Hi Vegas fans,
For me, the first step to updating the website always starts with the Home page. The other day I was looking at the cool photos on the SLV Flickr group. I saw one that I really liked from Christine Holm, so I asked her if I could use it. She was more than happy to have it on the site, so now it's the feature photo. Be sure to check out Christine's other work on her Etsy store or her Facebook page.
I will be making some other modifications to the site soon. Revising the site is a lot of research but a ton of fun, and it always is a springboard to update my travel guide. I hope you enjoy the changes!
Viva,
Mike
Showing posts with label free stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free stuff. Show all posts
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Um.... Does Anyone Remember Gambling?
Hi Vegas fans,
The latest news in Las Vegas points to an interesting trend on the Strip - more shopping and entertainment. Compass Investments broke ground this week on the new Skyvue Wheel, a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye, which will be flanked by shopping and restaurants.
There is also a new shopping center that will be - gasp - next to Planet Hollywood, home to the Miracle Mile shops. Think about what's close to Plant Hollywood - you've got CityCenter with the upscale Crystal shops, and not far from that you've got the Forum Shops. Take a short walk south from Planet Ho, and you arrive at Showcase Mall, complete with M&M's World and the World of Coca-Cola, among other unique retail opportunities.
Too much? I think so. Don't get me wrong, I think a lot of variety of entertainment and dining options help attract visitors to Sin City. But this reminds me of another particularly odd time in Las Vegas' history. In the 1990's many casinos built entertainment options to present the city as a family-friendly destination. Remember the amusement park at MGM Grand? The pirate show at TI? It wasn't a bad idea - after all, why not try to increase visitation by enticing parents to bring the kids?
But it didn't really fly. Mom and dad want to escape, and they don't want Disneyland for kids, they want Disneyland for adults. So the MGM tore down the amusement park. The pirate show was revamped into The Sirens of TI, complete with scantily-clad ladies and shirtless pirates. Now the casinos have "party pits" where very sexy ladies dance while you drop your hard-earned money at 6-5 blackjack.
Downtown, you'll find a similar trend. There are often several concerts going on at the same time on Fremont Street. And you can get your photo taken with showgirls and bunnies. Um, not that I would know.
But the point is this. Entertainment is great in Las Vegas, but you can get top-notch shows and restaurants in many cities. What separates Las Vegas from them is the casinos. I wish they would focus more on them. Really focus on them. I think the art of planning the casino floor has been lost.
So I'm sending out an open call to casino moguls and the execs who run the floors. Rethink your gaming plan. Please. Here are some ideas, for starters:
- Dedicate your space to lots of good table games and plenty-o'slots and video poker machines. Make that the focus of what you do again.
- Send out good gaming promos to your players to draw them in, and not just the usual invitations to slot tourneys. Think about coupons for other games, poker gatherings, and other creative investments in the people who love to spend a few dollars in the casino.
- Make sure your casino floor is comfortable so that guests will want to stay there a while. Freshen the carpets and felts on the tables, and keep those drinks coming. Too many cocktail waitresses take their time between rounds. Even when I pre-tip them.
- Forget the unbuilt condos behind your properties. Let them rust. Remember that when push came to shove, they didn't work, but people still walk into your casinos.
Viva,
Mike
Monday, May 23, 2011
"Bridesmaids" Didn't Leave Me with a Hangover
Hi Vegas fans,
Before you think this blog post is a movie review, I want you to just hang with me here for a minute. Ok - so I went to see Bridesmaids with my wife. She picked this one. I picked the last movie - Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell.
Rotten Tomatoes gave Bridesmaids an 89% fresh rating, and it has been billed as "the next Hangover." It had its moments, and a few raunchy scenes, but for me it really didn't live up to the expectations. And it's not because it wasn't set in Vegas or because my wife picked it. We tend to like the same movies, and I really trust her judgement.
But we tend to disagree on one aspect of movies: ratings. She follows Rotten Tomatoes pretty closely, and that's why she picked this movie. I do not follow the tomatometer. Here's why. They gave Secretariat only a 64% fresh rating. Worse, they gave Sense and Sensibility with Hugh Grant a 98% fresh rating. I liked Secretariat and thought it was a heart-warming but not over-the-top movie and gave me more than what I expected from a Disney flick - much better than a 64% rating. On the other hand, I'd rather stick my head in a vat of boiling grease and bob for day-old onion rings rather than see Sense and Sensibility. I have two very simple but strict rules about movies:
1. A movie shall not have Hugh Grant in it.
2. A move shall not be adopted by anything written by Jane Austin.
Those are my requirements. I don't need a fresh or rotten meter to tell me how great or how lousy a movie is. I just need to see a few coming attractions and read what the movie is about in order to determine whether or not I want to see it. Most of the time, I'm not disappointed. I'm sure you have your requirements, too, and I bet they have nothing to do with critics.
Ask yourself this question: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics loved but you hated? How about the opposite: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics didn't treat kindly but you liked?
But I digress. What does all of this have to do with Vegas? After all, I promised this was not going to be about movies. Well, here you go: don't trust ratings. You'll read lots of critics who review Vegas shows, restaurants, and so on. They all have opinions. Some of them will like stuff you hate, and others will hate stuff you like. You need to know what your Hugh Grants and Secretariats are. Then make up your mind.
Think about it this way - if the critics aren't always right, and you blow $35 or more on a movie (you're taking a date and buying popcorn), you're gonna be mildly tiffed that you spent hard-earned dollars on someone else's opinions. How are you gonna feel if you do the same thing on a much more expensive vacation to Las Vegas?
That's why my travel guide offers you something different. It has categories of information and provides you with a lot of context for what you need to decide about how you can have an awesome time in Vegas. And I've got a lot of work to do to update it for 2012. But that's for another blog post...
Viva,
Mike
Before you think this blog post is a movie review, I want you to just hang with me here for a minute. Ok - so I went to see Bridesmaids with my wife. She picked this one. I picked the last movie - Everything Must Go starring Will Ferrell.
Rotten Tomatoes gave Bridesmaids an 89% fresh rating, and it has been billed as "the next Hangover." It had its moments, and a few raunchy scenes, but for me it really didn't live up to the expectations. And it's not because it wasn't set in Vegas or because my wife picked it. We tend to like the same movies, and I really trust her judgement.
But we tend to disagree on one aspect of movies: ratings. She follows Rotten Tomatoes pretty closely, and that's why she picked this movie. I do not follow the tomatometer. Here's why. They gave Secretariat only a 64% fresh rating. Worse, they gave Sense and Sensibility with Hugh Grant a 98% fresh rating. I liked Secretariat and thought it was a heart-warming but not over-the-top movie and gave me more than what I expected from a Disney flick - much better than a 64% rating. On the other hand, I'd rather stick my head in a vat of boiling grease and bob for day-old onion rings rather than see Sense and Sensibility. I have two very simple but strict rules about movies:
1. A movie shall not have Hugh Grant in it.
2. A move shall not be adopted by anything written by Jane Austin.
Those are my requirements. I don't need a fresh or rotten meter to tell me how great or how lousy a movie is. I just need to see a few coming attractions and read what the movie is about in order to determine whether or not I want to see it. Most of the time, I'm not disappointed. I'm sure you have your requirements, too, and I bet they have nothing to do with critics.
Ask yourself this question: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics loved but you hated? How about the opposite: how many times have you been to a movie that the critics didn't treat kindly but you liked?
But I digress. What does all of this have to do with Vegas? After all, I promised this was not going to be about movies. Well, here you go: don't trust ratings. You'll read lots of critics who review Vegas shows, restaurants, and so on. They all have opinions. Some of them will like stuff you hate, and others will hate stuff you like. You need to know what your Hugh Grants and Secretariats are. Then make up your mind.
Think about it this way - if the critics aren't always right, and you blow $35 or more on a movie (you're taking a date and buying popcorn), you're gonna be mildly tiffed that you spent hard-earned dollars on someone else's opinions. How are you gonna feel if you do the same thing on a much more expensive vacation to Las Vegas?
That's why my travel guide offers you something different. It has categories of information and provides you with a lot of context for what you need to decide about how you can have an awesome time in Vegas. And I've got a lot of work to do to update it for 2012. But that's for another blog post...
Viva,
Mike
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Viva Las Vegas
Hi Vegas fans,Here's a snapshot of our recent trip to the Strip. Steve and I had a blast, regardless of the fact that we lost some cash. Notice that the picture only shows us from the waist up. That's because we lost our pants. Ha! Just kidding.
I really had a great time. It's nice to escape from reality, if only for a little while. Part of the fun for me is that Steve and I go way back. Friends that gamble together stay together.
We checked out the Cosmo for the first time on this trip. Steve played some blackjack (and lost). It played it safe by just taking pictures. What a really fun place to hang out. It's really upscale, but unlike a lot of modern casinos, it's not difficult to navigate. I think the reason is that they built it "up" instead of creating a sprawling, 100 mile casino floor to roam until your feet ache.
We also saw a Dodgers game, and I cashed one of my only successful sports tickets. I had the Dodgers winning and also a second bet on the run line (Dodgers - 1 1/2 runs). They held on to win 7-5, which made the drive back to Vegas much nicer.
I'll be looking at another five day adventure within a few months, but until then I have a lot of work to do. I'm going to be making updates to the book and the site soon. I've just updated the Gambling tab on the website with a thought I had when Steve and I were losing money at the tables. It's a light, fun read, so take a look and let me know what you think.
Until then, remember... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike
Sunday, March 20, 2011
eBooks and Apps
I love apps. I've been playing with my iPad and discovering all kinds of fun stuff, especially Vegas-related. Apps are fun, cool and interactive. Perfect for small, mobile devices for people on the go.
Of course, I love eBooks, too, but they're different. eBooks contain more content and fewer features. The content might consist of words, pictures or maps, but the interaction doesn't work the same way as an app.
Obviously, there's a difference between reading/searching a book and surfing an app. There's a purpose for each. If I want to see photos of the Bellagio fountains and locate them on the Strip, then an app is great. Maybe I can read a review of them and see what time the shows run, too. So the app provides a snapshot of Vegas while you're there and gives you snippets of information. Which is great.
On the other hand, a good travel guide gives you a different experience. It connects the dots with a story. Now I don't mean a literal story, but rather one that arms you with information that you can use when you plan your trip and also use as content you can search while you are there.
Here's an example. Suppose I'm planning my trip to Vegas and I've decided that I'm going to see the volcano at Mirage because I haven't seen it in a while. I'm also a blackjack player, so I want to know what to expect at the tables. I know I'll only be in Vegas 3 days, so I want to explore as much mid-Strip as I can without having to take a taxi or spend a lot of time wearing out my shoes trying to find an Italian restaurant or a Cirque du Soleil show. By the way, my wife's coming with me, and she's going to want to shop, too.
That's my story, and whether I'm planning these things a month before I'm in Vegas or when I arrive at McCarran airport, it's the story that a good travel guide can help me tell, and it can do it comprehensively, in one format.
Maybe there's room for both apps and eBooks in this crazy new world. With free Kindle and Nook apps for the iPhone and iPad, you can have your travel guide at your fingertips. So while you're searching for "volcano" within your Vegas travel guide on your iPhone to see what time it erupts, you can also see that there's a free tram to take you to TI so you can see Mystere. You'll also see on a good map that there's a pedestrian bridge to take you over to the Venetian so you can spend some non-gambling money at the Grand Canal Shoppes. Oh, and if you want to spend some money gambling, your travel guide will remind you to find a 3-2 blackjack table and stay away from those 6-5 tables.
In any event, make sure that you tell your own story (even if you make it up) the next time you... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike
Of course, I love eBooks, too, but they're different. eBooks contain more content and fewer features. The content might consist of words, pictures or maps, but the interaction doesn't work the same way as an app.
Obviously, there's a difference between reading/searching a book and surfing an app. There's a purpose for each. If I want to see photos of the Bellagio fountains and locate them on the Strip, then an app is great. Maybe I can read a review of them and see what time the shows run, too. So the app provides a snapshot of Vegas while you're there and gives you snippets of information. Which is great.
On the other hand, a good travel guide gives you a different experience. It connects the dots with a story. Now I don't mean a literal story, but rather one that arms you with information that you can use when you plan your trip and also use as content you can search while you are there.
Here's an example. Suppose I'm planning my trip to Vegas and I've decided that I'm going to see the volcano at Mirage because I haven't seen it in a while. I'm also a blackjack player, so I want to know what to expect at the tables. I know I'll only be in Vegas 3 days, so I want to explore as much mid-Strip as I can without having to take a taxi or spend a lot of time wearing out my shoes trying to find an Italian restaurant or a Cirque du Soleil show. By the way, my wife's coming with me, and she's going to want to shop, too.
That's my story, and whether I'm planning these things a month before I'm in Vegas or when I arrive at McCarran airport, it's the story that a good travel guide can help me tell, and it can do it comprehensively, in one format.
Maybe there's room for both apps and eBooks in this crazy new world. With free Kindle and Nook apps for the iPhone and iPad, you can have your travel guide at your fingertips. So while you're searching for "volcano" within your Vegas travel guide on your iPhone to see what time it erupts, you can also see that there's a free tram to take you to TI so you can see Mystere. You'll also see on a good map that there's a pedestrian bridge to take you over to the Venetian so you can spend some non-gambling money at the Grand Canal Shoppes. Oh, and if you want to spend some money gambling, your travel guide will remind you to find a 3-2 blackjack table and stay away from those 6-5 tables.
In any event, make sure that you tell your own story (even if you make it up) the next time you... Go to Vegas. It's that simple.
Viva,
Mike
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
Hi Vegas lovers,
Don't forget today is Valentine's Day. Give that special someone in your life an extra hug. Even if it's your dog or cat. Hopefully it's a little less fuzzy than that.
Here's another idea. Book a romantic getaway to Vegas for the two of you. Yes, just the two of you. You deserve it. And Vegas is a great place for lovebirds. Try Paris - go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and look out over the city. You can see the Bellagio fountain show from there, too, which is another romantic site.
Go see a show together. Any of the Cirque shows are great for couples - from the daring and sexy Zuamanity at NY NY to the visually stunning Ka at MGM Grand to the Beatles Love at Mirage.
Rekindle your zest for each other. Vegas has a lot of options in this category, from the mild (like the Sirens at TI) to the medium (Peepshow at Planet Hollywood) to the wild (let's just say if you can dream it, Vegas can make it happen... for the right price).
Whatever you do today, I hope you enjoy love, whether you are with someone special or just doing something nice for yourself.
Viva,
Mike
Don't forget today is Valentine's Day. Give that special someone in your life an extra hug. Even if it's your dog or cat. Hopefully it's a little less fuzzy than that.
Here's another idea. Book a romantic getaway to Vegas for the two of you. Yes, just the two of you. You deserve it. And Vegas is a great place for lovebirds. Try Paris - go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and look out over the city. You can see the Bellagio fountain show from there, too, which is another romantic site.
Go see a show together. Any of the Cirque shows are great for couples - from the daring and sexy Zuamanity at NY NY to the visually stunning Ka at MGM Grand to the Beatles Love at Mirage.
Rekindle your zest for each other. Vegas has a lot of options in this category, from the mild (like the Sirens at TI) to the medium (Peepshow at Planet Hollywood) to the wild (let's just say if you can dream it, Vegas can make it happen... for the right price).
Whatever you do today, I hope you enjoy love, whether you are with someone special or just doing something nice for yourself.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Classic Las Vegas
Hi Vegas aficionados,
Steve and I will be staying at the Riviera on our next trip. We've stayed there a few times, including on our very first trip back circa 1992. What a blast - we were just kids then, really. We really didn't know what to expect, but we had fun playing $2 blackjack and craps, even at the high-end places like Caesars and the Mirage. Back then, Caesars was a great place to gamble. Lots of tables, bonuses for things like 6-7-8 blackjack (not a side bet, a bonus!). Those days are gone.
My favorite venue was the Stardust. Even back then, it was kind of old and starting to show its age. But the blackjack tables were a blast, and the dealers were friendly. Above is a picture of me with one - her name was Penny and she was really funny. Great dealer.
Las Vegas still has some awesome, professional dealers, even if the bonus deals are long gone. That's one of the reasons I still enjoy visiting Las Vegas. The dealers really make the experience worthwhile. Well, the dealers and the cocktail waitresses.
The good news is that if you come across one that you don't like, you can just switch tables. Who needs Grumpy the Dealer? I've added some more ideas on blackjack tables and dealers on the Gaming tab, and I'd love to hear your thoughts, too. So please feel free to post some comments about good and bad experiences at the tables in Las Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
Saturday, January 29, 2011
E-Book Readers
Hi Vegas fans,
E-books are continuing to gain popularity, which is great news for those of us who travel. Last year, I predicted that Apple's iPad would basically eliminate amazon.com's Kindle and prevent the launch of barnesandnoble.com's Nook. How wrong I was! The iPad is a great tablet, but it looks like anyone who wants to primarily read books is buying either a 3rd generation Kindle or a Nook.
The good news for travelers is that any of these devices is better than stuffing a bunch of paperbacks or hard cover books into your luggage or carry-on bag when you are flying. And when you are in Vegas, e-readers are light, easy to read and make it so much easier to find the information you want. Or, if you like to sit by the pool and relax with a book, it's great to have a device like the Kindle, which is easy to read even in direct sunlight.
There are a lot of these devices on the market now, but all reviews I've read note that the Kindle and Nook are the best when comparing features head to head. Here are a few sites I've visited when looking at e-book readers:
Many reviews point out that the iPad and the Kindle different, so comparing them is kind of and apples and oranges argument. I agree. It depends on what you want in a device, and how much you're willing to pay for it.
However, I will make one final note about these readers. Both amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have free downloads for apps that you can use for your mobile phone, iPad or computer. So, if you're looking for one device to "do it all" and you don't mind spending a little more (base price $500), the iPad may be the way to go because you can get Kindle and Nook books on it.
Whatever your electronic fix, make your life easier the next time you are traveling and consider an electronic book if you are looking for a Vegas guide. The book you choose should provide easy navigation, quick links and a lot of information because, after all, e-books all weigh the same.
Viva,
Mike
E-books are continuing to gain popularity, which is great news for those of us who travel. Last year, I predicted that Apple's iPad would basically eliminate amazon.com's Kindle and prevent the launch of barnesandnoble.com's Nook. How wrong I was! The iPad is a great tablet, but it looks like anyone who wants to primarily read books is buying either a 3rd generation Kindle or a Nook.
The good news for travelers is that any of these devices is better than stuffing a bunch of paperbacks or hard cover books into your luggage or carry-on bag when you are flying. And when you are in Vegas, e-readers are light, easy to read and make it so much easier to find the information you want. Or, if you like to sit by the pool and relax with a book, it's great to have a device like the Kindle, which is easy to read even in direct sunlight.
There are a lot of these devices on the market now, but all reviews I've read note that the Kindle and Nook are the best when comparing features head to head. Here are a few sites I've visited when looking at e-book readers:
- http://ebook-reader-review.toptenreviews.com/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_readers
- http://news.cnet.com/kindle-vs-nook-vs-ipad-which-e-book-reader-should-you-buy
Many reviews point out that the iPad and the Kindle different, so comparing them is kind of and apples and oranges argument. I agree. It depends on what you want in a device, and how much you're willing to pay for it.
However, I will make one final note about these readers. Both amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com have free downloads for apps that you can use for your mobile phone, iPad or computer. So, if you're looking for one device to "do it all" and you don't mind spending a little more (base price $500), the iPad may be the way to go because you can get Kindle and Nook books on it.
Whatever your electronic fix, make your life easier the next time you are traveling and consider an electronic book if you are looking for a Vegas guide. The book you choose should provide easy navigation, quick links and a lot of information because, after all, e-books all weigh the same.
Viva,
Mike
Monday, January 17, 2011
This Year's Gonna Be a Great Year
Hi Vegas fans,
You all know that song by the Black Eye Peas - "I Gotta Feeling" - with the line "tonight's gonna be a good night." Well, I gotta feeling that this year's gonna be a great one for those of us who love to travel to Las Vegas!
What's my evidence, you might ask? Well, call it my gut instinct. Yeah, I don't blame you for not trusting that, either. Don't just take my word for it:
I'll have a lot more about my trip soon. For now, I'm focusing on updating the website by fine-tuning some of the tables, testing your knowledge with trivia, adding a new reader poll and more.
I've gotta feeling 2011 is gonna be a great, great year!
Viva,
Mike
You all know that song by the Black Eye Peas - "I Gotta Feeling" - with the line "tonight's gonna be a good night." Well, I gotta feeling that this year's gonna be a great one for those of us who love to travel to Las Vegas!
What's my evidence, you might ask? Well, call it my gut instinct. Yeah, I don't blame you for not trusting that, either. Don't just take my word for it:
- Visitation is up and continues to rise by a small percentage every month
- Cosmopolitan is up and running, and reportedly fabulous
- Bargains for the thrifty Vegas traveler are plentiful
I'll have a lot more about my trip soon. For now, I'm focusing on updating the website by fine-tuning some of the tables, testing your knowledge with trivia, adding a new reader poll and more.
I've gotta feeling 2011 is gonna be a great, great year!
Viva,
Mike
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010 Vegas Year in Review
Happy New Year's, Vegas fans!
As I look back on 2010, I have a lot of good Vegas memories and some scars to remind me that Sin City is one tough town. Here are some of my favorite highlights from this past year, in no particular order:
Here's wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011!
Viva,
Mike
As I look back on 2010, I have a lot of good Vegas memories and some scars to remind me that Sin City is one tough town. Here are some of my favorite highlights from this past year, in no particular order:
- CityCenter: This is one groovy, high-end property with art sculptures, swanky bars & restaurants, Viva Elvis Cirque show, and a dark casino. Good times.
- Birthday Blowout Bash: I turned a milestone age this year, and I celebrated with family and friends in Las Vegas. The first night of my trip, I had a few cocktails at Bill's Gamblin' Hall and then... well, the rest is somewhat fuzzy. I do recall having to call my wife to help me find my way back to the room. Good times.
- Cosmopolitan: The new property, not the drink. I have not been there yet (if you have, let us know what you think!), but it looks nice and I plan to go there on my next trip.
- Increased visitation: While gambling revenue has not rebounded quite yet, there are more and more people visiting Las Vegas these days. Slow but steady increases are good news after a few years of negative numbers.
- Harrah's becomes Caesars Entertainment: Meh. Let's see what happens.
- Might as well Jump at the Stratosphere: A new attraction at the Strat temps visitors to jump off the building. I think they strap a bungee cord or parachute to you or something.
- Gillies at TI offers mechanical bull: You can ride it, or you can watch cowgirls wearing little more than their boots on it. Ah, I love legitimate theater.
- Simplifying Las Vegas new website, 2011 electronic book versions available on Kindle, Nook and as a Flipbook: Gotta plug SLV. It's been a great year, thanks to you all!
Here's wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011!
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Electronic Holiday Gifts
Hi Vegas fans,
I've been in this spot before, and I'm wondering how many of you have, too. It's December 23rd (or 24th), and I haven't finished shopping. There's that one person on the list that I can't seem to figure out what to buy. I don't mean "the perfect gift" either. I mean a nice gift that won't break my bank but will be a thoughtful present.
It's got to be one that's easy to buy - after all I don't want to be stuck in traffic or wandering the cold streets all night. I've got eggnog to drink! And when it's this late in the year, you can't really shop online unless you want to pay a zillion dollars in shipping. Ouch.
How about this? Try an electronic gift. I always like to give (and receive) iTunes or e-books. They're environmentally friendly, they're easy to buy on the spot with no shipping costs, and the recipient will always be able to use them. If you're in the market for an e-book, and the person you are buying for is a Vegas nut like you, please consider my book. If you purchase any flavor (Kindle, Nook, PDF or Flipbook) of my book by December 31, I will send you a luggage tag for free as a token of my appreciation. All you have to do is e-mail me with the date you purchased the book and they type of book you bought. It's a win-win, so give it some thought.
Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season!
Viva,
Mike
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween!
Hi Vegas fans,
For kids, today is probably one of the most fun holidays of the year. It goes kind of like this... Christmas, birthday, Halloween.
It can be a fun holiday for adults, too, although some don't like to admit it. I mean, we're not supposed to get dressed up in costumes and dance around like goofballs, right? Wrong! Las Vegas has the right idea about Halloween:
Step 1: Devise a clever get up, disguise yourself with a mask, or become someone you've always wanted to be (a washing machine, "The Situation," Elvis, a sexy nurse, etc.).
Step 2: Gather with friends or go to a club
Step 3: Partake in a few adult beverages.
Step 4: Repeat Step 3. Several times.
Vegas and Halloween go hand in hand. Much like Vegas, Halloween allows you to step outside of your everyday life.
But regardless of where you are today, consider donning a fun costume and going out to a party. You don't have to do something elaborate. One year I went as static cling (pinned socks and underwear to my clothes).
And speaking of fun... Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 is almost complete. I have a little more work to do, and then you can buy it as a flip book on my website, as a Kindle book, or as a Nook book. I'm very excited about the new versions!
Viva,
Mike
For kids, today is probably one of the most fun holidays of the year. It goes kind of like this... Christmas, birthday, Halloween.
It can be a fun holiday for adults, too, although some don't like to admit it. I mean, we're not supposed to get dressed up in costumes and dance around like goofballs, right? Wrong! Las Vegas has the right idea about Halloween:
Step 1: Devise a clever get up, disguise yourself with a mask, or become someone you've always wanted to be (a washing machine, "The Situation," Elvis, a sexy nurse, etc.).
Step 2: Gather with friends or go to a club
Step 3: Partake in a few adult beverages.
Step 4: Repeat Step 3. Several times.
Vegas and Halloween go hand in hand. Much like Vegas, Halloween allows you to step outside of your everyday life.
But regardless of where you are today, consider donning a fun costume and going out to a party. You don't have to do something elaborate. One year I went as static cling (pinned socks and underwear to my clothes).
And speaking of fun... Simplifying Las Vegas 2011 is almost complete. I have a little more work to do, and then you can buy it as a flip book on my website, as a Kindle book, or as a Nook book. I'm very excited about the new versions!
Viva,
Mike
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Las Vegas Memories and Regrets
Hi Vegas fans,
I've been thinking lately a lot about how Las Vegas has changed over the past 20 years. I'm glad I've seen so much during that time, but I've also missed a lot, too, thinking that "I'll get around to it next time"; sometimes next time doesn't happen because it's gone.
Things I'm glad I saw before they closed (in no particular order):
What do your lists look like???
Viva,
Mike
I've been thinking lately a lot about how Las Vegas has changed over the past 20 years. I'm glad I've seen so much during that time, but I've also missed a lot, too, thinking that "I'll get around to it next time"; sometimes next time doesn't happen because it's gone.
Things I'm glad I saw before they closed (in no particular order):
- Elvis-a-rama: cool Elvis museum, complete with a purple Cadillac and a few jumpsuits. Closed in 2006.
- Folies Bergere: great show at the Trop. Showgirls, feathers, energetic routine... couldn't ask for more - classic Vegas show. Closed in 2009.
- Desert Inn: easily the classiest casino ever to grace the Strip. I stepped foot in it a few times before it closed, although I never stayed or played there, so it's not like I got a chance to sink my teeth into it. Closed in 2000.
- Stardust: my favorite casino for gambling. It just had an old-school atmosphere and good, inexpensive blackjack ($2!) with great rules. The dealers were friendly and it was really easy to get around the floor. Great restaurants, too. Closed in 2007
- Liberace Museum: had so much stuff it was housed in two buildings. I'm not a fan of his music, but boy the museum was fun and full of information. It's closing today, and I'll miss it.
- Free picture with Elvis in front of Imperial Palace: my wife and I had ours taken about seven years ago. It was a great snapshot right in the heart of the Strip. Then we walked down to the casino cage to get the picture. They stopped doing this a few years ago, right around the time Harrah's purchased the casino.
- The old pirate show at Treasure Island: before it was Sirens at TI, there was a cool battle between pirates and the British navy. The pirates won, of course (only in Vegas to the bad guys come out on top to the cheers of the crowd), and it was a great show for adults and kids. As Vegas returned to a more Sin City atmosphere, the Brits went away, and the pirates took their boat. The half-naked women took the pirates' old boat, and the pirates had to beg for mercy from the Sirens. It's not the same.
- Siegfried and Roy: I'm not much into magic, but I hear this show was outstanding, especially in its earliest days. Closed in 2003 after one of the white tigers attacked Roy.
- Free picture with $1 million at Binion's: used to be a cool mil display that used $10,000 bills (very rare). Now, you have to pay to have your picture with the dough (or sign up for free slot play or some other catch), and they use hundreds, twenties, and singles. Not the same.
- Vegas World: from all descriptions, this would have been my kind of place. A weird space theme, good gambling, and general goofiness invented by Bob Stupak before he built the Strat. I didn't need to miss it, either, because I was there while it was still open. Dang. Closed in 1995.
- Free Aspirin and Tender Sympathy sign: a really cool sign and a subject of the Las Vegas Advisor's Question of the Day, which I answered in November 2008. I never saw the sign "live," which was moved to the Neon Museum's Boneyard circa 1996.
- Bikini Bull Riding at the Frontier: I tried, but the bull was broken. Then they closed the Frontier for good. So, I've gotta hit Gilley's at TI because they have one, too.
What do your lists look like???
Viva,
Mike
Monday, October 11, 2010
Simplifying Las Vegas Now Available on Nook
Hi Vegas fans,
I'm happy to announce that Simplifying Las Vegas is now available as an e-book on Barnes and Nobles Nook e-reader! It took me a little while to figure out the formatting, but I think it will be a really good fit for my book. The Nook allows for html tables, so you can see all of the information in its original format, much like you see it on the website.
I hope you enjoy SLV as a e-book, either via Kindle, Nook or as a PDF on my website. Thanks for your continued support!
Viva,
Mike
I'm happy to announce that Simplifying Las Vegas is now available as an e-book on Barnes and Nobles Nook e-reader! It took me a little while to figure out the formatting, but I think it will be a really good fit for my book. The Nook allows for html tables, so you can see all of the information in its original format, much like you see it on the website.
I hope you enjoy SLV as a e-book, either via Kindle, Nook or as a PDF on my website. Thanks for your continued support!
Viva,
Mike
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Brief Reflections on Recent Trip to the Strip
Hi Vegas fans,
It's been a few days since my last trip to Vegas. So I've had some time to reflect, replenish, and remind my boss how great I am so that I can get a raise to make up for the money I lost. Ha. It's ok... it was a good trip anyway. I got to spend some time with my friend, Steve, who had a rougher trip than me. Undoubtedly, we will return again, hopefully victorious. Or at least break-evenous.
Some observations from my recent trip:
* The Stratosphere, though cruel to me and Steve, is still my favorite place for $5 blackjack in Vegas.
* Sports betting is fun but can be so heartbreaking when your bet loses by 1/2 point.
* It's good to have dumb luck sometimes. I bet a 3-game parlay (my beloved Virgina Tech Hokies, Kansas State, and NC State Wolfpack). I misunderstood Steve, and we wound up betting all three teams to win outright instead of betting the spread. Oops. It wound up working out, and we won more than if we had played the spread!
* M Resort is kind of outta the way, it's big, and it's fancy. Good $5 blackjack and craps, though there's not much excitement there.
* Plenty of "party pits" or gaming pits with scantily clad young ladies. While you're looking at the girls, look out for bad rules at the table games near these, too.
* There's still lots of fun things to do when you need a break. I loved the Bellagio conservatory (free) and the Fine Arts Gallery ($15 admission). What a great way to spend some time on a vacation!
See my pictures on my Facebook page or on my Flickr account.
Can't wait to go back!
Viva,
Mike
It's been a few days since my last trip to Vegas. So I've had some time to reflect, replenish, and remind my boss how great I am so that I can get a raise to make up for the money I lost. Ha. It's ok... it was a good trip anyway. I got to spend some time with my friend, Steve, who had a rougher trip than me. Undoubtedly, we will return again, hopefully victorious. Or at least break-evenous.
Some observations from my recent trip:
* The Stratosphere, though cruel to me and Steve, is still my favorite place for $5 blackjack in Vegas.
* Sports betting is fun but can be so heartbreaking when your bet loses by 1/2 point.
* It's good to have dumb luck sometimes. I bet a 3-game parlay (my beloved Virgina Tech Hokies, Kansas State, and NC State Wolfpack). I misunderstood Steve, and we wound up betting all three teams to win outright instead of betting the spread. Oops. It wound up working out, and we won more than if we had played the spread!
* M Resort is kind of outta the way, it's big, and it's fancy. Good $5 blackjack and craps, though there's not much excitement there.
* Plenty of "party pits" or gaming pits with scantily clad young ladies. While you're looking at the girls, look out for bad rules at the table games near these, too.
* There's still lots of fun things to do when you need a break. I loved the Bellagio conservatory (free) and the Fine Arts Gallery ($15 admission). What a great way to spend some time on a vacation!
See my pictures on my Facebook page or on my Flickr account.
Can't wait to go back!
Viva,
Mike
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Vegas Online
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
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, August 26, 2010
There's still time...
...to win a free Las Vegas Luggage tag. In one week, I'll pick a winner. All you have to do is play trivia for fun. And of course for free. Good luck!
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Q & A with John Wilson
Hi Vegas fans,
My friend and fellow blogger John Wilson just returned from Las Vegas with his wife and five month old baby. John’s been to Vegas before, and like me he’s quite the Vegas nut, but this was a little different because it was his first trip with his baby. I sat down with him and asked him about his vacation.
SLV: So, John, you just returned from Vegas with your family. Your posts on whereisjohnwilson.comabout traveling to Vegas are really fun and informative. What was the biggest difference for you with a five month old versus traveling without a baby?
JW: About $1,000 not put into a slot machine. In all seriousness, going to Las Vegas with my wife and our new baby was a great deal of fun. It’s a completely different experience, however, than many of your readers may be used to. I spent almost zero time gaming and tons more time resting, sightseeing and taking pictures.
Some highlights of our trip include going to Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and some sights from TV shows such as The Ultimate Fighter, the World Series of Poker and Pawn Stars.
I think it’s a great place to vacation if you go in knowing it will be different.
SLV: It must have been time-consuming getting from point A to point B. I know you rented a car. What do you think about renting a car in Vegas vs. public transportation?
JW: Renting a car is a great idea unless you’re only staying for a weekend of debauchery. Any more than casino hopping on the South end of the strip would best be served with an automobile. If you add up all the inconvenience of the monorail and the high costs of cabs and include the missed opportunities to visit the locations above, it’s well worth the time and money to get a car.
I have some tips over at the site for getting the best use of your car and some hints for getting around.
SLV: I know you usually stay close to the Strip. But for this trip, you stretched your Vegas legs and went further out than usual. What was that like, and what was your favorite non-Strip excursion?
JW: We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations just behind the Sahara. It was a great alternative with the baby. The hotel had its own swimming pool, outdoor bar, grocery store with cold sandwiches and it was only 30 yards from the Hilton Las Vegas. Though we had a car, the monorail station at the Hilton would have been incredibly handy.
The problem with the North end of the strip, as commented in your most recent post, is its relative “deadness” compared to its brethren to the South. My take on the issue with this end of the Strip is the distance between hotels. It’s a long walk with not much to look at between. Even though it takes forever to walk from the Bellagio, past Caesars to the Mirage, there are ton of people, things and shenanigans to keep you interested. North of Encore, it’s pretty sleepy til you get to the Sahara.
I think you nailed it about the Sahara’s secret to longevity. I consider myself a pretty decent poker player. I get pot and implied odds, I play tight aggressive, etc – and I always play at the Sahara. There are some very nice poker rooms all over the Strip – but the 2/4 Limit HE at Sahara is always full of very nice tourists acting as calling-station ATMs. The strong drinks, $1 blackjack and $3 roulette keep the place full.
SLV: It was pretty danged hot when you were in Vegas. What were some of the ways you beat the heat?
JW: Because of our son, we took LOTS of naps. One piece of advice for folks taking their family traveling from the East Coast is to never bother getting off of Eastern Standard Time. We did more before 9am (and before it was 300 degrees) than most people do all day. All of the casinos are open, no one is getting in your way (or grabbing your baby’s cheeks) and there are virtually no lines.
The weather while we were there stayed around 104 most of the time, with 0% humidity. Living in South Carolina, I thought 104 with no humidity was a cool day. We walked around for hours and never worked up a sweat. We always had tons of extra water to keep us all cool throughout the day.
Thanks John... I'm sure you're already looking forward to your next trip to Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
My friend and fellow blogger John Wilson just returned from Las Vegas with his wife and five month old baby. John’s been to Vegas before, and like me he’s quite the Vegas nut, but this was a little different because it was his first trip with his baby. I sat down with him and asked him about his vacation.
SLV: So, John, you just returned from Vegas with your family. Your posts on whereisjohnwilson.com
JW: About $1,000 not put into a slot machine. In all seriousness, going to Las Vegas with my wife and our new baby was a great deal of fun. It’s a completely different experience, however, than many of your readers may be used to. I spent almost zero time gaming and tons more time resting, sightseeing and taking pictures.
Some highlights of our trip include going to Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and some sights from TV shows such as The Ultimate Fighter, the World Series of Poker and Pawn Stars.
I think it’s a great place to vacation if you go in knowing it will be different.
SLV: It must have been time-consuming getting from point A to point B. I know you rented a car. What do you think about renting a car in Vegas vs. public transportation?
JW: Renting a car is a great idea unless you’re only staying for a weekend of debauchery. Any more than casino hopping on the South end of the strip would best be served with an automobile. If you add up all the inconvenience of the monorail and the high costs of cabs and include the missed opportunities to visit the locations above, it’s well worth the time and money to get a car.
I have some tips over at the site for getting the best use of your car and some hints for getting around.
SLV: I know you usually stay close to the Strip. But for this trip, you stretched your Vegas legs and went further out than usual. What was that like, and what was your favorite non-Strip excursion?
JW: We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations just behind the Sahara. It was a great alternative with the baby. The hotel had its own swimming pool, outdoor bar, grocery store with cold sandwiches and it was only 30 yards from the Hilton Las Vegas. Though we had a car, the monorail station at the Hilton would have been incredibly handy.
The problem with the North end of the strip, as commented in your most recent post, is its relative “deadness” compared to its brethren to the South. My take on the issue with this end of the Strip is the distance between hotels. It’s a long walk with not much to look at between. Even though it takes forever to walk from the Bellagio, past Caesars to the Mirage, there are ton of people, things and shenanigans to keep you interested. North of Encore, it’s pretty sleepy til you get to the Sahara.
I think you nailed it about the Sahara’s secret to longevity. I consider myself a pretty decent poker player. I get pot and implied odds, I play tight aggressive, etc – and I always play at the Sahara. There are some very nice poker rooms all over the Strip – but the 2/4 Limit HE at Sahara is always full of very nice tourists acting as calling-station ATMs. The strong drinks, $1 blackjack and $3 roulette keep the place full.
SLV: It was pretty danged hot when you were in Vegas. What were some of the ways you beat the heat?
JW: Because of our son, we took LOTS of naps. One piece of advice for folks taking their family traveling from the East Coast is to never bother getting off of Eastern Standard Time. We did more before 9am (and before it was 300 degrees) than most people do all day. All of the casinos are open, no one is getting in your way (or grabbing your baby’s cheeks) and there are virtually no lines.
The weather while we were there stayed around 104 most of the time, with 0% humidity. Living in South Carolina, I thought 104 with no humidity was a cool day. We walked around for hours and never worked up a sweat. We always had tons of extra water to keep us all cool throughout the day.
Thanks John... I'm sure you're already looking forward to your next trip to Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Here Begins Something New
Hi Vegas Fans,
Starting today, you'll see a new feature on the Simplifying Las Vegas website. It's called the Vegas Reflection. The VR will be a news item, a quote, an image, something from a reader, or another cool tidbit.
I hope you enjoy it! If you have something you'd like to include in the VR, please email me.
Viva,
Mike
Starting today, you'll see a new feature on the Simplifying Las Vegas website. It's called the Vegas Reflection. The VR will be a news item, a quote, an image, something from a reader, or another cool tidbit.
I hope you enjoy it! If you have something you'd like to include in the VR, please email me.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Money Matters in Vegas
Hi Vegas fans,
A few updates:
Inexpensive
The Las Vegas Advisor has a great deal on the Cirque Zumanity show for Mondays in July - check it out!
Crazy Expensive
For those of you who are more interested in big ticket items than low ticket prices, the LVA also posted this tidbit this week... "A Swarovski-crystal-encrusted glove worn by Michael Jackson fetched $192,000 at the Julien's Live auction that took place at Planet Hollywood over the weekend." Wow, that's a lot of Billie Jeans!
And I saved the best for last...
FREE
That's right. Nada. Nuthin'! That's the price you pay for surfing all of the great stuff on the Simplifying Las Vegas website. In addition to reader polls, trivia, and a free itinerary, you'll also see a great new feature coming soon. I don't want to give it away completely, but let me just say that you'll want to check out the site every day for something fun.
I hope you enjoy it. As always, I'm open to suggestions, comments and stories about your trips to Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
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