Only in Vegas: Married by a Dead Guy

Gone are the days of weddings involving the local church, a handmade (or handed down) dress, and a reception featuring a meal prepared by the newlywed’s families.

In our age of conspicuous consumption, many couples are trying to keep up with the Kardashians by throwing massive weddings that more closely resemble spectacles than public declarations of love. And if the bride-to-be isn’t fortunate enough to be an event planner by trade, she have a hell of a time deciding between the seemingly endless array of vendors offering wedding-related goods and services to ensure the happy couple’s special day is tailored to reflect their credit card limits unique personalities.

But what if you don’t care to make thousands of mostly insignificant decisions about an event that will last 12 hours at the very most? What if you truly can’t muster up even an ounce of interest in the colour of the chair covers at the reception, whether the invitations are embossed or debossed, or how many tiers the cake features? What if you just want to dress up in your fancy clothes, say a few words, put on your new ring, and get your party on?

In a word, the answer is Vegas. Continue reading

Only in Vegas: Bowling is Such a Drag

You know how bowling is kind of lame? I mean, it’s fun when you’re playing it and winning, but you hesitate suggesting it to your friends because they might get all judgy and think you’re a dork? Well, that isn’t the case anymore! As per usual, Vegas has figured out a way to make bowling not only cool, but awesome! And all it took was 22,000 square feet presided over by 24 of the country’s best drag queens.

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Only in Vegas: Not What the Doctor Ordered

Riddle me this: where can someone tipping the scales at 350 lbs (or more) eat for free in Vegas? Why, at the Heart Attack Grill of course! But before you order that free meal, you’ll have to prove you’re worthy by getting on the cattle scale outside the restaurant.

Yep, you read that correctly. And it gets better. Continue reading

Only in Vegas: Paying to Cheat Death

Unless the building was on fire, it’s highly unlikely that you would ever willfully fling yourself off a skyscraper. That choice would be even more improbable if you were told you had to pay for the pleasure of such a ridiculous act. But none of that holds true in Las Vegas, where vacationers eagerly pay the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower a pretty penny to strap themselves in to some of the most outlandish rides ever created.

With only four rides to choose from, at first glance you might think that’s pretty weak by Vegas standards. But once you figure out how mind-blowing each of these over-the-top attractions is, you’ll quickly realize the error of your first impression. Here’s a breakdown of the ways you can seek some serious thrills at the top of Stratosphere: Continue reading

Only in Vegas: A Quirky Series

Since the first time I spotted the Strip from the window of an airplane, I have been irrationally and inexplicably enamored with all that Sin City has to offer. One of the ways I can gauge the passage of time is by my desire for a quick trip to Vegas…the longer it has been, the stronger the pull.

After an absence of six months or so I start to daydream about splitting two aces at a blackjack table in Bill’s Gambling Hall, hunting for bargains at the Fashion Show Mall, and sipping a Spanish Trampoline at the Mirage’s Rhumbar. I know it sounds a little crazy, but everyone has their happy place and Vegas happens to be one of mine. Even my love for Vegas has boundaries though, and I’m convinced that spending any longer than three days at a stretch on the Strip is a leading cause of insanity. All good things in moderation, right? Continue reading

Some of My Matchbooks are About to Become Collectable…

The good news is that a few of my matchbooks will likely be worth millions in a few days. The bad news is that’s because O’Sheas Casino is closing on April 30, 2012. Hopefully you’ve already heard this disheartening news elsewhere, as I hate to be the first one to break it to you. If not, please accept my apologies.

The Strip currently has precious little room for places of O’Sheas’ calibre, and I think that is the biggest travesty of its closure. Although we all go to Vegas for different reasons, you have to admit that sometimes you just want to wander into a casino that allows you to do whatever the hell you want regardless of how you’re dressed, what you’re drinking, how much you’re betting, or what show you’re going to see that night. Continue reading