Sunday, November 8, 2009

Where to Spot Celebrities in Las Vegas


If you want to spot celebrities, there’s really only two places to go. But if you don't want to waste your time in LA or NY, then why not try Las Vegas? After all, you’ve got your basic celebrities singing and telling jokes on stage, your basic celebrities coming to town to gamble, and your basic celebrities coming to make movies and television shows.

And then there’s always Paris Hilton checking up on her family’s ownings.

When it comes to spotting hot celebs, you can take a chance on hanging out at casinos and waiting for them to drop a bundle at the poker table, or you can do something where you’ll actually get a chance to see someone famous.

The Palms on Flamingo Road features two clubs well known for attracting the beautiful people. Paris herself prefers the Palms to her namesake hotel and Britney Spears makes it her prerogative to hang out there, too. At the N9NE steakhouse, musicians as varied as Paul Anka and Vince Neil have sung the praises of their porterhouses.

The best place in town to spot celebs, however, is probably the Fix at the Bellagio. Those who’ve peered through its large windows have been lucky enough to spot Spiderman himself, Tobey Maguire, as well as the king of the world, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Chances are probably not good for spotting famous people at Vegas’ top landmarks. For one thing, the rich and famous usually make special arrangements to go to public places. And for another, Vegas’ top landmark is so high that if you look down even the biggest celebrities look like ants. Great big honking fireants, maybe, but ants nonetheless. The Stratosphere tower is not only the tallest structure in Las Vegas, it’s the tallest building west of the mighty Mississippi River. Much like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, you pretty much can’t go anywhere without looking at it. Well, there is one place you can go. Did you know that Balzac—or was it Victor Hugo—hated the Eiffel Tower so much that he used to go there to do his writing because it was the only place in Paris he could find outdoors where he didn’t have to look at it. Fortunately, if you don’t appreciate the Stratosphere from afar and find yourself forced to go atop it, you’ll find plenty to occupy your time, including a thrilling roller coaster ride.

The Stratosphere is also a great place to get a view of America’s own fabulous city of lights. The 360 degree view of all that Vegas has to offer really can’t be beat, especially at night. However, if you are the athletic type and want to get a view that most other tourists won’t get, then try the Calico Tanks Trail. This 2.5 mile hike starts out at the Sandstone Quarry pullout on the Red Rock loop. Upon reaching the far point of the trail, pull out your camera and get ready for a view of Las Vegas that even those up on the Stratosphere tower won’t get.

Bob writes for Go All Out - providing Hotels in Las Vegas [http://www.goallout.com/hotel] at the lowest rates guaranteed ! Visit my blog eventoutlet.com to read more on Las Vegas Hotels & Celebrities.

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Las Vegas Grand Canyon South Rim Helicopter Tours


Many people assume they can take a helicopter tour direct from Las Vegas to the South Rim.

Not so.

First, you will need to board a luxury motor coach (there are a handful of qualified tour operators that run Canyon bus trips) and make the 278 mile drive to Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN), which is located seven miles from the Rim, then transfer to your helicopter.

It's more cost efficient if you bundle together the bus and helicopter into one package. However, you can purchase the helicopter flight separately. But keep in mind: It's a five-hour drive to the South Rim. Why not let someone else do the driving? Companies offering these combo packages include Papillon, Maverick, and Grand Canyon helicopters, among others.

The bus segment of this trip departs in the morning. Most of companies will arrange to pick you up at your hotel (and drop you off there as well). Sights you will see en route include Lake Mead, historic Hoover Dam, and the Kaibab Plateau (home of the largest stand of Ponderosa Pine in the world).

Williams, AZ, home of the Grand Canyon Railway, marks the juncture where you turn into Grand Canyon National Park, and head north to the airport. There, you will board your helicopter and fly into the Canyon's abyss. Here are some quick facts that will make your flight more profound:

  • The Canyon is a chasm 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide Took 3-6 million years to form
  • Erosion continues redraw its contours
  • Includes approximately 70 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 25 types of reptiles and five species of amphibians
  • Was formed by the Colorado River, which flows east to west through the canyon and averages about 300 feet width, 100 feet in depth and flows at an average speed of four miles per hour
  • Was made a national monument in 1908 and became a national park in 1919
  • Is populated by five Indian tribes: The Hopi, Navajo, Havasupai, Paiute and Hualapai

And, to keep things in perspective, the average helicopter flight lasts up to 30 minutes.

Expect to have time to explore Grand Canyon Village, which is comprised of hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and South Rim trails. Satiated, you board your bus, which will be standing by, ready to transport you back to Las Vegas.

For more information on Grand Canyon helicopter South Rim tours, as well as other companies operating Canyon flights, check out GrandCanyonHelicopterTourReviews.

Author, Kevin Kravitz, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on how to best tour the Grand Canyon by helicopter. For more information on choosing the right helicopter tour for you, please visit http://www.GrandCanyonHelicopterTourReviews.com

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