Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
411 on Cruise line Past Guest Programs
Nearly every cruise line has one, hooking passengers automatically after their first cruise through free subscriptions to glossy past-passengers magazines or members-only sections of their websites. What's inside? Details about new itineraries and new ships, past-passenger discount and upgrade offers, announcements of special cruises available to past passengers only, and other goodies.
Loyalty programs vary from line to line. Here are some below:
Carnival offers two main levels of returnee perks, with discounts, upgrades, and an onboard party for passengers who have sailed 1-9 cruises, and various extra perks -- including in-cabin petit fours or canapés, spa treatment upgrades, and free laundry service -- to passengers who've come back for ten or more trips. A special third level is reserved for passengers who sail on their 25th, 50th, or 75th Carnival cruise -- what the line refers to as "milestone" cruises. These folks receive a shipboard credit representing 25, 50, or 75 percent of their cruise fare, respectively, for that particular voyage. Those sailing on their 100th cruise earn a complimentary Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, or Alaska voyage of up to eight days.
Norwegian Cruise Line , the "Latitudes" loyalty program divides passengers into four levels. Bronze members (with 1-4 cruises under their belts) get special past-passenger booking discounts on all sailings, a special check-in desk at the pier, admittance to a cocktail party hosted by the captain, and a pin to identify them as past guests. Silver members (5-8 cruises) also get admission to a second onboard party and free in-cabin treats twice during their cruise. Gold Members (9-13 cruises) get priority boarding and debarkation, a stateroom welcome basket, priority reservations at the onboard restaurants, priority tender tickets, and an invitation to the captain's VIP cocktail party. Past passengers' onboard charge cards are color coded so staff knows to give them extra-special care.
Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, MSC, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, and Silversea all offer similar multi-leveled programs, with incentives varying from line to line. At Princess and Regent, for instance, passengers who have reached the second level of loyalty get free online access at the ship's Internet centers. Regent Seven Seas; also offers graduated amounts of free satellite phone time to regular guests: one hour for passengers who have sailed 21-74 days, two hours if you've sailed 75-199 days, and four hours if you've racked up 200 days plus. At Cunard, second-level Gold members (3-7 cruises or 20-69 days on board) get two hours of free Internet time, Platinum members (8-15 cruises or 71-149 days) get four hours, and Diamond members (15 voyages or 150 days) get eight -- plus a free lunch at the Todd English specialty restaurant, a dedicated Diamond Member contact at the Shoreside World Club Desk, priority luggage delivery, and all the perks of the lesser levels.
Crystal, Cunard, and Holland America all offer commemorative pins and/or medallions to passenger who have sailed a certain number of days, often distributing them at special recognition dinners or champagne receptions. Ultra-luxe Silversea Cruises does them all one better by being literal: Passengers who have reached Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond loyalty levels get a sterling silver Tiffany pin or other jewelry studded with a stone to match.
The basic loyalty package at Celebrity Cruises;includes a free cabin upgrade, and its higher levels offer free wine-pairing seminars and an invitation to dine at the captain's or senior officer's table. Celebrity's sister-line, Royal Caribbean, gives all past guests a free wine-tasting seminar and coupon booklets that vary by past-guest level, offering discounts at the onboard spa, gift shops, etc. The two lines are also reciprocal: If you've sailed five times or more with Royal Caribbean and decide to try Celebrity, you'll get past-passenger discounts and benefits there as well. Ditto for Celebrity's new sub-brand, Azamara Cruises, which offers a loyalty program similar to those of its parent companies.
Similarly, the many lines owned by Carnival Corporation -- Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, and a few European lines -- all extend reciprocal discounts to passengers who have sailed previously with any other Carnival Corporation brand.
MSC Cruises offers booking discounts that are tiered depending on loyalty: 5% off after your first cruise, 8% off after you've sailed between 22 and 42 nights, and 10% off for those who've sailed more. At Holland America, past guests' booking discounts also apply to family and friends traveling with them -- up to four cabins' worth.
At small-ship line Cruise West past passengers and their traveling companions all get 5% off their cruise fare.
At ultra-luxe small-ship line SeaDream Yacht Club , returning guests who persuade first-timers to book cabins on the same cruise get $100 off their fare, and the first-timers get a $100-per-cabin break as well.
Free cruises are also a possibility, mostly at the luxury lines. The program at Seabourn, the most generous of the lot, gives a free 14-night cruise after guests have sailed a total of 140 days, in addition to past-passenger discounts of up to 50%. Crystal Cruises offers a free cruise for those who've racked up thirty trips or more, plus discounts, cabin upgrades, and onboard credits that range from $150 to $300. The free-cruise threshold at Silversea is 350 days. In the mainstream market, Carnival offers a free Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, or Alaska voyage of up to eight days for passengers who've sailed their 100th cruise with the line. In the niche-cruise market, Rhode Island's family-owned American Canadian Caribbean Line is in on the free-cruise act too, quietly promoting a free eleventh cruise to anyone who's sailed with the line ten times previously.
It's not like getting something for nothing, but it sure is something.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
2009 Best Top 10 Beaches in the USA
Well if you live in a snow state like me here is a sampling of 10 of the best, each offering something different for weekend sun-seeking warriors.
1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
7. Cape Hatteras,Outer Banks, North Carolina
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
9. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachussets
10. Beachwalker Park,Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ziplining on the Big Island
Big Island visitors will soon be able to soar through a rainforest canopy thanks to a zipline adventure, which is currently under construction on the island’s east side. Dubbed Zip Isle, the new attraction is scheduled to open in mid-November on a small portion of the 275-acre World Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls (WBGW), located 16 miles north of Hilo.
Comprised of five zip lines and one suspension bridge, Zip Isle begins with shorter rides of 150 to 450 feet and ends with a line extending 1,500 feet. The platforms and suspension bridges linking the zip lines reach as high as 100 feet.
With the addition of Zip Isle, WBGW will become a complete family experience in one location, said spokesman Ken Francik. Other WBGW features include Umauma Falls; Hawaii’s second-largest maze; 5,000 species of flowers and plants; a ten-acre arboretum; guided tours and lunch with a horticultural expert; and self-guided tours on easy, level trails through a natural rainforest.
Zip Isle is set at the 1,300 foot level at the base of Mauna Kea volcano, one-half mile from the WBGW’s visitor center. The total adventure takes a little over two hours.
Admission is $87 per person. The rate includes safety training and eco-friendly electric transport from the gardens to the start of the Zip Isle course.
Zip Isle
888-947-4753
www.zipisle.com
Comprised of five zip lines and one suspension bridge, Zip Isle begins with shorter rides of 150 to 450 feet and ends with a line extending 1,500 feet. The platforms and suspension bridges linking the zip lines reach as high as 100 feet.
With the addition of Zip Isle, WBGW will become a complete family experience in one location, said spokesman Ken Francik. Other WBGW features include Umauma Falls; Hawaii’s second-largest maze; 5,000 species of flowers and plants; a ten-acre arboretum; guided tours and lunch with a horticultural expert; and self-guided tours on easy, level trails through a natural rainforest.
Zip Isle is set at the 1,300 foot level at the base of Mauna Kea volcano, one-half mile from the WBGW’s visitor center. The total adventure takes a little over two hours.
Admission is $87 per person. The rate includes safety training and eco-friendly electric transport from the gardens to the start of the Zip Isle course.
Zip Isle
888-947-4753
www.zipisle.com
Royal Caribbean Newest Ship: Oasis of the Seas
The world's newest contenders for biggest-ships-ever, the Oasis-class vessels are a whopping 40 percent larger than the current title-holders, Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class trio. Oasis of the Seas, the first of the two 225,282-ton, 5,400-passenger behemoths, is officially set to kick off its maiden Eastern Caribbean season on December 5, 2009 with a pre-inaugural cruise on December 1; sister ship Allure of the Seas will debut summer 2010.
The buzz surrounding these vessels has been unlike anything we've ever seen. Onboard zip-lining? A water-based outdoor theater? Loft-style cabins?
The layout itself is unique. The ship will be divided into seven neighborhoods, each with its own distinct theme. The seven include: the Youth Zone, for the tots; the Boardwalk, with its Coney Island vibe; the Royal Promenade, a bigger, bolder version of Royal Caribbean's traditional indoor shopping mall; Entertainment Place, for nighttime activities; Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; Pool and Sports Zone; and Central Park, an indoor/outdoor space with real grass and trees. Dining-wise, there are more than 20 options. Twelve charge an additional fee.
Ship Highlights
7 distinctly designed neighborhoods including:
BoardwalkSM:
AquaTheater outdoor ampitheater
Carousel
The first ever Zip Line at sea
Two rock-climbing walls
Psychic and Tattoo parlor
Kids and teen shopping
Seafood Shack, Johnny Rockets and The Donut Shop
Central ParkSM:
Open to the sky, with winding paths of quiet reading corners and other hidden surprises
Trellis Bar
Parkside Gallery & Picture This photo studio
Park Café & Vintages
150 Central Park - upscale dining
Antonio's Table & Chops Grille
Royal Promenade - with a mezzanine level:
3-level escalating - Rising Tide Bar
Sorrento's Pizzeria, Mondo Café, Café Promenade
Boleros Latin Lounge
Schooner Bar & Champagne Bar
On-Air Club
Loft Staterooms
28 two-level contemporary loft suites.
Ship Facts
Guest Capacity: 5,400 double occupancy
Gross Tonnage: 222,900
Staterooms: 2,700
Decks: 16 high
Length: 1,184'
Max Beam: 154'
Draft: 30'
Cruising Speed: 22 knots
Carnival Newst Ship: Carnival Dream Review
While Carnival continues to focus on improving and expanding older classes of vessels -- $250 million has been set aside to revamp its eight Fantasy-class vessels -- there are some fresh designs. The 130,000-ton, 3,652-passenger Carnival Dream, the line's largest ship ever, began sailing in September of 2009, representing a totally new class for Carnival. Dream is an innovative twist on Carnival's tried-and-true ship designs. Features include:
The first laser light show at sea takes place by the top-deck Seaside Theater. The shows last 15 minutes and use lasers to project multi-colored patterns onto the nighttime sky, choreographed to music by rock bands like Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston and Pink Floyd. During the show, the Seaside Theatre's big screen displays the artists' music videos.
"The Gathering," Carnival Dream's Lido buffet, is one of the most impressive casual dining options at sea. In addition to the traditional salad bar, and hot and cold picks, choices include a deli, burrito bar, Indian tandoori oven (meat, fish, chutnies, naan), grill setup (burgers and dogs), 24-hour pizzeria, and made-to-order Mongolian wok and pasta stations. Besides the main dining rooms and buffet, there is also be for-fee option. The Chef's Art Steakhouse serves up seafood, steaks and chops for an additional $30 per person.
On Carnival Dream, the line scraps the traditional Internet cafe in lieu of 36 "FunHub" kiosks. The stations are spread out over Decks 3, 4 and 5 -- Carnival Dream's main public areas -- and in addition to providing for-fee Internet access, they offer free access to Dream's ship-specific information portal and social network. Read more about the FunHubs here.
The 11,250-square-foot adults-only Serenity area encompasses two levels -- a first for the line -- and accommodates up to 200 guests. Seating includes chaise lounges, shaded sun loungers and hammocks. Check out the lower level for the full bar and the upper level for two whirlpools overlooking the sea. Serenity spans the forward sections of Decks 14 and 15 and features custom windscreens.
Other outdoor deck spaces include four overhanging sea-view hot tubs, a mid-ship Seaside Theatre and a two-deck mini-golf course.
Carnival Dream features an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa.
A wide variety of lounges, bars and nightspots -- including a new dance club concept, Caliente, offering indoor/outdoor access -- are accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level offers a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor.
Three production shows debuted on Dream. "Dancin' in the Street" is rich in special effects like neon lighting and video projection. Another show, "Get Ready," chronicles varying professions through music ranging from Motown to R&B. Finally, "Xtreme Country" pays homage to country and western tunes. Also performing in various venues shipwide are bands, solo singers, comedians and "Fun Force," an acrobatic team.
Already recognized as an exceptional choice for families, Carnival ups the ante on Carnival Dream, with the fleet's largest-ever kids' facilities and a WaterWorks aqua park. In addition to a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew water slide -- the longest at sea -- there is another 104-foot-long spiral slide that leads into a giant funnel. Kids in all age groups have more than 19,000 square feet of dedicated space.
Carnival introduced some new family cabins among its stateroom options, including several with two bathrooms, and others specially designed to accommodate five guests.
The ship, constructed at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, will offer a handful of Europe sailings before crossing the Atlantic for its official christening in New York in mid-November. Once Stateside, it will sail a few cruises from the Big Apple before heading "home" to Port Canaveral. Carnival Dream's first homeport cruise will depart on December 5. The ship will be sailing a schedule of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. On the former, ports will include Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau; the latter itinerary consists of stops at Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
A sister ship, Carnival Magic, will debut in June 2011.
The first laser light show at sea takes place by the top-deck Seaside Theater. The shows last 15 minutes and use lasers to project multi-colored patterns onto the nighttime sky, choreographed to music by rock bands like Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston and Pink Floyd. During the show, the Seaside Theatre's big screen displays the artists' music videos.
"The Gathering," Carnival Dream's Lido buffet, is one of the most impressive casual dining options at sea. In addition to the traditional salad bar, and hot and cold picks, choices include a deli, burrito bar, Indian tandoori oven (meat, fish, chutnies, naan), grill setup (burgers and dogs), 24-hour pizzeria, and made-to-order Mongolian wok and pasta stations. Besides the main dining rooms and buffet, there is also be for-fee option. The Chef's Art Steakhouse serves up seafood, steaks and chops for an additional $30 per person.
On Carnival Dream, the line scraps the traditional Internet cafe in lieu of 36 "FunHub" kiosks. The stations are spread out over Decks 3, 4 and 5 -- Carnival Dream's main public areas -- and in addition to providing for-fee Internet access, they offer free access to Dream's ship-specific information portal and social network. Read more about the FunHubs here.
The 11,250-square-foot adults-only Serenity area encompasses two levels -- a first for the line -- and accommodates up to 200 guests. Seating includes chaise lounges, shaded sun loungers and hammocks. Check out the lower level for the full bar and the upper level for two whirlpools overlooking the sea. Serenity spans the forward sections of Decks 14 and 15 and features custom windscreens.
Other outdoor deck spaces include four overhanging sea-view hot tubs, a mid-ship Seaside Theatre and a two-deck mini-golf course.
Carnival Dream features an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa.
A wide variety of lounges, bars and nightspots -- including a new dance club concept, Caliente, offering indoor/outdoor access -- are accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level offers a cantilevered bandstand atop a massive dance floor.
Three production shows debuted on Dream. "Dancin' in the Street" is rich in special effects like neon lighting and video projection. Another show, "Get Ready," chronicles varying professions through music ranging from Motown to R&B. Finally, "Xtreme Country" pays homage to country and western tunes. Also performing in various venues shipwide are bands, solo singers, comedians and "Fun Force," an acrobatic team.
Already recognized as an exceptional choice for families, Carnival ups the ante on Carnival Dream, with the fleet's largest-ever kids' facilities and a WaterWorks aqua park. In addition to a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew water slide -- the longest at sea -- there is another 104-foot-long spiral slide that leads into a giant funnel. Kids in all age groups have more than 19,000 square feet of dedicated space.
Carnival introduced some new family cabins among its stateroom options, including several with two bathrooms, and others specially designed to accommodate five guests.
The ship, constructed at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, will offer a handful of Europe sailings before crossing the Atlantic for its official christening in New York in mid-November. Once Stateside, it will sail a few cruises from the Big Apple before heading "home" to Port Canaveral. Carnival Dream's first homeport cruise will depart on December 5. The ship will be sailing a schedule of seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. On the former, ports will include Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau; the latter itinerary consists of stops at Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
A sister ship, Carnival Magic, will debut in June 2011.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Fun things to do in Las Vegas
There are hundreds of things to do in Vegas besides gambling! Some peoples go to Vegas to golf, other look forward to dining in 4 and 5 star restaurants that have become part of the Vegas scene.
Other of couse head straight for the casinos. Did you know the biggest poker room is at the Mirage Hotel. If you intend to gamble, why not take a class, it's free.
Sin City is home to plenty of free things to do or see, and you don't even have to try that hard to fine them, as hotels and casinos offer free attractions.
Walking the Strip alone is an eye-popping experience, complete with simulated pirate battles, erupting volcanoes and dancing fountains. Step inside the casino hotels and you can experience everything from a loin habitat to an aquarium. And don't forget to see The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian mall and attraction in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. The FSE occupies the westernmost 5 blocks of Fremont Street, including the area known for years as "Glitter Gulch," and portions of some other adjacent streets.
Here are five of the best ways to pass the time in Vegas without spending a dime.
Fountains of Bellagio
One word sums up this visual treat: Wow. You probably haven't ever said that about fountains before, but you will after seeing these geysers at the Bellagio resort and casino, which now lead the list of must-see Vegas attractions.
The fountains feature 1,200 nozzles spouting water up to 240 feet high in magical, choreographed performances set to lights and classic songs such as 'Singin' in the Rain.' Shows run every 15 to 30 minutes from early afternoon until midnight. While at the hotel, visit its conservatory and botanical gardens, filled with plants, flowers and trees, some towering as high as 40 feet.
MGM Grand Hotel's Lion Habitat
Who would've thought the closest you can get to the king of the jungle without working at a zoo is in a casino onthe Strip?
The MGM Grand Hotel's popular lion attraction allows visitors to get up close and personal with the beasts, which are separated from the public by just 1.5 inches of glass. There's even a glass tunnel where you can view the lions walking directly above.
The lions really are not as fierce as you'd expect, as they sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
If they're snoozing when you arrive, wait a bit. Trainers often enter the habitat to rile up the lions with balls, toys and hunks of meat thrown near ' or sometimes even on ' the glass walls.
Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino
Yeah, we know, the Luxor doesn't really make you feel like you're in Egypt, and the Imperial Palace definitely doesn't transport you to the Orient.
But then there's the Venetian, which succeeds remarkably well in re-creating the ambiance of the famous Italian city it's modeled after: Venice.
Strolling through the resort, you'll encounter canals, wandering accordion players, top-notch restaurants, opera singers and, best of all, gondolas.
The Venetian has enough eye ' and ear ' candy to keep you busy for at least an hour or so, and you won't have to reach into your wallet. Get lost wandering around the massive, art-adorned hotel or stroll through the main shopping area, which features live music and street performers.
Finish your visit by grabbing a drink or an ice cream and watching the gondolas float leisurely through the canals.
Downtown Las Vegas
If you can scrape up enough money for a short cab ride, spend the better part of the night mooching off the free attractions in the city's downtown neighborhood.
First, take a self-guided tour of the outdoor Neon Museum, which proudly displays some of the garish, glitzy neon signs of yore that gave Vegas its glamorous reputation.
Next, head to the Freemont Street Experience, an entertainment and gaming complex, where you can gaze up in awe at a massive 90-foot-high screen displaying video, art and images set to adrenaline-pumping music. The complex runs through the heart of downtown's entertainment area, where you can window-shop, check out more casinos, and watch street performers and other live entertainment: all for free.
If it's the first Friday of the month head to the arts district, where you can visit the city's numerous galleries, watch live street performances and view outdoor art in a festive environment.
Imperial Palace Auto Collection
You don't have to be a gear head to enjoy the massive showcase of automobiles at the Auto Collection's Imperial Palace.
In addition to antique, classic and muscle cars, you'll find automobiles that belonged to famous personalities such as Mussolini, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. You can even see the 1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan that Johnny Carson drove to his high-school senior prom.
More than 200 vehicles are on display at any given time, and automobiles are rotated in and out frequently.
Other collection highlights include movie cars, Indy 500 race cars, historic cars, concept cars and rally cars. Also on display are some of the world's fastest and most expensive autos ' one valued at $4 million ' made by the likes of Bugatti, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz.
And if by chance you hit a large jackpot in the casinos, venture back here, as almost every car is for sale.
Other of couse head straight for the casinos. Did you know the biggest poker room is at the Mirage Hotel. If you intend to gamble, why not take a class, it's free.
Sin City is home to plenty of free things to do or see, and you don't even have to try that hard to fine them, as hotels and casinos offer free attractions.
Walking the Strip alone is an eye-popping experience, complete with simulated pirate battles, erupting volcanoes and dancing fountains. Step inside the casino hotels and you can experience everything from a loin habitat to an aquarium. And don't forget to see The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian mall and attraction in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. The FSE occupies the westernmost 5 blocks of Fremont Street, including the area known for years as "Glitter Gulch," and portions of some other adjacent streets.
Here are five of the best ways to pass the time in Vegas without spending a dime.
Fountains of Bellagio
One word sums up this visual treat: Wow. You probably haven't ever said that about fountains before, but you will after seeing these geysers at the Bellagio resort and casino, which now lead the list of must-see Vegas attractions.
The fountains feature 1,200 nozzles spouting water up to 240 feet high in magical, choreographed performances set to lights and classic songs such as 'Singin' in the Rain.' Shows run every 15 to 30 minutes from early afternoon until midnight. While at the hotel, visit its conservatory and botanical gardens, filled with plants, flowers and trees, some towering as high as 40 feet.
MGM Grand Hotel's Lion Habitat
Who would've thought the closest you can get to the king of the jungle without working at a zoo is in a casino onthe Strip?
The MGM Grand Hotel's popular lion attraction allows visitors to get up close and personal with the beasts, which are separated from the public by just 1.5 inches of glass. There's even a glass tunnel where you can view the lions walking directly above.
The lions really are not as fierce as you'd expect, as they sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
If they're snoozing when you arrive, wait a bit. Trainers often enter the habitat to rile up the lions with balls, toys and hunks of meat thrown near ' or sometimes even on ' the glass walls.
Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino
Yeah, we know, the Luxor doesn't really make you feel like you're in Egypt, and the Imperial Palace definitely doesn't transport you to the Orient.
But then there's the Venetian, which succeeds remarkably well in re-creating the ambiance of the famous Italian city it's modeled after: Venice.
Strolling through the resort, you'll encounter canals, wandering accordion players, top-notch restaurants, opera singers and, best of all, gondolas.
The Venetian has enough eye ' and ear ' candy to keep you busy for at least an hour or so, and you won't have to reach into your wallet. Get lost wandering around the massive, art-adorned hotel or stroll through the main shopping area, which features live music and street performers.
Finish your visit by grabbing a drink or an ice cream and watching the gondolas float leisurely through the canals.
Downtown Las Vegas
If you can scrape up enough money for a short cab ride, spend the better part of the night mooching off the free attractions in the city's downtown neighborhood.
First, take a self-guided tour of the outdoor Neon Museum, which proudly displays some of the garish, glitzy neon signs of yore that gave Vegas its glamorous reputation.
Next, head to the Freemont Street Experience, an entertainment and gaming complex, where you can gaze up in awe at a massive 90-foot-high screen displaying video, art and images set to adrenaline-pumping music. The complex runs through the heart of downtown's entertainment area, where you can window-shop, check out more casinos, and watch street performers and other live entertainment: all for free.
If it's the first Friday of the month head to the arts district, where you can visit the city's numerous galleries, watch live street performances and view outdoor art in a festive environment.
Imperial Palace Auto Collection
You don't have to be a gear head to enjoy the massive showcase of automobiles at the Auto Collection's Imperial Palace.
In addition to antique, classic and muscle cars, you'll find automobiles that belonged to famous personalities such as Mussolini, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis. You can even see the 1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan that Johnny Carson drove to his high-school senior prom.
More than 200 vehicles are on display at any given time, and automobiles are rotated in and out frequently.
Other collection highlights include movie cars, Indy 500 race cars, historic cars, concept cars and rally cars. Also on display are some of the world's fastest and most expensive autos ' one valued at $4 million ' made by the likes of Bugatti, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz.
And if by chance you hit a large jackpot in the casinos, venture back here, as almost every car is for sale.
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