The Hidden Gems of Vegas

Quote: Wizard

My opinion is that it is worth a visit if you have a particular interest in the subject, or passing by, but I wouldn't make it a high priority for the average person.

Well, if you think about it you can see an atomic bomb go off and live to tell about it, so it's a rather unique experience :) I really ahve to get there next trip.

Ditto the pinball Hall of Fame. I love pinball, but finding machines to play is getting more and more difficult.

As to Death Valley, I've heard a lot of interesting stuff about it, but also that it's best to go in winter when it isn't too hot. BTW I've been to the lowest point on Earth: the Dead Sea. It's also the safest place to swim, provided you don't let any water inside your eyes.

Quote: Wizard

Hoover Dam is part of the tourist repertoire, but still worth doing. Avoid weekends, due to bad traffic. It will be a lot easier getting there once the bridge is completed.

Hmmm...

I've always avioded the dam because my Vegas trips have always been mid-week, and I assumed that the traffic would be lighter on weekends. I guess that's my congested New Jersey thinking for ya.

I'm coming to Vegas again this September. Word is the bridge will be opening in Fall 2010. With my luck, the day after I head home, but I seem to recall seeing November mentioned.

FYI: The bridge construction official website: http://www.HooverDamBypass.org/


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Someone mentioned the pinball museum, so I had to check out the website. 'Museum' isn't the right word. Although they have hundreds of vintage machines, they are all playable. Check it out: http://www.PinballMuseum.org/

Here's an except:

Quote:

Las Vegas is known for the unusual and offbeat. Places like the Liberace Museum, the Neon Museum, the Clown Factory, The Elvis Museum, the Barry Manilow Store, the Pinball Hall of Fame... Wait a second. The Pinball Hall of Fame? What exactly is that? Or more importantly, why is there a Pinball Hall of Fame?

Hmmm... I've already been to, and recommend, the Neon Museum.

I have heard for years, but have no desire to go to the Liberace Museum, although I may go, since it's across the street from the Pinball Museum.

I've heard about the Elvis Museum. Pass. Ditto for the Barry Manilow Store.

But a Clown Factory? I just HAD to google that! Unfortunately, it looks like they don't have a website. The best hit I got was this one: http://www.jeffreysward.com/tributes/ronlee.htm Further investigation gave me an address and phone number: Ron Lee's World of Clowns Inc., 330 Carousel Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89014. 702-434-1700.

I don't know if it was mentioned yet, but the Ethel M Chocolate factory is also on my list. http://www.EthelsChocolate.com/

They're both off strip in Henderson, so it requires a car. But they are only 3 miles apart. If I get a car on my next visit, I'll go to both.

Hoover Dam is amazing and well worth seeing. FWIW I went in may of 08 on a Wednesday and the traffic was quite tolerable.

I took a tour with Showtime,BTW. The particular guide we got had something to say of everything along the way, from the Vegas outlet malls to the desert vegetation along the way. The tour included a stop at Ethel M's and lunch at Sam's Town. Alas the factory floor was closed for repairs, but the store had those tasty chocolates for sale.

I would also recommend an excursion to the Pinball Hall of Fame and the nearby Liberace Museum. Both places are tacky-yet-cool in a very Vegas way. The distance of the two attractions from the Strip would mean a pretty reasonable cab fare. If you go, be sure to have a drink at the "piano bar" next door to the museum -- it's made to look like a giant, garish piano.

Two must-see casinos not near the Strip are M Resort and Red Rock Resort. Those are the latest and greatest in terms of decor and design, and there you'll find better bargains in terms of food and gambling than on the Strip. I don't know how you'd get to either though, as they are generally out of cab range.

I would not bother making a special trip to the M or Red Rock. However, both would make good choices to stay at, if you don't mind the location out in the suburbs. Of the two, I would pick the M. About equal in quality, but cheaper, and better game rules.