Tackiness and wonder ..... and other Las Vegas, NV Things to Do Tips

I LOVE downtown Las Vegas, it reminds me of gansters and hookers. Prices are cheaper than on the strip, and if you are into tacky little Vegas souveniers, this is the place! Especially the kiosks! If it is plastic, silk-screened or tasteless, you will find it here. Freemont Street is best experienced at night - the light show is spectacular! but beware, while looking at the lights, local theives are looking for your wallets... one of the casinos is famous for 'fried twinkies' - gross sounding, I know. But decadent and worth a try ... but not alone, the sugar load will put you into shock since the fried twinkie is covered with powdered sugar and chocolate chips .......

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Address: Downtown on Freemont Street

Okay, I am a scifi fiend! I love all things set in furturistic space continuums :) So, everytime I go to Vegas, I drop in to ride the Star Trek Experience.

The cost is a little steep, but after entering, the line takes you past several wonderful displays..... To the left is a space travel timeline, that combines our reality with that of Star Trek. To the right is a series of display cases filled with costumes, props, and all sorts of 'trekker' stuff from the series (all of them) and the movies.

This is a VR ride that combines live actors, the bridge of the Enterprise D, and the ride itself . Which of course, being sworn to secrecy I can't divulge :)

In addition to this paid activity, there are several Star Trek gift shops, and Quark's bar and grille - I love wandering about this place!

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Phone: (800) 732-7117
Address: 3000 Paradise Rd.
Directions: Located east of the strip next to the convention center.
Website: http://www.lv-hilton.com

There are wedding chapels all over Las Vegas .. in every hotel, casino, and along street corners. You can find Elvis, do a drive through like ordering a fast food burger, go for costumes and themes, or find simple and elegant. The former is what my VT friends chose for their vow renewal.

The Shalimar chapel has an unassuming locale: inside a Howard Johnson's motel north of the touristy part of the Las Vegas Strip. Despite this location, the chapel itself is lovely and photographs well. Add to this the webcam feature, and it made a perfect venue for Berni and Carl's vow renewal!

The minister provided touching words, and added to the ambience of the moment. His clear, deep, loving voice added more emotion that we could handle! We were already on the edge of tears - he just gave us a nudge into full fledged waterworks ;)

Like most LV wedding services .... they offer packages as well as a la carte services. Don't expect to bring your own flowers .... they make money offering those things so won't allow it! But we were allowed to photograph to our heart's content ;)

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Phone: 702.382.7372
Address: 1401 Las Vegas Boulevard So. Las Vegas, NV. 89104
Directions: North of the Stratosphere, on the East side of the street, right on the Las Vegas Strip!
Website: http://www.shalimarweddingchapel.com/
Other Contact: Toll Free: 1.800.255.9633

The Artisan Hotel is a wonderful spot to wander and enjoy. It is a boutique hotel off strip that has amazing decor and ambiance. we chose to wander in and tour the lobby - then went to the bar for a drink. The dark interior is filled with art (real and reproductions), statues, and amazing little bits of wonder. The chapel has a gothic feel (but no webcam) and even the lobby ceiling has artworks affixed!

I understand they offer tours of the hotel, but can't find this info on the website. I would still recommend just stopping by some evening for a low key but elegant visit.

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Phone: (702) 214-4000
Address: 1501 W. Sahara, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Directions: On the south side of Sahara .. tucked under the I-15 overpass.
Website: http://www.theartisanhotel.com/
Other Contact: Toll Free: (800) 554-4092