I realized when I was posting the video tour of the Flamingo Fab Room, that I never shared the video tour I did of the Flamingo GO room, which was awesome. Enjoy the video of the room below.

Besides being well appointed, the room had an awesome view of the Bellagio fountains.

Overall, I really like the Flamingo GO rooms. They’re a great mid range price option for a Vegas room and you can’t beat the location. Most of my Caesars rooms are comped because of my Total Rewards status, but this is a room I’d actually pay for.

Music courtesy Foo Fighters and Britney Spears

Yesterday, I shared pictures from the awesome Chinese New Year display at the Bellagio conservatory. Today I have some pictures from the huge display at the Venetian (it’s closer to Palazzo). Besides its size (128 feet long) the big attraction to this display is that the humongous dragon at the Venetian is that it will breath fire twice a day (1pm and 5pm). The fire breathing doesn’t start until Monday, but I don’t need fire to think a big dragon is cool.

Check the flickr gallery for more pictures.

Bellagio has a pretty sweet display in their conservatory celebrating Chinese New Year. I’m not one normally into the conservatory but when they set it up for special occasions, they do a great job. Right now there are a bunch of dragons in the midst of the flowers for the year of the dragon and I approve!

Check the flickr gallery for more sweet pictures. Click below if you have $5 to spend on Year of the Dragon.

Year of the Dragon

Yesterday I realized that nobody likes Caesars Entertainment properties in Las Vegas. This is nothing new and not really a surprise to me, but it’s definitely a fact. I’ve been living in Vegas for just over a year now and have a lot of visitors. Some will stay at Caesars properties since they get great rates through Total Rewards but, in generally, nobody chooses a Caesars property to meet for a drink or meal. Since I live here I usually let other people choose where we’re going to meet when they’re in town.

Not once in my 14 months living in Vegas has anyone ever chosen to meet me at a Caesars property.

Most people know I’m Diamond status with Total Rewards (some know that I’ve been Diamond for a few years) and can get free drinks and/or snacks at the Caesars properties but they choose other places to meet even if Caesars properties are all around. I’ve been a supporter of Caesars properties since Atlantic City was my hub for gambling when I was on the east coast. For the most part, they’ve always treated me well.

While you may think people are choosing the new joints (Cosmopolitan or CityCenter), they aren’t. They are choosing places up and down the strip from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. In the past week I’ve come to Bellagio 3 times. No biggie. I love Bellagio. I’m actually writing this at the sportsbook bar while I wait. Note, there is a pretty big selection of of smaller breweries on draft here. Nice.

Anyway, I love stopping at different casinos to meet people and don’t mind paying for a drink or a meal. I just find it interesting that zero percent of people have cared to visit a single Caesars property when visiting Vegas.

UPDATE: Since I drafted this yesterday, the people I met with let me in on their thoughts (they had no idea about this article). One person was staying at Caesars Palace and said that he didn’t mind staying there when he was alone, but he would never go there with his wife (he had a room in the forum tower that was is major disrepair). The other person was staying at a newer room at Hard Rock and loves the newer room and said he doesn’t visit Vegas unless he’s living it up. Caesars properties don’t do that for him.

Vegas is full of things to do.  There is no way to see everything in one trip, but there are the clear staples for the first time Vegas visitor.  These things include such experiences as the Bellagio fountains, Mirage volcano, Venetian canal, etc.  But in all the things to do and see in Vegas, there are a few things that are somewhat secret, but are worth seeing:

1. Neon Museum – This is something everybody should go see once.  This is the boneyard (or graveyard) for many of the Neon signs that once lit up Las Vegas.  The tour guides really know their Vegas history and the proceeds from the tours go to the museum, the visitor center, and restoring old signs.  They have restored a lot of iconic signs such as the Silver Slipper, Hacienda Horse and Rider, and Binions Horseshoe.
2. Tiffany ceiling – This one doesn’t take much time, but outside of Wynn and Cosmopolitan, there isn’t a lot of must-see interior designs in Las Vegas.  This one is iconic for it’s age.  It’s inside the Tropicana, above the gaming pit.  It is the largest ceiling of it’s kind, and provides a nice elegant contrast to the bright white of the property.
3. Imperial Palace Car Museum – Yeah, I know there isn’t really much of a reason to ever go into Imperial Palace.  If it weren’t for the car museum or Hash House A Go Go, there would be no reason at all.  The car museum is a rather awesome display of classic cars and is definitely worth a stop when you are looking for different things to see and do while on the strip. (ED: I’m told this is great, even if you’re not a car person like me)

If you are anything like me, when you are in Vegas you are going to spend a lot of time at the tables.  But sometimes you need a break and want to go do something different. There’s plenty of other cool, different, and fun things to do while in town but these three (and especially the Neon Museum) are must-do’s for any Vegas visitor.

Vegas properties are massive.  This is no secret.  And with the plethora of casinos that line Las Vegas Blvd, there are a million things to do.  There are the obvious things to do, like the Bellagio Fountains and Mirage Volcano, but there are also lots of fun and cool things that are a bit less known.  One thing that I seem to find often is that people are not happy with how there is less and less $5 blackjack, and when they find it that it’s only 6:5.

Yes, $5 tables are tricky to find.  Some places like O’Sheas, Casino Royale, and Bill’s guarantee them, but like I said above, they are the dreaded 6:5.  Well here’s a quick tip to finding $5 blackjack that pays 3:2 at a great property.  It’s at Bellagio.  Every time I have been to Vegas in the past 4 years, there has been $5 blackjack at Bellagio.  I won’t say it’s available every hour of every day, I have no way to prove that, but every time I’ve been there the same two tables offer $5 blackjack.

Where are these tables you are asking?  They are the two Handicap tables.  There’s one in the pit by the lobby and there is another one in the pit that’s between the craps tables and Hyde Lounge.  You’ll probably have to wait for a seat, as two spots are reserved for people in wheel chairs, but if you’re patient you’ll get good dealers, good booze, and 3:2 payouts for your $5 bet.  Enjoy.

(ED: I love playing at Handicap tables, especially when I’m no longer sober. Being close to the ground feels stabilizing)

Another week in Vegas where I realize I still don’t know where I’m going. I got lost multiple times this week. I’ve always been directionally challenged and this is not a city easy to navigate for someone used to being given street directions (i.e. 2 blocks this way, 1 right, etc.) Some day I’ll figure it out. For now, it’s GPS everywhere except to the strip.

Speaking of the strip, thanks to Jinx for the Hold Em poker machine recommendation at Harrah’s as I attempted to get Diamond again. I had about 4 hours of play yesterday (on that machine, another hour elsewhere) and spent $100 on my way to 1,500-2,300 points. I should be just under diamond. One more trip and I should have it locked.

This week may be a little slow as I have my annual trip to Vegas (call it what you want, but I’ve been vacationing here for years) and I’m not sure I’ll have much time at HQ (my computer). Follow me on twitter if you want to keep track of the fun. Let’s look back, there’s bacon in my future and I want it NOW.

AC2LV

• Skate Park Coming To Atlantic City?
• Deconstructing Sheldon Adelson’s Argument against Online Gaming
• Sam Nazarian Says SLS Hotel Opening 2014 In Vegas
• More on Boston Area Casinos
• Revel May Open Early
• When You’re Taking a Breather In Vegas
• Wynn Foxborough
• Rumor: Caesars and MGM Merging?

Chances are, if I am in a casino in Las Vegas (or anywhere, really), I am going to be gambling.  But when I play, I rarely gamble for hours and hours straight.  I generally do a short session, followed by another short session and at some point, I’m going to want a break.  Those breaks may happen after coloring-up ahead, riding steady, or needing a breather after getting killed, but either way, the break will come.  A lot of times, I prefer to grab a drink and people watch in the casino.  Here, in my opinion, are the top three places to do that on the Las Vegas Strip.

1. Parasol Up – Parasol Up has a killer location on the Wynn casino floor.  Wynn, with its mix of very wealthy people and skanky club goers has some of the best people watching around.  Combine all that with Parasol Up serving one of the best cocktails in Las Vegas, the Sinatra Smash and you have a great place to chill and have a drink.
2. Baccarat Bar – Baccarat Bar, like Parasol Up, has a great position on the (Bellagio) casino floor.  Baccarat Bar is more open to the casino floor than Parasol Up and there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.  While they don’t have any drinks that compare to the Sinatra Smash, it is still a great place for people watching.
3. Vesper – From a location on the casino floor standpoint, Vesper is worse than these other two.  But Cosmopolitan is a small enough place, that there is still decent foot traffic and there isn’t a bad seat in the bar.  If you go to Vesper, I suggest ordering the Mayan Manhattan (can you tell I like whiskey?), it’s delightful.

There is a plethora of decent bars in Vegas, but finding that right mix of atmosphere, good drinks, and decent people watching is a must for me.  These places fit the bill.  If you have any others you’d recommend, I’d love to hear it in the comments.

(ED: I love each of these places, but this list would not be complete without my favorite hang – Petrossian Bar at Bellagio. See my thoughts on Vegas Chatter - the pic above was taken @ Baccarat Bar. Upright bass dude was killing it!)

I don’t really remember much from last week besides going out to write every day and having a lot to share! I’m finally getting caught up from being sick. Yay. I’m looking forward I have a visit from my parents and G2E next week. G2E is the Global Gaming Expo, which is the casino trade show. There will be lots of slots and other things you see at a casino on display. I went last year and it was a blast. I love seeing things first. If you want to keep up with G2E action follow me on twitter and Vegas Chatter.

One addition you’ll notice is the addition of a button for the coffee fund. As you (should) know, I write often at coffee shops and AC2LV and ECG aren’t really money makers for me, so I set up the coffee fund to cover the $3 expense of my addiction. It’s all in good fun, and I appreciate those of you that have supported the cause. Just be happy I don’t have a video poker fund.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that it’s awesome that the Red Sox choked their playoff spot away while the Yankees made it with the best record. Let’s look back at a busy week.

AC2LV

• Las Vegas Hotels Have Most Bedbug Complaints in America
• “Atlantic City is safe” Says the Deputy
• ACES Train Service To Atlantic City Into Hibernation
• Where Not to Play
• Atlantic City Keeping Things Classy (Not Really)
• November 8, New Jersey Residents Vote For Legal Sports Betting
• Sand Bethlehem #1 in PA
• Top 3 Things To Do In Vegas
• Fergie Is Creepy
• Dreaming About Classic Vegas
• Full Tilt Poker May Have Been A Ponzi Scheme
• Atlantic 10 Tournament Leaving Atlantic City
• Happy Birthday SugarHouse Casino!
• That Was Quick. Nikki Beach Done at Tropicana Las Vegas
• Boredwalk Empire Season 2 Has Arrived

• Expect To See Lots Of Slots At G2E
• The Question About Video Poker We Get Asked All The Time
• Bellagio Gets A Little Creepy, But We Still ‘Fall’ For It, Anyway
• Help Choose A New Logo For Downtown Vegas
• It’s Official: Gaming In Hotel Rooms Now Legal

Vegas Things

• Save Up To $180 on VIP Passes to TAO & Lavo
• Planet Hollywood Sale – Rates as Low as $69 a Night
• Haunted Vegas Tour: Save Over $20
• PEEPSHOW Ticket Discount: Save Over $60 + Free Upgrades
• Penn & Teller: Save Over 40% on Mezzanine & Balcony Seats

Free Picks and Fun

•  Jim Leonhard Athletes Against Stickers PSA
• Yankees Rookies Gone 80′s
• Lil’ Blake Griffin Will Cut You With His Lil’ Knife
• Jay-Z Announces Brooklyn Nets and Possible Concerts
• 40 NFL and NCAA Football Free Picks

Haunted Vegas Tour

I’m not sure if it’s the people I follow on twitter or if I’m just noticing it more, but I have seen a number of “Top X Things To Do In Las Vegas That Doesn’t Include Gambling.” I’m not going to censor myself today. I’ve had way too much coffee for that.

FUCK THAT

There, it’s out of my system. Thank you for letting me vent. People don’t visit Las Vegas to not do awesome things. People visit Vegas for three things.

1. Gamble
2. Drink
3. Eat
4. Repeat

Sure there are other things in between those activities, but those aren’t why people visit Las Vegas. Look at lions, tigers, dolphins? Sure I’ll look, but not if I’m on a hot streak at the blackjack table. However, I’d stop playing blackjack to grab a steak and bottle of wine. I don’t know anyone that says let’s stop gambling to walk so we can walk out and watch the Bellagio fountains. No men or women I know from back east would ever do such a thing. Because of this I tend to brush off lists of other things to do in Vegas.

However, my parents are visiting me and while I’m busy taking care of business they’re going to be lost old people in a new land. They don’t gamble. They are not my people. For them, I’m looking at these lists looking for old people things to do.

So, I’ll tell them to walk up and down the strip for some exercise. I’ll make sure they catch the Bellagio fountains and conservatory. That’s their kind of thing. I’ll make sure they check out the pirate show at TI. Hey, it’s free. Let’s be straight, they’re not here to visit Las Vegas. They’re here to visit their son who happens to live in the land of eat.drink.gamble.repeat.

Let me also be straight about myself. Since I moved to Vegas I don’t attack the city like I did when I was a tourist. Sure I still take vacations in Vegas. I did in July around the Queens of the Stoneage concert and I’m planning my annual December trip. However, in between raging I’m living a normal life that sometimes takes me to these other activities. Case in point – my drive through Red Rock Canyon. That’s not something I would have done as a tourist, but living here is entirely different. Still, when I’m vacationing here I’m visiting eat.drink.gamble.repeat. If you follow me on twitter you may have just noticed me go kind of crazy about eat.drink.gamble.repeat. I’ll blame Styx and Helmet for that.

Anyways, back to the subject at hand. I don’t know anyone that visits Las Vegas to do anything on these “Things to do in Las Vegas” lists. The people I know come to vegas for three things. To eat, drink and gamble.

Queens of the Stoneage