Vacations Blog

Fireworks light up the Las Vegas Strip, ringing in the New Year.

It’s that time of year again, when we bid farewell to past and ring in the New Year. What better place to welcome 2009 than Las Vegas. From spectacular fireworks to VIP parties to star-studded performances to celebrating with 300,000 revelers on the Las Vegas Strip, Sin City knows how to throw an unforgettable New Year’s Eve party to suite anyone’s style.

Planning a New Year’s vacation to Las Vegas? Here are some tips:

• Book as early as possible. With 300,000 visitors in town, hotel rooms usually sell out early and prices increase dramatically as the holiday approaches.  Luckily, this year’s gloomy economic conditions have resulted in fewer expected visitors than years past. This means lower room rates and special vacation packages are available, so shop around.
• If you’re not staying at a hotel on Las Vegas Boulevard then arrive early. Traffic can be incredibly challenging, and often times frustrating, as The Strip is closed to all traffic at 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. This transforms the usually congested roadway into a giant pedestrian party spot. If you plan on celebrating on The Strip, early afternoon arrival is recommended so you can claim a parking spot at a hotel /casino parking garage. Parking becomes increasingly hard to find as the evening hours approach.

The Las Vegas Monorail makes travel along The Strip quick and easy.

• If you’re staying on The Strip, the best way to get from one end to the other is the Las Vegas Monorail.  It runs from the Sahara Hotel & Casino to the MGM Grand Hotel with stops at the Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas Convention Center, Harrah’s/Imperial Palace, Flamingo/Caesar’s Palace, and Bally’s/Paris Las Vegas.  Cost for passengers is $5.00 per person or you may purchase a day pass, offering unlimited rides, for $12.00.
   
• For a smaller, yet just as enthusiastic crowd, head Downtown to the Fremont Street Experience and ring in the New Year with a spectacular light show under its famous canopy. A highlight this year is Tribute Palooza, featuring 14 live tribute bands blasting the music of Aerosmith, U2, Queen and The Rolling Stones, among others. The event is free for locals with valid Nevada identification and only $20 for visitors.  As on The Strip, arrive early for best parking.
   
• If you don’t like hanging out with the masses on The Strip or on Fremont Street, many of the hotels host VIP parties. There are also special musical performances and Las Vegas’ world-famous stage productions providing New Year’s Eve entertainment. You can also see and be seen as you dance the night away with Hollywood stars at one of Las Vegas’ exclusive night clubs. However, if you choose one of these options, be prepared to spend money as they can be expensive. Check with your hotel’s concierge or check out Visit Las Vegas for an event that suites your taste and pocketbook.

Enjoy live music at the Fremont Street Experience.

• Despite the fact that it’s winter, you’d be amazed how many visitors don’t realize that it gets down right cold in the desert. Be sure to bundle up if you plan to venture out on The Strip on New Year’s Eve. And don’t worry, many of the parties and shows have coat check so you can still celebrate in style once indoors.
   
• Don’t do anything stupid. Any time you have a gathering of hundreds of thousands of people jammed into a relatively small area, you’re bound to get a few bad apples. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is vigilant in keeping the peace on the The Strip allowing everyone, young and old, to celebrate safely. In fact, over the past few years there have been no major incidents bringing down the party. Just remember, no crowd diving, climbing light poles or kissing strangers who don’t want to be kissed as the New Year rings in. The last thing you want is to spend your New Year’s Day in jail or an emergency room.
   
• Once the New Year has arrived stick around. A lot of people will be leaving all at once creating a traffic jam. Instead of rushing out of the area, you can head indoors to grab a midnight meal, enjoy time reminiscing about the past year and planning for the future with family and friends at a lounge or bar, or win a big jackpot in a casino to start 2009 off with a bang.

Las Vegas Premium Outlets is located in downtown Las Vegas and features the finest designer labels.

Some people come to Las Vegas to gamble. Others come to eat at the city’s fine restaurants or party at popular night spots. Then there are others who come to Las Vegas exclusively to shop. With three major outlet malls offering bargains on designer label merchandise, Las Vegas is the perfect vacation destination for the holiday shopping season.

Located at 875 South Grand Central Parkway in downtown, the Las Vegas Premium Outlets is an outdoor mall featuring more than 150 stores, including retailers A|X Armani Exchange, Ann Taylor, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan and Dolce & Gabbana, among others. 

Whether you’re staying at a hotel nearby, such as the popular Golden Nugget or Main Street Station Hotel Casino, or at a resort on the Las Vegas Strip, you can take advantage of the mall’s extended holiday shopping hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

A newly constructed parking garage provides convenient parking at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets, however it can fill up. Early arrival is recommended to avoid the deluge of vehicles. Bus service is available from anywhere along the Las Vegas Strip. Take route 301on The Deuce, a double-decker bus, to the Downtown Transportation Center. From there, take the Downtown Shoppers’ Express or route 106 or 108 south. It picks up every 20 minutes. 

Las Vegas Outlet Center is located on the Las Vegas Strip.

At 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South near Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas Outlet Center features 130 stores, including Adidas, Ashworth-Callaway Golf, Calvin Klein, Coach, Gymboree, Liz Claiborne, Nautica, Nike, Reebok and Tommy Hilfiger. A favorite store for holiday gifts is Harry & David. Their baskets of fruit, salsas and other gourmet foods can be purchased on site and shipped to anywhere in the country.

Bus service to the mall from nearly all hotels on the Las Vegas Strip on The Deuce is available. For added convenience, nearby hotels include the Silverton Lodge and Casino and the South Point Hotel and Casino.

Located about a half hour south of Las Vegas on the California state line in Primm, the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas is considered a favorite for visitors and locals alike. The indoor mall features more than 100 stores, including Neiman Marcus Last Call, Polo Ralph Lauren, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Tommy Bahama, BCBG and Versace.

Located on the California state line, Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas features more than 100 stores.

The Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas operates a daily Shoppers’ Shuttle from the Las Vegas Strip with departures from the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and the Fashion Show Mall. The round-trip fare is only $15.00 and includes a complimentary Savings Book with more than $800 in savings at participating stores. Shopping packages are also available and include shuttle service, dining, discounts and gifts. For visitors with a car, from Las Vegas take I-15 south to the Primm exit.

To turn your trip to the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas into a shopping vacation, the mall is connected to the Primm Valley Resort & Casino. Nearby are Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s.

All three outlet malls offer VIP club memberships, providing additional discounts and shopping privileges. Visit the malls’ information centers to sign up and save.

From popular toys to designer label clothing, you’re sure to find great gifts for friends and family at a great price during your holiday shopping vacation in Las Vegas.

Photos by Las Vegas Premium Outlets, Las Vegas Outlet Center and Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas.

The Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas.

Looking for a certain je ne sais quoi for your next Las Vegas vacation? Luckily the era of themed resorts added a little French to the center of the Las Vegas Strip. Whether planning a risqué weekend with a partner or a rendezvous with family and friends, the centerpiece of a French inspired vacation is Paris Las Vegas. The resort, along with a variety of French restaurants and stage productions on The Strip, offer vacationers who can’t afford a trip to Paris a taste of the famed City of Light with the added excitement of Sin City, of course.

Upon arrival at the 2,915 room Paris Las Vegas Resort & Casino the essence of Paris is overwhelming apparent as the front facade of the elaborate and luxurious structure is designed to emulate elements of the Paris Opera House and the Louvre. Its architecture also incorporates many of the famous sights of Paris, including a 540-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower, now a signature of the LasVegas Skyline, a neon sign in the shape of the Montgolfier balloon, a two-thirds size Arc de Triomphe and a La Fontaine des Mers. This picturesque resort is sure to make any vacationer utter “c’est magnifique!”

The Eiffel Tower
Start your vacation on a high note with a trip up the Eiffel Tower. Don’t forget your camera because the observation deck provides extraordinary views up and down the Las Vegas Strip and a 360° panorama of the entire Las Vegas Valley.

Tickets may be purchased at the Eiffel Tower Box Office located inside the casino. The cost is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 65 and older and children 6-12; free for children younger than 5. From 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., when the Las Vegas Strip lights up, admission is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and children. Family packages (two adults and two children) are available for $30 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Strip north from the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

A Culinary Adventure
If you’re like me, you’re really into food. Paris Las Vegas’ restaurants turn vacationers into the bon vivant with an offering of everything from the classical French cuisine to the Pan Asian Parisian.

Popular for its al fresco dining, with an up close view of the impressive Fountains of Bellagio, Mon Ami Gabi French Bistro offers a simplistic French menu with everything from traditional Hors D’Oeuvres to Steak Frites. The restaurant’s desserts, including profiteroles and crème brûlée, are awe inspiring. A children’s menu offers a number of kid-friendly meals, including macaroni and cheese and burgers.

Reservations at Mon Ami Gabi are highly recommended for indoor seating. Unfortunately, seats on the patio are first-come, first-serve. Since they are highly sought by guests, a request may result in a long wait as guest tend to stay a while. Of course, who can blame them for enjoying a café au lait and the stunning view after their meal?

Another great restaurant with al fresco dining is Ah Sin, offering an Asian Fusion menu with a diverse collection of flavors and cooking techniques from the Pacific Rim. Reservations are recommended for both patio and indoor dining.

You’ll say “bon appetite” as you make a toast to the dazzling lights 100 feet below your table at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Located on the 11th floor of the iconic structure, the restaurant is fine dining with view. The restaurant serves the most acclaimed French cuisine available in the city, including a flawlessly seasoned lamb and foie gras that’s unrivaled. To ensure a seat with the best view, reservations are required.

It’s all about great food and ambiance at the two-story, art deco inspired Les Artistes Steakhouse. The restaurant’s à la carte menu offers a variety of specialties, including grilled rack of lamb, a 50-ounce porterhouse steak, and roasted whole Maine lobster and tasty poultry dishes. Reservations at Les Artiste Steakhouse are recommended.

In all, Paris Las Vegas offers 11 dining options, from the low-cost, no-frills to the epicurean experience. There are also a variety of French restaurants in the Las Vegas resort corridor, including Daniel Boulud Brasserie at Wynn, Alizé at the Palms, Fleur de Lys at Mandalay Bay, Joël Robuchon at the Mansion at MGM Grand, Le Cirque at Bellagio, and finally the famous Pamplemousse, located at 400 E. Sahara Avenue.

No matter your appetite, you’re sure to find the right French meal for the occasion.

Bring on the Night
After the sun sets behind the Spring Mountains to the west and the neon glows, Paris Las Vegas’ nighttime establishments come to life. From the ultra-chic Risqué Nightclub, to the charming Le Cabaret lounge to the lively Napoleon’s Bar, guests are sure to find the right setting for an all night vacation celebration.

Paris Las Vegas’ location at the center of the LasVegas Strip also provides for easy travel to city’s most popular nightclubs, including Pure at Caesar’s Palace, LAX at Luxor, Tao at the Venetian and Tryst at Wynn. Take a taxi, limo, the Las Vegas Monorail or a walk along the Strip to find your ultimate party spot.

And who can forget the shows of Cirque du Soleil. Okay, the shows are not a product of France, but Canada’s Quebec province, so they are still essentially French. There are now six Cirque du Soleil shows at various hotels in Las Vegas: O at Bellagio, Mystere at Treasure Island, Ka at MGM Grand, Zumanity at New York-New York, Love at the Mirage and the newest show, Criss Angel’s Believe. Tickets for these shows are expensive, but well worth the money.

From the street, the 540-foot Eiffel Tower extends into the clouds.

The Spa Treatment
After a night out, a spa treatment at Paris Las Vegas’ Spa by Mandara provides the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation. Massages and facials, as well as other beautification packages are available. For folks not willing to skip their fitness routine, the spa also features a fully equipped fitness center, personal training and steam and saunas rooms.