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The Eiffel Tower VEGAS Experience at Paris

Posted on February 20, 2016 by scottyvegas

WP_20131031_008 When you see pictures or skyline views of the Las Vegas strip, the iconic Paris Hotel Casino Eiffel Tower (at half the size of the original) is no stranger. I personally have countless pictures and still find myself, trip after trip, snapping more.

If you didn’t know, there is a caged observation deck at the top of the tower and for one reason or another we’ve never been up there. But during our 1/2016, while in the casino playing, we happened to walk past a sign advertising the Eiffel Experience along with pricing. My wife noticed that FREE admission is given to those on their birthdays and to active military personnel. As that very day was my birthday, the FREE offer was too good to pass, so off we went to get my wife a ticket (Regular adult admission $19.25).

Tip: FREE admission is given to on the day birthdays and active Military Personal

Tip: Discount (think ½ off) admission tickets can be found at tix 4 tonight outlets all over the strip. See Discount coupon on the website

Have your camera ready because from the bridge to the elevators to the observation deck itself, many, many wonderful photo opportunities await. The 360 panoramic views of the strip and surrounding mountains is priceless. The Bellagio fountains are directly below and offer a unique viewing from 460 feet up!

Tip: Phone or Camera battery low? Make sure to have a full charge as photo ops are endless

Tip: Best time to visit is at dusk, see the mountains and the lights

Do yourself a favor and plan to visit the Eiffel Tower Experience during your next visit as it won’t disappoint!

jusqu’à la prochaine fois

Filed under: Fun, Informational, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: Birthday, Casino, discount, Eiffel, Free, Hotel, Paris, strip, Tips, To Do, tower, Views | Leave a comment »

Eats from our January 2016 Trip – The Buffet Yard House Cravings Feast of not so Grand Buffet

Posted on February 9, 2016 by scottyvegas

LasVegasFood

Yard House – Located near the High Roller observation wheel at The Linq is Yard House. Nice looking place with good service and 100 beers on tap plus good, very reasonably priced, eats… do I need to say more? Sure I do! If the already mentioned didn’t spark an interest than these tips should:

Tip: GREAT Lunch Specials and Happy Hour (M-F, 3-6)

Tip: The Club Sandwich is da bomb! Seriously large sharable dinner portion.

Mirage’s Cravings Buffet – Cravings is a solid buffet option with several themed stations with a variety of consistently good food options. Since we often stay at The Mirage Casino Hotel we’ve visited this buffet probably more than any other.

Tip: Buffet includes unlimited draft beer (Budweiser and Goose Island IPA) and house wine (a red and white)

Tip: Active military receives BOGO or 50% off

Excalibur’s The Buffet – If in the neighborhood and hungry for a buffet that won’t break the budget consider The Buffet at Excalibur. This recently upgraded buffet is well appointed with the usual buffet fare. Taste and selection is pretty good and the dessert area has a crepe station that I always look forward to.

Red Rock’s Feast Buffet – Located 30 minutes west of the strip in the Red Rock Casino is the Feast Buffet. And a feast it is!! This is one tasty, well appointed, clean buffet. I can’t think of one thing that didn’t taste good. We went for lunch and it was very crowded but service and food item availability surprisingly excellent!

Tip: Excellent weekday pricing (with players card), Breakfast under $7.50, Lunch $9, Dinner $14

Tip: Same quality and pricing can be found at Green Valley Ranch which is also a Stations Casino

MGM (not so) Grand Buffet – Saving the worst for last, you’re welcome. Wow, what a disappointment this buffet was. Went for dinner at around 5pm ($60, $30 each) and lunch was still being served. Talked to the manager as he happened to walk by. He admitted that the kitchen was slow transitioning (lunch ended at 3!) to dinner. I told him food dishes were empty and the place was a mess, and he agreed! Ironically there was plenty of cheap pizza coming out of the kitchen. No Thanks, refund please.

Tip: If something isn’t right, say something. Vegas usually makes things right without hassle

The manager said a buffet remodel is underway and asked us to give them a second chance after completion. Since I’ve had good experiences with the Grand Buffet in the past, I just might do that, but not until the remodel is complete.

Filed under: Food, Informational, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: Buffet, cravings, Excalibur, feast, Food, Grand, Green Valley Ranch, Happy Hour, Las Vegas, MGM, Mirage, off strip, Red Rock, Review, The Linq, Tips, Yard House | Leave a comment »

Plunger, Flippers, Bumpers and Slingshots – The Pinball Hall of Fame

Posted on October 21, 2015 by scottyvegas

Did you know just a short drive from the strip, just east on Tropicana Ave, sits the Pinball Hall of Fame? Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t a boring walk through the history of pinball. This is a working pinball arcade! No entrance or parking fees here. Drive up and park, turn your dollars into quarters, then walk the isles in awe at all your options. From the early days of pinball to the latest and greatest, so many options wait.

With this being said don’t expect much glitz as this is a diamond in the rough and I hope it stays this way. The building is plain Jane with a banner announcing the name. Much like the outside, the inside is bland by appearance but what it contains is what matters. Along with pinball, some old school arcade games can be found. The cost per game is regular quarter play and machines run from a $.25 to $1.00 per game, with most being $.50. I cashed in $4.00 and played for a while, enjoying every minute of it. Pinball Hall of Fame

Tip: Not an easy walk from the strip, drive or take a cab.

If you’re in anyway a fan of pinball, do yourself a favor and visit, you won’t be disappointed.

Address: 1610 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Phone Number: (702) 597-2627
Hours: Open Dialy 11A – 11P

Filed under: Fun, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: Arcade, Attraction, Games, Hall of fame, Las Vegas, Pinball, video game | Leave a comment »

“Welcome to the Mirage Mr. Pappageorgio”, she’s a beaut!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by scottyvegas

The Mirage is, in my opinion, one of the best value to benefit resort options available on the Las Vegas strip. Located just
north of mid-strip, on the west side of the street, between Caesars Palace and Treasure Island (TI) sits the “home” of Clark Griswold’s Vegas Vacation (Movie, 1997).

The Mirage is all good, except for their whopping $32.50 per night resort fee! (as of 3/2015) But rooms rates during the week range from $50 – $70 plus the report fee and tax. Besides the great location and awesome palm tree lined pool the rooms are very well appointed. I find the bed and linens rival higher end properties.

The Casino itself is another favorite of mine. I love to play here because I typically do well and drink service is pretty fast and friendly. Plus the sportsbook is front center and large enough to handle a crowd.

The property has several good food choices (BLT Burger, Carnegie Delicatessen, and California Pizza Kitchen amongst others) and Cravings Buffet (very good).

Tip: McDonald’s, Panda Express, and chipotle is just across the street for reasonably priced eats.

Tip: The Mirage is the home of the daily volcano eruption (my video), a FREE must see attraction!

So much positive to say about the Mirage, just do yourself a favor and stay a night and experience it for yourself.

(Stayed 1/2015 room 14-032)

Filed under: Food, Fun, Gaming!, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: 14 032, BLT Burger, Great, Mirage, Pappageorgio, pool, Resort, room, Tip, Volcano | Leave a comment »

Excalibur is like White Castle

Posted on February 14, 2015 by scottyvegas

Not because they’re both “castles”. It’s because Excalibur may not be your first choice, but in the end it doesn’t leave a bad taste either. It has its purpose and that purpose for me is inexpensive consistent lodging. The rooms are clean, bed and pillows comfortable. We usually end up here when conventions or major events are going on causing other preferred options to go through the roof price wise.

Tip: I’ve stayed in both towers and Tower II rooms are, in my opinion, nicer/better condition.

Tip: Food Court upstairs offers many less inexpensive food options.

Never chilled pool side but it didn’t look bad from the 25th floor.

The casino and castle grounds could use some modernizing like neighboring properties New York New York and Monte Carlo.

In the end, a solid choice for budget conscious visitors (Stayed 1/2015 in tower II room 25-251)

Filed under: Informational, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: 2, 25-251, Court, Excalibur, Food, II, Monte Carlo, New York, Review, room, tower | Leave a comment »

#Hashhouse #LasVegas for Some Go Go Lov’n

Posted on February 9, 2015 by scottyvegas

Lemon Chicken with great mash potatoes

I don’t know if it’s “Fresh from the Farm” but it is large and tasty. If you are hungry and strolling mid-strip do yourself a favor and go upstairs of the “new” Linq (Formally the Quad, Aka. Imperial Palace) and belly up for some Go Go lov’n. Keep your eye open as you’re escorted to your table for large, I got to have that, eats. Service was great by our nearly 60 y/o waitress. She was knowledgeable and more than willing to share her thoughts about Hash specialties.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Tip: Visit the Las Vegas Hash House of Go Go Facebook site. Give them a like, then E-Club Join under more to receive a coupon for Buy One, Get One Dinner Entrée (coupon good for a year).

Tip: By joining the E-Club you will also receive a Buy One, Get One Dinner Entrée (coupon also good for a year) in your Birthday month.

Food prices were surprisingly much less than other strip options making this a great deal coupon or not. (visited 1/2015)

Oh you bet I will be returning!

Filed under: Food, Fun, reviews, Tips | Tagged: Birthday, BOGO, Facebook, Go Go, Hash, House, Large, Las Vegas, Price, Vegas | Leave a comment »

Madame Tussaud’s High Roll’in Peppermill House of Go Go ‘Akhob’

Posted on January 11, 2015 by scottyvegas

Stay tuned! Coming soon… my thoughts, tips, observations for the following:

James Turrell’s ‘Akhob’ exhibit in the Louis Vuitton at Crystal’s mall – Looking to explore a bizarre trip into an abyss of color
Hash House of Go Go at the Linq – Massive portions await with my facebook BOGO coupon!
Peppermill – repro neon hotspot with a famous breakfast and the best strip video poker pay tables.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas – Armed with my Groupon I’m ready to explore the new Hangover Experience!
High Roller – I passed on it this last September/2014, but it’s a new year and the first visit of 2015. Thanks to a holiday promo code, I got a great deal through living social for a happy hour (all you can drink) ride.

Cheers!

Filed under: Food, Fun, Gaming!, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning, Uncategorized | Tagged: Hash house, high roller, James Turrell, madame tussauds, peppermill | Leave a comment »

Valley of Fire, A Must See

Posted on January 10, 2015 by scottyvegas

Visiting the Valley of Fire State Park has been on my Las Vegas to-do list for many years now. Though I’ve only heard wonderful things about the park, for one reason or another I always failed to visit until our October 2014 trip. Getting there from the strip took just over an hour. Once there, plan on at least two hours to drive through the park and getting out at most stops. To really explore, and there is a lot to see, plan on more time. Walk out and see some of the petrified wood, really cool! Take the time and walk the steps to the Indian petroglyphs. The traveler cabins are also another must see. Many, many, wonderful photo opportunities can be found.

I would recommend turning around at the exit of the park and returning to the strip the way you came. The alternative is beautiful, but takes much longer and there is literally nothing or no-one around for miles and miles. We didn’t have cell service for the majority of the return trip.

I will definitely return to further explore the valley on future visits.

Tip: make sure you have plenty of gas and water before entering the park!

Filed under: Fun, Informational, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning | Tagged: Fire, Indian, Las Vegas, Nevada, petrified wood, Valley | Leave a comment »

Monte Carlo Las Vegas Is Looking Good!

Posted on January 10, 2015 by scottyvegas

Monte Carlo has made some wonderful improvements over the last couple years most recently with the casino entrance from the strip. They replaced their old, cold, entrance with one that’s more inviting. They now have outdoor seating (great for morning coffee), chess and corn hole bean bag games anyone can play and for the time we were there (September/October) nightly outdoor entertainment. The casino itself has a good vibe. The Hotel sits in a good location with connecting hallway to Aria. The rooms are middle of the road, but they’re better than Excalibur or Luxor. Monte Carlo is becoming my new go-to budget accommodations.

Note – Monte Carlo has a nice pool area with a small lazy river and wave pool among others amenities to enjoy monte-carlo-pool-for

Tip – The Monte Carlo self-parking structure is pretty straight forward to navigate, making it a good option to park in that area of the strip

Filed under: Fun, Gaming!, reviews, Tips | Tagged: Lazy river, monte, Monte Carlo, pool, wave | Leave a comment »

Criss Angel – Don’t Be”LIE”ve this Cirque du Soleil LIE

Posted on January 9, 2015 by scottyvegas

Don’t Be”LIE”ve this Cirque du Soleil LIE. This show is NOT an “illusion spectacular” nor are there 40 “mind-blowing illusions”. This was a slow and boring let down. I’ve seen KA, Mystere, Zarkana, and Zumanity, I would, and have recommended each one of these. If you want to see Criss Angel save your money instead go to youtube and watch his video’s, then read his Wiki page because that’s what you will see at the show…. Seriously!

This “fast paced” show was horribly slow. The I’m so cool Criss brings a 16 year old on stage, and then has an older woman tease the kid, so Criss can make “jokes” at his expense. This show was extremely awkward. It left many people looking around in disbelief. To be fair, some people, but very few, did seem to enjoy this miserable show. I think the overwhelming majority were to stun at the only illusion Criss and Cirque managed to pull off was to make the money paid for this show disappear.

This show stung so bad that we won’t be attending another Cirque du Soleil show doing our next Vegas trip. We decided instead to explore other Vegas offerings for a while. Listen to the reviews and pass on this show!

Filed under: Informational, reviews, Tips, Trip Planning, Warning | Tagged: angel, chris, Chriss, cirque, criss, discount, du soleil, luxor, Review, Tips | Leave a comment »

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