We’ve just arrived back from another amazing trip to Fabulous Las Vegas Nevada. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Las Vegas on numerous occasions when I was Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic, so I think this was probably my 30 something trip, and it just doesn’t get boring. At one point, I was flying to Vegas three times a month, and there was always something to do I hadn’t done before and always plenty of people to party with and gamble at play lottery with lottery sambad online. I also found this site where you can find international lottery results and buy lottery tickets online.
What to do in Las Vegas
If you’ve never been to Vegas, you’ve probably heard about some of the sights and attractions, and there are hundreds more you’ll never read about in any guide books – it just has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
The first thing people tend to associate with Las Vegas is of course, the casinos, and quite rightly too, as there are over 1,700 gambling haunts in the city centre alone. The lure of the casino tables is almost too much to bear, and not just for me it would seem, as it’s approximated that 87% of all visitors to Las Vegas gamble at some point during their stay. But aside from the casino tables, there’s so much to see and do in Las Vegas, and far too much to fit into a few short days. Some of my favourite experiences in Las Vegas include the Dolphin and Wild Animal enclosure “The Secret Garden” at The Mirage Hotel, which is home to Lions, Tigers and Snow Leopards to name but a few of the residents, the view from the top of the Stratosphere Tower which is best seen at night, and no trip to Las Vegas is complete without a trip to the theatre to catch one of the city’s famous shows. “Love”, a Cirque de Soleil show which plays at The Mirage is one of the most beautiful and mesmerising shows currently playing on the strip, and if you’re looking for something truly mesmeric and unforgettable, make sure you catch David Copperfield’s show at The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. A must for all magic fans and sceptics alike. He’ll make a believer out of the most cynical of minds.
Then of course, there’s the unmissable Grand Canyon, situated in the neighbouring state of Arizona which can be accessed by helicopter from Las Vegas. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of the worlds most incredible and awe inspiring natural phenomenons dating back 17 million years. You just can’t help feeling incredibly dumb struck when you’re peering into the canyon with your own eyes. It’s like taking a ride back in time in a machine for a few fleeting moments. Unmissable, unforgettable and utterly amazing.
Clubs on The Strip
Aside from the sights, you’d be crazy not to check out the sounds as there are some of the best nightclubs in the whole of the USA in Las Vegas. They’re somewhat pricey as you might expect, but the overall experience is well worth the money. If you’re looking for a Las Vegas party you’re spoiled for choice on the strip, and in a Las Vegas nightclub you’re never more than one casino away from somebody utterly famous. Random and unscheduled apprearances by some of the world’s leading artists are a common sight in Vegas, so don’t be at all surprised if you’re sipping on a Mojito at the bar and suddenly realise you’re standing next to Kanye West (he turned up at the opening of Marquee in The Cosmopolitan last New Year’s Eve and gave an impromptu performance to the crowd – for kicks). I remember being in The Bank at Bellagio for a few drinks last year when all of a sudden I realised Estelle is up on stage entertaining the crowd. Then there was the time Snoop Dogg turned up at Rain at The Palms – somewhat amazing night that was. Here there and everywhere you hear reports that Will.I.Am has shown up at Caesars or Justin Timberlake took to the stage at Lavo. Of course, there’s a smattering of the lesser celebs (or fading has-been’s) who turn up nightly at the clubs in a vain attempt to whip up some of their former glory and sometimes succeed. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer and Coolio to name but a few; whatever your taste, make sure you take your autograph book and a Sharpie pen.( After their star performances, they can usually be found drinking free Jack Daniels on ice at the Blackjack Table outside the club)
The club scene in Vegas is unlike any other I’ve visited across the world, and it should definitely feature on your list of “things to do” in Vegas even if you’re not the clubby type. If you are going to sample the delights of Vegas nightlife, there are a few things you need to know. Weekends, the clubs are jam packed and you’ll need to get in early if you’re hoping to get into a specific club. The best thing to do is to get on a guest list for the club of your choice, which is incredibly easy to do if you’re a group of ladies, and relatively easy if you’re a group of guys. Somewhat unfairly, groups of girls are treated like royalty by club promoters, and you’re likely to get free admission, free drinks and a free VIP table just for turning up before 11pm. Guys, a queue jump is a common perk offered by the promoters, and you might even wangle free entry too, but there’s no debating the fact that they’re out to fill the club with lots and lots of ladies to tempt the men into the club (they assume they are the ones with the bulging wallets – which must be true for the most part as this method seems to work for them.) To get on a guest list, simply call the hotel of your choice and as to speak to the concierge. Alternatively – you can let them come to you. If you’re playing blackjack for fun or walking around on the strip in the daytime, you’re never more than 50 feet away from someone wanting to slap an armband on you to get into the club they are promoting. Each club is vying for bulk of the paying public, so they’ll offer you the world to get you through the door. If they ask to take your phone number, do it and then take theirs, it might seem odd to give your personal number to a stranger, but it’ll be worth it later when you saunter into the club ahead of the crowds and bypass the admission sales desk.
Mid-week in the clubs is a little different. Most of the clubs are closed during the week, typically leaving only 2 – 3 open. Each club has what’s known as an “industry night” one night per week. The other clubs remain closed and the designated industry club takes care of management and select hosts from the other clubs in Vegas. With only 2-3 clubs open, its most often busier on industry night than a weekend so don’t be fooled into thinking the weekend is where it’s at. Industry nights offer great deals such as free entry and free drinks between 10pm and 11pm. There’s often a celebrity guest or two there, and the atmosphere is as electric as a Saturday night.
Amongst my favourite clubs on the strip are Bank and the Bellagio, Blush at The Wynn, Tao at The Venetian, and the elegant Lavo at The Palazzo. This trip, I was very excited to sample the delights of one of Las Vegas’s newest and sexiest hotel casinos, The Cosmopolitan as I had heard the bars and clubs were something rather special. I was definitely not disappointed – it’s the perfect place to start you off on a night out on the strip, a perfect blend of old-school Vegas razzle dazzle and modern elegance and sophistication. It’s another one of those Casinos you walk into and can’t help looking around wide eyed and open mouthed for the first ten minutes. There’s so much to see, it’s a real feast for the eyes. The bars are pricey (as are most of the bars on the strip) but it’s worth it for the experience if only just for a couple. There’s wall to wall pink and white “crystals” hanging in 30ft chandeliers from the ceiling and even the slot machines are adorned with drapes and fabrics, it’s really something. I’m a lover of all things camp and glitzy, but I was there with a few friends who found it a bit gaudy and over the top.
My argument remains that if you’re in Las Vegas, you might as well bring out the Bling and pull out every stop where the glitz is concerned. If you’re only here for a few nights, you can handle a bit of flamboyant eye-candy. It’s not like anybody in the place is drinking here every night of the year – you’ll be pushed to find locals on the strip at the best of times, but add an extra $10 onto the price of every single drink at this casino and the locals stay away for the most part (well, the sane ones anyway). It’s a fun night out, and while I appreciate the decor might not be for everyone, it’s an experience I’d urge you to have if you’ve got an hour or two to spare in Vegas.
I am already counting down the days til my next Sin City trip (this coming June) and it cannot come soon enough. It just doesn’t get boring, and it doesn’t matter how much money I lose at the Blackjack table or how many cameras I leave in random nightclub toilets or how many cocktails I regret the next morning, I always come back for more. Vegas was designed for mugs like me, the drinks are expensive, the company is trashy and the casino always wins, but I can’t help but feel quite comfortable with it all. It’s like being patted on the backside by someone you secretly fancy; You know you should be insulted, but you can’t help feeling a weeny bit pleased with yourself. Roll on June 1st.
