|
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
 
| This is my first year going, my mom and her friend will be meeting me out there. I've never been to the NFR or to Vegas, so I have no idea what to expect! We will be there the 6th-10th (Fri-Mon). We have tickets for Sunday night.
What can we expect for shopping - and where are the best places to go? We will basically have just Sat and Sun for shopping.
We are staying at the Hard Rock - would you recommend getting a car?
Any fun places to go or things to see that we shouldn't miss?
Will anyone else be out there at the same time? I'd love to meet some people! |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 183
| Check out the horsetrailers, clothes, jewelry @ cowboy christmas and go to the mall...it's got the coolest designer stores you'll ever see. Go to one Vegas show if you can & definitely visit the southpoint & watch the horse activities inbetween your gambling, all under one roof! Those are always highlight spots for me! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1226
| You will have so much fun. I you go to rodeo get there early. It starts right on time. First year we went we got to a performance late and missed a few riders. The shopping is great. Pace yourself there's a lot to see |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| You are not going to have enough time, lol.
Mandalay bay
The sands
South ponte
Las Vegas convention centre
MGM grand
All have trade shows with everything saddles, clothes, tack, trailers, art, etc anything western, makeup.
Do get a car, it will save you money as cabs are expensive.
I will be there till the 12 and I stay at Gold Coast, always looking for shopping buddies you can pm me if you want |
|
| |
|
 Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
 
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | The 14 year old girl that rides with me achieved the goal that we set out for her so I am taking her to the NFR as promised. We will be out there saturday through monday. Saturday my amazing vet is letting us hang out with him to meet the pros which I am super excited to do. I am also crossing my fingers he wins vet of the year!! I need to see when they are announcing that because that is super friggin cool IMO. I just saw him last night when I picked up my horse.
The first time I went to the NFR we stayed at the Hard Rock and we LOVED IT!!!! I am not a fan of the strip and I wanted to be in a more quiet area. My husband LOVED the rooms because they have black out curtains. There was a starbucks right by the elevator to go to our room which we also just LOVED. I am not a gambler so I can't speak to that side.
We learned that you literally can walk to the T&M in less than 10 minutes instead of waiting for the shuttle for a half an hour. It is VERY close. And no, I didn't feel unsafe at all.
I forgot that the NRS deal is at the MGM so we will hit that. We will also go to all of the other convention centers and what not so Ashton gets the full gammot of the experience. We will also take a cab to South Point so she can watch the Gold Buckle ceremony. And I am going to track autograph sessions in a bit. Mary Walker told us a couple of weeks ago that they are at the Mirage and I think saturday all 15 girls are there at once signing autographs. We are doing that.
Basically we are going to do the #1 barrel racer fanatic tour for 3 days for her. Ashton has never been on a plane let alone do something like this. It is going to exhaust me I am sure but I know she is going to just love it.
Edited by sassy&tessa 2013-11-19 10:07 AM
|
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 183
| sassy&tessa - 2013-11-19 9:43 AM
The 14 year old girl that rides with me acheived the goal that we set out for her so I am taking her to the NFR as promised. We will be out there saturday through monday. Saturday my amazing vet is letting us hang out with him to meet the pros which I am super excited to do. I am also crossing my fingers he wins vet of the year!! I need to see when they are announcing that because that is super friggin cool IMO. I just saw him last night when I picked up my horse.
The first time I went to the NFR we stayed at the Hard Rock and we LOVED IT!!!! I am not a fan of the strip and I wanted to be in a more quiet area. My husband LOVED the rooms because they have black out curtains. There was a starbucks right by the elevator to go to our room which we also just LOVED. I am not a gambler so I can't speak to that side.
We learned that you literally can walk to the T&M in less than 10 minutes instead of waiting for the shuttle for a half an hour. It is VERY close. And no, I didn't feel unsafe at all.
I forgot that the NRS deal is at the MGM so we will hit that. We will also go to all of the other convention centers and what not so Ashton gets the full gammot of the experience. We will also take a cab to South Point so she can watch the Gold Buckle ceremony. And I am going to track autograph sessions in a bit. Mary Walker told us a couple of weeks ago that they are at the Mirage and I think saturday all 15 girls are there at once signing autographs. We are doing that.
Basically we are going to do the #1 barrel racer fanatic tour for 3 days for her. Ashton has never been on a plane let alone do something like this. It is going to exhaust me I am sure but I know she is going to just love it.
I hope you get her a window seat because flying over the Grand Canyon is absolutely incredible!! That's as close to the Grand Canyon as I've ever been but I hope to visit it at gound level someday soon too!! |
|
| |
|
Dr. Ruth
Posts: 9891
Location: Blissfully happy Giants fan!!! | haha-yes I think we have window seats coming in and out of Vegas. I used my points so our flights are a tad weird. She will get to see the inside of SFO and can say she has been to California. One day I will take her out there for real. But I will have her watch for the Grand Canyon. :) |
|
| |
|
 Voice of Reason
Location: NOT at Wal Mart | Lots of fun!!! So much to do and see. Love the South Point but dang its far out there. I usually stay in town. You're gonna have a blast! |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| MissouriJen - 2013-11-19 9:31 AM This is my first year going, my mom and her friend will be meeting me out there. I've never been to the NFR or to Vegas, so I have no idea what to expect! We will be there the 6th-10th (Fri-Mon). We have tickets for Sunday night.
Get to the Thomas and Mack early on Sunday night. There is alot of things to see and do around the outside of the arena. Make sure you buy a program, they are really cool to look at and have great info in them...
What can we expect for shopping - and where are the best places to go? We will basically have just Sat and Sun for shopping.
We bought the most stuff last year at the MGM NRS store. But it is basically all the dealers that NRS has all set up in different booths around the convention center and you check out up front at the end. Lots of brand name clothes and high end tack.
The convention center is home to Cowboy Christmas and the show I would reccommend to any first timers. You can seriously spend ALL DAY in there and not even see everything. We will go here the first day we are there to hit up some of our favorite stores. The have everything you could ever imagine in the place.
The Sands Convention center has another HUGE show. Its just as big as Cowboy Christmas, and they have alot of the lower end dealers at this one. You can find the best deals at this shopping I have found. We usually go here on the 2nd day we are in town.
The shops at Mandalay Bay are good, usually more tack than anything, but it is just off the path for us, so we skip it most years. Last year I have been there was 2009 so Im sure it could have changed alot between now and then **TIP** If you go to this show, go to the Shark Reef entrance at Mandalay or you will be walking all day trying to find the convention part.
We are staying at the Hard Rock - would you recommend getting a car?
You arent too far off the strip if you walk down Harmon, but I would suggest getting a cab because that is a pretty sketchy street. If you take a cab to anywhere on the strip, then you can hop on the monorail to get to anywhere you need to go. We always just take cabs or walk, so never rent a car. There are also alot of shuttles that can get you where you need to go.
Any fun places to go or things to see that we shouldn't miss?
I would for sure try to go to at least one of the shopping deals. You see all kinds of contestants there signing autographs. I know if I was there on Sunday like you are going to be, I would for sure try to check out part of the Miss Rodeo America horsemanship competition. Its at the Convention Center.
Try to go in as man casinos as you can just to get the Vegas Vibe. Everyone has something different to offer. Also, dont miss the Bellagio fountains or the Mirage Volcano. They are good shows and FREE!
Will anyone else be out there at the same time? I'd love to meet some people!
I will be there the 5th thru the 8th (1st Thursday-Sunday) so PM me and I will give you my number in case you need any more advice while you are there! This is my 11th year going for the NFR and we are in Vegas way too much so I can try to guide you in the right direction.. If you have any more questions let me know :)
.. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 369
Location: south arkansas | I am soaking in all of this info as hubby and I are going for the first time as well..... We will be there for the 5-8 performances and staying at the Gold Coast. I am beyond exciting but nervous as well not knowing what to expect when we get there. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| Well now I'm even more excited! My mom keeps comparing this to the Midwest Horse Fair that they go to every year, I keep telling her that she has no idea how much bigger this will be!
I may be overwhelmed this year and need to go back next year to soak it in some more!  |
|
| |
|
 Leggs
Posts: 4680
Location: lexington KY | lizzy - 2013-11-19 11:43 AM I am soaking in all of this info as hubby and I are going for the first time as well..... We will be there for the 5-8 performances and staying at the Gold Coast. I am beyond exciting but nervous as well not knowing what to expect when we get there.
Expect to have an amazing time! You will enjoy every minute of it. I will be there for work, but the shopping is great and the actual NFR performance is incredible. You will enjoy every second of it. There are always cabs available if you dont rent a car so there will never be a problem getting some place! Just relax and take it all in! |
|
| |
|
 Perky Gal
Location: On a paint horse... | Be sure and catch the 'after the rodeo' show at the Gold Coast with Joe Beaver and Donny Gay. Thats a hoot. And Flint Rasmussen's Outside the Barrel show is fabulous, he has different people from the rodeo and whatever stars might be in town. That is at the Convention Center. We always rent a car, tried waiting on the monorail and it didnt work out so great, too many people and not enough trains. We got a car for 5 days for just $55 total. If you want to rent a car, go to Fox Rentals. They are a little off the beaten path (shuttle takes you there) so less than half what the others charge! |
|
| |
|
 Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | skeeter 777 - 2013-11-19 12:50 PM Be sure and catch the 'after the rodeo' show at the Gold Coast with Joe Beaver and Donny Gay. Thats a hoot. And Flint Rasmussen's Outside the Barrel show is fabulous, he has different people from the rodeo and whatever stars might be in town. That is at the Convention Center. We always rent a car, tried waiting on the monorail and it didnt work out so great, too many people and not enough trains. We got a car for 5 days for just $55 total. If you want to rent a car, go to Fox Rentals. They are a little off the beaten path (shuttle takes you there) so less than half what the others charge!
What are the cost comparisons to cabs vs renting a car and paying to park? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| ACEINTHEHOLE - 2013-11-19 1:07 PM skeeter 777 - 2013-11-19 12:50 PM Be sure and catch the 'after the rodeo' show at the Gold Coast with Joe Beaver and Donny Gay. Thats a hoot. And Flint Rasmussen's Outside the Barrel show is fabulous, he has different people from the rodeo and whatever stars might be in town. That is at the Convention Center. We always rent a car, tried waiting on the monorail and it didnt work out so great, too many people and not enough trains. We got a car for 5 days for just $55 total. If you want to rent a car, go to Fox Rentals. They are a little off the beaten path (shuttle takes you there) so less than half what the others charge! What are the cost comparisons to cabs vs renting a car and paying to park?
All the casinos have free parking. |
|
| |
|
Tough Patooty
Posts: 2615
Location: Sperry, OK | kboltwkreations - 2013-11-19 1:10 PM ACEINTHEHOLE - 2013-11-19 1:07 PM skeeter 777 - 2013-11-19 12:50 PM Be sure and catch the 'after the rodeo' show at the Gold Coast with Joe Beaver and Donny Gay. Thats a hoot. And Flint Rasmussen's Outside the Barrel show is fabulous, he has different people from the rodeo and whatever stars might be in town. That is at the Convention Center. We always rent a car, tried waiting on the monorail and it didnt work out so great, too many people and not enough trains. We got a car for 5 days for just $55 total. If you want to rent a car, go to Fox Rentals. They are a little off the beaten path (shuttle takes you there) so less than half what the others charge! What are the cost comparisons to cabs vs renting a car and paying to park?
That's cool.. we have been twice and going again this year and have always been told not to get a rental as you had to pay to park everywhere.... interesting. Thanks. |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Las Vegas convention centre charges 10 for parking, I always do valet tip whatever and have the car brought to you.
Also forgot to add get really comfy shoes, your feet will be killing it is like walking a 20 mile marathon. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| Ill be at the NFR too! Im a first timer! Ill be there Dec. 11th-13th. Staying at the Monte Carlo. I cant wait!!!  |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1037
| spitzh - 2013-11-19 1:36 PM Ill be at the NFR too! Im a first timer! Ill be there Dec. 11th-13th. Staying at the Monte Carlo. I cant wait!!!
Have fun!!! Monte Carlo is a great hotel and it is in the perfect location to get to everything... Use that free tram to Aria and down to Bellagio.. It will save you alot of steps if going down the strip!! |
|
| |
|
 Cyber World Challenged
Posts: 2526
Location: My Own Little World | Get to the Belaggio for sure. Not only is the fountain show beautiful, but the atrium is all done for the holidays. I prefer the Sands & the Convention center for shopping. BUT if you want to travel, Sam's Town has the Sheplers tent sale and inside Sam's Town is a gorgeous atrium & show. The buckle presentation at the SouthPoint shouldn't be missed. There's a zip line ride at the Freemont Street Experience. The Forum Shoppes at Caesers is FUN. I live out here, so all old news as far as the strip but I am SOOOOO excited to have NFR start so I can meet the folks I read about |
|
| |
Folks on-line