Do older travellers travel differently?

We like to think that we are forever young, but as we age, our travel style (which ultimately becomes our retirestyle) and preferences change. 

I know when I was younger, I had no fear and I did not care about comfort or my meals. I just wanted to cram in as much fun and excitement I could for as cheap as possible. 

Then, I got older and had kids and it was all about experiencing the fun and excitement of travel through their eyes and doing what they wanted to do even if it was not exactly fun for us parents. Think about going to the kiddie land amusement rides, watching a Barney live show, or waiting in line to get an autograph from Mickey Mouse at Disney. 

We spent a lot of time in the hotel room watching TV and went to bed early. Much of the day was spent feeding and amusing the kids and always worrying and watching them closely to ensure they don't hurt themselves, drown, or get abducted. We always had a big baby bag or backpack with all of the things the kids could possibly need during the day. 

Business travel was nice because cost was not as much of a consideration, so I could stay at a nicer hotel in a nicer area (close to the action) and I could eat at more expensive restaurants eating gourmet food. However, there was not much time to be a tourist and it was tough to be away from the family (especially the kids) for more than a few days and it quickly lost its appeal and became just part of work. 

Once the kids got older and became teenagers, we could do things together that we all enjoyed. I really cherish those trips.

Now, my kids are adults. The game has changed. Here are some ways that I think travel will change in the future for me and Tina:

1. We have more money saved up and are less concerned about cost of travel, accomodations, and meals. We can step it up and enjoy more luxury and comfort than before. Tina and I particularly look forward to eating more expensive, gourmet meals and restaurants we don't have at home and sometimes prepared by world-famous chefs. Senior citizens even get discounts at certain attractions and restaurants.

2. The kids don't have to come on trips with us anymore. They can take care of themselves while we are away and they will eventually have homes and kids of their own. Thus, we can do what we want. We can now stay at adults only resorts, which are generally more peaceful without kids running around.  Without the kids, it is more affordable and practical to eat at an expensive restaurant. Tina can now spend hours in a museum or art gallery. Places like Nashville, Las Vegas and Cancun are completely different without kids. I can definitely indulge in a bit more alcohol than before. We could even travel with friends, which would be a new experience. 

3. We don't have as much energy as before and sometimes we have unexplainable aches and pains in our feet, legs or back, so we will likely take things slower and do less walking and thrill rides than before. Some attractions and activities in all-inclusive resorts or on cruises seem more tailored to older travellers and we will explore and experience more of those. 

4. Healthcare & health insurance is going to become more important as we age.  Long flights can even lead to blood clots, so we may have to wear compression socks to reduce the risk. We also shouldn't over-indulge on food and we need to watch what we eat because of high blood pressure and other risks. We also have to reduce our sun exposure and be careful of walking too much at high altitudes. I remember reading somewhere that there are morgues on cruise ships because a senior citizen dies on almost every cruise due to the heat, exertion and overeating. 

5. We can go on longer trips. We don't have to limit ourselves to a 7-night cruise or all-inclusive vacation. We can drive across North America even if it takes a month. We can take extended repositioning or river cruises. We can rent an apartment in Hawaii or Mexico for months at a time and it won't cost much more than a 1-week vacation at an all-inclusive resort.

What did I miss?

How has travel changed for you as you aged?

Happy travels, 

Kev

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
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Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)

Published Poem about adventure gone wrong "Thrill Ride"

Thrill Ride *

The thrill of a lifetime

Go for it!

Catapult launch
Moment of zero-g, then negative-g at the summit
Airtime
First drop
Thrown forward as gravity takes over
Look down the track as the ground rapidly approaches
Scream
Hold your head back as the g-force intensifies
Inversion
Double Loop-de-loop
Corkscrew
Throw your hands up in the air
Barrel roll
Helix
Thrown sideways from lateral-g’s
Elevated curve
Banked turn
Camel back speed run
Brake
Cheer
Exit the ride

A big adrenaline rush

Not satisfied
Thirsty for more thrills
Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Harder

Log flume

Space shot drop tower
Pendulum ride
Alpine coaster
Extreme swing ride
Sling shot reverse bungee
Sky coaster
Zip line
Scuba-dive
Parasail

Pure exhilaration

NO FEAR
Step it up, bro
Higher, More Extreme

Ride your motorcycle from Chicago to Los Angeles on Route 66 without a helmet

Drag race on the Autobahn through hairpin turns
Ride the Class 5 raging river rapids on a raft through the Grand Canyon
Bungee jump from a derelict bridge in Mexico
Freedive to a depth of 100 meters off the coast of Greece
Tandem parachute jump through the clouds and in the rain
Run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in frozen Alaska
Hang glide and paraglide high above Rio De Janeiro

You’re invincible

An adrenaline junkie
“Danger” is your middle name
Wilder, Crazier, More Unique

Surfing the big one on the deadly Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu

Cliff diving into the strong winds and shallow water of Acapulco
Base jumping off world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela
Leaping from a helicopter in a wingsuit and flying through Tianmen Cave
Rock climbing without a harness up the treacherous Trango Towers in Pakistan
Off-trail heli-skiing in a remote avalanche zone in British Columbia’s Rocky Mountains
Speed-climbing Mount Everest without oxygen or a Sherpa

Each one better than the last

Live every day like it is your last
Living the fast life

Smoking and binge drinking in Cancun until blacking out

Designer drugs from an unknown lab at a trendy club in Los Angeles
Unprotected casual sex in your apartment with strangers from Craigslist

YOLO

Pushing your limits
Living life to the fullest

Laughing at death

Tempting fate
Secretly wishing to die

Kevin Strong

2014

* First published by Kind of a Hurricane Press (Life is a Roller Coaster Anthology) in September 2014

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
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Poem about Las Vegas "What Happens in Vegas"

What Happens in Vegas

The mythical city of “Lost Wages”

They say “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”
But, you’ll probably end up like Katy Perry in “Waking up in Vegas”
Or like Clark W. Griswold in “Vegas Vacation”
Or like that nerdy guy from the movie “The Hangover”

Vegas, baby

The city that never sleeps (or is that New York?)
I experienced this city of light (or is that Paris?)
And it took a little cat nap (with one eye open) early one morning
Like the lonely old lady mindlessly playing the slot machine at 3 AM
(there are no clocks or windows so I’m sure she didn’t even realize the time)

The gambling capital of the world

Penny slots lead to dollar slots then to table games and then to card games and sports betting
Why not?
Everyone else seems to be winning, so it’s got to be your turn
Each new gamble has to be the one to get your losses back

More hotel rooms than any other city in the USA

Scale models of New York and Paris (who needs the real ones?)
Wear your sneakers and go explore ancient Greece or modern Venice (without the jetlag)
Stay in a Pyramid or a medieval castle
The most expensive building & resort ever built in North America
Three of the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world
The world’s largest glass sculpture, sign, and atrium
The planet’s most powerful light beam (1 of 3 man-made things that can be seen from space)

Entertainment capital of the world (or is that Los Angeles?)

See a free pirate or volcano show from the sidewalk on the strip
Watch the Bellagio fountain show from the observation deck on top of the mini Eifel Tower
See a singing frog on Wynn’s lake of dreams
Buy your “discount” tickets on the strip near M&M world (not much of a discount, really)
Every resort with a “unique” Cirque du Soleil show (not so unique, actually)
Donnie & Marie, Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, Celine and Britney are there
As are discounted variety shows with up and coming magicians, jugglers and acrobats
And celebrity impersonators and tributes galore
The highest observation wheel in the world
Arcades, zip lines, roller coasters and an indoor amusement park
The world’s longest decelerator sky jump (sort of a combination of rappelling and a reverse bungee jump)
The world’s highest thrill rides on top of the Stratosphere (where did the roller-coaster go?)
The world’s largest video display and gold nugget on Fremont

Sin City (or is that a Frank Miller graphic novel? Or is that Bangkok?)

The ultimate stag party at the world’s largest gentlemen’s club (or is that a drunk, obnoxious pervert’s club?)
Hispanic immigrants clicking the hooker business cards (trying to get you to look at them)
Every cab adorned with the picture and phone number of some vixen
You can see naked, dancing vampires and zombies (seriously?)
Burlesque shows lead to strip clubs then to lap dances and then to prostitutes
It’s the natural progression
Bad decisions memorialized at a drive-through wedding chapel (Elvis officiating)
Or a visit to the doctor for the rash you got from the masseuse who came to your hotel room

Completely over-the-top

Ever-expanding and re-developing
Demolishing classic buildings and moral standards alike (“Boom” goes the dynamite!)
Out with the old and in with the new (like the trophy brides at the Vegas wedding chapels)
The flavour of the month is already past its expiration date
The world’s most convention and meeting space keeps growing most-er

No self-control or restraint here

Dance all night and catch up on your sleep by the pool
One plate is not enough (your eyes are bigger than your stomach)
After you grab a foot-long hot dog and shrimp cocktail,
Stuff your face at countless all-you-can-eat buffets with endless delicious, decadent choices (don’t bite off more than you can chew)
One restaurant even gives free, greasy, fatty food to morbidly obese people after they sign a waiver (please save us from ourselves)
They loosen you up with free cocktails while you gamble (don’t forget to tip the waitress so they’ll come back)
Next thing you know, college kids are cradling alcohol in cups that are half as tall as they are
And waking up and not knowing where they are or how they got there (or who they are sleeping beside)
Bars and liquor stores in every resort and on every street corner (you’ll never be parched)
The rat pack and mobsters used to rub shoulders here

Artificial oasis in a vast desert (or is it simply a Mirage?)

Do our grand dreams evaporate in the sun
And our Money get pumped from our wallets
Like the water in Lake Mead?
It can’t go on forever, can it?

What happens in Vegas

can’t be contained in Vegas
It shines like a beacon (or is that lighthouse warning of danger? Or is that a bright red light in a red light district?)
Challenging other cities to try to outdo her in a race to the bottom
A siren on Treasure Island tempting us to give ourselves to her (and crash into the rocks)
Vegas changes us

Kevin Strong

2014

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
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Published Poem about going to DisneyWorld in Orlando "Happiest Place on Earth"

Happiest Place on Earth *

Coughing and hacking

Planning and packing
Popped ears and page-marking
Drive miles and miles for parking
Visit the mouse with big round black ears
Take a deep breath and face your fears
Waiting in a very, very long line
Just paying the happiness fine

Small world it is, after all

Having a ball in free fall
Laughing and flip-flopping
Spinning and dropping
Voice rough from all the screaming
It almost feels like you are dreaming
What? Wait in a longer line?
The pleasure is all mine

Ascend the mountain in space

Cool sports cars to race
Thunder and Splash Mountain
Drink from a dirty fountain
Eat ice cones and cotton candy
A little rest would be just dandy
Waiting in line to join a line
Meet the mouse and worship at the shrine

Pay for everything through the nose

Grab the camera and strike a pose
Something to bring to show and tell
Try to take in each sight and smell
The whole clan together for a change
The best time money could arrange
Great family time is waiting in line
No thanks to those tips we got online

The party is over, so no one cheers

We say our farewells through hugs and tears
Why come all the way here for us all to bond?
The fairy godmother waved her magic wand
Her magical memories - some toys and a shirt
Empty pockets, a tan, and back to work
Back at home there are no lines
That is where our true love shines

Kevin Strong

2008

* First published by The Taylor Trust in 2009

P.S. Here are links to my other social media accounts, in case you want to connect that way:
Kevin's Instagram
Kevin's LinkedIn
Kevin's Facebook

Kevin's YouTube (You should check out my YouTube Channel for related travel videos)

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - Travel Tips and Things To Do

I was planning to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2020 for 2 reasons. I was supposed to go for 5 days with my family to celebrate my 25th wedding anniversary with Tina because we had also celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary there. I was also planning to go for an extra 4 days with friends from my touch football team because 6 of us were celebrating our 50th birthdays in 2020. 

You don't have to tell me... I know that July is Vegas is uncomfortably hot.  

Unfortunately, our trip was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Fortunately, I gathered a lot of information from my research for this trip and I am sharing it with you below.

Las Vegas Travel Tips:

as of 2020

1.       Take a shuttle bus (Airline, Bell, Star, SuperShuttle, and Showtime) from airport to hotel ($10-15 pp to strip and $15-20 to Downtown), but have multiple stops on the way and are inconvenient & slow.  It costs less if you buy a round trip ticket.  This is the cheapest way for 2 people.  4 people would be cheaper by cab or Uber if your luggage will fit. Taxi flat rates are $23 to Caesars Palace/Flamingo and $27 to Circus Circus/Stratosphere). Uber costs around $15 if no surge pricing. Very few hotels have free shuttles from the airport.   

2.       The WAX (Westcliff Airport Express) departs ground level zero of Terminals 1 and 3 of the airport approximately every 60 minutes from 6 AM to 11 PM and costs $2, but it only has one stop on the strip at the Tropicana (which is a long walk from most of the other resorts) & one stop in downtown Vegas.
3.       To travel along the strip, either walk or use the train/monorail that goes behind the hotels (Sahara, Hilton, Convention Center, Harrah's, Flamingo, Bally's, MGM) every 10 minutes.  The Monorail is $5 per ride or you can buy an all-day pass for $13, 2 days for $23, 3 days for $29, which is economical.  A 7-day monorail pass costs $56 and must be purchased at a ticketing office (not a machine). Save 10% if purchased online at www.lvmonorail.com.
4.       DEUCE double decker busses and SDX (Strip & Downtown Express) busses serve the strip from Mandalay Bay to Fremont Experience and charge $6 per person for 2 hours or $8 for a 24-hour pass and $20 for a 3-day pass.  The Deuce operates 24-hours. SDX runs from 9 AM to midnight and uses special lanes and by-passes most of the strip to save time.
5.       Do not take a cab or bus on the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard) at night as traffic moves very slowly. 
6.       Free Shuttles and Trams (no luggage allowed):
a.       Free tram between Excalibur and Mandalay Bay (stopping at Luxor on northbound route).
b.       Free City Centre Tram runs from Monte Carlo to Bellagio.
c.        Free tram between Mirage and Treasure Island.
d.       Free Caesars Entertainment Shuttle Bus from Rio to and from Bally’s Paris and Harrah’s every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 1 AM.
e.       The Las Vegas Downtown Loop is a free shuttle bus around downtown Las Vegas from the Fremont Street Experience to the Mob Museum, the Arts District & the North Premium Outlets (every 30 minutes).
f.         Sam’s Town has a free shuttle to Fremont Hotel and Harrah’s.
g.       Gold Coast Hotel has a free shuttle to the Orleans Hotel and the High Roller at the LINQ.
h.       Free Shuttle bus from Tropicana to M Resort (way south of the strip).
7.       $20 handshake – when checking in to the hotel, put your driver’s license, credit card and a $20 bill on the counter and ask what upgrades they have available and sometimes they will give an amazing room upgrade or offer severely discounted show tickets. This could be an urban myth. I tried it at Circus Circus and got an unimpressive coupon book.
8.       Freemont Street has all the old casinos like Golden Nugget & Binions.  They also have free entertainment.  Don’t walk there from the main strip (dangerous and far away).  Buses can take a long time in traffic at night on the main part of the strip, so take a cab or bus from Stratosphere to save time if possible.
9.       Get “funbooks” (containing coupons) at hotel front desk when checking in or signing up for player’s club.
10.    Find coupons online and in booklets at the hotels and even in the cabs.  Read “Where”, “What’s On” magazine, 24/7 magazine, Yellow pages, and Vegas Values Coupon Book, Las Vegas Review Journal for tips and coupons (ask concierge or try tram stations).
11.    Sometimes, you can get coupons for the buffet or restaurants at your resort from the concierge of the hotel or from staff of the casino.
12.    Buffets change from breakfast to lunch at around 11 AM and from lunch to dinner at around 3:30 PM. Pay a lower cost a little earlier and wait around for the food to switch over.
13.    Sign up for players club at each casino to get free play, match play and other sign up bonuses. Also, they usually have extra prizes (ex. free t-shirts) if you earn a minimum number of points on the day you sign up.
14.    Many casinos offer free parking, free matches, free used decks of cards, free gaming lessons, and free beverages (including alcohol). Just ask at the players club desk.
15.    Drinking alcohol is allowed while walking on the Las Vegas Strip and on Fremont Street as long as it is not in a glass container.
16.    Don’t jay-walk.  Police strictly enforce this law and it has a $150 fine.
17.    Gambling odds are better off-the-Strip
18.    Hoover Dam (Lake Mead), Grand Canyon, & Red Rock Canyon scenic drive are amazing.
19.    Smoking is permitted on the casino floor, in certain hotel rooms and in bars that don't serve food.
20.    Some hotels provide programs for children and teenagers or babysitters and childcare facilities.
21.    Visitors under the age of 21 are prohibited from loitering in casinos or near slot machines and the Strip has a curfew of 9 PM for kids under 18 (unless accompanies by an adult).  Minors can walk through casinos.
22.    17 of the 20 biggest hotels in the U.S. are in Las Vegas.
23.    Good sites to get more information include www.lasvegasnevada.gov, www.lvcva.com, www.vegas.com, www.vegastourism.com, and www.visitlasvegas.com.
24.    Search for show discounts online and also check Groupon, amazon local, and travelzoo.  Good sites for coupons and discounted tickets include www.vegas4locals.com/coupons , www.travelvegas.com , www.lasvegas-nv.com , www.smartervegas.com, www.justvegasdeals.com, www.goldstar.com & www.destinationcoupons.com/nevada/las_vegas ,www.dailyvegasdiscounts.com .
25.    Some restaurants & bars have good happy hours or all-you-can-drink specials for $20. Try the High Roller, Senior Frogs, Blondies, Carlos’n Charlie’s, & Stratosphere C-bar. Hard Rock Café has unlimited mimosas, bellinis & bloody marys for $15 with breakfast. Bird Cage at Flamingos has $0.50 beer from 5-6 PM. See https://seeingvegas.com/happy-hours-las-vegas-2018
26.    Play MyVegas on Facebook or your mobile device to win BOGO vouchers or hotel rooms, free meals, attractions and shows at MGM Resorts/Casinos. Max. 3 redemptions allowed per 30 days.  Some rewards require you to be a guest at a certain resort.
27.    Timeshare presentations (ex. Westgate) give cash, casino freeplay, or free tickets to dinner & shows.
28.    Females usually get into nightclubs for free and get free drinks. Some websites allow you to register for free VIP access (no cover charge, no line, and free drinks) to some night clubs.

Casino Resorts, shopping, free shows, entertainment and attractions
·     Area15 – 3215 S Rancho Dr. (a few blocks behind Fashion Show Mall). Opening in June 2020. Art, entertainment, dining, & retail complex. Meow wolf immersive, interactive art. 12-foot tall glowing skull. Emporium bar/arcade. Nomadix location-based VR. Zipline. Axe-throwing. Oddwood bar with a glowing LED-lit Japanese tree. 32-foot high bamboo volcano. Local art. Todd English food hall. Free entry and free parking. Space for concerts & theatre. Outdoor event space.
·     Aria - Free fine art exhibit (ex. on 2^nd floor near meeting rooms) and water features (inside and outside), including a fountain and cascading wall of water at the front entrance.
·     Bally’s – Twilight Zone mini-golf, Grand Bazaar Open Air Market in front, Real Bodies exhibit in the lower level.
·     Bellagio – Dancing water fountain shows (every 30 minutes from 3-7 PM and every 15 minutes from 7 PM to midnight – best to see after dark), FREE plant & flower conservatory, Fiori di Como glass sculpture in the lobby, 27 foot tall chocolate fountain, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (not free - $19 pp). Baccarat Bar has free live Jazz music nightly.
·     Binion’s (on Fremont) – Photo op of a display containing $1 million in cash stacked up in a pyramid.
·     Buffalo Bill’s – In Primm, Nevada (35 miles south of Las Vegas).  Log flume ride (not free), Roller coaster, 3-D simulator, Turbo Drop.
·    Caesars Palace & Forum Shoppes – Ancient Greek statues, fountains, buildings and streets, FREE Fall of Atlantis show in Forum Shops (near Cheesecake Factory) on the hour from 11 AM to 11 PM, FREE 50,000 gallon Aquarium (behind Fall of Atlantis at North end of Forum Shops) with divers feeding the fish at 1:15 PM and 5:15 PM, Seahorse aquarium lounge, redeem coupon for free Forum Shops VIP booklet. Absinthe (adult carnival with tents - 20th century Rome – not free). Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. Free shortbread cookie samples at Honolulu Cookie Company. Omnia night club has an animated chandelier and a patio overlooking the Strip. 
·     Casino Royale – 3411 Las Vegas Blvd S. In a Best Western Hotel. Used to have cheap drinks and hotdogs.
·    Circus Circus – Adventuredome indoor amusement park. Carnival and arcade games. Free world-class circus acts every 30-45 minutes (11 AM to Midnight) at center stage of the Carnival Midway. Free table gaming lessons: Blackjack 10:30am, Roulette 11:30am, Craps 12:30pm. Vince Neil’s Eat•Drink•Party Restaurant & Bar – live entertainment while you eat. Free Karaoke every night from 8 PM to 11 PM (all ages). Slots A Fun is attached and has cheaper food and drinks plus arcade games and billiards (no table games). Peppermill fireside lounge across the street is a local hangout (diner & old-Vegas style Fireside lounge).  Indoor skydiving is close.
·    City Centre Crystals Mall – Crystal (glass) & other artwork throughout. Very high-end luxury brand name stores.
·     Coke Store - Next to M&M’s World – has good photo opportunities (ex. with polar bear), hundreds of soda pop flavours from around the world, and Tix4tonight a ticket booth inside that sells 50% off same day show tickets.
·     Container Park & East Fremont – 707 Fremont Street in the East Fremont Entertainment district (that has cheaper drinks). Unique stores & restaurants made from storage containers at 707 Fremont St. at S 7^th St. Free entertainment. Thursday nights have movies on a big screen. The Dome is an immersive, 4K-visual dome entertainment experience where 14 million pixels surround viewers in a series of ultra-HD, 360-degree imagery ($12 per movie or $25 for all-day pass). Park in the middle with a play structure for kids. Fire-spitting Manits sculpture in front.
·     Cosmopolitan – The Chandelier multi-level lobby bar is surrounded by a $30 million chandelier (the largest in the world) and a secret unique drink that makes your mouth numb & tingly called verbena or the szechuan flower drink. Free art gallery P3Studio on the third floor. Bond Lounge has LED art, floor to ceiling windows with a view of the Strip and performances from DJs and live musicians.
·     D Casino (on Fremont) – Formerly Fitzgeralds. Classic slot machines with coins. World’s largest Keno board.
·     Delano – Skyfall Mix Lounge on 64^th Floor has great views of the strip. Next to Mandalay Bay.
·     Encore Beach Club – In Wynn Hotel. A day club for suntanning, swimming and partying during the day with sexy people. Join guest list in advance and entrance is $60 for men & $40 for women. Live DJs.
·     Ethel M Chocolate Factory – 15-minute drive from the Strip (2 Cactus Garden Dr., Henderson, NV 89014). Free self-guided tour with samples, small M&M’s World and a good Botanical Cactus Garden (many varieties).
·     Excalibur – Fantasy Faire midway & arcade, 4-D rides, including Sponge Bob 4-D Motion Ride, The Ultimate Log Ride and Corkscrew Hill (not free). Tournament of Kings dinner show with knights on horses. 2 pools, lush tropical gardens, waterslide and firepit for guests. Hotel will sometimes give several coupons at check in. Free live music at The Lounge and Dick’s Last Resort.
·     Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet – 1717 S. Decatur. Use coupon for free admission in coupon book or 2 for 1 coupon online (otherwise admission is $1 pp).
·     Fashion Show Mall - 2 million sq. ft. of designer stores.
·     Flamingo – Wildlife habitat (swans, flamingos, koi, turtles & many other birds). Margaritaville.
·     Fremont Street – Old Vegas downtown. Fremont Street Experience free canopy light show (Viva Vision) show times are every hour from 6 p.m. to 1 AM, free music and entertainment on 3 stages from 6 PM to 1 AM, bars lining the street, street performers (some with nudity), and Neonopolis shopping mall.  Vegas Vic (photo op with world’s biggest neon sign). Las Vegas Premium Outlets North is nearby.  Slotzilla zipline. $1 shrimp cocktails. Generally cheaper buffets. Bottled waters 2 for $1. Heart Attack Grill (dress up in a hospital gown and they punish you if you don't eat all your food – people over 350 pounds eat free). The Mob Museum (300 Stewart Ave) & Downtown 3^rd Farmer’s Market (Fridays from 9 AM-2 PM only) are 2 blocks away. New hotel called Circa opens in 2020.
·     GameWorks - In Town Square Mall. 6587 Las Vegas Blvd South. Family-friendly gastro pub with American-style food as well as bowling, classic arcade games and attractions.
·     Golden Gate – Free keepsake for joining players club. Famous shrimp cocktails (served to 40 million people).
·    Golden Nugget – Biggest gold nugget in the world (called “Hand of Faith” and weighing 62 pounds) and 200,000-gallon aquarium & shark tank on the pool deck (admission is $30 for non-guests and the shark tank tour is $50). Free concerts & shows by popular artists every Friday.
·     Harrah’s – Free music (live bands or DJs) & flair bartenders who sing, dance, juggle and spit fire at the open-air Carnaval Court, Free duelling pianos in the piano bar (with beverage purchase)
·    Hawaiian Marketplace - 1 block North of MGM Grand with souvenir stores and restaurants. Run down.
·    Las Vegas Art Museum - 9600 W. Sahara Ave. $20-million library facility & international, national and regional art exhibits.
·     LINQ Hotel and Promenade – Brooklyn Bowl bowling, Gordon Ramsay Fish and Chips, O'Sheas Pub (beer pong tables, drink specials, 50 types of beer & cheap craps), In-N-Out Burger, Tilted Kilt (like Hooters), 12 A.M. Run, ameriCAN, ICEBAR, VR Adventures, Fly LINQ Zipline, and The High Roller Observation Wheel (world’s highest at 550 feet tall and takes 30 minutes to go around) costs $25 per adult and $17 per child before 7 PM and $37 per adult and $27 per child after 7 PM (save $3-5 if purchased online). Free shortbread cookie samples at Honolulu Cookie Company. Open-air dining, retail and entertainment district across from Caesar’s Palace with 30 stores and restaurants. Block party with DJ’s near the center fountains on Tuesday nights after 9 PM. Free Polaroid exhibit and museum. Formerly called Imperial Palace.
·     Luxor – Replica of the Pyramid of Khafre from Giza, Egypt, guarded by a great Sphinx. Titanic & Bodies exhibits (not free), brightest light beam in the world, Arcade & e-sports arena.
·     M&M’s World – Next to MGM Grand. Free 3D Movie “I lost my M in Vegas” starring M&M characters.  NASCAR exhibit on the top floor. Create your own personalized M&Ms. Near MGM Grand on the Strip.
·     Main Street Station – See a piece of the Berlin Wall in the men’s washroom plus many other antiques.
·     Mandalay Bay – 1.5 million gallon Shark Reef aquarium & VR theatre (not free). House of Blues. Lazy river, wave pool & beach for guests. Minus5 ice bar (everything is made of ice) in the mall. House of Blues.
·     MGM Grand – CSI: The Experience (not free), Virtual Reality (Zombie Survival, Singularity), Level Up adult gaming area (karaoke Monday nights, DJ from Thurs-Sat), Topgolf virtual golf.  Pool for guests with 1,000 ft. long lazy river pool & waterfall. “The Underground” shopping mall.
·     Mirage – Mirage Volcano erupting outside every hour from 6 PM to 11 PM, Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden white tiger & dolphin habitat (11 AM to 5 PM - $20), 20,000 gallon aquarium at main lobby. Tropical rainforest in the atrium. Topless pool area for guests.
·     National Atomic Testing Museum - 755 East Flamingo Road – includes an area 51 exhibit.
·     Neon Museum & Boneyard – Historical neon signs from Las Vegas (770 Las Vegas Boulevard North). Not a safe walking distance from Fremont (take a bus or Uber/cab).
·     Neonopolis – 450 Fremont St. An indoor mall with 300,000 Square Feet of Dining and Retail on 3 levels decorated with 3 miles of Classic Neon Signs. Free parking with validation. The Nerd (cosplay & cocktails). Bowling. Esports gaming. Arcade. Axe & knife throwing. Heart Attack Grill. Metropolitan Gallery Las Vegas Art Museum.
·     New York New York – New York buildings and streets, Coney Island Amusement Centre & Arcade (not free), Manhattan Express Big Apple Roller Coaster goes outside the hotel. Hershey’s Chocolate world (free sample with coupon). Coyote Ugly Bar. Dueling pianos at the Bar at Times Square (free if you listen from outside the bar). The Park is an outdoor dining and entertainment area. The Neighborhood is a boardwalk near a miniature Brooklyn Bridge with restaurants, bars & live music leading up to T-Mobile arena (including Shake Shack).
·     Paris – Paris buildings and streets, L'Arc De Triomphe replica outside, Eiffel Tower replica with light show every 30 minutes (spectacular viewing deck not free - USD$20 pp during the day or $24 anytime or CAD$18 from tripadvisor.ca online –  and expensive restaurant near the top – 2 for 1 coupon available online and in tourist guides). Beer Park & Gordon Ramsey Steak Restaurant.
·     Park MGM (formerly Monte Carlo) – Closest hotel to T-Mobile Arena. Minus5 ice bar. Park Theatre has lots of live entertainment and musical artists. Walls are lined with art. Free craps lessons daily at 11 AM. Eataly Marketplace (more than a dozen authentic Italian eateries). Haus of Gaga museum of Lady Gaga costumes.
·     Pinball Hall of Fame - 200 playable machines. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 1610 E Tropicana Ave.
·     Planet Hollywood & Miracle Mile shops – Miracle Mile shops has 200 shops and a Harbour Rainstorm every hour on the hour (every half-hour on Friday & Saturday) by Ben and Jerry’s. PBR Rock Bar. Sin City Brewing. Buffalo Wild Wings. Twin Peaks restaurant (like Hooters). Cabo Wabo Cantina. La Salsa Cantina. Fat Tuesday. Tipsy Robot (a robot mixes & serves drinks). Use Coupon for show tickets at V Theatre & coupon for free Miracle Mile VIP discount book at customer service. Spice Market Buffet is very good and reasonably priced.
·     Resorts World – new Asian-inspired casino resort with huge LED screens opening at the end of 2020.
·     Rio – Take free shuttle from Harrah’s. Rio Voodoo zipline. KISS by Monster Mini Golf. 2 great buffets including the Village Seafood Buffet and the biggest buffet in Vegas.
·     Sahara (formerly SLS). Live entertainment at night. Trying to recapture old Vegas.
·     Sam’s Town – Sunset Stampede is a free Laser Light and Fountain Show in the Mystic Falls Park is at 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 PM.  Far East of Bally’s on Flamingo Rd. with free shuttle service to the Strip (Harrah’s every 90 minutes) and downtown (Fremont every 75 minutes).
·     Silverton – 3333 Blue Diamond Road. 117,000 gallon aquarium with feeding show at 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm.  Mermaids show on Thurs-Sun at 2 PM & 5 PM.
·     Stratosphere – Tower SkyPod & Observation Deck (not free), X-scream rollercoaster (not free), Big Shot thrill ride (not free), SkyJump controlled free fall from the top (not free), Insanity-The Ride (not free).  Ask for their funbook with out of state ID. Top of the World restaurant at the top of the tower.
·     Tix4tonight or Tickets2Nite– shows & buffets up to 50% off. Opens 10 AM. Get there early.
·     Treasure Island – Pirate themed artifacts decorate the casino. 2 large pirate ships outside of front entrance. “Sirens” show outside has been cancelled. Gilley’s Saloon (live country music with free cover before 9 PM). Senor Frog’s. MARVEL Avengers Station (not free).
·     Tropicana – Laugh Factory comedy club. Swim up blackjack tables.
·     Venetian – Italian buildings and streets, Streetmosphere street performers (ex. opera singers) hourly from noon to 6 PM & living statues in St. Mark’s Square (10 AM to 6 PM) , painted ceilings in casino entrance and hotel lobby & Art throughout the resort complex, Canal Gondola Rides from 10 AM to 11 PM (not free $116 for up to 4 guests). Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum & Marvel 4D experience (not free). The VOID: Travel Beyond Reality VR experience (not free). Minus5 Degrees Ice Experience (not free). “Grand Canal Shoppes Passaporto" book available free at the Emporio d' Gondola (near Gondola).  Palazzo next door has Buddy V’s Ristorante & Cake Shop. X Pot restaurant with hot pots served by robots & interactive light shows. Kamu Ultra Karaoke.
·    Virgin Hotel (formerly Hard Rock Hotel) – See Rock ‘n Roll memorabilia throughout the hotel and casino. Good night clubs.
·     Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign - south of Mandalay Bay at 5100 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
·     Westgate Hotel & Casino – Formerly the Las Vegas Hilton. Near the Convention Centre and Monorail. Inexpensive rooms, but they will try to give you a timeshare presentation.
·     Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas - 7055 South Fort Apache Road (approx. $40 pp). Waterpark. 25-minute drive west of the Strip.
·     Wynn’s – Man-made mountain out front, plant & flower conservatory, Koi fish pond, best free cocktails while gambling, see “Lake of Dreams” fountain show every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 11:30 PM (best watched from the lounge patio), Parasol Up Parasol Down lounge & flower displays (hanging from the ceiling)

GO Las Vegas All-Inclusive Pass:
USD$135 for a 2-day pass of unlimited admission (once per day) to 40 attractions or $250 for a 3-day pass that includes 1 of these premium tickets: Grand Canyon tour ($160), Blue Man Group (best seats available $150), helicopter ride over the Strip ($120), Richard Petty racecar driving ($150), Cirque du Soleil (Zumanity $100 or Love $160), or Criss Angel Mindfreak ($120) plus unlimited admission to 40 attractions. Get show tickets early (5 minutes before opening at 9 AM) to avoid lineups and get better seats, group activities close together, use promo codes (SAVELAS, GET10OFF, GOCITY10, GOEXPLORE) or Groupon to save money.

• Possible day 1: Send one person to get tickets at 9 AM for shows at V Theatre (PH Resort). Use monorail 24 hour pass ($13 value) to go to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum & Marvel Superheroes 4D experience at Venetian ($30), High Roller (daytime from noon-5PM $25) & Fly LINQ zipline ($30) at LINQ, Senior Frogs open bar for 1 hour ($30) & Avengers STATION ($40) at Treasure Island, Twilight Zone mini-golf at Bally’s ($12), & Eifel Tower Daytime Tower Viewing ($18 – go just before dusk) at Paris. See Nathan Burton Comedy Show ($25) or Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre ($50) at 4 PM, Beatleshow at 5:30 from Mon-Thurs ($70), Vegas! the Show ($100) at 7 PM, & V – The Ultimate Variety Show ($95) at 8:30 PM at V Theatre ($475 value).

·         Possible day 2: Send someone to get tickets for shows at V Theatre. Take Hop-On Hop Off bus (every 20 minutes) to get around (redeem daily pass at Circus Circus stop from 10 AM to 6 PM $50).  Go to Welcome to Las Vegas sign, Bodies exhibit ($35) & Titanic exhibit ($35) at Luxor, CSI Experience at MGM Grand ($35), Roller Coaster at New York, New York ($15), & Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace for free lunch at Planet Hollywood ($15 gift card). See downtown & Fremont 2-hour walking tour ($35) & Mob Museum ($30) & Stratosphere anytime VIP observation deck ($30). If time, do Kiss mini-golf at Rio ($12). See Stripper 101 ($40) at 4:30 PM, The Mentalist at 7:30 PM ($65), Zombie Burlesque at 8:30 PM ($90), & Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis at 10 PM ($35) at V Theater or go on Vegas Rockstar Club Tour ($99 value) ($525 value).

BEST BUFFETS:

• Paris (Le Village) – cultural & unique (French)
• Rio (Carnival World) – biggest buffet in Vegas
• Caesars (Bacchanal) – expensive, but the best food
• Planet Hollywood (Spice Market) – best value for quality

SHOWS FROM JULY 10-13, 2020

• Absinthe by Spiegelworld at Caesars Palace at 8 PM & 10 PM
• Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at Mirage at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• Blue Man Group at Luxor at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand at 8 PM
• Celestia at Stratosphere at 7 PM (similar to Cirque du Soleil)
• Criss Angel Mindfreak at Planet Hollywood at 8 PM
• David Copperfield at MGM Grand 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor at 10:30 PM
• House of Blues Gospel Brunch at 10 AM and 1 PM on Sunday, July 12 only
• Jabbawockeez at MGM Grand at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• KA by Cirque du Soleil at MGM Grand at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• Keith Urban at Caesars Palace July 11 & 12 at 8 PM
• Le Reve (The Dream) at Wynn at 7 PM & 9:30 PM (similar to Cirque du Soleil)
• Legends in Concert Musical Impersonator Show at Tropicana at 7:30 PM
• Mystere by Cirque du Soleil at Treasure Island at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• O by Cirque du Soleil at Bellagio at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
• Opium by Spiegelworld at Cosmopolitan at 8 PM & 10 PM
• Penn & Teller at Rio at 9 PM (July 12 only)
• RUN by Cirque du Soleil at Luxor at 9 PM (their 1^st live action stunt show)
• Tournament of Kings at Excalibur at 6 PM & 8:30 PM
• V – The Ultimate Variety Show at Planet Hollywood at 7 PM & 8:30 PM
• Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood at 8:30 PM
• Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil at New York-New York at 7 PM & 9:30 PM

Happy Travels,

Kev

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