Travels with Tish Girlfriends’ Getaway Guide

My sole purpose in making this particular trip to Las Vegas was to see Elton John perform at his The Red Piano concert at Caesars Palace Colosseum. And he did not disappoint! He was definitely worth waiting a lifetime to see!

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Las Vegas Redeye for $169 Roundtrip

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Just came back from a summer getaway in Las Vegas. Hot, but that’s not a problem because you’re inside most of the time. Here are some ideas for your trip:

1. Gaming. Try a new game. Blackjack, Craps, Texas Hold’em and more. Most casinos offer free gaming lessons. Here’s a list to check out. And if you like a little schmalz with your gambling fun, stop at the Riviera and try the $40 of slot play for $20 deal. They also give you lots of freebies — hats, key chains, bags, fun little chachkes. By the way, you’ll find penny slots at every casino — they’re very popular.
   
2. Vegas Art is More Than Skin Deep. You truly can take in some fine art exhibits in Las Vegas. Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art is featuring Picasso ceramics. The Venetian offers Madam Tussaud’s gallery of lifelike wax celebrities plus The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum featuring modern masters like Manet, Picasso, van Gogh and Cezanne. The Luxor features an exact reproduction of King Tut’s tomb. And don’t forget the Liberace Las Vegas Museum — as spectacular as the man himself.
3. Go Downtown. If you’re staying on the Strip, cab it downtown to the Golden Nugget, an elegant casino, fine dining and a AAA 4-Diamond hotel. Check out the Fremont Street Experience, an evening light show just outside the Nugget. A few of the less sophisticated casinos are across from the Nugget, but are very fun. (But be sure to keep your purse or wallet close while in the crowd watching the light show.)
4. Get a 99 Cent Hot Dog at Slots-A-Fun. Toward the north end of the Strip, next to Circus Circus, is a very fun casino that is far less sophisticated. One of its highlights is a HUGE hot dog (enough for 2) for just 99 cents. Great on a gambler’s budget!
5. Enjoy the Free Shows. Most casinos have free entertainment in their lounges or right on the casino floor. The Riviera had a great Frank Sinatra singer that we enjoyed while we poked around the tables and machines. Circus Circus still features world-class circus acts that you can see for free in the casino. At Binion’s Horseshoe Casino (across from the Golden Nugget), you’ll find the Binion Dollar Babes entertaining mid-casino throughout the evening — very fun.
6. Luxuriate at a Spa. About a dozen of the “best spas in Las Vegas” are featured in this about.com post. Pick one out and treat yourself. On my recent trip to Las Vegas, we stayed at the brand new Hilton Grand Vacation Club on the north end of the Strip — and I indulged in an 80-minute aromatherapy massage treatment in the Club’s elegant spa — at $130, it is perhaps a tad less expensive than those at the big hotels.
7. Jungles and Wild Animals. Step into the Tropical Rain Forest at the Mirage, filled with orchids, waterfalls and lagoons. Also at the Mirage is Siegfried & Roy’s Royal White Tiger habitat. At Mandalay Bay, you’ll find a walk-through Shark Reef.

Getting to Las Vegas
Midwest Airlines offers roundtrip, nonstop service between Milwaukee and Las Vegas. Also has easy and convenient connections in Milwaukee to get East-Coast’rs to Vegas on “The best care in the air.” Starting in October, Midwest will add a 4th daily nonstop roundtrip to its schedule. By the way, Midwest also offers very competitive airfares.

Our Vegas Accommodations.
Three of us stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations Club timeshare toward the north end of the Strip. A very new, all timeshare-suite hotel — that also offers rooms and suites for rent to non-timeshare-owners. Very luxurious. Concierge. It’s like a hotel. Health club and great pool area. Its deli offers a wide range of really good food (including frozen to make in your suite), fresh-to-order sandwiches and much more all at reasonable prices. So if you choose to save a few dollars by popping something into the oven, you can do that as most rooms come with fully-appointed kitchen and in-room laundry. Looks like rates for a 1 BR King (with living room, kitchen and laundry) start at $139/night. Studios are $99. A great place to stay if you want to relax during the day between casino visits. Also, the trolley and Las Vegas Strip bus stop in front.

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