Las Vegas

Travelers' Takes

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Las Vegas, Nevada

A travel journal to Las Vegas by Katie Morgan

An insider's guide to Las Vegas

  • 12 reviews

Las Vegas, NevadaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Casinos, they are building them faster than you can memorize their names. When ask about the 'best' accomodations, anything on the strip. However, my top choices for middle range rooms: Treasure Island, The Luxor, and The Rio. Looking for pure luxury they range from MGM Grand and Mirage, to Mandalay Bay, The Paris, and The Bellagio. If you aren't planning to spend much time in your room and looking for a deal any of the casinos in the 'Station' family are good buy. Downtown's older hotels offer you some great deals. For the most fun, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino tops the charts of the under 30 crowd. A good buy and rated the best pool view in town (and I don't think they are talking about the water!) Best Show: The 'O' at the Bellagio Best Escape: Red Rock Canyon

Quick Tips:

Expect it to be warm to very hot. Bring along sunscreens and lip moisturizers. Biggest mistake of new visitors is not drinking enough water. Then again, Las Vegas is the kind of place where you can go into one casino and not see the sun for the entire trip. The competition for attention is high and local visitors guides will point out all the free attractions. Most are a lot of fun and a nice break from the gambling. Favorite spots for free things: White Tigers at the Mirage, Forum shops at Ceasar's Palace (great moving statues), the Freemont Experience - a light canopy that covers the entire downtown old strip - great show!

Best Way To Get Around:

Rental cars are abundant, but the trolley's and their ride one way for .00 are a great deal. Valet parking is everywhere and free parking garages are available at all the casinos. Walking is easy, but don't forget to bring the right shoes as the strip is miles long.

Treasure IslandBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Rooms are roomy and have great views of the strip. Bathrooms have garden style tubs and are spacious and well appointed. An in-room safe is provided. Very comfortable considering no one goes to Las Vegas to sleep. Pool side service and cabana's make this a top resort. Arcade area for children is fun and inexpensive. 'Mystere' the Cirque Du Soleil show in residence there is a great performance. Tickets run about $75 a piece, but worth every dollar.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Treasure Island
3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 894-7111

Excalibur Hotel & CasinoBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Excaliber Hotel and Casino"

Red. The accomodations were red and medieval in theme. The rooms are your usual fare of big bed, table and chairs, and a well appointed bathroom. Did I mention that the decor was red? The price is right. The casino is a lot of fun. The medieval theme carries throughout. There is an arcade room in the basement where for a couple of bucks you can walk away with stuffed animals and other fun junk. Great for kids and kids at heart. Casino sits on the corner with the MGM Grand, Tropicana, and New York, NY. Next door to the Luxor. Convenient to the airport. Food services are acceptable. Hotel services are good.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Excalibur Hotel & Casino
3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 597-7777

Luxor Las VegasBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Luxor"

Once the hottest casino on the strip, it has since been eclipsed by the Bellagio, Monte Carlo, New York - NY, The Paris, Mandalay Bay and others. But, the unique structure, a glass pyramid, is still a big draw. Stay there just to experience the 'inclinator'. As the floors don't go straight up, neither does the elevator. Both incline toward the pyramid top. Decor is tasteful in an Egyptian theme. Views tremendous. You can get a hot tub room with a view of the city from your tub. Restaurants are varied. Room service excellent, but pricey. Casino has a mock Nile River running around the edge. Boat ride on the river is fun and cheap. Arcade area contains racing cars and other high tech adventures. Gift shops are also very tasteful.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Luxor Las Vegas
3900 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, Nevada 89119-1000
702-262-4444

The DiveBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The Dive may have the most expensive french fries and coke in the city, but they also have the most unique atmosphere and that is saying alot considering that this is Las Vegas! A submarine motif is highlighted by a periscope from which you can view the strip. The waiters are great. We left our table to go take a view from the scope and left the waiter a note advising him that we would be back. He left us a note telling us that if we were AWOL when the food arrived, he would sit down and consume it himself. Large screens come to life with activity as the submarine travels, sometimes coming to the surface in the most unsual places, for example in a tub with a baby taking a bath. A railroad with hanging nautical cars surrounds the room as the 'train' runs along suspended from the track. An all consuming experience and the fries weren't bad either!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

The Dive
2800 Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada

Hard Rock CafeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

I can never be sure what the allure of the Hard Rock is, but expect a crowd. Waits of 10 to 30 minutes on the average. Wait to get in line and buy t-shirts and stuff if you aren't eating there, up to an hour. Pretty much the same as any other Hard Rock. Sits on the street in front of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The Cafe and the Casino have different logo gear, t-shirts, shot glasses etc. Hard core collectors buy a t-shirt from both locations! The food, you've been you know, high priced American, but served with a laugh and the decor is one of a kind rock collectibles. Always a good time!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Hard Rock Cafe
4475 Paradise Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 733-8400

Grand Slam CanyonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Circus Circus - Grand Slam Canyon"

This is an enclosed indoor amusement park. AC and comfortable. The Casino provides family fun at an affordable price. Indoor playground area with a sand pit and ball pit for the younger crowd. Multilevel walkways make the park more interesting.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Grand Slam Canyon
Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 734 0410

Cirque Du Soleil:OBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | ""

This Cirque Du Soleil production is in residence in one of the classiest hotels on the strip. The Bellagio lives up to its reputation from the incredible atrium to the masterpiece art adorning the walls of its restaurants. The 'O' is one of the hottest tickets on the strip. Reservations should be made at least two months in advance. The performance is breath-taking. I believe it is the finest show I had ever seen including Broadway productions (and I've seen nearly everything Las Vegas has to offer). Bette Middler spoke about the show on a Rosie O'Donnel appearance. She said at the end of the performance, she and the cast members from her one night concert, stood up and said 'I quit.' She said she couldn't imagine a finer production and after seeing 'O' thought maybe it was time to retire. It's sister show Mystere at $75 a ticket, in residence at Treasure Island, is another show stopping production. Would spend the money to see either one again (and again).
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Cirque Du Soleil:O
Bellagio Casino / 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
888.987.3456

Mirage: Secret Garden and Dolphin HabitatBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Sigfried and Roy"

This classic Las Vegas show is a combination of magic and tradition. The white tigers are stunning. Sigfried and Roy are just as you would imagine them. Their personalities just bounce from the stage and into the audience. Top notch and a real crowd pleaser.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Mirage: Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat
3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 791-7111

Lance Burton TheaterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Lance Burton"

Lance Burton is perhaps the finest magician in residence in Las Vegas. His show is a combination of illusion and slight of hand, but his ability to involve the audience makes it an 'on the edge of your seat' event. Children are invited onto the stage and given the royal treatment. It adds a warmth that other shows lack. The finale is spectacular. In addition, the comic relief performer for this show will have you rolling in the aisles.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Lance Burton Theater
3770 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 730-7000

MystereBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

From the moment, you entire the auditorium, the adventure has begun. Watch out for any traditional clowns you might run into, they will lead you to the wrong seat, eat your popcorn and run away with your drinks. Cirque Du Soleil is a live performance of music and accrobatics. The costuming is beyond description. The performers fly through the air as a tropical and unique bird. It is memorable from the moment you arrive to the moment the final curtain goes down. CD's are available at the Casinos, but are less expensive at Amazon.com.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Mystere
3300 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 796-9999

Red Rock CanyonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The park has an information center at the entrance, even if you are just going to drive the loop, be sure to stop. The exhibits show you the type of wild life to be looking for on your drive, along with warnings regarding hiking, guides to the petroglyphs, historic information, park information, and climbing rules and permits. The loop takes you from the valley floor to an elevation of several thousand feet. Climbers are usually trying their skills on the rock faces everyday of the week. There are several picnic areas and numerous places to stop for photo ops. Rocks coloration range from sandy to vivid reds. Wild burros are in the area. There is a fine for feeding them, as it is they are so tame they walk right up to the windows of cars, begging for carrots. I don't know why they think you might be bringing them some. The signs say don't and posted fine is $50. Also, wild horses in the area. They are less friendly and more elusive, but just as fascinating. Even though you are just 10-20 miles from the city, bring plenty of water. Their are several hiking paths ranging from beginner to advanced. Be sure to get maps before heading out.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 8, 2000

Red Rock Canyon
Highway 159 at Scenic Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89124
(702) 363-1921

About the Writer

Katie Morgan
Katie Morgan
San Antonio, Texas

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