I never touched a real firearm – or even came close to one – in my life. I don't think kids' toys count.

So I was intrigued when I heard about Battlefield Vegas. Here is a chance to try my hand on shooting a gun without committing to buying anything.

I booked the "Seal Team Six Experience" for three and drove to their location on a back street – away from the busy strip. But if you don't want to drive, they offer a hummer pickup from your hotel.

The experience started as soon as we parked the car. All around the parking lot you can war gear like jeeps, hummers, guns, and tanks.

As we entered through the main doors, we came across a large weapon, ammunition, and souvenir shop. We checked in at the back of the shop and browsed the store while we waited for our guide.

Our guide called us in, set us up with safety gear (goggles and earmuffs), and grabbed the four weapons we are going to shoot.

The shooting gallery room is huge with targets that can be positioned at varying distances. Also important to note, that the A/C was on full blast, which was a great relief from the Las Vegas summer heat.

Note: Make sure to bring a valid ID to participate. Anyone 10 years or older is welcome, but kids under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

We picked the Seal Team Six Experience because of the team's reputation (the raid that captured Osama Bin Laden) and the variety of weapons.

We got to shoot the Sig P-226, MP5 SD (submachine gun), M4 CQBR (Close Quarters Battle Rifle) and M-249 SAW ( light machine gun).

Each one of those weapons provided a unique shooting experience. Some were light and easy to carry and others needed a lot of support and were harder to hold and aim. I can't believe how hard it is to counteract the recoil from the machine guns.

Our guide was awesome. He explained every gun's qualities and handling and demonstrated the right way to hold and aim each.

Although I will never own a weapon myself, I will definitely revisit Battlefield Vegas to try other guns and experiences.

Visit their website for details about their experiences.

Is shooting guns not enough for you? You can also rent a tank and crush cars for fun – although it can be a costly experience.

(702) 566-1000

I heard about this place from a friend and at first, I was reluctant to go. Do I really want to go play in the dirt again?

It turned out that I actually do. It was great fun to learn how to operate a huge excavator and proceed to dig a big hole in the ground.  

We started with instructions at the office. The staff were very friendly and informative. Once everyone learned the dos and don’ts we headed out to the big dirt field and mounted our excavators. Once we were in, we received additional hands-on instructions through radio headsets. 

Our first task was to dig a deep trench. We had lots of fun moving the arm up and down and using the big jaws to “eat” the dirt. It is an amazing experience to be controlling this huge machine.

The second task was to pick up 4 huge tires, move them to another spot and stack them on top of each other.

At the end we played a game with the excavators. We had to pick basketballs with the mouth of the machine and drop it into a tire. 

I really loved this experience and will go back to try the bulldozer next time. This experience is appropriate for all ages, but due to insurance restrictions, they can only allow adults on the machines.  I think they should get an exception for teens with driver licenses. 

Oh! And make sure you are sober before you go. They will make you breathe through a Breathalyzer. 

A few miles away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Las Vegas and the Strip, you will find this nature preserve with exhibits, nature trails, and a bit of Las Vegas history.

The “Springs Preserve” is a 180 acres stretch of protected land around the original source of water for the Las Vegas Valley. Those springs formed an oasis in the middle of the parched desert and help support early inhabitants from local native American trips 10,000 years ago to first settlers in the 1800s.

Unfortunately, the wells dried out in the ’60s and Las Vegas now depends on the waters of the Colorado River provided by Hoover Dam.

Tip: If you are looking for lush green gardens, this is not it. Most plants here are hardy desert plants and a few palm trees.

The preserve is run by the Water District which is taking measures to restore the area and provide visitors with a unique nature experience.

Visitors can simply walk through several nature walks and habitats for various desert plants or visit one of the museums and special exhibits.

If you have time, you can also take a hike through the extensive trail system.

If you prefer to explore without exertion, take the 20-minute train ride. The train takes through the expansive preserve with educational narration about the area’s history.

BestofVegas.com. Best attractions. Best prices.

Closer to the main entrance building you can enjoy a cactus garden, a Palm Oasis, a few fountains and kids play area. A seasonal Butterfly exhibit is also available for an additional fee. Check their website for times.

We paid the extra $3 fee to get into the Butterfly Habitat and enjoyed the few butterfly species that were present, but I wouldn’t visit again. The exhibit was small and you had to look for the butterflies.  

During our visit was mainly stayed outside to enjoy the great weather and have a little workout, there are plenty of things to do indoors too.  

You can spend some time at Nevada State Museum with informative exhibits including holographic figures, stalactite caves, fossils, and a history of LV.

At the Origen Museum, you can walk through some 75 permanent exhibits, an indoor theater, and some traveling exhibits. The word Origen is derived from two words: original and generations. So expect to learn about the origins of the area.

On the way out you can enjoy a light meal at the Café and maybe get a few souvenirs at the gift shop.

We spent around 3 hours in this preserve to kill time before our hotel check-in, but if you have more time you can spend the whole day here exploring.

My daughter and I are fans of everything Marvel. We both enjoyed the comics growing up and we watched every Marvel Universe movie that came out.

So we were thrilled to find out about Marvel Avengers Station located inside Treasure Island in Las Vegas.

The exhibit was touted as an interactive experience, so our expectations were high. Although it was fascinating to walk through the various rooms, observe the artifacts, watch movie clips, and press a few buttons, the interactions were very minimal.

As you enter the station, you will be greeted by your guide, who is supposed to explain the mission and help you get going. Our guide did not provide any instruction and omitted to mention the companion app for the experience.

We still enjoyed walking through the exhibits showcasing Marvel characters like Captain America, the Hulk, Black Panther, Iron Man, Thor, and Spiderman.

Some of the exhibits had interactive screens and buttons to push to get some reaction. I will leave those for you to discover.

One of my favorites was trying to pull Thor’s Hammer off the ground. Of course, it did not yield to me.

Another favorite – and slightly disturbing experience - was walking through a corridor with an army of ants scampering between our feet.

The finale was supposed to be a shooting session on a large screen showing all the Marvel heroes.

After a short training session with our weapons, we were let lose trying to help the heroes to get the villains. 

I was disappointed. The weapons were useless. The whole thing was staged, and no matter how hard you tried, the scenario played out without any help from you - what a waste of time.

Despite the limited interactivity, we still enjoyed the exhibits, but it is a one-time event. Not worth a repeat. Also, try not to pay a full price for this activity. You can always find coupons at Websites like Yelp or Groupon.

I have wanted to try this adventure for a while now but was always hesitant. I was worried that it would be a waste if time or it might be too difficult – always finding an excuse.

I finally went for it in May 2013 with my daughter and we were very glad we did. It is a very thrilling experience that simulates skydiving. The jump takes place inside a closed chamber with a huge propeller in the ground. The propeller creates a strong vertical wind – like a wind tunnel. The skydivers jump into the wind – facing down and the wind pushes them up. But before you can accomplish your skydive you need instructions, equipment, and practice. 

The place is well organized and the staff was knowledgeable. Our guide/instructor stayed with us throughout the whole process. 

First, you will get some verbal instructions and sign some liability release forms. Pay attention to the hand signals as they will come in handy during your flight.

Next, you will be issued a suit, gloves, goggles, earplugs, and helmet. You put them on and practice your stance for the jump. You basically have to look like an X when jumping into the wind and you have to keep your head up. The earplugs are to protect you from the loud fan noise. 

When it is time for your group you will be led into the wind chamber. An observation room is available for non-participants. This is where the rest of my family went to wait and take pictures and videos. 

In the chamber, you take turns jumping in the wind while your guide is helping you float in the air. In the adjacent control room, the operator adjusts the wind speed based on your height and weight. 

The flights/dives were very thrilling and actually very exhausting. I didn’t expect it to be a workout, but it was for me. Younger and more agile kids had an easier time soaring on the wind. To really become good at this you need practice. One session is not enough. I recommend that you try to get a good price on a package that includes the initial session and an extra flight without the instructions. 

The price for a single flight is $85 and for a repeat flight $50. You can also buy a DVD of your flight for $25. 

My family took a lot of pictures and videos of us from the observation room, but the goggles and helmets made it very difficult to see faces and the fast action made most pictures fuzzy. Now I wish I invested in the professional DVD.

The pictures also showed that my suit didn’t fit properly. With the wind pushing up, it made me look like a sumo wrestler. 

I will definitely come back to this place and hopefully, I will convince the rest of my family to try it.

Tip: Before you book your flight go to their website and check the height/weight limitations. If your weight is too high for your height you will not enjoy this adventure as much.

Vega Indoor skydiving http://www.vegasindoorskydiving.com/

200 Convention Center Dr

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Hoover Dam is a 45-minute drive from Las Vegas, so you can carve out a few hours and visit this engineering wonder on your own, and we have done that many times.

But to get a different perspective and let someone else do the driving, I decided to go with Comedy on Deck tours for a VIP experience that included visiting the new bypass bridge, the power plant, the visitor center, and a hot lunch.

The tour started with a pickup from our hotel, and we had to endure four more pickups before we were on our way. Our guide entertained us with jokes and a running commentary about Vegas and Hoover Dam. 

Our first stop was at the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (better known as the bypass bridge). 

This bridge was built to offer an alternate route for travelers between Nevada and Arizona, who had to cross over the dam in the past, creating nightmare traffic.

As a bonus, this bridge offers a fantastic view of the dam from a height of 900 ft. A pedestrian walkway makes it possible for tourists like us to hike to the middle for a commanding view.

At our next stop and the main attraction, we entered the visitor's center for a movie about the dam construction and then descended to the bypass tunnels and the power plant. 

The official Hoover Dam tour was impressive. It was great to see how the engineers first built tunnels to reroute the Colorado River before they started pouring massive quantities of concrete. 

They also had to cool the concrete blocks using pipes with refrigerated water to speed up the setting process. 

It was also sad to hear about the work conditions, accidents, and deaths during construction.

You can read more about Hoover Dam here.

After the dam tour, we got the chance to view the whole area from atop the new observation deck and then walk along the dam. 

On the way back, we had lunch at a popular diner. The food was good but nothing special, and we stuck with something that couldn't go wrong, cheeseburgers and chips.

I really enjoyed this tour and would go with Comedy on Deck again on their other tours.

Absinthe show is set in a big tent outside the main entrance to Caesar’s Palace. This is very appropriate because the show is basically a circus for adults. 

The cast will thrill you with their acrobatic feats and high wire balancing acts while making fun of everyone and everything.  Oh! And don’t forget the scantily clad athletes. You can’t have a Vegas shows without some revealing attire. 

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Along with the crazy stunts, you will enjoy the X-rated humor and a lot of F* and S* words sprinkled in. If you are squeamish or easily offended, you probably shouldn’t go to this show.

The good thing about this circus tent is that it is not too big. So no matter where you are seated, you will still enjoy the show. The first few seats are too close to the action – sometimes under the action. Also, the performers like to pick on the people in those seats. Be warned! If you have a choice, try to get the seats at the end of every row. You will have a little more room and you get to the bar or the restroom much easier.

All the acts were entertaining, but my favorites were the roller-skating couple and the group of male gymnasts. 

Unlike many Las Vegas shows, non-flash photography is allowed. The trick is to capture the action in the dark. Not easy to do.

If I have anything to criticize about this show it would be the racial jokes. I know it was all done with humor in mind but I don’t think the targets of this humor enjoyed it too much. 

Barring that little criticism, I highly recommend this show to all adults who would enjoy the great acrobatics and the raunchy humor.

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“Illuminate” exploded on the scene as a finalist on America’s Got Talent and then took the world by a storm.

In Las Vegas, Illuminate plays at the Stratosphere tower with several show times every day. The ticket prices are more reasonable than the big-ticket shows.

The performance uses customized LED suits with wireless lighting programs that create extraordinary lighting effects that move along with the choreographed dance moves and the hurt-pounding music.

We reserved our seats several weeks in advance and landed a premium spot at a VIP booth with an excellent view of the stage.

The show was high energy, with popular tunes playing and the performers prancing around the stage and among the audience. All the loud music and thumping bass made me want to get up and dance with the performers – but I restrained myself. 

The choreographed dance with the LED lights was brilliant. I love technology, but the marriage of art and technology was spectacular. 

The team put together a show that paid homage to all music genres. they managed to fit in pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, and rap. 

I highly recommend this show for the whole family, and you can make it a dinner and show night by visiting Top of the World restaurant with great food and a stunning view of Las Vegas from the Top.
 

If you are on the lookout for an inexpensive family-oriented show, look no further. Jeff Civillico’s comedy in action at the Linq is just the kind of show that can be enjoyed by the whole family. 

The show usually plays every day at 4 PM, except Tuesdays and Fridays. This 4 pm slot is perfect for families with children. 

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The show is very energetic and full of juggling and laughs. Jeff engages the audience from the start with his clean comedy and great juggling act. 

If you are close to the stage you might be picked for a crash course in juggling or assist in his acts. You will most likely become the subject of good-natured humor. Some of the tasks you are asked to perform require a lot of strength so don’t be in hurray to volunteer if you are not up to it. But if you do, you may end up with free tickets to a show or to the Linq high-roller ride.

One of the great moments of the show is when Jeff picked an 8-year-old boy from the audience to assist him. The boy learned how to spin plates on sticks and was a hit with the audience.

Jeff shared with the audience how he was inspired by a street performer to become a juggler when he was 11 years old. That is why he tries to help and inspire new performers.

Jeff also does a lot for the community through his Win-Win organization. He and other performers visit kids in hospitals and the elderly to bring smiles and laughter to their lives.

The whole show was entertaining and engaging, but the finale was amazing. Jeff showed off his juggling skills using lighted objects. With the lights dimmed, we were dazzled with colors and shapes. 

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We sat in anticipation in the front row facing a deep abyss with exploding fires and eerie sounds. Cast members were standing guard prevent the curious from peeking in.

As we waited for the show to begin, we were admiring the vast theater with high platforms snaking among the seats and contemplated their purpose. We soon found out that a lot of the action is not on stage but all around the audience.

Tip: Although the front rows have their own attraction, try to sit a little further away from the stage. Much of the action happens behind and all around.  

Even before the show officially started, cast members began appearing on the platform yelling at each other and seeming to fly off into thin air.

The show is a clever mix of traditional circus acts with modern technology with a storyline. The story is not clearly defined because the actors use an invented language. But that doesn't take away from the beautiful production and amazing feats performed in a fluid environment.

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There is no traditional stage in this theater. Instead, several floating platforms move around the stage in all directions including straight up – allowing total impression into fantastical environments. In one scene I felt like I was immersed in the ocean trying to reach the surface.

I will not spoil your fun by explaining all the acts in this awesome show, but I will share with you my favorites.

Tip: if you get to the theater early, you can enjoy some drinks from the bar and interact with the performers.

One of my favorite acts is the areal duet dance. Two performers take to the sky (on ropes) and dance around each other and float above the audience. The dance was well choreographed with many landings and takeoffs.

My most favorite act was the final battle between good and evil. The stage floated up into the vertical position and the performers engaged in a gravity-defying battle to the death. If it were possible to hide the ropes, you would think those actors have wings.

The jesters (or clowns) were entertaining and funny at times. I especially liked the sandy beach scene with a huge crab and turtle.

Tip: The storyline is hard to follow, so buy a program which includes a synopsis. This will help you understand what is going on.

KA by Cirque Du Soleil is probably the biggest theatrical production in the world with the latest audio/visual technology. It is located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The theater has thousands of speakers along with personal stereo speakers on every seat. The video projection system utilizes infrared technology to tack performer locations and reacts to their presence.

We really enjoyed the show and planning to return to watch from a different angle soon. If you have kids older than 5 years, they will love it too.

Note:  Photography or videotaping is not permitted during the show. All media presented here is by permission from Cirque Du Soleil.

Cirque Du Soleil runs many shows in Las Vegas. One of my all time favorites is "O". Read about this Waterworld show here. 

This is a tribute show that showcases the most popular MJ songs. The show is performed in the Crown Theater at Rio Las Vegas.

I went to the show with my wife and two teens and was very skeptical that we will enjoy it for two reasons. First I was worried that my teen daughters will not relate to Michael Jackson’s pop music. Second I didn’t expect anyone to be able to perform MJ’s songs the way he did.

I was pleasantly surprised on both counts. The main performer “Justin Dean” and his supporting dancers were actually very good. He spent the next hour dancing, jumping, moon-walking and singing – almost non-stop. 

His voice was good, but you can’t really compare it to the original. His dancing was energetic and loud. He performed many of the most popular MJ songs like: Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Dangerous, Smooth Criminal, Black & White, I Want You Back, Thriller and Man in the Mirror. My favorites were Thriller and Billie Jean.

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My second surprise was that my daughters enjoyed the show. In the past when I tried to play Michael Jackson songs they always objected. They liked the dancing, lighting effects, fog and loud music more than the actual songs.

The theater itself was very good. The seats are arranged in a circular pattern around the stage. Every seat is comfortable. The walls surrounding the theater come to live with images and colors to match the mood of the performance. 

When booking the show, ask for the Golden Circle. Box office price is $62 but you can get it for around $30 with discounts like Groupon. 

Tip: If you get the Golden Circle tickets and if the usher likes you, you may end up in the table seats. They are the closest to the stage and you get your own table for drinks.

The show is very appropriate for all ages. The only questionable act was the excessive crotch grabbing towards the end. I know that this was one of Michael Jackson’s signature moves, but Justin really overdid it.

Other than that, we really enjoyed the show and I do recommend it to all Michael Jackson’s fans. 

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I love Cirque Du Soleil shows and have difficulty deciding which one is the best. Each has a unique story and ambiance, but they all have great performances by skilled acrobats and actors.

My latest experience was at the Mystere show, which plays at TI (rebranded Treasure Island).

This high-energy show is filled with circus acts, dance, elaborate sets, booming music, and slapstick comedy.

The show opened in 1993 and is considered the longest-running Cirque Du Soleil show in Vegas.

The stage itself is a work of art and technology, with its moving parts, continuously changing with each scene. 

The word Mystere is the French way of saying mystery. So what is the mystery here? I have no idea!

The show starts with babies making noises and strollers rolling into the stage, but I didn’t see any reason for this introduction. 

Later a fat baby interrupts the show several times while the stage is reset. There is no cohesion to the story, or more accurately, there is no story.

In spite of all those shortcomings, the performance was mesmerizing. From the dancing duo on straps to the thundering drums or the flying acrobats, all the performers excelled and delighted us.

The dancing duo flying over the stage and above the audience was well choreographed and performed, but brought up an important point about seating. Getting the first row next to the stage is not always a great idea. We had to crane our necks to see the action above and behind us.

I recommend this show for the whole family, but some young children may be frightened by the loud noise and dark scenes. 

My kids love everything about Pandas. So when we heard about a Panda show in Vegas we had to see it. 

We didn’t really know what to expect, other than cute wholesome entertainment with cuddly Pandas. 

We did get to enjoy the cute and cuddly Pandas, but the show was about much more. 

The show is basically another Vegas big production variety performance with acrobats, jugglers and dancers, and drummers. What sets it apart from other similar shows is the ambiance and the latest special effects technology.

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The story is set in China and stars a Panda named Long-Long. He falls in love with a Peacock and just before they get married, she gets kidnapped by some demons. Long-Long spends the rest of the show learning from the masters so he can gain strength and liberate his fiancé. 

The theater is large and nicely decorated to reflect Chinese culture and hints of Panda habitat. As you are waiting for the show to start you will hear sounds of nature and peaceful oriental music. The curtains look like a bamboo forest which enhances the ambiance.  

I loved the fast-changing props and the movie quality active backgrounds. Moving scenes from China’s various regions are projected behind the performers and become part of the act. Those active backgrounds along with lighting and sound effects will make you feel transported to another time and place.

Some of my favorite acts are The air dancers - suspended from ropes; the monks with the pint-sized performer that looked like a little boy; The Terracotta soldiers and the traditional Chinese dancers. 

Before the show, we waited in the lobby, which has a good gift shop and a well-stocked bar. On the wall opposite to the entrance you will see large stuffed pandas hidden behind bamboo. This is a good spot for pictures. You can also spot some of the Panda actors walking around and posing for pictures. 

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The show is playing in the Palazzo Theater at the Venetian. While at the Venetian, enjoy a stroll through the Grand Canal shops or have dinner in St. Marks Square. See the full article about the Venetian here.

Panda plays Friday to Tuesday at 7:30 PM.

Phone: 702.414.9000 / 866.641.7469.

This is probably the best Las Vegas show I have been to in a very long time. It is also one of the longest. I enjoyed every minute of the 130 minutes and I left wanting more.

The show is a celebration and tribute the music and culture of the 80’s. It is performed on a very well designed stage with great lighting and sound effects.  The backdrop morphs to match the scene or song. Big screens on the sides of the stage play appropriate clips or effects.

The main storyline (without going into too much detail) is about a young couple who meets at the Sunset Strip and fall in love. Their romance is challenged by the 80’s rock culture, their Hollywood dreams and evil plot to modernize the Stip.

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The performers were excellent with amazing voices. The band really rocked the stage and the theater. Best of all the audience knew the songs and sang and clapped along. Everyone had free light torches and waved them around with the music. 

My favorite performances were “Come on feel the noise”, "Here I Go Again" and "Oh Sherrie".

The show has some crude humor and suggestive moves but it is not X-rated. I would say it safe for anyone age 13 or over.

The 2012 movie with the same title wasn’t very popular when it came out. Some people who watched the movie may hesitate to watch a show with the same theme. I can tell you the live Las Vegas show is nothing like the movie. I highly recommend Rock of Ages to everyone who loves music.

The location in the Venetian Resort is a plus. Before or after the show you can enjoy a stroll in the Grand Canal Shops, have a drink at one of the bars or dine at one of the fine dining restaurants. 

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"V" is a variety show that has a little of everything. You will find magic, special effects, Death-Defying stunts, comedy and trained birds – all on one stage. The show is performed in the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. A visit to the Miracle Mile Shops is a must anyway – so you can visit the Fountain Show, the Thunder Storm and the Spice Market Buffett.

The MC Clint Carvalho is a well-known bird trainer who was on America Got Talent TV show. He performed some very exciting stunts with his birds, but the sound was too loud during his performances and made his voice very annoying. 

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I enjoyed all the acts, but the most memorable were:

The lady magician: This magician left the entertainment scene for a while to raise a family and now she is back to enthrall everyone with their unique act. It is part magic and part dance and theater

Aerial Expression: The duo performs some gravity-defying acts using ropes and the strength of their bodies.  

Skating Aratas: A couple skating to music on a tiny circular rink. 

Comedy: A comedian asks for volunteers and dresses them in masks. Then control their actions to tell a funny story. 

The theater itself was not memorable. It is very small and the seats are crammed together to allow for maximum seats. Some of the seats were broken. My family and I had to be separated because there was a broken seat in the middle. 

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The box office will try to sell you the VIP upgrade. I was tempted but decided not pay $20 extra per seat. I was happy I didn’t get the VIP seats. They were crammed right under the stage so you had to look up to see the acts. Also, people in the VIP seats were right under the flying act of Aerial Expression and right next to the dangerous acts of the Skating Aratas. 

You can buy drink tickets at the box office for ½ the price ($8 instead of $16 inside). It is a good deal and the drinks were just okay, but with the cramped seating, it is almost impossible to get your order through. The drinks come in a souvenir glass you can take home.

If you forget about the seating arrangements, the show itself was very good and entertaining. It is appropriate for the whole family – except for some sexual innuendo during one of the comedy acts. 

Ticket prices are $44 up to $89 depending on seats and discounts. 

Planet Hollywood - Miracle mile shops

3500 S Las Vegas Blvd, 

Las Vegas, NV 89109

A little bit of Las Vegas history, a lot of song and dance and some acrobatics sprinkled in-between - the show had something for everyone. 

The show starts in a graveyard for show props. The narrator takes you on a trip down memory lane to the good old days of Las Vegas' glitzy shows. Your trip starts from the 1940s and goes through the ’50s, ’60s, and 70’s Las Vegas. It ends with a bang with the 80’s era. And yes! No trip down memory lane is complete without an appearance by Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Frank Sinatra, or Vegas showgirls. 

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If you miss the old-style Las Vegas productions with big band music and scant attire then this show is for you.

I personally don’t enjoy this old style of shows and I admit I don’t like Jazz too much. But in spite of my prejudice, I found the show entertaining. 

In between acts you get to watch a comedian, some acrobats, and a guy with trained parrots. The parrots were especially entertaining. 

One of my favorite parts is a movie clip about the implosions of old Las Vegas casinos set to song and dance.  

The show plays at Planet Hollywood in the Miracle Mile Shops. This is a very convenient location. Before or after the show you can go window shopping or dine at the Spice Market Buffett. 

Most of the seats are good, but if you have a choice, avoid sitting in the first row. It is slightly lower than the stage. This is not ideal for viewing the action.

Make sure to order a frozen margarita from the bar or the barmaids. The strawberry margarita was delicious and large in a souvenir cup. The only drawback is having to wait a long time for the drink to arrive. Check your ticket. Some tickets have a voucher for a free drink.

The show is appropriate for all ages.  

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This is not your average circus act. From the first opening moment of the show, I was enthralled with the man-made lake on the stage and the enchanted creatures that lurk in every corner. 

Cirque Du Soleil has many shows in Las Vegas and around the world, but I think they surpassed their own fame with this extraordinary show performed at the Bellagio. 

Like any circus act, it has its share of high-flying acrobats, contortionists, balancing acts, gravity-defying swings and clowns. But “O” manages to merge those traditional acts with the exotic element of aquatic magic to produce something totally new and awe-inspiring. 

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Along with the usual cast of characters, the show had synchronized swimmers dancing in the lake and divers jumping from extreme heights.

The strangest thing is that sometimes the swimmers and divers jump into the lake and never come back out. I wonder if there are secret passages underwater for the performers to sneak through. 

The lake, which is the center of activity for the majority of the acts, is deep enough to allow extremely high dives. But on occasion, the lake totally disappears to be replaced by hard stage for some of the acts. 

My favorite acts were the fire and water scene and the flying ghost ship. 

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During the fire act, performers spin the flames around, jumps through rings of fire, set another man on fire and then spray the flames over the lake. The flames were so intense we could feel them in our seats. 

In the ghost ship act, the haunting ship sails on air above the lake while a group of performers trapeze around the ship that swings precariously.  

The clowns kept us entertained, and in some cases laughing hard, in between acts. I usually don’t enjoy clown acts because they are overly silly. Those clowns were more subdued with a lot of innuendoes.

Unlike many Las Vegas shows, this one is appropriate for all ages. If you are planning on watching any shows during your visit, I highly recommend it for the whole family. But be prepared to pay a high price. 

The cheapest seats are around $100. If you want an excellent view, you will pay up to $250 per adult. If you plan ahead you may be able to find discounted tickets.

Get more info at Cirque Du Soleil Show “O”.

The Stardust made way to the newest resort in Las Vegas, Resort World, which opened in 2021.

The three towers hold three hotels, Hilton, Conrad, and Crockfords, with a shared resort area with casinos, restaurants, a food court, and swimming pools.

Resort World Las Vegas is an Asian-themed property and includes a large casino, 

The District is a large retail area with various shops, restaurants, and an LED Globe measuring 50 feet in diameter. The Globe stands 40 feet high and has 8,640 triangular LED panels, which project interactive images with a 20 million pixel resolution.

The Globe plays a digital light show every hour on the hour. You can also catch the show from several locations throughout the resort. 

The resort also includes meeting and banquet space, a massive pool complex with nine pools, and a spa. 

The Stardust resort is not totally lost to history. 100s of trees were salvaged from the hotel and are used to decorate the new property.

We recently stayed at the Hilton Resort World and really enjoyed our stay. The rooms were comfortable and spacious, and the view from our window overlooking the pools was awesome.

Exploring the resort and discovering all the restaurants and shops took some pleasurable time.

We also loved the free self-parking, and check-in and check-out were effortless – the staff was always friendly and helpful.

The only drawback is that the property is away from all the activity on the strip. The address is still on Las Vegas Blvd, but it is more due south and closer to Circus Circus. 

I always admired the Bellagio Hotel from afar and imagined that a stay at this property would be magical. 

Just watching the dancing waters show on the huge man-made lake is a thrill. And going inside and admiring the Secret Garden, Casino and shops is a delight. 

So I finally broke down and booked a three-night stay with my family. Our experience was mixed. 

Despite the glamour and elegance, it turned out to be just another hotel. The rooms were average, and the service needed significant improvement. 

We booked a fountain view room and were expecting to have an amazing view of the dancing waters from our rooms. We were totally underwhelmed. The windows overlooked other sections of the property and way in the distance you can see part of the fountains. 

The beds and pillows were comfortable, which is vital, but everything else was just adequate. The most annoying part about our stay is that we had to ask for service. The room was left uncleaned with trash cans overflowing. I had to call and ask for service for the following day.

Outside of the rooms, the hotel was beautiful with an Olympic-size pool, multiple jacuzzis, a fitness center, and a Spa. The fitness center had modern equipment with a towel and water service. The pool offered cabanas, umbrellas and a café. 

We dined at three restaurants during our stay. They were all excellent but very pricy. 
At Lago, we enjoyed an Italian meal with a great view of the fountains. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent.  

At Yellowtail Japanese restaurant, we sampled several hand rolls and cut rolls. All were very tasty. And once again, we enjoyed a fantastic view of the fountains through the panoramic windows. 

Last but not least, we had a filling brunch at Sadelle’s. With options like the Saddele’s Tower (Fish, Bagel, Tomato, Cucumber & Capers), Eggs Benedict (with Salamon), Thick-cut French Toast with fruit, you can’t leave hungry. 

All-in-all it was a good experience, but I was expecting more from the Bellagio. 

When you walk into the Venetian resort you expect luxury, class, and excellence and that is exactly what you get. 

The rooms were spacious and comfortable. My suite was split level with the upper level dedicated to the king bed and bathroom. The lower level housed the living room with couches, a desk, and a dining table -very tasteful furniture everywhere. Each level had its own flat-screen TV. The snack bar was well stocked with soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. 

Tip: Some snacks and drinks were placed on top of the refrigerator on a weight sensitive plate. If you moved it you bought it. It is very convenient, but it would be nicer if it came with a warning.

The bathroom was large and elegant with a deep sunken bathtub, multi-jet shower, tiled walls, huge mirrors, and its own small flat-screen TV. Along with 2 sinks and large mirrors, it had a separate vanity area.

The rest of the resort is full of activities, shows, shopping, and dining opportunities. 

Venetian Las Vegas Hotel Resort & Casino - Best Rates!

Spend some time at one of the luxurious pools that offer soft cushioned sofa beds or lounges, private cabanas with flat-screen TVs, and full cocktail service. 

Go shopping at the Grand Canal Shops. Along with the many elegant shops, you can enjoy your stroll along the canal, listen to opera singers or have lunch or dinner at one of the fine restaurants at the Piazza. If you are in the mood, take the gondola for a romantic trip through the canal with an authentic Italian serenade. 

The Venetian is also home to several great shows you can’t miss: Rock of the Ages, Panda, Lipstick, and Georgia on my Mind to name a few. See the separate review for Rock of the Ages.