Access Vegas Insider Vibe July 30, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

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Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
Save up to 15% Off at Harrahs Palace Las Vegas

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

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Latest Las Vegas Concerts Added This Week!

There is no better place to see your favorite acts then in Las Vegas! You’re relaxed, can enjoy a fine meal, have some cocktails without the worry of driving, and no alarm is going to jar you awake all too early the next morning.

August 2014
    • Carrot Top July 30-August 4 Click for Tickets
    • Josh Abbott Band & The Railers July 31 Click for Tickets
    • The Budos Band August 1 Click for Tickets
    • Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone August 1-3 Click for Tickets
    • David Copperfield August 1-Sept 8 Click for Tickets
    • Kix Brooks August 2 Click for Tickets
    • Deer Tick August 5 Click for Tickets
    • Kumukahi Ukelele & Hula Festival August 8-9 Click for Tickets
    • Los Tucanes de Tijuana August 9 Click for Tickets
    • Foxygen August 12 Click for Tickets
    • Lake Street Drive August 13 Click for Tickets
    • Carrot Top August 13-18 Click for Tickets
    • BoDeans August 22 Click for Tickets
    • Rickey Smiley August 22-23 Click for Tickets
    • Blackberry Smoke August 29 Click for Tickets
    • Bill Medley with McKenna Medley August 29-31 Click for Tickets
    • Charlie Wilson August 30 Click for Tickets
    • Bachman & Turner August 30 Click for Tickets
    • King of the Cage August 30 Click for Tickets
September 2014
    • Atmosphere September 3 Click for Tickets
    • Susie Essman September 5-6 Click for Tickets
    • Dr. Mehmet Oz September 6 Click for Tickets
    • Neil Sedaka September 6-7 Click for Tickets
    • Bob Saget September 13 Click for Tickets
    • Mr. Olympia Fitness & Performance September 19 Click for Tickets
    • REO Speedwagon September 19-20 Click for Tickets
    • David Copperfield Sept 23û30 Click for Tickets
    • Paula Poundstone September 26-27 Click for Tickets
October 2014
    • Disney Live MickeyÆs Music Festival October 3-5 Click for Tickets
    • Jimmy Buffett And The Coral Reefer Band October 18 Click for Tickets
    • Laura Pausini October 19 Click for Tickets
    • NBA Preseason: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings October 24 Click for Tickets
    • Jimmy Buffett And The Coral Reefer Band October 25 Click for Tickets
November – December 2014
  • Kiss November 5-23 Click for Tickets
  • Judas Priest & Steel Panther November 14 Click for Tickets
  • Alabama December 11-12 Click for Tickets

Click To View ALL Concerts, Headliners, And Events In Las Vegas

Top Tickets For All United States Events

Did you know that we not only sell premium concert and event tickets for Las Vegas, but also for the entire United States as well? If you can’t make it to Vegas, treat yourself to some great seats for something near you:

NFL Tickets Aerosmith Tickets
– Denver Broncos Tickets Beyonce + Jay Z Tickets
– Seattle Seahawks Tickets Billy Joel Tickets
– Chicago Bears Tickets Drake Tickets
– New Orleans Saints Tickets Enrique Iglesias + Pitbull
– Dallas Cowboys Tickets Garth Brooks Tickets
– Green Bay Packers Tickets Jason Aldean Tickets
– Arizona Cardinals Tickets Justin Timberlake Tickets
– Baltimore Ravens Tickets Katy Perry Tickets
– San Francisco 49ers Tickets Lollapalooza Tickets
Baseball Tickets Luke Bryan Tickets
– New York Yankees Tickets Motley Crue Tickets
– Los Angeles Angels Tickets One Direction Tickets
College Football Tickets Paul McCartney Tickets
US Open Tennis Tickets Kiss + Def Leppard Tickets

This Week’s Top Tours

Visit Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, Black Mountains, Eagle Point, Hoover Dam photo op, more. Day tour from Vegas!
See the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Mojave Desert, and more direct from Las Vegas. The Full day tour is only $229 including snacks, lunch, and fees!
Stunning Valley Of Fire buggy tour: See the sights guides, then explore on your own! (Friends will be jealous).

Featured Tour Video From Las Vegas

You can book this amazing flight now and save $21! Neon Nights Air Tour

Click Here To See More Great Tours…

ALL tours listed on our AccessVegas.com tour page (link above) have been hand-selected. We only work with the top, most professional companies and operators who vow to give our readers a great experience! Because of this, we can not recommend nor vouch for tours not listed on here in the newsletter or on our tour page. Questions? Our tour page lists phone contacts where tour experts are available for live help!


Great Casino Destinations

Gaming expert Victor H. Royer is back with more tips on winning at the casino!


Las Vegas Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

Vanna White Attends MAMMA MIA! At The New Tropicana Las Vegas – Wheel of Fortune” hostess Vanna White attended the smash-hit musical MAMMA MIA! at The New Tropicana Las Vegas. Vanna went backstage to meet the cast and was greeted with a fun surprise by the company-they had created “Wheel of Fortune”-type letters spelled out as M-A-M-M-A-M-I-A (pictured in attached photo). Vanna and the cast had a fun time posing with the letters as she expressed her excitement for their performance.

PS Yes, we know that Mamma Mia! is unfortunately closing on August 3. You only have a couple more days left to check it out!

KISS Rocks Las Vegas November 5 – 23, 2014 – Rock æn’ roll legends KISS celebrate 40 years as music icons with their first-ever residency, KISS Rocks Vegas, at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas starting Wednesday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 23. Show time is 8 p.m.

ôWhat happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas, not if we have anything to do with it. We intend to blow the roof off the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,ö said Gene Simmons, founding member of KISS.

Shania Twain Announces Final Shows Of “Shania: Still The One” At The Colosseum At Caesars Palace – Not many performers have impacted Las Vegas quite like Shania Twain, including a ride down the famed Las Vegas Strip with a stampede of horses to bringing her legendary country-glamour to fans around the world, but today Shania announced the end of her two-year residency SHANIA: STILL THE ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with the final show set for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014.

Shania will have performed close to 110 shows during the course of her two years at The Colosseum which began on Dec. 1, 2012. Shania was also recently named ôBest Resident Performerö in the Las Vegas WeeklyÆs annual ôBest of Vegas 2014? issue.

Book Absinthe Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

 

Book MAMMA MIA! Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

 

 

 

Book Jersey Boys Las Vegas Tickets Now


Las Vegas Sports And Stadiums

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Tours And Attractions

Siegfried And Roy Introduce Three White Lion Cubs To Their New Home At The Mirage – Three new white lion cubs, the latest additions to the Siegfried & Roy animal family, appeared for the first time in public on July 18, 2014 at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage.

The cubs – Freedom, Timba-Masai, and Madiba – are brothers and were born just over 12 weeks ago in Johannesburg, South Africa. They join more than 30 other endangered and majestic animals at the Secret Garden at The Mirage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Your Valley Of Fire Buggy Tour Today

 

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


Dining In Las Vegas

Showgoers Can Now Dine Like A Boss With The New Pre-Theater Menu At Buddy V’s Ristorante – Showgoers can now rejoice in a hearty Italian meal sure to keep their stomachs from growling all the way through curtain call with the new Pre-Theater nightly menu at Buddy V’s Ristorante inside Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian|Palazzo. The Pre Theater menu is available nightly from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. for $38 per person (not including tax and gratuity) and includes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Economy And Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Beers, Bars, And Cocktails

Out With The Old, In With The Classics: The All-New Lobby Bar Is Now Open At Caesars Palace – The newest addition to the Caesars Palace bar and lounge scene, Lobby Bar is a premiere cocktail destination. The former Galleria Bar, Lobby Bar features expansive lounge seating, enwrapping the front-desk reception area to the Palace Court Baccarat tables, and a highly curated beverage menu with classic concoctions and exclusive creations.

The extensive cocktail menu designed by The Modern Mixologist, Tony Abou-Ganim, offers an eclectic selection of classic libations and contemporary specialties. Bringing with him more than 20 years of experience, Tony collaborated on the menu development as well as assisted with training bar staff, stressing both quality ingredients and proper technique. Developing eight specialty drinks on the menu, Tony was able to showcase his immaculate talent for mixology with the Just for Mary cocktail.

 

 

 


More Las Vegas News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Monsoon season is upon us and we saw some pretty intense rain a few days ago, with flooding that nearly wiped out one of the villages up on Mt. Charleston. Now, I know the roof on my back patio leaks in a terrible deluge! (Knock on wood, the roof of my house is fine). Highs are right around statistical average (104 F / 40c), but the humidity is up. If you are coming the next few days, expect it to be a little more sticky. We do have a “cold snap” this weekend with Sunday only projected to be 89 F (32c) and thundery! But, that is the exception for the next couple of weeks.

No, You Are Not Imagining It – Room rates for Las Vegas are creeping up. In June, The Strip average was $123 and downtown was $72. And yes, I was myself surprised at that average for downtown myself. Did you know when the SLS (former Sahara) comes online toward the end of August, Las Vegas will top 150,000 rooms? What is more impressive is that weekend occupancy is nearly 95%. A little math means weekends have around 142,000 full rooms, which means around 300,000+ people in town!

Weekdays tend to have around 10,000 fewer occupied rooms. So, for those of you who want to avoid the weekend party crowd from California and have more elbow room and save a few bucks, hit us up here on the weeknights. Use your weekend at home to recover and get back into the swing of things!

Another tip which I like to remind everyone of from time-to-time is to avoid the three day weekends. Yes, at first it seems like a great situation because you use one less vacation day. But between the much higher room prices and extreme crowds, you are much better off visiting either the weekend before or after a major holiday weekend if you are sandwiching a weekend into a longer stay. The week before and after a major holiday are less crowded and less expensive here, completely making up for the extra vacation day you end up using!

McCarran Medical Clinic and Pharmacy – If you have the very unfortunate need of medical care or medicine while at the Las Vegas airport, a new a full-service pharmacy with licensed medical providers on staff has opened. Unfortunately, pharmacy and medical provider hours are only 9 AM to 6 PM, although the store is open until 9 PM selling TSA-approved sundries.

The Flame Goes Out – The much-loved steakhouse at the El Cortez is getting a makeover into a 24 hour restaurant, which will be called Siegel’s 1941. The name reflects the part- ownership in the property that Bugsy Siegel had in the 1940’s. On one hand, I’m sorry to see the change. I’d take dates there in the 1990’s because it was a great steakhouse (named Roberta’s at the time) while still very affordable as far as steakhouses go. Same with the old Center Stage at The Plaza. On the other hand, after years of Las Vegas cutting the hours of operation of their coffee shops (or getting rid of them altogether), it is nice to see a property bucking the trend.

Vegas Myths And Misconceptions – In this business, I do a ton of homework. I read various blogs and Las Vegas forums on big travel websites for trip reports, watch tons of Vegas YouTube videos, and more. I am constantly astounded by the myths and misinformation about Las Vegas that continues to be spread! I call it “the blind leading the blind”.

Some of it is honest mistakes, I get it. People get home and remember something wrong (like suggesting that MGM Resorts owns Cosmo or Caesars, which does matter if you are using players cards). Some of it is crazy stuff from the past, like the myth that hotels pump oxygen into the casino (a myth that won’t seem to die), and some of it are misconceptions that people have who have never visited. (They don’t drink or gamble, so they would not enjoy Vegas).

So, we wanted to ask you: What are some of the “sure fire” tips you heard which turned out to be bogus (perhaps they were valid in 1993 when I moved here)? What are the worst or most crazy notions people you know think about Las Vegas when you tell them you enjoy visiting here? What about Las Vegas is out there that people are noting and repeating that simply isn’t true? Are you the “black sheep” in your office or organization because you enjoy spending time in our city? Send them to AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com and we’ll share as many of them as possible!

P.S. Pumping oxygen into a casino would not only be prohibitively expensive, but create a higher probability of any fire getting out of hand. The reason you feel all jacked up when you are here because all the noise/music/excitement has your adrenalin going and also because you are walking a couple miles per day, which has your blood moving. In fact, if you are thinking about taking on an exercise program that involves walking or jogging, start it a couple of days after you get home from here! You’re body will already be conditioned to get moving.

Rio Voodoo ZipLine – Is open from noon to midnight, and costs $24.95 (Both price and hours have been reduced from when they opened a few weeks ago). We’ll have a report on it soon!

Fremont Street Experience Downtown Las Vegas New Liquor Restrictions – A couple of weeks ago, we noted that when on the Fremont Street Experience downtown, you must now 1. Only buy liquor for mall consumption from a casino and 2. It must be in a plastic cup when you are outdoors.

Now, the restrictions have tightened still. If/when you buy any booze from one of the convenience stores on the mall, they must put it in a bag, and close the bag with the receipt visible. If you walkáout of the store, stop on the mall, and pull the liquor out of the bag to pour it in a plastic cup, you are in violation of the law. The only place you can consume the convenience store liquor is in your hotel room (or back at your house if you are a local, although we locals can obviously buy their liquor at the local grocery store).

What is the bottom line? You MUST buy your liquor at the casinos on Fremont Street if you choose to drink it on the mall. You MUST put it in a plastic cup. (IE, you can’t walk a bottle or can of beer from casino to casino). You can NOT purchase liquor at a convenience store and pour it in a plastic cup for consumption. Except and unless you take the liquor to your room and consume it there or pour it in a plastic up up there. By the way, pouring it into a plastic cup in your room and bringing it back to the mall is also technically a violation. But obviously, not prosecutable.

None of this applies to The Strip. Speaking of The Strip…

99 Cent Shrimp Cocktail Returns – Back in the “good old days” of Las Vegas, the Golden Gate had a 99 cent shrimp cocktail. That went bye-bye with their remodel which removed their famed deli. (Which we still dearly miss). Fortunately, the Haute Doggery in Linq has returned the tradition, and you don’t even have to go downtown! For the rest of the summer, they are offering 99 cent shrimp cocktails (a practice that we hope will be continued longer).

Farewell For Now – August 2014 starts a new era with this newsletter. We’ll continue to offer a free version of it, but without Newkirk’s Notes and Members Mania with all of the insider tips that help you have a great vacation and save you time and money. The free version will continue to have the news and story links, but will contain more advertising over time to help cover costs.

Note to family, close friends, business associates, media (print/blog/podcast): Yes, we will comp you a subscription. Hit the reply button and let us know.

I’ll be over there every issue with the premium subscribers with more tips and advice than ever, more ways to save money, guaranteed answers to questions, and our new Vegas Super Secret Specials Spreadsheet (list) with will easily help premium members save more than the cost of the membership!

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe Premium Membership Details

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Puneet Adobe


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Rock Of Ages At The Venetian – Watch show star, Mark Shunock, get into character and talk about his role in this good-time, party concert revival of the 80’s!

Book Rock Of Ages Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

  • “Las Vegas Playground USA” 1964 Tourism Movie – Fantastic color shots of Vegas in its swinging heyday! See the old McCarran airport, casinos like the Stardust and Thunderbird, fun in the sun at the pools, recreation on Lake Mead, golf, horseback riding in the surrounding mountains (you can still do this, see the tour link below), and finish with a vintage look at old Fremont Street and Strip shows.

 

Book Your Maverick Breakfast Horseback Ride Tour Today

Book Your Wild West Horseback Sunset BBQ Dinner Ride Today

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I know you have had many comments and questions regarding the ôlong haulingö that taxi drivers do in Vegas.

I no longer allow myself to be long hauled as I give specific instruction on how I want to be taken to the hotel and ask the cab driver before I get in it if he is going to argue with the way I tell them how to get there.

I have, however, had them charging extra at the end of the ride like $3.75 or something like that saying that it is some sort of fee that does not show up on the meter. Not every cab driver does this so I have become suspicious of whether or not this is a legitimate charge. My guess is that it is not. I have always been a generous tipper so IÆm not sure of the need to always get ripped off my the drivers.

I have now heard of a new scam going on regarding hotel lines for cabs. The employees are offering for $20 to let you cut to the front of the line and they are pocketing the money and allowing you to cut in front of people who have been waiting their turn.

All of this overcharging and scamming people is becoming a real turn off. I understand people make a living from their tips, but cheating people is not the way to obtain more money. I hope they remember what goes around comes around.

Have you heard of any of this? Thanks.

Rose

 

Ted Responds:

Note: Rose is a paid subscriber, and one of the benefits of being a paid subscriber is that we guarantee to answer your Las Vegas questions (within reason). We live here. We either know, know who to call, what to check with, or can actually walk our our front door and find out. (I live about 5 minutes from The Strip and Rick lives within walking distance).

If you still have not signed up, we’ll let you in at the introductory price for just a few more days. Then, the offer is gone until September when you have to pay full price to get in:

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe Premium Membership Details

Hi Rose,

Good questions:

* There is a $3.30 charge on the meter at activation. You are essentially paying $3.30 to start your trip. Unless you are starting from the airport, which adds another $2.00 surcharge. Hence, when you first step into a cab at the airport, you have already shelled out the approximate price of an airport shuttle!

Shuttles have their pros and cons. You know the price, but depending on how many hotels they have to drop off, you could be in for a 45 or even 60 minute ride.

* The ONLY fee they are allowed to add at the end of a trip (above what is on the meter) is a credit card fee. Note: Not all Las Vegas cabs take credit cards yet. Hence, if you were hit with the fee and using your credit card, now you know what it was (although the driver should have been very specific about it).

* If the driver otherwise demands money above what is on the meter, he is lying. At that point, I would get your bags, only pay what is on the meter, and not tip him. Yes, you can report him, but it will be your word against his and he will claim you misunderstood him.

* The taxi authority has recently put out a very, very helpful pamphlet which you can print off here

It has approximate fares to many hotels, the best routes, a place to write down info if you feel that you were wronged, and both the phone number and website where you can file a complaint!

While unfortunate, I would not trust much of anything a cabbie says. I’ve been long-hauled, told incorrect information, you name it. (I just act like a tourist so I can see how they treat real visitors). They act all chummy and helpful in a quest for a bigger tip, not because they know what they are talking about.

* If you are going to pay an unscrupulous taxi loader to skip the line, first ask how much a limo to your destination is. They will probably get a kickback, which means that you can give them a couple of bucks, spend the $20 you were going to give them on the limo, you’ll find that may be about the same fare as taxi vs. limo. Past that, hotels that find their taxi loaders are doing this are not pleased. Those guys are already making a nice living just by getting a tip every time they open a cab door for guests!

Hope this helps!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

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Access Vegas Insider Vibe July 12, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Did someone forward this to you and you’d like to be on our list? Sign up at AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now!
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Neon Dream Vegas helicopter tour, soar out to and over Hoover Dam/Lake Mead, Fremont Experience and entire Strip!
Vegas Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride. Unforgettable views and memories. An experience your friends can’t top!
Visit Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, Black Mountains, Eagle Point, Hoover Dam photo op, more. Day tour from Vegas!

Featured Tour Video From Las Vegas

You can book this amazing flight now and save $21! Neon Nights Air Tour

Click Here To See More Great Tours…

ALL tours listed on our AccessVegas.com tour page (link above) have been hand-selected. We only work with the top, most professional companies and operators who vow to give our readers a great experience! Because of this, we can not recommend nor vouch for tours not listed on here in the newsletter or on our tour page. Questions? Our tour page lists phone contacts where tour experts are available for live help!


Great Casino Deals – Win Cards – Episode 1

This is Episode 1 of our new series of Great Casino Deals with gambling expert Victor H. Royer. In this series we will profile some of the great casino deals from Casinos in Las Vegas, including the new Win Cards from The Tropicana. Get these great cards next time you are in Las Vegas to help you win more at the table games! For more great casino deals, visit: www.MoreCasinoDeals.com


July 2014 Events And Specials

Trevi Las Vegas Makes Summer A Dream With July 2014 Specials On Pizza And Ice Cream – Trevi Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace will celebrate summer by offering brick oven-fired pizzas for $10 each throughout July along with introducing $5 house-made waffle sundaes to honor National Ice Cream Month.

To celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month, TREVI has introduced a gelato sundae served in a house-made waffle bowl, priced at $5 each. The sweet treat consists of a choice of gelato flavor, drizzled with a chocolate or caramel sauce, whipped cream and topped with sprinkles and a cherry.

Crush Las Vegas Introduces New Summer Cocktails And Beers To Complement The Season – CRUSH eat, drink, love at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino has introduced new summer cocktails and draught beers to the menu, providing refreshing relief from the hot weather. The new seasonal cocktails include:

ò Summer Love made with Bombay Sapphire gin, Pavan Liqueur, strawberry liqueur, fresh lemon juice and prosecco priced at $14;

CRUSH, eat, drink, love, is a 7,000-square-foot restaurant serving a cosmopolitan share-plate style menu with large and small plate dishes prepared by Executive Chef Billy DeMarco. Located inside MGM Grand, CRUSH is open daily for dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Hotels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dining, Drinking, And Dancing

Park On Fremont Restaurant Downtown Introduces Seasonal New Menu ItemsPark on Fremont welcomes the warmer weather with tasty new menu selections, adding refreshing salads, a new summer smash cocktail and deep fried sensations to the bar and restaurant’s offerings, available now.

Those looking for a taste of South of the Border flavors will enjoy the fish tacos, made with tempura fried Mahi fish topped with coleslaw and chipotle dressing, priced at $9; as well as the Park Paloma, a new summer cocktail made with Cazadores tequila, Pavan liqueur, fresh lime, simple syrup and a splash of grapefruit juice, priced at $8.

New Mixologist To Mix Up Las Vegas Rhumbar’s Cocktail Menu With Exciting Elixirs – RHUMBAR, located at the The Mirage Hotel & Casino, welcomes Lillian Hargrove to its team as lead bartender and award-winning mixologist.

Recently named Campari’s “Best Aperitivo” Las Vegas Champion, Hargrove brings years of mixology experience to RHUMBAR’s cocktail lounge. Through her expertise, Hargrove ensures that each beverage she concocts has a special flair that is reflective of RHUMBAR’s signature libations.

Already at the top of her game, Hargrove has concocted fresh new cocktails for the popular Strip-side bar.

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Tours And Attractions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


More Las Vegas News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Monsoon season is here, which isn’t out of the norm for July. We’ll have a few days of “normal” weather (highs in the low 100’s F), interrupted by a few days of 90’s with some humidity and thunderstorms. Not Florida-style humidity, but more than we’re used to.

MAMMA MIA! Exclusive 30% Savings To Our Readers! – Most of you got a special email from us this past week letting you know that Las Vegas’ happy hit show is giving you this great opportunity to save on a show everybody love! If you missed the email, you can still click to MAMMA MIA! Exclusive Access Vegas 30% Offer

DSC_0152 by CliffMuller, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licenseá ábyááCliffMullerá

Now, We Can Really Kiss The Las Vegas Hilton (Name) Goodbye – Westgate Time shares purchased the LVH hotel last week, and have big plans. Fortunately, they are not going to turn the whole thing into a owners-only timeshare. Although they plan to turn some of the rooms to luxury timeshare villas, it appears they pretty much still intend to operate it as a hotel casino.

New owner David Siegel may be best known to some of you from the documentary The Queen of Versailles (available streaming on Netflix) and as the man who built the PH Westgate Tower behind Planet Hollywood Hotel, which he subsequently lost it in the financial crisis.

He’s planning to put hundreds of millions of dollars into refurbishment of the iconic property, widely know as the hotel where Elvis had his huge Vegas run. The old Star Trek space will be turned into a nightclub (good luck with that at this location, unless it is a more mellow affair catering to people over 30), but also of interest is that the Shimmer Cabaret is going to be used as a lounge with free live music playing day and night. Real live music, not a DJ. How cool is that!

He’s keeping the property open during the renovations and while we’re not the kind of publication that goes crazy posting zillions of hotel construction photos, we’ll keep you in the loop on the progress. By the way, if enough people are interested in seeing more construction photos of Las Vegas, let us know. We just haven’t heard the demand. Most people just want to know when it is over!

We’re Not The Ones Using It! – Because of the drought here in the Southwest, many readers are asking about Las Vegas and water. Many visitors assume that because of our water features on The Strip, Las Vegas is a big user and waster of water. This leads people to further assume that the dropping levels in Lake Mead are our fault.

Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Although the Colorado River sits right outside our back door, more than 10 times the water we use is pumped up to 100 miles inland to the Imperial Valley of Southern California (Brawley, El Centro) to water crops. Because pretty much nobody lived in Las Vegas when they divided up rights to the river water, they didn’t figure we needed any of it!

The reality: There are more swimming pools in Southern California filled with Colorado River water than there are in Las Vegas.

Bellagio Fountains by 50 Prime, on Flickr
Creative Commons Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licenseá ábyáá50 Primeá

On a per person basis, the water used to keep the resorts looking lush and the water features running is well used. Yes, the lake at the Bellagio holds a fair amount of water (although not as much as you think as it isn’t that deep), but tens of millions of people enjoy that same amount of water. Also, a little known fact: The lake is filled with water pumped from a well, not the river. When Steve Wynn bought The Dunes hotel (where Bellagio now sits), it came with a golf course which came with well water rights. Honestly, I’ll bet the lake takes less water than the golf course did!

Having said that, if we don’t start seeing some very snowy winters in Western Colorado over the next couple of years (feeding the river at its source), Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico could start to see water restrictions. Keep that in mind if you were planning to move here and you consider a big, green lawn a must. Me? I have desert landscaping. Saves a ton on my water bill and I don’t have to mow it.

As a visitor? Don’t worry about it. Water isn’t going to be cut off to the hotels, and they are pretty water-efficient to begin with. (Saves them money). Also, shower as long as you’d like. Our wastewater is treated and then goes back into the river. (Probably just like where many of you live).

Hey Las Vegas, Can You Turn It Down? – We’ve been getting a more and more steady stream of complaints about how loud the music is all over Las Vegas. Attention Casinos, Pools, and Restaurants: These complaints are NOT coming from only retired people (whose gambling money you really need to do a better job of catering to). I’m talking about people in their 30’s! I can absolutely understand the dayclubs and party spots blasting it out. However, it is getting to the point where you can’t hold a conversation in some restaurants. Talking over a meal… what a concept!

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Puneet Adobe


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

    • MGM Resorts Presents The Park – An artist video rendering of MGM Resorts International’s project, The Park, which will connect New York-New York and Monte Carlo with an eight-acre outdoor entertainment experience. Get a peek at what is coming!

 

  • Exploring The Beauty Of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – The city has giant mega-casino hotels, decorated with lavish care and attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos often have names and themes that evoke romance, mystery, and far-away and exotic destinations. If your friends think that Las Vegas is all slot machines, have them watch this!

 

 

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Having enjoyed Las Vegas since the 50’s and enjoying each and every visit since then (except for the last 4 years due to my health), I’m ready to go again—-but—–my lovely wife thinks otherwise.

She says Las Vegas is no longer for us. Las Vegas belongs now to the younger generation and my wife and I probably (skip that and insert) assuredly would no longer enjoy Las Vegas as much. She says “It’s no longer the city it used to be, what with the constant changes with hotel themes, downtown is a madhouse and the young people are no longer polite,and rather push you aside than say ‘excuse me’.”

Judging from our last visit, I’m almost ready to agree. What say you???????

Al In Milwaukee

 

Ted Responds:

First of all, let me note that I’m envious that you got to enjoy Las Vegas in the days of the Rat Pack and through the era when Vegas was “Vegas” and a comp was a comp! And, I wish you returning to good health that allows you to travel regardless of your destination for many years to come.

I do think that we’re going to look back on this era of Las Vegas as the “directionless” era. Steve Wynn once had grand plans to build a massive complex on all the property he owns behind Wynn and Encore (where the golf course is), but the recession scrapped that and he’s busy with Macau. I bring him up because he has no equal when it comes to being a visionary about doing amazing things in Las Vegas.

This Asian-Themed Resort World (former Stardust) looks very cool, very themed, and very promising! (I hope they pin a better name on it when they are done). Perhaps it will be a wake-up call that people really, really like themed resorts. And yes, the boring names have to go. You are coming here to stay in a property that evokes some kind of emotion!

Unquestionably, the current dirty little secret is that we’ll hit a new record in numbers of visitors this year, but it is because of the 20-somethings who often come just to get out of control. We continue to receive notes that the hotel hallways have gotten a bit louder the past few years.

The guys running the two main gaming companies are more bankers and statisticians then they are gambling and entertainment gurus. Having said that, the Linq project has been received better than I anticipated. (Plus, no costumed characters)

However, what is going to happen if we lose the group that has enjoyed Vegas for what Vegas has always been? These 20-somethings are not much in the way of gamblers. The clubs are sucking money out of many of them now, but when they hit 30, are they going to instantly turn into gamblers? Or are they going to go “Vegas is nice, but we have nice malls here and I don’t club anymore, so no reason to return”?

That could be a huge wake-up call for a city built on gambling that needs to return to its roots. Sleeping in, brunch buffet, having some cocktails around the pool, a nice dinner, an amazing show, and then a good dance with lady luck will hopefully never go out of style.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe July 3, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Did someone forward this to you and you’d like to be on our list? Sign up at AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now!
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

First a Las Vegas Strip helicopter tour, then dinner at Smith & Wollensky’s is the perfect way to begin your night!
Experience Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, all of Vegas by helicopter, save 30%!
Richard Petty Rookie Tour: YOU drive the Vegas Motor Speedway in a V-8 NASCAR style car!
Vegas Indoor Skydiving, right on Vegas Strip, winds up to 120 mph, just like the real thing
See the Grand Canyon, Route 66, Mojave Desert, and more direct from Las Vegas. The Full day tour is only $229 including snacks, lunch, and fees!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…



Las Vegas Hotels

Goodbye Quad – Caesars Entertainment To Spend $223 Million On Renovations And Will Rename It LINQ Hotel & Casino – Caesars Entertainment announced its newest property, unveiling The LINQ Hotel & Casino as the latest addition to its portfolio of iconic Las Vegas resorts. Located at the heart of Center Strip at 3535 Las Vegas Boulevard, the LINQ Hotel & Casino is a complete re-imagination of the current Quad Resort & Casino.

The Las Vegas hotel will feature 2,256 brand new rooms and suites, a completely renovated welcome experience built around a signature lobby bar, all new retail and spa amenities and a dynamic new pool deck to deliver an entirely new guest experience. Combined with the world’s largest observation wheel, the High Roller, and The LINQ retail, dining and entertainment promenade, The LINQ Hotel & Casino is set to become the new social center of Las Vegas and will welcome its first guests beginning on Oct. 30, 2014.

Urban Inspired Hotel Room Design

The new resort will boast 2,256 rooms including 204 suites along with 29 cabana suites with private access to the all-new pool area. The standard room features a fresh, modern design with floor to ceiling windows, boasting views of the iconic Las Vegas Strip or the High Roller. The centerpiece of the room design will be three distinct accent wall murals featuring stylized interpretations of vintage Las Vegas glamour.

 

 

 

 

 


July 2014 Events And Specials

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

Dee Snider Of Twisted Sister Attends Rock Of Ages Las Vegas – Twisted Sister frontman, Dee Snider, attended Rock Of Ages June 27, 2014 at The Venetian Las Vegas. Snider, who performed the role of “Dennis Dupree” in Rock of Ages during a three-month stint on Broadway in 2010, headed backstage following the show to share words of enthusiasm with the cast and to take a photo. Snider also shared his sentiments in a tweet saying, “What a great show! @rockofagesvegas @VenetianVegas ROCKS! Must see! What a great cast! #facemelted #nogolf #ridetolivelivetoride.”

 

 

Book Frankie Moreno Las Vegas Tickets Now

 


Alcohol Freedoms And Restrictions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


More Las Vegas News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

 

 

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:


Hello From Las Vegas! – A pretty toasty Las Vegas as we’re getting one of our 2-3 “heat waves” we experience in the summer where the temperatures get over 110F for a few days in a row. We’re used to it and many of us actually don’t mind it. We don’t shovel snow, and we don’t have to layer clothing, we don’t have to put on a warm jacket to go to the grocery store (except at night in the dead of winter).

However, do like a local and stay very hydrated. You are certainly allowed to ask the bartender for an ice-water back with your beer or cocktail. (I often ask for them to use a pint glass and fill it halfway with ice and then full of water, then tip and extra dollar, which beats paying $4 for a bottle of water with three gulps worth in it).

Also, that tap water in your hotel room is very, very safe to drink. Otherwise we’d have 2 million sick people in town (we locals). It does come out of the mineral-rich Colorado River, so it may not taste as good as the tap water some of you enjoy in other places.

However if you don’t have (or are unwilling to buy) bottled water, it will do the trick! Get a couple glasses in you whenever you return to your room, and ESPECIALLY after a night on the town. Dehydration can mean the difference between a mild hangover and a really bad one. Get another glass or two of it down when you wake up. Trust me, you’ll thank me. Our dry desert air dehydrates you way more than you realize!

In our news section is the big story about The Quad being renamed The Linq in conjunction with the $238 million remodel of the property, top to bottom. One thing that confused me (and that I don’t have an answer to yet) is the fact that they are adding bars and lounges. To the casino? Does this mean they are going to take what many consider a very bland casino design and give it some ooomph? The story just broke, so I don’t know yet. However, we’ll be on top of it!

NOTE: The following was meant to run last issue and inadvertently left out.

R.I.P. Steve Rossi – We sadly note the passing of legendary comedian Steve Rossi, a local resident and best known as 1/2 one-half of the legendary comedy team of Allen and Rossi. A decades-long Las Vegas resident, he was supportive of other shows and performers in town up until nearly the end, attending many of our entertainment options regularly. He was also very instrumental in launching the career of the late Danny Gans.

As I’m in my late 40’s, they were a bit before my time. However, I’d love to jump in a time machine and go back to the 50’s and 60’s and experience the headliners and acts that lined The Strip during the Rat Pack era. I wonder if 50 years from now, someone will be saying “Wouldn’t it have been interesting to visit Las Vegas in the era of Celine, Shania, Rod Stewart, Elton John and such” when they look at “old” footage and photos of what we’re doing today!

SLS (Former Sahara) Opens August 23 – How Will It Do? – Lots of questions float around. Will the location hinder the property? Perhaps not as bad as people think, since a large part of their target audience will probably be drive-in visitors from California. Given that owners SBE are headquartered and entrenched in Los Angeles with nightclubs and hotels, it will depend how “hot” they can make SLS. Californians tend to be very, very trendy. Get a great buzz going for SLS and they should do OK.

The bigger challenge is getting people staying at other properties to come all the way up to the north end of The Strip. Here’s an idea: Give anyone presenting a valid monorail ticket free play or some kind of reward that covers the round-trip ride. If people know they can get up to see you without an expensive taxi ride or slow bus ride, they might be more likely to do so. They will see how quick and close you are via monorail, and the monorail company will adore you (and surely work a promotional deal with you).

Finally, how well with they do with locals? They have noted that the property sits at one of Las Vegas’ busiest intersections and Sahara is a major east/west artery. Having said that, Sahara runs past the blank “ass end” of the property and just because I drive by there on my way to see my chiropractor or run some errands, it doesn’t mean that stopping in is going to be top-of-mind.

If they want the locals to help make them successful, they are really going to have to target those of us who live relatively close. Being an L.A. company, I’m dubious about their ability to understand the local market and attract locals. Hey SLS: Come about December 10 and you are scratching your head wondering why you’re not getting any of the local market, give me a shout. I live 5 minutes from your hotel. I’m the kind of local you need to be getting in the door!

Sweet 16 – If you didn’t vote in our Best Of Las Vegas Hotels Sweet 16, you still have a few more days to vote in this round and make your voice heard! We have 8 match-ups and you simply click on the hotel you feel is the better property in each match-up. Quick and easy!

Membership Note: We’ve delayed our VIP Premium Membership start until August 1 to work out the kinks. We’ve already contacted our members (who are already seeing a different, reduced ad version of this newsletter). However, the free version (which you are reading now) will not change until August 1.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts and Headliners: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

 

  • Wednesdays Downtown Street Festival – During May and June, DTLV.com and FEED presented Wednesdays Downtown, a seasonal weekly event that brings together all the good stuff Fremont East has to offer – cocktails, dining, live entertainment, art – and wraps it up in refined, San Francisco-style urban swagger. This is a really cool look at what is going on in the Fremont East area, which is just past the big Slotzilla launch tower on Fremont Street. Word is that this event will resume again this fall, and we’ll keep you posted.

 

 

  • Las Vegas 1962: Come Fly With Me – A nostalgic look back at vintage Las Vegas. The film is from Jeff Altman of Chicago who transferred and color-corrected the 16mm film from his grandfatherÆs and grandmotherÆs 1962 trip to Sin City. The YouTube member posting the video added the opening title and the music of OlÆ Blue Eyes. What a great, historic look at Las Vegas!

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

When show tickets say “no cameras allowed” will I be searched and the camera be confiscated?

I will be traveling to Vegas in August (from the UK) and I have booked an early evening spin on the High Roller followed by Penn & Teller at the Rio. Whilst I have no intention of taking photos during Penn & Teller, I would hate to lose any big wheel photos (and the camera!) if Rio’s “no cameras in the showroom” policy is strictly enforced.

Regards,

Andrew From The UK

 

Ted Responds:

We found out that Andrew was a paid premium member (we guarantee to answer their questions), and was specifically concerned about Penn and Teller, so we got to work for him!

Specifically for Penn and Teller, you can’t take a professional-style camera into the theater. However, you CAN check it at the box office for safe keeping until after the show. AND… should you wish, you are certainly allowed to take pictures of Penn and Teller after the show when they greet fans.

On a more general note, many shows simply prohibit flash photography.

As a general rule of thumb:

Nice, expensive cameras are going to get you a second look by security whether it be a show or if you are in a casino. They are concerned about the use of unauthorized commercial photography that might not be flattering to them, plus an expensive camera’s ability to zoom into table game areas, to specific people at the pool, etc. Las Vegas still very much tries to maintain guest privacy and anonymity.

The cell phone issue is pretty much one where the cat is out of the bag. Don’t use a flash and don’t be obvious.

And most importantly, follow ALL instructions given to the audience either on the ticket, at the box office or before the show regarding their photo policies.

Great question and happy to help a paid subscriber who supports what we do!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe June 25, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Did someone forward this to you and you’d like to be on our list? Sign up at AccessVegas.com
Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now!
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Experience Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, all of Vegas by helicopter, save 30%!
Ultimate Grand Canyon South Rim tour filled with extensive views, lunch at a historic lodge, and more!
Zoom around Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s NASCAR track at 160 mph with a pro driver. Thrill of a lifetime!
Soar over the desert at 60 mph seeing scenic wildlife from ziplines. (Close to Vegas!)
Western Sunset Horseback + BBQ Dinner Ride through stunning scenery surrounding Vegas. Truly experience the west!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


New Exhibit Honoring Jackie Gaughan Now On Display At El Cortez Hotel & Casino – In conjunction with the Museum of Gaming History, the El Cortez Hotel & Casino unveiled a new mobile exhibit today honoring downtown gaming legend Jackie Gaughan.

“Working with the Museum of Gaming History to commemorate the legacy of Jackie Gaughan has been an incredible honor,” said Alex Epstein, executive vice president of El Cortez Hotel & Casino. “To be able to see the impact Jackie made on the history of Las Vegas and share that with the community is very inspiring.” Photo: Jerry Henkel


Las Vegas Tours And Attractions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here To See More Great Tours!


Celebrate The Fourth Of July In Las Vegas

Trevi To Celebrate Fourth Of July Weekend With Festive Cocktail And Burger SpecialsTrevi Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace will toast America by offering an Italian Stuffed Burger and a Red, White and BOOM cocktail available exclusively throughout Independence Day weekend from Thursday, July 3, through Sunday, July 6.

Executive Chef Peter Scaturro will introduce a twist on an American favorite with the Italian Stuffed Burger, loaded with gorgonzola and fontina cheeses and topped with red and yellow tomatoes. The burger, accompanied by steak fries, will be priced at $12.95. PHOTO CREDIT: Executive Chef Peter Scaturro

Celebrate Independence Day At Tacos & Tequila With Food And Drink SpecialsTacos & Tequila (T&T) at Luxor Hotel and Casino will celebrate Independence Day with fiestas featuring food and drink specials Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6.

Party all weekend long with the Americano Combo, priced at $15 per person, and includes a choice of the Matador Burger or Sonoran Hot Dog, served with Chorizo Cheese Fries and a Coors Light.

Rhumbar Celebrates The USA With Red, White And Blue Patriotic MojitosThe Mirage Hotel & Casino Strip-side oasis bar, will celebrate Fourth of July with red, white and blue mojitos all weekend from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6.

Each patriotic mojito is handcrafted with a unique flavor profile and priced at $12 each. The red blends Montecristo Platinum rum, raspberry demerara sugar, St. Germain, lemon juice and mint. The white is a concoction of Montecristo Platinum rum, Thai coconut honey syrup and fresh lime juice and the blue combines Montecristo Platinum rum, Velvet Falernum, spiced blueberry demerara sugar, fresh lime and mint.

Fizz To Celebrate Champagne And Fashion On Fourth Of July Weekend With ôPop & Shopö – FIZZ, the lavish champagne lounge inside Caesars Palace, will bring back its popular “Pop & Shop” champagne and shopping experience, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5 in celebration of Independence Day.

Each “Pop & Shop” package will include a signature FIZZ champagne flute complete with endless refills, along with a FIZZ gift bag containing special offers, discounts and samples from various retailers inside The Forum Shops at Caesars. Shoppers can feel free to fill up their glasses at FIZZ before perusing the latest fashions, and are welcome to return for refills throughout their shopping sprees. The Pop & Shop packages are priced at $50 per person, and available for purchase at FIZZ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book UFC Las Vegas Tickets Now

 


Downtown Las Vegas / Fremont Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Watching The World Cup From Las Vegas

Score Big At RhumbarÆs World Cup Kick Off Parties – RHUMBAR, located at The Mirage Hotel & Casino, will celebrate the World Cup with viewing parties and new hand-crafted cocktails for most games from the first match on Thursday, June 12 through the final game on Sunday, July 13.

The new World Cup cocktails, made by RHUMBAR’s mixologist, Lillian Hargrove, include the Brazilian Barbeque cocktail, a smoky, sweet rendition of the traditional caipirinha, made with a touch of sea salt to elevate the layers of flavor; and the Leblon Cachaca, made with Lagavulin single malt rinse, rock candy syrup, lime cubes and fresh watermelon juice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Hotels

 

 

 

  • After years of going big, Vegas hotels go boutique

 

 

 

 

 

 


Las Vegas Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

 

 

Book Jersey Boys Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Celine Dion Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

 

Book Country Superstarts Las Vegas Tickets Now

 


Dining In Las Vegas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Medical Marijuana

 

 

 

 

 


More Las Vegas News

 

 

 

 

 

  • Secret Las Vegas: Where the locals go to party

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

 

 

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – So much to get to this week, including my in-depth look at the new, more restrictive liquor laws downtown on Fremont Street.

A reminder that next week, this newsletter splits into paid subscriber and free subscriber versions. The free version will not have the insider articles from me, and will start having more advertising to help pay for the vast amount of work it takes to put this together.

The paid subscribers will continue to receive the insider content, see fewer ads, have guaranteed response to their questions at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com, and our (still in development) Super Secret Spreadsheet of Vegas Deals. Which we’ll explain to paid subscribers next week.

Best Las Vegas Hotels Voting Down To “Sweet 16” – We tossed just about every Las Vegas hotel into the pool with a big playoff to whittle down what you — our readers — feel is the best hotel in Las Vegas. Check out the Hotel Playoff Bracket and you’ll see we had a couple of upsets:

Treasure Island beat Vdara, and Tropicana beat Aria (both by very slim margins). I chalk up the Vdara loss simply to unfamiliarity. This non-gaming, non-smoking luxury property simply isn’t on the radar of many.

The remodeled Tropicana retains its popularity and is no slouch after the remodel a couple years ago. Factor in the fact that our readers just don’t seem to like CityCenter, and I’m not overly surprised about theáupset. (Attention MGM Resorts: Please don’t shoot the messenger on this one)!

The other perhaps minor upset of note was MGM Grand beating Cosmo. I was very sure that Cosmo would make it to the Final Four. The rooms and views are amazing. The mixology program is among the best in town. However, MGM is no slouch and when you toss in The Signature towers, strong dining line-up, and the concerts at the Gardens, it is a strong contender.

Time to vote again and this Sweet 16 round, with all new match-ups!

AccessVegas.com Best Of
Las Vegas Hotel Sweet 16 Voting

Fremont Street Experience by TimothyJ, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licenseá photo byááTimothyJá

Making Sense Of The New Fremont Street Liquor Laws – The Las Vegas City Council has banned consumption of liquor from cans and bottles (any glass container) on Fremont Street. No longer can you take that ice cold bottle of beer and walk it from one casino to the other. You must pour it in plastic (cups are now provided at casino exits) or face a $250 fine.

This was primarily done as a first step to stop people from buying liquor at the gift shops and convenience stores which line the Fremont Street Experience. That is correct: While still legal to walk into the one of the gift shops and buy a bottle or can of beer (or pint of spirits), the mere act of opening it on Fremont Street — even if just opening it to pour it in a plastic cup — is now illegal and a fineable offense.

So what gives? Hang tight and as always, I’ll walk you through the entire inside skinny. Including what this means to you, to downtown, and to Las Vegas. You’ll need to follow the bouncing ball pretty closely here (and with our extremely literate readership, that won’t be a problem):

Our area has always had a rule that prohibits one from opening and drinking liquor outside of a grocery or convenience store within 1000 feet of where you purchase it. This is to keep your local 7-11 from (somewhat) turning into a bar.

Having said that, the ordinance is seldom enforced. I’ve lived within walking distance of convenience stores at a number of my residences here during the past 21 years. If I wanted a cold one, I’d go down to the store, buy it, pop it open as soon as I hit the sidewalk and sip it on the walk home. I’ve had police drive by me while having an open container on the street without so much as a second glance. This is Las Vegas. Drinking. Yawn.

Keep that in mind as we move along.

The Fremont Street Experience has been getting more crazy and more rowdy and more crowded now that its popularity has exploded (something we were well ahead of the curve on, suggesting that everyone spend an evening down there as part of their Vegas visit for a number of years now). We’ve even reversed course and gone from telling you to go down on the weekend nights when there was some action (back in the days when Fremont Street was more sedate) to telling you to avoid it on Friday and Saturday nights as of a this spring.

Between all of the stages and the new permanent bars outside the casinos and the kiosks (which were always there) and the buskers (costumed characters, musicians, beggars, etc.) that over-populate the mall, it is crowded. The new Slotzilla zipline has ruined the iconic site lines and now makes the Fremont Street Experience feel even more claustrophobic. Add in drunk trouble-makers and problems are brewing.

The casinos along with the city council came up with a “solution” to deal with the drunken troublemakers. Add more police and arrest the perpetrators, right? Um… no. Their solution to stopping the drunk crazies is to enforce the prohibition of consumption of convenience store liquor in the Fremont Street Experience. Remember that 1000 foot rule I mentioned earlier? Yes, that one.

However, there is no way to tell if someone bought that bottle of Bud from a casino bar or from the ABC store. The solution? Ban all “original containers” of alcohol from the Fremont Street Experience. Bottles/glass and cans. This effectively eliminates the sale from convenience stores for consumption on the mall because the minute you walk out of the store, if you open the container even just to put it in a plastic cup, you are immediately in violation of the law.

The end result? 1. You MUST purchase alcohol to be consumed on the mall from a casino and 2. You MUST put it in a plastic cup upon exiting a casino. You know… kind of like those strict alcohol rules in your city. The ones you come here to get away from!

So, the rowdy, trouble-making drunks (which includes a fair amount of locals just going down there to cause trouble) can still buy a zillion-ounce high octane slushy drink and get plastered and still cause trouble. However, you can’t duck into the ABC store and buy a nice cold “oil can” of Fosters and walk the street with it.

Does this affect The Strip? NO. I want to emphasize that, because any rumor that Las Vegas is parting with decades of being libation-friendly won’t be good PR for the city in general. This story already made news in papers around the nation (which is why I’m giving you an in-depth, real look at it, unlike others who are simply repeating the story). On The Strip, you can still waltz right out of the casino with a glass drink in your hand and go as you please. Buy that $1 bottle of beer at Casino Royale and head over to The Mirage.

So what’s up with the future of Fremont Street? Good question. Some of you have found it enjoyable and have done entire trips down there. However, we’re hearing from more and more of you who are basically saying “Did it, OK for a night, but The Strip is for me”.

Add to that the undressed problem with the buskers, these new liquor laws, casinos starting to charge for parking unless you are a guest or gambler (Strip casinos parking is FREE and unencumbered), the reduced sightliness because of Slotzilla and similar, and we may see that migration back to The Strip. We’ll be on top of it!

Oh Say Can You See… – Fireworks on the Las Vegas Strip this July 4? Yes you can! At 9 PM, Mandalay Bay, Stratosphere, and Caesars Palace will shoot them off. If you are center-Strip, you can then walk down the Linq to the High Roller, where fireworks are slated to go off at 9:30 PM.

Mandalay Bay is hosting a pool party with a classic rock band for $20. Stratosphere will feature two parties: Level 107 atop the tower (adults only) and a pool party (all ages) featuring Las Vegas legend (in his own mind) Zowie Bowie (Chris, we kid because we love) for only a $10 admission. Plus, food and drink specials. And, the fireworks are by Grucci (the Hallmark of fireworks shows). Here’s a taste of Zowie Bowie:

Hopefully, this is getting us one step closer to something I’ve been suggesting for a long time: A July 4’th “close the strip” fireworks spectacular like we do for New Years Eve! Coordinated fireworks going off the roofs of a number of hotels at 9 PM and closure one side of The Strip from 8-10 PM so everyone can enjoy it with some elbow room. We’re already the best spot in the U.S. to do New Years Eve (I’ll put our fireworks show and celebration up against that little ball drop in New York any time). Let’s become the country’s place to be on July 4 as well!

Here’s last years New Years Eve Las Vegas Fireworks:

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

    • Absinthe Las Vegas Preview – You’ve heard how crazy Absinthe is. You’ve heard that it is a must-see Vegas show (as long as you aren’t easily offended). You’ve thought about going. Enjoy this great video preview, then grab a ticket and enjoy it for yourself on your next visit!

Click to Book Tickets Now: Absinthe

 

  • Celebrity Chefs Doing It Right – Local Food critic John Curtis talks about the new offerings by Giada, Guy Fieri, Daniel Boulud, and Kerry Simon and breaks it all down for you.

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Could you recommend a 1.0-2.5 mile jogging route that is safe downtown? Or maybe a park with a jogging path or an athletic field with a track in the area? Not many downtown hotels have fitness centers. Not staying at Plaza this time.

Thanks for any ideas!

Gina from Belen, NM

 

Unfortunately, no parks or schools close to downtown with jogging paths.

This route http://goo.gl/maps/7t6Mf is just shy of 2 miles. Will take you by our new Smith Center, the Clark County Government Center, the Furniture Convention area, and our new city hall. It is plenty safe during the day (and reasonably safe at night if you are not alone as a female).

This route http://goo.gl/maps/DtXKV is the most “tourist scenic” You’ll go up Ogden past The Cal, Downtown Grand, revamped Gold Spike, loop around the El Cortez, Container Park, and back down Fremont Street.

However… this route has lots of stoplights. The first route will let you run, run, run with only 4 intersections you’d have to wait on if you stick with the inside loop.

I would otherwise not get off the beaten path downtown as some areas are still hit and miss.

Just a note to readers: This is the kind of help we guarantee (within reason) to offer personally to our paid subscribers in the future. Answers to questions that may be too specific to be featured in the newsletter, or may simply take some extra time and local knowledge on our part.

In fact, we’ve already had some paying members starting to take advantage of this help via email. And for those who support us (and help us pay the light bill and our employees pay the rent), we’re happy to help!


Las Vegas - The High Roller Observation by J.R.Ramos, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic Licenseá photo byááJ.R.Ramosá

Just want to let you all know I took a ride on the high roller last week. Totally an awesome view and is reasonably priced. Will definitely do night ride next time out.

Ed

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe June 11, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now!
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Neon Dream Vegas helicopter tour: Soar above The Strip and Downtown. Enjoy the famous sights like no one else! Save $30
Time is precious in Vegas: See The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and much more by air. Four hours of lifetime memories at a great price!
Stunning Valley Of Fire buggy tour: See the sights guides, then explore on your own! (Friends will be jealous).
Vegas Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride. Unforgettable views and memories. An experience your friends can’t top!
Spectacular views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead plus a memorable guided interior tour. Stunning photo opps!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


The Cromwell Las Vegas Hotel And Casino

Giada De Laurentiis’ First-Ever Restaurant, GIADA, Is Now Open At The Cromwell Las Vegas – The most anticipated restaurant opening of 2014, Giada De Laurentiis’ first restaurant, GIADA, is now open at The Cromwell Las Vegas. The cornerstone of the boutique hotel and casino, GIADA boasts priceless views, signature dishes and a warm and inviting atmosphere, all a reflection of De Laurentiis’ vision.

Clairol Natural Instincts sponsored the grand opening celebration for brand spokesperson De Laurentiis, who changed her Natural Instincts shade to Amber Shimmer for the occasion, offering invited guests a first look at the space in advance of the restaurant’s official opening day today.

Elevating The Lobby Bar Experience, Bound By Salvatore Is Now Open At The Cromwell – Now open, the newest addition to The Cromwell Las Vegas’ luxurious lineup, Bound by Salvatore, brings a new meaning to the lobby bar experience. Salvatore’s more than thirty years of experience shines with perfectly executed classic cocktails, never-before-seen espresso cocktails, elegant champagne cocktails and signature creations.

Featured on the carefully-curated menu are Salvatore’s signature cocktails, many of which are iconic and are synonymous with the famous bartender. The Breakfast Martini comes from Salvatore’s wife insisting he eat breakfast, to which he replied with a gin cocktail mixed with the finest orange marmalade, the same topping he uses for his toast. Also featured is the Spicy Fifty, which combines the best of sweet and sour on the palate with a warm finish.

  • Full story/details/info: Bound By Salvatore Is Now Open At The Cromwell

 

 

 


Las Vegas And Grand Canyon Tours

 

  • Walls of petroglyphs, rainbow-colored rocks showcased at Valley of Fire

 

 

 

 

Click Here To See More Great Tours!


What’s Happening At Las Vegas Hotels?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Father’s Day Las Vegas 2014

Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar Honors Padres With A Macho Meal For Father’s DayChayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at The LINQ will treat dads this Father’s Day to a complimentary Don Margarita with the purchase of the De La Tierra platter on Sunday, June 15.

Satisfy dad’s cravings with the De La Tierra platter. The family-shared meal is served with New York strip steak; pork tenderloin and Spanish chorizo, paired with sides of grilled cactus leaves, Mexican street corn, spring onions, cilantro rice, black beans and flour tortillas, priced at $55.

Bier Garten At The Plaza Hotel Downtown Las Vegas Offers Father’s Day Dad’s 2-1 Beer – For Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15, Bier Garten is celebrating dads. Sons and daughters can treat their dads to a beer at downtown’s back yard beer garden with Bier Garten’s buy one get one free beer offer on Father’s Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Absinthe Las Vegas Tickets Now

 

Click Here To See More Father’s Day Events And Specials


Dining, Drinking, And Dancing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


More Las Vegas News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

 

 

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – I hate to start on a down note, but our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of Las Vegas (aka Metro) Police officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo. Those of you who follow the national U.S. news know that their senseless slaying while on duty was one of the top news stories of the week. That area of East Las Vegas up against Sunrise Mountain was my neighborhood and stomping grounds from about 1998 to 2003, so it particularly hits home with me. Both were the fathers of very young children.

The Real Weather – This past weekend, I read an out-of-town Vegas source say that it was going to be 113 degrees (45c) this week. Huh? We have had a couple of days running 4-5 degrees above our 99 F (37c) June average, but the 10 day outlook has us pegged right at average. We were suffering through a string of 115+ (46+ c) days about this time last year, but not this year (so far). While there are people from out-of-town who report on Vegas who do good work, I am occasionally troubled by reports that are that far off-base. If we were facing 113 this week, it would be the talk of the town!

Rock And Roll All Nite, Party (At The Hard Rock) Every Day – I still remember opening night of the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas very well. Passing actress Sherilyn Fenn (who I had the hots for at the time) on the way to the crowded bar. Playing craps right next to (then) Guns ‘N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum. It was 1995 and the Hard Rock was rockin’.

However, it would take nearly two decades before the property really started living up to its name with residencies by Def Leppard and Axl Rose instead of a more general “rock ‘n roll” theme that encompassed just about everything.áNote: I have a real problem calling Axl and the current assorted sidemen Guns ‘N’ Roses. Vince Neil is a solo act — and bills himself as such — without Motley Crue bandmates Tommy, Nikki, and Mick at his side. Axl, bring back Slash and we’ll talk.

Hot on the heels of rumors that Guns ‘N’ Roses will probably be doing residencies at the Hard Rock for quite some time is word that the legendary band KISS is getting ready for a line-up of shows this fall. (I have another connection there as current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and I used to run in some of the same musical circles in my hometown or Portland, Oregon when his band Black ‘N Blue had a few major label albums and a brush with rock stardom. Somewhere, I still have a photo of he and I together backstage at a show).

No word on the dates, but if you read this newsletter each and every week, you know we always have the section where we show you the latest concerts we’ve added. So, stay subscribed and stay tuned!

We’re Now On Flipboard – For those of you who prefer reading internet content magazine-style on your tablet, the free Flipboard app (for Android and iThingys) has most of the stories that we feature and link to available. Get on Flipboard, do a search for AccessVegas.com and hit the subscribe button. Very important: For some reason, you need to hit the little refresh circular arrow at the bottom left-side of our magazine cover to make sure you are reading the latest additions we make each time you open the app.

For those of you who prefer the traditional newsletter style (which has more info), we are getting ready to do a complete redesign to make it easier to use, and with a modern “easy on the eyes” design. We’re also exploring a digital magazine that can be viewed on any device, but one thing at a time!

Click, Click, Click, Click, Click – We get a surprising number of emails asking for details about something we blurbed out or noted here in the newsletter. Info which is usually contained in a link that accompanied the story! I love all of our readers to death, but we are not equipped to be able to handle questions on information where we’ve posted and linked to the info in question. Please click over to read an article/story before asking. Having said that…

Our premium paid membership program subscribers will have the promise that we’ll answer anything we can (within reason) to help you figure something out or plan for your next trip. Your contribution helps us keep appropriate staffing levels up, and that allows us to return the favor! (We do read every email to AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com and do appreciate them, but can’t reply to them all due to time constraints).

Been out-of-the-loop and unfamiliar with our pending premium membership? There is still time to save by purchasing before July 1! Click on over to:

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe
Premium Membership Information

Best Las Vegas Hotel Voting – We had a little IT glitch that erased all the votes in our most recent round of voting. Regular readers know that we’re conducting a playoffs of all major Las Vegas hotels to let you decide which is the best! No “Editor’s Picks” or nominations here. This is about “We The People” who visit Las Vegas! Check out the bracket then click to vote. It is fun and easy:

 

 

Say Goodbye To The Harmon – The giant, curved building that has been Las Vegas’ most expensive billboard for the past number of years is finally being dismantled. Due to construction defects, the building was essentially deemed structurally unfit before it was finished. While rare, we do have seismic activity here in Las Vegas and “the big one” could bring it tumbling down. No implosion for this one. The proximity to the (recently sold for $1.75 billion) Cosmo could make a misfire extremely expensive.

No word on a replacement. One can hope for a park-like area of nice scenery and maybe a couple of restaurants to make up for the greenery that has been destroyed by the shopping mall construction in front of Bally’s just up the street. But with the way things are going, it will probably end up a Walgreens or CVS.

Here’s some video of the spectacular New Years Eve implosion of the Hacienda Hotel to make way for Mandalay Bay:

Want more Las Vegas implosion action? Check out our YouTube channel for Las Vegas Implosions!

Hope You Are Enjoying This Issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

 

 

 

  • Kaskade At Encore Beach Club – If you are like us, you are probably scratching your head at how a guy who looks more like a investment banker or CEO earns millions per year performing to club-goers and pool partiers worldwide. If you’ve ever wanted a quick taste of what these pool events are like and either didn’t want to fight the long waits (or parade around in a swimsuit in front of a bunch of 22 year olds), this video will give you a little taste of what all the “excitement” is about.

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

We have just returned to the UK after our 10th trip to Vegas after five years absence, and have noticed a great many changes, not all good ones. The CityCenter area was being constructed when we where last there and it now looks great. The Aria, Cosmopolitan and Crystals especially so. Went on the high roller at night, the best time to see the lights of the city. Slots a bit tighter, but still enjoyed playing them.

Now a few negatives. We stayed at the Excalibur and were constantly harassed by folks trying to get us to book shows. If we wanted to book a show we are quite capable of doing this ourselves. Complained to the front desk but the guy did not seem interested.

We knew about the sex card pushers on the strip, but were surprised to see many beggars and costumed people on the sidewalks and bridges. I don’t mind giving money to buskers but how many of these beggars were really starving- as some of their placards said. They looked quite well fed to me.

However we will be back next year.

Harry Cadman from the U.K.

I am a huge fan of your news letter and a long term Vegas visitor. I like to stay at the north end of the strip @ Circus Circus. Although there are better hotels to stay at, I just like the vibe of Circus Circus. I feel like Vegas is my second home as I visit each year and have done for the past 10 years.

I too have noticed the changes in Hotels and atmosphere when visiting them. They seem confused as to what they are trying to be. Some say we are Hotel/Casino’s but in fact they feel more like shopping malls. The Quad is just terrible it has no atmosphere at all and the casino is all over the place. You have small parts of a casino here and there it’s poorly planned out and a complete waste of someone’s money in my opinion.

I visited a week or so ago and even the ticket slappers on the strip were few and far between and the street entertainers were all but gone too. I visited Fremont and that too looked like a building site, LOL.áI am sure it will look great when it’s finished but the Golden Nugget was full of atmosphere and I enjoyed my time in there. Don’t get me wrong there are of course still Casino’s worth visiting and will leave you amazed by there beauty, like the Venetian, Bellagio etc ….

I will continue to visit Vegas for as long as I am able but as each year passes the vibe of the town get more and more confused.

Vegas Pete

 

I want to thank both Harry and Pete for their great reports. Las Vegas certainly still deals with some negatives, and being an independent publication, we can (and do) speak out about them here. The slots are still too tight, and for some reason the calculator-driven CEO’s of these major gaming companies can’t grasp the concept that you are OK with losing your $200 for the day, but you’d like to have it take much of the day to do it so you get some entertainment out of it.

The continued growth of restaurants and the fact that over 70% of visitors go see a show just proves that you are finding better ways to spend your money than on the tight slots and bad-rules blackjack.

I agree with Pete in that I have yet to warm up to The Quad. Having said that, I’ll give it another try soon and see if it has grown on me. They wanted/needed to dump the Imperial Palace name (my understanding is that they did not own it), but they could have simply changed it to IP. Just like Treasure Island became TI and Las Vegas Hilton became LVH. The same amount of money dumped into Imperial Palace could have made it amazing, while keeping the cool theme.

Having said that, The Linq is being more favorably received than I originally thought it might. People are indeed wandering down this new “side street” for a relaxing stroll.

I do think that in the future, this will be looked back on as Las Vegas’ “lost period” when it wasn’t sure what it wanted to be next. Do you try to hold the gamblers? Do you cater to the clubbers who can’t go 3 seconds without posting a social media selfie (which, BTW, is free publicity for the city), and will this onslaught of shopping succeed? A possible Caesars Entertainment bankruptcy (which we’ll discuss next issue) could play a major roll in shaking things up!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 28, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA TreatmentsSave up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las VegasCaesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

áPalms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now!
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little moreàon us.
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ!

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Neon Dream Vegas helicopter tour, soar out to and over Hoover Dam/Lake Mead, Fremont Experience and entire Strip!
Experience Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, all of Vegas by helicopter, save 30%!
Richard Petty Rookie Tour: YOU drive the Vegas Motor Speedway in a V-8 NASCAR style car!
Vegas Indoor Skydiving, right on Vegas Strip, winds up to 120 mph, just like the real thing
Visit Grand Canyon, Mojave Desert, Black Mountains, Eagle Point, Hoover Dam photo op, more. Day tour from Vegas!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

Guns N’ Roses Launched Second Residency, An Evening Of Destruction. No Trickery! – They’re back! Legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses marked its triumphant return to launch its second residency.

Actor and friend of the band Nicolas Cage helped kicked off the sold-out show by getting concertgoers amped up as Guns N’ Roses prepared to take Las Vegas by storm.

  • Full story/details/info: Guns N’ Roses Launched Second Residency
  • Click to Book Tickets Now: Guns N’ Roses

 

  • The Party Never Stops With Rockhouse’s Endless Daiquiri Cup At Electric Daisy Carnival

 

Book Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas Tickets Now

 


Father’s Day Las Vegas 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here To See More Father’s Day Events And Specials


Las Vegas Dining

Now Open at Bally’s, BLT Steak Brings Back Legendary Sterling Brunch – Now open at Bally’s Las Vegas, BLT Steak brings sophisticated design, quality service and classic steakhouse fare to the revitalized hotel and casino. BLT Steak also reinstates the award-winning weekend staple, Sterling Brunch.

Regarded as the premier brunch in Las Vegas, the Bally’s institution of forty years, Sterling Brunch made its triumphant return on May 24, 2014, with the same excellence in service and fare but in a more modern and stylish presentation synonymous with BLT Steak. Sterling Brunch will now be offered both Saturdays and Sundays, and will be showcased in a sleek built-in buffet space with roll-top chafers. Guests will once again be able to indulge in the finest fare of caviar, lobster tails, fresh-shucked oysters, Alaskan king crab legs, and never-ending glasses of Perrier JouÙt Champagne, mimosas and bloody marys. Gluten-free items will also be available, and a personally guided tour of all offerings will be given upon request.

  • Full story/details/info: BLT Steak Brings Back Legendary Sterling Brunch

Trevi Heats Up The Season With New Italian Menu Specialties And CocktailsTrevi Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, has introduced three new specialty menu items and cocktails to enjoy during the spring and summer seasons.

Executive Chef Peter Scaturro evokes the best of land and sea with dishes including: chicken limone featuring grilled chicken spun with broccoli, sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts in a zesty lemon cream sauce.

  • Full story/details/info: Trevi’s New Italian Menu Specialties And Cocktails

 

 

 


More Las Vegas News

First Friday Las Vegas Celebrates The Art And Science Of Sound For “Hear, Here” On June 6 – First Friday Las Vegas, the largest arts and culture festival in the Western United States, has become the leader for family-friendly activities, art, cultural enrichment, educational efforts, imagination, community and more; mostly low cost or free of cost, for every age.

  • Full story/details/info: First Friday Celebrates “Hear, Here”
    • McCarran Medical Clinic And Pharmacy To Open Its Doors At McCarran International Airport

 

  • How to be a high roller, or pinch pennies, at Vegas’ sparkly CityCenter

 

 


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays

 


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – Memorial Day is behind us, temps are pushing 100 F (38 C), and summertime is here. Depending on where you live, many of you have already seen the #VegasSeason ads (which parody all the fervor around Christmas marketing). We sit on the edge of our time zone, which means a really early sunrise this time of year. For those of you who simply can’t get off of Eastern time during your visit, you’ll find our 5 AM sunrises don’t have you waking in the dark. For you night owls, the weather around midnight (or later) is quite comfortable. For you show-goers, shoppers, and gamblers, you’ll be indoors all the time anyway!

15’th Anniversary Issue – I don’t tend to make a big deal out of milestones. They are a nice way to show longevity and get a pat on the back, but as I always say, “Time flies when you don’t know what you are doing!” And… our 15’th Anniversary Issue was actually last week. (I had the date wrong in my head). So, now this newsletter is 15 years and 1 week old.

You can go take a quick look here: Access Vegas Insider Vibe û May 20, 1999 We’ve come a long way, but that also necessitates our need to move to a paid membership program (just as you pay for other publications that provide you content and insight you enjoy). The first issue was basically one article! Click For Membership Details

The Vegas Spread – With those disinterested in baseball already focusing on NFL football, and some sportsbooks posting early lines, I’m reading articles that say “Vegas thinks this team will win x number of games…”. Here’s they way it actually works: Las Vegas oddsmakers simply pick a number that they feel the betting public will embrace.

For example, if the over-under on how many games a certain team will win this year is 9, that doesn’t mean that Vegas experts think the team will win exactly 9 games. What that means is that Vegas thinks that half the bettors out there who may place this wager think that the team will win more than 9, and half will feel that the team will win 9 or fewer. The Vegas line is simply set so that an even amount of money gets bet on each side of a particular wager they offer.

The casino simply hands the losers money to the winners, taking a commission for their profit. Which is why you need to generally bet $11 to win $10 on games. That extra dollar goes to the casino.

Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin as seen from SR163 by jdnx, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licenseáábyáájdnxá
River Walk @ Pioneer Casino by jdnx, on Flickr
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic Licenseáábyáájdnxá

Laughlin Tours – You asked and we answered! We get pretty regular requests for day tours to down to Laughlin. Imagine better gambling, lower limits, a minimum of rowdy 22 year olds, and reasonably-priced food. All in a group of casinos along a beautiful river walk, one after the other.

The price? $10 gets you a round-trip experience in a luxury motorcoach, and a lunch buffet it tossed in. From there, you are free to do what you want. For those of you who have thought about taking a day tour from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon, Valley Of Fire, or similar, this is a great way to get your toes wet (and finding out that you won’t vaporize if you get off The Strip and enjoy some of our stunning desert scenery).

Details in the Ground Tours section at our tours page AccessVegas.com/Tours

Downtown Jumping The Shark? – A few years ago, while many out-of-town “Vegas” bloggers were oblivious to it, downtown Las Vegas and the Fremont Street Experience were heating up. We knew because we were down there seeing it with our own eyes. And… passing the info along to you.

However… times are changing and a few months ago I started to suggest staying away from downtown on weekends. (I don’t go down there on Friday or Saturday anymore… too busy, crowded, and crazy).

Derek Stevens, the CEO of the D Las Vegas and the Golden Gate, told the council, ôI am on the front line. I don’t want to belabor what we’re seeing on TripAdvisor.ö He was referring to comments from people who say they’ll never return to such a sleazy downtown and advising others to stay away.

ôIt’s a fact that it’s mass chaos on Fremont Street,ö acknowledged Councilman Stavros Anthony, a retired police captain. ôThere are bums eating out of garbage cans; people are really drunk. Ma and Pa Kettle from Iowa are not going to go back to Fremont Street.

From Booze and busker battle underway in downtown Las Vegas

At this point, I’m not saying to stay away. The food and liquor prices are still decent, and the gambling odds are better. If staying down there, the El Cortez, Main Street Station, California and Lady Luck Downtown Grand are a block away from the mayhem and noise. But for now, we’re suggesting avoiding Fremont Street on the weekends. Too crazy and too crowded. Speaking Of…

The Strike – As we send this out, a few downtown hotels still have not settled with the union, who is threatening a June 1 strike of hotels that have not agreed to their demands. The hotels still without contracts are Four Queens and Binion’s (same owners) Plaza and Las Vegas Club (same owners) and Golden Gate. Ironically, the last strike was a 9 day strike against the Golden Gate in 2002.

I’d guess that these will get settled. However, with our still high unemployment rate and plenty of qualified casino workers out-of-work, it wouldn’t be difficult for properties who wanted to go non-union to do so now. The Frontier was picketed during a 6 year strike in the 90’s and they still seemed to get people in their door during that time.

Ride The Las Vegas (New Mexico) X-Train – We’ve chronicled the push to bring upscale rail service to Las Vegas from Southern California. The train is to have comfortable luxury seating, wi-fi, two lounge cars, and more. One little glitch: They can’t come to an agreement with the two railroads who own the tracks.

Instead of twiddling their thumbs, X-Train is prepping to start tourist service between Santa Fe, NM and Lamy, NM. (OK, neither is Las Vegas, NM but this is in the same general region). If you live or vacation in that area and take a ride, we’d love to hear all about it at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com so we have an idea of what the Las Vegas – L.A. service may be like! We’re bullish on the concept not just because it will be a new way for Southern Californian’s to get here, but an additional way our European friends (already used to rail travel) to see the great Southwest in comfort as the pop over to Hollywood for a couple of days during their 2-3 week Vegas stay.

Great Casino Slots – Takes the Cake (aka The Lost Episode) – Regular readers remember a series we did with noted gaming author Victor Royer about some of the interesting newer slot machines available now.

This misfiled video was lost at the time, and since Takes The Cake slots have become more popular than ever. Victor wanted us to also share that at that time the game was only available with a max-bet of 225 credits. But today – as you will see from the real-money in-casino play footage – the game is available with a max-bet of 450 credits.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

    • SLS Las Vegas: Reimagining the North Strip – Take a behind-the-scenes look at the construction chapter of the SLS Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, formerly the Sahara Hotel. In recent years, the North end of the Las Vegas Strip has shown the effects of a struggling economy. Today, the area is transforming with SLS being the first hotel in years to open on the burgeoning North end of the Strip Labor Day Weekend 2014.

 

  • Chef David Walzog Brings Rare Species Of Fish From Ocean To TableLakeside Restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas is redefining what ‘fresh seafood’ means, making rare species of fish available to Wynn Las Vegas diners, many for the first time. Join Chef David Walzog on his journey to Hawaii and see what it takes to bring the fresh fish from “Ocean to Table.”

 

 

  • Wayne Newton: May 23rd, 1989 Full Concert Live From The Las Vegas Hilton – “Wayne Newton: Live In Concert” Pay-Per-View Special carried live inside the Las Vegas Hilton in its entirety from May 23rd, 1989. Prepare yourself to enjoy this two-hour show!

 

 


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

Last issue, we asked our European friends why they choose to visit Las Vegas during our hot summers (as opposed to other times of year). Here is a sample of the great answers we got:

Coming from the UK, our summers are usually short, wet and very rarely does the temperature go above 85F (29C). So to visit Vegas in the summer is a must for me, The Triple digit Temperatures just add to the atmosphere, it’s a desert Town, you need the heat to go with it.

Also it is a pleasure to walk around at night with temperatures still in the 90’s F (32-37 C) even after midnight. Though one of the years I must visit Vegas on New Year’s !!!

Darren Cresswell

————————-

In response to your question, I’m from London UK and think that maybe we Brits choose to visit in July and August because our schools shut down for 6 weeks from mid July till early September. If you want a family holiday in Vegas the kids can come with you or if you want an adult holiday away then the kids go away to Summer schools. We as parents get fined if we take our children on holiday during Term time.

We also want to be guaranteed the good weather!! The UK in July/August can still be wet, cold and windy!!

Thank for a fabulous website, I love looking at it. Keep up the good work!! Can’t wait for my next visit to Vegas……..in October!

Kind regards,

Kim Barnes

————————-

I have a home in Las Vegas which I have had for a number of years after moving to Vegas from Los Angeles approximately 10 years ago. I really love it here. I have a second home in London and have lived in the UK for over 10 years and got my British citizenship a few years ago.

In regards to your question as to why Europeans visit Las Vegas in the Summer it is a tradition that many Europeans take their long vacations during that time of the year. In most European countries people by law get at least 4 weeks of paid vacation and companies expect that most of these days will be taken in the Summer. In France it is a tradition that people take the entire month of August off and go on their vacation, leaving the big cities for the countryside or for other countries. Many restaurants and shops and companies in France close during this time period so people can take their vacation then.

Have you ever tried going to Paris in August? If so, you will see a lot of shops and restaurants will be closed for that month. As this practice is quite ingrained in the culture of many European countries I wouldn’t expect any quick change in peoples habits in regards to when they take their vacations.

Hope this answers your question. And, keep of the good work on your Newsletter.

gmofield2000

————————-

Thanks to everyone who wrote in. We’re always working to understand your Vegas travel habits and wishes to better serve you!

Note to Darren: Yes, you must do New Years Eve at least once to knock it off your bucket list. The entire Vegas Strip is closed to traffic with fireworks going off from 7 hotel rooftops. We’re the only Vegas publication that I’m aware of who devotes space each year with our advice, tips, and tricks for experiencing New Years Eve in Las Vegas.

Note To All: We have not made a big deal of it yet, but our new YouTube channel has over 300 videos on it now, including New Years Eve fireworks, poker lessons, Butch Harmon golf lessons, retro and archived video of Vegas shows and clubs, implosions and more! Go to your channel https://www.youtube.com/user/AllVegasTV/videos and make sure to bookmark it. With that much to watch, you’ll want to come back time and time again!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 14, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

 Palms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA Treatments
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! Save up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las Vegas
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little more…on us. Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Experience Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, all of Vegas by helicopter, save 30%!
See the Grand Canyon and experience the Skywalk without eating up your entire day by flying over and back
Ever want to race a dune buggy through the Nevada desert terrain? Now’s your chance!
Witness Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and fly down into the Grand Canyon by helicopter. Plus champagne and BBQ at The Canyon!
Western Sunset Horseback + BBQ Dinner Ride through stunning scenery surrounding Vegas. Truly experience the west!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

Reality Star Scheana Marie Of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” Joins The Raucous Fun Of Absinthe – Reality TV star Scheana Marie from Bravo TV’s “Vanderpump Rules” was spotted in Las Vegas enjoying various activities on the Las Vegas Strip. Her selection in entertainment included a stop at the Strip’s “Best Adult Show” ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace March 2014. Following, she gracefully accepted The Gazillionaire’s desire to immortalize her experience and agreed to snap a photo with him and Penny Pibbets in the Spiegeltent. Talk about a way to remember ABSINTHE forever!


Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos

Delano Offers First Look At Elevated Hotel Experience – Fusing the chic style of the iconic South Beach brand with the vibrant energy of the Las Vegas Strip, Delano Las Vegas will come to life at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino later this year.

Anchored by intimate yet energetic public spaces and sophisticated accommodations, the non-smoking, all-suite boutique hotel will appeal to the most discerning travelers from around the globe. At Delano Las Vegas, guests will discover a blend of personalized service and effortless luxury coupled with unexpected elements of individuality and high-concept design.

SLS Hotel Enhances Culinary Offerings With The SLS Buffet And The Perq And Announces Collaboration With Lamill Coffee – SLS Hotel & Casino adds to its impressive selection of culinary experiences on property with two original food and beverage concepts by global hospitality leader sbe, The SLS Buffet and The Perq coffee bar. The modern buffet is an original design by Gensler architects in collaboration with renowned design consultant Philippe Starck, and The Perq marks the partnership between sbe and LAMILL Coffee. Opening with the property this Labor Day weekend, The SLS Buffet and The Perq provide standout, approachable dining experiences at SLS.


Las Vegas Dining

Guy Fieri’s Kitchen & Bar Now Open At The Quad Resort & Casino – The highly anticipated Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar is now open at the Quad Resort & Casino. The restaurant opened its doors to customers for the first time on April 17, 2014 with Fieri at the helm welcoming guests to his new digs.

As the first diners entered, Fieri was at the door greeting guests, thanking them for coming, signing autographs and taking pictures before jumping back into the kitchen for dinner service. Photo credit: Erik Kabik.

Aria And Hundred Acre Unite For Exclusive Wine Pairing Dinner At Sage – Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain’s Sage at Aria Resort & Casino will partner with Hundred Acre for a one-in-a-lifetime wine pairing dinner Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. The event will delight palates with a five-course menu, created by McClain and Sage Chef de Cuisine Richard Camarota. Each course will be paired with elegant selections from the winery, as selected by Sage Master Sommelier Nick Hetzel and the evening’s hosts, Hundred Acre Owner and Vintner Jayson Woodbridge and ARIA Director of Wine Kim Wood.

Fukuburger To Park At Fame (Food•Art•Music•Entertainment) In Linq – Fukuburger, the wildly popular food truck serving all-American burgers with a Japanese twist, will be the first to occupy the food truck station in the Asian market at FAME FoodÀArtÀMusicÀEntertainment, when it opens at The LINQ in May.


Memorial Day Weekend Las Vegas 2014

Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar At Linq Las Vegas Hosts Memorial Day Weekend Patio PartyChayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at The LINQ will celebrate Memorial Day Weekend with a party on the bustling patio complete with a walk-up tequila bar and festive frozen drinks specials.

As Vegas is heating up, fiesta-goers can cool down with Chayo’s refreshing frozen drinks served in a 32-ounce souvenir cup, priced at $15. An extra shot of tequila can be added to the pi±a colada, mango strawberry or margarita concoction for an additional $5. Live DJs will bring high-energy beats and sexy bull riders will take a ride on the wild side with Chayo, the mechanical bull.

Salsa Over To Tacos & Tequila And Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend With A Mexican Fiesta Tacos & Tequila (T&T) at Luxor Hotel and Casino will raise glasses to those who served our country this Memorial Day weekend with food and drink specials from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26.


More Las Vegas News


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – We hit our first 100 F (38C) degree day, and it feels good. All is right with the world again. For those of you going “Oh, that is way too hot”, keep in mind that with 15% humidity, it really is no big deal. How many of you who went through some of the brutal winter cold in the US and Canada this past year would have just about killed to feel the Las Vegas version of 100 degrees on some of those bitter days!

Stay Hydrated, And I Mean It! – As usual, my summer warning: Stay hydrated when you visit. It will lessen your hangover, help with your sunburn, and generally make you feel better. With our low humidity, you aren’t noticing the moisture loss from sweat. (It dries off your skin instantly). When you buy a drink, there is no crime in asking for ice water in a pint glass back with it. (I tell them to go easy on the ice so I get a decent amount of water in me).

Contrary to some of the crazy rumors out there, our tap water is 100% safe to drink. (I hope so, or I’d be dead). It does have a high mineral content, thus a taste that some of you may not be used to. When you get back to your room for that afternoon rest and at the end of the night, have a glass (or two) right out of the tap. Just get it down. Do that a couple times a day and you’ll thank me later.

Cosmo Sold – The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas — a foreclosed upon, bank-owned property — has been sold to the Blackstone Group. Deutsche Bank never made a profit while they held it. Blackstone seems to like distressed properties, as they were known for buying up single family homes in our area during the bust. (BTW, just about anybody who did made off like a bandit).

What does that mean for the future of the property? I wouldn’t expect any big changes anytime soon. Despite being a popular property with some of the best standard rooms in town (as they were slated to be condos), and known for their amazing mixology at their bars, the property has struggled to attract gamblers. However, the price the sale went off at bodes well for Las Vegas Strip casino valuation. Confidence in Las Vegas is getting very strong again (as I already was the first to report on a couple of weeks ago). Speaking of…

Up, Up, And Away – March set a record for the most people passing through Las Vegas’ McCarran airport since 2008. International traffic looks particularly good, which works for us! While the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority hopes to attract a full 25-30% of our visitors from outside the United States within the next few years, that is already around the percentage of international visitors who make up our readers! You are spending a significant amount of time and money to visit here, and we appreciate the trust you put in us to help guide you to a better Vegas experience!

In related news, Spirit Airlines has launched Kansas City to Las Vegas service with a red-eye that arrives here around 11:00 PM and turns around to depart on the return journey at 1:00 AM. (Spirit is the discount airline that pretty much charges you for everything except using the airplane bathroom and breathing the air on the plane).

So, why is this important news? Many of you may remember a decade ago when Las Vegas was a hotbed of red-eye service. As an America West hub, countless flights arrived prior to midnight, to be turned around and sent all over the country. Some visitors enjoyed being able to squeeze every last minute possible out of their vacation, then sleep it off on the way home. Lack of demand and airline mergers put an end to this.

We’re hoping Spirit’s move triggers a resurgence. If they can fill the seats, the airlines love it because they make more out of each jet during a 24 hour period. Planes don’t make money when they sit on the ground!

Living Up To Their Name – Hooters has bikini contests Saturdays 1-3 PM at their pool. Combine it with their “$4 Any Beer” and it might not be a bad way for a group of guys to enjoy a couple of hours. Hooters pool is open 24/7 and open to the public. Admission is free. We have local friends who live over that way and will pop over there just to stick their feet in the water and have a drink.

Uber Users Rejoice – Uber, a company that hooks up willing drivers (and their cars) with passengers who need rides, is coming to Las Vegas this month. Uber demands that drivers have clean, 4 door sedans and transactions are electronic. You “hail” an Uber car via a smart phone app. Passengers rate drivers, and visa-versa for quality control. For those of you in other cities who use and appreciate not having to deal with cab companies, you may soon enjoy this as another option to perhaps get to and from the airport.

Probably not so much of a good option hotel-to-hotel. Too much hassle for the locals who drive to fight Strip traffic and come get you. But it is a great way to get back at the long-hauling taxi drivers. Another option which we used to note often (and which we’ll return to reminding you of in the future) is to book a town car or limo. It isn’t that much more expensive than a cab, you pay a set fee, and you arrive in style!

Paging Burton Cohen – Those who vaguely remember the old TV series Vega$ with Robert Urich might remember the constant paging of a guy named Burton Cohen at the Desert Inn shooting location. Cohen, a long time casino manager for many of our city’s historic properties, recently passed away at 90. Stories: Las Vegas casino icon Burton Cohen dies and Burton Cohen: A legend and genuine to the core

Best Of Update – If you have not voted in this round of our Best Las Vegas Hotels poll, you need to do so ASAP. We’re pitting the top 64 Las Vegas properties head-to-head in a unique playoff structure and your vote matters:

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Mike on a Monday #51: Jersey Boys – After having a great run in the Las Vegas Half, I got the chance to relax and see some shows, including the smash Broadway show, “Jersey Boys“. Critically acclaimed, I take you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind production based on the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
  • Las Vegas New Years Eve 2013-2014 Fireworks – Why are we running this now? If you want to knock New Years Eve Las Vegas off of your bucket list (and, it should be on everyone’s bucket list), you want to start thinking about it strongly during the next couple months to get the time off and start watching air and room prices. Unsure it would be worth it? Watch this video and see for yourself. Imagine yourself on the Las Vegas Strip with blazing, thundering fireworks going off in just about every direction!
  • Street Performers Peeved Over Downtown Las Vegas Bathroom Ban – Street performers bring a lot of entertainment to the Fremont Street Experience, but some of them say they are being forced out of the area when it comes to taking a bathroom break. Numerous downtown street performers told 8 News NOW that the casinos aren’t letting them use the restrooms and they feel they are being unfairly targeted.
  • I-15 Las Vegas, Nevada Time Lapse Video 2014 – You are on I-15 headed north just before topping the hill that lets you down into the Las Vegas Valley. The Strip is in the distance and M Resort is on your right (at the St. Rose Parkway exit). For the many of you who fly in, this is your chance to experience the end of the journey for the tens of millions of people who drive in from California each year. YouÆll proceed along The Strip then onto downtown. 20 years ago, this was a two lane highway in each direction.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I have just returned from Vegas and, after reading Vegas Pete’s letter in the latest Newsletter, I must say I agree with him regarding the confusion of some of the Hotels now and also agree with you that Vegas is still a great place; it is one of my favourite destinations. I am from the U.K. and have a fear of flying, so wouldn’t travel the distance every year if I didn’t love the place.

However, I hate the City Center; it looks so out of place amongst the beautiful themed hotels. Also, when walking from the South End to the North End of the Strip, we have to go into the City Center to get to Monte Carlo & Beyond, instead of being able to walk along the Strip. The other side of the Strip is the same, having to enter Walgreens to get to Planet Hollywood & Beyond and this we find annoying as we use to love to walk on the Strip and it takes us where we don’t wish to go.

Also, many 1-cent slot machines are now a minimum of 30-40 cents a play and don’t seem to pay out as often. Slowly, it is destroying my yearning to return. I don’t wish to be a moaning misery but the things we enjoyed that took us there every year are slowly disappearing.

Kind Regards,

Marlene

 

Ted Responds:

I’m going to ask their parent company not to shoot the messenger here, but CityCenter is probably a Top-5 complaint in our mailbag since they have opened. Don’t get me wrong: People who stay there absolutely adore the property. Everyone else seems really not like the design and color (noting it looks out-of-place on our skyline) and/or hates the maze created if you walk that area. There has always been something so awesome about walking The Strip… right on the sidewalk.

Keep in mind the tram from Bellagio to Monte Carlo is available. However, even that is a bit of a pain. Instead of the old tram station next to the Bellagio Gardens, you have to walk way towards the back of the hotel to catch it.

The concept of the walkovers were created as The Strip got more and more jammed with traffic, which was further hampered by pedestrians crossing the streets. However, our county commissioners, who probably couldn’t find their way around The Strip if their life depended on it (hey guys, The Sands isn’t there anymore) rubber-stamp the new pedestrian traffic patterns without regard to the visitor experience.

I understand wanting to route visitors through shopping. This trend got started way back when Harrah’s was allowed to revamp their entrance and loop people around through the Carnival Court area. However, if the frustration starts to get on the list of reasons that pile up to keep people from visiting as often, you are defeating the purpose.

As we’ve noted in the past, penny slots are the tightest of any denomination. And, you need to play a whole lot more than one cent at a time to win anything of value. The only way to make money at penny slot is to kill time at them playing slow and low, and see how many free drinks you can down versus how little you can get away playing. If you want decent payouts, move over the the quarter slots. Playing pennies loaded (full credits) is going to cost as much or more than quarter slots.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe May 7, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

 Palms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA Treatments
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! Save up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las Vegas
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little more…on us. Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Air/Land/Water: Experience a Grand Canyon expedition from Las Vegas, with a helicopter trip and Colorado River rafting!
Experience Grand Canyon via Plane, Helicopter, and Hiking (optional). BBQ! A true southwest experience!
Drive your dream car (Ferrari, Lamborghini, more) around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR track starting only $199!
VIP Grand Canyon Skywalk Tour via helicopter trip to and from the Skywalk. Stunning views! Expedited and exclusive arrangements available.
Visit the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas just one block from the famous Fremont Street Experience!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


Shows, Concerts, And Headliners

Special Effects Makeup Artist/Designer & “Faceoff” Celebrity Judge Glenn Hetrick Attends Absinthe – Glenn Hetrick, special effects makeup artist/designer and celebrity judge of the Syfy hit reality TV series “FaceOff,” was spotted attending ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace on May 2, 2014. Following the show, The Gazillionaire and his assistant Penny Pibbets welcomed Hetrick backstage where he shared words of enthusiasm for the show and took photos with the outlandish duo. Photo Credit: Ben Lewis/Spiegelworld.


Las Vegas Attractions


Dining and Dancing

La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway At Wynn Hotel Springs In New Menu Items To Complement SummerLa Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn Las Vegas has welcomed the warmer weather with new seasonal menu items as well as refreshing spring cocktails.

Michael and Jenna Morton bring spring to their guests by integrating a new crop of fresh ingredients into lighter seasonal selections. New items include the ahi tuna made with pickled cucumber and soy glaze, priced at $16; tableside smoked salmon with Dijon caper sauce and onion confit, priced at $16; Moroccan chicken skewers with pear chutney and Tzatziki sauce served with pita, priced at $16; and duck breast with crispy Shiitake and Bourbon molasses, priced at $23.

Mandalay Bay To Host Beer Vs. Wine Pairing Dinner At MiXMandalay Bay will set the stage for a fun and interactive culinary competition between two of the leading beverage experts in Las Vegas Wednesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at miX Restaurant.

Hosted by Mandalay Bay’s Director of Food and Beverage and Certified Cicerone Sarah Johnson and Director of Wine Harley Carbery, the exclusive dinner menu, created by miX Executive Chef Bruno Riou, will pair each course with a beer and wine selection. Carbery will explain to guests why his wine pairing is the best choice followed by Johnson, who will entice guests to select beer as the ideal pairing for a specific course. The two will go head-to-head throughout the culinary experience with the assistance of Winemaker Russell From of Herman Story Wines and Brewmaster Matthew Brynildson of Firestone Walker Brewing Co.


Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos


More Las Vegas News


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – We’re just a couple weeks away from the 15’th Anniversary of this newsletter (yeah for us) and I think this is one of the longest yet. If you printed both the newsletter and all the stories we link to out, you’d be holding a magazine in your hand!

We have been exploring putting out a tablet-compatible version that would read like a magazine and trust me, we’re seriously exploring it. If we do, it will be towards the fall when we revamp our main AccessVegas.com site to be more compatible with mobile devices. First however, we want to do a great launch with our new paid membership program and really super-serve those willing to pitch in and help us keep the great content coming.

MAMMA MIA! Back To Take Las Vegas By Storm – Long time visitors will remember that Mamma Mia! had a great run for years and years at Mandalay Bay. This hit show is now back in town at The Tropicana, freshened up, and ready for all to enjoy! Check out the video below and then grab your official tickets by clicking on the MAMMA MIA! button in the left sidebar.

Great Minds Think Alike – About a day after we punched “send” on our last newsletter — an issue where I noted that Las Vegas is indeed back (or pretty close) — Steve Wynn said the same thing:

Stop the presses. Steve Wynn declared Las Vegas is on the road to recovery Thursday.

At the outset of a first-quarter conference call with analysts, the Wynn Resorts Ltd. chairman and CEO said he was “feeling good about Las Vegas, better than I had in the past.” (Full Article)

We were obviously having the same thought during the same week, and it honestly appears we’re the first two who are really singing this out so far. (Obviously, I’m not comparing myself to Wynn. He’s a mogul, responsible for modern-day Las Vegas, and someone that I generally greatly admire).

However, when other outlets start touting in a few weeks that Las Vegas is back, you’ll remember where you heard it first!

Ben Affleck And The Hard Rock – Those who follow celebrity gossip (or are way too attentive about all things Vegas) know that actor Ben Affleck was allegedly asked to no longer play blackjack at the Hard Rock Casino here after allegations of card counting. First of all, I commend him for his skill. I did plenty of card counting in the 90’s (profitably) and it is not easy to learn nor execute.

However, the Afflek issue has been blown out of proportion as card counting is not illegal. Can a casino ask anyone to quit playing at anytime for any reason? Yes. As they did with Afflek. It doesn’t make you a criminal.

Why did I not continue my career? It can be a tough way to grind out a profit unless you have a bankroll in the hundreds of thousands to bet big enough to both make the big bucks and withstand the statistical swings. The same amount of time and effort as an entrepreneur proved to pay the bills with less stress.

Rock In Vegas In Rio – May 2015 will bring a version of the famed three-decade running Rock In Rio festival to Las Vegas. 80,000 people per day will enjoy an entertainment “city” with live music by major artists on five different stages. The location? The big empty lot across from SLS (former Sahara) which was slated to be the location for MGM’s CityCenter II back when everyone was foolish enough to think that Las Vegas was well on its way to 60 million visitors per year.

The cool thing? Once the festival is gone, much of the infrastructure will stay in place, creating a new “festival” ground right on the Las Vegas Strip. Who is salivating right about now? SLS owner Sam Nazarian will have ready-made events outside his front door on a somewhat regular basis. The monorail, which will be the transportation of choice for many who are staying farther down The Strip. The Riviera, Stratosphere, Artisan, and Palace Station for being the other nearest properties not owned by The MGM. If enough regular events happen, it might even spur the completion of Fontainebleau.

Festival dates are May 8-9 and May 15-16 in 2015. Unless you are planning to attend, these will be “must avoid” dates for a Vegas stay. We’ll keep you posted down the road. Locals will need to also remember to steer very clear of Sahara and The Blvd. during this time. (Desert Inn Arterial and Oakey/Western will make good alternates).

Dial All 10 Digits – This only applies to locals and/or those of you with 702 phone numbers, either with a cell phone or one of those internet phone devices that let you pick any area code: You must now dial all 10 digits in a phone number when calling any number in Clark County. We’re about out of numbers, so they added the 725 area code. Hence, the call needs all 10 digits to get to the right place.

I’m not exactly pleased with this. In most states, an area code is split up, with a certain geographic region getting the new code. An area code is an identity. Fortunately, between home phone, cell phone, and some MagicJack devices, I have enough 702’s to keep me happy.

Here’s why this matters: In a month when the 725 starts to get issued (they plan to quit issuing 702’s), anybody new to the area will be branded by the new area code. And… Las Vegas is a town that does not particularly trust newcomers (dirty little secret). Especially when it comes to business and hiring. Because so many people move here and leave within a year, new residents can be judged (fairly or otherwise) as being flighty. Nothing will say “new” like 725. If this all matters to you, scoop up a 702 while you can. Probably by finding one of those internet phone numbers that can be transferred to another phone once you move here.

Ladies… And… Gentlemen… Cast Your “Best Hotel In Las Vegas” Votes! – The preliminary “play-in” round is done. The Four Queens and Quad were play-in co-champions and move into the main round of the top 64 Las Vegas hotels, all vying to be crowned the AccessVegas.com Best Hotel In Las Vegas. Now… this is a readers poll. No phony “expert” choices. No unexplained nominations. You readers are the ones who will vote in each match-up every week until we crown YOUR winner!

First take a peek at the match-ups, and see how things are stacking up, and maybe conjecture who could end up being that Cinderella team that surprises early on:

AccessVegas.com Best Of Las Vegas Hotels
Main Round Bracket

Now… Get busy and vote! Voting is super-easy. You’ll click on the First Round playoff choice, then you’ll be presented with two hotels. Pick the one you feel is the better Las Vegas property, and you’ll be presented with two more. Quick and easy, work your way through and YOUR vote will automatically be tabulated and your voice heard!

AccessVegas.com Best Of Las Vegas Hotels Voting

Next issue, we’ll tabulate current results and present the next round.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy

  • Las Vegas Turf Wars: Casinos Gamble on Thrill Rides – For decades, Las Vegas casinos have been trying to one-up each other with high-end restaurants, mega clubs, and even thrill rides — all in a bid to lure gamblers. But the latest attraction, built by Caesars, is part of a bigger strategy to win the Vegas turf war, once and for all. Bloomberg’s Trish Regan took a spin on the appropriately-named “High Roller” with CEO Gary Loveman to get his strategy.
  • Delano Las Vegas Offers First Look At TransformationTHEhotel at Mandalay Bay is in the process of a re-branding and make-over. Delano is an existing Miami-based hotel brand in the process of expanding to Las Vegas, Cesme, Moscow and Cartagena. (No, we had not heard of them either, but it looks really nice!)
  • Las Vegas In The 1940’s With Bugsy Siegel – Las Vegas, 1940’s, appearing Ben “Bugsy” Siegel, Bruce Cabot and Michael Romanoff. Filmed by Pedro Serramalera OlivÚ. An amazing look at the origins of the Las Vegas Strip and old Highway 91 as it stretches to Los Angeles outside of Las Vegas.

Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I live in the UK and visited Vegas for the first time in 1997 with my mum as part of a tour and loved it so much that I have been back every other year since 2005, with a mixture of friends and family. I had planned to visit with my husband Neil last year, but unfortunately our boiler packed up and we had to buy a new one so that put paid to our plans. The good news is that we are back on track to visit this year… hurrah!

We normally visit for a week but this year we are coming for two weeks in (Neil’s) hopes that it will be a bit more relaxed. We have been saving and ebaying and have a tidy amount to spend so we intend to go for it.

Our plan is to visit around mid to late September and have alternate days out doing stuff and days around the pool to recover. The flights from the UK are horrendously expensive but fortunately the hotel rates are good and we are likely going to stay at the Orleans, which is where we have stayed the last three times we have visited. Great hotel and the shuttle to the strip makes it very easy to get about.

Looks like they have remodeled some rooms there and we will shell out the extra bit for one of those. I still can’t get my head round the daily resort charges $10 a day on top …ouch…

I am lucky enough to have visited the Grand Canyon twice before but Neil has never been and so we plan to do a helicopter trip there. I also want to visit Laughlin and have seen that you can do a free day trip there which is great.

The things on the agenda that we haven’t done before are Mob Museum, New Wheel –- I have been on the London Eye and it is an amazing experience — and Stratosphere 107 Lounge. We will go back to see Big Elvis….great show

Going to take Neil to see Human Nature who I saw with a group of girlies on my last trip and I know he will love and also Donny & Marie are on the agenda (for me at least) Will go back to visit all the hotels as usual and will look to do other shows as well. (Hoping Rod Stewart might be there)

I am also going to check out some different restaurants to eat in…..last visit we booked what should have been a special meal for my mums 75th birthday at Mon Ami Gabi and we were so dreadfully disappointed. Such poor service and average food. It’s not true that you always get what you pay for. Roulette – blackjack and slots also on the agenda…….

Blimey, I feel exhausted just thinking about it but so excited and sitting here on a dreary wet London day typing this has really cheered me up

See you in September!!

Best Wishes

Cheryl

PS When I am working and need cheering up I set my computer to pick up Earth Cam at the Welcome To Vegas sign….where else could you see Elvis posing for photos at 9.30 in the morning ..Viva Las Vegas

 

Ted Responds:

Sorry to hear about your boiler, but with the winter the UK gets, that has to be a priority! As a native of the Portland, Oregon area, I understand chilly temperatures and clouds and rain that seem to last for weeks.

Yes, you’ll find that a two week visit is much more relaxed. To combat the higher airfares, I suggest people come a little less often but stay a bit longer. You get more days here for the same amount of airfare price. You’ll find yourself not so rushed to fit everything in or attempt to go day after day with limited sleep.

You can go full out for a few days, then not feel like you are missing out if you take a day and just relax, rest, go to the pool, etc. You have plenty of time for those tours and attractions and activities that you know you really, really want to do, but often seem to get pushed away until “next time”.

You’ll really enjoy that Grand Canyon helicopter tour. There is no better way to see it up close and personally as you fly down into the Canyon. For readers looking for this great experience, click on over to our AccessVegas.com Tours Page where you’ll find descriptions plus phone numbers and live online chat where you can ask the tour experts any questions. We stand behind all the tours there, and know you’ll have a great time!

Everybody loves the Mob Museum! Make sure to plan a good couple of hours there. Time will fly as you visit three floors of absolutely incredible displays and exhibits that will fascinate and entertain at the same time. Highly recommended for an afternoon, then stay downtown for an evening on Fremont Street. (Many who stay on The Strip single out a particular evening to do downtown). We have more info and advance ticket purchase here: Las Vegas Mob Museum

Rod Stewart just announced a whole bunch of new dates. If you look in the sidebar of the newsletter here, you can see if he’ll be here when you are here! He’s also touring both the US, Canada,and has a couple of UK stops this year. For details on all his 2014 performances, check out our Rod Stewart Tour Ticket Details page.

For those going through Vegas depression (aka, that time you can’t be with us here), the cam she’s talking about is the Las Vegas Sign Webcam.

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe April 30, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

 Palms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA Treatments
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! Save up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las Vegas
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little more…on us. Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Explore the REAL West: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Native American Points, Western Ranch, and More!
Time is precious in Vegas: See The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and much more by air. Four hours of lifetime memories at a great price!
Stunning Valley Of Fire buggy tour: See the sights guides, then explore on your own! (Friends will be jealous).
Vegas Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride. Unforgettable views and memories. An experience your friends can’t top!
Just 45 minutes from The Strip, the wild west lives with majestic views on a breakfast horseback ride!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


Las Vegas Art And Attractions

Las Vegas High Roller Receives Guinness Record For World’s Tallest Observation Wheel – The Las Vegas High Roller is officially the World’s Tallest Observation Wheel after being recognized by Guinness World Records Adjudicator Michael Empric at a special reception honoring the team who designed and constructed the wheel on April 17, 2014 in Las Vegas.

Imagine Exhibitions Gallery Presents ‘Da Vinci The Exhibition’ Now Open At The Venetian – Imagine Exhibitions Gallery presents Da Vinci The Exhibition, a comprehensive and interactive look at the brilliance of the original Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci at The Venetian Las Vegas«. Featuring more than 65 fully built, life-size inventions, more than 20 fine art studies and dozens of stunning displays, guests will learn the complex beginnings and lifetime achievements of da Vinci through his discoveries in art, engineering, flight, hydraulics, music, light, anatomy and more.


Shows, Concerts, And Headliners


Las Vegas Dining

New York-New York Brings Tom’s Urban And Shake Shack To New Pedestrian Plaza – New York-New York Hotel & Casino is turning up the flavor on its dynamic new plaza experience with the addition of fan-favorite restaurants Tom’s Urban and Shake Shack, opening December 2014.

The restaurants will take the space currently occupied by The Sporting House (closing June 3), and join recently opened retail outlets Swatch, Stupidiotic, I Love NYNY and Starbucks, as well as Hershey’s Chocolate World, which is opening this spring. The plaza is anchored by the property’s famed Brooklyn Bridge.

Portofino At The Mirage Captures The Traditional Flavors Of Italian Coastal Cuisine With New Menu Items – Onda Ristorante and Wine Lounge at The Mirage Hotel & Casino has changed its name to Portofino and added a selection of new menu items inspired by land and sea as well as varieties of fresh pasta made in-house daily. Named in honor of the quaint Italian fishing village, Portofino’s dishes boast the flavors of Italian coastal cuisine with an emphasis on using the highest-quality ingredients.


May 2014 Las Vegas

Rhumbar At The Mirage Serves Up Special In May 2014 For National Military Appreciation Month – The Mirage will salute the troops in honor of National Military Appreciation Month with buy-one-get-one cocktails throughout the month of May.

RHUMBAR will welcome service members over 21 years of age with valid military identification to relax on their patio with classic Caribbean libations. signature cocktail include the Old Cuban, a refreshing mix of Champagne, rum, fresh lime and mint; the Zombie, a smooth and subtle combination of rum and apricot, pineapple, passion fruit and lime juices; and the crowd-pleasing Pi±a Colada and many more.


Las Vegas Hotels & Casinos

MGM Resorts Unveils Expanded Plans And Programming For “The Park” In Las Vegas – MGM Resorts International has unveiled expanded plans and the first look at programming for its dynamic park, dining and entertainment district taking shape on the west side of The Strip. Creating an interactive neighborhood environment, The Park will connect New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts and the new 20,000-seat world-class Las Vegas arena currently in development by MGM and AEG. 

New York-New York and Monte Carlo both are undergoing significant transformations of their Strip-facing experiences into robust plaza environments featuring casual eateries, bars, restaurants and retail destinations that will ultimately lead to The Park.


More Las Vegas News


Upcoming Las Vegas Events And Holidays


Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – I don’t want to be too presumptive, but it looks like Las Vegas is well on its way back after years of getting battered by the recession. March set a visitor record (see below), airport numbers are great (see next issue), The Linq and Linq-Mobile High Roller are open and exciting people to come check out. MGM just broke ground on their new arena (see next issue) and unveiled detailed plans/videos/renderings for The Park. (Photo in the stories area and video below in What We’re Watching). Add to that the present mostly flawless weather — with only a handful of extra hot or cool days interrupting highs in the 80’s — and Las Vegas is just amazing.

I’d like to say something to the Las Vegas haters who bashed the tar out of us during the recession all over the internet and had glee in the fact that we’re having tough times: We’re back, and there is nothing you can do about it. Not our problem that you are miserable humans who can’t stand that others enjoy life and like to have fun.

We’re going to continue to offer amazing new experiences, more good times than the law should allow, and continue to be a vacation destination that offers more variety of things to do than pretty much anywhere else on earth.

Where else can you see the Grand Canyon in the morning, enjoy watching a sports event you bet on or taking in a world-class spa experience in the afternoon, dine in one of many restaurants run by world-renowned chefs, then have your choice of nearly 100 shows, concerts, and headliners on any given night to round out your evening? Only in Vegas!

Record-Setting Month – Las Vegas hit an all-time record of 3.7 million visitors in March of 2014. While a huge convention didn’t hurt, it wasn’t the only cause by a long-shot. People are visiting more often, and visiting in droves. If all of the people who were stomping their feet and saying that they weren’t going to visit anymore and stayed away, we’ve had no problem finding people who want to enjoy our fine city.

Yes, oil prices make airfare unpleasant. And, the $2 steak dinners are a thing of the past. However, Las Vegas is still an incredibly reasonable travel destination and I challenge you to find a city you can do more in.

Why MGM’s “The Park” Will Work – We all know that I’m not the biggest proponent of the proliferation of all the shopping/dining springing up on The Strip. We have a limited number of visitors willing to spend a (pretty much) set amount of money. However, those who are detractors of The Park are overlooking the fact that this is attached to a major arena which will be busy many days/night of the year.

With the announcement of Park, I’ve seen internet notions ranging from the thought that only locals will be attending arena events (suggesting that locals won’t be interested in the mall, and ignoring that visitors make up a large percentage of concerts stages here) to wondering why MGM is willing to pour so much money to spruce up a couple of their basic properties.

It’s the arena, folks! In city after city around the US, new arenas (attended almost exclusively by locals) have spurred economic development and profit in the arena area. If MGM does NOT build Park, they lose the 20,000 people per event to other properties up and down The Strip. This way, they build and arena and scoop up tons of extra profit from people who will pass that way both before and after events. Both locals and tourists alike.

Will it lead to a pro sports team here? I hope not. Do we want to be the umpteenth city that the Clippers move to? Are locals going to care? (Probably not as Las Vegas has limitless entertainment options and most people living here already have an allegiance to a team). Plus, we already ARE Las Vegas. We don’t need a team that will all-of-a-sudden brand us as a “big league” city. Besides, how well would a team perform when half (or more) of the audience each night was a visitor rooting for the opponent?!?

We don’t tend to cover the “business” side of Las Vegas much, although I’m plenty capable and will note the following: I truly believe that The Linq and the High Roller wheel were built to work in tandem with the arena that Caesars Entertainment was planning for the space they own behind that part of The Strip.

Being in slightly better financial shape (and seeing good numbers as of late), I believe that the new arena MGM is building behind New York-New York — which will connect to The Strip via this Park project — was a way to cut financially ailing Caesars Entertainment off. Few believe that The Strip can absorb another arena once MGM is finished with this one. MGM will own/control MGM Grand Gardens (16,800), Mandalay Bay Events Center (12,000) and this new 20,000 seat arena. Add to that the Thomas and Mack (18,776) and we’re pretty set.

“Best Of” Voting Continues! – We’re getting near the end of the preliminary (second tier hotels) Play-In round in our “Best Of” Las Vegas voting! Here is the latest updated bracket:

2014 Play-In Round Bracket

No huge surprises. Quad beat Sam’s Town. Gold Coast beat Silver Sevens., and location/amenities certainly played a part, although some of the food deals at Sevens are tough to beat! Four Queens beat Wild Wild West (which is essentially a glorified truck stop). The iconic Riviera moves on in a win over Boulder Station. I could see The Riv being somewhat of a spoiler, as it would face Luxor if it makes it to the main round of 64 hotels.

So… time to vote again. Note: Due to a glitch in our initial rankings, BOTH winners in this semi-final round will move on to next week’s start of the main event where 64 hotels square off against each other, and only one will win!

Vote Now: Best Of Las Vegas Hotels
Play-In Round Semi-Finals

Want to see what the main bracket looks like? Click over to our Access Vegas Best Hotels Main Voting Bracket

All That Swing – We’re often asked where one can find casino lounge entertainment that does not consist of a 21 year old “DJ” playing music that goes “thump, thump, thump”. Top Frank Sinatra impressionist Peter Pavone does a multi-faceted show (he sings, tells jokes, you know… an actual entertainer) at El Cortez’s Parlour Lounge & Bar every Wednesday from 8-Midnight and Thursday from 6-10 PM. Admission is complimentary.

Membership Update – If all goes well, we’re about a week from being able to take credit card payments for our upcoming membership program. Rest assured, we will maintain the $14.95 pre-enrollment plan long enough for everyone to have a shot at it before we go to the regular early-enrollment price of $19.95.

If you are just tuning in and catching up in back issues in preparation for your trip and going “What is this all about”, please click over to our April 2, 2014 Access Vegas Insider Vibe, scroll down to Members Mania, and you’ll see the details and still be able to take full advantage.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


What We’re Watching!
Vegas Videos You’ll Enjoy


Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I am a huge fan of your newsletter and a long term Vegas visitor. I like to stay at the north end of the strip @ Circus Circus. Although there are better hotels to stay at I just like the vibe of Circus Circus. I feel like Vegas is my second home as I visit each year and have done for the past 10 years.

I too have noticed the changes in hotels and atmosphere when visiting them. They seem confused as to what they are trying to be. Some say we are hotel/casinos but in fact they feel more like shopping malls. The Quad is just terrible it has no atmosphere at all and the casino is all over the place, you have small parts of a casino here and there it’s poorly planned out and a complete waste of someone’s money in my opinion.

I visited recently and even the ticket slappers on the strip were few and far between and the street entertainers were all but gone too. I visited Fremont and that too looked like a building site, LOL. I am sure it will look great when it’s finished but the Golden Nugget was full of atmosphere and I enjoyed my time in there.

Don’t get me wrong there are of course still casinos worth visiting and will leave you amazed by there beauty, like the Venetian, Bellagio, etc. I will continue to visit Vegas for as long as I am able, but as each year passes, the vibe of the town get more and more confused!

Vegas Pete

 

Ted Responds:

Thanks for reading and we’re happy to hear that we play a part in helping you have a more enjoyable Vegas vacation. I agree that to-date, The Quad isn’t exactly giving me goose bumps. Down on Fremont, Slotzilla is all but done, as is the new outdoor bar at Binion’s. So, it should get back to being construction free.

Fremont East has taken shape nicely and I strongly encourage people visiting downtown to make their way east on Fremont Street — where it goes from being a pedestrian mall to being and actual street — though the bars and restaurants, into and past the El Cortez and on down to Container Park before turning around. Otherwise, you are NOT seeing all of the fun area of Downtown!

However, you bring up a great point: Nothing stops you from personalizing your Las Vegas experience. You don’t mind staying at Circus, and I’m sure you get across the street to Riviera as well. Classic places like The Mirage, Tropicana, and Mandalay still maintain much of their original vibe, taking you to a distant island. Bellagio and Venetian still take you to Italy.

But yes, it is very unfortunate that you can no longer go to Asia (Imperial Palace) or Egypt (de-theming of Luxor). Hold on, though: As we’ve reported, the massive Asian-Themed Resorts World is set to take the old Stardust spot. With any luck, that will re-teach the people responsible for CityCenter, Quad, de-themed Luxor, and others that themed resorts still rule. They mentally take us away to to another place of relaxation and excitement outside our normal world. Even for those of us whose normal world is Las Vegas!

We love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Here’s how to participate:

  • Want to comment on a current reader post? Use the comment box on that particular web page. Many of the stories we post also have comment boxes at the end of the story. Make your voice heard!
  • Drop us an email at AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com – We read them all!
  • Call our recorded comment line at 702-507-0055. We listen to every call.

Access Vegas Insider Vibe April 23, 2014

AccessVegas.com Insider Vibe

Serving Las Vegas Visitors and Residents Since 1999

Welcome to the Insider Vibe! This is the official newsletter of AccessVegas.Com. We talk about the Las Vegas activities you really care about.

Need to contact us? Send feedback to
AccessVegas@AccessVegas.com

Missed an issue? Click to Read Back Issues Online.


AccessVegas.com Quick Info Menu:

Las Vegas Essentials
Featured Shows


Hot Hotel Happenings – Save Big Now!

 Palms Las Vegas – Enjoy 24-hour checkout times only when you book online! Book Now! Stay at Bally’s Las Vegas and get choice of One Day SPA Treatments
Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $52/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City! Save up to 15% Off at Harrah’s Palace Las Vegas
Palms Casino Resort Stay 4 nights and get 25% off your stay. Stay More, Save More – Play, Dine & Dance a little more…on us. Caesars Palace Las Vegas Buffet of Buffets Deal! Stay 2 Nights From $134/Night & Get 2 All-Day, All Access Buffet Passes to 8 Buffets in Sin City!
The Quad – Best Rate Guarantee – Rates low as $30 a night, Center Strip right at LINQ! Special Offers at The Palms – Entertainment Packages and Resort Packages

Click To View ALL Las Vegas Hotel Deals

Print Too Small? (Deals – Large Print)


This Week’s Top Tours

Neon Dream Vegas helicopter tour, soar out to and over Hoover Dam/Lake Mead, Fremont Experience and entire Strip!
Experience Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, all of Vegas by helicopter, save 30%!
Richard Petty Rookie Tour: YOU drive the Vegas Motor Speedway in a V-8 NASCAR style car!
Vegas Indoor Skydiving, right on Vegas Strip, winds up to 120 mph, just like the real thing
Spectacular views of Dam/Lake Mead plus memorable guided interior tour. Stunning photo opportunities!

Click Here To See More Great Tours…


The Cromwell Las Vegas Opens!


– The Cromwell sign illuminates on the side of the building as guests received their first glimpse of the standalone boutique hotel.


– An ambassador of The Cromwell readies to welcome the first guests to the hotel.


– The Cromwell’s dealers prepare for their first visitors prior to doors opening on April 21, 2014.


– All of The Cromwell’s first guests were welcomed with a celebratory glass of champagne.


– The first game of Blackjack dealt at The Cromwell.

The Cromwell Las Vegas Celebrates Soft OpeningThe Cromwell, the new and first of its kind standalone boutique hotel, celebrated its soft opening yesterday by welcoming first visitors to the 40,000-foot casino. Guests rushed in at 4 p.m. in hopes of being among the first to play and try their luck at one of the 434 slot machines and 66 table games. Photo Credit: Erik Kabik


Shows, Concerts, And Headliners


Kentucky Derby Las Vegas 2014


Las Vegas Dining


Cinco de Mayo Las Vegas 2014

PBR Rock Bar Goes Loco For $5 Cinco De Mayo Food And Drink Specials – Tequila and margaritas will be represented in full force this Cinco de Mayo at PBR Rock Bar & Grill. Located inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the Strip-side destination will offer $5 food and drink specials all day on Monday, May 5.

The festive selections will be offered all day and will include $5 tequila shots, $5 margaritas and $5 personal-sized ‘nachitos.’


Downtown / Fremont Street Experience


Mother’s Day Las Vegas 2014

Rhumbar At Mirage Makes This Mother’s Day Pitcher Perfect – RHUMBAR at The Mirage Hotel & Casino will offer $40 sangria pitchers for moms to enjoy a well-deserved day of relaxation on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11.

Hardworking moms can sip sangria while unwinding on RHUMBAR’s cool Caribbean patio, complete with panoramic Strip views. Moms will be greeted with a colorful Gerbera daisy and will have their choice of two signature sangrias to celebrate the day. For a light and refreshing option, the White Sangria blends white and port wines with apricot brandy and fresh fruit. For a more full-bodied elixir, the Red Sangria balances red wine, port and brandy with fresh fruit and clove, for an extra splash of spice.

Tacos & Tequila Inside Luxor Celebrates Mother’s Day With A Mexican Twist – Tacos & Tequila (T&T) at Luxor Hotel and Casino will treat all moms to a complimentary rose and serve Mariachi Brunch in honor of the day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 11.

In addition to breakfast items, guests may cheers to moms with two-for-one T&T Top Shelf Margaritas made with Jose Cuervo Especial tequila and Grand Marnier served on the rocks; or Bloody Marias, made with Jose Cuervo Especial tequila, Chipotle Tabasco, fresh cucumber and olive juice and garnished with a green olive, panela cheese and tomato skewer.

Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Las Vegas Bar To Celebrate Mother’s Day With Lunch And Margaritas For Madres – Chayo Mexican Kitchen + Tequila Bar at The LINQ will celebrate Mother’s Day with a four-course lunch and a complimentary Se±orita for mom on Sunday, May 11.

Mothers will be treated to a complimentary Se±orita to start the celebratory meal. The signature margarita is made with Cazadores silver tequila, fresh lime, fresh strawberry and Moscato d’Asti.

The four-course lunch, priced at $55 per person, will begin with the guacamole topped with pomegranate seeds and served with pork rinds or tortilla chips. For the second course…


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Newkirk’s Notes: The Boss Speaks…

Newkirk’s Notes are comments and insight from AccessVegas.Com publisher and 20+ year Las Vegas resident Ted Newkirk:

Hello From Las Vegas! – As you’ve already seen from earlier in this issue, Barbary Bill’s has a fresh coat of paint and the (how do we say this politely) “interesting” new name as The Cromwell. The casino and one bar are open. Both the rooftop Drai’s dayclub/nightclub and Giada’s (of Food Network fame) restaurant are still roughly a month away.

The good (so far)? A couple of $10 blackjack tables that pay the traditional player-friendly 3/2 ($15-$10 instead of the more modern 6/5 games that only pay $12 for that same $10 bet blackjack) on blackjack bets. Keep in mind that limits and rules are subject to change depending on how busy the joint is. The bad? Gone are the moderate drink prices from the former incarnation. Also gone is the sports book. You have to place your sports wagers at a betting kiosk.

“Best Of” Voting Continues – Last issue, we noted the completion of the first round of the Play-In round for “Best Of” Las Vegas hotel voting. We took a week off to fine tune a few things, and we’re now ready for the second Play-In round! Many of you may want to refresh yourself with a look at the Second Round Play-In Best Las Vegas Hotel Bracket.

As a reminder, these are the second tier properties who are vying for a spot in our main 64 hotel playoffs, which will determine who our readers deem the best property in town! We’re now able to unveil the brackets for the main playoffs: AccessVegas.com Best Hotel Championship Bracket. Those of you who enjoy prognosticating will surly have some fun looking at all the match-ups!

Those with sharp eyes will notice that the main bracket has room for two “play-in” winners. Because of an error, we created two spots instead of one. So, both hotels in the Play-In finals will simply be moved into the Championship bracket round.

So, enough of the talk. Go vote in the Second Round of the Best Hotel Play-In (voting will be open through April 29, 2014)!

Zip Line Getting Close – While no official date has been set yet, construction is winding down on the Slotzilla zip line, stretching from one end of the Fremont Street Experience to the other. Testing has been underway with crash test dummies, and given the negative publicity that would surround any mishaps, we understand that emphasis on safety is at a premium. (This ain’t no carny ride).

Those who dare will have their choice of a shorter, lower ride stretching about 1/2 the length of the canopy and a full-on, “shot out of a cannon headfirst” experience starting out above the canopy, then ducking you just under it as you hurtle toward The Plaza. One downside that we’re not thrilled with? The landing platform has obliterated most of the view of the iconic lights of The Plaza as you gaze down the Fremont Street Experience. I always liked that view.

It’s Official, Temporarily – The Linq-Mobile (er, High Roller Observation Wheel) has been verified by Guinness as the tallest in the world. If you want to ride it while it holds the distinction, you’ll want to do so this year. Other taller wheels are under construction.

Bummer, No Implosion – The Harmon Tower (that giant billboard next to Cosmopolitan) is coming down. Quietly. A typical Las Vegas hotel implosion simply isn’t in the cards. Too great a possibility that it would wipe out part of the Cosmopolitan with it.

Unfortunately, we may have nearly seen the last of the great era of Las Vegas implosions. Many parts of The Strip are packed in more tightly than ever, refurbishing (a la Sahara and Tropicana) is more cost-effective, and while I personally wouldn’t mind seeing some of the condos come down, that will pretty much never happen because every owner would have to agree to sell.

Like it or not, I think we’re pretty much stuck with The Strip in its present format until Genting gets rolling on Resort World (former Stardust property) later this year. We’re looking forward to it (only 5 minutes from my house, how cool is that) and will work overtime to keep you up on this huge new megaresort as it develops.

Hope you are enjoying this issue!

Associate Editor / News Researcher: Rick Ziegler

Concerts, Headliners, Special Events: Amy Rayner-Cooley


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Members Mania – We Love Our Readers!

I am more than ready to subscribe but it is so difficult for us Canadians To pay for the subscribed newsletter. It seems unfair for us to have to wait until you add credit card payment .

I will not be able to take advantage of the early bird price, but I will sign up when you offer the service. I have told a number of my friends here in Canada, and they feel the same way. PayPal is not an option. Please announce when you have the ability to to help us here in Canada.

Just a note, Westjet Airlines, based in Calgary, was the first airline to pass the million passenger mark into Las Vegas.

As always,I enjoy your newsletter.

Allan Huntley

 

Ted Responds:

For those who have been tuned out for a while (and are now tuning back in as you prep for your next trip and/or working through back issues), we are moving to a paid subscription model on July 1 and offering a special pre-enrollment period. You can visit the Members Mania area of our April 2, 2014 issue for details.

In response to Allan’s heads-up about this:

We WILL be keeping the early-bird price open long enough for readers to have a way to use credit card. Rest assured that we have many Canadian and International readers and you will not be left out in the cold (no pun intended after this past winter).

What we’ll do is make credit card payments available around May 1 (Canadian Dollar, Euro, Pound, Yen, Australian, and many, many more major world currencies), and keep the pre-enrollment price in place until May 15 (instead of setting a subscriber number count on it). Things are going pretty smoothly so far (considering that this is the start of a major venture) and we certainly want to be as inclusive as possible to long-time loyal readers!

A note to the many, many of you who subscribed by check up to this point: We are currently processing them, and you will receive a confirmation note. Please keep in mind that processing time is 3-4 weeks for check orders as we work though them manually. We didn’t want you to think we forgot about you!

However you pay, we appreciate it and are thrilled for your support!


It’s been almost a year since my last visit & unfortunately I won’t make it this year & am having withdrawals…but the extra $$ just aren’t there right now. While the gambling (slots) were really bad the last trip, I was there for a total of 10 Days… I paid discount prices for 3 nights! Total of about $120.00.

I ALWAYS stay “Downtown” on Fremont Street, mainly because I like it there, but also because I am a Widow now, & must travel solo. My best friend used to love to go too…but I lost her also. I feel very Safe “Downtown” & usually stay at the 4-Queens, The “D”, or The Plaza. My last trip, I stayed at all three establishments, and also stayed for the 1st time at The Golden Gate!

Even though I lost my gambling allowance, I still had a wonderful time. I loved the new refurbished rooms at The Plaza (Very large & comfortable), enjoyed the quaintness of the room at the Golden Gate (very small) and the average Rooms at The “D” and The Four Queens!

I go to Vegas to gamble…and average sleep is about 4-6 hours a day….Not a High Roller by any means…but I do use the Player club Cards and would just like to state that the amount of Play from the Downtown Casino’s is definitely variable enough for me & the BEST PART is that when I finally decide I need a nap…..my room is usually within an 5-10 minute walk! At 63 that’s plenty for me.

If I had the $$, I could have gone once a month with 4 choices of hotel rooms. This might not happen for everyone, but on my budget, I truly don’t believe these offers would have rendered the same at the Strip.

I have always been treated very well by staff at all the hotels, and have very often been offered a choice of rooms as well. Also, for the most part, the rooms Downtown rent at a considerable savings over the rooms at the Strip, & those savings downtown, will more than cover the taxi ride to the Strip. So if you don’t need the fanciest room, you might consider a detour this year!

 

Ted Responds:

Thanks for the great report! If it makes you feel any better, sometimes when I get tied up with the management side of this business and life happening and don’t get downtown or to The Strip as much as I’d love to, I get withdrawals too! (They usually kick in at the one week mark).

Many have wondered about how safe downtown is, and in particular females traveling alone. While anything can happen anywhere at anytime, the amount of security and cameras in Las Vegas makes it an extremely safe place. Even for the solo female traveler!

Downtown gaming seems to simply keep inching a little higher all the time and because most of the properties are owned by competing owners, you have real competition for your gambling dollar. They are generally not as encumbered by huge debt and a bunch of bean counters trying to squeeze the visitor endlessly.

Don’t get me wrong: The Strip is still the place to stay for those who come for the world-class shows and restaurants. Very few views like those from some of the rooms on The Strip. But, we’ve been actively encouraging people to take their wagering dollar downtown until The Strip returns to being a little more gambler friendly. As I’ve noted before, I want the return of big spinning cars available to be won sitting out on the sidewalks and huge neon signs that say “Our Slots Pay Back 99%”!

Few notes on Fremont Street Downtown:

1. You may wish to avoid Friday and Saturday nights now. I do. The area is now so popular that weekend evenings are super-crowded and pretty crazy. Fremont Street has the same gambling, food, and live bands seven nights per week. Go when you don’t have to fight the people who are a little out-of-control.

2. Because the live music often lasts until midnight or 1 AM, light sleepers staying downtown should request a room as far away from Fremont Street as possible, preferably facing the other direction. (Main Street Station guests may want to request a room that isn’t on the freeway side).

3. The old rooms at Golden Gate are really tiny. For those of you who like elbow room, something to keep in mind.

Thanks again for the great report!

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