Vegas & New York

I'd say Grand Canyon helicopter tour in Vegas.

We're just back from new York and we had three nights we did

Wicked on broadway

Times square (need to see it at about 11.30pm it's like daylight, all shops are open etc)

Statue of liberty (was closed for refurbishment but we still went on the island amazing to see manhattan skyline)

Fifth avenue (FAO schwartz and tiffanys)

Empire state

Top of the rock (empire state at night top of the rock in the morning)

Yankee stadium (no tours that day but had lunch at the hard rock cafe)

Grand central station

Madame tussauds

Central park

The high line (amazing)

9/11 memorial and saw freedom tower (beautiful and very surreal place. So quiet in the middle of all these buildings)

We managed this in two full days, one evening and one half day. We got the new York pass which covered everything we did (and more) we used the subway which allowed us to do a lot in one day. We're glad we did this much though and saw everything we wanted to. Would have liked one more day as we had an amazing hotel and would have liked to laze about a bit.

Hs auntie is just back from Vegas they were there for 9 nights and said it was too long. They said the favourites were the csi experience the helicopter over grand canyon (they got engaged there though!!) hoover dam, walking round all the other hotels (1/2 size Eiffel tower, new York skyline etc)

We originally planned what you are doing but my uncle offered new York as a present (his favourite holiday) so we dropped Vegas.

Vegas - walk around as many of the big hotels as you can. They are all themed in so much detail it is amazng to see. If you can play Blackjack (or Pontoon as I first knew it) find the $5 tables where the smallest bet is $5 - I managed to play with no mroe than $30 each night (what I thought would be a fair amount to spend on a night out) and whilst you are playing at the tables the drinks are free (plus a tip for the waitress). Food in the casinoes is also good value as they want you to spend your money on the betting tables rather than on expensive food so look out for a good buffet.

I've been to New York twice but don't have anything particular to recommend other than the usual highlights you'll find in any guide book.

We went to Vegas on our honeymoon and had three nights and two full days there. Here's something you won't find in the guide books. Go to the Wynn Hotel (right on the top end of the strip) and find the bar downstairs from the Casino called Parasol Down. You'll need ID and be smartly dressed. It's a really classy looking outdoor bar which overlooks a beautiful walled fountain. The cocktails are amazing. Then just wait for 8.00 for a surprise. You won't believe it.

If you like steak, to to Gallagher's steakhouse in New York, New York. Amazing.

I'd recommend Mon Ami Gabi restaurant in Paris. We were told to go there for a good view of the Bellagio fountains, but we didn't realise that they didn't start until the afternoon and we went for lunch so we missed them. I'd still recommend it for a nice lunch though.

We spent one full day just walking up and down the strip and popping into all the different hotels. Tried to go on the NY,NY rollercoaster but it was closed due to a storm! Have a buffet lunch somewhere, they do them in loads of places. I think we went to Treasure Island. Go hungry!

It gets so hot there during the day (and even in the night) so if you're going to go walking, take a bottle of water with you. Pick up one of the souvenir cups from any of the big casino hotels which they fill with strawberry daiquiri or margarita - alcoholic slush! Very refreshing on a hot day.

We stayed in the Venetian and we didn't find out until the last day that they did a sort of loyalty club where you got a card that you stuck into the slot machine every time you played and you got points for it. Same for the shops and restaurants which you could then use towards other stuff. Find out if your hotel does somethign similar.

Knees has summed up everything I would say about Vegas. Wynn looked amazing but we never went - so definately go to the bar she reccommends.

Also we saw a great live band free in the Hard Rock Hotel, so worth checking what they have on. If there is someone in residence doing concerts at one of the hotels, it may be great too. Elton John was there recently I think. We went to see Barry Manilow whilst we were there and it was cheesey but great!

We went for 7 days and it was too long (that's even with a wedding one of the days!)

I would definitely recommend Mon Ami Gabi, the food in there was lovely. For a lower priced meal I always recommend the Cheesecake Factory, the food is lovely and the cheesecake is amazing, the cocktails are good too !

We also went to the Sugar Factory for dinner, which is at the front of the Paris Hotel and was really good food, again lovely cocktails.

If you want to see all the free hotel shows like the fountains, volcano etc then your concierge at your hotel will usually have a list of all of them and what time they are all on.

For a bar with a view, head to Mandalay Bay and go up to the Mix Bar, the cocktails are again really nice (Half price between 5 and 7pm) and the view is fantastic at night.

Cirque Du Soleil is well worth a watch if you have the time and budget (our tickets were $125 with a discount for Ka at MGM Grand but I think they are all a similar price and just as good as each other) and so is Matt Goss who performs on Friday and Saturday nights in the Cleopatra Bar in Ceasars Palace, think the tickets were about $60.

I want to go!!

Another Vegas hidden gem is the 'Neon Boneyard'. It's an outdoor museum of loads of the original 50s,60s and 70s neon signs. The tour guides are great.

Up until this month they didn't advertise it and you could only get in by private appointment. We stumbled across it in a bridal magazine photo shoot.

The guides are fabulous, very knowledgeable and it's well worth a visit.