The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Skypod - Las Vegas, NV

Introduction

The guide is meant to service roller coaster enthusiasts in the greater Las Vegas area. I won't be including general Las Vegas tips, or any less traditional thrill seeking activities you may find in Southern Nevada. We're going to hit roller coasters first and then move on to other theme park-like activities. I'll try to cover everything, but if I miss something let me know and I'll update this.
Welcome to Southern Nevada, the southern portion of the state with 0.05 roller coasters per 1,000 sq mi per RCDB. There's not a lot here, but there are a few memorable experiences that provide some credits and some entertainment to anyone. It's very possible to hit all of the credits in one day, but doing this may ruin the experience of some of these places. However, if you have some time in Vegas, and you'd rather have some thrill rides fill your day, here's what Southern Nevada has to offer.

Rollercoasters (From North to South)

Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix
Credits - 1
Transportation - Taxi, Uber, or Rental Car
This small attraction is a little family-centered Go-Kart experience with a small credit.
The coaster is a small little piece of work that serves as a credit at least. I have some fond memories of it from my childhood, but its nothing special. If you are bringing kids, about the ages 5-14, they'll enjoy this entire place, and its a nice escape from the relentless advertisement barrage that is the rest of the attractions.
Keep in mind, this is a good 30 minute drive away from the strip and therefire most of the hotels in town, so transportation can be inconvenient. If you really want the credit though, its still very possible to get there.
The Adventuredome
Credits - 2 (R.I.P. Miner Mike)
Transportation - Foot, Uber, Taxi
Ah, The Adventuredome. The infamous indoor amusement park on the strip. This place is good for almost all ages, and even as an adult, one can still find enjoyment here for some part of a day. Getting here is easy, but if you're walking and stayed at a hotel near the heart of the strip, it will be a significant walk. However, its totally possible to walk here even from the New York New York casino, where another major roller coaster resides.
Canyon Blaster - The one word I would use to describe this coaster is charming. Its surprisingly smooth and holds up well for its size. Its layout is a little unconventional, but the novelty of it weaving throughout the rest of the park is intriguing. As for seats, the front will give you the most out of the near miss elements, while the back gives you a surprising amount of force. However, the difference isn't enough for me and I prefer the front.Not the best coaster in the world, but for an indoor Arrow, its really good.
El Loco - For the most recent coaster to be added to the dome, S&S brought a fun little coaster that takes advantage of the space. In an indoor park, there's no room for air time or huge drops. What there is room for is lots of inversions and nausea. This coaster uses its space really well, and is actually very entertaining to sit and watch. Once again, the novelty of it all being inside is really effective, and if you go to the Adventuredome at night, you'll get a unique ride on this coaster that may be memorable. However, I am a relatively weak stomached person, and the coaster started to get my lunch up after 4 or 5 rides. I have talked to more average people in terms of vulnerability to nausea, and they say its fine for quite a few rides in a row. Just keep that all in mind if you find yourself in a position to marathon this thing. As for seats, there are only four, so my recommendation would be to try to ride in the front two, but it doesn't really matter. Overall, a neat coaster with a lot of novelty which uses its size and space really well.
There are a couple flat rides in the dome, such as a Zamperla Disco, Morgan's Chaos, and Morgan's Inverter. These are cool as well, and definitely unique as there are not many indoor attractions like these. Other than that, the rest of the park is kiddie rides and stores. The park is actually quite fun to just stroll around, as the decorations and rockwork really cover the whole park and give the done some charm. I wouldn't recommend eating in the park, and you can buy a wristband for all day and leave in the middle, so take advantage of that.
The Big Apple Coaster
Credits - 1
Transportation - Foot
Perhaps one of the most infamous coasters in the world and the last Togo built coaster in the United States, the Big Apple Coaster is an experience, I just can't say it's the best experience. The potential this coaster had was astounding, but the cheaply constructed final product leaves much to be desired. Getting here is very easy from almost every hotel on the Strip, and once inside just ask someone to direct you to the arcade and you'll be on your way. The casino floors are purposely confusion, so guidance may be necessary to find the thing.
The actual coaster is okay. I don't think its as bad as everyone says, and I'll try to make my case here. Just try to not wear the VR, as those goggles make this this as bad as everyone says. You can ask the attendant to omit you from the VR, but I can't guarantee anything. Anyway, here's my defense of this coaster if you're not wearing VR:
While the overall experience of this coaster may be slightly uncomfortable and jarring, the main takeaway from this coaster is the view of the strip and uniqueness that make this coaster especially memorable. Few coasters swoop over a crowded parking lot next to one of the busiest streets in the city. Few coasters give you aerial view of a bustling downtown entertainment epicenter. And few coasters are as memorable as this one. In fact, the uncomfortable restraints and unusual layout contribute to this overall memorability. I find the front row makes the ride a little less jarring, and if you can, a night ride is a really cool experience. Yes, the coaster may not be the best experience and give the best forces, but its a unique coaster that is worth at least a day ride and a night ride.
Buffalo Bill's Resort and Desperado
Credits - 1
Transportation - Uber, Rental Car
Driving all the way out to the border between Nevada and California will bring you to Buffalo Bill's Resort and the coaster that towers over it. It pretty much just the coaster out here, but this a motion simulator and I think a log flume, but I'm just going to cover Desperado. Getting out here is very troublesome, and its a good hour drive from the strip center. I would recommend renting a car and driving it out here for about half the day. Desperado is decent to marathon and I don't think I've ever waited for it.
The actual experience of Desperado is better than you may expect. It was actually my first coaster over 200ft, and as a hyper it stands up well enough. The air time is not great, but for a coaster in the middle of the desert its good enough. This coaster is really saved by how few people ride it; being able to ride it over and over is one of the best parts about it. Other than that, there's not much to say. Its okay, not great, kinda average. But in a state like Nevada, average is about all one can ask for.

Other Attractions

There are a couple other experiences that are in the same genome as theme parks. No credits here, but theme park goers may find some enjoyment from these places.
Wet n' Wild & Cowabunga Bay
These are the seasonal water parks servicing the Las Vegas area. They're not extreamly large, but for small parks they're a nice place to chill in the summer. You could easily spend all day at one of these and kids will enjoy they're time. The differences are not very many between these two. I find that, in general, Wet n' Wild is cleaner and better kept, so if you can only visit one from the strip, that would be my recommendation.
The Spring's Preserve
This is a large nature reserve and park which is not far from the strip. If you wan't an escape from the consumerism center of the strip, its a relaxing place. It very child-oriented, but it can be relaxing to just meander and explore. There are several buildings that act as museums and historical centers so if its a hot day, don't worry. Overall, a calm center just off of the downtown area that is nice and quaint.
The Stratosphere
Finishing off with actual thrills, the stratosphere is a tall building with four main attractions at the top. Here's the website from the building for pictures of all three thrill rides. All three of these rides are very crowd oriented and if you don't have any sort of fear of heights they're really just children's rides high in the sky. The view from the tower is nice and the other attraction, bungie jumping off top, is over priced for the experience. I would come up here if you really want to either see the view or hit the rides, other wise it will be a mundane and disappointing experience. I do have to sing the praises of the restaurant at the top. If you have the means to eat there, it's worth it.

Conclusion

Southern Nevada is not a thrill seeker's paradise, but the region does have some nice attractions and a handful of credits for coaster enthusiasts. If you're in the area and are interested in some non-night time activities, these might be for you. The future is not looking great for roller coasters in Southern Nevada, but who knows, some wealthy individual may just bring some thrills to this great desert.

I'm going in July and have done some research.
Plenty of this is from the sidebar, but other notes are from many of other sources.
The Vegas Degenerate Tour ( . ) ( . )
Things to do:

• Drugs
• Hookers
• Bellagio Fountains (free)
• Mirage Volcano Show (free)
• The lounge at the top of the Mandarin Oriental - Super Classy with amazing night time views, sexy patrons and great cocktails
• Wet Republic - Rent cabana 2 months in advance
• Las Vegas Helicopter Night Flight with VIP Transportation £65pp
• Grand Canyon Skywalk - Apparently Expensive and not that good - you have to take a bus to get there and it is $30 each. Go to Grand Canyon south instead.
• The Strip Gun Club Range
• Sapphires pool party - strippers pool party!!!
• Fremont Street Experience at night.
• Container Park, which is a few blocks east of the Freemont St. Experience, a 2 foot recycled steel praying mantis (acquired from Burning Man) spits giant fireballs to the beat of music A LOT. Lots of half naked men and women. LOTS (free)
• Ghost Bar at the Palms has amazing views. Check Groupon for deals. Happy hour 8-10pm
• Stratosphere rides
• Stratosphere bar at the top. Happy hour 2 hours after open
• High Roller observation wheel. Get a car with the open bar.
• Monte Carlo minus 5 Ice bar. Everything is made out of ice! Bar, glasses, seating - everything
• RiRa Irish bar with live music and good Guinness after 9pm
• The Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay, live music and amazing strip views
• Strip clubs: Spearmint Rhino, Hustler Club and Crazy Horse--those are our top 3 Rhino and Horse are high end and classy
• Top Golf location, just behind MGM. 5 levels of golf driving range, mixed with music, food and drinks. There are also 2 pools, free to use.#
• Dig This drive diggers and bulldozers.
• Spa in the ARIA is amazing with good treatments.
• Alibi show http://alibitheshow.com/ This experience throws the audience into an exciting adventure around the streets, restaurants, bars and other real-life locations on the Las Vegas Strip.
• BARE POOL AT MIRAGE: Go on Monday. At Bare, experience palm tree-enclosed seclusion as you relax and enjoy European-style sunbathing at Bare Pool at The Mirage. Read more https://jackcolton.com/las-vegas-dayclubs/bare-pool-mirage/
• Ride in a stuntplane! Actual vomiting everywhere http://www.skycombatace.com/
• Best price supercar rentals https://www.vegasluxuryrides.com
• Lake Mead boat rental boatbound.com
• Absinthe at Ceaser’s Palace amazing offensive comedy show http://www.ticketmaster.com/Absinthe-tickets/artist/802082
• There is so much free stuff going on up and down the strip though that you can just do all the free stuff and not spend a dime. From street dancers, people singing, or pictures with a grown dude wearing a diaper.
• Eclipse cinemas downtown for an over 21s only luxury cinema experience with cocktails and good food.
• The Linq promenade is a very nice area
• Treasures strip club: have a nice buffet and steak to go with your titty show http://www.treasureslasvegas.com/
• VooDoo Zipline at Rio Groupon $44 for two
• REAL BODIES at Ballys Groupon $35.50 for two

Tips:

• Hotel picker https://farm1.staticflickr.com/770/21800142824_6dddea1786_k.jpg
• $50 a night dining credit at ARIA somehow - research
• Do the $20 checking tip trick. Slip a $20 in between card and ID and ask to see if an upgrade is possible.
• Get player’s cards - sign up for the Player's Club (free) in each casino, they will usually give you some sort of incentive
• Buy water at a supermarket and keep at hotel
• Taxi from Airport request avoid the I-215 Airport Tunnel and go via Strip
• http://www.tix4tonight.com for tickets on the night
• Drinks are ALWAYS cheaper inside the casinos on Fremont than outside
• Harrah's has a "Million Dollar Pull" where you just go up and play a slot machine for free with the chance to win $1 million. Even if you don't win a million, you will always win something.
• If you want to go to top of the Stratosphere go to the desk to the right of the entrance and say you want to go to the bar. You won't have to pay the $15 to go to the top.
• Marketing manager for the Aria https://www.reddit.com/usetedistkrieg
• Have the clubs pick you up in their limos because all the cab/ubelyft/limo drivers get a kick back on anyone they drop off to the clubs and same with the VIP card guys! So if you don't use the free limo ... THE CLUB HAS TO CHARGE YOU A COVER!!! If you use the clubs FREE limo service they can sometimes wave that cover charge!! (that's like $20 a person!)
• Check for Groupon deals.
• Make sure you all download the Uber and Lyft app. Both offer new user signup credits. Free rides.
• A $400 Pre-Authorisation charge for resort fees and ‘amenities’ was taken as expected upon check in. I would recommend UK visitors to take a Cash Passport MasterCard (available in Thomas Cook and other travel agents)

Clubs

• Hosts contacts list for all major clubs: https://jackcolton.com/
• You can view hotel discounts at up to 30% as well as VIP table service for nightclubs at: www.VegasJames.com for strip clubs at: www.StripperKing.com
• XS Encore
• Hakkasan MGM
• Light inside the Mandalay Bay
• Tryst Wynn
• Vegas local youtuber and bouncehost Jacob Orth to hook us up with limo service to the Hustler club
• Places we personally recommend from experience:
• Hakkasan
• Omnia
• The Light
• XS
• XS does a nightitme pool party
• Gold Spike nightclub / hotel in Downtown is a bit more ‘Hipster’
• This list offers plenty more clubs to check out (many of which don’t require a cover).
• http://www.vegasvip.com/nightclubs.html

Food

• Alizé Tasting Menu - get groupon for discount £350 > $200
• Sage in the Aria has a highly rated tasting menu
• Aria buffet one of the best
• Joël Robuchon in MGM is crazy silly expensive but amazing food 16 course taster $425 each without drinks https://www.mgmgrand.com/en/restaurants/joel-robuchon-french-restaurant.html
• Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace a little cheaper 9 course tasting for $260/person or a $350/person 14 course tasting https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace/restaurants/guy-savoy#.WI8vkRuLTIU
• é by Jose Andres inside Jaleo inside Cosmo. Only 8 seats, reservations by email only ([email protected]) starting 3 months prior to the res date, 23 courses. $190/person(?) without alcohol pairing
• Raku in Chinatown does amazing 8/12 course tastings for $70/100 a person
• The tasting, or "seasonal discover menu" at L'Atelier is up to $165 per person
• Eiffel Tower restaurant is a Must for dinner!!!!!!!! Fantastic view of the strip
• Good steakhouses serve food at the restaurant bar and the bartender has seen some shit. So much more fun for a party up to three and the service is over the top.
• Delmonico's in Venetian at the bar. The cocktails and food were amazing.
• Mushashi's dirty show (Japanese steak with a naughty show for the girls.) Midnight to 4am happy hour.
• Secret Pizza. A secret pizza place. Needs research! Inside the Cosmopolitan
• Bachi Burger – also to reunite with a previous memory. I still think this is one of the top 3 burgers I’ve ever had. The oxtail chili cheese fries are recommended by others to be a “must”, but I personally prefer the truffle fries.
• Monta Ramen – I’m a huge ramen fan and I understood this was the –best- ramen place in Vegas.
• Sweets Raku – in the same complex as Monta Ramen. They have some neat desserts that they make right in front of you, lovely experience.
• Wicked Spoon Buffet at the Cosmo. Everything was really good and the deserts were awesome.
• Brunch @ Bacchanal Buffet, Caesar’s Palace – This was awesome! We had the groupon deal and it was impressively cheap. Midway through our meal they switched to their lunch menu so we got the best of both worlds there.
• Gordon Ramsey’s Burgr – onion rings were incredible. The burger was pretty good as well.
• Earl of Sandwich - I could seriously eat these every day.
• Studio B Buffet @ M Resort
• The "Heart Attack Grill" lets you eat free if you weigh over 350 pounds.
• Marriage Can Be Murder - This is a dinner / theater / murder mystery / whodunit show at the D downtown. Includes tasty food, extreme audience participation and likely embarrassment. You may be called upon to dance, or play a character in the murder mystery. Comes with tasty food, cocktails available.
• For dinner, I highly recommend BLT Steak House in Ballys Hotel and Red8 in The Wynn - if you are a food lover, BLT’s is particularly worth the extra!

Sex/Swingers Clubs (Or; no, you filthy pervert - what's wrong with you?)

• The Red Rooster http://www.yelp.com/biz/las-vegas-red-rooster-las-vegas
• The Green Door http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-green-door-las-vegas
• Couple's Oasis http://www.couplesoasis.com/main/

Drive:
Drive along east CA down US-395 and crossing over to Nevada after Death Valley is one of the greatest drives I have ever done.
Guides:

• https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/welcome-to-las-vegas-travel-guide-cityguides
• https://www.vegas.com/traveltips/
• http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Free-Room-in-Las-Vegas
• http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/tipping.cfm

Edited to include corrections.

A new tournament in the Heartland Poker Tour concluded this week and this time it was the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles in St. Charles, Missouri that acted as a gracious host. The land-based casino has attracted a great deal of poker fans, including some that usually participate exclusively in online tournaments. Unibet Poker members found it worthwhile to spend some time away from the virtual tables and sit down at real ones. They bring a wealth of experience from playing over the Internet and it is not surprising that some of them made it to the final table. Among those who brought a healthy stack to this late stage of the competition was Matt Culberson from St. Louis. 393 players pay the buy-in of $1650 for the main event, but only nine of them were still alive when the final table began. Matt was trailing chip leader Matt Cannella by plenty of chips, but he closed the gap separating him by the time the heads-up began. No deal was made and the winner took home almost $130,000, while the runners-up had to settle for less than $80,000. These are the final table results at the Heartland Poker Tour event: 1 Matt Culberson Lake St. Louis, MO $129,1472 Michael Ross Chicago, IL $78,3503 Jeffrey Brin Olathe, KS $52,4664 Ron Amos Quincy, IL $36,5925 Matt Cannella O'Fallon, IL $27,4446 Reginald Roberts Springfield, MO $21,5257 Joshua Turner St. Louis, MO $18,1888 Carl Masters Clarksville, TN $15,0679 Matthew Mueller Columbia, IL $12,915 There were dozens of tournaments scheduled throughout the year by the HPT and while most of them concluded some time ago, the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower is scheduled for November in Las Vegas. Below you can see the complete schedule of all Heartland Poker Tour events in 2014: Heartland Poker Tour Stratosphere Las Vegas, NV USAHeartland Poker Tour Ameristar Casino Vicksburg, MSHeartland Poker Tour Club One CasinoHeartland Poker Tour Daytona Beach Kennel ClubHeartland Poker Tour Thunder Valley Casino ResortHeartland Poker Tour Golden Gates CasinoHeartland Poker Tour Commerce CasinoHeartland Poker Tour Agua Caliente CasinoHeartland Poker Tour Ameristar Casino - East ChicagoHeartland Poker Tour Soaring Eagle Casino
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