Las Vegas in September

This was my second trip to Las Vegas and I spent a bit more time checking out the rest of "The Strip." Be sure to check out downtown Las Vegas and "The Freemont Experience" - you sort of get an idea of what Las Vegas used to be like before all the glitz and glamour. The light show starts at 8pm during the summer, and it's pretty neat, albeit short (5 minutes). Be sure to catch the views from the top of the Stratosphere at night. It’s a little pricy (.95) for a just a view of the city, but if you’re daring you can take a spin on one of three rides at the top or if you’re really daring do all three! Venture away from the casinos one day and visit Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire State Park, Death Valley, Hoover Dam, an many other places that won't hit you in your wallet.

Quick Tips:

Be sure to get a Players Card at the hotel you're staying at, and be sure to gamble there--even if it's a little bit. If you eat at the hotel restaurant there's a good chance it will be comped. A great way to get a free meal!

Best Way To Get Around:

You don't need a car unless you plan on driving outside of Las Vegas; otherwise, use the monorail system or take taxis.

The Terrace Pointe Café is located within Wynn Las Vegas, Steve Wynn’s latest Las Vegas venture. Like many Vegas restaurants, it has a casual atmosphere and reservations are not required during lunch, but I’d make them for dinner, as every restaurant in Las Vegas fills up. It’s a great place for large parties. The service was attentive and friendly, although my soup could have been a tad bit hotter. I also had the chicken Caesar salad and thought it was HUGE and very tasty. There are TVs located throughout the restaurant where you can watch your favorite sporting event or keep tabs on the latest game of Keno.

The Fremont Street Experience is a 5-block open-air landscaped strip of outdoor snack shops, vendor carts, and colorful kiosks purveying food and merchandise. Overhead is a 90-foot-high steel-mesh "big screen TV"; at night, it is a high-tech light-and-laser show (the canopy is equipped with more than 2.1 million lights) enhanced by a concert-hall-quality sound system, which takes place four times nightly. But there's music between shows, as well. Not only does the canopy provide shade, it cools the area through a misting system during the summer.

 

It’s a much different feel than "the Strip." I got the feeling that Fremont Street is what Las Vegas used to be: a little seedy, eccentric, and intriguing. It's a place where you can stroll, eat, or even dance to the music under the lights. I think one is fairly safe on Fremont Street, but I suggest keeping your guard up and being careful when walking to/from the nearby parking garage.

For $10.95, you can travel to the top of the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower and watch the crazy people on the thrill rides. The views are magnificent, and in true Las Vegas style, there’s a snack bar, bar, and Starbuck’s at the top. Be prepared to wait anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to get to the top, as everyone gets in the same line (thrill-seekers and voyeurs alike).

The Valley of Fire State Park is located only six miles from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate 15 and on exit 75. Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest state park, dedicated 1935. The valley derives its name from the red sandstone formations and the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas are also available. The park is open all year.

 

There are no concessions within the park, so make sure you gas up and bring plenty of water during the summer months (even if you don’t plan on hiking).