Vacations Blog

This is where the wild things are.

Tomorrow may be Halloween, but if your town is anything like mine the festivities will be in full swing tonight as well. There are neighborhood parties and pumpkins to carve and apples to bob. And there are costumed children everywhere.

What does that mean to you? It means that whichever way your travels may take you this weekend you need to play it smart. Cabs, buses, subways – these are good ideas. In fact, the best costume in the room just might be the designated driver.

But you knew that. Just keep your eye(s) on the other guy, yes, the one dressed as a keg.

Photos by Whit Honea

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

Party like a rock star in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has thrived on witty slogans, such as “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” “Las Vegas: What you want. When you want,” and “Your Vegas is showing.” Regardless of the vacation Mecca’s strategically contrived marketing campaigns to attract visitors, there’s never been any doubt about the uninhibited fun and exhilaration offered in Sin City.

Truly, where else can vacationers go to eat, drink, gamble, dance and mingle alongside actors (A-list to Z-list), wealthy heiresses and rock stars? 

I still have very vivid memories of playing Blackjack with Jenny McCarthy, having cocktails with Dennis Rodman (when he was still in the NBA), hanging out with Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails and getting a drink spilled on me by an extremely inebriated Paulie Shore. Okay, the latter wasn’t fun, but you can see the variety of celeb-types that hang out in Vegas.

If carefully planned – choosing the right place and the right time – you  can “do” Vegas like a rock star and even bump into some real ones during your night out on the town. Here are some tips:

1. First, and most important, leave the kids at home. While it’s fun to plan family vacations, sometimes it’s essential for dads and moms to have some fun “adult” time.
    
2. 

   Dress the part and you'll be ready to party like a rock star.

   Definitely dress to impress. Many vacationers come to Vegas with nothing more than shorts, t-shirts and a pair of flip flops. While these clothes may be acceptable for an afternoon poolside, they’re definitely not for hitting the party scene. Dress codes are strictly enforced at all of the top lounges and clubs, so be sure to pack appropriately or you’ll be turned away.

3. Prepare to spend some money. As you might expect, living the glam life doesn’t come cheap. It takes a little bit of cash to party like a rock star. If you’re planning a vacation, be sure to bring enough of your hard earned money to make the trip worth it, otherwise you‘ll be watching other people have fun instead of having it yourself. For example, when going out to a popular club or ultra lounge, it’s best to call ahead and make a reservation for bottle service, which can cost $1,000 or more. Instead of being cramped on the dance floor, you’ll have a sanctuary to rest your feet, socialize and have some drinks without a long wait at the crowded bar. A reserved table also gets you on the VIP list so you can bypass the long line to get in the door. Reservations can be made through your hotel’s concierge desk.
    
4. Choose your vacation time strategically. Celebrities flock to popular events, such as concerts, big ticket boxing bouts, club, hotel or restaurant openings, holidays, etc. Plan ahead by checking the Las Vegas calendar for upcoming events.
    
5. Stay at a “hot” hotel. Celebrities love the Palms, Hard Rock, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and Caesar’s Palace and Venetian. If you plan on having a rock star vacation, you’re probably not going want to book the local Motel 6. See tip number two.
    
6. 

   Nothing compares to the nightlife in Las Vegas.

   Ask around for the night’s hot spot. The place to see and be seen varies from night to night. On some nights it may be Lavo at Palazzo and on other nights it might be Tao at the Venetian or XS at Wynn. Sometimes celebrities host parties at nightclubs, so inquiring can direct you to the best place.

Now that you have your tips, remember to let your inhibitions go. You’re on vacation in Vegas, so live a little. It’s time to momentarily forget about the kids, work, etc. and let loose and truly party like a rock star. That also means you should be prepared to stay out all night long. Don’t worry; you can spend the following day resting by the pool.

Photos by Las Vegas News Bureau and Barbara Kraft.

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.