Catch a Show - Las Vegas

One of the best shows, in my opinion, on the Vegas Strip is Cher. On my most recent trip to Vegas, my husband and I saw Cher at the Colliseum at Caesar's Palace, and we were not disappointed!! You might be asking yourself why two 25-year-olds would go see Cher in Vegas when there are many other more "hip" show opportunities to see. Well, I'll tell you why we went to see Cher.

On my first date with my husband, we were driving back from a restaurant, and I had Cher's song, "If I Could Turn Back Time" blasting from a mixed CD in my car, and I was just bopping right along with the song so much that I didn't realize the stoplight above me was red, and I ran it. Luckily it was late in the night and no one else was on the road with us (cops especially). My husband said that the combination of my singing and looking so happy made him fall for me even harder that night.

So, when we decided Vegas would be our pre-honeymoon destination, it was a perfect fit that Cher was there, and there was no denying the fact of seeing her.

Cher may be in her mid 60's but she doesn't look (and DEFINITELY doesn't sing) like a a day over 35! She can still belt out a tune the same, if not better, as she did in her prime! Her show was set up as a "through the life of Cher" theme, so she sang songs starting at the beginning of her career, straight through the end of it. And the costumes she wore went right along with the decade she released the song. Brilliant!!!

Cher has always, and will always hold a special place in the hearts of myself and my husband, and we were greatful that we got to see her!

Every casino/hotel on the strip has a headliner show that is always playing. Your night will never be dull with this list, and who knows, you may be able to find great deals on others! Here are some major headliners!

Luxor - Criss Angel (Illusionist)
New York New York - Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity"
Venetian - Blue Man Group
Planet Hollywood - V-The Ultimate Variety Show
Flamingo - Donnie and Marie
Wynn - Le Reve, Garth Brooks
Mandalay Bay - The Lion King
Palazzo - Jersey Boys
Bally's - The Price Is Right
Bellagio - Cirque du Soleil's "O"

There are many opportunities to find discounted show tickets all over the Vegas strip. I know of a place just outside of Excalibur, and I'm sure there are many more, maybe even within a particular hotel. From experience, there is no other way to spend a Vegas evening!

Other Hotels on the Strip - Las Vegas

There are many other hotels on the strip, and I will brief you on them, and their theme, in hopes one or more spark your interest.

Mandalay Bay - Southeast Asia
Excalibur - Camelot
Tropicana - Tropical
New York New York - New York City
MGM Grand - Hollywood
Planet Hollywood - Hollywood
Hard Rock - Rock and Roll
Bally's - FUN
Rio - Brazilian/Mardi Gras
Caeser's Palace - Roman Empire
Harrah's - Carnival
Palms - Fantasy
Venetian - Venice
Palazzo - European
Circus Circus - Circus
Riviera - Modern
Sahara - Moroccan

Broadway at the Beach

The nightlife in Myrtle Beach was an experience on its own. Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle's downtown, has everything you can imagine. From clubs to bars to restaurants, everyone will be satisfied. Some restaurants to note are the following: Hard Rock Cafe which is shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, Planet Hollywood where the whole restaurant is circular depticing the planet, and Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Jimmy Buffet's has a 10 foot blender with margaritas in it (I wish it was real), and you can pull up a chair and sit at a boat, not a table, for dinner. These restaurants were right up there with the coolest I have ever seen, and you won't be disappointed with the food! The bars and clubs are equally as fun, and there really is something for everyone.

Tips on Braodway at the Beach:
-There is a bus system to take passengers from the coastal beach to Broadway at the Beach, but sometimes it doesn't come when or where is expected, so just beware.
-March through May are peak seasons for spring breakers, so if you are looking for a quieter time, I would suggest planning your trip here on the non-peak months.

Vegas Baby!

Can you believe it took me 25 years to get to Vegas?! This past year, I attended the Travel Academy in a suburb of Minneapolis, and as a graduation gift in October of '09, my fiance and I went to Las Vegas! There truly is no better place to unwind. I really had no idea what I was in for when our plane landed.

First of all, if you can imagine something you thought was larger than life, imagine that thing 10 times bigger and you have Vegas! I've seen it all on T.V., the strip, the hotels, the lights, but to say it was amazing is a complete understatement!

The extreme north end of the strip is under construction, making way for 2 new hotels/casinos, so it was a long walk to get to the first casino, or maybe it just seemed like it because I was so excited to get there! When we got into the thick of it all, we really just walked in to each casino/hotel we came to, just to check them out. All the hotels have different themes, so it was very cool to see how each hotel ran with their own ideas! A few hotels had mini shows being performed out in front, so we stopped and watched them, and even those were elaborate! Some of the shows include the Sirens of TI (Treasure Island), the Fountain Show at the Bellagio, and a Volcano Show at the Mirage.

Here are some tips on Vegas:
-Vegas is probably the cheapest destination in the U.S. right now, so keep an eye out for lots of flight and hotel deals. The further away from the majority of the strip you stay, the better the deals. It should be noted that there is plenty of public trasit, so you won't be spending your "fun" money on a taxi ride.
-When you check into your hotel, ask for any deals or offers the hotel might have.
-When you see something along the strip that you want to buy, buy it, because there is so much to see, you will most likely never go back.
-Don't spend all your money in one casino. Spread it out because you will want to experience each casino. Vegas requires a lot of self-control.