Roman Main Event: Las Vegas Basketball tournament this November.

Submitted by Beaublue on August 17th, 2021 at 12:43 PM

I am strongly considering attending the basketball tournament Michigan will be in this November in Las Vegas.   Haven't been to Vegas in many years as it is not my favorite place but 2 Michigan basketball games should make it a fun time.

Looking for advice as to places to stay that would be walkable to the tournament venue, restaurants, shows, etc.   

How early should I book flights, hotels, shows and buy tickets? 

Thanks in advance.

WolverineinLA

August 17th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^

I am headed to the event with my buddy! Anytime Michigan plays in the West I jump on the opportunity. I bought my tickets months ago. You should buy your tickets to the event ASAP. Seats worse than my section are now at a higher price than what I paid. 

I would suggest booking flights now as well. If Southwest is one of the cheapest, I would go with that as it is refundable / can get credit if the flight gets cheaper. 

The event is at the T-Mobile Arena, right behind the New York New York hotel. So it is pretty much walkable from anywhere on the main area of the strip (Caesars Palace - Mandalay Bay). Hotels are plentiful on the strip so I would recommend shopping around for the best deal. November can be a great time in Vegas weather wise and deal wise as it is generally less touristy, especially the week before Thanksgiving. 

Hope to see a bunch of y'all there!

Joined: 02/11/2016

MGoPoints: 1939

KingRJ

August 17th, 2021 at 1:08 PM ^

The T-mobile arena is in the best location.  Right in between the Monte Carlo and the New York hotels.  Best places to stay is anywhere on the south end of the strip which is the Mandalay Bay side.  All the hotels have way different rates so see which one fits your budget.  Enjoy your trip.

Joined: 04/30/2015

MGoPoints: 2300

jcgold

August 17th, 2021 at 1:23 PM ^

I'll try to weigh in here as I'm out there enough, and I'll stay away from flight stuff as I don't know where OP is coming from, but a friendly reminder that there are many ways to vegas. So I'd ask OP - what kind of things do you think you'd be interested in? 

Hotel - what kind of vibe are you looking for? Luxurious or modern? Party vibe or quiet? What kind of budget are you looking at per night?

Restaurants - They have every kind of food you could think of - any particular things you'd want to have?

Shows - Not a huge show person when I go, but I'd ask OP - concert, comedy, Cirque du soleil/artistic? What do you think you're looking for?

Joined: 07/27/2009

MGoPoints: 3106

Beaublue

August 18th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^

Good questions.   Leaning to the luxury side of hotels and prefer quiet.    My initial research suggests Bellagio, Venetian or maybe The Signature at MGM

I think we will be fine with restaurants - probably looking for a good steak dinner following a Michigan football win over Maryland on Nov 20!

Shows - probably music/concert.

 

Joined: 09/17/2013

MGoPoints: 4108

jcgold

August 20th, 2021 at 9:49 AM ^

I'd look at Vdara - its closer to the arena than what you've suggested, its quiet (no casino in lobby, but can easily walk over to one). And its pretty central - right behind Cosmo and right next to Bellagio and Aria - you can also take the tram straight from Vdara to the Arena.

As for steak, it's a trek (at the Sahara), but I'm a big fan of Jose Andres Bazaar Meats - again a trek, but a really interesting steak experience, especially if you do the meat tasting menu. Jean Georges is also a great choice at Aria. Both are gonna hit you in the wallet.

Hard for me to help with music/concerts because its totally calendar dependent, but I'm sure someone at this point is playing at that time.

Joined: 07/27/2009

MGoPoints: 3106

Naked Bootlegger

August 17th, 2021 at 1:26 PM ^

Flew into Vegas with my family as our entry point to a Zion + Bryce Canyon + Grand Canyon tour.  We grabbed the rental car and drove the strip on our way out of town.   Before leaving the strip, though, we witnessed one car pull up to another and exchange a small packet between open windows.   I instinctively yelled "Look, kids...a drug deal!!!" in a very animated fashion.   

That's all I have on Las Vegas.   Except for that the airport on our departing flight was the most forlorn environment I've ever witnessed.  Lots of obviously hungover people that probably lost a lot of money at the slots.

Joined: 01/28/2011

MGoPoints: 34714

tommya14

August 17th, 2021 at 2:13 PM ^

Those staying past the weekend, Monday and Tue have the following games at T-Mobile: Mon CMU vs Gonzaga and UCLA vs Bellarmine.  Tue CMU vs Bellarmine and UCLA vs Gonzaga.  Raiders also play on Sunday.  That is a lot of sports Thursday through Tuesday with a state of Michigan flavor. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 860

GOTEXASBLUE

August 17th, 2021 at 2:12 PM ^

The replies below all correct, its a matter of preference as getting to the Arena from most of the main strip locations will be fairly easy. MGM, NYNY, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay are probably your best bets proximity wise. Its November so good chance it will be fairly cool out and not pool weather so I wouldnt look for best pools. NYNY is great if you are bringing kids and want to experience the Roller coasters, arcade etc. (Although you dont have to stay there to utilize). Mandalay Bay is great as there are some great pubs, bars restaurants the adults will like. MGM is a good mix of cheaper dining options, bars and a couple nice restaurant options. Getting to a show at another location is fairly simple no matter where you stay.

I have been 4 times this year with varying covid experiences. Expect to wear mask indoors except once seated at bars, restaurants etc and actively drinking/eating(Barring something changing. 

Get tickets now. Most shows schedules are out for the remainder of the year and your best seating/price options will happen the earlier you book. 

Joined: 10/16/2015

MGoPoints: 127

sawolverine

August 17th, 2021 at 2:50 PM ^

The above commenters are all correct. The Aria Express runs for free on the West side of the strip connecting the Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Vdara, Aria and Park MGM and gets you close to the arena.  This is different from the tram on the East side of the strip.  The Vdara is a nice place to stay that does not have casino stuff downstairs, so it's a little quieter.  Looking forward to that weekend!

Joined: 06/23/2017

MGoPoints: 43

MGoOhNo

August 17th, 2021 at 3:00 PM ^

Get tickets at seat geek now. Good prices. UM sections aren't great, and best seats in those sections taken (UM travels well to Vegas and/or west coast - everyone I know from LA is going). There's a tram that runs up and down same side of the strip as t mobile, so walking distance shouldn't be primary concern. Newest place is “resorts world” (unfortunate name, but 3 hotels, a billion restaurants bars etc) and it's one-stop shopping for everything you mentioned. However, it is remote and not tram-able to/from t-mobile. Wings playing Th night too. Vegas.com is one stop shopping for almost everything you'll need, airline/hotel/shows, etc. Better to buy early to get what you want and know you have it.

Joined: 08/12/2014

MGoPoints: 8977

MaizeGoBlue

August 17th, 2021 at 4:20 PM ^

Im in Vegas now working for 6 days and will be back here next month twice for a week each time..Its Pretty Dead right now compare to the past so Hotels are pretty cheap. Im at the Wynn at even their prices have come down so the variety of prices is great from Cheap (Treasure Island or Luxor) to  upper end Wynn or Venetian  but at that end NY NY is close by so probably your best bet. Id book your air sooner rather later as you are approaching Thanksgiving weekend  that weekend is just prior so seats will get scarce SOON. Sat and Wed travel is usually slightly cheaper if possible. 

Joined: 07/20/2021

MGoPoints: 2633

vegasmaize

August 17th, 2021 at 6:07 PM ^

 Vegas local here

T-Mobil is owned by the MGM group. With that tons of tickets are held by them. So if you stay at an MGM resort ask about ticket deals. 

Food- On the strip every option but expensive because you are trapped on the strip. A large pepperoni pizza at Mandalay Bay is $49.50.  Bottles of water are anywhere from 8-20$.  So if you have a rental car drive to Summerlin area (west) and get better food for real prices.  

Hotel- On Strip Southside of LV Blvd is closest. Park MGM (next to T-Mobil) is smoke free and higher end.  Off strip Red Rock station (Summerlin) has everything and very nice. Green Valley Ranch (SE) very nice has everything. Both have outdoor malls next to them with loads of restaurants and bars. Clean areas unlike the strip.  

Covid close downs, our governor has let the Casinos make their own rules. So They won't be locked down at all. Masks are currently required everywhere but everything is open at full capacity.  Away from casinos the local and small businesses have some capacity limitations (money runs Vegas).  

Food delivery We have them all. If you eat Vegan or want a small business local flare. Download the app LoCo. 

Local drinking and nightlife areas.  The Arts District (every building is murals. Old part of town). I think there is six breweries and another half dozen Bars.  Ser-veh-zah is great!!!! Skip Nevada Brew works and hit Hudl next door. 

If you stay off Strip and rent a car the parking for T-Mobil is a nightmare.  There is a free tram that runs from the Mirage to Mandalay Bay. Raiders fans were paying 100$ to park with two miles of Stadium last Saturday. People were walking over the highway. Straight goat rope. 

 

Joined: 09/19/2009

MGoPoints: 174