If you’d love to see Vegas but don’t think it’s suitable for a family holiday, Circus Circus is just what you’re looking for.  This enormous complex will keep you and the kids entertained from the moment you arrive.  Here’s our guide to this fun packed venue…

What is it?

Circus Circus is an enormous hotel with 3,774 rooms situated on Las Vegas Strip in Nevada.  If hotels are not your style, Circus Circus has the only park for RV’s on the strip.  The huge park has room for 399 vehicles and is operated by Kampgrounds of America.

The hotel underwent major renovations in 1997.  These changed it from a standard American Circus to a ‘Cirque de Soleil’ circus.  They also added a new tower of hotel rooms – 35 stories high! The whole site is circus-themed with a clown marquee at the entrance.  It also has the largest permanent big top in the world.

What is there to do and see?

Head for the big top and watch the amazing top-class circus acts from all over the world and best of all, it’s free!  Performances are every day and start at 11 a.m., so if you’ve had a late night at the tables, it’s not too painful!

The other major attraction for the kids – and the grown ups! – is probably Adventuredome.  This is America’s largest indoor theme park.  It has 25 gravity defying, breathtaking, roller coaster rides on a massive 5 acre site.  An all day pass is a reasonably priced $24.95.

Gambling for the parents…

In Nevada, you have to be over 21 to legally gamble.  Circus Circus offers three full sized Casinos that are open 24/7.  There are slot machines, table games and a poker room.  Be sure to try the technological wonder of the Race and Sports Book, which has 18 big screens and 80 seats.  Once you’ve worn the kids out in the Adventuredome, get a sitter and try your luck!

Retail Therapy

You don’t even need to leave Circus Circus to enjoy the stunning shopping that only Las Vegas can offer.  The shopping Promenade is 40,000 square feet of shopping heaven!  Treat yourself to a Designer outfit with your winnings or if lady luck has yet to smile on you, head for the store where everything is $10.

You’ll want something to take home as a memory of your amazing vacation.  The exclusive Circus Circus shop will have you spoilt for choice with logo’d souvenirs to fit every budget.

If you’re a Criss Angel fan, the Official Mindfreak store has to be on your list.  There are tee shirts, hats, posters, jewelry and memorabilia autographed by Criss himself.

If you yearn for the old days, get a family photo taken at the Buffalo Old Time Photo Co.  You get to dress up and it only takes a few minutes to capture a special memory of Vegas and create a family heirloom as well.

Circus Circus also offers:

• Plenty of place to eat, with a good variety.  But be sure to eat at The Steak House which has been voted the best steak house in Las Vegas 20 years in a row!
• Golf – choose from the Royal Links Golf Club, the Desert Pines Golf Club and the Bali Hai.
• Three swimming pools
• For Business people – Convention rooms with space for nearly 800 people.
• For the ultimate Vegas wedding, head for the ‘Chapel of the Fountain’.

Circus Circus in the movies

The hotel was featured in the James Bond film ‘Diamonds Are Forever.’

In his infamous journalistic novel of the 1970’s, ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ Hunter S. Thompson wrote,

“The Circus Circus is what the whole world would be doing Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war…The ground floor is full of gambling tables, like all the other casinos… but the place is about four stories high, in the style of a circus tent, and all manner of strange County-Fair / Polish Carnival madness is going on up in this space.”

Circus Circus weren’t impressed and when the novel was made into a film starring Johnny Depp in 1998, they refused to allow any filming there.  The producers had to create ‘Bazooko Circus’ instead.

The Adventuredome and the Canyon Blaster roller coaster featured in the 1999 movie Baby Geniuses – but the park was called Joyworld in the movie.

In Mike Myers ‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery’, Austin and Vanessa sneak into Circus Circus.

Can’t wait to get there?

It sounds like the vacation of a lifetime!  If you’d like to know more about Circus Circus, go to their website where you can check room availability and book online, or head on over to Expedia where you can book a package deal.   Have fun!

A few years ago, a friend of mine got married in Las Vegas.  She didn’t tell us she was getting married we all thought she was just going on holiday.

When she returned to work, she told us the happy news.

I have to take my hat off to her as it must have been hard to arrange everything without letting anyone in on the secret.  The wedding dress was shipped to her hotel all ready for the big day.

You know what!!!!! I think it was a totally awesome idea. She looked absolutely beautiful, the setting was lovely and what a tale she has to tell.

When Paula and I were in Vegas, a bride in her flowing white gown along with her wedding party got into the monorail carriage we were in and just recently Val and I saw a bridal party strolling down the road  into the Venetian.

Getting married in Vegas is quite popular and if you want to do this make sure you check out the requirements for getting a marriage license first and then take your pick from one of the many wedding chapels that abound. 

Here are Just Some of the Marriage License Requirements (as outlined on the website of the County Clerk Las Vegas, Nevada):

NOTE: Requirements for U.S. citizens and non U.S. citizens are the same.

• It is suggested that non U.S. citizens check with your local officials for special documents that may be needed to ensure that your marriage will be recognized in your country.
• Applicants must be a male and a female, at least 18 years of age, and not nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half blood, and not having a husband or wife living.
• Applicants may be required to prove their age. Those not having acceptable identification to prove age may be refused a marriage license. Faxed copies, damaged identification, privately issued I.D., check cashing cards or photocopies of identification are unacceptable.
• For specific information on forms of acceptable identification, click here. 

There is no blood test and no waiting period after a license is issued.

Although there are the themed weddings such as getting married by Elvis, there are many other chapels that cater for the not so way out wedding. And you can even have your wedding webcast for all your family and friends to see. Most of the Casinos also have a wedding chapel if you don’t want to cruise the strip.

I took these photos when we were looking for the second hand goods store in Las Vegas Boulevard, when Val was looking for reloading gear. Note the pink units. At night of course this is all lit up. 

Chapel of the Bells also advertises a license service. 

Here is the Hollywood Chapel – Bridal de Paris

While we were waiting to cross the road we saw a fire at a petrol station. There was thick black smoke billowing out for quite some time. At first we thought it was a controlled fire but it was too long before the fire brigade arrived to put it out.

At this end of Las Vegas Blvd we are quite close to the Stratosphere and Sahara casinos. Its getting near to lunchtime so we decide to have lunch at the Stratoshphere buffet. Unfortunately when we finally arrive ( remember distances are deceiving in Las Vegas) the buffet is closed, so we opt for a burger at the NASCAR cafe. The food is tasty and there is plenty of it. We are treated to baseball on the large TV while we eat.  All around us people are totally enthralled in the game.

Now while you are in the Sahara you can take a simulated ride, driving a race car in the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway.  This gives you a realistic experience of driving a race car.  The ride operates from Noon – 10pm daily and it costs $10.00 for a single ride and $22.95 for an all day attractions ride pass.

This also gives you access to Speed – The Ride which is a roller coaster that takes you through a loop and 224 feet up in to the air.  This rid operates 11am – midnight Sun – Thursday adn 11am – 1am Fri – Sat. Again a single ride costs $10.00 or you can buy the all day attractions ride pass for $22.95.

When we come out into the street after lunch we catch sight of some very brave souls on top of the Statosphere casino.  This photo gives you an idea of the height.

And here they are:

There are 3 rides on the top of the Stratosphere casino. These are ‘Insanity’, ‘Big Shot’ and ‘XScream’ and they are the three biggest thrill rides in the world.

XScream catapults you 30 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower and its a long way to the bottom.

Insanity lets you the experience the force of 3 G’s as you are spun up and out. 

Big Shot launches you off your seat and you fall back towards the tower base at speeds in excess of freefall.

So thrill seekers if this is the type of adventure you are looking for why not buy all day unlimited pass for $33.95 so that you can take advantage of all the rides.from 10 am -1am Sun - Thur and 10am -2am Fri, Sat and holidays.

If your fear factor is a little more sedate then you why not visit the Stratosphere Tower where you will have an amazing view of the entire valley from both indoor and outdoor vantage points at 1149 feet above the strip.

The tower is open 10am -1am Sun – Thur, 10am – 2am Fri, Sat and holidays. Admission is $13.95 for adults and $8.00 for children 6-12 years of age.

We hadn’t booked anywhere to stay for the last 4 days so once we decided to stay in Vegas it was just a matter of hopping online and making a booking through Expedia.

I opted for the Golden Nugget in Fremont St, simply because I love this hotel. The rooms are reasonably sized,  the rates are really reasonable plus the service and housekeeping is excellent.

The last time I stayed at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino I was in a room with two double beds as I was traveling with Paula, my friend and business partner. This time I am traveling with my husband so we booked a room with King sized bed.

In fact the only complaint I have is that there are no tea or coffee making facilities in the room. So we popped down to the shop and brought a couple of mugs, some tea and an infuser.

We caught the Deuce bus down from Paris to the Golden Nugget as our bags are relatively small and so were no hassle to take on the bus.

Check in was quick and the young man behind the counter was courteous.

We were given a room on the 18th floor and after taking the rather long walk past the shark tank and pool we arrive at the lifts.  On the way we are approached by the time share people, I laugh and say ‘ been there done that, but thanks for the offer.’  Just remember that those free show tickets that they offer will require you to attend a time share meeting.

The time share desk is right across from Starbucks which is just past a rather expensive clothing shop,  a restaurant, some slot machines and a gift shop where you can buy snacks, drinks and souvenirs. Near the elevators is also the business center and an area where you and the kids can  play arcade games..

There are two lots of elevators, the first set  goes to floors 2 to 9 and the furthermost set services floors 9 to 22.  As we are on the 18th floor we head to the second set of elevators.  One thing I like about the elevators in the Golden Nugget is that they are quick.  And you get to watch excerpts of the Gordie Brown show while you are in the elevator.

On the long trek to the room there is a coffee dispensing machine and a snack machine not far from the room.

Once again I like the room, it has a cosy, welcoming feel with its muted tonings and floral accents on the bedspread and the curtains.

The room has a king sized bed, which turns out to be very comfortable, the pillows are also comfy and there are plenty of them.

There is an air conditioner which is way too cold, I know it is summer and its hot outside but I don’t want to freeze in the room, so the first thing to do is turn off the air conditioner. At least we know it works well and will be handy for airing clothes.

The flat screen TV sits on a chest of drawers which are getting a bit dated looking.

There are a couple of comfortable armchairs and a table which is handy for writing up blog posts on the computer. Broadband internet is available at a cost $12.95 for 24 hours.

Room 1806 from the doorway. As you can see it is quite roomy and very pleasant.

Showing the restful muted tonings  of the decor.

The room has plenty of mirrors and seating. This photo shows the the mirrored doors on the wardrobe and the entrance to the bathroom.  In the wardrobe there is an iron and ironing board, extra bedding and pillows and a safe. There are two luggage holders in the room.

I find that the safe in the Golden Nugget rooms tends to be on the small side and it is only possible to fit extra cash, passport and a few papers in the safe.  There is nowhere to stow the laptop.

There is an ice bucket and the ice machine is just down the hall so we are able to have reasonably cold drinks.

The bathroom has lovely fluffy towels and good quality shampoo, conditioner and lotion. There is a plug in for an electric razor and a point for the hair dryer which is also in the wardrobe.  The bathroom is very clean.

The floral theme is carried through to the shower curtain. And there is the handy grab rail for safety and support getting in and out of the bath.

I love the shower head in the Golden Nugget Hotel. It releases a wide, soft flow of water.

This photo shows the doorway to the adjoining room.  On our second to last day a family had moved in, the kids were in the room next to us and the parents were further down the hall. So they would have been able to move into our room once we checked out to be closer to the kids. Apart from some noise from the kids, the rest of our stay was very quiet. Unlike last time, this room doesn’t face the road so there is no road noise.

I love the public areas of the Golden Nugget, the lighting is absolutely beautiful.

The pool with the Shark tank is a fascinating feature of a three story water slide that goes through the middle of the tank down into the pool. There are also a 7 private cabanas on the third story.

The weather was just beautiful and so the pool area was always packed with people sunning themselves or sitting partly in the water on one of the lounges that are half in and half out of the water.

While we were at the Golden Nugget we ate breakfast, lunch and brunch at the buffet which has a wide variety of delicious food, both hot and cold, and a large range of yummy desserts.  Last time we ate mainly at the Plaza across the road but I was a little disappointed in the fare after our first foray to Stuffed, which used to be Lucky 777′s.

There is plenty of entertainment inside the Golden Nugget what with the Gordie Brown show and the Frankie Moreno band. You can also dance the night away and join friends for cocktails at Gold Diggers, where you can watch the Fremont Experience from the balcony.

All in all I recommend the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, and will certainly stay there  again in the future.

On the day we checked out we simply called a shuttle bus on the phone provided in the Business Center. There  are a number of shuttle bus company phone numbers available in case you have a preference.

Rating of the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino:

Checking in and out 4.5/5
Room 4/5
Position 5/5 (For Downtown location – right on Fremont St)
Price 5/5
Cleanliness 5/5

I booked the hotel while staying in the Paris.  We hadn’t decided what we wanted to do for the last four days of our stay and finally decided to stay on in Vegas and do the Grand Canyon tour by helicopter.

So I just hopped online and booked through Expedia.com.au.  We got an excellent rate and booking was as always, hassle free.

Now I use Expedia.com.au because it gives me the price in my currency, but Expedia.com! is just as easy to use and also gives you fantastic deals on flights, hotels and car rental not only in the US but also worldwide.

One of my favorite places in Las Vegas is Fremont St.

This is a happening place where every night there is exciting live entertainment and the fantastic Fremont St Experience – which is an awesome light and sound show.

Although it is now easy to get to Fremont St from the Strip, now that the Deuce buses run to downtown, I still like to stay in the downtown area and usually stay at the Golden Nugget.

This summer Fremont St is running the ‘Sounds of ’69 Vegas or Bust’ with live bands playing the music of the era. Which suits me just fine as this is the music I grew up with.

Two of light shows that Val and I caught were Queen and Kiss, both firm favorites of mine.

Fremont St really comes alive at night with showgirls outside a number of the casinos and the whole place is a blaze of color and music. 

So what is the ‘The Fremont Street Experience (FSE)’?

The Fremont St experience is a pedestrian mall in downtown Las Vegas that takes up 5 blocks of Fremont St. From Main st to Fourth St is covered by a barrel vault canopy or Space frame that measures 90 ft in height and is around 1500 ft long which house a 12.5 million LED display. There are also 208 speakers that pump out 550,000 watts of sound while the light show of perfecly syncopated animated images are produced by a bank of 32 computers.

 The Light and Sound Show is presented nightly on the hour from dusk until midnight.

During the day music is played in the mall but during the evening the canopy comes alive with light and music shows  .

Just before each show starts the light on all the building, including the casinos under the canopy are turned off and one of the bidirectional streets that cross the Fremont Experience is blocked off to ensure everyone’s safety.

In between the light and music shows there are free concerts held on the two sound stages.

The Fremont St Experience is a magical way to while away a few hours lost in the sights and sounds  of the light show and definitely an experience not to miss when you visit Vegas.

All the casinos have great meal and drink deals to ensure you are well fuelled.  And once you are replete of the experience it is just a short ride back to the Strip if you haven’t taken the opportunity to stay Downtown.

An example of the light show on the Space Frame. 
 

When Paula and I were in Vegas last year, the Wheel of Fortune game was one of our favorites and we had a few wins. So I had a flutter when I saw but my luck wasn’t in. But I still find this to be a fun machine. I did find a lucky machine at the Golden Nugget though which gave me a few small wins.

One of the Sounds of Summer ’69 bandstands

Val is wearing one of the ‘Summer of ’69 Vegas or Bust’ t-shirts that were very popular and similar styles were worn by all the stall holders in the Mall.

Here is Val in amongst the Woodstock crowd

Showgirls on Fremont St 

Binions Casino Fremont St

 Golden Nugget Hotel