South point is cool after the rodeo to watch the buckle presentation.
Thanks! We probably will end up getting a car! |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Trust me..if you go to all the shopping venues it will take up most of your trip unless you run through the aisles..LOL
Have fun. This is our yearly mother / daughter trip and we looked forward to it every year. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 413
| not to steal the thread... but I am one, who hasn't bought NFR tickets yet. we have the rest booked. where's the best place to buy? |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Just to say NRS I found some of their prices were higher priced then that at the Las Vegas convention centre. One example was Lisa Lockhart saddle it was 1800 at NRS, at the convention centre it was 1500.
You really need to know your prices to get the best deals.
Also wanted to add if you do rent a car, I just reserved a SUV for 10 days for 216 total price.
If you drive, an hour away there is a mall on the California Nevada border, the address is still on Las Vegas blvd, I found it was much cheaper then in Vegas, not cowboy centred, but vanity fair still had the wranglers for 20-40
For sights within an hour, fire in the valley, is amazing, the colours are beautiful.
Death Valley was cool to see, both the cost was 10.00 per car, but worth it
I was disappointed by red rock canyon, it is the closest, but not my favorite.
Good luck, the three day will fly by.
We always take one day to go somewhere and not see the rodeo |
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 Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | I have stayed about everywhere in Vegas for the NFR and MGM was by far my favorite and the rooms the most comfortable.Also you can watch the perf live from the theatre there and that was awsome! Almost better then being there.If you stay at MGM they have free bussing to the rodeo each night and the tram you can catch right there and it will take you to the other convention centers for more cowboy christmas shopping. We found some great deals at NRS shopping right there especially on clothing and they have awsome giveaways for the first 100 through the doors each morning and also great giveaways from Wrangler. So go there first thing in the morning. For something different to do one of the nights Freemont street is a must do! |
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 Roan On The Range
Posts: 7889
Location: Stephenville, TX | I'd like to add visiting Hoover Dam to the list of things to do around Vegas that don't involve gambling/drinking LOL! I also think Red Rock Canyon is beautiful!
If you've never been to Vegas before, you will have PLENTY to take in! Most big casinos have some kind of attraction (jousting at the Excalibur, roller coaster at New York New York, volcano at the Mirage, fountains at the Bellagio, gondola rides at the Venetian, flamingos at the Flamingo, etc). Some are free and some are not. And there's always shows to see...concerts (Brittney Spears y'all!!), Cirque du Soleil and pretty much anything else you want to see  www.nfrexperience.com outlines quite a bit of the rodeo-related happenings in Vegas.
And then there's the nearly inexhaustable shopping. When I was a tourist going to the NFR, shopping is what took up the majority of my time LOL! I think what makes NFR shopping so attractive is finding unique things there that you don't see in stores at home. And then when someone asks you "where'd you get that?" you're entitled to subject them, unappologetically, to stories of your trip to Vegas during the NFR and all the fun times you had there 
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