Good Family Fun in Vegas

If you are looking for some fun things to do in Las Vegas with or without the family, this should keep you busy for the better part of your travels. Keep in mind that Vegas is a city about lights and action. Most of the attractions will have one or the other if not both of these elements. Enjoy the bright lights of this big city and have as much fun as you can possibly muster during your stay.

The High Roller at the Stratosphere Hotel is a roller coaster, which at 909 feet above ground is the world's highest (keep in mind that competition is fierce among coaster makers and that is subject to change). This roller coaster consists of more than 800 feet of track and offers some sharply banking turns at around 32 miles an hour for your coaster fun and enjoyment. The cost for one trip on this coaster is $5 and passes may be purchased for the day (height restrictions apply).

The Nevada Zoological and Botanical Park is another great way to spend the day. While this is by no means the world's largest zoo it is a nice place to take your kids and visit the wildlife (well some wildlife that isn't located on the strip at any rate) of Las Vegas. Some of the animals you might see include chimpanzees (usually a hit with the little ones), emus, ostriches, wallabies, and flamingos. You can also choose to take a full or half day eco tour of the desert. These tours give you the opportunity to learn to the view the desert a little bit differently and are a great educational experience disguised as fun for your children.

What would a stay at the Venetian Hotel and Casino be without a gondola ride? You do not however have to stay at the Venetian in order to experience this pleasure, nor do you have to venture a transatlantic flight. For an authentic gondola experience you only need to travel as far as the Venetian Hotel and Casino. You will float under bridges as your gondolier serenades you with the sounds of Venice. You can choose an outdoor gondola ride when the weather permits. The outdoor rides are only marginally less expensive and are still quite nice (they might even be preferable on a chilly desert night). Children 12 and under are very inexpensive passengers and if you are traveling with your partner you can opt for a romantic 2 passenger gondola for an added fee. Reservations must be made in person and can only be made the same day beginning at 9 a.m. for the indoor gondola ride and 10 a.m. for the outdoor ride.

If you're old enough to remember the commercials that asked if it was live or it was Memorex then you will understand that reference when it comes to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Where else can you play a round of golf with Tiger, sail the seas with Captain Jack Sparrow, marry George Clooney, become a playboy bunny, and sing along side The King? You will see some of Hollywood's brightest stars both living and living memories at Madame Tussauds have fun meeting your favorites. This is a must see stop on your trip to Vegas and will have the entire family rolling with laughter, be sure to bring the camera along for this one.

Vegas might have been a little slow to see the light, but this city is really working to make this a fun place to be for the entire family and it is slowly building a nice selection of activities that don't directly involve gambling or the casinos. The casinos, recognizing good business sense when they see it have been the pioneers of many of these family oriented activities in hopes of encouraging more guests to come back to the city. Be sure to check out all the wonderfully fun things there are to do with the family during your Vegas stay.

Fabulous Vegas Freebies

What self respecting Vegas visitor would ever pay full price if they didn't have to or leave this great city of chance without getting something for nothing. One of the best services I can provide to you is the ability to share these fabulous free finds with anyone that is interested in what I have to offer.

This is better than a 'tell all' book on who did it and why isn't it? The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers a delight to the eyes of the beholder. It is a true delight to all the senses to see the sights and inhale the fragrance of these gardens that display seasonal highlights in plants, flowers, and produce. Each season offers new delights to the senses and there is no admission fee to view these beautiful floral arrangements. This is a great place for a photo op to help you remember your time in Las Vegas.

Have you ever seen water dance? If not, then while you're visiting the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio, you'll want to stick around long enough to witness the fountains of Bellagio. These shows consist of more than 1000 fountains that are literally dancing in choreographed unison with light to the music (you may be surprised or quite possibly impressed by the extent and variety of the music play list for this particular show). This is also free to witness and occurs every half hour or so after 3:00 PM throughout the week and after noon on the weekends.

If you're looking for more great fun that is free for the entire family to enjoy, head on over to Circus Circus for Circus Acts-this show is free to watch and provides the audience with the thrills and chills of the big top day after day. You can watch different acts as they perform throughout the day at the half hour mark between the hours of 11 AM and Midnight.



Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall offers a stunning display of water and laser lights daily at 2:00, 6:00, 8:00, and 10:00. This show is called "Sunset Stampede" and takes place in a 9-story atrium that hosts a natural habitat of live trees, greenery, waterfalls, and trails.

Another great free attraction in Vegas is the Masquerade Show in the Sky. The show is free to watch, if you choose to participate by riding one of the floats, the cost is $12.95 (that is subject to change). This experience is very reminiscent of Carnivale in Brazil. The floats are literally suspended from the ceiling for the sake of this show which is considered one of the best free shows that Vegas has to offer.

Perhaps one of the most interesting freebies is the Silverton Hotel and Casino's Aquarium. This attraction is completely free to the public and a fascinating thrill to children big and small (even mom's find this one fascinating). Enjoy watching both salt water and freshwater fish in their natural habitats and enjoy the ambiance of your surroundings.

The Sirens of Ti is a great sexy pirates tale that shows at Treasure Island TI daily as the weather allows. This is one great show that the kids, especially little boys that think pirates are the bomb and big boys that enjoy watching ships sink and sirens do what sirens do, will all agree to enjoy together.

Free entertainment is often the best entertainment that can be found. There are so many things to do and see that cost literal fortunes. It is nice to know that there are so many thrilling adventures available for little or no cost to explore while visiting Las Vegas. If you spend wisely, you will discover that you can enjoy the better part of most days filled with activity without breaking your wallet or becoming close personal friends with any creditors(lol).

Vegas Basics

If you're planning a trip to Vegas in the near future there are a few basic things you should know. First things first, walking shoes are a must for any trip to Vegas. You will probably be spending a lot of time on your feet and will need shoes that can handle standing in lines and walking.

Second, the weather in Vegas is fairly predictable. You are likely to experience rather cool nights, particularly during the months between October and April so bring some warm clothes. You should also be prepared for a lot of sunshine and pack copious amounts of sunscreen in order to protect your skin.

Remember that the times around holidays are often the busiest times in Vegas. If you want to avoid the higher prices and larger crowds you should avoid booking during these times. If those are the times you absolutely wish to stay and play in Vegas you should make plans and book well ahead of time to make sure you have your first choice in accommodations.

It is important to remember that Vegas is indeed a desert town and that you will need to drink plenty of water and moisturize more than you might be accustomed. This is a much drier climate than many people experience in their day-to-day lives and the heat and dryness can sneak up on you for a double whammy if you aren't prepared.

If you're a golfer, you've found heaven and should come prepared. This means you should bring your best clubs along with you and be prepared to play a few rounds. You should probably also bring a nice set of dress clothes in order to catch some of the great shows that are always playing in Vegas. See prior article within this blog that I did on golfing in Vegas.

While Vegas is famous for big spenders, it is quite possible to spend reasonably and have a nice vacation for two at around $100 per day. At the other end of the spectrum, big spenders can drop thousands on one meal very easily. Pay attention to the places you are considering before you enter, if you are on a limited budget.

If you're planning to stray far from your hotel or resort, it's a good idea to rent a car or drive your own. The distances here can be quite conceiving and you can easily loose track of time while enjoying yourself inside the many casinos.

Vegas is almost as famous for weddings as it is for Casinos. If you are hoping to get married Vegas style you have a lot of styles from which to choose and you are not by any means alone. More than 122,000 couples apply for marriage licenses in Vegas each year. The licensing fees for marriage in Vegas is around $55 (this is the current rate, keep in mind that this rate is subject to change) and then there are the fees involved for the chapel you use, the services offered, etc. You can choose to go as informal and small or as bold and lavish as you can afford.

One of the most important things to remember about Vegas is like the new commercials claim, "What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas". So let your hair down and have some fun during your time there and be sure to make plans for your return trip.

This can be a wonderful vacation experience for you whether you are planning a marriage, a golf smorgasbord, a gambling festival, to see your favorite act, or just to spend time with the family hanging out around the pool. Your trip to Vegas is what you make it. I suggest you have as much fun as possible. Enjoy the sights, watch the shows, enjoy the many great buffets, and spend some time at the hotel spa relaxing and rejuvenating as you prepare to go back home and face the outside world yet again.

Halloween attractions in Las Vegas

Las Vegas does it again by going all out for Halloween this year.

The award-winning Fright Dome at Circus Circus takes over the hotel's Adventuredome theme park from October 3 to 31. Expect three new haunted houses: HillBilly Hell, Vampire's Bloodfeast and the Hex-mas Nightmare, complete with falling snow.

The Fright Dome will also house Scare Zones with a haunted 4-D FX theater, "drop demos" who fall from the sky, a haunted 4-D FX theater, and the Xtreme Sideshow Circus, which features performances such as sword-swallower Lady Diabla and Lil' Miss Firefly, one of the smallest girls in the world.

Opening weekend festivities include celebrity appearances by Sid Haig, who appeared as Captain Spaulding in performer and director Rob Zombie's House of 1,000 Corpses" and "The Devil's Reject," and Bill Moseley, who also appeared in both films as well as the horror classic "Halloween."

For more information, call (702)794-3939

Studio 54 at MGM Grand also celebrates Halloween from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1 with the 11th annual Nightmare on 54th Street. The nightclub becomes a spooky place complete with characters such as torture maidens, death warriors, spider girls and wicked nurses.

The best costumes will be awarded cash prizes totaling nearly $20,000.

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How to Really Break Even in Vegas

If you're thinking about a Vegas Vacation you are probably thinking about casinos. Most people who have ever gambled harbor no fantasies of striking it rich when going and playing in casinos. Most of us know the ultimate goal is to go in, play a while, have some fun, get some comps, and go home with about what you walked in with.

Many who gamble on a regular basis know to only bring in a certain amount of money and to not mix gambling money with money that is earmarked for other things. There are a few things that those who are new to the world of gambling can do in order to avoid spending more than you intended. Anyone who has spent much time in a casino will tell you that it is easy to get your money mixed up and end up spending every dime you walked in with thinking you had more money hidden elsewhere.

That being said there is a profound difference in a casual gambler and someone that is willing and expecting to come in and make a hefty investment in the casino. These investments sometimes pay off big time for those who can afford to lose the money. They also can end up costing them big time and taking a while to recover. I recommend starting light.

Hopefully these tips will help you go home with a little money in your pocket;

1) Set a spending limit for each day and night of your stay. This sounds simple enough but you'd be surprised at how difficult this bargain you've made with yourself can be to keep

2) Bring only a specified amount of money into the casino with you and bring it in cash

3) Lock all other ATM, Debit, and credit cards in your room safe along with any traveler's checks and other cash that you have. This prevents the temptation to get one more twenty or fifty until they are all gone. This sounds like a little bit of overkill and people often think they have plenty of self control but there is something about a casino where you lose every bit of common sense you had when you walk in the door. This prevents you from getting in over your head and taking desperate measures

4) Set a time limit for your casino fun and when that time limit is up for the evening/day get up from the table and leave the casino whether you are on the hottest winning streak of your life or not. Winning streak ultimately end at some point. It is better to leave on a high note and have a little extra money to play with the next night(or better yet to take home with you). Leaving at a set time prevents you from getting over tired and making poor decisions based on the altered state of being sleep deprived

5) Win and lose graciously. It will earn you a lot more respect from staff and the other players and you may find them wishing you luck because of your graciousness. In Vegas you can never have too much luck but woe to those whose luck has run out.

Believe it or not, these five tips can save your more money and win you more friends than almost anything, other than a super hot winning streak.

Las Vegas Weather throughout the Year

Check out some of the weather reports recored on Las Vegas weather. These reports are from various sources. Get idea on weather in Las Vegas during spring, summer, winter and fall.



The normal high for Las Vegas in Spring starts around 70 degrees, and by the time Spring is ending the average high is 100. Temperatures as high as 116 have been measured near the end of Spring, that's just a degree short of the highest temperature measured in Las Vegas in the past 80 years. Spring is particularly dry in most years, with less than half an inch, on average falling in the months of April, May, and June combined. Humidity is low, and bottoms out in June.
Source: Ezine

Typical summer weather in Las Vegas brings low humidity and temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. In July and August, moist winds contribute to the humidity. The moist winds tend to develop thunderstorms. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 117 degrees.
Source: Vacation Made Easy

Las Vegas weather is typical of the Mojave Desert, in which it is located, marked with hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine year-round, and very little rainfall. High temperatures in the 90’s Fahrenheit are common in the months of May, June, and September and temperatures normally exceed 100 °F (38 °C) most days in the months of July and August, with very low humidity, frequently under 10%.
Source: TPC

As Las Vegas lies at the convergence of three deserts it has an annual average of 294days of sunshine with only four inches of rain. Although the temperature between May and September can be close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), humidity rarely exceeds 20 percent and evening temperatures usually drop to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).
Source: Las Vegas Hotels Search

Las Vegas is built in a dessert environment, so there is very little humidity and in the daytime the temperatures in the summer are hot and the night time high is about 75°. The Vegas Temperature in the winter hits a high an average high of 62° and a low of 35°.
Source: Vegas Shipster

There are about 300 days of sunshine annually in Las Vegas, making it a year-round destination. Although temperatures are high in Summer, all hotels are comfortably air-conditioned, of course. It is very pleasant in the Spring and Fall.
Source: Las Vegas Hotel

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Romantic Las Vegas Vacation Getaway

Choosing Las Vegas for a romantic vacation doesn’t have to be a gamble!

There's scenic views, romantic restaurants, and a bit of unique Vegas culture to explore...

For getting around the Las Vegas Strip, you don’t really need a car. There's lots of hotel trolley buses, shuttles, and much more.

The Monorail! Yes, the Las Vegas Monorail is an easy way to get up and down the Strip from the MGM Grand on the South to the Sahara on the north end. It's air conditioned, travels up to 50 mph, and costs $3 for a single ride, or $25 for a 3-day pass.

Romantic Activities in Las Vegas
What’s there to do in Las Vegas besides gambling? Actually, plenty! Even though I don't gamble, I found lots of romantic activities in Las Vegas when I visited last year.

The Venetian Hotel & Resort: A romantic Gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Indoors and out (weather permitting), complete with a singing gondolier! And while you're there, the Zeffirino Ristorante rates as perhaps Las Vegas best romantic lunch.

A romantic stroll through the Bellagio's Botanic Gardens & Fountains (nightly shows every 15 min). I think this is one of the most romantic spots in Las Vegas! Oh, and for dinner, I rate the Bellagio as having one of the best buffets in Vegas!

Take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas. Splendid view of the Strip, especially at night with all the lights. And you can dine on the 11th floor in the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Open till 1 AM.

Las Vegas is King of the Tacky – I had a riot looking through some hilarious gift shops, attractions like the outlandish Liberace Museum, and the “can-you-believe-it” Drive-Through Wedding Chapel! Lot’s of excellent shows too.

Even eating here can be outrageous - midnight steak specials, $.99 shrimp coctails, and all-you-can-eat buffets around every corner. When it's time for a quieter evening, most of the major resorts have excellent sit-down dining with a variety of different settings and atmospheres.

Plus, there’s Grand Canyon Helicopter Tours, Sunset Dinner and Horse Trail Rides, Fashion Outlet Malls, Celine Dion, and Red Rock Canyon for scenic drives and hikes.