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 gave credence to the rumors.  But the Stardust was also known for launching careers.

Magicians Siegfried & Roy got their big Las Vegas start at the Stardust, as did plenty of other entertainers whose names became, legendary around town.

It’s amazing how many of the old standards of the strip have gone by the wayside, making way for bigger, better, and splashier hotels and casinos.  I love some of the new places, but also appreciate the history of the old.

Do you have a matchbook collection, or maybe just a couple of them knocking about in a drawer?  I’d love to feature your matchbook in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.  Just take a quick photo and email it to me

Photo credit:  personal collection

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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 contest, and to VisitLasVegas.com for providing such a great prize!

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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.

Win a trip to Fabulous Las Vegas!

I’ll be writing about my experience, and providing some reviews and recommendations about them soon, but I wanted everyone to know that I had a GREAT time!  I have some future Vegas trips coming up that will be adult-oriented, so this trip was a little out of the ordinary for me.  But it was was incredibly fun!

How would you like to have a GREAT time in Las Vegas as well?  If you tell me what you would love to see or do in Las Vegas, you just might have the chance to do it!

The nice folks at VisitLasVegas.com are providing one lucky winner a $250 gift card on Southwest Airlines to take a flight to Las Vegas.  SWA flies there from most major cities around the United States.  In addition, the winner will also receive a $150 AmEx pre-paid debit card for spending cash.

To enter the contest all you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog post and answer this question:

When you go to Las Vegas, what do you want to do or see?

Deadline for comments is Tuesday, August 18th, at midnight ET.  After that, I’ll select a random number and match it up with the comment.  You must leave an email so that I can contact you.

Not sure what you want to do?  Or maybe you just need a little help narrowing it down?  Visit Las Vegas will help you out with all sorts of suggestions to tempt you.

Now what are you waiting for?  Enter the contest and tell me what YOU want to do?

Photo credit: Bukowsky18 @flickr

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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 couple floors and holed up there for so long that he eventually bought the place.  This was the first of many Las Vegas purchases that Howard Hughes made.

The Desert Inn was one of the premium resorts on the strip, and all the top stars played its Crystal Showroom.  You weren’t anybody till you played the DI.  The original 1960’s version of Ocean’s Eleven was shot here, and it was the setting for the television show Vega$ which aired in the late 70’s.

The resort celebrated it’s 50th birthday in 2000, with a huge, splashy week long party that included many of the starts that had played there over the years.  Just three short days later, the resort was purchased by Steve Wynn.  The hotel eventually closed and was demolished, making way for the Wynn Resort.

I remember visiting the Desert Inn at a time when it was considered one of the elite spots on the strip.  Anyone else?

Photo credit:  personal collection

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The Fountains at Bellagio, Las 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 suitable for all ages, and hotels that sport some pretty great pool areas.    Although Las Vegas will never shed it’s well-deserved party reputation, and I enjoy the city for a weekend getaway, there are lots of families and adults who want to take advantage of the many amenities the city has to offer, while bypassing the more  risque activities.

That’s my mission for the next few days.  To spot out what’s G-Rated in Sin City.

I already have a pretty decent list to choose from, along with a couple of shows, but if you have some favorite all age-appropriate Las Vegas spots, please leave me a comment with your suggestions.

Photo credit:  The Fountains of Bellagio courtesy of MGM Mirage

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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 Collection and Legends in Concert.

The Auto Collection is the world’s largest classic car showroom, and features over $100 million dollars in inventory.  Over 250 antique and classic cars are on display, nearly all for sale, and walking through is like taking a little snapshot of history.

Legends in Concert, a long-running musical presentation by celebrity impersonators.  While the show moved next door to Harrah’s just a few months ago, it’s substantially linked to the Imperial Palace where it originated.

The Imperial Palace is not typically one of those hotels that’s at the top of my list when choosing a place to stay in Las Vegas.  It’s been many years since I’ve stayed there, but on that occasion I had the opportunity to visit the spa.  Between soaking in various pools, and a fabulous to-die-for-massage, it ranks as one of my best spa experiences.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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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 day, and there is a limit to two participants per dive.  The experience is a 4-hour commitment, during which you’ll have a chance to experience an up-close educational program about shark health and behavior.  The adventure begins with a guided tour of Shark Reef, where participants will learn about the various predators residing at the aquarium.  Then, you’ll get an orientation sessions and changed into wetsuits and don equipment.

Each dive will be a different experience, as they will be adapted to what’s going on in the life of the sharks.  Once in the water, participants will get up close and personal with sand tiger, white tip, and sandbar sharks, among others, along with green sea turtles, sawfish, and all sorts of other marine life.

Care has been taken to ensure the health and safety of all the marine life as well as the participants.  The limits on participants ensures personalized attention and safety throughout the entire experience.

The Dive with Sharks experience doesn’t come cheap — $650 for single diver or $1,000 for two divers (booked together).  This includes the guided tour of Shark Reef Aquarium, orientation session, the dive (about 45 minutes), and a post-dive snack.  All equipment is provided:  wetsuit, protective stainless steel chain maille as well as a mask, fins, tank, buoyancy-control device, regulator, weights and booties.  You’ll also receive a certificate and video of the dive.

Participants can bring up to four friends to watch the dive from outside the exhibit at no additional admission fee.  They can join in the introductory guided tour.

You must present a valid certification from a recognized dive instruction agency such as PADI or NAUI to participate.  The program is available four days per week, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Advance reservations are recommended.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of MGM MIRAGE

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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 like the Paris Opera House and the Louvre.

Paris is connected to its next door sister property, Bally’s Las Vegas, by a covered promenade, making both properties easily accessible to guests.  You can wander back and forth between the two properties, or head to the monorail station that serves both properties.

It will never take the place of the real Paris, but if you’re looking for a strip hotel, this is a good choice.

Do you have a matchbook collection sitting around in a jar or stuck in a desk drawer?  Matchbook Monday was started specifically because of people like you.  Even though we’ve moved into a non-smoking era, most of us have picked up matchbooks from our various travels around the world.  I’d love to share your matchbook on a future Matchbook Monday, so please take a photo and email it to Flyaway Cafe.  Feel free to include any remembrances of how you came to get the matchbook.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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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 Las Vegas, making it a hotel within a hotel.  In 2003, a convention center was added, and the following year a new suite tower was opened that was named THEhotel at Mandalay Bay.  Rumor has it that a condo hotel is planned across the street with a work name of THEplace.

Mandalay Bay has always been popular for its pool and beach area and wave pool, making it a favorite for families as well as business travelers.  In May, a new permanent show takes over at the theater, Disney’s The Lion King.  The hotel is also home to Shark Reef Aquarium and the House of Blues.

Mandalay Bay uses a tram system to connect it to its sister properties, Luxor and Excalibur.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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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 entrees or add ons with your steak, but here it’s really all about the meat.

Bring your winnings, as steak prices start at $38 (flat iron steak) and sides at $8 (mashed potatoes).  Lunch steak prices are the same, although there are some additional appetizers and sandwiches.

BOA Las Vegas is open Sunday – Thursday,  noon – 10 pm, and Friday and Saturday, noon – midnight.

There are also BOA locations in Santa Monica and West Hollywood.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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