by Joey Cee
MANY REASONS TO VISIT NORTH AMERICA’S ENTERTAINMENT MECCA
The days of going on a gambling junket for a day, weekend or week to Vegas are long gone …. as are the many landmark hotels that shaped our impressions and desires to visit the once gambling mecca of North America.
Although casinos are still the main faire, Vegas has transformed into an entertainment mecca that has become a playground for not just adults but for families. There is no shortage of entertainment value where opening and closing hours are so varied that your biologicial clock needs to be in check. There is so much to do in Vegas that you may long to win some sleep while you are weighing your options on how to feed your senses.
In a recent trip last spring I once again went on an exploratory mission to find some hidden gems that Vegas had to offer that weren’t found on the casino floor.
Picking the right time of year to visit and where to visit was not as easy as may be perceived at first thought. Weather was the least of my problems. Vegas is not committed to weather and neither is anyone who lives there or visits. The problem is having enough time to meet an agenda that gets you from one place to another on time and on schedule. With my photographer Peter McCallion in tow, we managed to fit in more than a dozen great experiences that we highly recommend on your repeat or first visit.
Planning to visit Vegas the weekend of the Country Music Awards was the starting point for us. The city was extra pumped with country music fans converging from all parts of the world to attend the awards at the MGM Grand and many of the associated events taking place throughout the city.
The concert highlight during our visit was the two-day 2nd Annual ACM Party for the Cause” Festival at THE LINQ. This outdoor music festival headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban was the first-ever special event held at The Linq, Caesar’s Entertainment’s new open-air shopping, dining and entertainment district at the heart of the famous Las Vegas Strip. With multiple stages, interactive games, a country marketplace, the Great Outdoor Archery Event, Beer Garden, Red Carpet Experience, Food Court, the RAM Rida and Drive, the Bucking Bulls Arena and autograph signings, this was the place to be. Other performers included Christ Young, Florida Georgia Line, Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett, The Cadillac Three, Lee Brice and many others.
The ACM PARTY FOR THE CAUSE concerts was presented by Outnumber Hunger, an initiative that helps fight hunger in local communities and ACM Lifting Lives which benefits several military philanthropies. Featured on the show was Max Impact, the premiere rock band of the United States Air Force.
GET HIGH ON THE HIGH ROLLER @ THE LINQ
Our timing couldn’t have been better as we were invited to join performers and other VIP types to a private reception and be one of the first to experience the Vegas view from the new 550-foot-tall High Roller – the world’s largest observation wheel. From street level this absolutely eye-catching moving structure is hard to miss and is an experience magnet. Do not leave Vegas without booking your ticket to get on board this attraction which is the crown jewel of The LINQ.
Parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard, the massive wheel dazzles with more than 2,000 LED lights and serves as the The Linq’s sparkling focal point. The ever-changing colours are beautiful to watch each night. The lights are visible from dusk to dawn.
The High Roller has 28 spherical, Italian-crafted glass-enclosed cabins, each weighing 44,000 pounds. You will without a doubt enjoy the breathtaking view of Las Vegas in a 30-minute stable ride, the time it takes for the entire wheel to rotate.
Each stylish, modern-style cabin hold up to 40 people, totaling 1,120 at full capacity. Whether you rent out a cabin for a wedding party or any other private party – or flying solo or two like we did, in order to get some great photos – each 44,000 pod features dynamic music and video shows on its 8 monitors as we took in the 360-degree sights.
Tickets can be purchased individually or in groups. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted rates. I suggest you book your ride at sunset or during the night time hours where the Vegas landscape can be seen and appreciated in full view.
This is not a shake or swing ride. It rides comfortably and stable as an elevator. With the heat index on the outside hitting record highs, our cabin was comfortably air-conditioned. If you and your group of friends want to continue the party after the ride, you can reserve a private party at the adjacent wheelhouse.
This is a definite high and a great way to top off your visit to Vegas.
*****
A FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE YOU WON’T FORGET!
Country music weekend was in full swing at Fremont Street Experience with free concerts by LoCash Cowboys, Rowdy Cowboys, Sam Riddle and Fairchild. Adding to the cowboy ambiance of the “the Experience” is the new alternate genre offering of the all new Viva Vision show “The Who – Miles Over Vegas” which is not to be missed. Viva Vision is the world’s largest video screen suspended 90 feet above the urban pedestrian mall. It is 1,500 feet long and 90 feet wide featuring nightly spectaculat light and sound shows with 12.5 million LED lights and a 550,000 watt sound system.
The Fremont Street Experience is a one-of-a-kind venue that includes free nightly concerts and entertainment on three stages all year long. With direct pedestrian access to 8 casinos, more than 60 restaurants and specialty retail kiosks.
*****
BOMBS AND ALIENS UNCOVERED
@ THE NATIONAL ATOMIC TESTING MUSEUM
Now here’s a discovery I stumbled upon by mistake, thanks to the folks at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Association and it seems not many visitors may know about it – especially myself.
Intriguing, topical, fun, educational and interactive, the National Atomic Testing Museum located at 755 E. Flamingo Road, just off the strip is not just dedicated to the history of the Atomic Bomb but to the sightings of UFOs and the presence of aliens. Who knew? If anybody – they should. This museum is also an affiliate of the Smithsonian.
The National Atomic Testing Museum tells the history of the Nevada Test Site from a historical perspective with interactive exhibits on different phases of nuclear testing that occurred in the 1950’s through the 1990’s. It also explains what is happening now with national anti-terrorism, and First Responder training at the recently re-named test site, now the Nevada National Security Site.
The current exhibit located next to the permanent Test Site exhibit, in the Temporary Exhibit Hall, is titled AREA 51 MYTH OR REALITY. This exhibit explains the recently declassified information on the most secret place in America including information on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, aliens, and top secret information on Area 51.
Learn about the mothership, the secret underground tunnels and more.
After my visit, I was convinced there is something else out there. You be the judge. Check out their website for more information on dates of current exhibits and features.
www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org
*****
THE GUN GARAGE IS ON TARGET!
Formerly known as the Guns And Ammo Garage, I thought I would re-visit this state of the art indoor shooting range. Let me make it clear that this is the only time I would handle any time of gun or rifle. This is not your shooting range at your local fair but the real thing, using real guns and rifles with real ammunition.
Since last visiting this inter-active attraction, it has done a little renovating in the shop but remains the same on the range. This is an ideal “off the strip” activity for those wanting to let off a little steam after maybe losing a bit at the table. Or to fulfill a dream or curiosity of just hitting a bullseye. The latter was my quest … and I must say that I did pretty well against my photographer Peter who is an avid hunter. Four centre hits to his no hits! First time shooters and gun experts alike get the chance to fire high-powered firearms in a safe and relaxed environment run by professionals.
You are sure to get a big bang out this experience.
The 8,100 square foot facility includes a 12-lane range as well as a gun retail area. The range is 25 yards long and offers a variety of targets for shooters of all skill levels.
Novices and gun experts alike can choose from shooting
experiences that include just some of the following high-powered weapons: Tommy Gun, M4, UZI, Glock 9mm, AK-47, Desert Eagle, Shotgun, P90, FN Scar Semi, M249 SAW or MP5
If you are not into going alone in case you wish to brag and no one believes you , you can bookgroups of all sizes to experience the exhilaration of firing a high-powered machine gun. 
Gun Garage is perfect for team building exercises, corporate challenges, bachelor and bachelorette parties or any other group outings. The facility can be easily decorated or catered to fit the guests’ needs.
When it comes to safety, Gun Garage has implemented a variety of safety measures to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. All guests go through a safety briefing with an NRA-Certified Range Safety Officer (RSO) and are then escorted onto the range. Each guest will receive one-on-one assistance from an RSO throughout their experience.
Gun Garage offers the most advanced deceleration chamber in the industry. The Total Containment Trap (TCT) consists of plates to guide bullets into the chamber, where they are trapped and funneled into a collection bin.
Gun Garage also has a retail center that offers firearms for sale as well as ammunition, eye and ear protection, clothing, and accessories. If the store doesn’t have what you’re looking for they can certainly order it as well.
The Gun Garage is located just off the Strip on Dean Martin Drive behind the Luxor Hotel and across the I-15.
The staff here are courteous and friendly and most of all they aim to please.
Photos by Joey Cee and Peter McCallion
