Las Vegas

Featuring a dedicated bus only lane the brand new Sahara Bus Route is designed to help Las Vegas residents quickly and easily move east and west from Las Vegas to as far away as Boulder City. Designed to alleviate the often horrendous traffic drivers experience along Sahara during rush hour, the dedicated bus only lane will make it easier to make stops without further clogging traffic.

The route will open this coming Sunday and will feature double decker buses that have green light priority and runs along Sahara Boulevard from Hualapai to Hollywood. The route will also connect with the Deuce, the Strip's double decker express as well as the Boulder City Express, making it easier and faster to get around the Valley. See the RTC website for times, stops and fares.

Built with a hefty loan from the federal government the Sahara Express Route is just another weapon in the commuters arsenal that include the rest of the RTC Bus routes and the monorail and trams on the Las Vegas Strip. While some will cite the costs as being excessive, others will see it as further proof that Las Vegas seeks to move forward as a model of public transportation. what do you think?

Get Around Vegas

• Las Vegas Regional Transportation System
• Las Vegas Traffic Cams
• Las Vegas Monorail and Trams

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk

In Las Vegas cabs are the most popular means of getting around on the Las Vegas Strip. While they are many benefits to taking cabs, including easy access at all casinos and speed, they can get pricey. That's where, in theory, the four monorails along the Strip come into play. Add int he free trams and things begin to look more rosy.

Sure you can take the bus, but as comedian Bob Zany once said "My Mom says there's always one weirdo on the bus... I've never seen him." The monorail has had its problems, but when the mercury breaks into the 100's you'll quickly forget about them and bask in the cool AC. You sure as heck don't wanna walk the Strip this time of year.

See the Rest of the article here.

Outdoor Activities in Vegas

• Walking the Strip
• Las Vegas Pool Parties
• Dog Parks
• Public Parks in Las Vegas
• Mt. Charleston
• Red Rock Canyon
• Ziplining at Bootleg Canyon

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Las Vegas Monorail

While the Times of Northwest Indiana is most certainly not one of the greatest of American newspapers, reporter Matt Erickson has recently written an article that highlights one of my favorite topics, Off the Beaten Path Las Vegas.

A frequent visitor to Las Vegas, Mr. Erickson loves Cirque du Soleil shows, expensive buffets and Strip gambling, but on this trip he wanted to see the Vegas even we locals sometimes ignore.

Making home base Red Rock Casino (one wonders if he placed a futures bet on next years Superbowl at the sportsbook), his first foray is to the nearby, and my personal fave, Red Rock Canyon. From there its up to the Valley of Fire before heading back to Vegas for a few hidden gems for food and drinks. Read His Article Here.

What Are Your Favorite Las Vegas Hidden Gems? Comment Below.

More Las Vegas Hidden Gems

• Barhop Like a Local
• Weird Vegas History
• First Fridays
• Dig This: The Adult Sandbox
• Area 51 Tour

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk

This weeks big event for all of us who were born, which I imagine is most of us, is Mother's Day. It is a day to make Mom feel really special and to that end I am devoting this edition of This Week in Vegas to all the Mom's. Sunday the 13th treat her like a Queen, she deserves it.

Mother's Day

This Sunday May 13th it is time to celebrate Mom. While there are innumerable things to do across Las Vegas to make mom feel truly special, why not start with a Mother's Day Meal. Whether it's at one of Vegas' innumerable brunches, like the Sterling Brunch at Ballys or one of my fellow guide Zeke's top choices for Mother's Day Restaurants you cannot go wrong when treating Mom to a special meal.

Free Event of he Week: Art Festival of Henderson.

Henderson does a lot of things well at the Henderson Events Plaza and the Art Festival of Henderson may just be the best of the bunch. This two day celebration of art, music and community takes over downtown Henderson on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th. Great for the whole family, but especially good for Mom. Buy her some specialty teas or homemade crafts, or just spend the day with her. Cuz anyone with a Mom knows that is the best gift of all.

Elton John Million Dollar Piano Returns to the Colosseum

The maestro of flamboyant greatness returns to Las Vegas for several weeks of shows and the house that Caesar built will be rocking. Legendary barely touches the buzz this show has generated in past visits, so get up of that couch and give Mom, Grandma or the Wife an early Mother's Day  present. Take Mom this week. Get Your Tickets Here.

Check Out More Las Vegas Shows

Take Mom to a Cirque Show

If your Mom is anything like my Mom, she loves a good show, but rarely takes advantage of all the greatness right in her backyard. So this Mother's Day week take Mom to see a Cirque show. You'll make all her friends kids look like lamos. The choices vary from the wonders of Mystere to the fire of KA and even the music of Elvis and the Beatles, but you cannot go wrong taking Mom to any cirque show (save Zumanity, cuz that'd be just plain weird) Check out all the Cirque shows here.

Check Out More Las Vegas Shows

Dark Shadows Creep Into Your Local Cineplex.

Johnny Depp is one of those actors that Mom's love. He's not quite up there with Tom Hanks, but Dark Shadows quirky vampire comedy may change that. With the rest of the world seeing The Avengers for the 4th time Mom will love Dark Shadows. Enter Fandango's Dark Shadows Sweepstakes for a chance to win a haunted getaway to Maine.

Great Deals From Groupon

Last week saw half of deals for some of Las Vegas' best pool parties, Half Off Off-Roading in Boulder City and numerous Mom centric chocolate and flower deals. What new deals are available in Las Vegas? Shop Groupon.com today.

Down the Road With Jeff Dunham

My Mom loves this guy. Most visits to her house have her re-re-playing his latest comedy special, which has taken permanent root in her DVR (perhaps she doesn't know how to erase it). From Walter to Achmed the Dead Terrorist, this guy makes everyone laugh and he is mostly clean. He doesn't come to Las Vegas often, so this show will sell out quick. Get Your Tickets Here.

Check Out More Vegas Concerts

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk

Now that the weather has become great again, Las Vegas residents are flocking to their local parks. With over 60 parks run and maintained by the City of Las Vegas, there are numerous options to get out and experience nature. Check out the list here.

Las Vegas may be in the desert, but it had plenty of open green spaces to relax and play. Some have attached sports complexes, others are great places to let the family mutt run free. Still others allow you to reserve space for birthday parties and celebrations.

More Outdoor Activities in Las Vegas

A truly great comedy club is hard to find. Lame comedians, overpriced drinks and bad atmosphere can conspire to kill the dream of the comedic entrepreneur.  Luckily for us, Brad Garrett has the business savvy and star power to insure that none of these problems befall his recently minted Brad Garrett Comedy Club at the MGM Grand, which will surely stand alongside The Improv as one of Las Vegas' Best Comedy Clubs.

See Brad and his friends every night starting at 8:00 PM. Check out the complete lineup.

Get Your Tickets Here

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Showtickets.com

Recently I was fortunate enough to be able to interview a Blue Man named Meridian to try and peel back the surface of their blue skin and get inside what it is like to be a Blue Man. What I found inside made me once more feel as I did walking out of the Blue Man Group Theatre; elated, confused, wiser, amused, full of life and joyous. See all the questions answered by Meridian here, but make sure you see the Blue Man Group first. Trust me the experience is a Las Vegas Must See.

The show remains one of those odd conundrums common to those of us who live and work in Las Vegas. We are surrounded by some of the world's best shows, but we rarely seem to take advantage of this blessing. It's like living down the street from Disney World and never going to hang with Mickey. Just plain crazy.  Do yourself a favor, read my interview and then go see the Blue Man Group, and can you please tell me which of the three is Meridian? I still cannot tell.

Get Your Blue Man Group Tickets Here and Receive a free upgrade from Red Zone to Blue Zone seating.

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Showtickets.com

Spring is here and with it the Las Vegas pool season begins in force. Combine these havens of sun and sin with a trip to a farmer's market, Tim Allen at the Venetian, Cinco de Mayo, Elton John at Caesar's and The Avengers at your local cineplex. This Week in Vegas has tons, tons, lots, etc, things to do. Get out there and do something.

Cinco De Mayo

I once joked that Cinco de Mayo, like St. Patrick's Day, is one of the few honest holidays on the calendar. It is what it pretends to be, a holiday about partying. And their are few places better suited to a Cinco de Mayo celebration in party hardy Las Vegas than these Tequila Bars. May 5th all across Las Vegas.

Free Event of the Week: Las Vegas Farmer's Markets.

Spring is here and with it the busy season at the numerous Las Vegas Farmer's Markets. Just about any day of the week you can buy produce, check out some cool and odd art, mingle with your fellow Las Vegans and enjoy the desert air before the weather grows brutal.

Elton John Million Dollar Piano Returns to the Colosseum

The maestro of flamboyant greatness returns to Las Vegas for several weeks of shows and the house that Caesar built will be rocking. Legendary barely touches the buzz this show has generated in past visits, so get up of that couch and give Mom, Grandma or the Wife an early Mother's Day  present. Returning May 4th. Get Your Tickets Here.

Check Out More Las Vegas Shows

Tim Allen at The Venetian Showroom

The voice of Buzz Lightyear returns to Vegas with his witty, homegrown comedy for two shows. Tim Allen's comedy is lowbrow meets high intelligence and he alway makes you chuckle, nod your head and laugh at your family and friends. Tim Allen is in town for two shows May 4th and May 5th at 9:00 PM. Get Your Tickets Here.

Check Out More Las Vegas Shows

The Avengers Roars Onto the Big Screen

The summer movie season kicks off with a bang this Friday, March 4th as Marvel and Disney's The Avengers roars on to IMAX, 3D and regular screens with an .... um... vengeance. This big budget superhero fest brings some of Marvel's most famous (and successful) heroes together for what is sure to be one of the year's highest grossing film. I can tell you my household is seriously geeking out over this one. The trailers make me clap like a child and any film written and helmed by Joss Whedon, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dr. Horrible's Sing A Long Blog fame is a must see.

Buy advance tickets to The Avengers and get a free song download on iTunes!

Buy Fandango Bucks gift certificates! and give the gift of The Avengers

Great Deals From Groupon

Last week saw half of deals for some of Las Vegas' best pool parties. What new deals are available in Las Vegas? Shop Groupon.com today.

Down the Road With Van Halen

David Lee Roth is back with Eddie and the world seems right once more. No offense to Sammy Hagar, and a bit to the others who fronted the band, but Van Halen isn't Van Halen without David. After a long and messy separation the boys from Pasadena are back in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 27th. These Tickets Will Sell Out So Get Them Now.

Check Out More Vegas Concerts

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk

Nothing brings a community together like a good old fashioned county fair. From fried dough to carnival games to home made lemonade, the county fair hearkens back to a time when things seemed simpler. As any resident of Las Vegas can attest, simple rarely describes our city in the desert, so sometimes a fair is exactly what we need.

That's where the Clark County Fair and Rodeo comes to save the day like some old timey superhero. About an hours ride northeast up the 15 near the top end of Lake Mead in Logandale, NV the Clark County Fair entertains Nevada resident every year in mid April.

More Things To Do

• April Festivals and Events
• Mike Tyson: Spoken Word Guru?
• Red Rock Canyon: A Las Vegas Day Trip
• Mt. Charleston: A Las Vegas Day Trip

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Clark County Fair

Las Vegas hasn't had a lot of good things happen to it lately in the world of college basketball. UNLV was dumped out of the NCAA Tournament again. Yet there is a bit of a silver lining as recently named #1 prospect int he country Shabazz Muhhamad calls Las Vegas home. This 6'6" Bishop Gorman senior wowed scouts and earned the top spot in the Rivals 150 ranking.

After being heavily recruited by Duke and Kansas, Muhhamad chose UCLA. "It was down to Kentucky, Duke and UCLA and I chose to be a Bruin," Muhammad said recently. "I'll be at UCLA next year."

Should we expect to see more Bruins hats around the Valley next year? Will Muhhamad help UCLA surge in next years March Madness Tournament? Time will tell, but all Las Vegans wish him well.

Got a Las Vegas Question or Comment? Head to the Forum.

Follow Me on Twitter

Image Courtesy of Thomas Hawk