Paris Hotel and Casino

Floating Food

There's a really cool looking restaurant in the new City Center Mall.  It's a wooden structure that looks like it's free standing in the middle of the shopping mall.  I don't really know how else to explain it so check out the pictures.

City Center Mall

There's a new upscale mall in City Center on the strip.  Just what Las Vegas needs right?  Another over priced mall that only carries high end merchandise that the majority of the world cannot afford.  Only in Vegas!  The mall does have some cool windows, fountains, stores, and restaurants.  All of these pictures were taken in that mall.  I guess I could look up the name of the mall but I'm feeling pretty lazy and quite frankly I don't know anyone that's going to go there to actually buy anything.

Believe it or not, these columns are actually made of ice.  The colors on them change from the lights down below.

This was in the Chanel store window.  Nothing exciting but I thought the colors might look cool.

Chihuly Glass

The lobby at The Bellagio hotel is home to 2,000 pieces of Dale Chihuly hand blown glass.  Each piece is unique and together it is a spectacular sight suspended from the lobby ceiling.  It is even more beautiful when the sun shines through the glass flowers from above.

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio is amazing.  I don't even know how to describe it other than to show you pictures.  It is one of the many free attractions that Las Vegas has to offer and is open 24/7.  It features plants that were imported from around the world and a stunning display that was created and maintained by 140 horiculturists.

Recent Photography

Chocolate Dreams Come True

Why did we not have a chocolate fountain at our wedding?  Actually, I remember why we didn't.  It was because they wanted to charge an additional $6,000 dollars for it.  For that much money, I would expect a chocolate fountain like this one I found at The Bellagio.

It has been certified the World's Largest Chocolate Fountain by the Guinness Book of World Records.  It took over two years to plan and design this glorious display of chocolate.  I think Willy Wonka is a little big jealous.

Instead of wasting $6k on a confectionary heart attack at our wedding, we got the next best thing.  What could possibly be in that box?

I know the suspense is killing you.

Hmmmm, it must be something good because boy is the happy couple grinning from ear to ear.

TADA!  Our very own chocolate fountain to use whenever we want.

Look at that baby in action at our engagement party.  Chocolate dipped fruit is my weakness.  Well, one of many weaknesses including: UNC basketball, buffalo wings, naps, Portuguese wine, and Mall Madness.  (If you don't know, don't ask.)  "There is a sale at the kitchen store."  Oh no, now I want to play Mall Madness.  Unfortunately, I think Bristol and Ella would eat all of the pieces.  

Palazzo Photos Take 2

Outside of The Palazzo.  The last photo is kind of random but I thought I would share because this man was stealing money out of the fountain.  You do what you gotta do.

earth, wind, and FIRE

You can check out the volcano eruption nightly outside of The Mirage.  You can make your sacrificial offering to the volcano gods daily between the hours of 8pm and midnight at the top of each hour.

I wanna be a cowboy baby...

Quite possibly the most unique slot machine I've seen here in Vegas yet!  Too bad it doesn't actually work.

The King of Pop Lives

The King of Pop lives!  It's official, Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Wayne Newton are not dead.  They are actually making a living standing on the strip taking pictures with tourists.  Ok, so maybe not.  This is by far the best Michael Jackson impersonator I've seen here.  He even has his own body guard!
So maybe Wayne Newton is actually the real thing.  Of course he lives here, he is known as Mr. Las Vegas.  I wonder how much botox he's had to look as plastic as he does.  He's been performing on the strip for 50 years.  At some point he's going to have to retire.

Lets take a vote, what do you think?  Who looks more frightening?










Personally, I think Wayne Newton looks scarier than Michael Jackson did.

You say you want a revolution

"You say you want a revolution 
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right."

 

The Mirage Hotel and Casino is home to the Cirque du Soleil show, LOVE.  I haven't had the opportunity to see this show yet but I've heard great things about it.  Unfortunately, it is one of the more expensive Cirque shows so I will get around to seeing it when I can get a less expensive ticket.  If you don't get enough John Lennon during the show, you can extend your Beatles experience by heading over to the REVOLUTION Lounge before or after the show.

Jackpot!

Glass Ceiling

Here is a montage of ceiling fixture photos taken on the strip.  I know, I'm not feeling very creative lately.  Stay tuned for a montage of Elvis!  I've even got a Mexican Elvis.  I know you are all excited now.

The 4th

Happy 4th of July everyone!  I took this picture at The Palazzo down on the strip.

"I think God for my life.
And for the stars and stripes.
May freedom forever fly let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
And the ones that gave their lives so we don't have to sacrifice
All the things we love..."

-Zac Brown Band

Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum

Mom and I went to see Mystere at Treasure Island Wednesday night.  It's one of the five Cirque shows currently showing here in Las Vegas.  It's a great show for all ages and kept us both entertained with acrobatics, gymnastics, and jokes.  I personally liked the giant crying baby.  It's considered the original Cirque du Soleil show and has earned the Best Production Show in Las Vegas title eight times.  The only downside about any Cirque show is the pricey tickets.  I refuse to pay full price for any Las Vegas show so I will shop around online for deals.  The best deals are usually found on Travel Zoo.

Treasure Island has a great location on the strip if you are looking for a place to stay that is convenient to everything the strip has to offer.  It's rooms are reasonably priced, except during holiday weekends, and is located at the center of all the action on the strip.  It is located with in walking distance of The Mirage, Palazzo, Venetian and the Fashion Show Mall to name a few.

There's a great free attraction at this casino as well, The Sirens of TI.  It shows three times a day starting at 7 pm and is a pirate themed show with singing, dancing, and fireworks.  It takes place outside the front of Treasure Island and can be seen even from across the street from the hotel.  It's worth checking it out and is especially entertaining for children.

This motorcycle titled, "Sirens of TI," was made by Metropolitan Choppers and artist Scott Cawood.  He collects scrap metal and turns them into pieces of art like the motorcycle you see here.  You can check out this motorcycle inside of the Treasure Island Casino and you can find out more details about it on the TI website.

A view of Las Vegas Boulevard from the pedestrian cross walk outside of TI. That is the Palazzo located in the background.
And if you are lucky, you just might find Jack Sparrow outside of Treasure Island posing for pictures.  No, he has no affiliation with the hotel what-so-ever so be sure to give him some cash for posing for you.