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

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

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

Of Pools and Pool Parties

Hi Vegas fans,

As the summer winds down, Las Vegas visitors are trying to get in as much pool time as possible. There have been a few problems at pools lately. Recently, the MGM Grand pool closed because of a faulty injection pump, there was a fatality earlier this month when a man died at the Hard Rock of a head injury at a pool party, and a kid almost died at the Rio's pool a few weeks ago. Please be safe and aware of your surroundings if you're partying at pools.

I'm all for having a few drinks by the pool or in the cabana, but there's a difference between partying in a nice, dry, air-conditioned club and a wet, hot, slippery poolside. Just be aware of your surroundings, and remember that there may be kids around, too.

I remember a few years ago when I visited MGM Grand's pool complex. It's really something to behold, and if you've never been there, I highly recommend it when it reopens. The lazy river is a lot of fun, whether you're 7 or 75. And there are so many pools that even during crowded times, you can find a place to swim, or at least stick your toesies in the water.

I've never been to Mandalay Bay's beach, but from what I've heard and seen, I don't think there's a better pool in Vegas. Waves, sand, and lotsa water. Talk about fun! One of these days I'm gonna splurge and stay there just for the pool experience.

Some of these pools were built when Vegas was trending more towards a family friendly era. That passed quickly when execs realized that kids can't gamble. But, many of the cool pools remained in tact.

And I'm glad. It's just another fun reason to explore the wonder that is Las Vegas. So, for the rest of the summer, be cool and have a good time by the pool!
Viva,
Mike

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

Digital Flipbooks & Vegas: A Great Match

Hi Vegas gurus,

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority, which brings us the best interactive Las Vegas maps, has a really cool digital flipbook on their site. Their online information includes some pretty nifty features, including search capabilities, easy zooming, and links both to other places within the book and to external sites.

Of course, the LVCVA is not the only game in town. There are plenty of properties that are offering more information in flipbook fashion, like Caesars' Empire and The Hard Rock's HRH magazines.

These digital publications are often funded by the ads within them and usually include links directly to the advertisers' sites. These are really cool, slick publications that showcase the colorful layouts of large magazines without the actual paper. Environmentally friendly, easy to access, simple to use. Great idea.

So great, in fact, I'm looking into turning SLV for 2011 into a digital flipbook. Look for it this fall in addition to my Kindle version. The flipbook will be a great way to read my travel guide -- either on your computer, your iPad, or if you prefer, as an easy-to-print from PDF version. And don't worry, because it's digital, you won't have to wait for it on back order.

Viva,
Mike

Countdown!

36 days. Seems like an eternity till my next Vegas vacation. I'm ready now! Pretty much all I have to do is pack. And that takes about 5 minutes. Maybe 7 if I remember socks.

That's the thing about my trips to Vegas. I just leave my life behind and escape. Don't get me wrong, I've got a pretty good life. But I have the need to get away every so often. Some people like the mountains for a vacation. Some like the beach. I like a city where I can play blackjack at 2 am and eat flapjacks at 10 pm. I like a place where I can forget what time it is for 3 or 4 days. Sleep? Occasionally. Eat, drink, and be... fat and drunk. Good times.

The way I see it, I can relax any ol' weekend. I can sleep in on a Saturday morning. I can go to bed early on a Saturday night. I can read on the back porch when I come home from work. When can I over-tip cocktail waitresses for my free drinks? When can I throw dice with a table full of screaming gamblers, all rooting for me to roll anything but a 7? Where else can I see someone walking the wrong way down Bally's escalator at 3 am? Vegas, baby.

Sometimes, ya just gotta shake the dust off and let yer hair down.

Viva,

Mike