Preparing for TAM2

[Brown]

I am in the process of preparing to got to Las Vegas for TAM2. I plan to spend a few extra days in Las Vegas to see the sights (and I am carefully considering the recommendations made in this thread (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22415)).

The following questions occur to me:

First, what will the weather be like? Technically speaking, it will be winter. The last time I visited Las Vegas was during winter, and it was notably chilly. Would a sweater be appropriate, or should I "pack lighter?" Is it likely that the weather will be warm enough for outdoor swimming?

Second, I want to visit several sites around town. Would it be worthwhile to rent a car? I'd prefer not to use taxis, and I enjoy walking. I expect that I will not want to walk everywhere, however, if the distances are too large. So... is everything within "walking distance?" Is there reliable, cheap transportation around town?

What to wear...
Whether or not to rent a car...
There may be other questions that others have about preparation for the trip. Feel free to post your questions and advice here.

[Ed Baehr]

Along those lines.If one were to rent a car, is parking available. I'm thinking along the lines of renting a car in Manhattan and expecting to park it. I've never been to Las Vegas and don't want to rent a burden.
Any input is appreciated.
Ed Baehr

[kittynh]

You know me, last year I started a whole thread on "what should I wear?" So, yeah, what is the weather going to be like, and what about the car????

[UnrepentantSinner]

Weather info...

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/climatology/monthly/USNV0049

[Ladewig]

The hotel is about 4000 ft from the Strip. (Flamingo Rd. and Las Vegas Blvd.)

So, if you are willing to walk one mile, you can get to Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Barbary Coast, Flamingo, Bally's, Paris, and Mirage.

In January 2004, there may be monorail service from Bally's south to MGM Grand.

The 301 bus route runs up and down the Strip and costs $2. (every ten minutes during the day, every 15 minutes after midnight.) more information (http://www.rtc.co.clark.nv.us/cat.htm) This route will take you all the way north to downtown and has both local and express service.

A cab ride from the hotel to downtown will be $10-12.

There is ample parking but traffic on weekends on the Strip is bumper to bumper.
I would recommend cabs unless you are planning on going further afield (Red Rock Canyon, Sunset Station Casino, Liberace Musuem).

[kittynh]

wow! The Liberace Museum!

Actually, aren't we all supposed to go see Hoover Dam?

I would think that needs a car, but maybe we could car pool?

I can walk a mile....ha! I'll bet it's a flat mile at that!

[Brown]

I would appreciate it if someone could post a link to a web site that includes reliable information about various attractions, and perhaps a map of the area.

[Marc]

So when are we doing the sight seeing?

Right now I'm thinking of ariving on tuesday and leaving on monday. That gives tuesday afternoon, wed, most of thurs, and sunday evening for fun.

[arcticpenguin]

Be sure to wear shoes while in Vegas: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/08/18/vegas.electrocution.ap/index.html

[Brown]

Well, for sure I will be bringing shoes (http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/08/18/vegas.electrocution.ap/index.html) and I will be avoiding wet traffic signals. I am serious.

[arcticpenguin]

Here's a Nevada event you won't want to miss:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=817&ncid=757&e=10&u=/ap/20030819/ap_on_fe_st/armpit_festival

About 2,000 turned out over the weekend for the community's second annual "Festival in the Pit" — a takeoff from Battle Mountain being named the "Armpit of America" by a Washington Post reporter in 2001.
...
Events included an Old Spice deodorant toss and armpit beauty contest, as well as the more traditional amusements of hot air balloon rides, bed races, mud bogs and team roping competitions.

[Brown]

I have just checked out http://www.vegas.com/ and have found it to be a good source of information. This site includes a map, and gives you some idea about the costs and schedules of shows and attractions. Some of the shows and attractions are surprisingly expensive.

I have identified eleven shows and attractions that interest me, but the cost of seeing these shows and attractions would be over $400. Also, scheduling may prove challenging, so it may become necessary to pare down the list of things to see.

[Brown]

Examples of attractions from vegas.com:

Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 S. Paradise Rd. (appears to be about a block east of Las vegas Blvd.): Star Trek: The Experience; about $25.

Treasure Island, 3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Sirens of TI; free. The Pirate Battle is apparently being discontinued.

The Venetian, 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Madame Tussaud's; about $20.

Harrah's, 3475 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Mac King; $19.

Flamingo, 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Amazing Johnathan; about $60.

Monte Carlo, 3770 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Lance Burton, about $66.

Luxor, 3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Blue Man Group; about $95.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by Brown
Examples of attractions from vegas.com:

Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 S. Paradise Rd. (appears to be about a block east of Las vegas Blvd.): Star Trek: The Experience; about $25.

Treasure Island, 3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Sirens of TI; free. The Pirate Battle is apparently being discontinued.

The Venetian, 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Madame Tussaud's; about $20.

Harrah's, 3475 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Mac King; $19.

Flamingo, 3555 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Amazing Johnathan; about $60.

Monte Carlo, 3770 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Lance Burton, about $66.

Luxor, 3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.: Blue Man Group; about $95.

I would LOVE to see The Amazing Jonathon!

Also, is there any music by acts that aren't awful or 30 years out of date?

[Brown]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer
Also, is there any music by acts that aren't awful or 30 years out of date? I would think Vegas has music to suit any taste. I am not much of a music fan, so I didn't spend too much time looking into what was available. A good friend of mine (who is a big music fan) said he had a great time at the Hard Rock Hotel.

I note that the Vegas.com site does include information pertaining to the kind of language that might be used in shows (e.g., the Amazing Johnathan--that's how they spell his name--has a show that is not "kid friendly") and also the amount of nudity involved. For those of you who don't see enough female nipples in your lives, there are plenty of shows that feature them, along with the obligatory music and feather-laden costumes. (Steve Martin used to tell a joke in his early stand-up days, where he remarked about his reaction to a Las Vegas show: "Wow, look at the t*ts! I'll bet there's fifty-seven t*ts up there!" Such shows still appear to be quite common.)

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Originally posted by Brown
I would think Vegas has music to suit any taste. I am not much of a music fan, so I didn't spend too much time looking into what was available. A good friend of mine (who is a big music fan) said he had a great time at the Hard Rock Hotel.

I note that the Vegas.com site does include information pertaining to the kind of language that might be used in shows (e.g., the Amazing Johnathan--that's how they spell his name--has a show that is not "kid friendly") and also the amount of nudity involved. For those of you who don't see enough female nipples in your lives, there are plenty of shows that feature them, along with the obligatory music and feather-laden costumes. (Steve Martin used to tell a joke in his early stand-up days, where he remarked about his reaction to a Las Vegas show: "Wow, look at the t*ts! I'll bet there's fifty-seven t*ts up there!" Such shows still appear to be quite common.)

Well, this was listed under "Headliners" on one site:


HEADLINERS
· Celine Dion
· Danny Gans
· Clint Holmes
· Gladys Knight
· Wayne Newton
· Rita Rudner

Like I said - awful (Celine Dion, Clint Holmes, Rita Rudner) or 30 years out of date (Gladys Knight). Or both (Wayne Newton)

[Brown]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer
HEADLINERS
· Celine Dion
· Danny Gans
· Clint Holmes
· Gladys Knight
· Wayne Newton
· Rita RudnerUgh. None of the headliners interest me at all. The only good thing I can say is that a friend got dragged to see Wayne Newton and ended up really liking the show. (I can relate to the being "dragged" part, but I just don't see myself every getting to the "liking" part.)

As for Rita Rudner, I've already heard both of her jokes.

Another friend recommended taking in the lesser known acts, because (1) they are much cheaper and (2) some of them were really very good. One of the acts that really impresed him (and I understand this act may be no longer playing in Vegas) was a group of Beatle impersonators that looked and, just as important, sounded exactly like the Beatles of the early '60s. He said the illusion they created was truly astonishing.

[Zep]

We would REALLY love to see "O" at Bellagio, but their calendar online only runs to this November. No other clues available... Anyone know if it will be still on in January? And cost?

[Zep]

Here's a curly question...

Does anyone know if you can hire a bicycle, or possibly a pedicab or rickshaw, in Vegas. I want to chauffer Mrs Zep about in it when we go out visiting on the Strip.

Personal reasons - a mile walk to the Strip is quite definitely out for Mrs Zep, and a cab-ride that far every time is ridiculously expensive. But one of the above items would be perfect (and a bit of exercise and fun!) and I suspect they would be very cheap too.

Any clues anyone?

[Brown]

Originally posted by Zep
Does anyone know if you can hire a bicycle, or possibly a pedicab or rickshaw, in Vegas. Or a Segway?

According to Vegas.com, there is supposed to be a free monorail that runs most of the length of the strip up and running by January 2004:The MGM Grand to Bally's monorail has been temporarily closed as an extension is completed. The new monorail -- set to open in January 2004 -- will run from the MGM Grand to the Sahara hotel. The new route will include stops at: MGM Grand, Bally's, Flamingo, Harrah's / Imperial Palace, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton and the Sahara. Although I plan to do a lot of walking, I expect that it would be nice to have some form of cheap transportation as an alternative.

[arcticpenguin]

Originally posted by Zep
Here's a curly question...

Does anyone know if you can hire a bicycle, or possibly a pedicab or rickshaw, in Vegas. I want to chauffer Mrs Zep about in it when we go out visiting on the Strip.

Personal reasons - a mile walk to the Strip is quite definitely out for Mrs Zep, and a cab-ride that far every time is ridiculously expensive. But one of the above items would be perfect (and a bit of exercise and fun!) and I suspect they would be very cheap too.

Any clues anyone?
I didn't see any ricksaws when i was there, and it would be a bad idea considering the air quality along the strip.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Wasn't there some sort of shuttle from our hotel to the strip?

[Zep]

Originally posted by arcticpenguin I didn't see any ricksaws when i was there, and it would be a bad idea considering the air quality along the strip. You haven't been to Bangkok at all? Vegas air is sterile compared to that...

[Zep]

Originally posted by The Central Scrutinizer Wasn't there some sort of shuttle from our hotel to the strip? Sounds good if it is true! Linda, any info?

[Patricio Elicer]

I'm at the edge of buying the idea of attending TAM2. Apart from the conference itself, watching Penn & Teller perform live would be a major event in itself, that certainly few Chileans have had the opportunity to.

[kittynh]

Don't forget Lance Burton! Maybe he'll bring some tigers!