General PMC Info

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• Las Vegas presents a sparkly, glittering environment that offers more attractive “eye candy” per square foot than I have seen anywhere else in the world. There is much to enjoy here, much for free and the rest at pretty modest costs. Please take the time to explore.

Star Trek

• The Star Trek Experience – at the Las Vegas Hilton
• http://startrekexp.com/
• If you were or are a Star Trek fan, this is a MUST visit. The Hilton devotes a huge section of its first floor to be a virtual SHRINE of all things Star Trek. You’ll be struck by the respect and quiet tribute in the atmosphere there, whether or not you actually take any of the paid tours and rides.
• Entrance to the Experience itself is free, including Quark’s Bar and the Star Trek store. I get a kick out of going to Quark’s Bar for lunch; the menu is fine and well cooked but the big kick is having Klingons and Andorians wandering around from time to time for light banter and photo opportunities. If you’re having a rough day, they also have a Warp Core Breech drink that will let you forget your troubles. Whew – this is one you normally want to share with at least one other person.
• The Star Trek store is entertaining in itself offering all manner of interesting nick-nacks at a wide range of prices
• The two action rides offered here are “Klingon Encounter” and “Borg 4D”. You can get tickets to both plus admission to the Star Trek Museum for less than $40. (Note: These action rides have the normal restrictions against small children and people with frail dispositions.)

FREEBIES (no admissions costs)

• Bellagio Fountains at the Bellagio, of course– THIS IS A MUST-SEE and is not far away from the Mandalay. The Fountains of Bellagio were destined to romance your senses. View the Video Tour at
  http://www.bellagio.com/amenities/fountains-of-bellagio.aspx Show times are: Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour and then 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. show every 15 minutes. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. show every 1/2 hour and then 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. show every 15 minutes.
• Fall of Atlantis Fountain Show at Ceasar’s Palace
  http://www.vegas.com/attractions/on_the_strip/fountainshow.html – This (and to a lesser extent the “Festival” fountain show nearby) is AMAZINGLY well-done and entertaining. Well worth the quick-trip down to Caesars. It’s an animatronix show full of fire and lasers and flashes. Get a preview at
  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rcI2tr2s6pE
• Mimes in Paris Hotel and Casino – This comes recommended from the Schills
  http://www.zianet.com/msaxton/NV/paris3-05/index.html
• The Mimes at The Venetian are my favorites (not to put down the Paris ones which I have not seen myself). The Venetian mimes are made up to look exactly like white marble statues, except for their give-away eyes. VERY FUNNY. You will particularly get their attention by holding out dollar bills. Great senses of humor.
• The Freemont Street Experience - This necessitates a trip Downtown after nightfall but this also is a MUST-SEE. It can get a bit crowded over the weekends but Fremont Street is huge so there’s always a good place to stand and enjoy it in the cool evening air. Another good thing is that the shows rotate from viewing to viewing so hanging around to catch two or three is worth while. Check the website for the exact night-time show times for the day you want to go over http://www.vegasexperience.com/
• Mirage Volcano – Unfortunately closed for renovation until October 2008
• Treasure Island Sirens (mature audience recommended) - This is a heartbreaker in the sense that this used to be the famous (and very enjoyable) pirate ship battle. I thoroughly enjoyed taking my family to see that one. Now TI decided to inject truly off-color mature aspects into the show for reasons I can’t fathom. It’s still entertaining and free but I wouldn’t go there with children.
  http://www.treasureisland.com/pages/ent_sirens.asp
• The Luxor Pyramid – This is right next door to the Mandalay and its worth the free visit for sure. The interior of the Luxor is hollowed out and it strikes me as just downright spectacular. If you’re into Egyptology, you’ll be in heaven. If you go up to the Mezzanine level (which is where you enter if you walk over via the Mandalay Place shopping mall) you’ll find a museum, an IMAX theater, and an action ride.
• Lions at MGM Grand and Rain Forest Café – Yes, the lions are real; not always active but they are real. There’s also a glass-enclosed section that allows entrance INTO the enclosure but safe from the cats. The lions are easy to find since they are right where you enter the MGM-Grand coming across the walkway from New York-New York. Rainforest Café recreates a tropical rainforest with waterfalls, lush vegetation, and indigenous creatures.
  http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/lion-habitat.aspx http://www.mgmgrand.com/dining/rainforest-cafe.aspx
• Huge Gold Nugget – Appropriately found at the Golden Nugget Hotel/Casino downtown on Fremont Street. This one is REALLY big and it is free to see. In fact, this is the world's largest gold nugget on display. It’s called the “Hand of Faith” and is displayed in the Golden Nugget lobby. It weighs 27.2 kilograms and is 46 centimeters in length.
• Las Vegas China Town - Chinatown Plaza is an exciting and fascinating neighborhood in Las Vegas. It is a colorful and unique Tong Dynasty architecture eclectic of Asian cultures and features the largest concentration of Asian businesses in Las Vegas. http://lvchinatown.com/index.htm
• Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Gardens – A must-see for chocoholics. http://www.vegas.com/attractions/off_the_strip/ethelm.html

Paid Attractions

• The Shark Reef – Mandalay Bay’s premier attraction. Let’s you literally walk in enclosed glass corridors underwater among live sharks.
  http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/sharkreef.aspx
• Stratosphere Tower – http://www.stratospherehotel.com/thrills/ The second tallest free-standing structure in the US west of the Mississippi at 1,149 feet, this tower/hotel offers the most spectacular views of Las Vegas second only to possible helicopter or blimp rides over the Strip. A VISIT TO THE TOWER’S OBSERVATION DECK AT NIGHT IS A MUST-SEE. You don’t have to stay up there very long but the view you enjoy will never leave your memory. In addition, there are actually Thrill Rides at the very top of the tower. See the website for details.
• New York New York and Sahara Roller Coasters – May be found in the “for the kids” section even though adults can enjoy them at least as much.
• Gondola Rides – Take a relaxing glide down the Grand Canal in an authentic Venetian gondola at the Venetian Hotel/Casino. http://www.venetian.com/GONDOLA.aspx
• Secret Garden at the Mirage Casino - The Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat is a tropical atmosphere, surrounded by palm trees and lush foliage. Great for a family visit and very well done. This feature is a “left-over” from the days when Zigfried & Roy was the Mirage’s mainstay show.
  http://www.mirage.com/attractions/attractions_dolphins.aspx
• Madame Tussauds Wax Museum (located on the site of the Venetian Hotel/Casino) – Get up close and personal at the World Famous Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. Featuring lifelike wax creations of your favorite celebrities
  http://www.venetian.com/MT.aspx