Go to bed?? It's only 3:30 a.m.!
Written: Jun 24 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: More free stuff than you can shake a roll of quarters at.
Cons: Overwhelming at times!
The Bottom Line: Visit anytime with anyone -- indoor moving sidewalks and other transportation means make everything cool and accessible.
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| MadBunnie2's Full Review: The Strip |
** Be forwarned -- this review is loooong and it is much happier now that it is in the right place...that downtown Glitter Gulch can be scary at night!! wink wink**
I quit my job in May so the next most logical thing to do was to book a flight to Vegas. Ok, ok, I had been wanting to go to Vegas anyway and my sister's best friend was getting ready to celebrate the big 5-0 and thought Vegas was as good a place as any to ring it in and so I thought I would tag along.
Both jobless and at a loss for anything better to do, my sis and I drove to Atlanta and caught a miserable nonstop $225 flight to McCarran Intl. I say miserable because it ain't no 30-minute ride and there weren't any extras on our flight -- just some soda and pretzels. But, we were goin to Vegas, baby! and the excitement was palpable. Nothing could bring us down on the brink of this adventure.
Arrival at the Vegas airport was another notch in the thrill belt. From the tarmac you can see the unreal hotels that make up the strip and just the sight of them even in daylight can make your heart pound with disbelief. The pyramid of the Luxor is the most obvious landmark but each hotel is so remarkable that you might think you are on a movie studio lot looking at fronts.
We caught a shuttle to our hotel, the Mirage, and was immediately enraptured by the decor. I am working on this article however, to tell not the splendor of one hotel but of the miracle of the entire mile, so let me begin.
There are so many things to do in Vegas that have nothing to do with gambling that I doubt I will be able to recount them all. There is food -- if you are trapped on the east coast all you need to know is that there are more than 5 -- count 'em -- In and Out Burger establishments available to delight your taste buds. In addition, each casino has multiple restaurants from the swank to the buffet and you probably cannot go wrong with any of them. If you are privileged enough to have transportation, open the phone book and check out the delicacies to be found at Carl’s Junior (fried zucchini) or Bucca di Beppo (anything on the menu).
And if you have a car, take advantage of the valet service available at all the casinos -- what's $3 tip for curbside service??
Each of the casinos has a hook and this is where the cheapo should begin their tour. The 3 hotels on the end are connected by monorail. I couldn't figure out what the Mandalay Bay had going (besides mob influence) but the Luxor was oozing with coolness. The inside of the pyramid plays host to 3 IMAX theatres and the architecture is amazing. Ride the inclinator if you have a strong stomach. Stroll thru Mandalay, Luxor and the older Excalibur (Thunder Down Under resides here at $35 bucks a pop but worth it!) and then you will find some of the newer construction.
On one side of the strip across from Excalibur sits New York, NY with the herky-jerky $12 roller coaster outside and the Coyote Ugly Bar inside and on the other side is the MGM boasting their live lion enclosure -- very cool. A bit farther down, the Bellagio plays host to the dancing waters, which is a phenomenal water show that runs all day and most of the night. This is one of the must see free attractions found on the strip.
Caesar’s Palace is truly a Grecian palace complete with mall shopping and the coliseum where Celine Dion is booked solid for months. I never made it inside in 4 days -- that's how much there is to do in this city that truly never sleeps. Across from Caesar's is Aladdin and the Desert Passage; this is another amazing mall concept where you really feel like there is/could be a DKNY in downtown Baghdad. This mall is complete with a rainstorm every half hour. Many people miss this treat and they simply need to go back.
The M&M Museum is 4 floors of M&M (what else) fun but it is free, air-conditioned fun. Make sure that you make a right on the 3rd floor to be involved in the free 3-d live action/movie adventure. Next door to that is the Coca-Cola Store and unlike the ones in Atlanta and Disney, there are no free sodas to be had here. Shame, shame. But, there is a good photo op with the Polar Bear on the 1st floor.
Back to the hotels, the Paris gives you a replica of the Eiffel Tower, the Venetian offers gondola rides either through the center of their mall or outside (we opted for the $12 outside ride complete with an a capella gondolier). Across from the Venetian is the Mirage with the volcano that erupts every 20 minutes or so and the live white tiger exhibit, and next to the Mirage and linked by train is Treasure Island, soon to be known as T.I. They are supposed to be abandoning the free, fun pirate vs. British ship fireworks battle held every 90 minutes for a more adult show....huh?? I have no idea what they have planned but I think it will be a mistake.
There is more, but this is already way longer than expected. Vegas is more than smoky casinos and free drinks (as long as you're gambling). I can't wait to go back and do all the stuff I didn't have time to do. There was plenty, too, what with the free laser show downtown, views of the inside of the rest of the casinos, the view from the Stratosphere,....I better get busy planning the next trip. This time, I am looking forward to bringing the kids and husband. There is truly something for everyone on The Strip.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
MadBunnie2
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Location: Augusta, GA
Reviews written: 73
Trusted by: 19 members
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