Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 |
If you’re going to Las Vegas and you’re not into gambling, there are still some entertaining things to do there – some of them free.
The Neon Museum downtown on Fremont Street displays old neon signs that once lit up some of the hotels and casinos. These are fun to see whether you think of them as history, art or just pop kitsche. Nearby is the Arts Factory, which displays up to date works by local artists, photographers, graphic designers and painters.
You can also explore some of the hotels. The Mirage hosts Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, an educational and research-based facility which features a variety of animals in a natural habitat: dolphins, white and golden of tigers, panthers, leopards, snow leopards, and white lions. For as little as $15 you can get tickets to see the habitat, or you can make your vacation unforgettable if you have a few hours to learn how to be a dolphin trainer for a day.
The MGM Grand has a free lion habitat featuring two or three lions walking among trees and under waterfalls, open 11 am to 10 pm (at the time of this writing). Again, these animals are well cared for on a local ranch when they’re not at the habitat.
It’s always fun to cruise or walk the strip at any time of the day. It’s so well lit and populated at night that it’s relatively safe.
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Tuesday, January 15th, 2008 |
A number of cities in mainland Florida can be very exciting to visit. But if you’re looking to relax and get away from it all, the Florida Keys is your best choice. You’ll immediately notice less traffic and a more relaxed atmosphere when you arrive.
The Keys are just a boat ride away from the mainland, with Key Largo less than an hour from Miami. The waters there are protected so you will find excellent diving and extremely healthy marine life to see as you snorkel. For a real adventure, stay at Jules’ Lodge, a converted research facility that’s now an underwater hotel. It’s nestled in a perfect spot to see marine life. You’ll have the scuba your way there and back, but they offer a three-hour class for the inexperienced.
If diving’s not your thing, there’s plenty of local shopping for arts and crafts and dolphin centers in Key Largo and Marathon where you can interact with the dolphins (as long as you book in advance). Or from Key Largo to Key West you’ll find a three-hour scenic drive with lots of places to stop along the way for shopping or taking snapshots of the views. Expect to see lots of pelicans, fishermen, and the famous seven mile segmented bridge.
Key West, the largest city in the Keys, boasts plenty of restaurants, boutiques, bars, shops and a good bus system so you can get by without a rental car. You can also rent scooters for getting around. You can choose a bed and breakfast inland or a hotel near the water.
Fresh seafood is the main local delicacy, with conch (a type of lobster) and real key lime pie as special treats.
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