How to Book a Cheap Suite in Las Vegas, Nevada

Travelers come from all over the world to visit the gambling and entertainment mecca of Las Vegas. The recent opening of several family friendly attractions has meant an influx of families, too. Because the Nevada city is such a tourist hub, a hotel suite could easily cost $600 a night. Fortunately, if you know where to look, you should be able to find one for much less.

Tips For You

1. Try staying on the edge of the Las Vegas Strip. The big luxury hotels in downtown Las Vegas are usually the most expensive. Most hotels will run shuttles downtown, so you don't need to worry about missing out on any of the fun. The Las Vegas Leisure Guide has an extensive listing of hotels all over Las Vegas, along with room prices.
2. Book your vacation as a package. Booking a flight and room separately is often more expensive than booking them together. Package deals to Las Vegas usually include a flight, a room and some meals.
3. Book a regular room and then upgrade to a suite later. This option is a bit of a gamble, but if a hotel has extra rooms available, you may end up getting a good deal if you upgrade after your arrival.
4. Visit Las Vegas during the off-season. Vegas is always popular, but in the weeks after major holidays, prices tend to be down. Generally the hottest period is July and August, and the colder winter months of January and February are slightly less popular. Avoid major holidays if you want to get a good price on a suite.
5. Call the hotel directly. Travel websites don't always have the best deals. Ask the hotel clerk when cheap suites might be available. You just might be able to get a deal that's not even listed on the hotel website.
6. Check often. Websites change regularly, and room prices can vary wildly. Room sales often mean heavy discounts, and, because hotels don't want customers to hold out, good rates can spring up without warning.

Read More ..... »

Points of Interest on Interstate 80 in Nevada

At first look all you see is open scrubland with a topography that ranges from craggy mountains to endless stretches of nearly flat high desert. Interstate 80 covers some 400 miles of this landscape between the California and Utah borders. Chances are you’ll be sharing the roadway with interstate truckers interested in getting from point A to point B with little delay. Follow their lead and you’ll make the drive in less than 6 hours. Stop and explore the surprises along the way, and your journey becomes the destination.

Reno

• Roughly 10 miles from the California-Nevada border is the gambling city of Reno. It’s not as flashy as Las Vegas, with a bit less neon and more of a western vibe. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino, an elegantly posh place to spend the night, is done up in vintage Victorian style, a contrast to the high-tech laser light show in its distinctive dome. Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa is more Vegas-like, with contemporary architecture and dancing fountains. John Ascuaga’s Nugget is one of the oldies but goodies, opening in 1955 as a café with a few one-armed bandits, or slot machines. Today the property has two modern towers that are competitive with the newer resorts but still retain that western flare. If you are visiting Reno in October, head about 25 miles south to the old mining town of Virginia City. The World Championship Outhouse Races are held on the first weekend of the month, drawing creative contestants from around the country. Previous entries included “The Haunted Outhouse” and “The Golden Throne.” The sight of these silly outhouses whizzing along on a street more suitable for stagecoaches is downright funny.

Love Locking in Lovelock

• Roughly 93 miles northeast of Reno is the town of Lovelock, the county seat of Pershing County. At one time Lovelock had a sizable Chinese population brought over from Asia to work on the railroads. Along with the workers came the custom of symbolically locking their love on a chain and tossing away the key. The idea was that as long as the lock remained on the chain, a couple’s love would remain strong. Lovelock has its own Lovers Lock Plaza, dedicated on Valentine’s Day in 2006. Buy a lock at one of participating businesses and head for the collection of green metal posts and chains in back of the Pershing County Courthouse. Add your lock to the growing collection and toss away the key, or not.

Winnemucca – Basque Culture

• Winnemucca, 82 miles east of Lovelock on I-80, is home to a large Basque population, many descended from immigrants who arrived in the 1850s. The California Gold Rush brought them far from their roots on land bordering France and Spain. If you’re driving through town during the second Saturday in June, stop by the Basque Festival and sample some Picon Punch. You might want to book a hotel first, as that alcoholic treat packs quite the “punch.” The Winnemucca Hotel, built n 1863 and on the National Register of Historic Places, still serves authentic Basque cuisine in its dining room.

Button Point – Historic Sites

• Another 10 miles east on I-80 you’ll find yourself at Button Point, a rest area named for local ranching legend and Humboldt County Commissioner Frank Button. The marker describes the Winnemucca area back in 1873 when Button started his 4,000-acre cattle ranch. Another marker at Button Point describes the discovery of the Humboldt River in 1828. The waterway went through several name changes since discoverer Peter Ogden called it the “Unknown River.” Finally, in 1848, the name “Humboldt River” was officially in print. The river is significant because it was the only natural waterway crossing the Great Basin. Travelers from the eastern United States relied on this water source to help them get to the west coast.

Elko and the South Fork State Recreation Area

• Another 115 miles east brings you into the smallish town of Elko. Rising out of the arid landscape like a verdant oasis, Elko hosts a number of public parks in the downtown core along with Riverview Park fronting the Humboldt River. Play a round of golf at the Ruby View Golf Course on the northern end of town. Interstate 80 bisects the town, with many hotels, restaurants and cafes along its length. Elko makes a great base for visiting the South Fork State Recreation Area, roughly seven miles south of town. The reservoir is the main drainage basin for the Humboldt River and is a prime hunting and fishing spot. Bring your boat and launch it from one of two ramps. Camping is available within the recreation area between May and mid-October. Tents and RVs up to 30 feet long are welcome.

Read More ..... »

Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada

On Las Vegas Boulevard, the towering, cream-colored Monte Carlo cuts a stark contrast to the bright blue, cloudless Nevada sky. The interior of the grand hotel commands as much awe as the exterior. This luxury lodging hosts a casino, theater, spa and multiple pools, ensuring that you may not even need to leave the hotel to enjoy the complete Las Vegas experience.

Get a Room

• Rooms at the Monte Carlo range from deluxe to opulent. Even at the low end of the price scale, rooms have Italian marble in the entries and bathrooms, 250-thread count sheets and large flat-screen televisions. At the higher end, Diamond Suites span more than 800 square feet with separate living areas, extended wet bars, 1 1/2 baths and two-person in-suite whirlpool spas. Yet another hotel lies at the very top of Monte Carlo. Hotel 32, a boutique hotel, offers penthouse and loft suites with ultra-modern decor and luxurious amenities, including hydrotherapy soaking tubs and large entertainment rooms.

Hit It Big

• With its bright lights, excitement and potential for easy riches, the casino remains the Monte Carlo's main attraction. Slot machines vary in price, from pennies to $100, and theme, from celebrating famous pop stars to blockbuster movies. Table games include blackjack, baccarat and craps, among others. Novices to craps appreciate the daily morning lessons. While the atmosphere around the slot machines and tables is lively and celebratory, the casino's poker room is decidedly more subdued. Try your luck at one of the daily Texas Hold 'em and Omaha tournaments.

Catch a Show

• Experience a one-of-a-kind Las Vegas show at the Monte Carlo. Shows vary; two examples that have graced the stage of the hotel's theater are Blue Man Group, an interactive, musical and technological performance that begins with a parade through the casino floor, and Zumanity, part cabaret, part burlesque. In some instances, booking your tickets from one to several months in advance means discounted ticket prices. It's also wise to arrive at the show at least 20 minutes before starting time, when the doors open.

Kick Back and Relax

• Breathe in scents of jasmine while soaking in a whirlpool in the second-floor spa at the Monte Carlo. In addition to whirlpools, the spa also features a steam room, sauna and treatments such as facials and massage. Outside, the hotel has four swimming options available from March through October, including a wave pool and 400-foot-long "lazy river." Enjoy a poolside burger and mojito, on the special menu available only in the pool area.

Read More ..... »

Camping Nearest to Laughlin, Nevada

Laughlin basks in the Nevada desert along the banks of the Colorado River. Tall buildings and riverfront casinos give a bustling, big-city feel to its streets, but you need only gaze into the distance to feel the rugged black mountains and broad expanse of remote shorelines calling to your inner camper. Whether your favorite camping shelter fits in your backpack or rolls along behind your pickup, you'll find myriad options for sleeping under the stars.

Gamble and Camp

• While you won't find a place to pitch a tent within Laughlin city limits, you can park your trailer or RV within a few steps of a casino. Most casinos have areas where you can dry camp in their parking lots, but a few spots provide camping amenities for guests. The Avi Casino KOA provides full hookups with cable TV and Wi-Fi at sites adjacent to the Mojave Resort Golf Course or the casino's sparkling white beach. Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort RV Park has 733 sites with full hookups and cable TV. Both campgrounds are suitable for rigs of any size.

Hear the Wind Whistle

• If you'd rather hear the wind through canyon walls than the clang of a one-armed bandit, head 5 miles south of Laughlin to Big Bend of the Colorado, a state park. The area has 24 sites where you can pitch a tent or take advantage of pull-through parking for RVs. Each site comes with a shade ramada, picnic table, grill and fire ring. Enjoy flush toilets and hot showers, as well as miles of hiking trails and a boat launch. For the more adventurous, paddle or hike on Bureau of Land Management lands that border the Colorado River, and set up camp at a site of your own choosing. Camping is free, but you're limited to a seven-day stay during the warm months and 14 days from September through March.

Sing Around the Campfire

• If singing and telling stories by the light of a campfire is a must for your camping trip, make sure to check regulations before you go. You may build a fire only within metal fire rings and grills in developed campgrounds. The Bureau of Land Management recommends purchasing firewood locally to prevent the spread of insect pests that kill trees, increasing the likelihood of brush fire. Wood brought from out of state must be burned immediately.

Shut the Front Door

• Shake out your shoes and keep your tent flap zipped to avoid a visit from venomous creatures like brown recluse or black widow spiders, scorpions or snakes. Insects are common during the muggy weather that follows summer monsoon rains, when they emerge to feed and breed. Keep your camp free of garbage, crumbs and spills to avoid attracting bugs, as well as skunks and rodents, which attract rattlesnakes.

Pick Your Season

• The cool waters of the Colorado River make camping near Laughlin a treat even when outside temperatures soar above 110 F in the summer months of July and August. Nighttime temperatures drop, but sometimes stay close to 100 F. Winter temperatures are mild, with nights rarely dipping to freezing and daytime temps staying in the mid-60s F during December and January.

Read More ..... »

What to Do in Laughlin, Nevada if You're Young

In the very southernmost tip of Nevada sits Laughlin, a former mining town tucked in between the borders of California and Arizona. Although it’s best known today as a gambling resort town, Laughlin’s location on the Colorado River makes a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities easily accessible for the young at heart. Fly into the Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport or drive 90 miles from Las Vegas. It’s a four-hour drive from Phoenix and five hours from Los Angeles.

Gambling and Other Entertainment

• Laughlin’s casinos draw millions of visitors every year. In addition to the lure of the slots and gaming tables, the resorts bring in well-known performing artists to headline shows. Laughlin also hosts a variety of music festivals, car exhibits and other entertainment throughout the year. Nine casino resorts provide ample accommodations. Among these is the Riverside, owned by Don Laughlin, for whom the town is named. This resort includes a movie theater and a classic car collection and operates the U.S.S. Riverside, a luxury boat running tours of the Colorado River. The Colorado Belle is shaped like a 19th century paddle wheel boat. This resort sits right at the river’s bank, where you can sip beer from the resort’s Pints, the town’s only microbrewery. If you like your lodging Las Vegas style, the flashier Tropicana and Harrah’s may be the resorts for you.

Lake Mohave

• In 1951, Davis Dam created Lake Mohave between Laughlin and Bullhead City, Arizona. The reservoir extends 67 miles from Hoover Dam along the two state borders and most of the water lies within steep and colorful canyon walls. Lake Mohave is part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. A variety of watercraft rentals are available nearby at Katherine Landing and Cottonwood Cove, including houseboats, fishing and ski boats. These marinas, operated by the National Park Service, are open year round and offer boat slips, a launch ramp, camping, supplies and other amenities. Fishermen will find the cold water of Lake Mohave ideal for catching rainbow trout and striped bass.

Colorado River

• Water taxi services provide non-traditional transportation between Laughlin and Bullhead City. A variety of outfitters rent boats and equipment for paddling, tubing and fishing along the river. Guided tours and excursions are also available. For the adventurous, scour 58 miles of the Colorado River at a breezy 40 mph with the London Bridge Jet Boat Tours. This purveyor provides six-hour tours with a two-hour layover at Lake Havasu, Arizona, near London Bridge, which was transported to the U.S. and reconstructed in 1971.

Golfing and Dining

• Six 18-hole golf courses are located within 30 miles of Laughlin, providing golfers of any ability the opportunity to fit in a round of play. Laughlin attracts people of every age so restaurants here are diverse, ranging from the ubiquitous casino buffets and well-known national chains to barbecue, ethnic and gourmet fare. Many restaurants are located along the river giving diners a scenic view to go along with their meals.

Take a Walk

• With an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, Laughlin is ideal for getting out. Enjoy bird watching and hiking at the Big Bend of the Colorado State Park south of Laughlin. Seven miles west is Christmas Tree Pass Road, where you can picnic, hike or just gawk at the scenery. Grapevine Canyon is known for its bubbling spring and petroglyphs on its rock walls. The gravel road may not be appropriate for many low-clearance passenger vehicles.

Read More ..... »

The Tourism of Baker, Nevada

Tiny Baker, Nevada, appears at first glance more of a place to stop for a tank of gas and some packaged snacks rather than a vacation destination. In central Nevada near the Utah border, Baker rests a few miles south of U.S. Highway 50 and seemingly many miles from civilization. Yet you've arrived at a town where you can both unwind and prepare for nearby adventures.

Where to Hang Your Hat

• Once you pull off in this high desert town with spectacular mountain backdrops, you'll need a place to park your RV or a motel room to unlock. The Silver Jack Inn & LectroLux Cafe is the in-town combination of motel and restaurant, with primitive camping available at no charge if you spend money at the restaurant or store. The motel is closed during winter, though. If you go all the way to the state line, you'll find a year-round motel, RV park, gambling and food at the Border Inn Casino. Or for a touch of the rustic, stay in specialty quarters such as The Getaway Cabin with little touches of home, a log exterior and a wake-up view of Wheeler Peak.

Uncovering History

• Great Basin National Park is the reason why outdoor enthusiasts flock to Baker. The visitor center rests just a mile north of the town's heart, and scenic drives and hiking trails promise pristine views of mountainsides and valleys overflowing with pine and aspen. On neighboring Bureau of Land Management territory, though, you can visit the excavation site of a 13th century village once occupied by the Fremont Indians. The Baker Archeological Site foundation was filled back in with dirt after Brigham Young University excavations to protect the remains, but modern-day walls mark where the originals stand and help shield the remains from the elements. Bring your own picnic to the site and imagine the adobe village that once grew corn and squash and traded in turquoise.

Adventure Down Under

• One particular site of interest within Great Basin National Park to spelunkers is the Lehman Cave. Take an hourlong tour of the Lodge Room, a better tour for families with young children to view the stalactites and stalagmites within the marble cavern. The 1.5-hour Grand Palace tour hits the Lodge Room sites and more, and is open to children at least 5 years of age. The ranger-led tours are offered daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's and are limited to 20 people each. Make reservations in advance by calling Great Basin National Park. Visitors have to go through a screening process, including questions about past cave visits and decontamination of cameras and shoes, in order to protect bats in the cave from white nose syndrome.

Celebrate Stars and Sheep

• For being so teeny, Baker knows how to throw a big party or two. Annual festivals in the area include old-fashioned Snake Valley fairs with music, games, auctions and craft sales, barbecue and lots of gooey handmade desserts. Sheepherders, shearers, ranchers and others related to the sheep industry gather once a year in Baker to feast and swap tales. The National Park Service takes advantage of the cleaner western skies and lack of obtrusive city lights to set up more than 30 telescopes for September's annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival. Kids can learn about the starry sky from skilled rangers while space buffs can burnish their abilities to spot nebulae and galaxies.

Read More ..... »

Laughlin River Run Events

Laughlin, Nevada, a casino community along the banks of the Colorado River, was first settled in the 1940s. Originally, the town was just a small hotel and bar that catered to construction workers for the Davis Dam, which was completed in the early 1950s and formed Lake Mojave about 3 miles north. Today, Laughlin is home to a set of nine casino resorts providing more than 10,000 hotel rooms, restaurants, lounges and theaters, surrounded by rugged desert and an abundance of protected natural resources. Each spring, the Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally and festival draws more than 50,000 bikers for a long weekend full of adventure and events.

Festival Facts

• Laughlin, set in the Colorado River Valley near where Arizona, California and Nevada meet, is just across the Colorado River from Bullhead City, Arizona. One of the area's biggest annual events is the Laughlin River Run, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012 and is typically a five-day gathering held in late April. An official event pass includes an event T-shirt and pin, as well as admission to some River Run events and contests. Accommodations are available at Laughlin's casinos and at a number of RV parks in Bullhead City.

River Run Fun

• The Laughlin River Run is headlined by the namesake motorcycle ride on historic U.S. Route 66, which winds alongside the Colorado and through the desert hills from Kingman to Oatman, a pair of Arizona towns with numerous Old West attractions. However, the festival also has a number of other associated events and live performances held at various casinos to attract bikers and non-bikers alike. A charity poker run benefits U.S. veterans in the region, and the Ms. Laughlin River Run Contest determines the belle of this annual biker ball. Other attractions include motorcycle exhibits, a custom bike show, stunt performances and a collection of vendors selling custom motorcycle parts and accessories, leather wares and all types of apparel.

Live and On Stage

• A number of musical concerts, including some with nationally known performers, are held at several casino theaters throughout River Run week. Performers often include country music singers as well as tribute bands for popular musical groups such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bad Company and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Tickets to individual concerts are available through the Laughlin River Run website.

Laughlin's Natural Side

• If you're planning a visit to Laughlin for the River Run, take time to enjoy some of the area's natural attractions. Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area in Laughlin, a short drive south of casino row, is home to about 2 miles of Colorado River shoreline and provides the opportunity to view scenic canyons and washes, cactus and wildlife such as cottontail rabbits, coyotes, fox, roadrunners and perhaps even a bobcat or bighorn sheep. Activities and amenities include a boat ramp, fishing, 4 miles of hiking trails and a 24-site campground with full hookups. Just north of Laughlin is Lake Mojave, which has more than 200 miles of shoreline and is part of Lake Mead Natural Recreation Area, which includes several campgrounds, marinas and activities such as boating, fishing, hiking and scuba diving.

Read More ..... »

ATV Trails Around Mesquite, Nevada

Tucked against the Arizona Border just above Lake Mead, Mesquite lies in the Virgin River Valley just an hour's drive from Las Vegas. Sweeping views and wide open spaces combined with a mild climate make the city an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, and you can head out on a number of ATV trails right from town.

Ride Around Town

• Get the lay of the land from Flat Top Mesa where you can see for miles in every direction. Look out at the Virgin River slicing its way through town and at the seven local golf courses. Head up to the mesa on Thomas Edison Road just off Pioneer Boulevard for a fun climb through deep sand. On lower ground, enjoy viewing waterfowl and other wildlife on a dirt track running alongside the Virgin River on the south side of Mesquite.

Gold in the Hills

• Take a scenic and leisurely ride at Whitney Pockets 20 miles southwest of Mesquite. The dirt trails wind through canyons and dirt washes with topography suitable for novice riders. Visit petroglyphs or camp below rock arches and crags thrusting their way out of the desert floor. Don't miss Devil's Throat -- an enormous limestone sinkhole to the south -- or the abandoned mining town of Gold Butte. Ample parking and staging areas are available at Whitney Pockets. There are no services once you leave Mesquite, so bring plenty of water, fuel and snacks.

Down in the Valley

• Logandale Trails form the eastern boundary of the Valley of Fire 40 miles west of Mesquite. A central easy loop accesses sand-strewn side trails twisting through rocky spires. Enjoy deep sand at multiple sand play areas but don't forget to look to the rocky buttes to catch a glimpse of an occasional desert bighorn peering down from his lofty perch. The staging area has restrooms and is accessible by 2-wheel drive vehicles. Hazards are few, making Logandale Trails a family-friendly riding area.

Run for the Border

• Just across the Arizona border to the east, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument provides extensive networks of dirt roads throughout its boundaries. Enter the park through Lime Kiln Canyon, Whitney Pockets or Gold Butte Road or head in directly from Mesquite along a dirt back road. The park has no facilities or supplies, so bring plenty of water and fuel. Red Pockets Mountain or Black Rock Mountain lie closest to Mesquite in the northwest area of the monument.

Read More ..... »

Romantic Getaway in Laughlin, Nevada

On the Colorado River, which divides the states of Nevada and Arizona, is the city of Laughlin. This Nevada resort town has many things to offer, not the least of which being average temperatures that rarely dip below the mid-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a mining town, Laughlin became a resort destination in the 1940s. Nine major resorts and casinos – plus many smaller hotels and motels – can be found in the area, catering to visitors seeking the fun and sun that comes with a getaway to Nevada. For couples seeking Las Vegas-style luxuries in a smaller, more manageable setting, Laughlin can be a perfect destination.

Ample Lodging for Every Taste

• Accounting for one-third of Laughlin’s 9,000 hotel rooms is Harrah’s Laughlin Casino Resort and the Tropicana Laughlin Casino Resort. They are two of the largest resorts in Laughlin. Harrah’s features a long stretch of sandy beach along the Colorado River, as well as an adults-only pool with private cabanas. Harrah’s also has several nightclubs. The Tropicana is one of the more recently renovated resorts, with 1,500 finely appointed rooms and suites, many of which are in an adults-only tower, making for a more relaxed getaway experience.

Cool Off in Lake Mojave

• The Colorado River is controlled by Davis Dam about 4 miles north of Laughlin, creating nearly 30,000 acres of cool, clean Lake Mojave water in which to explore. Lake Mojave Resort is less than 15 minutes away from Casino Row, providing everything from houseboats to personal watercraft. For couples who want to spend time sunbathing and swimming, the small, private coves are perfect for dropping anchor, and enjoying a swim or afternoon picnic -- especially at the southern end of the lake.

Pamper Yourself at a Spa

• Spa services are available at the Laughlin Ranch Golf Club, which sits on the Arizona side of the Colorado River. Many of the resorts, such as Harrah’s, coordinate with the spa and can facilitate transportation for the 5-mile drive. Massage, aromatherapy and reflexology treatments are available, as well as more specialized treatments such as the Water Lily After Sun Body Wrap or the Arizona Copper Mineral Body Wrap, which is a mud treatment with minerals native to the desert. For couples who want to get a massage together, the facility includes a couples massage suite. Patrons of the spa also receive access to the fitness center and the swimming pool. And, true to its name, the club includes a par-72 championship golf course with an expansive view of Casino Row.

Non-Stop Entertainment

• Laughlin is a stopover for many music acts en route to California or Las Vegas, so you'll almost always find a wide variety of top-shelf entertainment here. All nine casino resorts have Las Vegas–style entertainment, many featuring national touring acts. One location is the state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater at the Aquarius Casino and Resort, a 3,300-seat venue with panoramic views of the desert. World-class entertainers such as Kid Rock, Randy Travis and The Beach Boys play the Aquarius Outdoor Amphitheater, which always has a full slate of entertainers on the calendar.

Read More ..... »