Vegas, Baby!

One of the many advantages of wintering in the Phoenix area is that you are relatively close to Las Vegas. This winter we visited Vegas 3 times. We always drive as it's only a 5 or 6 hour trip from our place in Mesa.

So what's to do in Vegas? Some people go for the food, some go for the weather and some go for the friendly natives. Oh, and we've heard that some people actually come to Vegas to gamble! We'll admit that the bug sometimes bites us too. When it's time to play here's what we do: we wander through a casino looking for video poker machines. But not just ANY video poker machines. We look for the nickel machines! Being the big time gamblers that we are we can only handle losing 5 cents at a time. Now, this may be hard to believe but in some casinos it's actually very difficult to find nickel machines! Guess it takes higher stakes to make those new $2 BILLION casinos pay for themselves.

When we're not trying to fund our retirement at the nickel machines we like to just walk around. Walking up and down the Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.) is great entertainment all by itself! While walking we usually stop in most of the casinos and search out those elusive nickel machines. We'll each put in a dollar and try and take the casino for some cash. If we happen to double our money we cash out and head for the exit!

Vegas has changed over the last few years. It's NOT a family destination (as if it ever were!) and lately it's going more "upscale." Gone are the days of the $5 buffets, $1 shrimp cocktails and other cheap fare, especially on the Strip. Hotel rooms are getting more expensive too. We usually wait for a bargain and then book in advance.

Here's a list of our Vegas favorites:

Favorite hotel: New York New York
Favorite "loose" casino: Las Vegas Hilton
Favorite "hotsy-totsy" casino: Palazzo (it's brand new and so clean!)
Favorite buffet: Las Vegas Hilton
Favorite free attraction: The lion habitat at MGM
Favorite mode of transportation: Las Vegas monorail
Favorite free mode of transportation: Walking!

	The road from Phoenix to Las Vegas takes you over the Hoover Dam. They're building a bypass road which should speed up the trip considerably. Right now it's a slow go because of all the tourists walking around on the top of the dam.
	Karen in front of our favorite hotel, New York New York.
	Karen in front of the Bellagio. They put on a free fountain show choreographed to music. Very impressive, especially at night!
	Lion habitat at the MGM Grand. Nice kitty!