The whole tsa trip is the most anti-American experience I've ever been subjected to. Hard to believe anyone would lower themselves to that for money.
BTW room #14117 at the Flamingo is a real charmer. I got back to the room late and saw footprints leading through the doorway (good sign). Thought I'd been robbed. Nope, the bathroom ceiling collapsed and it was half cleaned-up when I returned. Nobody left a note or a phone message. Took over an hour to get moved to a new room. Nobody had any idea what had happened, who had attempted to clean/fix it, or when.
The Mob museum is downtown near Fremont. It is new and $20 a person. I thought it was very good. It has 3 floors of stuff. I recently ate at Gordon Ramsays Stackhouse at the Paris. Very expensive but very good. Also see the Bellagio fountain show which is free
Mon Ami Gabi @ Paris is also quite good and reasonable for french bistro and steak (although Bouchon is way better). Sit on the patio and you can see the Bellagio fountains from your table! :MARIS61: L'Atelier Joel Robuchon is also really solid if you want some high brow french food in a modern setting (and not so stuffy either). For a decent 24 hour restaurant, Grand Luxe Cafe at Venetian is pretty clutch. Its the cheesecake factory though but a little more upscale. If you're into Thai food, one of the best thai restaurants in the US is off the strip in a minimall off Sahara, Lotus of Siam. There's also a swinger's club (the green door) in the same minimall :MARIS61:
oh yeah, if you're at the airport, DO NOT LET THEM TAKE THE FREEWAY TO YOUR HOTEL. they actually have to get your permission to do it they'll say something like "its ok i take freeway?". they are legally obligated to let you know if the way they take is longer than the most direct route. if they give you shit, threaten to call the number of the taxi authority. It adds like 10 extra bucks on your cab fare since the exit to the freeway loops like 2 miles outside the airport, they'll always say there's traffic or some bs, but insist on taking Paradise Road or whatever. and you can always get a free ride (cab or limo) to the strip club. they get like $20 per person they bring there, so you basically just ask them if you'll take you there..they'll try to convince you to a different one which pays them a bigger payout.
Because it's my birthday the desk guy gave us a free upgrade. King suite on 23rd floor, tv in bathroom mirror, perfect view of bellagio fountains
http://www.amazon.com/UNDER-SKY-Vegas-Doormans-Story/dp/0984210903 A "must" read for anyone going to Vegas.
This guy was playing on the street and I bought a cd after enjoying some nice tunes. [video=youtube;CKnXHBRq5aE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKnXHBRq5aE[/video]
Biggest disappointment was Margaritaville. Food was downright bad and the band they had playing would never be allowed on a stage in Portland. Second worst was Haggen Dazs where for $8.50 I got 2 ping pong sized scoops of very mushy ice cream which didn't taste at all like Haggen Dazs ice cream. Vinny Favorito was fun, the Flamingo treated us very well in every way, NY NY looked like a good place to stay also. Dennis Rodman was at the Forum Mall at Caesars but not the day we went there. Lost $7 on the penny slots but won $18 at the sports book thanks to the Blazers. My wife was up about $55 but lost about half of it before she cashed out. We're not big gamblers. This lady won $1,200,000 on the Wheel of Fortune slot at The Flamingo the night we arrived. [video=youtube;va5c2ut1qgE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va5c2ut1qgE[/video]
NYNY is a little dingy according to the people I've known that have stayed there. There are better spots in that price range. Supposedly the pub that is inside is pretty decent but not exactly Vegas. Not surprised you didn't dig Margaritaville. Should've said something before. It is designed to attract the intimidated mom and dad crowd. Giant theme restaurant where the less adventurous can go and have a drink. I would bet most people there are staying in the attached hotel or very close by. That or they just really like Jimmy Buffett.
It was very unAmerican of you to go to Vegas. And to fly there? Shame on you. Any real American goes to Reno, and drives there, via the best freeway system in the world. I would have thought you, of all people, would have known the truth about Beautiful Southern Nevada.
shit, you're a big baseball fan. Pete Rose is always at that memoribilia store in Cesars palace selling autographs for $25....is really really really...sad.
Lynn Swann was there when we were there last time but I didn't recognize him. I don't think anyone else did either because he looked bored.
