Traveling to Vegas on a Shoestring Budget? No Problem!

July 21st, 2007

All that glitters is not as expensive as gold. I am not very sure about the rest of the world, but in Las Vegas you can entertain yourselves even when you are not carrying a lot of cash. Las Vegas is a place that caters to every budget and every taste. And, regardless of the amount of money you spend, this place offers you absolute entertainment. A few of the free attractions that Vegas offers are discussed below.

The Thunderstorm at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino is a computer generated thunderstorm that strikes the hallway of the Desert Passage shopping mall. It replicates a thunderstorm striking a North African seaport, with rain, booming thunder and lightning. The Thunderstorm show is located at the Merchants’ Harbor section of the mall.

The Fountains at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino is an outdoor show with fountains, lights and sound. This spectacular show features 1200 nozzles and 4500 dazzling lights lined up along the quarter mile long lake stretch between the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. The glittery fountains dance to the tunes of the music that fills the air and this is perhaps one of the best free attractions in Vegas. Do not miss it.

The Hawaiian Marketplace Performers offers you the best of Hawaiian fun, with a troupe of Polynesian performers singing, dancing, narrating stories and demonstrating Polynesian island crafts at the Hawaiian Marketplace shopping mall all through the day. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy shows featuring fire knife dancers, Samoan singers, Tahitian dancers as well as a live bird show.

The Sunset Stampede at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino is also an attractive show that features an animatronic, laser light and water fountain choreographed to a western pioneer theme. It takes place in Mystic Falls Park, which is an indoor forest with a glass ceiling ten stories high. Sam’s town is located around 6 miles east of the Strip.

The Rock and Roll Memorabilia at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino showcases collectibles from all your favorite rock and roll stars, including Beatles collectibles, Madonna’s underwear, motorcycles from Guns N Roses’ Matt Sorum and Motley Crew’s Nikki Six, autographed guitars and drum sets from many bands and leather jackets from Aerosmith and the Ramones.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino features a 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium in its lobby. This is an additional attraction to its tropical theme. The aquarium, which is 53 feet long, eight feet from top to bottom, and six feet from front to back, houses over 1,000 coral reef animals like angelfish, puffer fish, tangs, sharks and other sea creatures. As you walk along the lobby, you can watch these exotic sea creatures swimming through the reef.

If you are in Vegas, you never have to worry about your expenditure. Vegas promises unadulterated fun for any budget.

Las Vegas – Not All Glitz and Neon

July 7th, 2007

Outdoor entertainment is the last thing on your mind when you visit Vegas, which is popular for its glitzy nightlife. All you are thinking of is visiting the bars, casinos and nightclubs here and party wild and hard. However, you are in for a surprise because Vegas has a lot more to offer than just nightlife. Las Vegas has the best of all worlds. It is not just a neon oasis, but also a place for some great outdoor adventure. You could choose from a variety of options like outdoor excursions, national parks, sports-related activities and many more.

The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife lover’s delight. This place is home to around 24 native species that are not found anywhere in the world. The most famous among them all is the endangered pupfish. The refuge has limits on swimming and driving. However, you can swim at the Crystal Reservoir, which is also a good place for boating. You can also draw pleasure from nature trails and go picnicking with your family and friends. The refuge is also a great spot for wildlife and landscape photography.

For the sports and water enthusiasts, Las Vegas has some excellent places for hiking, skiing, sledding and boating. The Red Rock Canyon and Mt. Charleston are two of the best places for hiking. You can also go skiing and sledding, during winter, in Mt. Charleston. The Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, is a place you should not miss if you love boat and jet skiing. Since it is located at the center of three ecosystems, the Mojave, the Sonoran deserts and the Great Basin, Lake Mead is also a lovely place to view wildlife. In winter, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard resort is a must-visit for the skiers and snowboarders. In addition to these, there are plenty of other adventure locations like the Valley of Fire, the Hoover Dam, etc.

The unadulterated adrenaline rush that one feels in a fast car is incomparable. The pure thrill of sitting in a NASCAR-styled race car is electrifying. And, this ultimate experience is offered in Las Vegas’ Richard Petty Driving Experience. A trip to the Las Vegas Speedway is followed by a real-life racing experience in a NASCAR-style race car, where professional instructors drive you through the speedway at speeds of over 150 mph. And, to preserve the memories of this memorable experience, you can get photo packages and racing merchandise at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway store. And, if you’re looking for something faster and more thrilling, you should visit the Mario Andretti Champ Ride. You will be driven around in a race car by professional instructors at speeds well over 180 mph. The G-forces that you will experience for the first time in your life will make your trip to Vegas unforgettable.

If you have been a sports buff all your life, Las Vegas provide the ultimate gratification. One among Las Vegas’ many epithets is ‘Boxing Capital of the World’, not for organizing boxing bouts but for the number of high-profile competitions that take place here, all year long. Las Vegas is the venue for the most prestigious Rodeo event – The National Finals Rodeo. You can also catch the action of the PGA Tour, a preseason NBA game or watch NHL’s Frozen Fury event. For a virtual gaming experience, head to the ESPN Zone, which has virtual reality games, video games and also a mini bowling alley. If you are not game for a real skydiving experience, you can try the Flyaway Indoor Skydiving.

In Vegas, there is no dull moment. If you are looking for wonderful outdoorsy fun, Las Vegas is a great choice. Head to Vegas and have the fun of your life.

Sinful Ecstasy in Las Vegas

July 7th, 2007

Heaven forgive me for the sins I have committed In Las Vegas. I am not sure if there is a commandment that goes ‘Thou Shall not Indulge’, but I am quite sure my trip to Las Vegas wasn’t what you would call ‘righteous.’ Ironically, the Eden of the world, where you find the best of everything, is also the ‘Sin City’. This place has got it all – Bars, Nightclubs, Strip Clubs, and other forms of entertainment that transport you to another world! One trip to Las Vegas can rejuvenate you like only an elixir can. And, there is no better place than Las Vegas, if you are seeking wholesome fun.

I am not surprised that Vegas is called the ‘adult playground’. If you are over 21 and you are looking to relive the wildest days of your life, Vegas wouldn’t disappoint you. At Vegas, you experience the art of adult entertainment at its best. The ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ boasts of the best nightclubs around the globe. You can visit nightclub after nightclub and still not get bored or exhausted. Nightclubs here can range from stylish to laid-back. So, you can choose a nightclub suiting your palate and experience the hottest action. One of the best hotels for Las Vegas Nightlife is the MGM Grand. If you are lucky, you could catch some of the hottest people in action, performing for concerts hosted by their arenas. And this is not all. The MGM Grand houses luxurious pools, salon and world famous casinos that make your stay memorable.

For the wildest action, you can visit the Strip Clubs here. With a plethora of Strip Clubs lined up in Vegas, it is very hard to resist stepping into one of the exotic dance dens and letting your animal instincts loose. However, if you wish to have some classic fun at a strip club, without the waitresses hounding you, you could opt for the Club Paradise, situated just opposite the Hard Rock Hotel. The Club Paradise is not exactly what you would call a gentleman’s club. It is probably more of an ultra lounge that avoids the bump-and-grind, characteristic of other strip clubs. The girls here are not too pushy. On the contrary, they are warm, conversational and a lot subtler. An alternative to the Club Paradise is the Eden’s Gentleman Club. And, if you are looking for something more boisterous and in-your-face, then you would have no problem choosing from the innumerable hustle and bustle clubs.

If you are forbidden from entering strip clubs, then you could try a more acceptable form of entertainment – the Bars. Vegas is home to some of the best and most famous bars in the world. The variety offered here is unbeatable. The Eclectic drinker can choose from classic cocktails in a swank ambience to a wonderful signature drink in some of the best bars in town. The Sidebar in Downtown, the Ghostbar at the Palms, Red Square in Mandalay Bay and the V-Bar are some of the best places in Vegas to hang out.

After a few wild nights in the hottest places in town, you would want to detox and pamper yourself in the divine tranquility of a Spa. You could treat yourself with a soothing massage, an invigorating scrub or indulge in an exquisite body treatment. Spas are always good for the ultimate relaxation before heading into the mad and hectic world you come from.

Las Vegas has the best of everything, for every kind of person. In Vegas, there is not a single moment of ennui. When in Vegas, set your soul free and experience the ultimate ecstasy.

Vegas – a Gourmet’s Delight

June 30th, 2007

Food might be the last thing on your mind when you go to Vegas. When you visit this place, all you are thinking of is entertainment. Yet, it is undeniable that Las Vegas is one of the best ‘dine-n-wine’ places. There are so many restaurants in Vegas that it is a huge challenge to be able to pick one. The quality and the unbelievable variety that Vegas offers will definitely appeal to your taste buds.

There are some restaurants in Vegas that you must not miss. One such place is the Enoteca San Marco at the Venetian Hotel in the Grand Canal Shoppes. This place boasts of the best customer service you can ever get. The passion that the staff has for food and the finest wine is just incredible. The hospitality they extend is heartening. Italian wines and some great food take you to a different world, altogether. If you happen to visit this place, you must definitely try the pasta and salad. An exquisite ambience coupled with passionate servers make a visit to the Enoteca San Marco truly worthwhile.

When in Las Vegas, you must go for the best. The best steak in Vegas is offered by Strip Steak at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. You wouldn’t be surprised to know that the steak here turns out to be the best since the cooks employ an ingenious method to roast the beef. All the talk about wood-burning grills and slow poaching chambers went over my head but I relished some great, tender steak. The wine made sure that I was hungry as a monster. By the time I stepped out of the restaurant, I was stuffed with some lovely steak and a splendid eating experience.

While you are at Las Vegas, do drop in at the Nobhill at MGM Grand Las Vegas for some mouth-watering San Francisco food. This place is a ‘must-visit’ for the superb wine. And to accentuate the effect, you have some deft bartenders who are quite creative with cocktails. The ambience also adds to the fantastic food that this place provides.

Las Vegas is home to some delectable Sushi restaurants. If you are a Sushi lover, you must visit places like Sushi Roku at Caesars Palace, Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel, the
Shibuya at MGM Grand and Mikado Restaurant at The Mirage, to name a few.

So, the next time you visit Las Vegas, you shouldn’t have trouble looking for the right restaurants to visit. Bon Appetit.

This is Vegas Baby!

June 30th, 2007

Absolutely surreal! Las Vegas is the perfect destination if you wish to break free from the monotony of your corporate life. No presentations to make, no nagging bosses and no rules to bind you. You get transported to the zany world of Vegas the moment you land here. And for the next few days, you forget who you are. When you are at the ‘Sin City’, entertainment is at its best.

If it is spirits that you seek, Vegas is the right place. In Vegas, the action never stops. Bars never close and if you are looking to drink all-night long, then there is nobody around to stop you. However, forget about driving to your hotel room sloshed, because drunken driving is a no-no even here. Well, that’s a small price to pay for all the fun. The best part is - drinks are free in the Casino as long as you are holding on to your cards.

They are known as the Big 7 among the bars in Las Vegas. If you are a connoisseur and you don’t mind the hole in your pocket, you must pay a visit to these bars. These places offer the best drinks in town. My personal favorite is the Olives at the Bellagio Hotel. A classic combination of flat bread and a Martini and a lovely view of the Las Vegas Strip will make a wonderful afternoon.

If it is unadulterated Vegas that you seek, you must drop in at the Peppermill. Order the bar’s signature drink, the Scorpion and find yourself in a completely different era.

The Tequila Bar at Bally’s is the best place to go, if you love Margarita. This place offers a wide selection of Tequila and is also a lovely choice for Mescal shots.

If it is rum, it has to be wild. Step in to the Rumjungle at the Mandalay Bay and you will know what I mean. Loud and crowded, yet a good place for a bottle or two. And then you can go yo-ho!

Beer and a big bowl of Irish stew is an unbeatable combo. Drive down to the Nine Fine Irishmen and make your evening memorable.

The Red Square at Mandalay Bay Hotel is a divine place. The décor, the ambience, the patrons, the ice bar and of course, the drinks are simply the best in Vegas. A glass of Vodka here and you probably would never want to leave this place.

If you thought the bars in Vegas are only for the boisterous, you may be wrong. Step in to Delmonico’s at the Venetian Hotel for some great wine and a beautiful evening.

More than the drinks, it is the Vegas experience that will intoxicate you. Visit Vegas and you would never want to go back to the claustrophobic cabin of yours at office.

Las Vegas – The Entertainment Capital of the World

June 19th, 2007

The biggest attractions of the ‘Sin City’ Las Vegas are its Casinos. Lined up in Las Vegas Boulevard South, known as the Las Vegas Strip, are the most popular casinos in the area. Many others are also located in the county and in the downtown area as well, which was the center of the casino industry in the earliest days of its inception. If you are looking for the most spectacular ones, you must visit the Freemont Street Experience (FSE) and step in to the glittering Golden Nugget, Four Queens, Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel, Fremont Casino, Plaza Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas Club, Fitzgeralds Las Vegas or the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.

Las Vegas houses the tallest roller coaster and the kids, for sure, and the fun-seekers would love it. Located atop the Stratosphere Resort’s tower, this ride will make your trip memorable. Although not very fast at 30 mph, the ride is smooth and is a great ‘family ride’ choice. The admission costs $11 a ride. There are also other ride options like the Speed ($8 for two rides), Desperado in Buffalo Bill’s Resort ($6/ride) and Manhattan Express ($12/ride).

The speed freaks would definitely want to check out The Drive Vegas, where they can take a wild drive around the tracks here in sports cars or off-roaders like the Hummer. It is sure to give you the adrenaline rush. The drives cost $10 for two rounds in a sports car or one round in the Hummer.

Golf Courses are also quite a hit in Las Vegas. Golfers get to choose courses based on location, design or quality. Wynn Golf Club, the Royal Links Golf Club, the Bali Hai, the Bear’s Best and Golf Club are among the top 4 golf courses in Vegas.

For a more sedate and laid-back tour experience, you must pay a visit to the multitude of parks, galleries, community events and recreational centers and sports complexes. They are great options for families visiting Vegas.

Ahhh, Vegas

May 26th, 2007

Ahhh, Vegas. The city of lights, shows, and constant action. You will never lack for something to do here. Turn any corner, pop through any door, and you know you’ll find something fun and exciting. Let’s talk about a few of your options, shall we?

First, you need a place to stay. You know you won’t be able to leave after just a day. Really, why would you want to? There are so many hotels, motels, and sleep-inn’s that you won’t have a problem finding a spot. You have a choice of four star hotels like Caesars Palace, The Tropicana, and Planet Hollywood or one star motels that are no frills, but clean and safe. Whether you’re looking for a glamorous time in a ritzy spot or just a place to crash that you don’t really intend to see the inside of much, you can find it and grab it with no problem. Vegas has a spot for everyone. No matter what your budget is, time constraints, or number of people you’re bringing with you, you’ll find a spot that’s perfect for you. And hey, maybe you can find something that you wouldn’t normally think would be your style.

Then, we all need some entertainment right? Vegas isn’t a place where anyone has to be bored. Take in one of the hundreds of Vegas shows that have made Vegas famous for decades. There’s a show for everyone here. You can see amazing show stopping singers that you’ve waited years to watch. Get one of the seats closest to the stage and you can see them up close, which for some of us would be a complete dream come true! There are also incredible magic shows from the top magicians that we’ve all heard of and talked about for years. Most of us would probably love to see a magic show in person, to see if maybe we, out of the whole crowd, can figure out how the heck they did that. Maybe you’re more of a musical production person. Music, life, and entertainment are huge here. Any kind of musical you’ve ever wanted to see is here and ready to go for you. There’s something for every age group, so don’t worry, you won’t lack for entertainment.

Now here’s something you might not have thought of, head out sightseeing! Ok, ok, I know that’s not what we all think of when we think of a fantastic trip to Vegas. But, you have to do something with your daytime hours, right? Some of the things you can see in Vegas might surprise you. The amazing fountains outside some of the casinos and hotels are stunning. Day and night, those fountains are lit up and going. There are gardens to tour, taking in exotic and beautiful flowers and plants that you have never even thought of. There is also a startling amount of wildlife, wildlife preserves, and natural rock formations that will take your breath away. Whether you’d like to see nature, animals, or manmade wonders, you can find something that will keep you happy and entertained between all your other endeavors.

See, no matter what you were hoping to do in Vegas you can do it. Inside, outside, and around the town. You will keep busy, happy, and on the go. From the perfect place to stay that fits your budget, your lifestyle, and your needs, to keeping yourself entertained day or night, it’s all in Vegas. Vegas doesn’t sleep; Vegas doesn’t get boring; Vegas doesn’t stop for anything. You will never forget your time here, and we hope that you can come back again, and again.