New Years Eve On Fremont Street

This New Years Eve the entire four blocks of the Fremont Street Experience will be blocked off for a ticket only event. The event will be broadcast live on Direct TV as part of its music performance show CD USA. The tickets cost $80 per person and includes a line up of music by bands including Rockstar SuperNova, Smash Mouth, All American Rejects and Chicago. Stages will be located at both ends of the Fremont Street Experience and outdoor bars as well as other vendors which will be there as well.

Christmas Week Ideal Time For Cheap Rooms

One of the cheapest times of the year to visit Las Vegas is the week between Christmas and New Years. Especially right after Christmas, Las Vegas is really quiet and thats the best time to get cheap rooms. Often I have stayed downtown or off strip for really cheap at this time and received flyer's under my door from the property offering additional nights stay for $19 or even $10 per night. Just make sure you are gone by New Years Eve because the rates go through the roof for the same room as the New Years party crowd arrives.

Christmas Tree Lighting on December 5th

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman kicks off the annual "Holiday Festival" tomorrow night with the lighting of the 50' Christmas tree on Fremont Street. Las Vegas at Christmas is a little strange but if you are in the downtown area its worth checking out.

Las Vegas Monorail Ambassadors

The Las Vegas Monorail which I have reviewed on this site before is still struggling to get passengers and has about 19,000 daily which is about half the number it needs to break even. If you are on the side of the strip from MGM to the Sahara I still recommend using the monorail although the resent raise in fares from $3 to $5 per trip makes it less desirable. To improve the sagging ridership the monorail has hired 20 very attractive women in old style flight attendant outfits to hand out monorail guides. The outfits are kind of like the ones you see in the Britney Spears video "Toxic." The girls are there to remind people that the monorail exists although I cannot see it is going to boost ridership. The monorail is only useful for one side of the Strip and the there are many options to travel down the Strip and the monorail is also getting expensive.

Year End Great Time To Get Good Room Rates

The end of the year is one of the best times to get great deals on rooms in Las Vegas. Apart from the peak times of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years the rest of November and December are slow so its a great time to save money on your trip. Most of the hotels have packages where they throw in things like free buffets, drinks or show tickets to make you visit. Las Vegas at the end of the year can get chilly especially at night and not all the pools are open but its still warmer than most of the country. Check out the hotel websites for deals and packages and you can save even more if you can be flexible with your days.

Free Show: Sirens Of TI

The Sirens Of TI is a show on the strip in front of TI. TI is the new name of Treasure Island which used to have a pirate theme which is pretty much gone now. Las Vegas tried to be a family resort before it switched to the current theme of "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" and because of the more adult theme they replaced the pirate battle with the Sirens Of Ti. The former show was lots of fun as the pirates fought and sunk the Royal Navy each several times each night. The current show has women trying to seduce the pirates in to crashing on the rocks. The show is sappy and even though im not opposed to scantily clad women the show is only okay.

Nevada Votes To Restrict Smoking

Is Nevada, the Wild West of vice, becoming a bunch of certified goody-goodies? Nevada voters last week approved a ballot measure banning smoking at bars that serve food, and around the slot machines at supermarkets, gas stations and convenience stores.
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Quick Tip: Visitor Information Center

The Visitor Information Center is a good place to get information on Las Vegas and the surrounding area including things to do other than gambling. It is located at Convention Center Drive and Paradise Road across from the Convention Center. The monorail station is across the street at the convention center if you want to take that to get there. Click on the story title for map of location.

Watch Ice Hockey In The Desert

Okay when you think of Las Vegas probably ice hockey isn't the first think that comes to mind but Las Vegas does have a hockey team. The team is called "The Las Vegas Wranglers" and plays its home games at the Orleans Arena which is located at the Orleans which is a hotel and casino just off the strip. The team is an affiliate of the NHL's Calgary Flames and plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL. If you want a break from gambling and shopping this is an interesting alternative. Click on the title of this story for more information and tickets.

Free Show: Circus Acts at Circus Circus

Every day from 11am to Midnight above the midway at Circus Circus on the north end of the strip are free shows of circus acts.The acts are usually acrobats,clowns or tightrope walkers. If you are staying down that end of the strip it might be worth you seeing but i don't know if i would make a trip just to see it unless maybe you had kids with you.The only clown i want to see is Krusty the Clown on the Simpsons but thats just me.

"Comic Relief" Nov 18th At Caesars Palace

"Comic Relief" will be held on November 18th from Caesars Palace and be broadcast the same night on HBO and TBS. This years event is a fund raiser for Hurricane Katrina relief and is being held on the final night of the popular "Comedy Festival." The show will be hosted as usual by Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg.

David Hasselhoff To Be In "The Producers" At Paris

David Hasselhoff the former star of Bay watch and Knight Rider will be in the Broadway show "The Producers" when it opens at the Paris on January 31st. David will play the part of Roger DeBris in the Mel Brooks show. David had previously stared in the Broadway shows "Jekyll & Hyde" and also "Chicago." Broadway shows generally have had a hard time in Las Vegas but "Phantom Of The Opera" and "Spamalot" more recent Broadway shows have fared better so it will be interesting to see who "The Producers" will do.

It worked for Ogdenville & North Haverbrook, but fails in Las Vegas, Nevada

It's like watching a train wreck. It's horrible, and yet you can't look away. Well, actually, it is a train wreck. The city of Las Vegas's monorail, built with almost $650 million in tax-exempt bonds sold back in 2000, is derailing, financially. Lyle Lanley strikes again.
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"Wheel Of Fortune Super Spin Slots" In LV Hilton

The Las Vegas Hilton is now featuring a "Wheel Of Fortune Super Spin" slots to its Space Quest Casino. The difference between this and regular "Wheel Of Fortune" slots is that eight people sit around a central carousel and play.

"Game Of Life Slots" Now At Las Vegas Hilton

The Las Vegas Hilton now has a new slot machine from a popular board game called "The Game Of Life Slots." The slots can be found exclusively at the Las Vegas Hilton which is a large property just off the strip, but on the monorail line if you are interested in playing the new slots.

Smoking In Las Vegas

In most of the country lighting a cigarette in public is getting harder and harder especially in California where I am from. In Las Vegas if you are a smoker you can do it just about anywhere even in a restaurant where they have smoking and non smoking sections. You can smoke in the casinos although a some have non smoking sections which are usually small and in the back of the casinos. One of the few places you cannot smoke in public is at the airport except in designated areas which are usually glass boxes in the terminals. I don't smoke and have never really been bothered by it in Las Vegas, but if it does bother you i might suggest the larger casinos on the strip that have high ceilings and good air conditioning. Older casinos and downtown casinos generally have lower ceilings so I wouldn't suggest them if you are sensitive to smoke. Most hotels offer non smoking rooms and will give you that option when you book, if not ask.

Las Vegas Hilton To Be Imploded?

The Las Vegas Review newspaper recently wrote a story that a major hotel casino will be imploded in the next 12-18 months and not one that has been mentioned before. The newspaper thinks it will be the Las Vegas Hilton. This makes sense to me as the property is a large lot right next to the convention center and is an older property. The Las Vegas Hilton recently finished a remodel of its rooms and lobby although in Las Vegas that wouldn't make any difference on whether or not its imploded. The Las Vegas Hilton used to be called The International and was made famous because Elvis used to perform there. I have stayed at the Las Vegas Hilton many times over the years and I would miss it. It is a self contained resort with a huge casino that still has a huge selection of table games and isn't all neon and is very pleasant to gamble at. The sports book is huge and the buffet is good value and I hope to stay there again soon.

Win A Ford Mustang At Golden Nugget

The "Golden Nugget" in downtown Las Vegas has a promotion right now where you can win a new Ford Mustang. The promotion is part of the "Golden Nugget's" 60th Anniversary Celebration. From November 1st until the 30th they will be giving away a Mustang every night at a drawing held at 8:30pm. When you join their slot club called "24 Karat Club" you get one entry and get additional entries by playing slots and table games. You must be 21 years old and see the "Golden Nugget" for additional information.

"Splash" Ends Run At Riviera

Longtime revue show "Splash" closed last night after being a Las Vegas fixture for over 20 years. The show had been running at the Riviera since 1985 and last year had brought back the shows original creator to revamp the show for its 20th anniversary, I guess the changes couldn't save the show.

Quick Tip: Gift Shop Alternatives

The gift shops in most hotels are conveniant but can be expensive. Another option is drug stores there is a CVS on south end of the strip and a Walgreens on the north end of the strip as well as a Walgreens downtown on one end of Fremont Street. These are good places to get film,water,soda,snacks without paying the higher prices in the hotels. They also have one hour photo developing and sell the usual Las Vegas stuff that the gift shops have for less money.

The Planetarium

If you want to get away from the Strip and the neon for a while may I suggest a visit to the Planetarium. The Planetarium is located on the campus of the Cheyenne location of the Community Campus of Southern Nevada. People have commented or emailed me asking for things to do with the family in Las Vegas and this is one option. Its your standard Planetarium with displays of current and past space programs as well as two celestial shows shown on the domed screen of the Planetarium. They also have a gift shop with model rockets, posters, star charts, spaces pens and the like. There are two shows on Friday and two on Saturday with addmission $5 for adults and $3 for kids and seniors a real bargain. After the late shows on both days the telescopes at the student observatory are available for viewing as long as the weather is clear.

What To With The Kids

Okay I get asked all the time what to do with the kids when in Las Vegas and my answer always is to leave them at home. Okay now I have offended all parents I will give you the reason why I suggest this. If you were not in Las Vegas would you expose your kids to gambling, smoking, drinking, sexy suggestive clothes and stripper ads on taxis and flyers; the answer to this would probally be no so why do this in Las Vegas? Having to explain to a young kid what a dancer to your room or what an escort does is not a coversation I want to have with a kid. If you want to gamble, drink or see shows the kids are going to be in the way, although you could leave them in your room or playing with the ice machine because that always works out so well (i was joking not a good idea). Okay if you insist on bringing your kids to Las Vegas there are options and things to keep them amused and I will share them in upcoming postings. In the corner of each kid friendly attraction i will put a logo of a kids face.

Quick Tip: Getting Taxi's

Okay this is not New York you cannot walk out in the street and hail a cab like in "Sex and the City" to stop, in fact they are not allowed to pick people up off the street. Instead go to the entrance of any major hotel and there will be a taxi rack and if there isn't a taxi there, the doorman will call one for you.

Editors Notes

First of all I want to thank your for your emails and comments and I hope you find the site useful. A new feature I am adding to the site is "Quick Tip" which is a short tip that may help you on your visit to Las Vegas. I also plan to make more changes to make the site as easy as possible for everyone.

The Deuce Double Deckers Down The Strip

The double decker buses running up and down the Strip are called The Deuce and they run about every 7 to 15 minutes each direction 24 hours a day. The buses start at either the Downtown Transportation Center or from the South Strip Transfer Terminal and then travel the length of the Strip before going back. The gold color new buses are easy to spot and there is bus stops every block and close to most major properties. The fare is $2 one way or $5 for a 24 hour pass which is a good bargain and also is valid on all other bus routes. You pay the fare in a box on the bus or at ticket machines at some stops. If you are staying at a major hotel on the Strip or even Downtown this is a good inexpensive option to get around as long as you don't mind public transportation. With the Monorail raising its prices this is a good less expensive option although at peak times the buses can be standing room only.

"The Drive" From GM At The Sahara

"The Drive" is kind of a unique experience from General Motors that is located behind the Sahara. GM has set up two test tracks and for $10 you get to test drive some of the latest GM products. One track is a half mile oval and the other track is an off road course. On the oval you get to drive products such as Corvettes, Cadillacs and GTO's and on the nearby off road track you get to drive a Hummer. Its a fun inexpensive experience and worth a visit, its cool to get to drive cars that you may never get a chance to outside of here. To drive you have to have a valid license and be at least 18 and must take a breathalyzer test so no cocktails before you go.
Hours: 10am to 6pm (Daily)
475 E Sahara Ave (866) 244-0095
Click on the title of this story to go to there website.

Win A Free Entry For The World Series Of Poker

The local newspaper in Las Vegas the Review Journal has a competition going with the prize a free entry in to the World Series Of Poker which usually costs $10,000. You can sign up online and there is also several other prizes as well, read the rules and regulations for more information, just click article title to link to the site.

Free Show: Fountains At Bellagio

A huge water show that is in front of the Bellagio. You may have seen fountain shows before but nothing on this scale. The thousand jets of water shoot up in to the air up to 245 feet dancing all to a musical score. One note huge crowds gather for this so get there early. The show runs every weekday from 3-7pm every thirty minutes and every fifthteen minutes from 7pm to midnight. On the weekends the shows start at noon. I had a friend visit and he lost his phone in the fountain so if you find it email me lol. The show changes fairly often but i still prefer the vegas entertainers music such as Elvis and i have included a clip from the Elvis version.

Saving Money On Buffets

Okay they days of the $2.99 all you can eat buffets in Las Vegas are for the most part gone, but you can still eat well without breaking the bank. Most of the big fancy hotels on the Strip like the Paris, Bellagio, MGM and the Mirage and the like have real fancy buffets with a huge selection of unusual items from around the world. These buffets are great and i would suggest you have one at least once during your trip. But most of the time you just want to eat and get back to gambling or shopping or whatever you plan to do. In general buffets in older, smaller or off strip properties are less expensive and may not have the selection but the food is usually pretty good. The prices in buffets get more expensive generally as the day goes on so breakfast is usually cheapest and then lunch is a little more with dinner being the most expensive. Because Las Vegas is a twenty four hour town if you are out at weird hours and eat then you can save money. Most buffets don't close between sittings so if you show up just before breakfast ends and they start switching over to the lunch items you can eat the lunch items for the breakfast price and the same often works between lunch and dinner. Most hotels offer Seafood or Steak nights or Champagne Brunch, during these times the price of the buffets can raise a lot so if you want to save money you may want to avoid these times. Discount coupons for buffets can oftend be found in the show guides in your room or hotel or in the Las Vegas Newspapers as well as in funbooks when you sign up for slot clubs. If you are playing a table game and betting for a while ask the pit boss for a comp for the buffet it doesn't hurt and quite often they will give you one or at least a discount to it.

Transportatation: The Monorail

Traffic on the strip is bad and at peak times can be a parking lot, one alternative is the Las Vegas Monorail. Soon after it openned it was closed for many months but is now reopened. The route of the monorail is on the back side of many of the large hotels on one side of the strip. It runs from the MGM Grand to the Saraha with stops also at Paris/Ballys,Flamingo,Harrahs/Imperial Palace,Convention Center and the Las Vegas Hilton. Because its behind most of the properties the stations for most are at the back of the hotels. Recently the monorail raised their fares and to me they seem a little steep but i will still use it. The fare is $5 for one way or $9 for a two ride pass and the $10 all day pass is now $15 or $35 for ten rides or $40 for a three day pass.You buy the tickets at machines on the station platforms or in some casinos it runs from 7am to 2am and runs till 3am on Friday thru Sundays. Trains arrive and depart every few minutes with more at peak times. I use it often because it is air conditioned and fairly quick although with the 3 day pass going from $25 to $40 i may use it less now. It was privately funded and they originally talked about extending it to downtown as well as to Mc Carren Airport but either is probally years off. I like staying at the Las Vegas Hilton which is off the strip by the convention center which was a drawback because you would have to take a taxi to the strip but now with the monorail it makes it a lot more conveniant.

Rita Rudner Show Ends At New York New York

Rita Rudner ends her five year contract at the New York New York in June of this year. The showroom that she is performing in is being turned in to a nightclub. Rita has said that she will return this fall at another property in town so fans will be happy. I haven't seen this show yet although i hope to before it closes, because it has been getting rave reviews.

New Shows Downtown

Downtown is not known for having many shows but the Plaza on one end of Fremont Street has been having shows for many years. Recently John Stuarts "Ovation" has moved from the Lady Luck and Curtis Adams "Adrenaline- Magic That Rocks have also opened. Generally the showrooms downtown are on the smaller side and the shows are less elaborate than on the strip but also the prices generally are cheaper so they can be a good deal.

Double Decker Buses On Strip

The new double decker buses that are now running up and down on the strip are a great way to travel. The fare from downtown down the strip is only $2 and they run every 5 to 10 minutes or so 24 hours a day and seven days a week. I grew up in England and love the double decker buses, plus from the top deck they are a great place to see the sights.

Lady Luck To Close For A Year

The Lady Luck Casino in downtown Las Vegas will close down on February 2nd 2006 for remodeling, because of this 684 people will be laid off.