Wynn 2012 Year of the Dragon

In case you every had any doubt that I absolutely LOVE dragons, here's a recently tweeted photo from my friend, Claire, who is in Vegas right now celebrating her sister-in-law's birthday.  Lucky!


I adore this photo!

2012-Year of the Dragon display at Wynn

When I grow up I want to be like Claire!

(I have corrected the photo label and title - this photo was taken at Wynn, not at Bellagio like I believed at first.  Either way, it's a fantastic photo that I'm stealing for myself!)

Link to article: Chuck Jones Experience opening Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Circus Circus

There's a new attraction coming to the Las Vegas Strip this week.


This Thursday, January 26, 2012, the Chuck Jones Experience will be opening at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino.  For anyone over the age of 40 - and that definitely includes me - Chuck Jones is a bit of a childhood hero.  He created many of the iconic Looney Toons characters that are still very much loved by my generation (that would be Generation X, in case you've forgotten).  I still watch Looney Toons cartoons to this day, because they're much better than the NEW generation of cartoons.


The attraction will cost $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 5 through 17, military, seniors ages 65 and older and students.  Discounts for Nevada residents are also available.  I'm hoping that this attraction will soon be available at a discount through Tix4Tonite retailers, because that would make it even more attractive and affordable to the average Vegas visitor.


A brief write up of the event was posted on VegasInc.  Here is a link to the article:


What's up, Doc?

Link to article: 20 New Things in Downtown Las Vegas

My friend Dewey found a great blog entry from Pulse of Vegas that lists some new things to do downtown, as well as some changes that are currently going on there.


Downtown goodies


I have been downtown twice in all my trips to Las Vegas, and I think it's certainly a different view of Vegas than you get from staying on the Strip.  All the casinos are very close together, the hotels, drinks, food and gambling are generally much cheaper, and there are tons of street performers (better than the street people on the Strip who just pose for photos - these people actually DO something, like sing, dance, or create art for you).  


Definitely worth a look to see what's going on in the heart of Sin City!

Link to article: The Best and Worst of Las Vegas - 2012 Trippies

In case you wonder what other people think are the "best" and "worst" hotels, bars, restaurants, buffets, shows...the list goes on and on...I am providing a link to the 2012 Las Vegas Trippies, as voted on by readers of the Vegas Tripping site (www.vegastripping.com).  In addition to the Reader's Choice Awards, the same awards are voted on by the editors of Vegas Tripping for their own take on the "best" and "worst" of everything Las Vegas has to offer.


2012 Trippies


I can't say I agree with all the choices.  We all have our own opinions, of course, but I always wonder what the readers are thinking when they pick some of the places they do.  It boggles the mind...


Once again, the LasVegas4Ever (LV4E) message board was nominated in 2 categories - Best Website and Best Community - but didn't win either one.  For a small message board, the nominations alone are great recognition, and Bonnie was thrilled when she found out her site was nominated two years in a row.  Congratulations again to Bonnie for her great leadership!  Here's to the past four years of great information sharing and new friends made, with the hope of many more years and more friendships to come.  Salud!  (LV4E anniversary: January 21, 2008)

My favorite trip photos: November 20-23, 2011

Some of my favorite photos from my November 20-23, 2011 trip with Hayley.  I didn't have my nice, big Canon on this trip, so the photo quality is not quite up to par, sorry.  Still, there are some great memories here.  Hope you enjoy looking at these, too!

Bellagio Conservatory - Fall display

Bellagio Conservatory - Fall display
I like this water wheel, but they use it every year...

Planet Hollywood - the elevators on our floor.  The best part of the entire hotel. :)

I annoyed Hayley by taking her photo everywhere.
This was while we were waiting for our HUGE sandwiches at Carnegie Deli in The Mirage.

Hayley's sandwich - the "Club Dear".
Yes, it's almost 8 inches tall, and she ate the whole thing.

Waiting for LOVE at The Mirage, outside the Revolution lounge.

Trying to text on my "simple" phone, LOL!

Bellagio tree - my favorite photo of the trip!

I love seeing multiple wilds!

My crappy $5 art from the Art-O-Matic machine outside
The Wicked Spoon buffet at The Cosmopolitan.

Hayley "photo-bombing" me at Palazzo

The Christmas tree at The Venetian - I would've loved to see it lit up!

Mandalay Bay light fixture

Mandalay Bay light fixture - side view

Lobster roll from Lobster ME @ The Miracle Miles Shops - YUM!

Calling grandma from the patio at Mon Ami Gabi, Paris Hotel

Christmas trees at Crystals in City Center

"Lady Gaga", Divas Las Vegas at Imperial Palace

"Janet Jackson", Divas Las Vegas at Imperial Palace

"Britney Spears", Divas Las Vegas at Imperial Palace

The curtain call, Divas Las Vegas at Imperial Palace

A nice bonus round on Wizard of Oz 'Over the Rainbow' slots before leaving for the airport.

A second bonus round - time to cash out and head home!

Christmas tree in the lobby at Planet Hollywood - it appeared magically between breakfast and our ride to the airport.

Heading home.  Until next time...

Bodies: The Exhibition - a review

Located on the Atrium Level of the Luxor Hotel and Casino, Bodies: The Exhibition was added to our November 2011 Vegas trip when Hayley and I were unable to obtain tickets to Carrot Top (too young - her, not me) and Tournament of Kings at Excalibur (sold out).


I was quite surprised by this exhibit - in a good way.  I thought it might be a bit gruesome and a little over-the-top, but each of the displays was presented in a very clinical, educational way, and it was very informative for me, personally.


According to their official website, www.bodiestheexhibition.com, over 200 bodies are on display, creating informative and thought-provoking exhibits with tons of details.  There are several rooms throughout the exhibit, and they displays cover the nine human systems: skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and circulatory.  


I was surprised at how much time Hayley and I spent inside the exhibit.  She is currently enrolled in an Anatomy class, and I think it was much more explanatory than anything in a textbook could ever be.  For instance, you can SAY that the human gastrointestinal tract is over 30 feet long, but to actually SEE it is...surprising, to say the least.  And to SEE how many blood vessels there are in ANY part of the body? Also very surprising.


The displays are all done very tastefully, and special polymer blends have been used to preserve the bodies eternally for the exhibits.  They even have a doctor on hand at the end of the exhibit to answer any questions you may have and to let you touch (yes, TOUCH!) an actual human heart or hand that has been preserved.  That was pretty cool, but we still couldn't resist the urge to go and WASH OUR HANDS repeatedly after we were done, even though they gave us Purell to cleanse our hands after we touched things.  There's something about touching another person's dead body - even when well-preserved - that was a bit odd.


The room with the reproductive system displays is included with the digestive system, but they have a secluded, separate room containing preserved fetuses that can be bypassed if you choose to do so.  I noted that the only people who did so while we were in there was the couple with two young children.  It was not as sad as I thought it might be, and there was nothing to offend anyone. See it if you like, and bypass it if you don't.


Also be aware that there are displays in each room that show cancers, strokes, heart attacks and various other ailments and the effects these have on the physical body.  As expected, the lung cancer display was particularly eye-opening to me, and after seeing it I am certainly glad I've never picked up a cigarette in my life.


Among the big, eye-opening discoveries I personally made was the size of a man's bladder versus a woman's - it is nearly 5 times as large!  No wonder women have to pee so much!  I'm just saying that now I have a frame of reference when it comes to the urinary processes for both sexes.


Seeing a display like this "in person" definitely gives you a sense of your own humanity, and Hayley was quite impressed with it.  It could be the fact that she wants to become a doctor, but she was genuinely intrigued by some of the bodies and made a point to do a bit of Google searching to find out even more information while we were in the cab on the way back to our hotel.


I rate this exhibit a perfect 10.  It contains educational, well thought out displays that are presented in a very tasteful, informative and completely inoffensive way.  There is nothing over-the-top, there are professionals on hand to assist with any questions you may have, and it is a first-class presentation that should be required for all Anatomy students, at the very least.  Go and see it if you can, and learn a little something about yourself.


Tickets for the exhibit are $34.00+tax each, or they can be purchased at the Tix4Tonite half price booths same day.  In addition, you can also find coupons for $5-$10 off in the 24/7 Las Vegas Magazine (in your hotel room or in cabs) to cut the cost.  The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily, including holidays.  No photos are allowed inside the exhibit, so leave your camera behind.

Seven great bars and meeting places on the Vegas Strip - with no cover charges

If you like to sit down and have a drink - and don't mind paying for it - there are some great places on the Las Vegas Strip that allow you to do just that.  Mix in some great people-watching opportunities (don't forget your camera!) and you have a great afternoon/evening diversion.  Here are six great places to meet and drink on the Strip where no cover charge is required.


#7 - Parasol Up/Parasol Down at Wynn - This bar is actually on two levels: the lower level affords great views of the Lake of Dreams just outside the huge, two-story windows, and the upper level offers great people-watching opportunities while the guests, gamblers and various other members of humanity make their way from the valet to the registration desk, through the casino, or attempt to find the exit to the Strip.  Parasol Down, on the lower level, has more tables and open seating.  Parasol Up, on the casino level, has smaller, intimate tables partially surrounded by curtains, and a walk-up bar included within the curtained area.  I have been unable to find a listing for their hours of operation, but they are open every day of the week until at least 9 p.m.  Drink prices average about $6-$15 each.

We're going in!

#6 - Napoleon's at Paris - A fairly large bar located on the walkway between Paris and Bally's, near the Paris buffet and shops.  Napoleon's features nightly entertainment starting at 5:00 p.m., and they also have dueling piano performers that begin at 9:00 p.m. nightly.  This bar does have a Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m., and they include free sandwiches with the purchase of a beverage from the bar during that time.  Drinks average $6-$12.  Seating in the main bar area is made up of settees and couches, along with small tables and comfy chairs.  It can get pretty loud in the bar during performances, so you might want to sit away from the stage if you're hoping to carry on a conversation without shouting.  In addition to the main bar area, there is also a separate room called "Napoleon's Retreat", which is a cigar room with comfortable seating for about 20-25 people and doors that close off from the main bar area for a bit of quiet, and there is absolutely no cigar smell in the room, which was surprising to me.  Napoleon's opens at 5:00 p.m. daily and is open until 1:00 a.m. on weekdays, 2:00 a.m. on weekends.


#5 - The Piano Bar at Harrah's - Located just off of Carnaval Court right inside of the Harrah's casino, The Piano Bar is loud and rowdy after 9:00 p.m., when the dueling piano performances start.  With seating either at the bar or at one of the many tables in the room, there is space for lots of people, and it can get very crowded.  Some enjoy getting their drinks and standing just outside the bar area along the railing, so they can enjoy the entertainment without having to jostle for a seat inside.  Audience participation is encouraged during both the karaoke performances starting at 6:00 p.m. and the dueling piano act at 9:00 p.m.  Prepare to submit your song requests and feel free to tip generously.  Drink prices average about $6-$14, and the bar is open from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. nightly.


#4 - Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace - While this is not a "bar" per se, it is a great place to sit and people-watch along the Strip.  Beer and cocktails are available, and they have a full menu, too, so breakfast, lunch or dinner can be had while you watch the world go by.  Check out their food and drink lunch/dinner menu here: http://www.caesarspalace.com/images/non_image_assets/Serendipity_Menu_10_04_10.pdf
The Frrrrrrozen Hot Chocolate has been called a "must have", and there are lots of options available for any taste.  While there is no cover charge, expect to pay a little more for your beer or mixed drinks here, as this is a very popular New York transplant.  Hours of operation:  8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m., Friday-Saturday.

Blow Pop Martini

Hubba Bubba Martini

#3 - Sugar Factory at Paris - This bar/restaurant was opened on the site of the old Paris fountain (which was sadly lost but has since been forgiven) and is more than just a place to buy a $25 lollipop with a bejewelled handle.  There is a large gift shop, a chocolate bar, a restaurant with a patio and an upstairs club area all included at this location.  The small patio offers views of the Bellagio fountains, and it is kept warm by portable heaters in the winter and kept cool by misters along the railing in the summer.  Their specialty at Sugar Factory are the "candy drinks", named after some of your favorite childhood things like the Blow Pop Martini, the Hubba Bubba Martini, and a Root Beer Float (alcoholic, not for kids) are included.  Drinks at the bar range from $14-$20 on average, but they are very good.  The chocolate bar offers chocolate fondue served on heated counter tops with fruits and nuts for dipping.  The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with reasonable prices to boot.  There are two other Sugar Factory locations in Las Vegas, but they are mainly retail shops.  The other locations are in The Mirage (just inside the entrance directly across from Harrah's) and in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood (on the right-hand side, just up from PBR Rock Bar).  Hours of operation for the bar and restaurant vary.


#2 - Carnaval Court at Harrah's - I think this open, outdoor bar area is one of the best places to sit and people-watch in Vegas.  It is surrounded on three sides by Harrah's, Ghiradelli's Chocolate and the Imperial Palace.  Cheap food and drinks are located at vendors just outside the main seating area, and there is a bar 'inside' with "Bevertainers" performing at random times during the afternoon and evening.  This place can get very noisy, but it is open air and covered by a huge tent, so you are able to move away from the stage area if it gets too loud.  Be aware that people will dance in front of the stage, and some may attempt to dance on the tops of tables and the bar, too, but Security will quickly get them down.  Because of its openness to the elements, it can get very chilly in the Winter and very warm and toasty in the summer, even with the misters around the perimeter, so dress and plan accordingly.  There are nightly performances by local bands, including the favorite 70's tribute band "Wonder Boogie", who put on a great show with their 'fros and bell-bottom pants.  Carnaval Court is open daily from about 1:00 p.m., depending on the band performing and/or day of the week and closing at about midnight or 12:30 a.m., although some have said the performances go on much longer than that.

A view of The Chandelier Bar from the casino floor, looking up to levels 2 and 3.

#1 - The Chandelier Bar at The Cosmopolitan - The newest hotel on the Strip offers a great meeting place, on three levels.  Located between City Center and Bellagio, The Cosmopolitan is a jewel in the middle of the Strip, and this bar has a great ambiance and upscale look and feel.  The Chandelier Bar offers open seating along the main walkway on the casino level, or more private and intimate seating on the second or third levels accessible by the elevator or escalators.  This open-sided bar has lots of room to meet, greet, people-watch and take some great photos, too.  Drink prices start at $6 and go up.  No food or snack items are available.  Once again, I was unable to find the actual hours of operation for The Chandelier Bar, but I have seen it open as late as 11:30 p.m. while walking through the casino.


Enjoy your time in Vegas!