VIVA ANDRADA takes you through the delights
this American city has to offer
Welcome to a dazzling city that never sleeps 24/7. Known as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA enchants both adults and kids alike. From hotels, casinos, resorts, buffet restaurants, shopping malls, live entertainment, night clubs, adventure tours to theme parks, there is always something for the whole family to enjoy.
I first visited this fabulous city with my family as a kid. I remember my most favorite place was Circus Circus with its arcade games and thrilling rides. While the grownups (composed of my lolo, uncles, aunts, and parents) tried their luck in casino games, I felt victorious whenever I won stuffed toys at the arcade.
Many years and visits later to Las Vegas, I returned to Circus Circus as a grownup, but this time with a friend. We went to Adventuredome Theme Park and bought all day ride pass for us both worth $24.95 each. We rode all the thrilling rides we could. However when we tried Canyon Blaster, the indoor double-loop roller coaster, my friend got a stiff neck. As we stepped out of Adventuredome, my friend whispered with a wink “no wonder those massage areas were just across the theme park.”
Las Vegas is known for its endless possibilities for fun, entertainment, pampering, and indulgence. Dubbed as Sin City, don’t be surprised if scenes from movies and TV shows come alive before your very eyes. Also known as the wedding capital of the world, Las Vegas is a travel destination to couples who want to tie the knot. With approximately 315 weddings per day, Las Vegas lives up to its reputation.
This glittery city filled with neon lights had its humbling beginnings as a valley where American Indians roamed free. In 1829, a young scout, named Rafael Rivera, was the first person of European ancestry who discovered the valley with abundant wild grasses and plentiful water. Thus, Las Vegas got its name, Spanish for “The Meadows”. The Nevada State literally became a gold mine in late 1800’s. Las Vegas officially became a city in 1905. Gambling was legalized in 1931. Notorious gangsters were monumental in opening up luxurious hotels and casinos. Famous celebrities who performed in Las Vegas such as Elvis Presley drew in crowds and it grew to what it is today. Las Vegas is also famous for boxing matches where the world-famous best pound for pound fighter Manny Pacquiao competes.
WHAT TO DO
Plan your trip in advance. Visiting Las Vegas is an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With a myriad of things to see and do, time and budget may pose as a constraint. Before you get to Vegas, do your homework online. When my mom and my sister wanted to travel to Vegas, I did my research for the best deals in hotels. Luckily, I found out that hotels gave out special promos, discounts and freebies on their websites.
Go casino hopping. The main attractions of Las Vegas are the casino hotels themselves and each one trying to outdo the other, especially at the Strip:
Fountains at Bellagio is a nightly music and water show that plays in the spectacular fountains in front of Bellagio.
Lion Habitat at MGM Grand is where you’ll see majestic kings of the neon jungle.
The Sirens of TI is a live show that has sirens battling with a band of pirates in Siren’s Cove, located at the front entrance of the hotel TI (Treasure Island).
Volcano at the Mirage is an audio and video spectacle that promises to ‘add sizzle to your night’.
Show in the Sky at Rio is a sensual and upbeat production that includes pop, Latin and burlesque numbers. While this show is free, guests who want to join in and ride the float with the dancers will have to pay $12.95.
Top of the tower thrilling rides at Stratosphere is where you’ll experience heart pounding rides high above the Las Vegas strip.
Most casino hotels in Vegas have shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and shows. These and more attractions are made for people to gamble at the casinos. Face it, Las Vegas is still a gambler’s paradise.
Experience Fremont Street. Come to where Las Vegas began. Fremont Street still captivates with its authentic Vegas charm. It is home to the first hotel in Vegas (Hotel Nevada in 1906, renamed as Golden Gate). It includes a pedestrian mall and Viva Vision, a barrel vault LED display canopy that runs the world’s largest colorful light show. In the 1990s, the Fremont Street Experience was made to draw people back to its gaming tables at downtown Las Vegas.
When you visit casinos, bring your ID and passport with you. We, Asians, tend to look younger than our age. Although I am above legal age, I still get carded from time to time. Every time this happened, the casino personnel would ask for my ID (passport or driver’s license) to check my age. Then, they encouraged me to get Players Rewards Club card. Some casinos even give free slot plays, free live shows, buffet coupons, and souvenirs as rewards for casino players. I recommend to anyone who frequents casinos in Vegas to apply for those free fancy cards with your name on it that you can keep as souvenir.
Get around Las Vegas using monorail or RTC bus transit. With many things to see and do in Vegas, going around riding a taxi can get costly.
Las Vegas monorail provides the quickest ride on the strip without the traffic. The online fares come in Single ride ticket $5, One-day pass $12.00, Three-day pass $28.00 http://www.lvmonorail.com/
RTC bus transit allows you to explore Vegas with all access passes: 24 hour for $7, 3 days for $15, and 5 days for $20. Their rates, though, are subject to change. Check out their site online http://www.rtcsnv.com/
Go on adventure tours. Las Vegas offers various sightseeing tours for thrill seekers at heart. If you’ll be staying in Vegas for about a week, at least include the historical Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam in your itinerary.
Watch live shows for half the price. Las Vegas sparkles with endless entertainment. The only limit is your budget. On our recent visit to Vegas, we watched Cirque du Soleil shows. My favorites were Viva Elvis at Aria Hotel and Beatles Love at the Mirage. We also watched Thunder from Down Under at Excalibur, Phantom of the Opera and the Blue Man Group, both at the Venetian and more. To watch as many shows as you like, I recommend you go to Tix4Tonight. They give discounts for buffet and ‘all-you-can-eat’ restaurants too. http://www.tix4tonight.com/
WHERE TO SHOP
Fashion Show Mall is the favorite shopping area of many tourists and locals alike in Las Vegas. It contains the Great Hall, an 80-foot retractable runway that makes it possible to have fashion shows several days a week in the mall. With more than 200 stores to choose from such as Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, it is a retail shopping heaven found in Vegas.
Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian has the best ambiance for shopping. With a superbly painted sky overhead, gondolas cruising through the canal, indoor streetscape and strolling performers, shopping feels like taking a journey in St. Mark’s Square, Venice. http://venetian.com/
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace is an elegant shopping haven that houses premiere designer brands such as Bvlgari, Christian Dior, Valentino and more. With its classy interiors and high ceilings, one would feel like royalty strolling around. http://www.caesarspalace.com
Outlet malls give the best prices. If you are looking for discounts, an outlet mall is where to go. The top three outlet malls to shop in Vegas include Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Outlet Center and Las Vegas Premium Outlets.
WHERE TO STAY
High End
Wynn is considered as one of the finest hotels in the world. Named after casino developer Steve Wynn, it is connected to its sister resort Encore. Collectively, Encore Las Vegas and Wynn Las Vegas hold more Forbes five-star awards than any other casino-resort in the world.
Tel (1) (877) 321-9966
Mid range
Mirage offers a refined atmosphere of comfort at an affordable price. It is connected by a free tram to Treasure Island (TI). The comedy movie Vegas Vacation that starred Chevy Chase was filmed mainly at the Mirage.
Tel (1) (702) 791-7111
Budget
If you are penny pinching on your place to stay in Vegas, go for non casino hotels such as Ambassador Strip Inn Travelodge. While you save money on the room cost, it still is convenient to shops, restaurants and other attractions in Vegas.
Tel (1) (702) 736-0726
Best time to visit Las Vegas
Las Vegas is regarded as ‘paradise in the middle of a desert’. The weather can get extremely hot during July and August. In one of our travels to Vegas, my Aunt said it was like walking inside an oven. Hotels drop their rates during the hottest season to attract tourists to come to Vegas. For milder weather conditions, do visit Las Vegas between October and April. Room prices are higher during weekends and when there are large conventions. Enjoy your trip to Vegas!
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