Trends, fashion, celebrities, events, music, and all things only Vegas
Airport Shuttle
For an economical way to your hotel, hop on a shuttle from the airport for as low as $7. Check with your hotel for schedules.
Car Rentals
If you want the convenience of having your own ride during your stay, or want to take a short road trip to the Hoover Dam, Red Rock National Conservation Area, Lake Mead or other surrounding scenic spots, consider renting a car. The average price for an economy car in Las Vegas is around $30 per day, but the sky's the limit if you want something a bit more extravagant.
Limousine Services
If you have a large group or are in town for a special occasion, a limo might be the best way to travel in style for as low as $55 an hour. Limos are also great for cruising the Strip after the sun goes down. Check out a list of transportation companies here.
Party Bus
Party buses are the ultimate Strip cruising and barhopping machines! Let them bus you and 28 of your closest friends from one property to the next for as little as $60 an hour.
Parking
Free parking is abundant. Virtually every major hotel offers free valet parking (Don't forget to tip!).
Public Transportation - Regional Transportation Commission
Catch a bus to roll down the Strip, check out the Las Vegas Premium Outlets or head up to Fremont Street. Tickets are $2 for a single ride, $3 for a two-hour pass or $5 for a 24-hour pass. Purchase tickets on board the bus upon arrival. Check out the routes here.
Shuttle to Fashion Outlet Mall
Want to shop until you drop? The Fashion Outlets operate a daily shopping tour with departures from MGM Grand, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, Fashion Show Mall and LVH - Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The round-trip fare is $15 and includes a savings card with more than $800 in savings at participating stores. Check out the shuttle schedule here.
Las Vegas Monorail
Get from one end of the Strip to the next in just 15 minutes, or stop at each property in between! The monorail travels from Sahara Avenue to MGM Grand seven days a week from 7-2 a.m. Monday - Thursday and until 3 a.m. Friday - Sunday. The monorail is also convenient for guests traveling to and from the Las Vegas Convention Center. This summer, you can get an unlimited day pass for just $9. Visit the website for bus stops and ticket prices.
CityCenter Tram
Connecting ARIA, Bellagio, Vdara, Monte Carlo and Crystals, this elevated electric track has the capability to move up to 6,400 passengers each hour. It is available from 8-4 a.m. daily. The tram is free.
Mirage-Treasure Island Tram
The tram arrives every 15 minutes from 7-2 a.m. daily. The tram is free.
Mandalay Bay-Excalibur Tram
This tram stops at Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur every three to seven minutes, operating daily from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The tram is free.
Taxis
Fares start with $3.30 on the meter, and $2.60 is then added for every additional mile. There is an additional $1.80 charge for McCarran Airport passengers. For example, riding from the airport to Caesars Palace would cost you around $19, plus tip.
Vegas on Foot
You can still cover a lot of the city on foot. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water, especially during summer months. The Strip is approximately 4.8 miles long.
They all come from different states, but this week, the contestants in the 2012 Miss America Pageant have one thing in common -- Las Vegas.
The participants in this year's pageant got a chance to experience Vegas this week before a new Miss America is crowned this Saturday night at Planet Hollywood. We asked some of them about the host city:
MISS CALIFORNIA, NOELLE FREEMAN
Q: Where do you love to shop in Vegas?
A: The Forum Shops at Caesars are always the first stop when shopping in Las Vegas!
There is so much to see and buy, I could spend an entire day there! Love the huge staircase too!
MISS CONNECTICUT, MORGAN AMARONE
Q: What's your favorite Las Vegas restaurant, or the one you want to try the most?
A: You can't beat any of the restaurants in Las Vegas, but Nobu (at the Hard Rock Hotel) takes the cake!
MISS DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASHLEY BOALCH
Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in Vegas?
A: I have read that the Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas has one of the most amazing spa
treatments in the world. Experiencing the Luminescence Massage and Body Treatment,
which entails a Swedish massage, revitalizing body scrub and Pearl Powder, is definitely on my must-do list!
MISS HAWAII, LAUREN CHEAPE
Q: What's your favorite Las Vegas restaurant, or the one you want to try the most?
A: Hash House A Go-Go (Imperial Palace, Plaza, M Resort). After seeing it on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, I just had to try it. It has a unique combination of foods and huge portion sizes.
MISS KANSAS, CARISSA KELLEY
Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in
Las Vegas?
A: Canyon Ranch Spa at The Venetian.
MISS LOUISIANA, HOPE ANDERSON
Q: If you could live at any resort in Las Vegas, which would you choose?
A: The ARIA at CityCenter. It's smack dab in the center of everything and the architecture and open layout make it a perfect place to relax and people-watch. The restaurants are incredible, it has a fabulous mall and you're minutes from everywhere else.
MISS MISSISSIPPI, MARY MARGARET ROARK
Q: What would you do if your talent led to a headlining show in Las Vegas on the first
night your name appeared on the marquee?
A: Faint! Then take a picture. Then rock it out on stage!
MISS MONTANA, VERONIKA OHLINGER
Q: What is the best advice you can give to a first-timer in Vegas?
A: Take in as much as you possibly can! There are tons of shows, shopping areas, restaurants, and even more activities to experience. Do some research online and figure out which of these attractions appeal the most to you and make sure you put them on the top of your list!
MISS NEVADA, ALANA LEE
Q: What's the one thing in Las Vegas you can't miss?
A: No trip to Las Vegas is complete without seeing the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio.
They have become a Las Vegas staple through exposure on television and in
numerous films. It's a wholesome activity that's sure to impress!
MISS OKLAHOMA, BETTY THOMPSON
Q: What would you do if your talent led to a headlining show in Las Vegas on the first night your name appeared on the marquee?
A: If I was on the marquee for a headlining show in Las Vegas, I would definitely want a picture in front of it with as many of my friends and family as possible!
MISS SOUTH CAROLINA, BREE BOYCE
Q: What Vegas performer do you think you are most like and why?
A: Terry Fator! I love his impersonations and comedic style. I definitely feel that with my
celebrity impersonations and humor, we are most alike! I love to make people laugh and it
is evident he does as well.
MISS VERMONT, KATIE LEVASSEUR
Q: If you could only bring three things on a trip to Vegas, what would they be and why?
A: My Burt's Bees lip balm for the desert air, my camera to document the incredible experience and my best friend to share the experience with!
MISS VIRGINIA, ELIZABETH CROT
Q: What Vegas performer do you think you are most like and why?
A: I'd like to think Elton John (at Caesars Palace), because I can sing in multiple
genres.
MISS WASHINGTON, BRITTNEY HENRY
Q: What luxury spa would you like to spend a day enjoying in Vegas?
A: Green Valley Ranch spa. I've been before and it was a great experience!
Bushwacker. Bones. I'm a Gangster. Code Blue.
Those probably sound like the names of prime time TV dramas to some people, but to PBR fans, there is no mistaking what they refer to -- some of the sport's biggest, baddest stars -- the bulls.
The 2011 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals features the top bull riders in the world competing for more than $1 million in the ultimate man-vs.-beast showdown. This year's signature event takes place at Thomas & Mack Center Oct. 26-30.
The event concludes with the PBR World Finals Awards Show on Oct. 30 at MGM Grand, where you can watch the sport's top stars receive their year-end awards at this special presentation ceremony.
While you're in Vegas, be sure to swing by the PBR Rock Bar & Grill at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. It's a great place to grab a bite and enjoy spectacular views of CityCenter, Bellagio and the Las Vegas Strip.
So saddle up and make your plans now to catch the PBR's season finale in Vegas!
Note: This is the sixth and final in a series of blogs leading up to the Miss USA 2011 competition on June 19 at Planet Hollywood. In this entry, reigning Miss USA Rima Fakih gives us her views on Las Vegas.
Q: What are you most excited about seeing and doing in Las Vegas?
A: I'm mostly excited to go back to Planet Hollywood where my dreams came true. I'm also excited to see all the hot contestants.
Q: Who's your favorite Las Vegas icon?
A: Since this is the fourth consecutive year the pageant is being held in Las Vegas, would that make Miss USA a Vegas icon?
Q: If you had to pick five things to pack in your suitcase for a trip to Vegas, what would they be?
A: Five things I would pack for Vegas: three swimsuits, my iPod and sunglasses.
Q: What is the first thing you want to do when you get off the plane in Vegas?
A: First thing I want to do when I get off the plane in Vegas is run to the nearest slot machine at the airport. I hit $500 one time before I boarded a plane home to Michigan!
Q: Where do you love to shop in Las Vegas?
A: I love to shop at the amazing CityCenter. I also love Caesars Palace because they have Niketown.
Q: What might you wear in Vegas that you wouldn't wear back home?
A: I have a sparkly hot-pink tube top that I only wear in Vegas. It would be way too much anywhere else!
Q: If you had only one night in Vegas, which nightclub would you choose?
A: I haven't really experienced Vegas nightclubs, YET! When I do I would love to go to XS Nightclub at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and reserve a cabana.
Q: Who would be your dream date(s) for a night out in Vegas?
A: My dream date in Vegas would be Frank Sinatra and I would ask him to sing me my favorite song, "New York, New York." My second choice would be Robert De Niro because one of my favorite movies is "Casino."
Q: What's the best pool in Vegas?
A: I haven't been there yet, but I would love to go to Hard Rock Hotel's pool and hang out in one of their Tahitian-style cabanas.
Q: What's the most unique experience you've had in Las Vegas?
A: Oh this question is easy! The most unique experience I've had in Vegas is the night I won Miss USA 2010!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Las Vegas?
A: My favorite restaurant is Aureole at Mandalay Bay, which has a four-story wine tower and amazing food by Chef Charlie.
Q: What's the one thing in Las Vegas you can't miss?
A: I would not want to miss a Cirque du Soleil show. It always leaves me breathless!
Q: What are your must-see shows in Vegas?
A: My must-see show is "PEEPSHOW" featuring the beautiful Holly Madison at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Q: What is the best advice you can give to a first-timer in Las Vegas?
A: The best advice I could give a first-timer in Las Vegas would be to BRING sunblock lotion because the sun is shining all day. Also, 5-hour ENERGY shots because you want to stay up all night and enjoy the Vegas Strip.
Q: If you could live at any Las Vegas resort, which one would you choose?
A: If I could choose one resort to live in, it would be the Palms. It is beautiful and exotic!
Images courtesy of Miss Universe Organization