If there’s one thing that gets hearts racing around the Riviera, it’s NASCAR! We love our favorite thrill sport, and we at the Riviera are so excited to be hosting an exclusive Driver Autograph Session on Saturday, March 9 along with a winning special package. But more on that in a moment….
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in Vegas
March 8 – 10, 2013, starting at 8:30 a.m. daily Las Vegas Motor Speedway
7000 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV – Map
March sees an event we’ve been spinning our wheels over for months: NASCAR Weekend. We’ve been driving ourselves crazy with anticipation! Well, maybe not that bad, but we’ve been thoroughly excited to see our favorite drivers – like Jeffrey Earnhardt and Danica Patrick – tackle the multiple courses at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in races including the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Spring Cup Series, the Sam’s Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series and Stratosphere Pole Day.
As always, spectators have a lot to look forward to: not just thrilling, pulse-pounding races, but also special events like the Neon Garage. The Neon Garage gives fans an opportunity to see their favorite drivers up close while the race teams work on their cars; true to the spirit of Vegas, the Neon Garage courtyard will also feature live entertainment all weekend.
Driver Autograph Session at the Riviera
March 9, 2013 from 7 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.
Near Le Bistro Lounge at the Riviera Hotel & Casino
The Riviera is hosting a meet-and-greet with all of your favorite drivers – like Austin Dillon, Jeffrey Earnhardt, David Ragan, David Gilliland and more. You’ll find no better opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the brightest stars of the racing circuit. We’re also excited to feature Sam Bass, the first officially licensed artist of NASCAR.
Plus, you’ll be able to pick up some great merchandise at Rudy’s (in the hotel lobby) and at the Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports charity auction, which will include die cast cars autographed by luminaries like Danica Patrick, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and others. Proceeds will benefit Jeff Gordon’s Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and other charitable organizations.
3-Night Stay NASCAR Package
The best way to take advantage of this special event is with an unbeatable special package from the Riviera: a 3-night stay, 2 wristbands to the autograph session, 2 tickets to the March 10 race (with transportation included … for only $650. Now that’s a winning deal – book here!
Temperatures are finally starting to pick up (with an average high temp of 69 F and average rainfall of less than half an inch) and so are the hot activities going on at the Riviera and around town! Plus, we’ve already got our eyes on summer, and we’ve got a scorching deal for you: read below about a special room rate we’re offering for early birds.
Two true icons of comedy, the Riviera is proud to present Steve-O and Tom Green as “The Original Pranksters” in a hilarious show in March. Get your tickets now!
All Month: March Madness
How could we not start with March Madness: we love this exciting time in basketball! (It’s also a bettor’s paradise, what with 16 games per day for the first two days.)
March 11 – Selection Sunday, where the brackets are revealed
March 19 & 20 – First Four, where four teams duke it out for the final spots in the tournament
March 28 to 31 – Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight, as the tournament really gets going
(April 6 & 8 – Final Four, when the last teams fight for survival to play for the National Championship)
Join us at the Riviera’s own sports bar, Le Bistro Bar, to catch all the action on our jumbo HDTVs.
Neighboring Henderson, NV will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, beginning on March 14, at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 Water Street. This year’s parade theme will be The Harp and the Shamrock. Altogether, the festival will offer a carnival, car show and live entertainment in addition to the parade.
If you’d rather celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with a pint, try hitting some local Irish pubs.
Hennessey’s Tavern – www.hennesseyslasvegas.com – at 425 Fremont Street. Try the “World’s Largest Pint” at a great pub that favors the “traditional cozy or clubby feel indigenous to Irish pubs.” For the special occasion, you might try their Southern Irish Tenders, or signature seasoned, breaded chicken.
McMullan’s Irish Pub – www.mcmullansirishpub.com – at 4650 W. Tropicana. This award-winning pub features an amazingly extensive selection of Irish Whiskeys and Scotches, just the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.
We just featured the best pizza in Las Vegas last month; now, Vegas will be hosting the Annual International Pizza Expo. While the event is aimed at pizzeria owners and operators, it features several events that draw crowds – like the World Pizza Games ® and the International Pizza Challenge ®. The latter challenge is divided into four divisions: traditional, non-traditional, American-pan and Italian-style. Competitors must use ingredients from a common table, including one mystery ingredient.
At its heart, this is the event that inspires many pizzerias in developing and offering new flavors, recipes and presentations. And if you think pizza is just pizza, obviously you’ve never gotten into an impassioned argument about the key differences between Roman, Neapolitan, New York, Chicago, and other style pies!
Are you a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder? Then you have automatic free admission the first full weekend each month to several museums and attractions in the Las Vegas area.
Participating museums in the BofA program include:
Vegas celebrates its arts community the first Friday of every month. It’s a fun and family-friendly event that includes artists, vendors and activities. It’s also free, but you may want to bring along some cash if you plan on purchasing any art or taking advantage of the many, many food trucks. The celebration also usually features multiple live bands and live performance “paintings.” It’s one of our favorite events to take the family, get away from the Strip for an evening and discover a cornucopia of artisans specializing in all kinds of media, like painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more.
For more information about getting there and what it includes, visit their website.
Heads Up: Electric Daisy Carnival
June 21 to 23, 2013
Four months might seem awfully far in advance to mention this stellar event, but considering the EDC is the largest dance music event in the nation, you don’t want to delay making your travel arrangements. The Riviera is offering added incentive to make your plans early: 25% off our already unbeatable room rates. Book now.
February in Vegas teases that Spring is just around the corner, with an average high temperature of 63 F. But watch out for early morning and late night chills, with an average low near freezing (34 F). So you might want to skip that early round of golf in favor of a pleasant afternoon outing! Wind will still be cool, so you might want to keep a jacket with you.
Matching the weather, February is full of cool events in the area; but to offset the chill, we’ve got a hot deal for you. Read below about a special room rate we’re offering for early birds.
Join us at the Riviera’s own sports bar, Le Bistro Bar, where we’ll be watching the first Super Bowl to ever pit head coaching brothers against each other: John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens and Jim Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers will be duking it out on the field. Oh, to be a fly on the wall of their next family dinner.
The Ravens are making their second Super Bowl appearance; this is the sixth time for the 49ers, who are in fact favored by 4½. If they win, they’ll tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins. Watch the game unfold on our jumbo HDTVs.
Entry is free; for $40 you’ll get all-you-can-drink domestic beer and well drinks.
Two true icons of comedy, the Riviera is proud to present Steve-O and Tom Green as “The Original Pranksters” in a hilarious new show in February. Get your tickets now!
The perfect follow-up to Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, which closed last month: all month in February, Springs Preserve is showcasing a special exhibit about crime-solving insects. This is a traveling exhibit that’s been hugely popular at other venues, like the Museum of the Rockies and the New York Hall of Science. Especially great for kids, it explores how insects can help solve crimes through “forensic entomology.”
If you’re a Bank of America cardholder, you might try to visit on February 2 or 3, when you get free admission (see below for more details).
Are you a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder? Then you have automatic free admission the first full weekend each month to several museums and attractions in the Las Vegas area.
Participating museums in the BofA program include:
Vegas celebrates its arts community the first Friday of every month. It’s a fun and family-friendly event that includes artists, vendors and activities. It’s also free, but you may want to bring along some cash if you plan on purchasing any art or taking advantage of the many, many food trucks. The celebration also usually features multiple live bands and live performance “paintings.” It’s one of our favorite events to take the family, get away from the Strip for an evening and discover a cornucopia of artisans specializing in all kinds of media, like painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more.
For more information about getting there and what it includes, visit their website.
Heads Up: Electric Daisy Carnival
June 21 to 23, 2013
Four months might seem awfully far in advance to mention this stellar event, but considering the EDC is the largest dance music event in the nation, you don’t want to delay making your travel arrangements. The Riviera is offering added incentive to make your plans early: 25% off our already unbeatable room rates. Book now.
January is definitely a chilly time to visit Vegas, with lows in the 30s and an average high temperature of 57 F. Which makes it the perfect time to get cozy in our casino and just have fun playing some games, followed by a show or two. If you’d like to get out of the city for a spell, consider a tour of Hoover Dam or a visit to Springs Preserves before their special show, Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders, closes.
At the Riveria Casino and Hotel in January
ILLUSIONS Starring Jan Rouven
If the cold weather has left you shivering, warm up with one of the hottest shows on the Strip: ILLUSIONS Starring Jan Rouven. We highlighted this show back in October, and with death-defying acts like the Fire Spiker, this is a spectacle that’s sure to chase the chill away.
Crazy Girls
Still looking to heat things up? Look no further than Vegas’ sexiest topless revue, Crazy Girls. Their sizzling performance blends beauty, music and comedy in the perfect proportions.
The International CES is “the world’s largest annual innovation event.” In other words, it’s the place to check out new products and gadgets, like the newest in 3D TV sets or gaming systems. Unfortunately, tickets can be hard to come by, as the show isn’t open to the public. But considering the show brings with it some 150,000 attendees, even if you’re not one of them, chances are good you’ll run into some pretty cool CES folks out-and-about in the area.
Our annual celebration of MLK Jr. helps keep Dr. King’s dream alive in the Las Vegas community. The 2013 theme is “Living the Dream: Dream with a Vision, Live with a Purpose.” The parade is a wonderful way to join in; it starts at Fourth Street, from which it heads north to Ogden. Other events in the weeklong celebration of Dr. King’s life include an Annual Scholarship Gala. Visit the website for more details.
Catch it while you can: this special exhibit will be closing mid-month. Where else can you experience the luminous horror of scorpions that glow in the dark or the terrifying goliath bird-eating tarantula? Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders showcases marvels of the insect (and arachnid) world in an old-fashioned circus-style sideshow. In all seriousness, it’s truly spectacular to witness the sheer diversity of the just-plain-weird lifeforms that call our planet home.
If you’re a Bank of America cardholder, you might try to visit on January 5 or 6, when you get free admission (see below for more details).
Are you a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder? Then you have automatic free admission the first full weekend each month to several museums and attractions in the Las Vegas area.
Participating museums in the BofA program include:
Vegas celebrates its arts community the first Friday of every month. It’s a fun and family-friendly event that includes artists, vendors and activities. It’s also free, but you may want to bring along some cash if you plan on purchasing any art or taking advantage of the many, many food trucks. The celebration also usually features multiple live bands and live performance “paintings.” It’s one of our favorite events to take the family, get away from the Strip for an evening and discover a cornucopia of artisans specializing in all kinds of media, like painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more.
For more information about getting there and what it includes, visit their website.
New Year’s Eve in Vegas is explosive! Literally: hotels along the Strip will launch fireworks from their rooftops for the crowds on the street to enjoy. And that doesn’t even begin to count the myriad shows and parties across the city. Here’s the Riviera’s guide to unforgettable New Year’s Eve 2012 happenings in Sin City.
It’s Hammer Time at the Riviera! Get your New Year’s party started early by spending an evening with two iconic performers: MC Hammer and Tone Loc, who will be hosting New Year’s festivities on December 30. Who doesn’t remember, even two decades later, MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” performed in those memorable parachute pants? (See the bottom of this post for a blast-from-the-past video.) He’ll be joining us for a rocking good time, proving that he’s “Too Legit to Quit.” He’ll be joined by Tone Loc, a hip-hop star in his own right, best known for his Grammy-winning hit “Wild Thing.”
December 31: Exciting New Year’s Shows!
They say your choice of activity on New Year’s Eve indicates what you’ll spend the next year doing. If that’s so, the Riviera has got you covered. You can spend the evening laughing (at the Riviera Comedy Club) or awestruck (by the magic of Jan Rouven).
For another option — or perhaps a place to take the party before or after the shows above — just head out our front door. The Las Vegas Strip is actually one of the coolest places to ring in the New Year. Last year, Fireworks by Grucci of New York launched a show from the roofs of numerous casinos, making for an amazing, explosive light show that lasted nearly 10 minutes and included over 56,000 explosions!
Las Vegas Blvd. closes to traffic around 6 p.m., so the few hundred thousand pedestrians expected to attend can get the party started. The people-watching rivals any major holiday, including Halloween, with enthusiastic revelers filling the Strip. The atmosphere is simply electric. Tip: alcohol could be surprisingly hard to come by, partly due to the sheer wall of people, partly due to the fact that many people will start their party as early as noon.
Like the Riviera (above), the Fremont Street Experience is also giving partiers a chance to start early. The fifth annual, two-day TributePalooze begins on December 29. As the name implies, the festival hosts tribute bands who play homage to rock greats like the Rolling Stones, U2, Bon Jovi, Queen, Led Zeppelin and more.
Then on New Year’s Eve proper, starting at 6 p.m., you can rock in the New Year at the Fremont Street Experience’s New Year’s Eve Party. They’ll be featuring some amazing musical talent, like Buckcherry, Queensryche and a ton of local favorites. The event will also include a cool 2012 retrospective on the huge Viva Vision screen. Midnight will see a synchronized fireworks show.
Tickets start at $30 per person if purchased early; 21 and over only.
In the mood for something totally different? CollectiveZoo will be hosting “A Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve” at Sky Combat – The Hangar (a very cool location often used for private parties). Tickets are a bit pricey — $89 is the cheapest, as the early-bird special for General Admission — but they’ll get you partying in the two private airplane hangars, with a big band and a 7-hour open bar. Dress formally: tuxedos and 20s-style flapper dresses.
If you’ll be spending the 2012 holidays with us, you’re in for a treat! Vegas virtually transforms into a holiday theme park during the holidays. As the various resorts and casinos decorate, even a simple walk down the Strip becomes a quaint and charming stroll through a wintry wonderland. Moreover, you’ll find plenty of holiday activities and events to get you and your whole family in the season’s spirit!
Here are some of our favorite holiday activities — some secular, some specific to Christmas and others Hanukkah-oriented. But these are just a sampling: we suggest you check with our concierge during your stay for more information on holiday happenings in the area.
We already mentioned the Magical Forest as a fun way to welcome the holiday season on Thanksgiving, but it bears repeating: this place is a holiday marvel. Millions of holiday lights, entertainment, displays, rides, food and more create a fantastically fun experience. All proceeds benefit people with disabilities at Opportunity Village.
Note: the Magical Forest will be celebrating Hanukkah with a special event on December 9. See below for more details.
We’re already great fans of Springs Preserve, and when they do it up big for the holidays? Yeah, we’re there. Their Holiday Spectacular is one of their signature annual events, and it’s a feast for the senses. They create an amazing experience out (eco-friendly) LED lights, holiday treats, crafts, “reindeer” (pony) rides, and more. They’re also hosting a snowman building contest; even if you don’t participate, you can enjoy others’ artistry along the Snowman Stroll.
On Sunday, December 16, the Holiday Spectacular will showcase a Posada, a Mexican Christmas tradition with song, dance, a candlelit procession, pinatas, and traditional food. The celebration will conclude with the tradition of Three Wise Men Day.
Ethel M Chocolate Factory (Free)
2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, NV 89014 [Map]
November 14, 2012 through January 1, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (lights nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.) http://ethelschocolate.com
The Ethel M Chocolate Factory will be celebrating its 19th Annual Holiday Cactus Garden this year. In addition to a gorgeous and elaborate light display in their 3-acre cactus garden, guests will also find chocolate art in the shapes of Santa, reindeer, chocolate houses and more.
Town Square Las Vegas (Free)
6605 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89119 [Map]
Town Square Las Vegas is the perfect place to combine some holiday shopping with a holiday-themed experience.
Local community groups will perform every Thursday night before Snow in the Square. Performances will vary and include everything from choirs to holiday musicals enacted by local students.
Snow in the Square
November 16, 2012 through December 23, 2012
Daily at 7 p.m., with an additional 8 p.m. show on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Missing the snow? This is the place to hit. Each snow-show lasts ten minutes, choreographed to classic holiday music.
Las Vegas Natural History Museum Presents Holiday Traditions Around The World
900 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101 [Map]
Each weekend from December 1, 2012 through January 6, 2013 http://lvnhm.org
Each weekend through the holiday season, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum will offer special displays and programming to explore a diverse set of traditions.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway transforms into a glittering marvel of lighted displays (all eco-friendly LED lights) accessible by car and benefitting numerous children’s charities. Tip: hit the restroom before you enter the fabulous Avenue of Trees.
If you read our other post on non-holiday December events in Vegas, you know something big — really big — happens this time of the year round these parts: the National Finals Rodeo. If you’re in town for that event and you’d like to sneak in some holiday cheer, you’re in luck. the 2012 NFR Cowboy Christmas Gift Show showcases the best of unique cowboy gifts from hundreds of vendors. The Convention Center is also only a 15-minute walk from our hotel.
Hanukkah & Jewish Events
Light of Life Menorah and Wine Walk ($)
Magical Forest at Oportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89146
Sunday, December 9, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM http://www.jfsalv.org
The Jewish Family Service Agency is sponsoring a special menorah lighting at the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village. Along with the candle lighting, they’re also holding a Wine Walk there.
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Bagel Ball is our answer to New York’s Matzo Ball: a giant party for Jewish singles on December 24. Our suggestion: get there early if you want to get your drink on. The open bar switches to a cash bar at 11 p.m.
December is a lovely time to visit Vegas, with cooler temperatures that remain mild compared to much of the country (with an average high of 58 F, low 34 F and .38” of rainfall). Special events and decorations abound thanks to the holidays, and Vegas celebrates some wonderful annual events — like the Las Vegas Marathon and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The cooler temperatures may encourage you to stay indoors, and this is a great time of year to spend some quality time having fun in the Riviera casino, or seeing our great shows (more on that below). For the hardier souls, you might try a day trip to Mt. Charleston.
At The Riviera Casino and Hotel in December
Jamey Johnson
December 14, 2012 at 10 p.m.
We’ll be highlighting Jamey Johnson in an upcoming post on our blog, but let us just emphasize how thrilled we are to host the acclaimed country singer-songwriter on his tribute tour to the legendary Hank Cochrane. Get tickets here.
Trace Adkins
December 15, 2012 at 10 p.m.
Our excitement to see Jamey Johnson is matched only by our enthusiasm for Trace Adkin’s upcoming performance on his “Songs and Stories Tour.” He’ll be performing both classics from his ten studio albums and thirty chart singles, and newer songs his latest album “Proud To Be Here.” Get tickets here.
Boogie Nights
December 29, 2012
The Boogie Nights is a 70s Disco Cover Band, performing music by KC & The Sunshine Band, Rose Royce, The Bee Gees and more. The party begins at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $10 plus taxes and fees. All proceeds from ticket sales benefit Public Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support public education through initiatives, programs and promising practices. In support of teachers in the Clark County School District, anyone with a CCSD ID will gain free entry into the Boogie Knights concert.
MC Hammer
December 30, 2012
Two highly entertaining rappers from the 1980s and 90s take the stage as MC Hammer, whose smash hits include “U Can’t Touch This,” “2 Legit 2 Quit” and “Pray,” is joined by Tone Loc, with his distinct voice and chart-topping hits, “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.” Special guest Jimmie “JJ” Walker from Good Times will emcee the event.
Running along the Strip and through downtown, the Las Vegas Marathon presents one of the few opportunities to see the Strip closed to traffic. The course is mostly flat, making it ideal for runners of all levels. The race starts at the Luxor Festival Lot. For downloadable maps and information on entering the marathon, visit the website.
Thousands of rodeo enthusiasts descend on Vegas each December for this 10-day event; it’s also the reason you find so many country music stars performing in town, like Trace Adkins and Jamey Johnson. Meanwhile, the rodeo showcases the top 15 contestants in fun and strenuous events like bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
The NFR is a huge event each year. In fact, if you don’t already have tickets, you might find them hard to come by. Luckily, their website has a ticket exchange system that allows people to sell and buy tickets.
Vegas hosts two different gun shows this month, each showcasing an incredible selection of guns from popular manufacturers like Colt, Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer and more. They also present excellent opportunities to buy, sell or trade high quality used guns and supplies. Visit the websites for more information and ticket prices.
Vegas celebrates its arts community the first Friday of every month. It’s a fun and family-friendly event that includes artists, vendors and activities. It’s also free, but you may want to bring along some cash if you plan on purchasing any art or taking advantage of the many, many food trucks. The celebration also usually features multiple live bands and live performance “paintings.” It’s one of our favorite events to take the family, get away from the Strip for an evening and discover a cornucopia of artisans specializing in all kinds of media, like painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and more.
For more information about getting there and what it includes, visit their website.
Are you a Bank of America debit or credit cardholder? Then you have automatic free admission the first full weekend each month to several museums and attractions in the Las Vegas area.
Participating museums in the BofA program include:
About to find yourself in Vegas over the Thanksgiving holiday? Here’s a plan for a great Thanksgiving at the Riviera Hotel & Casino.
Start the day off right: The Life Time Fitness Turkey Day 5K
November 22 at 8 a.m.
Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd.
An annual event since 1989, participants can run, walk or jog the 3 mile course, which tours historic downtown Las Vegas. A party immediately follows the race. The cost of registration starts at $25.
A word to the wise: This 5K first came to Vegas just last year, and let’s just say that organization was not its strength. It was still a fun race, but the event itself wasn’t so much on track (i.e., when it came to picking up packets, getting started on time, etc). The official website doesn’t even mention Las Vegas! But the 2012 downtown Las Vegas race is stillbeing advertised.
R Steak and Seafood, the Riviera’s celebrated steakhouse, is offering a special prix fixe Thanksgiving menu. The four-course meal includes a choice of roast turkey or Maple Baked ham, plus a bevy of delicious side dishes like orange cranberry sauce, sausage and chestnut stuffing and green beans almandine.
Or, you might opt for a Thanksgiving meal at The Riv Buffet. The enormous buffet will include a carving station for turkey and ham along with a huge selection of other entrees, side dishes and desserts.
Be thankful by giving back while having fun: Magical Forest at Opportunity Village
Opportunity Village is a Las Vegas-based nonprofit for the disabled. Each year, they host the Magical Forest, a multi-acre fest that features holiday entertainment and displays, rides, food and gifts. The holiday decorations – including millions of holiday lights and hundreds of beautifully adorned trees – are spectacular. Guests can further enjoy an antique carousel, a holiday-themed Forest Express Passenger Train, mini-golf, Twas the Night Before Christmas in 3D and more.
This year, Magical Forest opens on November 21 and runs through January 6, 2013. Tickets start at $9. All proceeds benefit people with disabilities at Opportunity Village.
Bring your magical day to a close with the perfect show: ILLUSIONS with celebrated magician Jan Rouven. We recently highlighted this amazing show on our blog, and Thanksgiving is the perfect day to check it out. Jan’s exciting brand of magic tricks will keep you on the edge of your seat and bring to a perfect end to a perfect Thanksgiving Day at the Riviera.
We don’t want to brag, but Vegas has no shortage of monsters and creeps. Haven’t you seen Casino? But we digress: if you were spooked that being in Vegas on October 31 meant you’d miss out on the Halloween fun, you haven’t yet learned that Vegas takes every opportunity to go wild. Indeed, there are so many Halloween events and attractions throughout the area, around every dark corner and behind every unsuspecting façade, that Vegas is just to die for on the scariest night of the year. You could pick no better place to haunt.*
Here’s a sampling of some of the many sublime Halloween treats, some family-friendly and others not-for-kids, for you to savor during your stay in Vegas.
* Disclaimer: To our knowledge, no one has actually died in our Halloween festivities. But we keep trying.
Haunted Vegas Tour (All ages)
Nightly at 9:30 p.m.
Tour starts at the Royal Resorts near the Las Vegas Strip on Convention Center Drive
Here’s a good place to start: Vegas has more than its fair share of grisly deaths, unsolved murders and tragic celebrities who never left town. Here’s your chance to see how what happens in Vegas … really stays in Vegas. As one of the guides has said, “Many of them have not left the building.”
This two-and-a-half-hour tour, which starts just a ten-minute walk from the Riviera, will take you to all the hot spots sure to give you the chills. One thing we like about this tour: it’s not cheesy. The guides have selected hauntings that have been researched and featured in studies and specials on stations like the Discovery Channel. As a result, the tour is of as much historical interest as paranormal.
Interesting tidbit: one of the guides is also a professional mortician. Good to know, just in case you die of fright along the way.
This is the perfect opportunity to practice for the zombocalypse. It’s an easy 5k and 1-mile run/walk with a twist: zombies. Every runner will carry flags (like flag football), which the zombie minions will target. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: survive. If you lose your flags, you’ll join the zombie ranks among the undead. But at least you’ll get some exercise in the process.
Tickets start at $40. All proceeds benefit local charity Generation Vegas.
The streets of Town Square will transform into a haunted Halloweenscape for one night only. Retails and restaurants will be passing out candy to wee trick-or-treaters, with additional games and activities throughout the area. You might check out Town Scary before heading over to the Las Vegas Halloween Parade (below).
Free and open to all ages: The Las Vegas Halloween Parade has been steadily gaining steam – last year’s drew more than 12,000 participants and spectators – and its third year promises to be its best yet. Activities and attractions cover the gamut, including elaborate floats and parade cars, giant puppets, music, dance – and, of course, costumes. This is one of the best spots to check out some of the most creative, elaborate costumes you’ll see in Vegas – and if you brought your own, it’s your key to joining the parade! Plus, you can participate in a costume contest (registration begins at 5 p.m. the day of the parade). Award categories include: best group costume, best illuminated costume, best Vegas costume and best baby costume ages 0-10.
Map of the parade route, courtesy of thelasvegashalloweenparade.com
We’ve already introduced you to Bonnie Springs Ranch. Built in 1843 as a wagon stopover, Bonnie Springs is just 25 miles out of town. And from mid-October through Halloween, it transforms into a ghost town in the best tradition of the Old West. With haunted houses, entertainment and a ghostly train ride, this is a wonderful outing for families or those not quite up to the R-Rated attractions elsewhere. Visit the website for more information.
We introduced you to Springs Preserve back in April; it’s one of our favorite getaways, one that explains at a glance why Las Vegas (Spanish for ‘the meadows’) earned its name.
In October, it transforms into the Haunted Harvest, a fun themed carnival featuring a haunted house, trick or treat stations, games, entertainment and more. Additionally, the Springs Café will stay up late with a special menu of spooky treats. Tickets start at $5, no reservations required.
Goretorium is the brainchild of Eli Roth, director of horror movies “Hostel” and “Cabin Fever.” The huge and intricate haunted house tells the story of the mythical hotel and casino, The Delmont, and of the guests who never left. The $10 million, 15,000 square foot attraction has pulled out all the stops, creating an interactive, multisensory experience that will leave hearts racing and screams ringing in your ears. It’s also gruesome: this is not a destination for kids. Just how scary is it? According to CEO Robert Frey, “We don’t think most people will make it through. That’s our goal.”
This one can get a bit intense, so we don’t recommend it for children. Can you tell the difference between real and wax? Don’t be so sure. Madame Tussauds’ “After Dark” adventure will put your perception and courage to the test.
The Trilogy of Terror presents three mature haunts in one location:
Gates of Hell: the trilogy’s pièce-de-résistance and the only R-rated Haunted House in Nevada, the Gates of Hell is “a sadistic experiment in absolute sensory overload” culminating in a face-to-face with the Prince of Darkness himself. Maybe you can ask him what he really thinks of Sin City.
Castle Vampyre: an interactive haunt that makes excellent use of design tricks to ratchet up the tension. This is an attraction that may well have you on your knees before you’re done.
Circus of Horrors: a true freak show, the Circus of Horrors will present a collection of freaks, oddities and monstrosities you’ll never be able to forget. Got a thing about clowns? Just wait.
One of our favorite things about the Trilogy of Terror? Creativity. Creators Duke and JT Mollner stay away from clichés – like replicating scares from movies – and substituting quantity for quality – like throwing wave after wave of actors at guests. Instead, they use ingenious design elements and carefully orchestrated actors to terrify. And it works. Pardon us while we take the Chicken Exit now.
Frankly, Halloween is so big in this town, all you really have to do is walk out your door and down the street. Almost everywhere you turn – at hotels, casinos, clubs, even libraries (yeah, that’s how serious we are about All Hallows Eve here) – there will be special Halloween events and attractions. The Strip itself will turn into a smorgasbord of costumes both ghastly and fabulous on Halloween: the people-watching is bar none. So take a seat, grab a drink and feast your eyes on the ghoulish delights of Sin City on Death’s Holiday.
