Searching for Lost Vegas

An April 2001 trip to Las Vegas by BeAdventureous!

Quote: Not being a gambler, I wasn't quite sure Sin City was for me. But I had a marvelous time! Freebies abound, if you know where to look. Great jazz, food and shopping! Fabulous entertainment! Awesome weather! The hotel lobby's are incredible! Get your walking shoes on....

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Searching for Lost Vegas

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

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Mardi Gras at the Rio, a pirates fight at Treasure Island, the volcano at the Mirage, the blue-eyed white tigers and aquariums and dolphins too, the dancing fountains at the Bellagio at sunset to Charlotte Church or Frank Sinatra tunes with a Bellini( white peach puree and champagne), shopping at the Forum Mall and seeing the fountain come to life, a show in itself, or shopping at the Palm Passage at Aladdins. Don't miss the sky laser show downtown, Hoover Dam or Ethel M's Candy factory and desert gardens. Also an incredible car collection at the Imperial, and to top it all off, a helicoper ride over the strip at night with all the twinkling lights below. In lieu of that you can always get a dring at...Read More

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Caesars Palace

Hotel | "Caesar’s Palace"

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Awesome! We had a junior suite with 2 jacuzzi''s, a view to die for, we could see the volcano erupt from the Mirage from our window. The spa was excellant. Had a mud bath and massage, go for the massage.... The sauna and steam room and jacuzzi in the ladies facilities were exquistite with spring water and frest fruit. A bottle of Champagne was sent to our room. The breakfast in the Pallidem was excellant! Salmon, all sorts of deserts, besides the regular breakfast fare. The pool area was gorgeous with outside jacuzzis as well.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2001

Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 731-7110

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MGM Grand

Hotel

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Nice. The location was a bit off the beaten track, it was a long way to the other hotels, which made for a lot of walking. Dead at night, all the restaurants closed relatively early for a town that never sleeps. The restaurants were very good, but I felt isolated.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on April 8, 2001

MGM Grand
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 891-7777

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Hampton Inn Las Vegas Tropicana

Hotel | "Hampton Inn & Suites"

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Suite overlooking the Rio. Breakfast is included and is terrific! A managers drink and hordeovers party once a week on Wednesday's. Shuttles available to take you to the strip and airport as desired complimentary. 15 slot machines if interested. Great pool and hot tub with waterfall. Lee Bridgmon, the gym is fantastic and will do whatever to make your stay hospitable.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 1, 2002

Hampton Inn Las Vegas Tropicana
4975 S INDUSTRIAL ROAD
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
702 948 8100

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Spago

Restaurant

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Having eaten here 3 or 4 times, this is one of my favorites. The pizza's are great, the salmon is to die for, forget the ravoli and the riesling wine, but everything else is terrific. Get some matches, cause they are just so cool. And the tee-shirts, aprons and cookbooks are great gifts to take home.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2001

Spago
3500 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 369 6300

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Cheesecake Factory at The Forum Shops

Restaurant | "The Cheesecake Factory"

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You may have to wait in line, but it is well worth it. Portions ar huge, so split one or just get an appitizer (my very favorite are the avocado egg rolls) and FOR SURE get the cheesecake. The vanilla bean and the banana cream are excellant choices. And you CAN share, but I wouldn't....

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 8, 2001

Cheesecake Factory at The Forum Shops
3500 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas 89109
(702) 792-6888

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Emeril's New Orleans Fish House

Restaurant

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The BEST service we have ever experienced! All meals were served similtaneously. Napkins were put in laps, and refolded when the bathroom priviledge was invoked. Many varities of wine by the glass and half bottle were available. The food was exquistite. The sushi, seared tuna, seaweed salad was out of this world. The banana signature dessert was fabulous, as was the coffee creme brulee. Lobster corn chowder was excellant, as was the seafood bisque. Try emeril's special coffee.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

Emeril's New Orleans Fish House
MGM Grand Hotel Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 891-7374

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Border Grill

Restaurant

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The celebrity chef was making her way around the tables about 2:00 the day we enjoyed lunch. A trey of 3 salsas and chips were consumed to be replaced by another set. The shredded chicken dish was marvelous! The tamales tasted like a corn pudding?! The fish tacos were not crispy, but in a soft corn tortilla?! Dessert was excellant, be sure and get the banana cream pie!! Forgo the Mexican hot chocolate, I asked them to heat in twice, it was cold...both times. The marqueritas were just ok., the atmosphere, tables around the pool at Mandalay Bay were nice.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

Border Grill
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
+1 702 632 7403

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Coyote Cafe

Restaurant

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Don't get the watermelon marquerita!! The nachos are great, a side order of guacamole and you are set. There is no salsa and chips complimentary.

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

Coyote Cafe
3799 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 891 7349; +1

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Le Village Buffet

Restaurant

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From each province of France, foods are indicitive of that area. Scallops and great cheese, alongside lox with capers, line the salad bar. Fish and lamb stews, dessert crepes, chocolate mousse, pear tarts, scout it out and then pick out what you want. Service is slow. Order coffee with dessert ahead of time.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

Le Village Buffet
Paris Las Vegas Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 946-7000

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Ricardo's of Las Vegas

Restaurant | "Richardos"

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A taco bar under a palm frond sombrero. Great prickly pear marqueritas, or perhaps you prefer mango? Fish tacos, meat tacos, salsa and chips. Several locations throughout the city, but I prefer this one.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on April 1, 2002

Ricardo's of Las Vegas
4930 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
+1 702 871 2669

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VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub at Rio

Attraction | "The Vodoo Lounge"

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It is packed, so if you are looking for a quite intimate place this ain't it! The view is to die for, you can see the whole city atop this rooftop bar with twinkling lights from the strip. The specialty drink has dry ice, so its smokin and is served with several straws to share. It's a red punchlike drink and most potable.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on April 9, 2001

VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub at Rio
3700 W Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
(702) 777-7800

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Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

Attraction | "Bellagio Art Gallery"

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Priced at $12 to admit entrance to this collection of art that is a treasure is a deal! The earphones are included in the price and the neat thing about them is you don't have to follow sequence, you can find the piece that interests you and go the numbered tape and play the history of that particular one. That way there is no bottleneck crowd that hovers all around the first piece. It is interesting and there are plenty of old masters that are reknown. Take a break from the casinos and get a little culture!!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on August 2, 2001

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
+1 702 693 7871; +1

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Red Rock Canyon

Attraction | "Hiking Red Rocks Canyon"

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Red and orange rock rise from the desert basin.

There are hikes from 25 minutes to several hours. There are numerous trails that highlight various terrains. Horseback riding is available, as is rock rappeling. Plantlife covers the desert with cactus, tiny wildflowers, and birds. Waterfalls are visible at certain times off the beaten track. The visitor center has a wonderful path honoring the men who died 9/11, in a plantlife walk. You can also see the type of wildlife found here.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

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

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Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Attraction | "Bellagio Botanical Gardens"

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Decorated 4 times a year, we went at Easter. It was awesome! Huge Easter eggs dangled from the ceiling. Butterflies of flowers arched across gardens laden with pink tulips, hythicines, and sculptures of fairies. Fountains surrounded by irises. The smell was heavenly, the garden shop was lovely; this is not to be missed!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada

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Mystere at Treasure Island

Attraction | "Cirque de Soleil- Mystere"

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It is wild and wonderful. Colorful make-up and costume, mime, circus aerobics. Like modern art, it has no message, it is what you make it.

For those who appreciate boundaries, there are none. It does not connect, it simply bounds from one act to another, and several go on simultaneously at the same time. My girls LOVED it. I prefer Les Mis. Everyone should see one of these at least once.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

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

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MGM Grand Hotel & Casino

Attraction | "Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young"

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Having spanned generation gaps with their music, there were age spans of people enjoying their concert. Unaffected, they came out almost on time with no pre-emp band, and simply did what they do best, sing their own kind of music, no special effects or costumes, Nash was barefoot, all were in jeans and t-shirts. But their voices were strong and harmonious as ever and they were absolutely wonderful!!!

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada

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The Auto Collections at The Imperial Palace

Attraction | "The Imperial Car Museum"

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Old, vintage cars from all over. Ones from the movies, ones owned by Elvis, one given to his dentist. One owned by Sally Struthers. One driven by Hitler and Mussolini. Fascinating stuff and most for auction, if you win at the tables, you could drive one home. Some owned by Howard Hughes, some by James Cagney. Liberace's has candlelabras decorating the hood. Very interesting...

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 31, 2002

The Auto Collections at The Imperial Palace
3535 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 794-3174

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Hoover Dam

Attraction

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25 minutes away from the strip, a marvel indeed! The visitor center costs $5.oo to park.

You can get off around the dam and park for free to take photos. A HUGE place. What man can do when he puts his imagination and mind to it. Harness the Colorado river. yee-ha!

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on April 1, 2002

Hoover Dam
US Highway 93 at the Nevada-Arizona border
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101