BEST OF LAS VEGAS

By Henry Tamburin

(last updated January 2008)

These are my opinions on the best that Las Vegas has to offer. It is based on my experiences of visiting Las Vegas every year for over 30 years. I also currently own a house in nearby Henderson, NV and spend about 50% of my time there. I’ve recommended this list to my friends and family. I will continue to add different categories to the list each month, or modify them if needed, based on my experiences.

If you have any comments about anything on the list, send them to me at HTamburin@aol.com.

Henry Tamburin

Best Free Things To See

Fountains of Bellagio

Conservatory (Bellagio)

Walking through the Venetian Hotel and Shopping Area

Atlantis fountain show (Forum Shops, Caesars)

Stroll around Red Rock Casino resort

Freemont Street Experience

Volcano eruption (front of Mirage)

Hoover Dam

Lake Las Vegas

Masquerade Village Parade (Rio Casino)

Best Inexpensive 4-Star Hotel

Golden Nugget (downtown)

Best Strip Hotels

Bellagio

Venetian

Wynn

Best Resorts

J. R. Marriott Las Vegas

Red Rock Casino & Resort

Best Gourmet Restaurants

Le Cirque (Bellagio)

Prime (Bellagio)

Commander’s Palace (Dessert Passage)

Delmonico (Venetian)

Nine (Palms)

Hugo’s (Four Queens - less costly and very good)

Best Prime Rib

Lawry’s The Prime Rib (one black from strip on Flamingo)

Best Italian Restaurant

Maggianos (across from Wynn Casino)

Fiamma (MGM Grand)

Best Steak House

Delmonico (Venetian)

Range (Harrah’s)

Nine (Palms)

Charlie Palmer (Four Seasons)

Steakcraft (MGM Grand)

Best Casual Restaurant

Grand Lux Café (Venetian)

Olives (Bellagio)

Best Seafood

Emeril's (MGM Grand)

Commander's Palace (Planet Hollywood)

Best Buffets

Planet Hollywood

Bellagio

Green Valley Ranch

Best Las Vegas Local Restaurant

Rosemary’s (Sahara Ave. click here for specials)

Andreas (6^th Street Downtown)

Best Shows

Barry Manilow

Danny Gans

Mystere-Cirque Du Soleil (Treasure Island)

Mamma Mia (Mandalay Bay)

Best Downtown Show

Larry Jones (Fitzgeralds)

Best Entertainer

Danny Gans

Best Car Rental Company

Thrifty (join their Blue Chip program at www.thrifty.com)

Best View of Las Vegas Strip and Valley

Stratosphere (observation deck)

Paris (observation deck, Eiffel Tower)

Best Double Deck Blackjack Game (basic strategy player)

Mirage ($25)

NYNY ($50)

MGM Grand ($100)

Wynn ($100)

Best Double Deck Blackjack Game (low stakes card counter)

Santa Fe Station

El Cortez

Suncoast

Red Rock

Best Single Deck Game

El Cortez

Best Shoe Dealt Blackjack Game (basic strategy player)

MGM Grand ($10 min)

Bellagio ($10 min)

Mandalay Bay ($10 min)

Best Crap Game

Casino Royal (center strip)

Main Street Station (Downtown)

Best Coupon Book

Las Vegas Advisor Pocket Book of Values (www.lasvegasadvisor.com)

All kinds of coupons at www.billhere.com

2008 American Casino Guide book (tear out coupons)

Best Video Poker Games (lots of full pay games)

Fiesta Rancho

Fiesta Henderson

Palms

Gold Coasr

Best Place to Pay Slots (consistently higher paying slot machines)

Boulder Station

Arizona Charlie’s Boulder

Sam’s Town

Palms

Best Roulette Game

Monte Carlo (single 0 wheel)

Nevada Palace (single 0 wheel)

Stratosphere (single 0 wheel)

Best Mini-Blackjack Tournament

Boulder Station (Saturday)

Best Low Limit Casino Gambling

Downtown casinos

Best Source for Casino Promotions

www.lasvegasadvisor.com

www.advantageplayer.com (Viva Las Vegas page)

Best Source for List of Casinos that Offer Double or Triple Point Slot Point Promotions (Las Vegas)

www.lasvegasadvisor.com (Slot Club Bonus Points)

http://www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/index.html

Best Source for List of Casinos That Offer Cashback/Comps (Las Vegas)

www.vpinsider.com

http://www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/index.html

Best Source for Current Blackjack Playing Conditions

www.trackjack.com

www.bj21.com

Blackjack Insider newsletter at www.bjinsider.com

Las Vegas Blackjack Survey at  http:/wizardofodds.com/blackjack/vegas/html

Best Spa

Canyon Ranch (Venetian)

Bathhouse (THEhotel)

Best Recreational Activities

Lake Las Vegas

Lake Mead