Hi Vegas fans,
The Stratosphere has refreshed its website. I think it looks pretty cool, and it's pretty easy to navigate. Some of the sub-navigation takes a little getting used to - I'm not a huge fan of having to move my mouse around a bunch to get to a specific link. But, overall it's a great site, and the new styles are quite good.
Speaking of new sites... I have just updated the majority of the tables and info on Simplifying Las Vegas. It's not easy keeping up with every new restaurant, show, etc. as well as making sure that the links work for the existing ones. But it's a labor of love!
Soon, I'll be publishing SLV 2011 as an online flipbook and as a Kindle book. Be on the lookout for more news about that soon.
Until then, remember my philosophy... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Top 10 Reasons to Go to Vegas
Hi Vegas fans,
It's been a while since I've done a post like this, and I thought it would be fun, especially as my next trip to the Strip looms.
Here are my top 10 reasons to visit Sin City:
10. Free parking. That's right, I said parking. As in "free parking" in garages on the Strip and outskirts, and inexpensive (sometimes comped) parking in garages downtown. You can even get free valet service, but I usually skip this because I can park where I want when I want without waiting for someone to retrieve my car, and I don't have to tip anyone if I park myself.
9. Free shows. The fountains at Bellagio are probably the best and certainly the most famous, but there are tons of other things you can see for free when you take a break from the slots and tables. Like the volcano at the Mirage, or the lions at MGM Grand, or the Fremont Street Experience. All good stuff that doesn't cost you a dime.
8. Top notch entertainment. Cirque du Soleil - need I say more? Great shows, like Ka and The Beatles Love are worth seeing more than once. Add comedy, the best and hippest bands, magic and other types of acts, and you can see whey Vegas is a popular destination for shows.
7. Cool pools and pool parties. I'm a little past the age curve for pool parties, and I worry that they are getting too crowded for the pool management teams to handle, but they are also plenty fun in moderation. As for me, I enjoy a good swim in the morning after an evening of gambling and rum-based drinks in a smoky casino. MGM's pool complex is pretty outstanding, and the last time I was at the Flamingo, the water was refreshing if not downright cold. Good times. I've never been to the Mandalay Bay pool complex, but surfboards and sandy beaches sound pretty cool to me.
6. Clubs. Yeah, I'm a little old for these, too. But there's nothing better than getting dressed up and hitting the dance floor (or at least the bar next to the dance floor).
5. Restaurants. You can find everything from a nice, clean, inexpensive diner to a five-diamond exclusive experience. If you like to eat, Vegas is a great destination.
4.Rum and Coke. My favorite cocktail at the tables. Some say "don't ask for well drinks at the tables because they water them down too much." Don't care. Just keep bringing them. After a while, the cocktail waitress just knows the deal. She'll look at me and say "Rum and Coke?" Yup. Rum and Coke.
3. Craps. Sometimes, I just throw my money on the table and say "thanks, that was fun" and walk away. However, if I can hit at least one point (or, more likely, if someone else at the table can hit a point), life is much more exciting. A full craps table in Vegas is one of the best times you can have with your clothes on.
2. Blackjack. My other favorite game, and a staple when I'm in Vegas. Sometimes it seems like you haven't won a hand in hours, and then all of a sudden you get on a winning streak. If you can hang at a crowded blackjack table for a while, you can really have a good time.
1. Escape. Life is serious. We spend a lot of time working, taking care of responsibilities, cutting the grass, helping neighbors and family, driving the kids to soccer practice, and so on. Life is short. Vegas is fun. When I'm there, I don't worry about anything, and I can really cut loose and have a good time. I'm prepared so that when I go, I don't have to guess how much money I can lose or how much I can spend. It's all taken care of ahead of time so that when I'm there, it's just fun.
I hope you have a chance to go to Vegas soon. Escape for a little while so that when you come back, you are refreshed and can handle everything else in your life a little easier.
These are my top 10. What are yours?
Viva,
Mike
It's been a while since I've done a post like this, and I thought it would be fun, especially as my next trip to the Strip looms.
Here are my top 10 reasons to visit Sin City:
10. Free parking. That's right, I said parking. As in "free parking" in garages on the Strip and outskirts, and inexpensive (sometimes comped) parking in garages downtown. You can even get free valet service, but I usually skip this because I can park where I want when I want without waiting for someone to retrieve my car, and I don't have to tip anyone if I park myself.
9. Free shows. The fountains at Bellagio are probably the best and certainly the most famous, but there are tons of other things you can see for free when you take a break from the slots and tables. Like the volcano at the Mirage, or the lions at MGM Grand, or the Fremont Street Experience. All good stuff that doesn't cost you a dime.
8. Top notch entertainment. Cirque du Soleil - need I say more? Great shows, like Ka and The Beatles Love are worth seeing more than once. Add comedy, the best and hippest bands, magic and other types of acts, and you can see whey Vegas is a popular destination for shows.
7. Cool pools and pool parties. I'm a little past the age curve for pool parties, and I worry that they are getting too crowded for the pool management teams to handle, but they are also plenty fun in moderation. As for me, I enjoy a good swim in the morning after an evening of gambling and rum-based drinks in a smoky casino. MGM's pool complex is pretty outstanding, and the last time I was at the Flamingo, the water was refreshing if not downright cold. Good times. I've never been to the Mandalay Bay pool complex, but surfboards and sandy beaches sound pretty cool to me.
6. Clubs. Yeah, I'm a little old for these, too. But there's nothing better than getting dressed up and hitting the dance floor (or at least the bar next to the dance floor).
5. Restaurants. You can find everything from a nice, clean, inexpensive diner to a five-diamond exclusive experience. If you like to eat, Vegas is a great destination.
4.Rum and Coke. My favorite cocktail at the tables. Some say "don't ask for well drinks at the tables because they water them down too much." Don't care. Just keep bringing them. After a while, the cocktail waitress just knows the deal. She'll look at me and say "Rum and Coke?" Yup. Rum and Coke.
3. Craps. Sometimes, I just throw my money on the table and say "thanks, that was fun" and walk away. However, if I can hit at least one point (or, more likely, if someone else at the table can hit a point), life is much more exciting. A full craps table in Vegas is one of the best times you can have with your clothes on.
2. Blackjack. My other favorite game, and a staple when I'm in Vegas. Sometimes it seems like you haven't won a hand in hours, and then all of a sudden you get on a winning streak. If you can hang at a crowded blackjack table for a while, you can really have a good time.
1. Escape. Life is serious. We spend a lot of time working, taking care of responsibilities, cutting the grass, helping neighbors and family, driving the kids to soccer practice, and so on. Life is short. Vegas is fun. When I'm there, I don't worry about anything, and I can really cut loose and have a good time. I'm prepared so that when I go, I don't have to guess how much money I can lose or how much I can spend. It's all taken care of ahead of time so that when I'm there, it's just fun.
I hope you have a chance to go to Vegas soon. Escape for a little while so that when you come back, you are refreshed and can handle everything else in your life a little easier.
These are my top 10. What are yours?
Viva,
Mike
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Liberace Museum to Close
According to the Las Vegas Advisor, the Liberace Museum will close in October after being in business for 31 years. This is really a shame. It is a wonderful exhibit, and if you get a chance, please go see it.
You don't have to be a Liberace fan to enjoy it. There is a lot of memorabilia, cool cars, pianos and plenty of jumpsuits. It's kitch to the 10th degree, and it's a nice break from the over-stimulation on the Strip. The people who work there are very knowledgeable and friendly. I will miss it.
Just as I miss Elvis-o-Ramma. I know that in Vegas the only constant is change, but usually it's a casino that gets imploded so that a newer one can take its place. When museums and galleries close due to lack of interest or financial troubles, it's a little harder to swallow.
I've always said Las Vegas is so much more than gambling. I like to support the shows, attractions, and other fun stuff that goes on outside the casino. There's plenty to do. I hope that's always the case, and I'll keep supporting these other ventures as long as I go to Vegas. I can't wait to see Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form in a few weeks.
And I'm not a person who constantly says "this isn't the Vegas I remember anymore" or "Vegas ain't what it used to be" - after all, that's the point. Keep it fresh, keep it fun, keep it exciting. But there's always room for familiarity, and I hope that there are more events and places that stay open and continue to change rather than close. I hope.
Viva,
Mike
You don't have to be a Liberace fan to enjoy it. There is a lot of memorabilia, cool cars, pianos and plenty of jumpsuits. It's kitch to the 10th degree, and it's a nice break from the over-stimulation on the Strip. The people who work there are very knowledgeable and friendly. I will miss it.
Just as I miss Elvis-o-Ramma. I know that in Vegas the only constant is change, but usually it's a casino that gets imploded so that a newer one can take its place. When museums and galleries close due to lack of interest or financial troubles, it's a little harder to swallow.
I've always said Las Vegas is so much more than gambling. I like to support the shows, attractions, and other fun stuff that goes on outside the casino. There's plenty to do. I hope that's always the case, and I'll keep supporting these other ventures as long as I go to Vegas. I can't wait to see Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form in a few weeks.
And I'm not a person who constantly says "this isn't the Vegas I remember anymore" or "Vegas ain't what it used to be" - after all, that's the point. Keep it fresh, keep it fun, keep it exciting. But there's always room for familiarity, and I hope that there are more events and places that stay open and continue to change rather than close. I hope.
Viva,
Mike
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Happy Labor Day Weekend
Hi Vegas fans,
I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend thus far. If you're in Las Vegas - have a blast! I typically don't visit Sin City on holidays to avoid crowds. But visitation numbers are down, so it isn't as crowded as some years.
I encourage everyone to take a break during this 3-day weekend, if you can. And what better way to get away from reality than to visit Vegas? Rates are really reasonable right now, so think about getting away to the most exciting city on the planet. I can think of anything more fun than my trips to Vegas. My countdown is 20 days - just under 3 weeks and I'll be soaking up some blackjack, craps, and rum & cokes. Good times.
Until then, I'll be updating the site and coming up with new ideas for the book. I hope you enjoy all that Simplifying Las Vegas has to offer!
Viva,
Mike
I hope you are enjoying your Labor Day weekend thus far. If you're in Las Vegas - have a blast! I typically don't visit Sin City on holidays to avoid crowds. But visitation numbers are down, so it isn't as crowded as some years.
I encourage everyone to take a break during this 3-day weekend, if you can. And what better way to get away from reality than to visit Vegas? Rates are really reasonable right now, so think about getting away to the most exciting city on the planet. I can think of anything more fun than my trips to Vegas. My countdown is 20 days - just under 3 weeks and I'll be soaking up some blackjack, craps, and rum & cokes. Good times.
Until then, I'll be updating the site and coming up with new ideas for the book. I hope you enjoy all that Simplifying Las Vegas has to offer!
Viva,
Mike
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