One of the greatest activities in Las Vegas is it pools. Pool season in Las Vegas is a life of its own. Most of properties have a number of pools and options to suite everyone’s needs. If you are looking for a family pool experience or more adult pools you will be able to find what you are looking for on our Las Vegas Swimming Pools Guide.
The following list shows:
A link to each hotels pool page, if they have one.
Seasonal;
Pool 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Daily
Slide Tower – Only Mat Racer Slide Open | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Weekdays
Slide Tower – All Slides Open | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM – Weekends
We have gleaned our Las Vegas Pools Guides from a number of sources but mainly from each pools website. Vegas is always changing and while we strive to keep our list updated it may contain errors. Please let us know if any of our information needs updating. Make sure you check out the rest of our Las Vegas Guides.
The Life is Beautiful daily line-up has been announced. Single day tickets are also going on sale later this week. The annual music festival takes over Downtown Las Vegas from Sept. 21st to Sept 23rd. Visit the official Life is Beautiful website for more information on tickets and pricing.
If you have taken a taxi cab in Las Vegas you no doubt have heard the phrase long haul taxi scam. Or maybe you have heard people mention getting long hauled. The scam may also be referred to as being “tunneled”. The long haul taxi scam in Las Vegas entails a cab driver taking you from the airport or to the airport on a longer route than normal in order to charge you more for your ride. If you have prepaid for a limo or shuttle service the long haul does not apply to you.
The Long Haul Route
There are two routes out of McCarran International Airport. Swenson St which turns in Paradise runs somewhat parallel to the strip. You can cross over to the strip via streets like Tropicana. The Tunnels which go under the runways to the south connect to Highway 215. This is why being scammed is sometimes referred to as being tunneled. This route is often twice as long resulting in a larger fare. Take the route below to the Bellagio from Google Maps. The route up Swenson is 3.2 miles while the tunnel route is 7.7 miles.
If you go through the tunnel or end up on a highway south of the airport you are no doubt being long hauled. A recent taxi fair estimator website figures the above ride just over $20. If your ride ends up being much more and traffic is normal you could be a victim of long hauling.
When the tunnel route is justified
It is important to note that the “tunnel ” can possibly be a legitimate route depending on where you are staying. If you are staying at any of the southern hotels such as the Silverton then the route is preferred. This does not hold true for Mandalay Bay or the Luxor. The same can be said about staying downtown in the Fremont St area. If you are driving downtown you would likely want to take the highway and avoid the strip at all costs.
Depending on the time of day and traffic congestion you may want the tunnel. For example, if you are staying on the north part of the strip like The Mirage or Treasure Island. We have been caught in a couple of traffic snarls heading to Treasure Island / The Mirage. These could have been avoided going the highway route.
How to not get tunnelled
Act like you are a season veteran. Use Google Maps like we did above and plot your route out. Familiarize yourself with street names and the possible routes to the hotel. When you get in your taxi at the airport tell them that you want to take Swenson to Tropicana etc. If you tell the cab driver the route you want to go they must follow it.
What to do if you are a long haul victim
If you feel you have been long hauled you have options. Some travelers report that they have confronted the cab driver and told them flat out that they are not paying. Calling their bluff. I witnessed this at The Mirage one morning as we were heading back to the airport. A couple was long hauled first thing in the morning and had the bell employees help them confront the driver.
You can take a less confrontation route by filing an official complaint. You would do this by contacting the Nevada Taxi Authority at 702.888.4888. or by filing out an online form at “Long Hauling Suspicion Form”,
Las Vegas in 1955 was very different then what it is today. This Las Vegas street scene photo from 1955 shows the Golden Nugget and a host of other casinos and hotels that are no longer part of Vegas. The Golden Nugget was built in 1946 and is still a prominent part of the Fremont St experience. If you get a chance stop by and see the shark tank.
Make sure you click on the photo for the larger image.
Las Vegas may be famous for its luxury hotels, fine dining and cirque shows but there are many interesting facts that the average visitor does not know. Here is a list of interesting facts about Las Vegas that you may not be aware of.
Interesting Las Vegas Facts
The famous strip is 4.2 miles and is not even located in Las Vegas proper. It actually sites in the town of Paradise which is within Clarke County. Las Vegas proper would be Downtown or Fremont St, where the original hotels and casinos are located.
It is estimated that 41 million people visit Las Vegas every year. There are not shortage of rooms for those visitors. Statistics show that in 2017 there were 104 Casinos and 148,690 hotels rooms in Las Vegas.
NASA has dubbed Las Vegas as the brightest spot on earth. There are 9,900,000 light bulbs just on the strip. The Luxor Light Beam which sits on top of the Luxor Pyramid can be seen from 100 miles away and the beam is only at half power. That light beam cost $51 an hour to operate.
The design for the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign was never copyrighted. The sign was designed by Betty Willis and erected in 1959. The circles around the word “welcome” represents silver dollars. They are a tribute to Nevada being the “silver state”.
Las Vegas really is the wedding capital of the United States. There are anywhere from 300 – 500 wedding a day. They make it pretty easy, you only need a driver’s license or passportaround $50 to get a marriage licence.
You won’t find lottery tickets in Vegas. Looking for a power ball ticket? You will have to go to Utah as lottery tickets are not allowed in the state of Nevada.
Prostitution is not legal in Las Vegas. It is against the law in Clarke County.
There are an estimated 1,000 people living in the tunnels below the city. Matthew O’Brien a reporter who first brought the story to light has published a book called Beneath The Neon.
Seafood is king in Vegas. It is estimated that 60,000 pounds of shrimp is consumed every day. Resorts like the Aria are moving to recycle their food waste and sell it to farmers to be used as pig slop.
Thinking of swimming the Bellagio fountains? You might want to think again as the water used is referred to as “grey water”. The water in many of the fountains and displays is recycled from sinks, bathtubs, and showers.
Elvis Presley performed 837 consecutive sold out shows at what is now the Westgate Casino and Hotel. Elvis still has a strong presence in Las Vegas with impersonators and shows being found all over the strip and downtown Fremont St.
Did you know that most resorts and hotels in Las Vegas do not have coffee machines in the room? Many people are surprised when they find this out. It kind of makes sense. Hotels in Vegas do not want you sitting in your room drinking free coffee. They want you on their casino floor or in their restaurants drinking coffee. It’s as simple as that. Where do you get a decent cup of coffee in Vegas then?
Where to get coffee in Vegas
Make Your Own Coffee
I have read where some people bring their own Keurig. You can purchase a small sized Keurig machine in Amazon or places like Ebay relatively inexpensive and pack it for your trip. You can also buy a variety of small instant coffee makers from Walmart and bring them along. It doesn’t have to be a Keurig. Making your own coffee in your room is an option if you want to bring your own machine. Pretty easy to do if you aren’t flying into town.
Starbucks
You would be shocked to know that there is practically a Starbucks on every corner on the Las Vegas strip. We would say that in every hotel and resort there is a Starbucks waiting to serve you up your coffee fix. The following map will give you an idea of just how many of Starbucks locations there are on The Strip in Las Vegas. Nothing is cheap in Vegas and Starbucks in no exception. Be prepared to stand in line. Any of the shops we passed by were lined up out the door in the morning hours.
If you are not a Starbucks fan there are quite a few really good coffee shops on the strip. Most hotels will have their own breakfast restaurant or cafe onsite where you can grab a cup. For example, there is The Pantry at The Mirage or The Aria Cafe at The Aria.
Looking for other recommended coffee shops along the strip? Here are a few other places you can visit.
There are lots of hidden gems for coffee along the Las Vegas strip. You just have to explore a little to find the really good one. We have given you a bit of head start on your journey. If you find a coffee shop you think people would like drop us a comment.
Travel tips for any Las Vegas vacation. A trip to Las Vegas can be overwhelming as there are lots of attractions and activities to do. The sheer size of the resorts can make your trip challenging. Follow these Las Vegas vacation trip tips to make your next stay a success. Get these tips for hotels stays, dining and restaurants, activities and attractions and Las Vegas shows. We will help you make the best of your trip to fabulous Las Vegas.
Vegas Hotel and Resort Tips
Weekends and holidays are expensive – Expect to pay more for weekend and holidays. You can most certainly save money by visiting Monday – Thursday in Vegas. Holidays will also see a spike in room rates because the demand for rooms rise. Surge pricing during conventions is also real. If you are seeing very high rates chances are there is a major convention in town. Also be aware of major sporting or music events such as fights or March Madness. Shop around for dates and book with what you are comfortable with.
You can change your reservation – Last year I booked a December stay at the Mirage in September. By December the Mirage was offering better prices with more freeplay and resort credit. I simply called and changed my reservation for the better deal. Keep your eye on prices and deals if if you booked directly through the hotel and don’t be afraid to call and ask for the better deal.
Resort Fees on the rise – Resort fees are a fee that is paid directly to the hotel upon check out. They are not included in your pricing if you booked through a third party travel website. The fee can range anywhere from $20 – $40 a day. This fee gives you access to such things as wifi, self parking, printing boarding passes and fitness rooms. Most hotels have them in effect and you can see them in our Current Las Vegas Resort Fees post. Resort fees are one of the most controversial and despised aspects of Las Vegas.
Sign Up for Players Cards – Every hotel has a loyalty or Players Club program like Mlife or Total Rewards. Sign up and use your card whenever you can for bonuses and freebies. Show your card when shopping at hotel stores or eating in their restaurants. If you get enough points you may get part of your final bill comp’d. Hotels will also give bonus’ to new sign ups and the points you gain can be used for gambling or food purchases. If you are staying at an MGM property you can charge bills to your room at any other MGM property. It’s an easy way to make sure you get your points and credit for your purchases. Another reason i shows the hotels how much you are spending and you can get offers for free rooms without spending a lot of money. Just use your card when playing and you will get offers to your Players Club account online or email if you signed up with one.
Parking will cost you – Hotels looking to maximize their profits have implemented daily parking charges. Beware this extra charge if you plan on driving into Vegas. Check with the hotel directly for their parking policy.
Taken from the 24th floor The Mirage in Dec. 2017
Getting Around in Vegas Tips
Bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes – This is an important tip. Properties in Vegas are enormous in size and you will be walking more than you think. You might look fabulous walking the strip in high heels but your feet are not going to like you by the end of a sight seeing tour. My watch logged roughly 10 miles a day in just doing normal gawking around the strip. With properties like The Venetian, Caesars and The Bellagio it’s a hike just to get into the hotel proper from the sidewalk.
Utilize cheap transportation – We wrote about the use of The Free Tram System in Vegas which is a decent way to get around the strip. Vegas also has a great bus system. Called The Deuce (double decker) the bus is constantly running up and down the strip and stops at every hotel. The double elongated bus called the SDX stops less frequently and is perfect for taking downtown to Fremont St. You can buy bus passes from machines located at the stops. Remember, no open containers on the buses. Lyft and Uber are also great ride share choices and we will post about getting deals on those later on.
Ignore the Street Hustlers and Time Share Scammers – Walking any where near Bally’s, Planet Hollywood and across from NYNY you are going to be approached by hustlers. They will be giving out cards for escorts, vip club passes and trying to lure you to a time share presentations. Outside the MM Mall at Planet Hollywood they will pretend to be working for the mall and offer a coupon book which is a diversion to get you signed up for a time share presentation. Just ignore them as most of them won’t bother you past their initial hustle. If they persist we use the “just heading to the airport” response which is usually enough.
Planet Hollywood taken Dec, 2015. Classic area for hustlers.
Food and Drink Tips for Las Vegas
Bring a collapsible cooler – Depending where you stay a fridge is not included with your room. MGM for example stock the in room fridge with snacks and drinks. A fridge is an extra charge. We purchased as small collapsible cooler from Amazon which fits in our suite case perfectly.
Shop for snacks and drinks off site – The mark up for snacks and drinks at Hotel stores is insane. The landscape of Vegas has changed and there are Walgreen’s and CVS Pharmacies everywhere now. Stock up on your snacks, bottled water and beverages here. Even some of the smaller shops you see like outside of Harrah’s are offering pretty decent rates on beverages.
Red Solo Cups are your friend – The alcohol laws in Vegas are pretty relaxed. You can consume in public places but no glass bottles and if you purchase a closed container it can’t consumed on the premises, or within 1,000 feet, of the store. Red Solo Cups are perfect for travelling from hotel to hotel. Most places on Fremont offer solo cups as you are leaving and heading out to the street.
Happy Hour is a thing – Vegas is famous for Happy Hour offering great food and drink deals. Generally before 6:00 pm you can get 1/2 price food and reduced drinks at most places. Some also have a Happy Hour later at night. There is no way we can tackle keeping a list on that so lets just say that google is your friend.
Sign up for Email Lists – Create a throw away email account and see if any of the restaurants you are planning to go to have rewards for joining. For example, Hash House a Go Go at the LINQ will send you a birthday 2-1 coupon every year and Holsteins at The Cosmo will send you a reward like a free booze milkshake.
Happy Hour at Pizza Rock Downtown Vegas taken Dec. 2017
Las Vegas for the Frugal
Coupons – There used to be coupon magazines in cabs or in the lobby’s of hotels but those are in a bit of decline as of late. There are still two great coupon books out there. We have used both books in the past. It’s just a matter of what you think you would get better use of.
American Casino Guide – Available for under $15 on Amazon or Barnes and Noble this is packed with coupons for food, drink and games in Vegas. We find that it has lots of lower value coupons but that makes it worth the price. There are lots of food deals on the strip and downtown Fremont St.
Las Vegas Adviser – You join their membership website for $37 a year and get their coupon book and monthly magazine. When compared to the ACG but we found it had some higher end coupons. For example, the 2-1 Buffet at The Cosmo is a great value. We covered the costs and more after using only three coupons for food, drinks and play.
Groupon – Another great resource for getting deals in Vegas is Groupon. We start looking about three months our from our trip for deals. You will be sure to find a deal on dining and on may attractions and activities.
Travel Zoo – Sometimes forgotten is Travel Zoo. We like to look for dining and drinks deals but they have a good collection of Activities and Shows as well. For example, we used it for a great deal on Penn and Teller a few trips back.
These are just some basic tips to help out on your Vegas vacation. Most of them are common sense tips that could be applied anywhere you visit but Vegas can be expensive and exhausting if you don’t know what you are getting into. If you have a tip or suggestion please leave a comment.
If you have never been to Las Vegas and have a vacation coming up you may be overwhelmed with all of the activities and attractions the city offers. We have read through dozens of fun and free things to do in Las Vegas lists but many of them are misleading in recommending things to do that are not on the main “Las Vegas strip”. This list is fun and free things to do on the Las Vegas strip. We will tackle Downtown and Fremont St later on. When we get things together we plan on adding a google map for the listings.
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign
The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign has been standing since 1959 and is a great tourist stop for photos. The sign is completely free to visit and take photos of. The photo above is from our 2014 trip and you can see Mandalay Bay in the background. This is the far south end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Location: 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Hours: Always open.
Getting there: It is about as far south as it gets for visiting the Las Vegas Strip. It is not close to the middle of the strip and takes some travelling to get there. You can either take the Bus and get dropped off close to the sign or you can make your to Mandalay Bay and then walk which will take you about 10 minutes. The walk is considered safe as you actually walk past a police station but using common sense we would not be walking there at night.
Tips: When we visited there was a person there offering to take your photo for a tip. They are not affiliated with the sign or the City of Las Vegas. They are just trying to make a buck. We did tip $5 to get a photo of my wife and I and the girl did take a good photo but don’t fee inclined to pay for a photo.
The Park
The Park is the name for the area between NYNY and The Monte Carlo and in front of the T Mobile Center. It is host to a few restaurants, art structures and a wall waterfall. There is lots of shade making it a nice place to visit, relax and take in the atmosphere.
Location: 3782 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located between NYNY and The Monte Carlo.
Tips: We have been there a number of times. When there is an event on like Vegas Knights hockey game the place is rocking and a lot of fun. We also stopped in when LVU was playing Duke and had a fantastic time. But we also ventured down there at night when there was nothing on and there wasn’t too many people around. It was great for taking photos like the one above but a little too quiet for Vegas.
Hershey’s Chocolate World
Hershey’s Chocolate World is a little closer and located at the New York New York Hotel & Casino. The store is 13,000 sq ft and home to over 800 Hershey’s chocolates and candies. The Statue of Liberty pictured above is made out of 800 lbs. of HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth you will be very satisfied with a visit to this chocolate store.
Location: 3790 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the New York New York Hotel & Casino.
Hours:
Getting there: It is very easy to get to Hershey’s Chocolate World as it located right off the sidewalk in front of New York New York.
Tips: No tips required. The store has it’s busy times but we have visited a few times and have never had any problems. If you have a tip feel free to share.
The Bellagio Fountains
The Bellagio Fountains are probably the most recognized feature of the Las Vegas Strip. The lake itself is 8 acres in size and fed by a fresh water well. The fountains can be described as a symphony of lights, music and water. It is the one thing on the Strip you are not going to miss. The photo above was taken from the top of the Eiffel Tower across the street (which is not a free attraction but worth it).
Location:3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Hours:
Saturday and Holidays
Every 30 minutes from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
Sudays
Every 30 minutes from 11:00am to 7:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 7:00pm to 12:00am
Monday to Friday
Every 30 minutes from 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Every 15 minutes from 8:00pm to 12:00am
Getting there: Located in front of the Bellagio Hotel and is considered mid strip so it easy to get to.
Tips: The Bellagio Fountains can be quite busy at night so you have to have some patience when trying to get a good spot. They are obviously less busy during the day. You can get a good show from the bridge/walkway which leads into the Bellagio but there is glass between you. We also like to watch them from atop the Eiffel Tower at The Paris across the road but it is not free.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are a real free hidden gem in Las Vegas. There are five seasonal themes that are celebrated with a floral display. The five themes are and dates are listed below. The display is 14,000 sq ft in size and is home to tens of thousands of flowers on display.
The photos above are from a December and May trip.
Location:3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Hours: Open 24 hours
Chinese New Year – January – March
Spring Celebration: March – June
Summer: June – September
Harvest: September – November
Winter: December- January
Getting there: Located just past the Main Entrance and Main Lobby.
Tips: The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens like other attractions can be very busy at peak hours and times. We have always had luck either going early in the morning or later at night. Just be aware that everyone is trying to get that perfect photo or selfie so it’s easy to get crossed up with others.
The Mirage Volcano
Another iconic attraction on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mirage Volcano will leave you feeling the heat. Literally if you are standing close enough. It is a great free show of music, lights and most importantly fire and explosions. The Mirage has scaled back the amount of times it goes off so expect some crowds but you will still be able to take it in.
There is also a large fish tank located behind the main check in so if you are exploring The Mirage make sure you have a look.
Location: 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Mirage Hotel & Casino.
Hours: The times were a little off on our last visit but they did go off twice a night regardless. Sunday – Thursday 8:00 PM & 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Getting there: It is very easy to get to The Mirage Volcano as it is located right on The Strip in front of The Mirage.
Tips: The scaled back times means bigger crowds and this is the one place where it can be frustrating to get a good spot. Here is a pro tip, you can view the Volcano from the other side of the lake which is right outside the main entrance to The Mirage and get a great view with less crowds. I would just get there early as well.
Fall of Atlantis at Caesars Forum Shops
The Fall of Atlantis is told through an animatronic show filled with special effects and of course, a dragon. It’s sure to dazzle and is for all ages. A nice free touch inside a very upscale shopping plaza. There is also a large fish tank located at the base where the show is held.
Location: 3500 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 in Caesars Palace Forum Shops
Hours: Every hour/on the hour, Sun – Thr, 11 am – 10 pm; Fri – Sat, 11 am – 11 pm
Getting there: Located inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
Tips: Put your walking shoes on it is located at the back of the Forum Shops and if you come from the street or via the casino it is still a hike to get there.
If you are trekking the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace make sure you stop by Kalifano’s. They have unique metal sculptures like Darth Vader, Predator and Terminator. They are truly an amazing site to see.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
Not only will you find a flock of Chilean flamingos at The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat you will find ducks, swans and lost of koi fish. It’s a nice peaceful garden walk that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the Vegas strip. You will almost forget you are in sin city.
Location: 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Hours: Daily from dawn until dusk.
Getting there: Located inside The Flamingo Hotel and Casino
Tips: Try to make it for the Pelican feeding Pelican at 8:30 AM and 2 PM every day.
The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian
If you want to experience some decadence in Las Vegas then you will want to take a tour of The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. The canal winds it way through the shoppes and with the painted ceiling you will forget that you are indoors. You can opt for a paid gondola but you can just enjoy the water and people watch.
We took this photo in December of 2017 as we made our way to visit the Rolling Stones exhibit.
Location: 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at The Venetian Hotel
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located inside The Venetian Hotel
Tips: The Venetian is a massive property. We have been there a number of times and never seen the entire thing. Put your walking shoes on and be prepared for a hike.
Big Elvis at Harrah’s
If you are looking for a free Elvis experience in Las Vegas you do not want to miss Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee. The man is a Vegas icon who puts on one heck of a show. Not only does Big Elvis belt the tunes out he also gives you a bit of a story or history about the songs and give you great insight into the King himself.
Location: 3475 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109 at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm
Getting there: Located at The Piano Bar inside Harrah’s. The entrance is right near Carnival Court in the open area between Harrah’s and The Linq
Tips: Get there early to get a good seat. Ideally you want the center or right side when entering the Piano Bar. Once the show starts and the seats are taken gawkers will come in the left side and stand there blocking the view for everyone until they get yelled at. You can also stand outside the bar by the entrance and watch from the outside if you don’t want to enter.
Pirates at Treasure Island
The free Pirate show at Treasure Island is long gone. The Pirate Ship is still there and worth a look. It’s too bad the show is gone but we couldn’t help stop and take some photos. Who knows if you might want to venture into Gilley’s and catch some bull riding.
Location: 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109 at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
Hours: Daily
Getting there: Located at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
Tips: It’s a short stop to add to your photo collection.
All of the activities and locations we have presented are located right on the The Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Strip is amazingly large with countless activities and attractions. These are just a few of our favorite. Check back as we add more in the future and enjoy the Las Vegas Strip.
