Exciting Vegas Getaway!

Las Vegas is a fabulous destination for a quick getaway or a romantic vacation. Chock full of casinos, theaters, hotels, and wedding chapels, Vegas is more than just a place to gamble. Spend your days relaxing by the pool or spend your nights flirting with Lady Luck in the casinos! With so many various activities, Vegas has something for everyone!

Make sure to catch the dazzling water show at Bellagio as well as take in one of the famous Cirque De Soleil shows.
For those that enjoy a moderate climate, I suggest traveling during the spring, fall, or winter. Temps soar into the 100s during the hot summer months. If you do travel to Las Vegas during the summer, be sure to drink plenty of water and rest frequently to avoid any heat causing illness.

Quick Tips:

Before arriving at McCarran Airport, check with your hotel to see if they offer check in services at the hotel. Some of the bigger hotels have a check in desk located inside the airport.

Once you exit the doors located at baggage claim, you will find a row of shuttle buses to take passengers to their hotels. Once again, check with your hotel to see if they offer their own shuttle as the others stop at the closest hotels first before going to hotels further down The Strip. The cost for the shuttle was a person as of this writing. They also offered limos or sedans for those looking to arrive in style. The cost for the limos and sedans were around - an hour.

Bring plenty of five and one dollar bills as you don't want to search for a place to get change. Most places in Vegas are casual but if you plan on dining in one of the more upscale establishments, you may want to check what attire is expected before you leave on your trip.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will do plenty of walking as casinos seem closer than they actually are! Be sure to bring good walking shoes. If you are going to dress up, plan on calling for a taxi to take you to your destination as walking in heels or dress shoes can become uncomfortable quickly. The lines for taxis at each hotel tends to get long so be sure you give yourself plenty of traveling time if using a taxi to your dining or show reservations. There is a monorail located on the east side of The Strip. Tickets for the monorail can be purchased at any of the stations and runs Monday through Thursday from 7am to 2am and Friday through Sunday from 7am to 3am. More information and pricing can be found at www.lvmonorail.com.

Enter into a hotel with a high end vibe but not a high end price tag! The opulent lobby features marble flooring and beautiful chandeliers with an airy open feel. This property located on the south end of the strip features a guest pool, spa, wedding chapel, salon, barber shop, fitness center, arcade (great for teens and children), business center, valet, shopping, restaurants, food court with a Starbucks, Lance Burton Theater, and of course a casino. I did like the location as it was close to MGM and New York New York. There is also a CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens with in a short walking distance which is great for picking up snacks, sunscreen, and whatever else you might need.

Our room was located on the 30th floor with a magnificent view of the Strip. (Note: When making your reservation or checking in, inquire about a strip view room. We paid an extra $10 a night but it was well worth it. Non smoking floors are also available.) The room we stayed in was standard size with king bed. The bed was comfortable and the linens soft. An extra pillow was placed inside the armoire.

The bathroom was fairly large with marble flooring and counters. The tub/shower is standard size with no frills. If you are looking forward to relaxing in a long, hot bath, you might want to inquire about an upgraded room.

The room came equipped with Internet access (extra charge) and an in room safe (no extra charge). The TV had a few basic cable channels with movies and more popular shows at a charge.

We did not use most of the amenities offered other than the pool. The pool area has a "Lazy River" in which you float around on an inflatable tube. These tubes are rented to you for $12 a day. I recommend running over to CVS or Walgreens and buy your own swimming tube. You can always deflate it to pack or give it away when you check out. However, there is no extra charge to swim in the pool.

If you are looking for breathtaking views, keep in mind that there is construction going on all four sides of the hotel. The new City Center is being built next door that will feature condos, hotels rooms, shopping, etc. No matter which room you choose, chances are you will still see some of the construction going on. This also puts a damper on parking as they are in the midst of building a new parking garage. If you do drive or rent a car, I suggest you use the valet but keep in mind the line for the valet can get quite long. Especially on a Friday or Saturday night. If at all possible, have your car parked and walk the Strip or take the monorail located at MGM. You will avoid the long valet lines as well as the bumper to bumper traffic on the Strip.

Not wanting to walk far in the midday heat, we choose to dine at the Nine Fine Irishmen for lunch. This casual, yet energetic Irish pub/restaurant, is located inside the New York New York Hotel and Casino. You have your choice of seating at the bar, or at tables located on either the first or second floor. The main area of the pub is open so even if you sit on the second level, you are still able to see and enjoy the happenings of the first floor. The seating hostess will ask you if you would like first or second floor seating as well as inquire if you would like to take the stairs or use the elevator if you dine upstairs. Restrooms are located on both levels and seating on both levels is handicapped accessible.

The food is traditional Irish pub cuisine. The menu contains starters, main dishes, and desserts as well as an extensive list of whiskeys and Irish brews. You will find the more Irish traditional dishes like Shepherds Pie, Banger and Mash, or Corned Beef. They also have fish as well as a few vegetarian choices. A full menu can be found at their website www.ninefineirishmen.com. We chose the Crab & Spinach dip as a starter. Since the pricing for the appetizers were comparable to the main lunch courses, my husband and I opted to share the dip as well as a main course. The dip was served hot and in record time! It came with a variety of different homemade breads, crackers, bread sticks to use with the dip. We find it to be quite tasty and the crab was fresh. For our meal, we chose the corned beef sandwich. The sandwich was served hot with a side of fries and a small dish of slaw. The slaw cup was small with maybe 2-3 bites in it but the serving of fries more than made up for it! Between the crab/spinach dip and the corned beef sandwich, we were too full to eat a dessert. The pricing for our meal came to around $45 tax, tip, and two Black n' Tans included. A menu is located on the window if you would like to view it before deciding to dine. Bring your camera as you will want to take photos of the many details that went into decorating this restaurant.

The atmosphere at this pub is comfortable and cozy with a traditional Irish feel. You need not be hungry to enjoy it either. There is a bar located on both levels for those looking for a traditional Irish stout or whiskey. Reservations are accepted and can be made through the website although it is not required. Overall, I found this restaurant to be fantastic although the drinks were a bit on the pricey side. I would recommend it for couples, groups, and families.

On our last day of our getaway, my sister-in-law suggested we eat lunch at Harley Davidson Cafe. Not wanting to argue with a pregnant woman in the Las Vegas heat, we all agreed.

The type of food served is the traditional, good ol' American food. Burgers, BBQ, steak, meatloaf, Philly cheesesteaks, grilled chicken, chicken pot pie, country fried steak, and too many more to list. They do serve a few vegetarian selections as well. I choose the honey roasted turkey club which was more than I bargained for! It was served with a generous helping of piping hot fries and a pickle. The sandwich was thick with fresh turkey, more slices of bacon than I have ever had on a club. Alcoholic beverages are served and a few specialty non-alcohol beverages along with sodas. I choose the non-alcoholic beverage called the Boulevard Cruiser which was orange, pineapple, and cranberry juices mixed with grenadine and soda. It was refreshing and a nice change of pace. We found our food to be hot, fresh, and served quickly. The staff was very jovial and answered all our questions and explained in detail the many attractions peppered throughout the dining area. There is a photographer that will come by to take your photo of your group or you can opt to take a special one of yourself on a Harley.

The entrance to the cafe is decorated in diner-style motif with a giant replica Harley sticking out over the door. The inside of the cafe is decorated with a chain USA flag covering the entire wall. But that's not all. Also enhancing the uniqueness of this cafe are the famous Harleys from celebrities such as Elvis, Billy Joel, and Ann Margaret. Adorning the walls, you will find display frames of autographs from Peter Fonda or Bon Jovi. As if that isn't enough, the most exceptional highlight of the visit is the Harley Bike conveyor. This chain pulls Harleys around the store above your head as you dine. A bit nerve-wracking but still a really awesome sight! The conveyor circulates through all three levels of the cafe including the gift shop located outside the cafe to your left.

As I mentioned in the above paragraph, there is a gift shop located out the main entrance and to your left. In here, you will find coffee cups, caps, shirts, steins, shot glasses, all at reasonable prices. Tip: Keep your receipt from your meal and you will receive 10% off of your purchase.
All in all, I would eat here again not just for the food but for the atmosphere, too. I would recommend this restaurant to groups, families, and couples. A menu and fascinating facts about the cafe is available at www.harley-davidsoncafe.com.

I saw this show twice back in the late '90s and was excited to take my husband to see it for his first time. Located in the Treasure Island Hotel on the strip, this show has been a Vegas highlight since it opened in 1993. The backgrounds, the costumes, the performers are just amazing! While the audience is still entering the theater, a "clown" is entertaining folks during the wait for the show to start. He takes popcorn, leads people to the wrong seats, and just basically entertains the crowd. You will see him throughout the show as he continues his antics while the performers change costumes for the next set. The show itself combines beautiful dancing, amazing acrobatics, and colorful costumes. I found the music to be like ear candy. The singer that stands stage left had the most beautiful voice as she sings most of the songs during the performances. During the show, we were awed with amazing feats of strength, graceful acrobatics, all blended with colors and beauty. On some of the more silly acts, usually done between sets, the clown and baby will engage the audience members. Keep that in mind if you decide to sit closer to the stage!

Tickets were reasonable priced compared to some of the more expensive Cirque shows such as "O" and Love. Tickets range from $104.50-$66 with discounts for Military members and children under 12. We choose the e-ticket option which is an extra $2.50 per ticket but you can print them off from home before you leave on your trip and avoid the lines for purchasing seats at the box office. Show times are 7pm and 9:30pm with blackout days on Thursday and Friday. I can honestly say, I do not think there is a bad seat in the house! We sat in section 203 and had an unobstructed view of everything.

I recommend arriving at least a half hour prior to show time as the line to enter can get quite long. It does move quickly however. Once inside, you can purchase popcorn, bottled water, and drinks. I found them to be a bit expensive though with one of the 8 oz. bottled water costing $2.50 a piece.

Cameras and video recording are not allowed during the show for the safety of the performers. However, we were permitted to take pictures before and after the show. The gift shop located at the line entrance has programs, shirts, and CDs if you would like to purchase a memorable souvenir of your visit.

I would recommend this show for couples, families, friends, and just about anyone. You will be amazed at the beauty, the grace, and the human strength you won't find anywhere else! Enjoy!

Let yourself capture the magic and illusions of Lance Burton! This show is geared for families and adults alike filled with mind boggling illusions, the thrill of magic, and the laughter of comedy. The show interweaves smaller magic tricks with some of the more grand illusions such as a disappearing Corvette, levitation, and birds that appear from thin air. He can switch with one of his assistants and just when you think you know where he is, he appears from under another cloak!

What I liked the best about this show is he involves his audience in certain acts during the show, especially the children. He called for 5 volunteers but of course, about 15 kids ran up there from the closer seats. But in true Lance Burton fashion, he involved all the kids on stage as he pulled wands from their ears and coins from their pockets. He involved different young audience members throughout the show in a levitation act and the disappearing car. If you bring children to the show with you, be sure to find seats near the stage as one of them might be chosen to participate in a special illusion with Lance Burton. As a token of appreciation for a child's participation, he will take a photo on stage with the child and give the child a small gift of a signed poster or DVD. But don't be fooled into thinking this is just a magic show for kids. This show is great entertainment for anyone!

The Lance Burton Theater is located in the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino. As you enter through the front doors of the casino, you will find the box office and entrance to the theater to your left. Ticket prices are $72.55 for mezzanine or main level and $66.50 balcony. We sat in the balcony and I would recommend getting seats a bit closer because some of the illusion is last from the balcony. If budget insists that you purchase balcony seats, make sure you get the front row seats in the balcony as everyone leans forward and it can be difficult to see.

There is a magic shop located next to the theater doors, where you can purchase gag gifts, Lance Burton videos, coffee mugs, T-shirts, and magic kits located next to the doors of the theater. After the show, the shop tends to get crowded as a local magician performs a few magic tricks to entertain shoppers. The magic shop is open during the day as well which makes it more convenient to shop without the show crowd.

Check the Monte Carlo Hotel website under the Entertainment tab to find any discounts, seating chart, and online ticket purchasing. You may also purchase tickets at the box office located at the Lance Burton Theater located inside the Monte Carlo Casino.

Anyone that loves M&Ms will find themselves in colorful paradise in this store! Located across the street from the Monte Carlo, New York New York Hotel, and the MGM Grand, this is a four story haven for lovers of those little bit sized pieces of heaven! When you first enter, look to your left or right to find a shopping bag to place your goodies in while you browse around. If you set your things down, an employee might whisk them away to be put back on the shelves. You don't want to have to go back through four floors looking to replace the items you want to purchase. I speak from experience on that one.

One the first floor, you can find your basic souvenirs of backpacks, T-shirts, magnets, M&M dispensers, key chains, lunch bags, beach towels, and the like. Clothing came in all sizes from infants to adult XXL.

Move up to the second floor where you will find one whole wall of customers filling their bags with various colored M&Ms that you just can't find in a regular bag. How this experience works is you take a clear bag and fill it under the dispenser of various colored M&Ms. Mix pink with blue, dark chocolate with peanut, you get to choose! Also on this floor, you will also find more one of a kind gifts and treats all with the M&M logo. You can also watch the 3-D movies located in the small theater. The 3-D short films are free. Since it was crowded, I did not get in line for a showing.

Up on the 3rd floor, you will find it is a bit smaller than the first and second floors. This floor houses a display of Ethel M chocolates and holiday items in the M&M fashion.

The last floor is the 4th floor, where you will find household items such as cups, plates, teapots, chip n' dip bowls, and party supplies. This is also where you will find the clearance/sale items (tucked in the back corner) and the NASCAR M&M car with racing gear. There is also a smaller bin for buying your own bag of colored M&Ms. It doesn't have as much of a selection as the second floor lot but is less crowded and still contains a variety of different colors. Each floor also has a cash register and employees so you don't have to trek back downstairs to buy your trinkets. I suggest completing your sale on the third or fourth floor where the lines are not as long. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 9am-11pm and Friday-Saturday 9am-12am. Floors are accessible by escalator and elevator.