Monthly Archives: October 2019

On This Date October 18, 1968 Circus Circus Opened

October 18, 2019
Circus Circus Hotel & Casino

Circus Circus Hotel & Casino

Circus Circus opened on October 18, 1968. This circus themed Hotel & Casino has 3,773 rooms including a indoor 5 acre amusement park called the Adventuredome (formerly known as Grand Slam Canyon).

Circus Circus has the only RV park on the Strip providing additional accommodations in the 399 space park operated by Kampgrounds of America (KOA). Circus Circus Las Vegas is the largest permanent big top in the world.

Photo by: LasVegas360

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On This Date: October 17, 1956 The Hacienda Hotel Opened on the Las Vegas Strip

October 17, 2019
Hacienda Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip

Hacienda Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip

The Hacienda was a hotel/casino that operated on the Las Vegas Strip from 1956 to 1996. The Hotel was closed on December 10, 1996 and later was imploded on New Year’s Eve in 1999.

The Hacienda, while being designed, was called  the Lady Luck (not to be confused with the downtown’s Lady Luck), but before it was finished it was sold and eventually opened as the Hacienda in 1956. The Hacienda resort initially opened in 1954 without a casino. The hotel owned its own fleet of airliners for its ambitious air travel promotions, it was located directly across from McCarran Air Field.  The Hacienda was also one of the first Strip hotels to market to families and budget travelers. After the implosion, the Mandalay Bay Resort and Hotel was built on the old Hacienda site.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries – See more at: http://digital.library.unlv.edu/objects/sky/1759#sthash.SFei5Q9I.dpuf
University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries – See more at: http://digital.library.unlv.edu/objects/sky/1759#sthash.SFei5Q9I.dpuf
Hacienda Hotel neon sign

Hacienda Neon Horse from the original hotel now stands in Downtown Las Vegas (restored)

B & W Photo By: University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries
Photo: Neon Horse – LasVegas360.com

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On this Date October 15, 1998 the Bellagio opened on the Las Vegas Strip

October 15, 2019
The Fountains at the Bellagio

The amazing fountains at night at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Bellagio resort open on October 15, 1998. the resort was conceived by Steve Wynn. Located on the old Dunes hotel and golf course on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd. and Flamingo Road.  The main tower of Bellagio is 36 floors tall, has 3015 rooms. The Spa Tower, which stands to the south of the main tower, is 33 floors and contains 935 rooms.  The Bellagio’s famous attractions include: Bellagio Gallery Of Fine Art, Bellagio Conservatory, the Fountains of Bellagio and Cirque du Soleil’s aquatic production called “O”.

In 2001, The hotel was featured in the movie Ocean’s 11 starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy García, and Julia Roberts.

Wynn sold Mirage Resorts to MGM Grand in 2000, resulting in the formation of MGM Mirage.

Photo by: wikipedia.org

 

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On This Date: October 10, 1944 Huntridge Theater opens in Las Vegas

October 10, 2019
Huntridge Movie Theater

Huntridge Theater Located at 1208 E. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, Nevada

On This Date, October 10, 1944, The Huntridge Theater opens as the first non-segregated theater in Las Vegas.

The building was designed by S. Charles Lee and is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. The Huntridge Theater closed on July 31, 2004.

Efforts are moving forward to save the Huntridge Theater.

Photos By: LasVegas360.com
Date Taken: July 6, 2013

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On This Date: October 7, 1952, The Sahara Hotel & Casino Opened

October 7, 2019
Sahara Hotel & Casino

Sahara Hotel & Casino Opened on October 7, 1952

On October 7, 1952 The Sahara Hotel & Casino opened and was anchored on the north end of the Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara Ave. It was the sixth resort to open on the “Strip”.  The Sahara remained in operation until May 16, 2011.  On May 16, 2011 the Sahara Hotel and Casino closed and reopened on August 23, 2014 as SLS Hotel

In late 1954, the hotel hired jazz musician Louis Prima to be their late night lounge act, one of the earliest ones on the Las Vegas Strip. A long list of headliners followed: included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Jack Benny, Paul Anka, and George Carlin to mention a few. The resort was the site of the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for many years, mostly in the 1970s, and for a brief time in the 1990s.

The hotel had 1,720 guestrooms and suites with a casino covering more than 85,000 sq. ft. after the SLS renovation there are now 1,600 rooms.

Photo By: Wikimedia Commons

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Vegas on a Budget: How to Save Money While Vacationing in Las Vegas

October 5, 2019
Vegas on a Budget - Welcome to Las Vegas Sign

Las Vegas is a cheap place to take a vacation. What? Hang in there, we’re going to explain in detail.

Sure the city of casinos and attractions costing hundreds of dollars each might have a reputation for being expensive, but it’s all down to what you do and how you do it. 

Doing Las Vegas on budget finances doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Not only are there lots of discounts and tricks for getting reduced prices, but there’s also a whole host of free things to do as well. 

So if Las Vegas has always been on your bucket list but you’re on a tight budget, you can relax. Your Vegas vacation is perfectly within reach. 

Read our easy guide to your budget vacation in Las Vegas and you’ll soon be strolling the strip. 

Make a Budget

The first and most important step of planning an affordable vacation in Las Vegas is by knowing what your budget actually is. 

Note down what your vacation budget amounts to for this trip. Only when you sit down with that figure will you be able to plan your incredible vacation. When you have that figure, you know it’ll be broken down into travel costs, accommodation, dining, and activities. 

As you go through our guide to Las Vegas on a budget, you’ll soon be able to see how you can keep all those costs minimal and allocate portions of your budget to them. 

If you’re wondering how to afford a budget Vegas holiday at all but have been paying into a pension, you could check out pension loans. It’s important to read up on them and they’re often a great option for those who need a little extra help. 

Pick a Cheap Time to Go

Vegas tends to be busy all year round but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cheaper times than others. New Year to April can get very busy, as can October, and any national holidays or big sporting events. 

Las Vegas hosts many conventions each year and room prices shoot up for each one. Check the convention calendar and avoid times when there’s a convention in town. 

Deals are best in July and August but the heat can be too much for walking around in the day time. Other cheap times are the shoulder seasons from May to June and again in September. 

To get the best offers, book a mid-week stay when you’ll find hotel rooms can be much cheaper than full weeks or weekend trips. 

Choose Affordable Accommodation

Accommodation is where you can really save money in Las Vegas. It costs much more to stay on the strip itself but nearby streets are often much cheaper. Downtown Las Vegas is cheaper again and you’ll find a wide range of hotels at much more affordable prices. 

If your heart is set on staying on the strip, use comparison websites to find the best deal. Flamingo, Harrah’s, and Luxor are known for being more affordable than most. A benefit of staying in a strip hotel is that they’ll often offer discounts on clubs and dining on the property. 

See the Sights for Free

The great thing about doing Las Vegas on a budget is that you’ll spend less time staring at a slot machine and more time seeing the incredible sights of the strip. What’s even better is that plenty of the best sights are free. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Las Vegas without flashing any cash. 

  • Volcano Show at the Mirage – Daily at 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm. This is a spectacular, fiery show.
  • The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Open 24/7, this ever-changing indoor attraction is always amazing.
  • Ethel M Chocolate Factory – Ever wanted to know how chocolates and sweet delights are made? Take a tour of this factory and get free samples along the way.
  • Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes – With street performers, singers, and living statues, this is a great place to be entertained for free.
  • The Flamingo Wildlife Habitat – Nothing’s out of place in Las Vegas so it’s no surprise that there’s a miniature flamingo paradise in the middle of hotels and casinos. 
  • Circus Circus Acrobatics – Throughout the day you can see circus performers for free at the Carnival Midway stage at Circus Circus.

Shop Around for Cheap Vegas Show Tickets

Vegas has got to be show capital of the world but forking out for a full-price ticket might be impossible on a budget. Don’t worry, there are lots of ways to get discounts. 

There are plenty of websites offering massive discounts on Las Vegas shows so it’s always worth scouring the internet for the best deals before you go. You can often get discounts through your hotel if you’re staying on the strip too. 

Eat on a Budget

With big-ticket items like airfares and accommodation weighing on your mind, it’s easy to forget that eating out can add up and ruin your budget. There are tons of ways to keep your food bills rock bottom though. 

  • Check Out the Buffets – Many hotels and casinos offer buffets which can be a cost-effective and tasty way to fill up. Breakfast is cheaper than lunch but sometimes you can arrive a little early for lunch and pay breakfast prices. 
  • Deals – Check out deal sites online for 2-4-1 offers or other good discounts at specific venues.
  • Pre-Theater Menus – Cheap and delicious, you don’t even have to have a ticket for the show to get dinner on the pre-theater menus.
  • Downtown Vegas – Stepping off the strip automatically reduces prices so for budget meals, head downtown. 

Enjoy Las Vegas on Budget Finances

There are so many free things to do in and around the Strip that going to Las Vegas on budget money is much easier than you might’ve thought. With big discounts off show tickets, free attractions, and cheap eats available, your Vegas dream can come true without breaking the bank. 

Follow us for more money-saving tips and inspiration. Have an amazing time in Vegas and say hi to those flamingos!

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