Comming to the Olympia ?

[stuntmovie]

The following will only be helpful if you have enough time on your hands (2 - 3 hours) to take a free walking tour through the hotels on the Strip. I take visitors on this walking tour and they all enjoy it thoroughly and often state that it is a better tour than one of the tours you'd pay a hundred bucks for.

Best to divide this one into two days.

Here's the details on Day 1 ....

Day 1: Start out about 10 AM in the morning at the Excalibur hotel and casino. Park your car in the parking structure and walk through the casino to the Tram. (Ask for directions in the hotel). Take the Tram ride all the way to the end and get off at the Mandalay Bay Hotel/Casino. Check this place out. It should take 45 minutes to an hour. Visit the Spa and do your best to get into the pool area and check out the great wave pool and the new pool area casino and the topless pool on the southern end (usually a fee). Difficult to get into the pool area most of the time but they might give you a temporary pass if you ask at the front desk.... simply tell that that you are checking out the hotel for a future visit or possible convention. There are actually three hotels in the Mandalay Bay and you might find it interesting to take a quick look at each one ... The Four Seasons, the Mandalay Bay, and the Hotel at Mandalay Bay. Each one is a class act in inself.

Once you get tired of your Mandalay Bay visit, ask for directions to the "Mall" that leads to the Luxor and proceed to visit the Pyramid on the Strip. Interesting architecture here. Just make sure you looki "UP" once you get inside and check out the front desk area. You might feel like taking a break to visit some of the "attractions" on the second deck.

Once you are full of the Egyptian atmosphere, find the mall that leads back to the Excalibur and look for the exit to the overpass that leads over to Ny, NY. Check this place out and you might want to stop for lunch at the delicatessan there or have a better sit down meal and a beer at ESPN.(Check out the seating arrangement up front and ask them what it would cost for you to reserve one of those couches for SUPER BOWL SUNDAY.) You might want to check out the roller coaster = about 12 bucks a ride. (More expensive than Disneyland).

Then find the overpass over the Strip to the MGM Grand and take a quick tour. Visit the lion habitat and the hotel lobby (reminds me of an airport lobby in a major city) head down the mall area where all the restaurants are located. This mall also leads to the pool area which is worth a look if you can get that far. There is also an area where you are invited to attend a TV viewing of a yet to be released progran and offer your comments about it via a computer keyboard and monitor. Takes about 45 minutes to an hour and is a nice way to relax for a few moments. And on the way out they give you a few good things.

Then proceed back to the Excalibur parking lot and find your car. Your Day 1 hotel tour is over and the Day 2 tour starts tomarrow by catching the monorail at the MGM Grand and heading north.

To be continued if there is any interest ...

[Lift Studios]

Can you provide directions to the little white chapel? CQ is in need of the address.

[stuntmovie]

Free guest pass to Gold's in Las Vegas? This might work ..... http://freepass.yourclub.net/NewMemberOld.aspx

You might have to claim LV residency though. Not sure about that.

Here's how to get Gold's infor in LV.... 6 locations.  http://www.goldsgym.com/locator/state_locator.php?state=NV

Lift, if you mean Little White Chapel in the sky, here is the info from the telephone book ... 1301 So. Las Vegas Blvd 702-382-5943

[stuntmovie]

Lift, here's the link to Little White Chapel.... http://www.alittlewhitechapel.com/html/in_the_sky.html

This one offers weddings in a hot air balloon over the city.

They even have a Drive Thru Wedding Chapel here.

[stuntmovie]

Someone coming to the Oly might find this info helpful.

The top nightclubs are in the Strip/and near Strip casinos.

Relatively new is the service that most of the top clubs provide called "Bottle Service".

With "Bottle Service" you make a reservation and let them know the brand/brands of alcohol you want and then you give them the necessary information and your credit card number.

Now you have a table reserved for you and your party and they set up the bottle/bottles of booz you ordered with all the mixes and trimmings. That way you don't have to go to the bar and pay for each individual drink.

But be prepared to pay approximately $600+ for each bottle of alcohol you order. Someone figured it out and you do save a bit by useing "Bottle Service" providing you are all drinking the same cocktail.

No inexpensive cocktails in these high class joints any longer.

[stuntmovie]

The top ten hot nightclubs + two for the younger crowds - 20's/30's. Check me out if I am incorrect with the exact location... And don't go too early or you'll be sitting in an empty room. Lines start forming up around 10 PM in most cases. Hours are usually 10 PM to 4:00 AM or until the last drunk leaves or falls flat on his/her face.

1. Jet - Mirage
2. Rain - The Palms
3. Body English - Hard Rock
4. Playboy Club - The Palms
5. Light Nightclub - Bellagio
6. PollyEsthers - Stratosphere
7. Voodoo Lounge - The Rio
8. Moon Nightclub - The Palms
9. Ghostbar - The Palms
10.Risque - Paris
11.Tryst - Wynn
12.Tao - The Venetian

Each require a $10 - $20 entry fee on the weekends and holidays, but you can usually find free passes handed out by the guys who stand on the Strip cornors handing out free nightclub passes (they would appreciate a tip). Or here's  a good request to make with your cab driver or bellman or even the front desk if you are checking into one of the hotels where the clubs are located. I don't know anyone here who pays to go to one of the top night spots. Free passes are available if you ask around.  

   
 

[stuntmovie]

I'm receiving individual messages on suggestions regarding the best place to stay under individual circumstances during the Oly weekend.

Here's kind of a "catch-all" recommendation.....

If you will only be in LV for the three days of the Oly, then I strongly suggest you book the Orleans for your stay - Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights. It's really convenient to merely hop in the elevator to go the the various Olympia activities in the hotel or even just to mingle with the pros on the way to and from various functions in the Orleans. Just don't expect elaborate accomodations such as you would find in Mandalay Bay.

But if you plan to stay more than those three Olympia days, I recommend you book a room for a couple of nights after the Olympia (Sunday/Monday) or before the Olympia (Tuesday/Wednesday) at one of the more elaborate hotels on the Strip (Highly recommended is The Hotel at Mandalay Bay) as the rates are cheaper usually on Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed nights. But definitely book the Orleans on Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights.

This way your only transportation concern will be going to and from the Expo which is roughly two miles away on the east side of the Strip. In most cases, none of us will have much of a traffic problem unless you fail to give yourself enough time to get to where you gotta be when you gotta be there. Figure about 35 minutes hotel - convention travel time during peak traffic hours unless there is a complete standstill along the route. (If you need the SECRET ROUTE, just let me know and I'll post it here, but you gotta promise not to tell anyone.)

[stuntmovie]

One last thought before I sign off for the day ...... The pool gathering at Hard Rock on Sunday afternoons is one of the biggest, jaw popping gatherings in town every Sunday during the  Summer.

Don't miss it if you plan to stay on Sunday, but check the Hard Rock website to make sure you can bribe your way in if you are not booked into the hotel.

PS... It's worth booking in.

[stuntmovie]

http://www.palms.com/suites_villas_2_h.php

I'm hopeing that Chick and Bodybuilding.com or some other major bodybuilding related business connected to the Olympia rents one or two of these Fantasy Suites at the Palms (over 3.000 square feet penthouses) for a pre/post Olympia Party.

I could be the EVENT of the Olympia week and remembered for a long time to comer.

Hey, guys! The Hefner Suite would be ideal And fill that pool with fitness chicks.

[HowieW]

Any chance we can get a "Craig Titus  and where he done it" tour , since we will be in the area?
Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

Hey stunt, on a serious note your info posts are great.

[CQ]

Can you provide directions to the little white chapel? CQ is in need of the address.

here's the link to Little White Chapel.... http://www.alittlewhitechapel.com/html/in_the_sky.html

This one offers weddings in a hot air balloon over the city.This one offers weddings in a hot air balloon over the city.

The hot air balloon is best I believe. Thanks Stunt.

[stuntmovie]

Howie, I been to "where he done it" and it ain't much to look at cept for a dirty desert road over thar on the Pahrump side but maybe I could do some research and draw a map of his home and the store and gas station that "played a part" and the drive up and over Blue Diamond to the burning spot, so you guys could redrive that route keeping track of the "time elements" and talk about it on this board.

Hell They have a couple of other "tours" similar to a "Titus Tour" in this crazy town,,,,

The Haunted Tour which I know nothing about......

and another tour somewhat like a 50's/60's LV ganster tour ....

and a tour to see and walk over some glass bridge (don't throw stones) that hangs over the Grand Canyon .....

and a dam tour where they are building the eighth wonder of the world ..... a bridge that will by-pass the dam in the hopes that no one can blow it up. That "bridge" (under construction) is an amazing piece of engineeering and an awsome sight to see. (A 30-40 mile drive off the Strip out there to  the lake).

Then there's Red Rock Canyon where most every in-shape bodybuilder has had his/her photo taken. My nephew used to climlb those red rock walls with merely his fingers and toes after a hard week of performing in Mystere. When he reached the top, he'd do a backflip at the very edge of the deep reveine and tourists would go bonkers.

and the Valley of Fire and a possible side trip to Death Valley.

And maybe even a visit to the Whorehouse Museum in Pahrump .... about a 45 minute drive via Blue Diamond Road over some pretty impressive red rock mountain range. I hear that some radio show host got abducted by a flying saucer crew over in that town. Not much to see over there but still, it's a lot of fun and the gambling is a little bit cheaper. Just maike sure you drive back to town while the sun's still shining. It gets a little twisted coming over the mountain in the dark.

All the above would take a little more time than most Olympia visitors will have but I strongly suggest that you all take that tour to the top of the Stratosphere (on the north end of the Strip) just before the sun goes down and watch this town turn on its lights. A great sight to see. And then go to the outdoor observation platform at the top and watch some crazy fools ride those rides that drop or spin  them over the side of the tower. It'll give you that tingling feeling in the bottom of your feet.

But the best darn tour in town is still the half day walking tour through the hotels which most visitors do on their first time visit here (half of which I described someplace above).

If you get the time, get out and see this place.

[stuntmovie]

Some other worthwhile tours

See the most misplaced stop sign in the whole wide world ......

[stuntmovie]

Here is a photo of that new bridge that is under construction diverting the traffic from the Hoover Dam into Arizona. This is where the bridge will pass high over Black Canyon below the dam. Strange ..... but not too many people know about this project.

[stuntmovie]

Black Canyou below the dam.The bridge will traverse this desolate/trecherous location on its route from Nevada to Arizona.

[stuntmovie]

Just a brief comment on the Orleans ..........

The Orleans is a great place to stay for a few days. It does not compare to the Mandalay Bay by any any means, but it is a great "Locals" hotel and only a mile or so from the Strip.

Plus it does offer a good variety of "dining" spots with one of the better buffets in town.

Check out the Orleans dining spots here. ---------->   http://www.orleanscasino.com/restaurants/index.html

Expect all the restaurants to be crowded that weekend, so make reservations if you plan to do some fine dining .... especially at Canal Street and The Prime Rib Loft. And be forewarned that the Sushi place is a bit over-priced. I don't think that TGIF takes reservations and I do know that the buffet does not.

If I was promoting this event, I'd make arrangements with the hotel to have the Buffet open immediately after the finals when all the athletes will be looking for a decent meal. But the coffee shop place (24 hours) does serve a decent Prime Rib dinner (providing it's not sold out that late at night) and I think that place will be filled to the rafters with the contestants and fans immediately following the finals.

I'll stop  by this next week and find out how many of the eating spots (roughly 14) are open late at night. Does anyone recall what time the finals is usually over?

BTW, if you want a decent meal on the Strip and relatively close to the Convention Center, the Peppermill across from the old Stardust is one of the better places to eat in town. If you are there, take a look in the bar and see if that fireplace looks familiar. It was used in a scene in a famous movie with two famous stars. Name the movie and the two stars and I'll send the winner some LV coupons providing the winner will be here to use them during the Oly.

I'll bet that the Peppermill is filled each day with all the people who will be working at the Expo. It's convenient and good and I give it a hearty recommendation. And don't be surprised to find yourself seated next to a few movie stars and/or the Strip Hotel performers.

[stuntmovie]

If you have some clients you need to impress while at the Olympia or if you just want to get out and have a decent meal, here are my top recommendations ...

My favorite place ...... Charlie Palmer's in the Four Seasons/Mandalay Bay ..... the perfect place to impress a date or a client if the need arises.

Peppermill ,,,, Good food in a fancy coffee shop atmosphere with parking right out front.

Circus Circus Steak House ...... Rated the best steak house in town for many years.

PF Chang's in Planet Hollywood ... kind of like Chinese food but really not.

And it's not the best but I like it ..... The Prime Rib Loft in the Orleans and if the Loft is crowded, order the same in the coffee shop.

Lots of others but you won't have the time to try 'em all.

[stuntmovie]

I'll post some photos of the places you should definitely visit if this will be your first time in Las Vegas....

The Wynn is the latest high roller joint on the Strip but the Venetian is building its own latest extension next door. Major competition among these two for the high rollers (whales)

Here's the Wynn - 1st picture

And here's the Venetian - 2nd pic
.
Both worth walking through

[stuntmovie]

Another try posting the Wynn photo

[HowieW]

More great info  and thanks for the verbal Titus tour
I am most likely NOT going to the O again this yr. The time of yr is always tough for me as a HS teacher.
Plus, I just spent the vaction budget on an 8 day cruise to the Eastern Carib, late JULY.
I love BB , but getting catered to, and enjoying the islands with a sexy lady, is for me, a better time than a BB meet 

Hey stunt, you ever been out to the AREA 51  location?
I am big UFO, cutting edge air craft buff.
Thanks again, Howard

[stuntmovie]

Welcome. Howie, I was on a Hawaiian Islands cruise last year but on the way back to the mainland, our propeller fell off and we limped through some rough seas for the remainder of the ride eventually arriving in Cal about three days late.

A cruise is great but after the third day of sailing on the ocean blue, most of us were ready to get off. They do eveything that they can to keep  you happy and occupied but it got a little boreing after a while.

Been to area 51 and Alien Inn a few times to talk story but as the old saying goes, "If I told ya, I'd have to kill ya." Let's just say that they keep curious civilians off the hills surrounding the immediate area.

New subject.... I got another IM concerning wheelchair access in and about the Orleans Arena and I assure you all that they do comply with federal regulations in that respect.

Here's a shot of the long hall (long haul) from the hotel/casino to the Arena and the moving sidewalk..........

[stuntmovie]

And some first hand info about the Buffet prices ....

[stuntmovie]

And the buffet when it was closed at 10:30 tonite ....

[stuntmovie]

ANd the main Orleans sign facing Tropicana Bl.......

[stuntmovie]

And make sure you get a free Club Card ...... It'll save you a buck a meal in the buffet. And if you use it in the machines and at the tables, you might even get your hotel room comped, and possibly all your meals too. I never go anyplace without it.