Forum: Air Force Life

Hey there guys! I'm not in the Air Force, but I'm still new in town and I don't know about all the good places to go yet. I know there's "free" drinks in the casinos, but I can't really afford to gamble enough to get all those "free" drinks.

I've heard about Tommy Rocker's (although I haven't had a chance to get there yet), and I know all about Margaritaville Wink

, but that's about all I know.

So what does everyone out at Nellis do for fun? What are the best bars and attractions for locals? Miniature golf? Racing at the Speedway? Clubbing on the Strip? "Ejection Training" on the Big Shot up on the top of the Stratosphere?

Thanks in advance Thumb

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Fun? What's that? just kidding...I spend most of my time fixing F-16's and hanging out with my family, when we get lucky and are awake at the same time...and I get a day off we like to go to the IMAX theater and watch the fighter pilot movie...My two year old loves the planes and lets everyone know. Da Plaane Da Plaane at the top of his lungs, Now thats fun!

Oh yeah do the ejection seat training at the big shot. Woooooooo Thats a near death expearence during the day!

229guy, thanks for the reply! I'm going to have to go see the IMAX movie! I haven't gotten around to that yet. Sounds like you have a lot of fun with your son - that's great Smile

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The Big Shot has to be my favorite ride here in Vegas Wink

. I just wish it was less expensive. Oh yeah, if you haven't tried the Big Shot at night yet, make sure you do! And make sure you're facing the Strip Very Happy

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Parrothead, what side of town do you live on? The Norhtwest side of town has plenty of restaurants, bars, pubs. I myself love the Kona Grill, lots of eye candy. Very Happy

Once you lived here in Vegas long enough, you leave the strip to the tourist.

Welcome to the forum and the site Shadowmist Very Happy

! I actually live down on the south side of town near Tropicana and Decatur. It's a little ways away from that side of town Wink

. On the other hand, I work out near Red Rock - near Cheyanne and Cimarron Smile

. Maybe I'll have to have my girlfriend meet me at the Kona Grill after work... Thanks for the tip Very Happy

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What's going on parrothead! You don't really have to spend big bucks to get free drinks in the casinos. Just sit at a slot machine and wait for the waitress to come along Wink

works for me all the time Cool

LOL. Anyway, the first (and only) time I tried the Big Shot was at night, right before they were closing down. There was a pretty good wind current too and it was cold as hell. They weren't even going to allow us to go because it was pretty windy, but they did (we're crazy...or maybe they are). Needless to say, it was an experience. Btw, I'm not in the Air Force. Not yet at least, but I visit Vegas alot. My girlfriend's dad lives off MLK on the far side of town and is a retired Sgt. in the Army, so he lets us in Nellis all the time. Got to see the F-22 last time I was there. I posted something about it somewhere in the forum but under a different name. Would be interesting to know if pilots and other Nellis folks hang out at the strip or the clubs (or strip clubs? haha) because we tend to think people there are mostly out-of-towners. Anyway, take care!

Active Member Joined: Apr 08, 2004 - 10:40 PM Posts: 203

Go fishing at Lake Mead mostly, but I am never home so.....I never go down to the strip anymore, Like goatmilk said, just hang out by the 25cent slots and drink beer all night, Tommy Rockers is great! That place really hooks us up when we go there.

Thanks again guys Very Happy

! I hardly get down on the strip if I can help it (unless I need something from the store at Margaritaville Wink

). What can I say - the traffic sucks Evil or Very Mad

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Goatmilk, I have to say that the Big Shot is one heckuva rush Devil

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Tankrat, my girlfriend and I plan to go fishing with her dad at the lake soon Smile

. Tommy's is definitely on the list, too!

Hi Parrothead!

Its been a few years since I did the Nellis fighter mechanic thing while looking for fun off duty but let me share what I know. You might already know all of this but consider my good intention.

When I was at Nellis I was broke, unsophisticated, and didn't know where to go. Downtown was intimidating. I did enjoy the classic movies they used to show at the old MGM Grand Hotel. I remember couches and ice cream.

But I spent most of my time turning and reading about jets and cars--on base. That was 1980-1986.

But in 1992 I was now with General Motors and we were again in Vegas, wining and dining dealers with a company that made all the entertainment arrangements. We took a slow water rafting trip that started at the base of the Hoover dam and continued downstream as a guide described the history of the dam and the people who built her. (I recommend this) We also went on a tour of a Candy factory in the Henderson area. There were several other events such as boxing matches arranged just for our group, private speaking sessions with Jay Leno and Norman Schwarzkopf.

Since most airmen dont have access to these custom arranged entertainments I would touch base with a Concierge at a few of the better hotels. Tip the concierge up front, let them know exactly who you are advising the concierge you'd like to know some off the beaten path activities that aren't super costly.
Subscribe to something that keeps you aware of what conventions are coming to town--they can be a lot of fun to register and participate in, many have affordable one day fees you can pay to participate.

I think you will be pleasantly suprised at what's available beyond the obvious.

Earl

Earl, thanks Very Happy

! That's exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for! My girlfriend is a hardlines buyer for a chain of gift shops on the strip, so she'll probably have a good idea about just what conventions are coming into town. I hadn't thought to ask the concierges Doh

, but it's the obvious thing to do now that I think of it Smile

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So you worked with GM, huh? I was a salesman for a Chevy dealership for a couple of years and I can say that I think you had a great job and must have had some great times - GM knows how to spend to make their dealers happy Very Happy

! Have fun!

I had a blast there last time I went to Red Flag in August. We went lots of places and had a blast! There's one thing though. We would pre-game our drinking in lodging for too long and by the time we left base, things were fuzzy so I really can't remember much. It was a blast though. I remember sitting at the slots one day (for free beer) and didn't seem to have any problems. My buddy had an idea: He tips the waitress 10 bucks and tells her to keep an eye on him and keep the cold ones coming. Shortly after that I guess was shift change because he didn't see her ever again! LMAO

parrothead wrote:

So what does everyone out at Nellis do for fun?

One word: Tourists

But, you've mentioned you got a girl already....

VPRGUY wrote:

parrothead wrote:

So what does everyone out at Nellis do for fun?

One word: Tourists

But, you've mentioned you got a girl already....

VPRGUY, things change here in vegas Wink

Hmm.... Tourists... Sounds like fun Devil

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Quote:

One word: Tourists

But, you've mentioned you got a girl already....

hahahahaha oh dear.... Laughing

Forum: Air Force Life

What do Air Force guys do for fun around Nellis?