Planning a Las Vegas trip? If so, then you need to plan your entertainment as well as all of your travel details. After all, there is simply too much to see and do in Vegas to get it all done in one trip, so you will need to pick and choose carefully.

One of the most spectacular shows to catch while you are in Las Vegas is the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. Phantom is always best when done in a semi-permanent location, as that chandelier drop is never quite as spectacular on a touring show. This version has never-before-seen special effects that will blow your mind.

“O” at the Belagio is a show you have to experience to truly understand. This Cirque du Soleil show occurs both under and above water, featuring talented acrobats and swimmers performing stunts that you are difficult to imagine, let alone perform. The artistry and athleticism combined in this show make it truly awe-inspiring. Keep in mind that the price is steep, so set aside some extra money in your budget for this one.

If you want to catch a great comedian-slash-impersonator, catch the new Danny Gans show at Encore Las Vegas. This talented performer will act, sing, impersonate, and simply entertain with his comedic antics. You will be surprised at how well a single performer can keep you entertained if you catch his act.

Blue Man Group at the Venetian is another popular show. No one really knows why bald, blue mutes are so entertaining, but entertaining they are. This is a family-oriented show and incorporates dance, music, rhythm, and an interesting type of humor into its entertainment package. Be forewarned, however, that there really is a “Poncho Section” where you could end splattered with all sorts of lovely things by the end of the show.

Finally, what is a trip to Vegas without a little magic show? If a great magician is your cup of tea, then head to Criss Angel Believe at the Luxor. Rest assured, however, that this is not a “little” magic show. This show pulls all of the stops, including players from Cirque du Soleil, plenty of show girls, dazzling lights, and, of course, the magic of Criss Angel himself. This is probably not a show for the kids, but it is a great choice for some adults who wish to be truly amazed and mystified.

If you are wondering what show to see in Vegas, be sure at least one of these five is on your list. However, no matter what you choose to see in Vegas, you will be entertained. It is not the entertainment capital of the world for no reason, after all!

Getting married in Las Vegas is the dream of many couples, and you do not have to be eloping or enjoying a whirlwind romance to experience this. Many couples choose to have a Las Vegas wedding so that they can enjoy the glitz and glamour of Vegas on their special day. If you want to have the perfect Vegas wedding, consider these tips.

First, choose a wedding planner. Since you will be planning your wedding long distance, a wedding planner will help things to go smoothly. You can talk over the phone and via email with your wedding planner to ensure that everything is perfect on your special day. The wedding planner can coordinate the caterer, bakery, chapel, musicians, and all of the other details of your special day.

Second, plan some extra time before the wedding to give yourself a chance to get the lay of the land and have a little fun. Many couples choose to have their bachelor and bachelorette parties while they are there.

Choose a date that is convenient for your guests. Valentine’s Day and New Years Eve are very crowded times in Las Vegas, and your out of town guests may find it difficult to find rooms to reserve. Also, consider getting married over a weekend or at the beginning or end of a work week to accommodate the travel needs of your guests.

Choosing the venue for your wedding is not going to be easy. Most of the major resorts have chapels available, and you can also choose one of the chapels that are not within a resort. The best option to keep things convenient for your guests is to have your wedding and reception at the same location. Talk to your wedding planner about the theme of your wedding, and you should be able to narrow down your choices to the best possible option.

Getting your dress to Las Vegas can be a challenge. If you want to buy your dress, you will need to carefully pack it and bring it on the plane with you. However, there are numerous places in Vegas where you can rent a wedding dress. This may be a more affordable option and will save you the hassle of carting the dress with you.

Do not forget to take the time to get your marriage license before the wedding. You have to do this in person at the County Courthouse, and you must provide proof of age. You do not have to wait for your license, but you do have to pay a $55 fee.

Of course, getting married in Vegas means anything goes. You can choose just about any theme for your wedding, from Star Trek to King Arthur. And what is the best part of getting married in Vegas? You do not have to travel far to enjoy your honeymoon!

When you travel to Las Vegas, where you stay is almost as important as what you do when you get there. If you are traveling to Las Vegas with kids, this is even more true. Some hotels are just not kid-friendly, and some make traveling to Vegas with kids an exceptional experience.

One of the best places to stay if you are traveling with kids is The Excalibur Hotel. This hotel looks like a medieval castle, and has many things for the kids to see and do. The rooms have 42-inch plasma TVs and comfortable pillow-topped mattresses, making the room cozy for everyone. The kids will love the Fantasy Faire Midway, where they can play carnival games, and the Court Jester’ Stage, which features kid-friendly entertainment like puppet shows and magicians. The Sherwood Forest Café is a great place for kids to eat, and the dragons outside the café just beg to be climbed on. The Excalibur Hotel has babysitting services, so the grown ups can enjoy the more adult-centered entertainment in the hotel and the other casinos nearby.

The New York, New York Hotel is another great option for families visiting Vegas. It looks like the New York skyline, yet sits on Las Vegas Boulevard. The rooms are spacious, providing your kids with plenty of room to play, and they are also more affordable than many other lodging options. You can dine in a replica of Times Square, and the kids will love the indoor/outdoor roller coaster that the hotel has.

The MGM Grand Hotel is another popular destination for families. MGM has its own lion habitat, so the kids will enjoy watching the king of the jungle in an African-like enclosure. The MGM Grand has a beautiful pool, so be sure to pack the swimming gear! The Las Vegas Monorail connects to the MGM Grand, so you can skip the taxis and use it to visit some of the other resorts. Your kids will love the ride!

Of course, a discussion of kid-friendly hotels would not be complete without a discussion of Circus Circus. This Las Vegas legend features a continuous live circus where kids can enjoy the antics of acrobats and clowns whenever they wish. Adventuredome is an indoor amusement park that the kids can explore. The hotel has affordable rates too, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers. The food is very kid-friendly as well, and the hotel even has a McDonald’s for the kids to enjoy.

If you are going to spend the money for a trip to Las Vegas, why not splurge a little bit more, or a lot more, and stay in one of Sin City’s most luxurious hotels? The Wynn Las Vegas is probably the one you want to choose. This is the only hotel in the world to receive the Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond awards, as well as two stars from Michelin. This is luxury at its finest, and it can be yours if you are willing to pay the price.

What will you find at Wynn? If you love to eat, you will love this hotel. There are numerous award-winning chefs employed by the restaurants found at Wynn. The SW Steakhouse, Italian Bartolotta restaurant, and Japanese Okada are just some of the dining options in this resort. If you are looking for truly authentic ethnic cuisine, you must dine in one of these restaurants.

You can also shop at the Wynn Las Vegas. Designer shops are scattered throughout the resort. You can choose to shop in stores carrying lines like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Oscar de la Renta. Some of the most prestigious names in fashion can be found in the Wynn.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Las Vegas resort without a casino, and the Wynn has a fun one. You can play slots, deal a round of poker, and enjoy numerous table games at this exciting casino. However, you will notice a slight difference between this casino and some of the others in Las Vegas. The Wynn is much more pristine and elite than its competitors, from the décor to the clothing of the staff who work the casino.

What about the accommodations? The Rooms at Wynn feel much more like home than a hotel. You will sleep on a pillow top mattress surrounded by 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, lounge on a comfortable couch with matching ottoman, and enjoy drinks on a dining table complete with matching chairs. Each room has a flat screen LCD high definition TV, cordless phone, and high-speed Internet access. Floor to ceiling windows are an important feature, as panoramic views of the city are enjoyed by every room. Be sure to spend some time in the bathroom, where you will be treated to Desert Bambu amenities, large, luscious towels, and a luxurious soaking tub and separate shower.  Everything at Wynn, from the gaming to the bed itself, is luxurious, and you will be thrilled with your stay.

Some consider this the best place to play golf in Las Vegas.  It is located on the west side of town and is usually pretty crowed so make sure and call ahead for tee times.  Fun and challenging this course has beautiful views and a great staff that will cater to your every need.  Not as pricey as most of the other courses in Vegas but just as nice.   When we play golf, this is where we go.

Location: 100 South Rampart Blvd.

Map: Click Here

Phone: 888-629-3929

What can I say…this chapel has it all.  World famous for such wedding as Bruce Willis/Demi Moore and Sinatra/Mia Farrow and at least a couple of Britney’s marriages.  This classic Vegas attraction is home to five different settings for tying the knot.  It’s located just north for the Vegas strip and if nothing else is worth a drive by.   Open 7am to Midnight this little Vegas gem has everything you need to get hitched including flowers, rings, gowns and witnesses.  Viva Las Vegas!

Location: 1301 Las Vegas Blvd. S

Map: Click Here

Phone: 800-545-8111

 Adventuredome is located at Circus Circus on the Vegas strip.  It is an indoor amusement park that is fun for the entire family.  They have roller coasters, carousel, carnival rides, clowns and a lot more.  This place is quite possibly noisier then most of the casinos in Vegas but it is good for the little ones if you are looking for something they can do.

Location: 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Map: Click Here

Phone: 800-424-7287 

 This tropical themed golf course is located just south of the Las Vegas Strip.  Not as big as some of the other courses in Vegas this one makes up for it with location and pro shop.  A little noisy at times because of the airport this course does not have a driving range.  Not a bad spot to shoot a couple rounds and get away from the gambling for a while.

Location: 5160 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Map: Click Here

Phone: 888-427-6678 

This amazingly fun roller coaster located at the New York-New York casino is a real heart stopper.  It falls some 150 feet while twisting and turning around the hotel.  If you are bored in Vegas and want to get your blood pumping stop on by this very fun and scary ride. We take a ride on this baby every time we visit Las Vegas on vacation.  Lines are sometimes long for this ride but it is well worth the wait.

Location: 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S

Map: Click Here

Phone: 702-740-6969

This total gamers arcade is locate on the Vegas strip. A great place to pass the time and enjoy things like billiards, pinball and the latest games from Sega, Sony, Nintendo, Capcom and others. At GameWorks they serve food and drinks but bring some cash as you will go through it quick in this video gamers mecca.

Location: 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S

Map: Click Here

Phone: 702-432-4363

The Lion Habitat in Las Vegas is located at the MGM Grand. The lions at the Grand are located behind glass so you don’t have to worry about the random dumb ass getting mauled because he got too close to them. And to our surprise they are quite docile unless it is feeding time. Quite the attraction as the display attracts many visitors, you are allowed to take pictures and listen to the pre-recorded roars.

Location: 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Map: Click Here

Phone: 702-891-1111

Many consider this golf course in Las Vegas the best British Open course in the US. This very fun course has huge bunkers, many rough spots and an English style castle and tavern. If you enjoy golfing this is one destination you do not want to miss. When you go ask for Nicole the bartender, she makes wickedly strong drinks

Location: 5995 Vegas Valley Drive

Map: Click Here

Phone: 702-450-8123

This is one of the best roller coaster in Las Vegas. Some say it’s the quickest roller coaster ride in the country. With a total ride of about 45 seconds it will be over before you know it. However it seems that everyone who rides it says the same thing “Wow, that way fast”. Be sure and check out this great ride located at the Sahara on your trip to Vegas.

Location: 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Map: Click Here

Phone:888-696-2121