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Oct 5 - 8: Las Vegas, Red Rocks, Hoover Dam

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By order of the Las Vegas Board of Tourism, which reminds you that, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," the details of this trip cannot be revealed. We can neither deny nor confirm the late nights, wild parties, gambling, and downright raunchy (sucio) behavior exhibited by the Miami Gang once they arrived in Las Vegas. [View Photos]

For the photo video that was shown at Valerie's place, click here. (this is a very large file...make sure you have a high speed connection before clicking on this link)

Top Destinations - Las Vegas

Fun Things to do in and around Las Vegas:

    Red Rocks National Park: Just 20 minutes from the strip is a beautiful rock formation, great for hiking, rock climbing or enjoying a picnic. Allow at least two hours to visit the park.

    Valley of Fire State Park: Similar to Red Rocks, but a lot bigger, is the Valley of Fire State Park, named for the beautiful red rock outcrops, natural bridges and other amazing formations. Valley of Fire is located about an hour north of Las Vegas. If you have the time, a great way to experience the Valley of Fire is on an ATV. Try: Off Road Adventrues; Las Vegas Grand Canyon Tours; or Rocky Trails' Tour Trips.

    Indoor Skydiving: Guaranteed to put a smile on your face. This is a great group event. Experience sky diving without the fear of falling from 20,000ft in the air.

    Hoover Dam: Commissioned by J. Edgar Hoover and completed on March 1, 1936, Hoover Dam is one of the biggest damn dams in the world. It is 726.4 ft tall, composed of 4,360,000 cubic yards of concrete and weighs more than 6,600,000 tons, Why was it built? Well, few people know that when J. Edgar Hoover was just 12 years old, on a fishing trip on the Colorado River with his favorite uncle, had his little toe bitten off by the elusive Southern Colorado Yellow Eared Trout, which then swam down the Colorado River, never to be seen again. On that day, Hoover vowed to avenge that little to and worked for years to become President of the United States and order that the Hoover Dam be built in order to close off the breeding ground of the Southern Colorado Yellow Eared Trout. This was successful and the last of the Southern Colorado Yellow Eared Trout died off in 1943 which is why you've probably never heard of the Southern Colorado Yellow Eared Trout...now you know.

    Pole Position Indoor Kart Racing: This is another great team building event. Try to beat RangerCris' best lap time of 23.324!

    Drive an INDY race car: The Mario Andretti Racing School teaches you how to drive an INDY race car at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

    Drive a NASCAR race car: Be Richard Petty at the Petty Driving Experience and race a real NASCAR race car.

Best Places to Eat in Las Vegas:

    Picasso (at Bellagio): This is my all time favorite restaurant in Las Vegas, not only because of the amazing food, but just the overall dining experience. Start off with champagne on the patio overlooking the Fountains at Bellagio. Then move inside the dining area where you will be treated to a extraordinary dinner created by legendary Spanish chef, Julian Serrano ("Chef Serrano's menu is inspired by the regional cuisine of France and Spain where Picasso spent much of his life"). This restaurant has been named one of the best in the world, but be prepared to spend $100 - $200 per person for the experience.

    Tao (at the Venetian): This is also an all-time favorite and a truly amazing dining experience but at a much more reasonable price. The Chilean Sea Bass is unlike anything that I've ever tasted...I've ordered it about a dozen times at other restaurants after first tasting it at Tao, but nothing comes close! They also prepare the best Lychee Martini that I've had in Vegas. Great decor, great atmosphere, great food, Tao has it all. Tao also turns into an amazing night club Thursday through Sunday where you can party with all the beautiful people of Las Vegas.

    Prime Steakhouse (at Bellagio): This is one of the top steak restaurants in Vegas. The food is great, the service is great and if you are lucky enough to get a table by the window you can enjoy dinner while also enjoying the Fountains at Bellagio (which has been named the "Best Free Attraction in America" for several years in a row.

    Delmonico (at the Venetian): This is another great steak restauarant, owned and operated by famed chef, Emeril Lagasse. Classy, great food and great service. Their speciality is the Ribeye Steak...very fatty, but all that fat makes it taste SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!!!!!!!!

    Mon Ami Gabi (at the Paris): This is touted as a classic French Bistro located in a French Hotel, but good luck finding someone that speaks French. Apart from that, the food is great. If it is not too hot, I would recommend getting a table outside where you can also enjoy the Fountains at Bellagio. And, if you are lucky enough to get a French waiter that works there, you can enjoy your food with a little bit of French attitude to complete the experience.

    Roy's: I typically do not like to dine in or recommend chain restaurants, but Roy's is one of the exceptions. It is located just off the strip, and they offer a very unique and exquisite Hawaiian influenced menu.

    Brio Tuscan Grille (at Town Square Las Vegas): The food is so good that it brings back images of me as a little boy, walking home barefoot through the hills of Tuscany, then sitting down in the patio located behind the villa and eating my Grandmother's freshly prepared feast (First, I'm Romanian and I've never been to Tuscany, so this should tell you how good the food is!). The dinner Beef Carpaccio is amazing, but enough for at least four people...order the same dish off the happy hour appetizer menu at the bar for less than half the price and a portion suited for 1-2 people.

Best Shows in Las Vegas:

    Ranger Cris Live at Chippendale's: Sorry, but due to an amazing response from the spectators, this show has been canceled indefinitely. Refunds are available to those unfortunate few that came to the show.

    "O" by Cirque du Soleil:: This is my all time favorite Cirque du Soleil show and I guarantee you will love it as well. I've never said, "Wow!", so many times during a performance.

    "Ka" by Cirque du Soleil: Ka is more of a Las Vegas show more than the typical Cirque experience. I would definitely recommend it...the stage alone is amazing and what the performs are able to do on that stage will make your jaw drop.

    "Love" by Cirque du Soleil: Others have praised this show, but this is my least favorite of the Cirque du Soleil shows. It is set to Beatles music, but the choreagraphy and music is a little too chaotic for my taste.

    "Mystere" by Cirque du Soleil: Like the other Cirque du Soleil shows, this one is a treat. However, I would recommend "O" or "Ka" before "Mystere".

Best Bars in Las Vegas:

    Blue Martini: This was discovered late during my time in Vegas, but I guess the title of Best Bar in Las Vegas was sealed the week that I went three out of three nights to the Blue Martini. The waitresses are amazingly hot! Always TONS of people, especially on Ladies Night which is Wednesday. There's also live music on a nightly basis.

    Kona Grill: I first experienced Kona Grill in Kansas City, and I know that saying Kona Grill is the bests bar in Kansas City is not saying much, but they proved themselves when I visited their Las Vegas location. Great looking crowd and always lively.


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