Las Vegas Vacation Blog Blog

With the availability of tutorial software you can now practice and play at home to sharpen your skills before you go to the casino. Learning to play casino games at home on the computer is fun as well as educational. You are getting the enjoyment of playing the game so it doesn’t feel like you are actually “studying” to learn the game. Most human beings are a little sensitive to criticism. Let’s face it we don’t like to be corrected and have our mistakes pointed out to us all the time. If you had someone watching over your shoulder while you played and pointed out every mistake you made you would either give up trying to learn or worse yet resort to some kind of physical violence directed at that person.

A computer takes any human emotions out of the learning processes. There is no embarrassment when the computer beeps and alerts you to a mistake you just made. It’s impersonal and you take it all in stride and carry on. Playing and practicing at home will teach you the proper strategy and help build your confidence. Once you have your mistakes down to a minimum you will be ready to play in the casino.

A Las Vegas Vacation sure can be a fun time. Especially if you know how to play the games your risking you money at. Learn to play before you play!
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Jean-Philippe Patisserie

3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
Indulge in artfully decorated cookies, cakes, chocolates and crepes.

Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel

3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
Take refuge from chilly weather at this ultramodern boutique spa featuring a eucalyptus steam room, redwood sauna and more.

24 Hour Fitness

2556 Wigwam Pkwy, Henderson, NV
Lose those holiday pounds at this full-service gym that offers weights, classes and cardio equipment.

Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort

3620 N Rancho Dr Ste 101, Las Vegas, NV
Mt. Charleston resort offers skiing and boarding minutes away from the Vegas Strip.

Simon Restaurant and Lounge at Palms Place

4381 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV
S’mores and cotton candy desserts cap off the comfort food you crave on a winter’s night.

Peppermill’s Fireside Lounge

2985 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
Couples snuggle by the fire at this Rat Pack-era hangout, always keeping a cocktail or hot chocolate within reach.

Forty Deuce at Mandalay Place

3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
Heat things up with a steamy burlesque performance, then cool off with an icy mixed drink.

Qua Baths & Spa

3570 Las Vegas Blvd Ste 1, Las Vegas, NV
Winter’s on its way out, but you can still see it snow in the invigorating Arctic Room.

The Melting Pot

8704 West Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
Warm up and get creative with a steaming pot of fondue and a table of your closest friends.

A Las Vegas Vacation can be a great expierience. Though, if it is your first time and you don’t know the city, you may miss out on some wonderful memories and expieriences. Below are a few things that I believe will enrich your Las Vegas Vacation expierience.

• Make sure not to overdue it at the tables. Las Vegas is the city of gambling, but it’s not all it has to offer you on your vacation. Set a money and time limit for yourself and stick with it. Not following these Las Vegas gambling guidelines can result in stress and regret.
• Plan your vacation at a time where a performer favorite of yours is in town performing. There are always shows in Las Vegas, but, of course, seeing an act you know you will enjoy will enrich your vacation experience.
• The Bellagio Texas Hold ‘em tournements. If you are not a poker player this probably won’t work for you. The Bellagio offers great tournements throughout the day and it can be a whole lot of fun.
• Be sure to walk the strip at night. All those bright lights are just awesome for a walk on the town, very exciting to see for the first time live.
• Stay in a rental house if possible, rather than a hotel. It can be more pricey, but if you can afford it, it will be worth it. I was sold at the idea of having my own pool!

  This is how I would reccomend a Las Vegas Novice to spend there vaction time. Of course everyone is different and you will find things about the city of Las Vegas you love to do on your trips there.

Take your girlfriend and run into your wife? Maybe.

What about gambling too much or drinking too much. Las Vegas is the perfect place to have a great time but it always happens, some people bite off way more than they can chew and find themselves having a rotten time in Las Vegas.

Take the poll and see how people are ruining their time in Las Vegas.

Check out 7 ways to have a bad time in Las Vegas

Yes, the fine dining choices in Las Vegas have multiplied to such numbers that it would take you forever to try them all. No they are not cheap, unfortunately that means you might not have Foie Gras or Seared Halibut on a bed of Saffron Rice or tiny over priced Filet. If you are going cheap you can still eat well.

• Consider a buffet but understand the good buffets are just as expensive as a decent meal. Unless you are planning on skipping meals and grabbing a few extra piece of fried chicken for a late night snack try a cheap restaurant instead.
• Try a few of these 25 for under $25 restaurants Most of these restaurants have meals that can get you out for under $15. Just do not drink any alcohol and you should be fine.
• Go the deli route for lunch and you a save a considerable amount. Canter’s Deli in the Treasure Island, Carnegie at the Mirage, Stage deli at the MGM and Forum Shops and the Backstage Deli at the Luxor
• Hotel food courts can be found in almost every hotel and they vary from pizza and hot dogs to full blown tours of cultural cuisine.

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Often time you read about great deals for hotels only to find out you have to take two buses and walk two miles just to get to where the action is. That is not the idea behind a cheap vacation. You want to enjoy yourself at all the spots that the big money people are at but at a fraction of the cost.

• Las Vegas in the middle of the week is far more affordable. It still can be absurdly cheap on a Tuesday night. The defining factors are often conventions and major events but on average rooms are cheaper during the week. Avoid weekends all together if possible, table limits are higher, restaurants reservations are harder to come by and the room might cost you three times as much.
• Once again, compare rates at different hotels. The key to a cheap vacation is information and the more you have the better your chances of saving a few dollars.
• Location is important. In Las Vegas you need to have access to everything and the ability to walk from casino to casino. Hotels you should consider, each are in the center of the Las Vegas strip and consistently have lower room rates:

o Harrah’s
o Imperial Palace
o Bill’s Gambling Hall
o Flamingo
o Bally’s

A: Ah, you’ve got a great selection. Stay at the Stratosphere, and you’ll be near the Big Shot, Insanity and X Scream, and Circus Circus is home to the Adventuredome.

With Speed and the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway right on property, the Sahara is a good choice, not to mention it’s within walking distance of the Stratosphere and Circus Circus. And at New York-New York you have The Roller Coaster; and the midway. Heading out near Primm? You’ll want to stay at Buffalo Bill’s to be near the Desperado and Turbo Drop.
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1 See the White tigers at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden: The Mirage
2 Lake of Dreams at Wynn. 140 foot mountain covered with 1500 trees, waterfall and three-acre lake.
3 Get face to face with sharks at Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay
4 Animated birds and animals: Sam’s Town atrium
5 One of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas: Be entertained by strolling mimes: Canal Shoppes, Venetian
6 Classic car collection: Imperial Palace
7 High impact motion simulator rides at Luxor.
8 Don’t miss the $70 million Fremont Street Experience, downtown.
9 See “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Tropicana
10 Visit the Dolphin habitat at The Mirage
11 See the world’s largest atrium: Luxor
12 Visit the glitziest museum in the world: Liberace Museum (1775 E. Tropicana)
13 1,200 feet off the ground roller coaster: on top of the Stratosphere Tower
14 View an exquisite collection of fine art: Bellagio
15 Love hamburgers and Harley’s?: Harley-Davidson Cafe
16 There are Flamingos and African penguins at the Flamingo Hilton
17 X-Scream thrill ride 900 feet above the strip at Stratosphere.
18 Visit Madame Toseau’s wax museum: Venetian
19 Watch the dragon battle against the magician: Excalibur’s moat
20 Ride the roller coaster: New York-New York
21 Submerging yourself in a magnificent garden of fragrance and color at the Bellagio is another of the things to do in Las Vegas.
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First, make a list of all of the things you want to do and see. Have anyone else who is going with you do the same. Sit down together and discuss your plans. The next thing you want to do is go to the computer and see where all of the sites and things to do on your list are located.

Find out what time you will be arriving in Las Vegas. Start planning from there. To make the most out of your trip group the sites in one area and do them the same day or two. For instance, you want to see Freemont Street in downtown Las Vegas and do some gambling. Plan to walk around Freemont Street and enjoy the moving ‘ceiling’. Then gamble downtown as it pays out better than on the strip.

Do not dip into your money. If you lost it all, you have to wait until the following day to gamble again. You don’t want to lose all of your money the first day. Also, it won’t be a very memorable trip if you lost thousands of dollars. Get all of the things you want to do downtown done. The following day you may have some shopping, a gondola ride, and a show to take in. Start with the shopping, rest on your romantic gondola ride, and then in the evening you are ready to see your show. The third day you may want to take a drive out to see some scenery and the majestic Hoover Dam.

Put a general time you want to do each activity and allow enough time for each of them. It is all about planning and not flying by the seat of your pants. Sure, you can make changes but knowing ahead of time you can get all of the sites you want to see in makes for a more relaxed and comfortable trip.
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I hope this gave you a general idea of how to plan your Las Vegas Vacation.

Dos: Bellagio waterfront—it’s free! It’s breath-taking! Gondola at the Venetian—so romantic!Treasure Island show—risqué! Nice fireworks! Drive a convertible at night—amazing sights! Shop à la vegas—especially if you’ve won big $$$!

Do go to dueling pianos at New York, New York. Best thing I did there, fun, energetic, singing, dancing, drinking, good times.
Posted by Vegas Rocks on March 8, 2006

Do Do Do Do go to the Rehab Sundays at the pool in the Hard Rock Hotel. My husband and I stayed in that hotel and we though it was hot. People: If you are single, you better get there very early…the hottest young women and men in the planet are partying in that pool!! And don’t forget you may be swimming a couple feet away from a Rock Star. Add to your to-do list on Las Vegas.

If you can, take the helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon—one of the most amazing experiences. Maverick Helicopters was great and we had champagne and snacks in the canyon itself. One of life’s special times, much better memories then sticking money in a machine that may or may not love you back. Also visiting Red Rock Canyon at sunset and the Valley of Fire. Very beautiful and inspiring.

Do play the nickel slots…there’s tons of them with almost every theme you can imagine.
Do tip the cocktail waitress if you want your drinks to keep coming.
Do use the personal safes in your hotel room.
Do spend $ on your hotel room and make sure you book a room on south Las Vegas Blvd. Trust me when I say that staying on south Las Vegas Blvd as opposed to north Las Vegas Blvd makes all the difference!!!!!
Posted by CowgirlFromHell on March 8, 2006

Do wear comfy shoes and don’t forget the casinos give you free drinks while you gamble.
Posted by Amers1978 on March 8, 2006

I can’t believe no one has mentioned Cirque du Soleil yet. Saw Mystère at Treasure Island…am now addicted. It’s expensive, but amazing—worth every cent.
Posted by stephstr on March 8, 2006

Do: See Bellagio lights at night. Fabulous. Check out Wynn and the waterfalls by the bar and Boulud’s restaurant. Have a drink, enjoy the view. Go to one show—your choice. Don’t just gamble. Cirques are fun. Avenue Q is funny. Celine, Barry, etc. Bring walking shoes—you can get a good workout in. Plan one night out for dinner. Splurge. There are great chefs there. Flay, English, Emeril. My choice is Boulud’s in Wynn.

Most of what I’m thinking has already been mentioned, but a couple items for comfort along with the comfortable shoes. Do carry lip balm and eyedrops…even at night. Do go to the buffet at the Rio, just take the free shuttle back. If you have more than a few days, take one of them for the Grand Canyon trip. Do get a comp card at Harrah’s. I paid my first trip and have rooms comped on 5 subsequent trips, and you can get rooms at any of their properties that they now own from the Caesars acquisition. (No, I’m not a big spender either). Do take advantage of learning some table games like craps. Most casinos offer lessons in the a.m. If you enjoy them, give it a try with your gambling money. The odds are better than slots, just make sure to find a $5 minimum table. Do try something new each visit. Most important, have fun whatever your preference is…there is something for everyone.

Do take a night to visit Fremont Street. It is so much different than the Strip. The light show is just amazing and it is free!! So cool to watch all the tourists staring up at the canopy. You get to see the Famous “Vegas Vic” and his girlfriend “Sassy Sal.” Piano players, magic tricks, cheaper food and a good time. Beware of the taxis—they end up costing you more than twenty bucks from the Strip—not bad if you are sharing the cost.

Don’t: Wear high heels if you’re walking on the Strip—it’s bad for your feet and posture. It just does not look good unless you’re ‘working’ off the strip. Don’t concentrate on 1 or 2 hotels/casinos, there are so much to see! Don’t worry about where to eat—like casinos, there are restaurants or buffets in every corner. Don’t forget your camera—capture every moment, everywhere! Don’t sleep too much—you’ll miss out on a lot!!!

Don’t rent a car—traffic on the strip is awful. There is plenty of public transportation—tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo and another from MGM all the way to the Las Vegas Hilton. Posted by pixie on March 8, 2006

Don’t go to those time shares to get a free lunch or something. They are a waste of Vegas time.

Do not not not go to the Blue Man Group, it is the most expensive and stupidest show I have ever seen. The climactic finish involves them throwing toilet paper all over the whole audience, and then raising their arms as if something special has happened. Absolute waste of everything.

Don’t waste your time inline for tickets. Book early and make the reservation online or over their toll-free number and pick it up before the show.

Don’t go to Vegas in July unless you plan to stay inside the whole time. Believe me, we are used to heat in Houston, Texas where it is hot eleven months out of the year (no joke) but the heat in Vegas was unbearable even at night. They said something about it being a dry heat. Whatever it was, I’ve never experienced anything like it and it felt like I was literally in an oven and suffocating at the same time. The most relief from the heat came when we were in the “river” pool at the MGM Grand.

Don’t start drinking too early. Most of the fun happens @ night and you don’t wanna pass out too early.
Don’t waste $ on a rental car. Almost anywhere you need to go in Vegas you can walk or take a shuttle.
Don’t leave your belongings unattended (duh) and Ladies…… always always keep your $ in your bra, or keep one hand over your closed & fastened purse to avoid pick pockets.
Don’t forget your ID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t trust strangers.
Don’t do anything dumb to get yourself kicked out.

Don’t:
Play the slots at the airport; plenty more where those came from.
Even look at the people handing out the trashy cards/offers, etc. on the Strip.
Go to the Stage Deli at MGM. There’s no there, there. You have to eat in the smoky, Sportsbook. Better choice is Carnegie Deli in Mirage. You can check out the tigers when you’re done.
Fight the urge to go in the M&M store. Go inside. Just think of it as another museum of pop culture.
Hold up traffic and expect everyone will wait 20 seconds for you to take a photo.

Do not walk between the Rio and the Strip at night….Between you is an area where you may encounter pervs (from the Adult Superstore), gang bangers, transients, drunk truckers, and many other seedy characters. Gunfire has been known to break out from unknown places.
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