Palms pool night club is a great place to start with. Its hours of operation are on Fridays, 12 p.m - 7 p.m. And it also carries special events which may alter the hours. It is located at Palms Casino Resort. The music is House, rock, hip-hop and Top 40. On Fridays, partygoers can enjoy their swimming in three separate pools. The fruity welcome refreshes you. Cocktails like Morty's Bikini Remover (Banana liquor, pineapple, cranberry juice, Bacardi Coco, Rum) and raspberry mojitos are all set for +21. If you are hungry enough, you can all set to burgers and sandwiches right there at the pool.

To enjoy the dances and bars, Blush boutique nightclub is the most nerve racking place. It opens daily from 9 p.m to 4 a.m. On tuesdays, it offers you "Blush Tuesdays" and on thursdays, you enjoy DJ Jack Lafleur. They are very service-oriented. The club is beautifully decorated. There are arts on the walls, 300 color-changing lanterns hanging from the ceiling and the dance floor is made of lit onyx, and tables gleam like prisms. It really sets you to a cool drinking and dancing experience.

Studio 54 is again a not-to-miss club located inside the MGM Grand HOtel. Another good place for party animals who love spinning the disco ball too. There is an elevated DJ booth that gives dancers a great enthusiasm. They play a mix of house, the top 40 mash-ups, hip-hop, and rock. The dance floor is also a great attraction. Go-go dancers dance on the elevated platforms showing everyone down their dances.

Night clubs like "Late Night at the House of Blues, "Tabu' located inside MGM Grand, "Jet" located inside the Mirage, "Ghostbar", Rumjungle inside the Mandalay Bay, "Prive" located inside Planet Hollywood Resort are other strip clubs and nightclubs that serve the purpose of great entertaining to the people all over the world.

Read my advice for tips on getting the most for your money in Reno.

Skimp on a Room

If you're just visiting, and don't know anyone in town, you'll need to find a place to stay. There are thousands of hotel rooms in Reno and Sparks, and prices vary widely. If you have your heart set on a fancy suite, then that's what you'll pay for. But check out motels (some offer rooms by the week, if you're staying that long). It's easy to get around in Reno, even on foot, so don't think you have to have a room in one of the downtown casinos. This is the easiest way to save money during your trip, giving you a larger gambling budget.

Travel Off-Season

Winter is cold, there's lots of snow, and there are bargains galore on rooms. Yes, summer is nice and warm, and there are events nearly every weekend. Hot August Nights, the big celebration of classic cars, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. For this event, rooms are booked a year in advance, and you will definitely pay the highest price all year.

Establish a Relationship

Casinos love to reward loyalty, and there's lots of competition for the all-mighty tourist dollar. There are ways to become a preferred guest at any casino. The first thing you need to do is sign up for a player's card. This is essential, no matter where you choose to play. Nearly every downtown casino boasts “the best comps in town,” and comps vary, so don't be afraid to ask what comps are offered to player's club members. As always, it depends on the amount of play on your card. If you find a casino you enjoy, play there. The more you play, the more comps you will be offered.

Don't be afraid to compare comps. For example, some casinos offer 2x comp points on certain days of the week, or 5x, or even 10x. If you can get 10x points for the same amount of coin-in, that is a much better deal.

When you sign up for a player's card, be sure to ask about any couponsbeing offered. Many casinos will give you a two-for-one buffet, for example, or match play at table games.

Also, be sure to get on the casino's mailing lists. Many casinos will mail you offers after you get home, offering everything from free rooms to free meals on your next visit. Take advantage of these offers and you can almost pay for your trip. Give them your e-mail address and check for frequent e-mail only offers in your inbox. Be sure to check dates, as most of these offers are good for certain dates only. Also, be sure to ask when your comp points might expire. At some casinos, if you don't use your comps, you will lose them.

Once you have a card, be sure to use it. Don't forget to insert it each time you play. If you lose it, simply return to the player's club desk and get another one. NEVER play without your player's club card in the machine!

Choose Your Games Wisely

The variety of games available in casinos varies as much as the casinos themselves. Some have much better odds than others. While some of the newer games offer a lot of bells and whistles, they may not be the best way to win. Be wary of “penny slots.”These are big, loud, colorful games being touted in almost every casino. They boast signs such as “play longer, play pennies,” or even, “win a million for just a penny.” This is deceiving. In order to win a “jackpot” on penny slots, you must bet the maximum bet, which in some cases is as high as 300 pennies, or $3. For my money, on slots, you're better off playing that $3 on the dollar slots--the rewards are much higher in many cases.

When choosing which games to play, always keep your budget in mind. You never want to risk more than you can afford to lose, but you can increase your odds by choosing the right games. When selecting a denomination, remember to always play maximum bet on each machine. If your budget is very limited, nickels are always a good choice, and the rewards can be substantial.

Most gambling experts agree that the best odds in any casino are on Blackjack. While this can be fun--and substantially rewarding--you must know how to play. If you haven't studied Blackjack and don't feel comfortable playing, I would suggest you stay away from the table. If you're a beginner, other players may lose patience with you, and some dealers move very quickly, making it difficult to concentrate. If you want to learn Blackjack, there are many good books and study courses available, but learn it before you actually sit down to play.

Another game with very good odds is Video Poker. This also requires a bit of studying, and there are several different versions available. If you're a beginner, choose Jacks or Better and play nickels. Maximum bet will vary from machine to machine and casino to casino, but most are 10 nickels max. That's just 50 cents a bet, and the return is higher than on most slots.

Of course, there are other games in the casinos as well. Everything from live poker to roulette to sports betting. Just be sure to choose what you are most comfortable playing.

Drinking and Gambling

While you are gambling, you will be offered “free” drinks. This is part of the money-saving strategy. Why pay for drinks at a bar when you can get them free while gaming? The choice of whether to drink while playing is strictly up to you. Just remember, the more you drink, the more it will affect your decision-making process. Why do you think the casinos offer free alcohol to gamblers in the first place? And always remember to tip the bartender or cocktail waitress…$1 per drink is acceptable, more is appreciated.

Have Fun!

Through a lot of trial and error I have weeded out the casinos that claim to be for “locals”, and found the true diamonds in the rough. These casinos don't have you leaving with a hangover headache when you didn't even have one Zima. Like it or not they aren't just for the old anymore, they are also for those burned out with the constant madness of this big city of sin.

Last on my list, coming in at number three is Terrible's Hotel and Casino . Located in the center of Las Vegas at 4100 Paradise Road. With it's lack of kid related activities and almost laughable casino space, this casino seems perfect for the local gambler. WRONG! It is in the center of a restaurant district that includes such popular hotspots as Chinese restaurant P.F. Changs and Italian eatery Buca Di Beppo. It has plenty of players club contests that seemed geared for the high roller or the retired ten plus hour a day gambler to win. That also makes it hard to find a place to gamble on a drawing night in such a small casino area. If you're looking to bet on sports, good luck with that. Their lines come out shortly before the start of the games if you can be so lucky. This casino is for the frugal tourist that doesn't mind being in cramped spaces.

The good thing about this casino is that they don't have the tendency to blare the music, you can find a cocktail waitress (occasionally, usually depends if you throw them a dollar or two followed by some banter) and you can convert your players club points into cash or use them to pay for your buffet, dinner at their one restaurant or pay for the things you don't need at their gift shop. On the local scale I give this a 2.5 out of 5 chips.

Next up, at number two Boulder Station Hotel and Casino . On the east side of the city it has local written all over it. It has the prime location sitting at 4111 Boulder Hwy. It was surprisingly hard to find something negative to say about the joint but of course I came through. Who would have though there would be a such thing as too many restaurants? Well they figured out a way. Their food court is more like a food avenue. All jammed together making you stand in awe and confusion. One person wants Italian while they other is eying Burger King. A fight ensues and you end up at The Feast. The Feast is their massive buffet that is very good, always hot but it has one major flaw. The price. Boulder Station has the atmosphere for the local but the price point of the tourist.

Enough of the negatives, here goes the positives. You can spend a whole day at there and go home not just happy ecstatic. From their dining to the movie theatre, a good time can be had by everyone if all ages. Not too many tourists walking slowly taking in the sights creating a traffic jam, drunks making everyone put down their rum and coke and grab a bottled water or cocktail waitresses acting as if you just ruined their day by asking for a drink. Boulder Station is one of the original casinos for locals and hopefully it stays that way. 3 out of 5 chips.

Last but certainly not least, Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall located at 5111 Boulder Hwy. It has it all. From a movie theatre to a brand new massive sports book, this casino knows how to give love to its locals. At their Sam's Town Live venue they show free WWE pay per view in which you would otherwise have to shell out some cash to order at home. Their Firelight Buffet is one of the best in town and their food court has everyone's favorites. At various times of the day they have laser shows that make you stop, “smell the roses” and be entertained by something so simple.

They have a happy combination of things for locals and tourists that works. It's never too crowded because of their vast selection of slots and video poker machines. Just one downfall. If you are there late at night and sitting near Roxy's, you just might hear the drunk karaoke going on. Very funny if you are in a great mood, very annoying if you are in mood anything less. Hard to give this place anything less than 4.5 out 5 chips. Hey, no place is perfect.

Vegas wouldn't be Vegas without some honorable mentions, so here we go. Arizona Charlie's Hotel and Casino, South Point Hotel and Casino, Silverton Hotel and Casino and all other Station Casino properties failed to make the list but still are awesome in their own way.

First, we will start with The WinterFest at the Henderson Events Plaza, this is a great place to take your kids. The official tree lighting ceremony is the biggest event, this is a free event so don't forget to stop by!

Next, make a stop at the Holiday Lights Tour. The City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department is hosting tours of the community's holiday lights in December. Registration is required, and can be made at any city recreation center or online at cityofhenderson.com/parks. Buses depart promptly at 6:30 p.m. from Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive. Passengers are asked to arrive at the recreation center by 6:15 p.m., and hot chocolate will be served. Many of the stops on the tour include homes and businesses participating in the Henderson Commemorative Beautification Commission's annual holiday decorating contest. This tour makes it easy for passengers to enjoy all the city lights have to offer. For additional information, call 267-5850.

Also, make a stop at the best holiday light display in town at 1054 Desert Olive Ct Henderson, Nevada 89015. This family goes all out on their house to give visitor a special experience. They have over 34,000 lights synchronized to music, via six computer controllers and transmitting on FM 94.9 as you drive by! Their website offers a sneak peak at what is to come, ‘With the 2007 Christmas Season quickly approaching, work has been underway to prepare our display for the 2007 season. This holiday season, we will be adding more colors to our display. Last year, the 2006 display primarily used multi and blue colored mini-lights. For 2007, we are going to remove the multi lights and add red and green along with more blues. Adding three separate colors allows us to make several different color patterns and provides more flexibility with color changes and effects.'

There will also be a huge GRS Holiday display at the Nevada Power Company's main lobby located at 6226 West Saraha Ave. This event is open to the public and free for everyone. It is completely indoors so drop by and brose around this huge indoor lighted display.

As you can tell there are plenty of holiday lights to see and you don't have to do it all in one night you have the whole month of December to look around! Enjoy you light display viewing!

Location

The hotel is located at 3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, which is on the strip and close to many other local attractions and sites in Las Vegas. The hotel is just 1 mile from McCarran Airport. To make a reservation call toll-free at 1-877-750-5464. The hotel is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The check in time is 3:00pm and the check out time is 11:00am.

Age Restrictions

As the Excalibur Hotel & Casino provides gambling facilities, guests must be 21 years of age or above to be able to book and check into a hotel room, even if the reason for the visit is for non-gambling purposes. Underage minors cannot book their own hotel room, but can only accompany their parents or other adults they are with at the time.

My husband and I have visited the Excalibur Hotel & Casino twice and stayed in it once. It was a good choice for a hotel, as it was close to so many sites on the strip and the inside of the Excalibur Hotel & Casinohad lots of great shopping opportunities and various eateries to choose from.

Rooms

There are almost 4,000 rooms in the Excalibur Hotel & Casino designed to suit different budgets and personal requirements. As you peruse the Excalibur Hotel & Casino site you will be able to view slide shows of the rooms available to give you a better idea of what you might like to book. You can choose from King, Queen, King Spa or Suites. 

Amenities

All of the hotel rooms offer basic services such as an alarm clock, cable TV, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, a shower and swimming pool access. However, there are no coffee pots, microwaves or cookers provided for guests to use. Although high-speed Internet access is available, it does not come for free. It costs $11.99 for 24 hours.

Recommendation

The Excalibur Hotel & Casino was a nice hotel to stay in. I am not a gambler, but I did appreciate the shopping facilities and there were some good restaurants to choose from. The hotel provided basic amenities and services. But the hotel can be quite expensive in the summer months and rooms can go fast, so it is best to check availability and book your rooms in advance.

The Excalibur is one of the cheapest hotels that you can stay in on the strip. This is one of the reasons most people choose to stay there. The rooms are average in size, and very clean for being over ten years old. They also have a large arcade in the basement to play in, so it also caters to families who are vacationing to Las Vegas. There are so many games to choose from in the arcade, that you can easily stay down there for a whole day and not be bored.

The Excalibur is also known for it’s great variety of food at reasonable prices. They have a food court located on the third floor with lots of places to choose from. You can get anything from Krispy Kreme’s to McDonalds and Quiznos. There are tons of places to choose from at the food court that it is sure to please the whole family. Also located on the third floor is a few novelty shops and the buffet. The buffet is one of the cheapest on the strip and is really great.

There are a couple of things about The Excalibur that I do not like. First of all, is the slot selection on the casino floor. It is a large casino, but I do not think that they have the variety of slots like most other casinos that are located on the strip. I believe the main reason for this is that they catered more towards families. Another thing I do not like about The Excalibur is it’s noise level. It is a very large hotel and casino and since it is inexpensive, it frequently packs up and there is tons of people.

There is a nice pool that you can relax for hours in the sun. The pool is large enough so you do not feel so crowded when it is busy. The Excalibur has a monorail that runs between it and The Luxor and Mandalay Bay. This is convenient when you are tired of walking so much. The best part about it is that it runs almost all of the time and it is free. Right across the street from The Excalibur is New York, New York. They have an arcade about twice the size as well as a roller coaster on top of the casino. You have tons of entertainment options within a small walk.

I recommend that you stay at The Excalibur Hotel and Casino for it’s value, and just for the fact that you can do so many things so close together. Las Vegas can be really overwhelming, and at The Excalibur there is so many things to see and do right out your doorstep.

Whatever we hear, it often makes us steer clear of endeavoring furthering into exploring whatever it may have to offer. Boulder City, Nevada is one such place I would never have thought I would enjoy visiting.

My thoughts about it have now changed. My parents live in this small city and I have been staying with them for a short visit. They live in a home that has a clear view of Lake Mead the beautiful body of water that is contained by the Hoover Dam.

Across the street from their backyard is a simple street that separates their home from a small park containing a small playground set for children, a tennis court and a baseball field.

Every morning three sets of sheep come bounding faithfully down the hill to graze upon the park's rich green grass, a piece of land that the Boulder City community keeps meaningfully watered as a conscious effort to bring tourists to the area to view the animals and bring in much needed economic dollars.

Quails, doves and hummingbirds readily visit their backyard, feed on their bird feeder and rest on tree branches. One evening I attempted to take a jog and was pleasantly greeted by wild jack rabbits that hopped and ran past me into the comforting landscape beyond my reach.

As the night fell faster, the stars shone brighter. Living in Los Angeles, California I had almost forgotten what the Big Dipper looked like. Leaning my head back, I could view the stars in the sky lucidly and wondered how I have gone so long without seeing them. The night air was fresh and the ambiance helped invigorate my soul.

Though the temperature is something you must get used to, I have developed an appreciation for the beauty that can be found in this small part of the world. It is simple here. My parents went to the bank and the employees knew their name. I don't know if I could ever live here as I love jogging and the extreme dry heat caused my throat to get sore within minutes, my skin to dry and crack without enough lotion, and my hair to develop static.

But I will never forget my experiences here and the beauty of nature that has thankfully been preserved in this quaint, special town.