June 2013 Posts, Page 2

We know: what with that Eiffel Tower replica on the Strip and all the lights and chic models, it might be easy to get Las Vegas confused with Paris. Okay, we’re kidding. Even though Las Vegas, Nevada and Paris, France are two of the world’s top travel destinations, the cities have few things in common. However, one thing they do share: excellent French food.

I think most people are aware that Las Vegas has plenty of places to drink, yes? But those who like their spirits with a little more…uh, spirit…might not realize how many creative and award-winning drink makers (okay, okay, “Mixologists”) there are on the Strip. Put simply, this is the place to try something new, and you won’t hurt for choices. Here are just a handful of favorite drinks, and places to get them:

The Experience

The D Hotel and Casino Downtown Las Vegas

If you are deciding on a budget vacation but you don’t want to compromise all the quality just to save a buck, The D Hotel is most likely what you are searching for. The entire hotel has been given a major facelift and transformed from Fitzgerald’s to The D Las Vegas. You’ll still get a lingering scent of old Las Vegas but that is part of the beauty of this spot right on Fremont Street and in the center of all the Downtown Las Vegas action.

Show anybody a picture of the Las Vegas strip and they’ll be able to tell you what it is. Plenty will say that they can’t wait to go there, have been there or are an expert. Yes, plenty of people will tell you they are experts. Believe me, I tell everybody I’m an expert and most people don’t believe me. However, they will ask about what they best things to see on the Las Vegas strip and I always explain that the best way to see the Las Vegas strip is by putting your walking shoes on and giving yourself a self guided tour.

Do you think I’m crazy?

The Experience
This is where beer lovers fantasize about the ultimate conquest. This is where a beer guy would get married. It’s where a beer girl would have her bachelorette party. This is where the beer list is long, deep and complicated. The Pub at Monte Carlo is the spot where you hope the game goes in to overtime because you need to have at least 2 more shots at drinking your way through a 300 beer list.

Let’s just say you only have one night in Las Vegas. You want to have fun but you don’t want to waste any time. You want to hit the hot spots but you do not have the luxury of hoping that a place is right for you. That is why you and I are hooking up. I know Las Vegas and you want to have fun. I drink, eat and spend far too much time talking to strangers so that you do not have to worry about a single thing when you decide to let loose for one night in Las Vegas. That night is tonight, so let's do this.

Located in Symphony Park, The Smith Center is what Las Vegas looks like as a grown up. Don’t worry, you can still act like a college student on spring break on the Las Vegas strip but when it is time to imagine yourself as a more refined you, The Smith Center is where it happens. This epicenter for the arts adjacent to Downtown Las Vegas is world class in its combination of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance.

It’s an icon on the Las Vegas strip. It seems like no matter where you are at you can see the giant tower that is the Stratosphere. I often think about the old hotel that was on the site, Bob Stupak’s Vegas World, it had some crusty carpets and I was always positive that they had the heaters turned on to high in order to make you forget about how bad everything seemed inside the casino. Those days are gone and now you can get quite a Las Vegas experience at the hotel on the north end of the Las Vegas strip.