Hi Vegas fans,
For the past few years, the Riviera and Tropicana have both been undergoing renovations and reinventions. The Trop has struggled with the Havana theme and, quite honestly, has been a bit of a disappointment. I was hoping that it would keep its charm yet add a bit of pizazz. It hasn't really worked out yet, but they are still tweaking the concept.
To be fair, their competition is pretty tough. They are surrounded by a high end joint (Mandalay Bay), several middle of the road casinos (NY NY, Luxor, MGM), and a low roller haven (Excalibur).
On the other hand, the Riviera has Circus Circus and the Stratosphere to compete with, which are both lower end properties. They used to compete on price, much like the now defunct Sahara. But the Riv has a rich history and can compete on its unique position in the market. With few changes, it can go from low roller rust to mid market madness. CEO Andy Choy has already made some significant changes (check out some of them in the Desert Companion). 3:2 single deck blackjack, single zero roulette, and gazillion times odds in craps will help draw in the gamblers. Better food and fun (such as a pinball museum) will remove the dive stigma. I think they are finally turning it around.
I'll be checking it out soon to see its progress. In the mean time, if you visit and have comments, please share them with the rest of us.
Viva,
Mike
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Fireworks and 4th of July Events
Hi Vegas fans,
Here's a list of the major fireworks and 4th happenings in Vegas this year:
Also, per the Las Vegas Advisor, "There will be big patio parties at Rhumbar, PRB Rockbar, Senor Frogs, and Cabo Wabo, with food and drink specials, while Tao Beach is hosting a "BBQ and Bikinis" party, with a $5,000 cash prize to the hottest bikini bod."
Enjoy, be safe, and have a fantastic 4th!!!
Viva,
Mike
Here's a list of the major fireworks and 4th happenings in Vegas this year:
- Station Casinos - Check out the fireworks shows at Aliante Station, Green Valley Ranch resort, Fiesta Rancho, Texas Station or Red Rock Resort. They start after 9 p.m. Free to the public.
- The Bank at Bellagio - The celebration starts at 10:30 p.m. with DJ Karma.
- 4th of July Party with Dada Life at Encore Beach - BBQ menu, bananas and champagne! Free for locals.
- 4th of July Celebrations featuring Kid Conrad at Ghostbar (Palms) - The party 55 floors above the Strip begins at 10 pm. Guys: $23, Gals: $12, Hosted Bar: $99
- Providence’s Knickerbocker Park - Park activities beginning at 6pm with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free to the public.
- INDIE-pen-DANCE party at the Beauty Bar - On Fremont Street downtown. Live bands, no cover and free BBQ and Miller Lite from 9-10 p.m.
- Fremont Street - Fireworks display after the Viva Vision shows at 11 p.m., midnight, and 1 a.m. Free to the public.
- Happy Birthday America at Atria Sunlake - BBQ and entertainment to follow. Free to the public.
Also, per the Las Vegas Advisor, "There will be big patio parties at Rhumbar, PRB Rockbar, Senor Frogs, and Cabo Wabo, with food and drink specials, while Tao Beach is hosting a "BBQ and Bikinis" party, with a $5,000 cash prize to the hottest bikini bod."
Enjoy, be safe, and have a fantastic 4th!!!
Viva,
Mike
Monday, July 2, 2012
Of Reviews and Guide Books
Hi Vegas fans,
Not that book sales and rankings say everything about success, but I'm pleased that Simplifying Las Vegas has risen to #2 in Amazon's Travel Guide Books in the West and #13 in Kindle Books in the same category.
I think one of the reasons the book has done so well is because of the meaning of the word "guide." For some, a guide book should tell you everywhere you "must" go and everything you "must" do, and conversely which things you should stay away from. Well, to me, "guide" means to provide a path so that people can make their own choices.
That's one of the main differences between my book and other guide books. Now I do provide some of my "tip chips" which include some of my favorite hot spots and choices, but I don't give you a play-by-play on every restaurant, every show, every hotel. Instead, I arm you with information about what Vegas has to offer. Then you can make up your own mind. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I do plan to give more recommendations in the 2013 version of Simplifying Las Vegas. And, I will also include a few sample itineraries, including some that I've tried myself. But the premise of the book will remain the same: this is your trip to Las Vegas, and you have the right... no the duty to have as much fun as you can. To do that, you don't need a guide book to tell you "eat at this restaurant because it will change your life." You may hate it, and you may waste a lot of money.
Viva,
Mike
Not that book sales and rankings say everything about success, but I'm pleased that Simplifying Las Vegas has risen to #2 in Amazon's Travel Guide Books in the West and #13 in Kindle Books in the same category.
I think one of the reasons the book has done so well is because of the meaning of the word "guide." For some, a guide book should tell you everywhere you "must" go and everything you "must" do, and conversely which things you should stay away from. Well, to me, "guide" means to provide a path so that people can make their own choices.
That's one of the main differences between my book and other guide books. Now I do provide some of my "tip chips" which include some of my favorite hot spots and choices, but I don't give you a play-by-play on every restaurant, every show, every hotel. Instead, I arm you with information about what Vegas has to offer. Then you can make up your own mind. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I do plan to give more recommendations in the 2013 version of Simplifying Las Vegas. And, I will also include a few sample itineraries, including some that I've tried myself. But the premise of the book will remain the same: this is your trip to Las Vegas, and you have the right... no the duty to have as much fun as you can. To do that, you don't need a guide book to tell you "eat at this restaurant because it will change your life." You may hate it, and you may waste a lot of money.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Big Dreams
Hi Vegas fans,
I've been watching America's Got Talent on NBC. As you may have read in some of my other blogs, I'm not huge on reality shows. However, I do like talent shows and great stories. And there are plenty on this show.
From the fun to the fantastic, there will be a lot of amazing acts in Las Vegas. Tonight I was really moved by a number of stories behind the acts. But the one that really stuck in my mind was the last one, Andrew De Leon. Dressed in all black and looking very goth, Andrew cited Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie as influences. So of course he sings... opera! He had never sung in front of anyone before, and he belted out a beautiful Puccini tune "O mio babbino caro" ("Oh my beloved father") and was just fantastic.
He was a young man with very little confidence, saying "I'm not good at anything." And now he's going to Vegas on a talent show. We've all heard the cliches before... If you can dream it, you can do it. Dream big. Follow your dreams. But until you believe in yourself, and until you pursue your goals and persist in them when the chips are down, they don't seem real.
I always talk about Vegas as an escape. But of course it's about dreams, too. Dreams of winning big, of putting a few dollars in a slot machine and hitting it big. True, very few people walk out of a casino with the jackpot, and most of us lose more than we win. But we believe, so we go back. And we'll keep going back.
"It's not that you are good at something..." Howie Mandel said to Andrew, "you are great at something." True. Good for you, Andrew. Best wishes. We'll see you in Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
I've been watching America's Got Talent on NBC. As you may have read in some of my other blogs, I'm not huge on reality shows. However, I do like talent shows and great stories. And there are plenty on this show.
From the fun to the fantastic, there will be a lot of amazing acts in Las Vegas. Tonight I was really moved by a number of stories behind the acts. But the one that really stuck in my mind was the last one, Andrew De Leon. Dressed in all black and looking very goth, Andrew cited Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie as influences. So of course he sings... opera! He had never sung in front of anyone before, and he belted out a beautiful Puccini tune "O mio babbino caro" ("Oh my beloved father") and was just fantastic.
He was a young man with very little confidence, saying "I'm not good at anything." And now he's going to Vegas on a talent show. We've all heard the cliches before... If you can dream it, you can do it. Dream big. Follow your dreams. But until you believe in yourself, and until you pursue your goals and persist in them when the chips are down, they don't seem real.
I always talk about Vegas as an escape. But of course it's about dreams, too. Dreams of winning big, of putting a few dollars in a slot machine and hitting it big. True, very few people walk out of a casino with the jackpot, and most of us lose more than we win. But we believe, so we go back. And we'll keep going back.
"It's not that you are good at something..." Howie Mandel said to Andrew, "you are great at something." True. Good for you, Andrew. Best wishes. We'll see you in Vegas.
Viva,
Mike
Friday, May 25, 2012
Memorial Day in Las Vegas
Hi Vegas fans,
Memorial Day is one of the biggest holidays in Las Vegas. This year, there are some huge pool openings, and visitation is up for the 16th month in a row. All that adds up to big crowds, which is great news for the casinos, but it may be frustrating for you. I try to stay away from Vegas on big holidays because I don't like my personal space shared with 30 gazillion of my not-so-closest friends, but I'd never shy away from a few days in Sin City. So if you are going this weekend, here are some things to do when you need a break from elbow-to-elbow contact:
Visit the outskirts. If you still want to get your gamble on, you don't have to fight for a seat at a blackjack table on the Strip or downtown. You can take a 5 - 20 minute drive (or take a taxi, limo, public transportation, etc.) to an off-Strip resort. My suggestion? The further the better. You'll get good deals, avoid crowds and still have a lot fun. Here are two that will make you feel like you are center Strip without costing you an arm and a leg: M Resort, Red Rock Resort.
Take a little trip. There's plenty to do outside of the city, and if you've never explored it because you can't take yourself away from the video poker machines, now might be a good time to try. Whether you like the great outdoors or the city streets, you don't have to go far or spend a ton of money to enjoy a vacation within your vacation. Here are some of my favorite hot spots: Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon, Neon Museum.
Relax. Now, the pools will be filled to the brim. A relaxing spa appointment, especially in the cool of the indoors, may be in order. It will be difficult to get one at the more popular resorts, but if you call one of the ones off-Strip, you might get lucky.
Whatever you do this weekend, whether it be in Vegas or anywhere else, please be safe and have fun. These three-day holidays don't come often enough, so give yourself some time to do the things you love best. And when all else fails, remember my motto... Go to Vegas. It's that Simple.
Viva,
Mike
Memorial Day is one of the biggest holidays in Las Vegas. This year, there are some huge pool openings, and visitation is up for the 16th month in a row. All that adds up to big crowds, which is great news for the casinos, but it may be frustrating for you. I try to stay away from Vegas on big holidays because I don't like my personal space shared with 30 gazillion of my not-so-closest friends, but I'd never shy away from a few days in Sin City. So if you are going this weekend, here are some things to do when you need a break from elbow-to-elbow contact:
Visit the outskirts. If you still want to get your gamble on, you don't have to fight for a seat at a blackjack table on the Strip or downtown. You can take a 5 - 20 minute drive (or take a taxi, limo, public transportation, etc.) to an off-Strip resort. My suggestion? The further the better. You'll get good deals, avoid crowds and still have a lot fun. Here are two that will make you feel like you are center Strip without costing you an arm and a leg: M Resort, Red Rock Resort.
Take a little trip. There's plenty to do outside of the city, and if you've never explored it because you can't take yourself away from the video poker machines, now might be a good time to try. Whether you like the great outdoors or the city streets, you don't have to go far or spend a ton of money to enjoy a vacation within your vacation. Here are some of my favorite hot spots: Red Rock Canyon, Grand Canyon, Neon Museum.
Relax. Now, the pools will be filled to the brim. A relaxing spa appointment, especially in the cool of the indoors, may be in order. It will be difficult to get one at the more popular resorts, but if you call one of the ones off-Strip, you might get lucky.
Whatever you do this weekend, whether it be in Vegas or anywhere else, please be safe and have fun. These three-day holidays don't come often enough, so give yourself some time to do the things you love best. And when all else fails, remember my motto... Go to Vegas. It's that Simple.
Viva,
Mike
Thursday, May 10, 2012
5 Ways To Enjoy a Las Vegas Vacation on a Budget
Hi Vegas fans,
As visitation and revenue continue to rise in Las Vegas, I expect hotel prices, food, entertainment, etc. to go up as well. However, that doesn't mean that you should avoid a trip, regardless of your budget. Here are my top 5 ways why you can still enjoy a sensational Sin City vacation.
Viva,
Mike
As visitation and revenue continue to rise in Las Vegas, I expect hotel prices, food, entertainment, etc. to go up as well. However, that doesn't mean that you should avoid a trip, regardless of your budget. Here are my top 5 ways why you can still enjoy a sensational Sin City vacation.
- Shop early for your trip. Whether you are searching for hotel + flight + more, or if you just need a place to rest your head at night, the sooner you book the better. I typically plan my trips 6 - 12 months ahead of time and get some great deals. And a window seat on the plane.
- Clip those coupons. Vegas is one of those cities where you can find discounts at every turn. Some of your coupon clipping will be virtual because the deals are online. But don't forget to check out the magazines and coupon books in your room, too. They often have a few hidden gems in them. Finally, check out the Las Vegas Advisor and consider a membership. For an online subscription, it's only $37, and you get a Palms 50% discount comp that can pretty much cover the cost of the membership, so it's worth it.
- Check out Tix 4 Tonight. You can get 1/2 off shows and restaurants. I know what you're thinking... crummy shows and diner dives, right? Nope! Good stuff, like Cirque du Soleil and Spago. You have to check out the daily list, so plan to get to one of their many Strip/downtown locations early.
- Avoid cabs, if you can. I'm a big proponent of renting a car in Las Vegas. It's inexpensive, gives me plenty of freedom, and I don't have to wait in line with 20,000 other people waiting for a cab outside of a crowded casino.
- Relax. This is the hardest one for me. I like to go, go, go when I'm in Vegas. The problem is that I get tired (especially as I get older - gasp!) and then I tend to make bad decisions. For example, I'll spend more money at the tables when I'm tired. I know people who will just buy something when they are tired because they don't want to check out bargains at other stores. You have to pace yourself, and don't forget that the pool, people watching, and the free shows at the hotels (like the Bellagio fountains, bird sanctuary at Flamingo, and the Mirage volcano) are excellent ways to stop and smell the roses.
Viva,
Mike
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Another Great Trip to Vegas
Hi Vegas fans,
I'm on my flight home, so it's a good time to reflect on my latest Vegas adventure. First, my longtime friend and fellow degenerate gambler Steve picked me up at the airport, and we checked in with ease at Caesars. I usually stay somewhere a little less classy, but my sister and brother-in-law gave me some comped rooms. Lucky me! I hoped that luck would continue with games of chance.
I started off with a great run at blackjack and craps at my beloved Stratosphere. Steve and I both left the joint in high spirits Friday night! Saturday took a turn for the worse, and we had to lick our wounds a bit. I won one of my NCAA Final Four bets (Louisville somehow held on to lose by 8, so the 1/2 point saved me). Ohio State let me down, but after hours of basketball (note to CBS. - enough already with the TV timeouts),I had only lost two dollars. I wish I could say the same for the blackjack and craps sessions at Excalibur and the trip downtown to Binions and Las Vegas Club. Ouch. Still, I managed to stay in the black, as did Steve.
On Sunday, I stayed about even for the day while Steve continued to win. I was wondering what his secret was until I realized he was stealing chips. Just kidding. The way we play the games, it's really all about timing and knowing when to stop. Steve's very good at that, and I improve with each trip.
On Monday, we hoped to cash in on the men's championship game. I bet Kansas +6.5, and Steve did the same plus a few other bets. We had a chance to cash, but Kansas missed a 3 pointer in the final eleven seconds and, alas, they lost by 8.
Overall, I came out a few dollars ahead, which is a nice feeling. Steve came out way ahead, which is an even nicer feeling. He gambled a little bit more on Tuesday mornning to add to his winnings, but I played it safe and stayed away from the tables. We were nowhere near a $5 blackjack table, or I might have considered it. I wanted to stay ahead, and craps is a little too risky when my profits are razor thin.
So instead I took some pictures(coming soon to Flickr) and visited the Bellagio Fine Art Gallery. The Monet Impressionist exhibit was outstanding! I'm glad I got to see it. For me, Vegas is all about knowing how I want to have fun. It's not a matter of whether or not I'm going to enjoy it, but it's how I'm entertained. Do I want to gamble? See a show? Go to a gallery? Have a few beers at a bar? It's all right there. That's why I wrote my book - to make it simple to find the things people like to do when they are in the most exciting city in the world.
Viva,
Mike
I'm on my flight home, so it's a good time to reflect on my latest Vegas adventure. First, my longtime friend and fellow degenerate gambler Steve picked me up at the airport, and we checked in with ease at Caesars. I usually stay somewhere a little less classy, but my sister and brother-in-law gave me some comped rooms. Lucky me! I hoped that luck would continue with games of chance.
I started off with a great run at blackjack and craps at my beloved Stratosphere. Steve and I both left the joint in high spirits Friday night! Saturday took a turn for the worse, and we had to lick our wounds a bit. I won one of my NCAA Final Four bets (Louisville somehow held on to lose by 8, so the 1/2 point saved me). Ohio State let me down, but after hours of basketball (note to CBS. - enough already with the TV timeouts),I had only lost two dollars. I wish I could say the same for the blackjack and craps sessions at Excalibur and the trip downtown to Binions and Las Vegas Club. Ouch. Still, I managed to stay in the black, as did Steve.
On Sunday, I stayed about even for the day while Steve continued to win. I was wondering what his secret was until I realized he was stealing chips. Just kidding. The way we play the games, it's really all about timing and knowing when to stop. Steve's very good at that, and I improve with each trip.
On Monday, we hoped to cash in on the men's championship game. I bet Kansas +6.5, and Steve did the same plus a few other bets. We had a chance to cash, but Kansas missed a 3 pointer in the final eleven seconds and, alas, they lost by 8.
Overall, I came out a few dollars ahead, which is a nice feeling. Steve came out way ahead, which is an even nicer feeling. He gambled a little bit more on Tuesday mornning to add to his winnings, but I played it safe and stayed away from the tables. We were nowhere near a $5 blackjack table, or I might have considered it. I wanted to stay ahead, and craps is a little too risky when my profits are razor thin.
So instead I took some pictures(coming soon to Flickr) and visited the Bellagio Fine Art Gallery. The Monet Impressionist exhibit was outstanding! I'm glad I got to see it. For me, Vegas is all about knowing how I want to have fun. It's not a matter of whether or not I'm going to enjoy it, but it's how I'm entertained. Do I want to gamble? See a show? Go to a gallery? Have a few beers at a bar? It's all right there. That's why I wrote my book - to make it simple to find the things people like to do when they are in the most exciting city in the world.
Viva,
Mike
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