get a room
by richiecdisc
The hotels have become the town's true calling card. What's great is you don't have to stay in one of the big fancy hotels to enjoy them. Since they are casinos they are happy to have you come in and possibly gamble, eat, or shop. Paris is one star attraction but the Bellagio is particularly amazing and you can spend quite a bit of time there and not spend a penny, or you could spend your life's savings. That's your call. Huddled up due to cold is a common camping experience and after spending the last sixty nights in a tent, it would be understandable that I was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that what I clutched to me for warmth was not a sleeping bag but sheets and covers. Yes, I was in a bed.
My wife slept soundly beside me and seemed to have no such problems, just pure content. Not that she hadn't loved most of the last sixty days, camping around the US Southwest. She knew well that in years to come, it would prove to be perhaps the greatest summer of her life. But sometimes, you just need some creature comfort and even if that comes in the form of a Motel 6 rather than the Bellagio, it is no less satisfying. In fact, I would chance to say that after camping in a tent for sixty days, our room felt even more luxurious to us than those spending the night in one of Vegas' more renowned hotels, assuming they had not been doing the same.
The two previous nights had found us first waking up in a frozen tent and then falling asleep in sweltering heat. Such are the extremes of the desert, especially when altitude becomes a factor. Driving into Vegas was like a dream. Not that either my wife or I gamble, or particularly ever wanted to come to Sin City, but after all the incredible natural sights we had spent the last two months experiencing, only a city so lavish and outrageous as Las Vegas could compare. It is an extreme city, befitting the extremes of its desert surrounding. But the dream was of a room as much as anything else. Oh, and maybe a few huge meals to help put on a couple of the pounds we had lost hiking, backpacking, and generally running ourselves into the ground trying to capture as much as possible in the best photographic light. There were a lot of all too early mornings when even staying in a sleeping bag would have been a luxury so Las Vegas was going to be a reward of sorts. We were going to get a room! (concluded below in Fondest Memory)
Stock up on Beer and Water!
by Jabberjenn
When you get to Vegas, go to the local Walgreen's, CVS, etc (whatever is closest to your hotel) and buy a 12-pack or a case of bottled water. You can also buy a cheap styrofoam cooler for a few bucks. Then head on over to one of the several liquor stores scattered around town and buy a case of beer!
When you get to your hotel, you can fill the cooler with ice from the hotel vending machine room, and AHA! Ice cold beers and water ready for you at any moment!
The water comes in handy when you wake up with a hangover and is also useful for carrying a bottle or two down to the pool.
Since you can basically walk ANYWHERE with a beer in Vegas, it's nice to have your own stash in your room, so when you head out for the evening, you can grab a road beer or two for your walk to your next destination.
Freedom!!!
by Srechko
Enjoy the freedom to its fullest!!!
Coming from pretty conservative and strict country, first thing I noticed was that in Vegas nothing is forbidden. Drinking sprits on the street or in the malls, smoking indoors (anywhere), parking is free (except in downtown). Incredible trust can be felt among people on the street. I've even seen people counting their winnings right on the street at night. Everybody knows that if you come to Vegas you want to have fun and relax. We felt the same...
Although its not compulsory,...
by littlebush
Although its not compulsory, its pretty hard not to gamble! The hardest part is stopping once youve started! Try to visit as many hotels as you can! each hotel is like a theme park with so much to do and you can easily lose half a day just in one hotel! For me, the best thing was the Big Shot ride on top of the stratosphere! one of the best buzzes in the world - being shot up in the air at G-force 4!T he Fremont experience on Fremont Street is great and free. Its a light bulb show with over 1 million bulbs used!
At the Luxor hotel, there have a complete replica of King tutankamun's grave and a lifesize model of the Sphinz at Giza. The Imax theare there is also great.
The Fountain show at my favourite hotel, the Bellagio is spectacular as the fountains move in time to the music!
The Mandelay Bay hotel has a Man-made beach in its grounds. Theres the New york skyline at the New York New York hotel as well as a fantastic rollar coaster!
You can climb the Eiffel Tower at the Parisian hotel!
You can take a Gondala ride around the worlds largest hotel, The Venetian, at a cost of US$2 billion!!! Staying at the 3rd largest hotel in the world, The Luxor for $30/night!.....just being in Vegas was a great feeling!
Picture : The Luxor hotel
Apparel and neon lights
by TempNomad
Make sure to match your clothing to the surrounding landscape. It heightens photo opportunities. I'm definitely more of a nature buff, but just as I fell in love with NYC - Las Vegas was excellent in its own way.
Eiffel Tower Replica at Night
Clever Poster in Women's Restroom at Battista's
The Wynn buffet (table 1)
The Large Room Occupied by the Cafe
