Monday, August 25, 2008

Dog Parks in Las Vegas



All American Park
Park includes 1 dog run.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 45

Football Fields ( 5)
Playgrounds (2)
Picnic Areas (2)
Jogging/Walking Track
Tennis Courts (4)
Water Play Area
Restroom Facility
Concession Stand
Open Space Areas
This is a non-reservable park.

Barkin' Basin Park
7.75 acre park designated specifically for dogs.
Adjacent to W. Wayne Bunker Park

Three separated dog cells
Shaded seating areas for owners
Dog and people water fountains

This is a non-reservable park.


Centennial Hills
Park includes 2 dog runs

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 120 (when all phases complete)


Picnic Areas (10)
Sand Volleyball Courts (10)
Soccer Fields (2)
Playgrounds (2)
Water Play Area
Jogging/Walking Path
Restroom Facility
Open Space

For information on reserving this park, please call (702) 229-6718.

Charlie Kellogg and Joe Zaher Sports Complex
The sports complex includes 3 dog runs.

The new state-of-the-art Charlie Kellogg and Joe Zaher Sports complex is set on approximately 110 acres in the northwest part of the Las Vegas valley. The expansive regional park has 11 lighted soccer fields - seven are artificial grass and four are natural turf. It features a three-cell “dogs only” area, children’s play areas, shaded picnic shelters and a large walking/jogging path that surrounds the entire park. The complex is also home to the Amanda and Stacy Darling Memorial Tennis Center, the largest of its kind in the state of Nevada. It includes 23 tennis courts, including one main court with stadium seating for approximately 2800 spectators, a small pro shop, locker rooms and office space. The sports complex will be a huge draw for large tennis and soccer tournaments and is a wonderful addition to the surrounding area.


Children's Memorial Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 34.68


Baseball/Softball Fields (6)
Basketball Courts (2)
Bocce Courts (2)
Concession Stand
Fitness Course
Horseshoe Courts (2)
Jogging/Walking Paths (2)
Playgrounds (4)
Roller Hockey Rink
Tennis Courts (2)
Picnic Areas (9)
Restroom Facilities (2)
Dog Park
Open Space

For information on reserving this park, please call (702) 229-6718.


Jaycee Park
Jaycee Park is currently closed for a renovation project that will add a new lighted soccer field and parking lot, a playground area and a small water feature to the 10-acre park. Other improvements include expanding the dog park and reconfiguring pathways, upgrading pathway and security lighting, installing shade structures, reducing turf areas and adding native plantings.

Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 18.4

Baseball/Softball Fields (2)
Playgrounds (2)
Basketball Court
Bocce Courts (10)
Fitness Course
Horseshoe Courts (6)
Jogging/Walking Palths (3)
Picnic Areas (13)
Shuffle Board Courts (6)
Restroom Facilities (2)
Open Space


Lorenzi Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 59.37

Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza
Baseball/Softball Fields (4)
Basketball Courts (2)
Concession Stand
Fitness Course
Jogging/Walking Path
Playrounds (3)
Pond
Tennis Courts (10)
Picnic Areas (15)
Restroom Facilities (3)
Open Space


Police Memorial Park
Park includes 3 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 24


Playgrounds (2)
Dog Park
Basketball Court
Picnic Area
Jogging/Walkiong Path
Tennis Courts (2)
Skate Bowl
Roller Hockey Rink
Desert Garden
Fallen Officer Tree Grove and Memorial Wall
Lou Gehrigs (ALS) Tree Grove
Restroom Facility
Open Space

This is a non-reservable park.


Winding Trails Park
Park includes 1 dog run.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 4

Playground
Walking Path
Picnic Area
Dog Park
Restrooms


Woofter Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 9

Playground
Fitness Course
Dog Park
Restroom Facility
Open Space
This is a non-reservable park.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Wynn - This weeks featured Las Vegas Hotel

Wynn Las Vegas
3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Opening date April 28, 2005

Previous names Desert Inn (which includes Wilbur Clark's Desert Inn, ITT Sheraton Desert Inn, and MGM Desert Inn)
No.of rooms 2,716
Permanent shows Le Rêve
Danny Gans (starting Feb. 2009)



Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club (often just called "Wynn") is a AAA five diamond/Mobil four-star and Mobil five-star (for The Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas) casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. The US$2.7 billion resort is named after casino developer Steve Wynn and is the flagship property of Wynn Resorts Limited. The resort covers 215 acres (0.87 km2).

It is located at Las Vegas Boulevard South and Sands Avenue (on the N.E. corner), directly across The Strip from the Fashion Show Mall.

The 2,715 rooms range in size from 640 square feet (58 m²) to the villas at 7,000 square feet (650 m²) with a 111,000 ft² (10,200 m²) casino, a convention center with 223,000 ft² (20,700 m²) of space, 76,000 square feet (7,000 m²) of retail space.

The Wynn does not have any floors that start with the number 4, since it is an unlucky number in Chinese culture.

History
View north from Las Vegas Boulevard. The site was assembled by buying the Desert Inn Hotel and golf course for most of the land. The remainder was acquired by purchasing private residences that were generally located along Paradise Avenue. While some owners sold early on, others held out. This resulted in numerous legal actions between the various parties. In the end, the site acquired totaled 215 acres (870,000 m²).

Wynn Las Vegas LLC contracted with Marnell Corrao Associates on June 4, 2002 to design and build the resort. The original name for the project was "Le Rêve" but was changed to "Wynn Las Vegas" well before the project was complete. The original name lives on in the stage production. Built at a cost of US$2.7 billion, it was the largest privately-funded construction project in the nation. This compares with the budget for reconstruction with the World Trade Center site which at that time was projected to be $1.7 billion.[citation needed]

The historic Desert Inn Golf Course was rebuilt while the hotel was being constructed. The course is now known as Wynn Golf and Country Club.

Early advertising for the resort featured exterior images of the hotel tower, with Steve Wynn standing on the roof, just above his signature logo. The initial commercial aired in some local spots during the 2005 Super Bowl, and eventually national spots as opening drew near. A "teaser" website for the resort included both the commercial and a "making-of" video.

The resort was featured on an episode of the Fine Living network's What Makes it Tick.

Wynn Las Vegas, designed by Jon Jerde, opened on April 28, 2005, Wynn's wife's birthday, the 55th Anniversary of the opening of the original Desert Inn, and five years from the day Steve Wynn purchased the site. When it opened, the Wynn had many firsts and notable features, including:

The first Vegas casino to combine the room key and the casino frequent-player card in one card
The first casino to include a car (Ferrari-Maserati) dealership
The world's largest distribution of HDTV, into hotel rooms using high-speed Cat-6 Ethernet cables
The largest installation of Voice over IP technology for hotel phones
The tallest hotel building on the strip
It was also among the first casinos to install RFID tags inside chips to better detect counterfeiting.


Inspiration and vision
Wynn taken from the freeway in Las VegasWynn purchased the Desert Inn hotel and casino to obtain property for his future dreams. The Desert Inn was imploded to make room for his new hotel project. Along the way, Wynn Resorts Limited was formed and continued development with Wynn being the controlling stock holder.

Wynn has stated that the major shift with this new resort is the concept of designing from the "inside out." In contrast to his previous hotels Bellagio, The Mirage, and Treasure Island, there is no Las Vegas Strip attraction to draw in passers-by. Instead, visitors must venture inside to see what the hotel is all about. Wynn has said that "there is no franchise in a casual observer, there is a franchise in a guest."

Restaurants
Alex
Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare
Stratta
The Country Club - an American Steakhouse
Daniel Boulud Brasserie
Okada
Red 8 - Asian Bistro
Sugar & Ice (in the Wynn Esplanade)
SW Steakhouse
Tableau
Terrace Point Café
The Buffet
The Drugstore Café
Wing Lei
Zoozacrackers


Wynn Dealers Controversy
On May 12 and 13, 2007, Wynn dealers voted 444-149 in favor of representation by the Transportation Workers Union. The vote is a result of controversial policy changes made by Wynn to share tips with floor staff.

Attractions

Penske-Wynn Ferrari-Maserati dealership
Wynn Las Vegas is the first casino to include a luxury car dealership. Brand new factory-authorized cars include the Ferrari and Maserati brands. Used cars are sold "as-is" and include other luxury car brands, with some cars on display ranging in price from little more than $100,000 to $1.6 million. The dealership also includes parts and other car-wares.

Non-buying guests of the resort can go into the dealership to take a look around. When the resort opened, there was no fee to enter, but the dealership became so crowded that management began charging $10 for admission;[5] registered Ferrari-Maserati owners are exempted from this fee, as well as children accompanying paying adults. The Penske-Wynn is one of the few casino car exhibits in Las Vegas metropolitan area. Other exhibits can be found at the Imperial Palace and Caesars Palace. However, the Penske-Wynn Ferrari-Maserati dealership is the only casino/dealership in the Las Vegas area.

The dealership is placed near the valet parking of the resort, so that people can look at the model cars while waiting for their own cars to arrive.

The cars are not the only thing that the resort offers with the Ferrari name. A Ferrari Store accompanies the dealership, Offering such goods as apparel, racing merchandise, electronics, and even a home gym all branded with the Ferrari logo. This is the first ever factory authorized Ferrari Store in North America and only the seventh in the world. The staff wear Ferrari pit crew outfits and a sound system blasts engine noises as would be heard on a race track.


The Wynn Art Collection
The Wynn Art Collection
The Wynn Gallery, which had charged an entrance fee, closed shortly after the start of 2006 as a result of poor ticket sales. The artwork from the former gallery is now scattered around the resort.


Lake of Dreams
In a departure from the trend established when The Mirage opened of providing free sidewalk attractions to draw in customers, Wynn Las Vegas is constructed so that visitors must enter the building to view the free attractions. The main attraction is a large, curtain waterfall behind a mountain that faces the strip. The waterfall falls into a 3 acre (12,000 m²) lake. Both the waterfall and lake have images displayed on them to produce a show called "Lake of Dreams". This show starts on the hour beginning in the afternoon. When the show is inactive, the waterfall creates an animated color sequence on the screen.

The show can be viewed from the Parasol Up (a bar and viewing area), and can be viewed through a glass window with no audio. Or, the show can be viewed from Parasol Down, with a larger view. Visitors can go to the platform at the Parasol Down bar to view the show with full-volume audio. Those dining at SW Steakhouse or Daniel Boulud Brasserie may also have a full view of the show while dining. Children under 18 are prohibited from going to Parasol Down.


Shows

Le Rêve
The first production show to open was Le Rêve. Le Rêve is set in a 1 million gallon water-oriented theatre where no seat is more than 40 feet (12 m) from the stage. The production was created by Franco Dragone and is similar to the shows produced by Cirque du Soleil.

Le Rêve was the working name of the resort before it was changed to Wynn Las Vegas. "Le Rêve" means "The Dream" in French, and the name of the centerpiece painting that Steve Wynn owns, Le Rêve by Picasso.

Most recently, Wynn Las Vegas bought the rights to the show from Dragone to make some changes, including the logo. Wynn now owns all rights to the show, with Dragone still in the label.


Avenue Q
Avenue Q, a puppet and people musical which enjoyed considerable success on Broadway, was the second production show to open at Wynn. It debuted on September 8, 2005 in the 1,200 seat Broadway Theatre and closed on May 28, 2006.

According to Steve Wynn Avenue Q was shut down due to the lack of real estate and the exorbitant costs of constructing a new venue. Wynn had a contract with Spamalot to perform at Wynn Las Vegas, but this required a third theater to be built. Potential sites for the theater included the skirts of the golf course or a portion of the convention space in the planned Encore expansion tower. Since Wynn did not want to build on the golf course or cut between the convention spaces of Encore and Wynn Las Vegas, he was forced to terminate the Avenue Q contract. Wynn was quoted as saying "Avenue Q was making money, but not enough money."


Monty Python's Spamalot
Spamalot, a Tony Award-winning comedic musical based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail, opened for previews on March 8, 2007 at Grail Theater (formerly, The Broadway Theater). The official run began on March 31, 2007 and starred John O'Hurley as King Arthur through September 26, 2007. An understudy was the lead as Mr. O'Hurley was on sabbatical until January 28, 2008. The show closed on July 13, 2008.


Danny Gans
On April 17, 2008 Wynn Resorts announced that current Mirage headliner Danny Gans will move to the resort in February 2009.[7] Gans will move into the theater formerly used by both Avenue Q and Spamalot, which will be renamed Encore Theater and be marketed as part of the Encore expansion.


Nightclubs
Tryst
Tryst is now the flagship of the Wynn's nightlife scene.
Blush
Blush opened on Labor Day 2007.

Restaurants
Alex
Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare
Stratta
The Country Club - an American Steakhouse
Daniel Boulud Brasserie
Okada
Red 8 - Asian Bistro
Sugar & Ice (in the Wynn Esplanade)
SW Steakhouse
Tableau
Terrace Point Café
The Buffet
The Drugstore Café
Wing Lei
Zoozacrackers

Shops and boutiques
Wynn Esplanade Shoppes
Black Satin Intimates
Brioni
Chanel
Christian Dior
Manolo Blahnik
Cartier
Oscar de la Renta
Louis Vuitton
Vertu
Alexander McQueen
Jo Malone
Graff Jewelers
Judith Leiber
Black Satin
Wynn Signature Shop
Shoe-In
OutFit
Wynn & Company - Jewelry
Wynn LVNV
San Giorgio

In Wynn Las Vegas
Decorazzi
Bags, Belts & Baubles
Tiny Baubles
Cabana Shop (on Pool Deck)
The Drugstore
Mojitos Resort Wear
The Pro Shop
W.Ink
Ferrari Store
The Show Shop

Amenities

Wynn Golf and Country Club
18th green
The Wynn Golf and Country Club is the only golf course on the Las Vegas Strip. It was designed by Steve Wynn and Tom Fazio, who previously worked together on the Shadow Creek Golf Club, in neighboring North Las Vegas. Use of the course is restricted to hotel guests at a cost of $500 per round.


The Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas
The Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas consists of all rooms and suites in the separated southernmost section of the main tower. These rooms and suites have a private driveway and entrance, a separate check-in area and elevators, and a private pool area. In 2006, The Tower Suites at Wynn Las Vegas was evaluated independently from the rest of the property by Mobil Travel Guide for their 2007 ratings. It was awarded the first and only Mobil Five-Star rating ever awarded to a hotel in Las Vegas. Wynn Las Vegas itself received the Mobil Four-Star rating for 2007.


Villa Suites
In addition to the Fairway Villas, Wynn Las Vegas contains six Villa Suites which are not available to the general public. One of these villas is the private residence of Steve Wynn.[9] Three of these villas are along the West side of the hotel, between the tower and the Lake of Dreams. The other three are located along the Western edge of the pool area, South of the tower. In February of 2007, Wynn requested approval to build four additional villa suites on the South edge of the property.

The Villas by the Golf Course cost an average $5,000 a night.

Future development
Encore
On 28 April 2006, the resort celebrated its one year anniversary by breaking ground on a second hotel tower.[10] Called Encore, the tower will be a $2.1 billion, 2,034 room hotel project adjacent to the existing resort and on the remaining frontage of Las Vegas Blvd.


Wynn Golf Course redevelopment
Wynn Resorts are developing a long-range master plan for the 142-acre (0.57 km2) golf course that will include a large mixed-use hotel, casino entertainment resort complex. The complex may include multiple waterfront hotels built around a lake offering water sports and other entertainment. The complex also may include multiple restaurants, retail offerings and entertainment venues. Wynn Resorts have not yet developed specific plans for such a complex, and there can be no assurance that such plans will be developed. Wynn Resorts cannot predict the cost of such a development or whether Wynn Resorts will be able to obtain the necessary financing for the development on suitable terms, if at all. It is not expected that any construction on the golf course land would begin before 2009.


Additional villas
In February of 2007, Wynn Las Vegas submitted a request for approval to construct four additional villas on the South side of the property, which would bring the total number of villas to ten. The description of the new villas closely matches that of the six existing villas on the property.


*Article provided by - Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit charity

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Featured Las Vegas Golf Courses



Arroyo at Red Rock Country Club



The Arroyo is the only golf course available to the public at the Red Rock Country Club, located close to Red Rock Canyon, golfers can expect amazing views while playing this golf course. This Arnold Palmer signature course has gone through recent upgrades on holes 17 through 19, if you haven't played the Arroyo in a while, we recommend you do for a new experience.

The Red Rock Country Club Experience
Because the Arroyo is located at Red Rock Country Club you can expect a true country club experience. Red Rock Country Club was originally built as a private club featuring an 18 hole golf course. An additional 18 holes were added and the combined 36 holes were divided between two golf courses. The Arroyo features several holes that were part of the original Red Rock Country Club.

Playing the Arroyo Course at Red Rock Country Club
The Arroyo Golf Course is not overly long, only 6,800 yards, but it makes up for it on the par-3's. This is a classic golf course offering different sets of tees to accommodate any level of golfer. The fairways are generous but the greens are well protected by water and sand.

Las Vegas Country Club



The Las Vegas Country Club offers a vintage experience for golfers who want to experience some true Las Vegas history. With panoramas of the Las Vegas cityscape, this private golf course is a pure pleasure to play. It will test players' shotmaking skills throughout the round. Designed by Edmond B. Ault, the course first opened in the fall of 1967 and has been a staple of Las Vegas golf ever since. Enjoy the 44,000 square foot clubhouse, along with the grill and atmosphere you'll find here.



Reflection Bay Golf Club



Reflection Bay Golf Club was the first public golf course to open at the Lake Las Vegas Resort. The golf course plays host to the nationally televised "Wendy's Three Tour Challenge".

Reflection Bay is fairly long playing over 7,200 yards but several elevation changes shor ten the golf course from the card length. One of the main features of Reflection Bay Golf Course is the use of water as both a hazard and visual enhancement, the course features 5 holes which play along the shoreline of the beautiful Lake Las Vegas.

Reflection Bay Golf Club features many of the characteristics that you would expect to find on a Jack Nicklaus design as well as a 5-Star golf resort. Wide fairways, large greens, a n innovative forecaddie program and great course conditions can always be expected at Reflec tion Bay.



Siena Golf Club



Siena Golf Club opened in 1999, the golf course couples deep bunkers and several reachable par-5's to provide character to the course.

Great Course Conditions Year Round at Siena Golf Club
Siena Golf Club prides itself on great course conditions and fast greens. The greens utilize a special grain of Rye Grass which thrives in both hot and cold conditions, making Siena one of the best choices for Summer and Winter golf in Las Vegas. Siena measures only slightly over 6,800 yards from the back tees but still challenges golfers of all skill levels.

Siena Golf Club was designed by Schmidt-Curley, who spent much of their early career studying under Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye. The greens at Siena represent the putting ability of Jack Nicklaus. These greens are typically fast, large and have lots of swells on them. Checking the location of the pin is a must at Siena Golf Club.

Playing Siena Golf Club
The 18th hole on the Siena Golf Course is a great finishing hole. This short par-4 is onl y 400 yards but plays uphill from the tee. The tee shot must carry to the upper level of the fairway to have any chance of going for the green. On the right side of the hole is another menacing bunker and out of bonds. The best line on this hole is the lone tree that sits on the left side of the fairway. Try to hit the power fade and get as close to this green as possible. The fairway slopes from left to right so the ground will act as a buffer from the left rough.




Silverstone Golf Club



Silverstone Golf Club in Las Vegas offers 27 championship holes surrounded with lush greens, rolling mounds, and spectacular views of Sheep Mountain.

Silverstone will test the best of golfers. With four sets of tee boxes on each hole, this golf course provides a challenging and memorable experience for golfers of all levels.

Silverstone is conveniently located 25-30 minutes from the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Definitely three unforgettable nine-hole layouts you'll enjoy again and again and again.



The Falls Golf Club



The Falls Golf Club is one of the signature golf courses located at the Lake Las Vegas Resort. This resort is located about 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The golf course was designed by Tom Weiskopf who directed the Falls between rugged desert landscape and shoreline holes.

The Falls Golf Club recently introduced a forecaddie program that pairs one caddy with each group to help with local golf course knowledge and perform the duties you would expect from the a tour caddy. These duties include raking bunkers, cleaning golf balls and reading putts.

The Falls Golf Club is very well manicured and golf course conditions are extremely important. Both the fairways and greens are fast and the ball tends to roll. This will be another factor in shortening the length of this golf course. It is not unusual to hit several 300 yard drives during the day.

The back nine starts across the road and into the hills that surround the lake. The back nine has far more dramatic elevation changes than the front nine. The 12th hole is a medium length par-5 that features a semi-blind tee shot. The best line off the tee is toward the bunker located on the right side of the center fairway.

The Falls Golf Club is a great test of golf. The numerous sets of tees, fast fairways, good variety of holes and great courses conditions make it fun for any skill level of golfer. The added touch of a forecaddie really enhances the experience. With several hotels in the a rea this is a great place to spend the week.




TPC Las Vegas




TPC Las Vegas (formerly TPC Canyons) is the only PGA Tour owned public facility in Las Vegas. TPC Las Vegas has been hosting professional golf events for the past decade

TPC Las Vegas offers you A PGA Tour Experience
TPC Las Vegas is a great chance for the average golfer to play a golf course the PGA pros play. In an attempt to make the experience as real as possible, TPC Las Vegas has a forecaddie program in place depending on the season. Each group has one caddie that will act as a guide around the golf course. They will let players know yardages, tend pins and help the players out in any way possible.

Playing TPC Las Vegas
TPC Las Vegas plays slightly over 7,000 yards and cuts a path through the rugged desert that surrounds the golf course. On many holes the player will be forced to carry a desert area in order to find the fairway. There is only one hole on the golf course that has water next to the green. The 18th hole is a very dramatic and demanding finishing hole.

TPC Las Vegas is PGA Tour Conditions Open To the Public
TPC Las Vegas is usually in tournament condition. Many touring professionals who reside in Las Vegas like to practice at this facility. Touring professionals like to practice in conditions they experience week in and out on the tour, TPC Las Vegas provides this on a regular basis.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

50 Fun Things To Do In Las Vegas



There are 1001 things to do in Las Vegas. Not only along the four-mile, neon-drenched Strip and the glittering Freemont Street Experience, Downtown. For tourist-style amenities and entertainment, but at bargain rates, check out the "locals" casino hotels, located away from the Strip and the downtown area.

Listed on this page are 50 favorite things to do in Las Vegas. Most are free or are priced for budget travellers. Enjoy and have fun!

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.
22. Visit the Guinness Book of World Records Museum (2780 Las Vegas Blvd. S.)
23. See the New York City skyline: New York-New York Hotel/Casino
24. Watch the dancing fountains: Bellagio Hotel/Casino
25. Circus style performances every 45 minutes at Circus Circus
26. Take a paddlewheel cruise on Lake Mead: Desert Princess (293-6180)
27. See one of world's largest gold nuggets: Golden Nugget
28. Ride a runaway train (Excalibur's Magic Motion Machines)
29. See the world's largest collection of gambling books: Gambler's Book Club (630
E. 11th)
30. Stroll under a changing simulated sky: Forum Shops at Caesars




31. See the only pyramid-shaped hotel in the world: Luxor
32. One of the typical things to do in Las Vegas: Swim-up blackjack table at the
Tropicana
33. Carnival Midway, over 200 games at Circus Circus
34. Witness a volcano eruption: The Mirage
35. Fountain sculptures come to life: Forum Shops at Caesars
36. See the largest Coke Bottle at the Coca Cola Store, Showcase Mall.
37. Visit the Eiffel Tower: Paris Hotel & Casino
38. Cheapest way to get around: Shuttle bus
39. Best place to visit small town America: Boulder City, where gaming is still
illegal
40. Watch the surf at the wave pool: Mandalay Bay



41 Best casino for covering large bets: Binion's Horseshoe
42 Biggest poker room on the Strip: The Mirage
43 Best sports books for style: Las Vegas Hilton
44 Best get-away from the Strip: Red Rock Canyon
45 Best place for people watching: Caesars Forum Shops
46 Ride in a gondola: Venetian
47 Eat the largest hot dog: Slots-A-Fun, next to Circus Circus
48 Best reason to rise early: to see the sunrise over the desert
49 Tour the cactus garden and sample chocolates: Ethel M Chocolate Factory
50 The best of all the things to do in Las Vegas: Gamble! Gamble! Gamble!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

What You Need to Know About Las Vegas Entertainment



Las Vegas Entertainment
One thing that every visitor to Las Vegas soon discovers is that the city offers some of the most fantastic evenings out in the world. Las Vegas entertainment goes on 24 hours a day, and is one of the most amazing parts of any vacation in the city. Whether you want to see live music, a Broadway style musical, watch a magic show, comedy performance, or even go to the circus, Las Vegas is the place where you can do it.

All of the major hotels and casino resorts have their own theatres and these are where you go for the best Las Vegas entertainment available. These vast auditoriums are designed in order to offer all the guests a great view of the stage, and because the competition between the different Las Vegas hotels is so hard, the quality of the acts and shows that you can see in the city are really first cLoss.

Without a doubt, music is close to the heart of the Las Vegas Entertainment scene, and this has been the case throughout the relatively short history of the city. Perhaps the most famous act ever to take to the stage in the city was the king, Elvis Presley, who had a long career as an entertainer in the city.

Nowadays, the kind of music that you get to see in Las Vegas hotels could be as diverse as a DJ Set from Armand Van Helden or a country and western performance from Dwight Yokam.

Another popular form of Las Vegas Entertainment is magic, and amongst the best known acts that you can see in the city, the David Copperfield performances are some of the most remarkable performances in the world, while the stunning performances that Siegfried and Roy and their animals do are truly heart stopping.

Over the past few years, spectacular music and acrobatics have been performed in the city by the famous Cirque du Soleil. There are numerous shows on offer amongst the different Las Vegas hotels, and many of the packages to go and see the shows also include a meal at the hotel.

Although many people visit the city for the casinos, the fact is that the vast majority of visitors will actually take advantage of the Las Vegas Entertainment options at least once during their visit to the city. Thanks to all the different types of show that are on offer at all the different venues at the hotels along the strip, in addition to the various smaller niche entertainment opportunities that are available in the rest of the city.

When you visit Las Vegas, it is a good idea to book tickets to any shows that you want to see before you leave home, because the most popular shows are always very busy, and it can be tricky to get a good seat if you leave it too long, and you could miss out.

Top acts such as Elton John who play shows in Las Vegas regularly will sell out 20,000 seat auditoria months in advance, so if there is a chance to see him when you visit, and that is the kind of Las Vegas entertainment that you are looking for, then check out the latest deals for show tickets online before you miss out.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Trump sets up shop in Vegas with posh, smoke-free hotel

Trump sets up shop in Vegas with posh, smoke-free hotel



Just off the Strip: The smoke-free Trump International Hotel & Tower doesn't have a casino, but it certainly doesn't scrimp on service.

What's new: Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas
Claim to fame: The Apprentice mogul Donald Trump makes his first move into Sin City. But unlike his Atlantic City properties, there's no casino here. And it's smoke-free.

Vital statistics: A 64-floor glass tower with 1,282 condo suites; about 300 currently are rented out as hotel accommodations.

The scene: Serene. Set by itself off the Strip near Wynn Las Vegas and the Fashion Show shopping mall, the 2-month-old Trump (quiet as a tomb during this reporter's visit) is the antithesis of your typical, line-up-to-check-in Vegas casino hotel. Affable and attentive staffers in hip suits and dresses designed by Trump's daughter Ivanka usually outnumbered guests and condo residents in the marble lobby with chandeliers, crystal-beaded pillars and living-room-style cocktail lounge.

Bedding down: Trump's Atlantic City digs aren't known for understated tastefulness, but suites here are aces in that department. Kudos to Trump kids Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric, who oversee his new hotels. The look is modern, chic and upscale residential. Suites are decorated in subdued chocolate, butterscotch and cream tones. Blond wood cabinets have books and objets d'art on shelves. Even the smallest studio has a fully equipped kitchen, cooktop and Sub-Zero fridge, plus marble bathroom with jetted soaking tub and separate glassed-in shower spacious enough for four. The only tacky touch: a welcome gift of "Trump Ice" spring water, whose bottle bears the likeness of The Donald. Tip: If train whistles bother you, ask for a room on the street side of the tower.

Who'll like it: Those with a taste for luxury, tranquility and peel-me-a-grape service. Staffers are notably caring, personable and proud to have Trump on their résumés.

Who won't: Serious gamblers, smokers and the party crowd.

Wining & dining: Food and drink are priced for high rollers ($11 for "Mr. Trump's whipped potato purée"), but of fine quality. Be prepared to drop $15 on a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and $26 on a scrumptious lobster Cobb salad. Dinner entrees at the DJT restaurant, offering "modern American" cuisine created by Trump Sr.'s personal chef, run $34-$68.

Indulgences: An "attaché" button on the phone to call Trump's spin on butler service; TV images that magically appear on the bathroom mirror at the touch of the remote; a spa and outdoor pool with servers who offer Trump sunscreen; a giant martini shaker in every room.

The deal: You can score a $199 midweek rate through Sept. 1 for a top Vegas lodging choice that would probably cost three times as much in Manhattan.

Information: 866-939-8786; TrumpLasVegasHotel.com

By USA Today - Travel News