Las Vegas - USA

Las Vegas

Somewhere that I have been many times and let me tell you this city is all about how you do it. There are things you can't miss and things to GIVE a miss but it depends how long you are staying.

Things To Do
Get out of the cabs and walk. Although the strip might seem like a long way, once your out there it's awesome, and the best way to see the sights as well. The best thing about Vegas is that it never sleeps, so you won't find yourself on creepy deserted streets in the middle of the night. Plus you'll burn enough calories to enjoy fantastic food while your there.

Take a cab out to one of four fashion outlet centres in the area. They are all relatively close by and you can get some amazing Bargains. If visiting Premium fashion outlets, go to their website before hand and download a coupon book!

If you have the time and the money, Book a helicopter tour of the strip and the Grand Canyon, there are some excellent packages and you can get good deals if you do research in advance.

Take time out from gambling and get back to basics. Grab someone your with and head to Conney Island, a games centre located in New York New York. For a little bit of money you can have a whirlwind of fun even if you don't fancy the plastic finger puppet prize at the end. The sing a long piano bar at the bottom of the stairs never hurt anyone either!


Things to skip

If you have heard rave reviews from people who were in Vegas a few years ago and were told to go and see the treasure Island Pirate show, it was good advice. The free show out the from of Treasure Island used to be excellent and good for kids to watch, however, what once was, is no more. There is still a free show however it is now filled with scarcely clad women running around with little cover. I'd give this a miss if your pressed for time. It doesn't compare and is not worth the wait.

M&M's factory sounds good and exciting doesn't it? Well, it is for a few minutes then, not so much, expensive and once you get over the pretty colours there is not much going on there. Plus it is designed to filter you through to the games zone next door, which I resented.

Margaritaville
Go to the Paris casino and follow your nose. Best Frozen Margarita on the strip is in a little Bar in the middle of the Paris casino.

Five Restaurants You Can't Miss!

Peppermill

This is an strange place to be and if you don't get there early, you'll be waiting for a table, but don't worry there is a cute little cheap store next door where you can occupy your time buying plastic gambling visors and dice keyrings all day long. The Peppermill has a bizarre interior, sporting a lovely bright Purple and Hot Pink decor. Best bet is to visit them here for breakfast, but be hungry, meals are gigantic. And if you have ever been inclined to have a bloody Mary for Breakfast, this is your place.


Mon Ami Gabi - Paris Hotel

This restaurant actually has the best steak anyone I know has ever had. It is situated in the Paris Hotel on the strip and has an outdoor section which looks out from a balcony (under the Eiffel tower replica) towards the Bellagio fountains and here the atmosphere is electric. If you do dine here then defiantly book the balcony for dinner, a combination of the fountains, the lights, the music and the elegance of the restaurant itself make for an amazing experience.

Jasmine - Bellagio Hotel

Jasmine is a Cantonese resturant located inside the Bellagio hotel that sits on the waters edge of the lake containing the famous Bellagio fountains. Ask for a table near the windows and you will get a personal show of the water display so close you can't describe it. This is such an elegant and romantic restaurant. Their food is amazing and a good opporunity to try something new. This place has an air of class to it so a good chance to put your best frock on and feel special.

Rainforest Cafe - MGM Grand Hotel

Rainforest Cafe has now made a standing all over the world but I have to say there is something about this one. In the city of unrealistic and other worldly scenery, replicas, rides and adventure, there is something that gives this one an edge on the rest. It's a fun little place and excellent for midnight refreshing cocktails at the mushroom bar. Great place to bring kids with lots to see and do with an excellent yet simple menu. Meals are again quite large here but there do have a couple of salads that are just awesome. You can not book here but waiting is not hard when there is so much to see. It's a world within a world and not something you should miss.

Canaletto - Venetian Hotel


This is another one that has the whole experience. Book a table and sit in the replica of St Marks square while you dine. The food is wonderful, especially the Squid Ink Pasta, sounds gross but is amazing. While you eat in this town square by the canal where people in Gondolas are headed up and down the water, occasionally some Renaissance dressed singers will come past and serenade you on their way through the hotel. This is another fantastic restaurant and the walk through the venetian streets to get there doesn't hurt either!