The Stardust Hotel & Casino long ago bit the dust, and I do mean that literally as well as figuratively — it was imploded on March 13, 2007.  The implosion was accompanied by a big extravaganza, complete with fireworks, prior to the building crumbling down. The casino-hotel complex was nearly completely rebuilt in 1991, meaning that it was a fairly new building at the time of its demise.
The Stardust opened in 1958, and had a rather checkered existence.  There were numerous rumors that it was a front for mob activities, and several managers and associates has criminal histories that …read more

We have a winner in the contest for the Las Vegas getaway!
Our winner is Gayle J, who left this comment:
I have been to Las Vegas twice and still haven’t seen everything. I want to go to the Hard Rock Cafe and want to see the Blue Man group and of course gamble. Thanks.
Congratulations,Gayle.  Now you can go back and see a few more things.  I’m sending you an email to get your personal information so that I can have your prize sent out to you.
A very big thank you to all the readers here at Flyaway Cafe who entered the …read more

Many of you followed along on my recent trip to Las Vegas, and my quest to find some G-Rated activities.
Here are the top things that I found:

Spent a day at the pool at Mandalay Bay.  Renting a cabana, and have a place to get out of the sun occasionally, made a 100+ degree day at the pool bearable.
Watched the volcano erupt at the Mirage.
Saw Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay.
Dinner & a show at the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur.

I’ll be writing about my experience, and providing some reviews and recommendations about them soon, but I wanted everyone …read more

I was in Las Vegas last week, and if you haven’t been recently, well. . . you haven’t been at all.  The landscaped has changed so much over the last several years.  With the demise of many Las Vegas institutions, and the building of new ones, the skyline along the strip doesn’t bear many of the original founding names.
Today’s Matchbook Monday is a little trip down Las Vegas memory lane, back to the glory years of the desert, and the once infamous Desert Inn.  The Desert Inn was once the home to reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, who rented a …read more

I’ll be heading off to Las Vegas tomorrow, and exploring the family-friendly side of Sin City.  While the city once promoted itself as a family-friendly destination, it has long since abandoned that idea, and has had great success (and fun) with “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”
With so many families wishing to vacation close to home this year, and often trying to find a destination that keeps both adults and kids satisfied, Las Vegas seems to be cropping up as destination that’s starting to appeal to families once again.
Las Vegas offers bargains galore, on food and accommodations, has shows …read more

While I was traveling, I wasn’t able to keep up with Matchbook Monday, but now that I’m back I’ll just pick up right where I left off!  I also picked up a few matchbooks on my travels, Europe still allows smoking in many places, so look for them in the coming months.
Today, though, I step back to a popular destination, Las Vegas, and the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino.
Located right on the Las Vegas strip at 3535 Las Vegas Boulevard South, the Imperial Palace is an Asian-themed hotel owned by the Harrah’s corporation.
It’s two primary attractions are the Auto …read more

Last year I had the opportunity to visit Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.  I’m a big aquarium fan, and I enjoyed the chance to check out this wonderful predator exhibit.
I recently heard about a new experience the aquarium will be offering – a Dive with the Sharks program.  Offered to hotel guests of Mandalay Bay and THEhotel, this program will give certified divers the chance to accompany dive guides to hang out with over 30 sharks in the 1.2 million gallon exhibit.  Divers must be 18 years of age and older.
Dives are offered once per …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday is from Paris.  Not the one in France, but the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Paris is located on the Las Vegas Strip, and, as it’s name suggests is patterned after the famous French city after which it takes its name.  It include a 540 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower, making it easily identifiable in the Vegas skyline.  The property also includes a two-thirds sized Arc de Triomphe, a replica of La Fontaine des Mers, and a neon sign shaped like the Montgolfier balloon.  The front of the hotel is designed to look …read more

Today’s Matchbook comes from the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  I seem to have a lot of matches from Las Vegas as it remains one of the cities where smoking in public areas is still allowed.  I’ve always liked the golden glow that seems to surround this hotel.  It’s caused by using golf leaf on the windows.
Mandalay Bay was built on the site of the former Hacienda (hands up if you remember that hotel and casino), opening in 1999.  The hotel has 39 floors, the top five of which are used by the Four Seasons Hotel …read more

Today’s Matchbook Monday features a box from BOA Steakhouse in Las Vegas.  BOA is located at Caesar’s Palace, among the Forum Shops, overlooking the Vegas Strip (3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard).
As the name suggests, BOA is known for its steaks. offered up with your choice of rubs (tri peppercorn, blackened, blue cheese, herbed butter, foie gras butter) or sauces (signature, cabernet béarnaise, chimichurri, creamy horseradish, peppercorn).  Add a side or two (vegetables and potatoes) in a size suitable for sharing, and just try to save room for dessert.
There are a variety of seafood choices on the menu, either as …read more