Viva Las Vegas!

The highlights of this trip to Las Vegas included the Fountains at the Bellagio, the Forum Shops at Caesars, Boa Prime Grill, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and the Chippendales.

If you're heading to Vegas, you cannot miss the Fountains at the Bellagio. It is spectacular and romantic.

Boa Prime Grill was by far the best restaurant I have ever eaten at. Their steak literally melts in your mouth. If you don't mind the expense, it's a must-see. The Las Vegas Margaritaville is the first one I've been to, and it is a blast. It has an incredibly fun atmosphere with a Caribbean-island flare. I'm definitely going to visit their other locations in Orlando and Cancun on future trips.

If you're into shopping, look no further than the Forum Shops at Caesars. They have EVERYTHING! I spent an entire day there.

And for all the ladies out there, don't miss the Chippendales show. It is hot!

Quick Tips:

The only advice I can offer is to grab a weekly booklet called 24/7, which has all the happening nightlife info on Las Vegas. You can usually find them on the seat backs in taxis. Also, if you need information, the taxi drivers are full of it. Talk to them. They can give you all the info you need and then some.

Best Way To Get Around:

Obviously, a taxi is the best way to get around Las Vegas. Forget driving yourself. The strip is jam-packed with traffic 24 hours a day. The taxi drivers know the backstreets and can get you there much quicker. Be careful, though. If you end up on the highway, you're probably getting ripped off. And unless the hotel you're trying to see is directly across the street, DON'T walk. These hotels may seem close because they're so huge, but they can actually be half a mile away.

I've heard that the bus system is a convenient way to get around and probably the cheapest. Buses run up and down the Strip 24 hours a day. The monorails are also a cheap and convenient option. However, they don't stop at all hotels, so you may have to do some walking.

We stayed in the new Palace Tower at Caesar's. The rooms were nice and large. The bathroom was huge, with a big Jacuzzi tub, double vanity, and a separate shower. A big closet, ironing board with iron, multiple phones, and refrigerator come in handy. I wish they had a coffeemaker, though. The pools were magnificent and the amenities were nice, although Internet access is way overpriced.

The only problem that I had was with security. I was talking quietly on a cell phone out in the hallway so as not to disturb my sleeping mother. This old witch across the hall was going to her room, and she informed me that I wasn't allowed to be in the hallway and promptly called security. The security guard was incredibly rude, even after I explained the situation, and he kept badgering me. I stormed down to the front desk manager to complain. They greatly apologized and paid for a meal at one of their restaurants. I appreciated their concern and attempt to reconcile the situation. However, I've never been treated with such disrespect in my life and will never return.

The only word to describe this place is extraordinary. The atmosphere was very elegant and romantic, and the entrées were amazing. This was by far the best place I have ever eaten. I had the petite filet mignon, which literally melted in your mouth. I also included the sides of roasted garlic whipped potatoes and, unbelievably, mac-n-cheese. Both were outstanding. My mother had the salmon "cooked on a cedar plank" with grilled jumbo asparagus. She said both were superb. She also had a pineapple-infused martini with brown sugar. It was excellent. The service was very professional and prompt. I will definitely return here every chance I get.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville was definitely the most fun dining experience I've ever had. You feel as if you're partying on a Caribbean island. The staff is great. They have four guys walking around on stilts throughout the bar and restaurant making balloon animals. The whole place is decorated with boats, palm trees, and this huge, exploding margarita volcano. Every hour, they have a show with a female dancer, who climbs the volcano while it explodes and slides down into one of the 300-gallon blenders. The show is definitely a must-see. Meanwhile, you have Jimmy Buffet or reggae constantly playing in the background with huge video monitors. At night, they often have live bands.

The food was okay, but the atmosphere is what really makes this place. I don't drink tequila, so I didn't sample any of their margaritas, but their pina coladas were excellent.

If you're looking to eat right away, I would suggest reservations, because this place is always packed. It is almost impossible to get a seat at the bar. Definitely check out the gift shop. There are a lot of fun things to look at and buy. If you're looking for a good time, you have to stop by Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. It's a one-stop party.

This place was absolutely awful. My mother and I were seeing a show at the Rio, so we decided to dine at the Voodoo Café, which is supposed to have an excellent view of the Strip. Our journey started with a private elevator ride to the 51st floor in what I like to call "the oven." There was no air-conditioning in the elevator, so it felt like 110°F.

As we entered the restaurant, I found it very dark and dingy. This place is in serious need of a renovation. Even the view wasn't that great. Nothing impressed me about this place. We had an early dinner, so the restaurant was rather empty, yet they stuck us all the way in the back corner of the restaurant. I felt like Rosa Parks.

The food was horrible. It had absolutely no flavor. I didn't even eat my entrée. My mother ordered two Bloody Mary’s. The first one had no spice, and the second one was overloaded with spice. The service was mediocre.

Our dinner ended up costing $100, and it was by far the worst dining experience I've ever had. I couldn't wait to leave.

The Cheesecake Factory was definitely a good place to eat. They had a very eclectic menu, serving everything from Chinese to Mexican to Italian. I had the Baja chicken tacos, and my mother had the luau salad. Both were excellent. Their food is also very reasonably priced, with very hearty portions.

The only thing I regret was not making it back to try some of their world-famous cheesecake. It's definitely on my list of things to do. They must have 25 different types of cheesecake.

This place is always very crowded, so if you don't have reservations, be prepared to wait half an hour for a table. But you're in the middle of the Forum Shops at Caesars, so it's not hard to find something to do.

The Chippendales show was a one-of-a-kind experience. All the men are physically perfect and absolutely gorgeous. Some are also very talented as well. One gentleman could definitely have a huge singing career. His voice was amazing. Some were able to do acrobatics and aerial tricks. There was a lot of audience participation, and some lucky ladies got the full frontal view. The guys and the audience were a lot of fun. Afterwards, you can have your picture taken with them and meet them in the Flirt Lounge, a special bar built for the show. I would absolutely go again.

Siegfried & Roy's Dolphin Habitat & Secret Garden is located in a tropical oasis near the pool in the Mirage. The first thing you come to is one of the main dolphin pools, where they tell you about the dolphins and the habitat in general. From there, you're free to roam around and explore the doplhin pools and information center, as well as the lion and tiger habitats.