| How long has it been since you've visited Las Vegas? | | | | middle of the street waving at them. Instead, get to a |
| If it's been more than a blink of your eye, you won't | | | | driveway, there, they can turn in, get out of traffic, and |
| recognize it the next to you're there! I've learned to | | | | let you jump in. One more thing; don't try to pay the |
| never expect the same LV that I remember. It's a | | | | driver with chips. They won't take them, and they |
| constantly evolving city that never sleeps! I know New | | | | won't take credit cards either. It's a cash town outside |
| York claims that distinction... but c'mon, you won't see | | | | of the casinos! In fact, chips are rarely used outside of |
| such drastic changes in NYC that you do in LV. In Las | | | | the casino... for anything! Here's a great time saver... the |
| Vegas, it's Hotels down, followed by Hotels up. Six | | | | Harrah's Group will let you check in to one of their |
| hotels have been imploded there in the last 10 years. | | | | hotels... AT THE AIRPORT! Harrah's, Caesars, Bally's, |
| And the newer hotels can hardly be classified as | | | | Horseshoe, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, and Rio all offer |
| hotels... that term is to be reserved for other cities. So | | | | this great service... take advantage of it! Don't ask for |
| don't expect the great "hotel bargains" and "free stuff" | | | | hotel amenities if you're not registered there as a hotel |
| of the past. They disappeared with the $.99 dinners. | | | | guest. You'll end up being embarrassed and worse! |
| LV developers today, don't build "hotels" anymore. | | | | However, the Hard Rock Café opens their pool |
| They install mini-cities, mega-resorts, and the ultimate | | | | to everyone on Sundays (their Spa too - where you |
| destinations! The new developments include: | | | | can get a massage inside or poolside for $85 - $155). |
| World-Class Chefs, Uber Spas, and amenities unheard | | | | LV has become very famous for their nightlife... I'm not |
| of, or offered only to the super-rich not so long ago. | | | | talking about gambling and shows... I'm referring to the |
| Now, instead of the tacky diners and buffets, you are | | | | nightclubs. At any one given time, you'll find 25 of the |
| presented with the finest restaurants in the World, and | | | | World's Best DJs spinning in LV. Word of caution |
| the highest levels of entertainment. It's a different Las | | | | though... don't try to see them all! You'll end up spending |
| Vegas! However, there are some bargains to be | | | | your entire evening in line - trying to get in. It's best to |
| found if you know where to look. Explore the older | | | | reserve a spot for yourself and stay put! Especially on |
| places. There, you'll still find good deals on food. You | | | | weekends (again) the lines are brutal! Get on the VIP |
| can still get a $5 steak dinner at Ellis Island on Koval | | | | list if you can (you must be well known or well |
| Lane. One key to finding bargains is not where, but | | | | connected). Tightest hours?... 10pm - 4am - Wed - Sat. |
| when! Don't go at peak times. Visit in Mid-Summer for | | | | Dress codes enforced. And guys... bring a girl (or more) |
| instance. You'll need to take advantage of the AC | | | | or you'll likely see ONLY the outside of the place - |
| everywhere, but the prices are lower then. Also, a | | | | period! If you drive to LV, or rent a car while there, |
| good time to visit LV is during Christmas. It's definitely | | | | always use Valet Parking... it's free with a tip! And |
| an off-peak period. Don't confuse that however with | | | | when trying to get your car, remember the peak times |
| the following week; "New Years" the prices will be right | | | | include immediately following the end of a show when |
| back up during that period. Also, stay away during the | | | | the lines at VP are longest. For the downtown |
| larger conventions when LV is packed with convention | | | | properties, use the parking garages, and get your ticket |
| attendees. During the Consumer Electronics Show in | | | | validated. You might want to rent a car to see the |
| early January each year... the city is standing room | | | | dam and Lake Meade. But other than that... there really |
| only. If you don't have to be there that week - Don't! | | | | is no need. I remember one of the last times I rented a |
| You should try to avoid weekends in LV too if you're | | | | car in LV. The agency delivered the car to me at the |
| looking for a bargain. Mid-Week rates are lower. | | | | airport, it was a Cadillac with 4 miles on it! Yep only |
| Always plan in advance of your trip to LV. Do your | | | | four! I drove it to Caesars Palace and unloaded it, had |
| research, or you'll be overwhelmed and disappointed. | | | | it parked, and when I turned it in to the agency 9 days |
| All the best shows will be sold out; the restaurants will | | | | later, it had 14 miles on it. What a waste! I tell you this |
| be accepting no more reservations. You must make | | | | to save you the money. It is not necessary to have a |
| your reservations and ticket purchases ($30 - $100+) | | | | car in LV! It gets windy in LV... and often without |
| at least 7 - 10 days before your trip. To help you, most | | | | warning. It's not important unless you're at the top of |
| reservation desks are open 24 hours every day! If you | | | | the Stratosphere, or the Eiffel Tower. They both close |
| plan well, you'll be treated to gourmet meals prepared | | | | down in high winds. If there's a 25mph wind, the |
| by celebrity chefs. The ubiquitous buffet is gone, | | | | elevators in the ET move at half speed... at 35mph |
| (although, you'll never find a better one than at the | | | | they evacuate the tower, and at 40mph, they |
| Aladdin); the 99¢ dinners are gone. But, as always, | | | | shutdown. The winds also will cause cancellation of the |
| there is no time limit to enjoy the tasty treats of LV... If | | | | "Sirens of Treasure Island". You simply cannot do "The |
| it's 3am, you'll find great restaurants are still serving! Let | | | | Strip" from one end to the other by car. There's so |
| me mention two still-great bargains. Not only because | | | | much traffic on LV Blvd that it makes it virtually |
| of the low price, but because the steak dinners are | | | | impossible. Again, there is a peak time: 2p - 6:30pm. |
| very good at the steakhouses at the Imperial Palace, | | | | Can you walk it? Hmmm, are you nuts? It's 120 |
| and at Circus, Circus. Try them, you'll be pleasantly | | | | degrees out... I told you to come here mid-summer, but I |
| surprised at the existence of remnants of the past | | | | also said to use the Air Conditioning everywhere! |
| meal deals of LV! Did I say there are no more | | | | There are many alternatives to walking the strip. But |
| freebies? Not so, you can still be treated to great | | | | for the little jogs between hotels, always use the |
| entertainment for free. You must see the outdoor | | | | crosswalks. You're one of 30 Million visitors all heading |
| attractions including the Volcano at the Mirage, Rio's | | | | to different places. The chaos is confusing and |
| Masquerade Show in the Sky, and the Sirens of | | | | frightening - for you and for drivers! Always use the |
| Treasure Island. For the cost of a drink or two, there | | | | crossovers too. They are very convenient (most with |
| are indoor entertainment venues that are free as well. | | | | elevators) and provide the fastest way to cross the |
| The lounges in most Casinos have ongoing musical | | | | busiest streets in America! By the way, if you |
| acts with no cover charge. Ask your concierge for a | | | | "Jay-Walk" you're risking your life and a fine of $150 - |
| recommendation. When you fly into LV, if you're not | | | | $250! While you're walking here, you can be drinking |
| fortunate enough to be met by your casino host or the | | | | too! The "open container law" states that you can |
| hotel limo, you'll most likely take a taxi to your hotel. | | | | walk and drink ON the sidewalks, crosswalks, and |
| Don't let the driver take you by way of the Airport | | | | crossovers... BUT, don't throw empties, and don't take |
| Tunnel... it's longer by about $10.00. Tell the driver to go | | | | that open container into a car... that's illegal! A bus is |
| down Paradise Road instead. If you're heading for the | | | | OK! |
| south end of the strip (MGM Grand, Tropicana, New | | | | Buzz has been teaching gambling for many years, and |
| York, New York) you're taxi charge should be $8 - $9. | | | | collecting gambling resources all the while. He's put |
| Mid Strip; $12 - $13, and north end of the strip; $14 - | | | | them all together into one website. If you have the |
| $15) While we're discussing taxis... it is illegal to hail a | | | | same passion for gambling, sign up for his FREE |
| cab in LV. There are taxi stands and every hotel has | | | | Newsletter at Buzz On Gambling. You are invited to |
| taxi pick-up and drop-off areas. You must go to one | | | | post on his blog at: Buzz's Gambling Blog. If you're in |
| of those. The drivers will ignore you standing in the | | | | Las Vegas, you MUST use: The U Can't Lose bet. |