There is no way to describe the events of yesterday other than tell you that I, your intrepid vacation reporter, will never be the same. Not only did I get to hang out at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop with real TV celebrities, but I also wandered among the wildlife and wild life in Sin City and saw in the greatest, grandest musical tribute to the King ever put on stage, anywhere. Oh, and I also saw the largest replica of the Statue of Liberty ever constructed entirely of jelly beans. No wonder I am so tired!
Why don't you all check out today's top 10 list below while I recuperate.
1. Go visit the "Pawn Stars" location in downtown Vegas.
To say it was a thrill to walk around the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and meet three of the guys from the hit History Channel show "Pawn Stars" (Mondays at 10/10:30pm ET) is a huge understatement. Although there are tons of fans milling about the shop these days, it's business as usual inside, just like you see on TV—right down to the Jim Morrison Painting hanging behind the counter. Unfortunately , “Old Man” Harrison wasn't at the shop yesterday, but I did get to meet his son Rick, grandson Corey and Corey’s childhood friend, Chumlee. As busy as they are working back in their private offices, the guys still come out on the floor periodically and are greeted with cheers from fans from all over the country. They give autographs, take pictures and shake hands when they can, too. Very cool.
Walking around the shop is like walking around an eclectic museum. The shelves and glass cases are filled with everything from Olympic gold medals and Super Bowl rings to a 15th century samurai sword and a Revolutionary War bond printed by Paul Revere. Every item has a story to tell, and what better storytellers than the Harrisons? It's no wonder Rick loves his job on what he calls "the only game show on television."
Back before the show started an estimated 70 customers a day visited the shop. Now Rick estimates that there are about 1,200 people a day coming to visit. He takes the crowds in stride, however. "Everyday brings new surprises through that door."
(Special thanks to Laura Herlovich of PR Plus for all her help arranging my appointment and for a terrific tour of Gold & Silver, and to Cory for squeezing in a quick interview during an extremely hectic morning.)
2. Satiate your sneaker fetish with this tip from Chumlee.
That's what I said. Take it from Chumlee of "Pawn Stars", your shoe guru: The place to go for new kicks it Undefeated, across the street from the Hard Rock Hotel on Paradise Road. They have an enormous selection of sneakers and urban-inspired clothes and accessories.
3. Need more retail therapy? Check out the Las Vegas Premium Outlets.
If outlet shopping is your thing, then get yourself to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets located downtown. There are over 150 stores there, mostly upscale ones including Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani Exchange, Coach and Swarovski, but also others brands like J. Crew, Gap, Converse, Disney, Banana Republic and Lucky Brand Jeans. As you can guess, this place is paradise for hardcore outlet shoppers.
4. Golfers get the A-list treatment at Shadow Creek.
Although I am not a golfer, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the great golfing available in Las Vegas. Consider Shadow Creek. This legendary course was designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio and a must for true golf lovers visiting Vegas. Shadow Creek is a course for guests at any one of the MGM Mirage properties, and you will be taken there by private limousine for your appointed tee time and given your own personal caddie to boot.
5. Check out Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.
Why would Siegfried & Roy, world-known lion and tiger trainers, decide to open a dolphin habitat at the Mirage? Because they can! What's more important is that this working research facility is home to bottlenose dolphins and other rare animals, such as royal white tigers, white lions, panthers and leopards. It is a really interesting way to take a break from the lights and sounds of Sin City.
6. Or, check out The Lion Habitat at MGM Grand.
Why should Siegfried & Roy have all the fun with the big kitties over at the Mirage? Actually, this multilevel habitat is an amazing peek into the lives of lions and complements the Secret Garden's big cats program very nicely.
7. Not enough zoo life for you? There's also the Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat.
Maybe not as well known as the previous two animal habitats, but equally as interesting and fun. Besides Chilean flamingos, there are ducks, ibis, pheasants and other exotic animals. The whole habitat is 15 acres of tropical foliage, lagoons, streams, waterfalls and amazing landscaping. Lions and Dolphins, eat your hearts out!
8. Stroll around the Las Vegas Farmers Market.
Twice a week farmers markets are held in parks on the outskirts of town. Sometimes they have artists selling their creations and live music as well. On Tuesdays there's the Gardens Park Farmers Market (10401 Gardens Park Drive), and on Wednesdays there's the Bruce Trent Park Farmers Market (1600 N. Rampart Blvd.)
9. Get all shook up at VIva Elvis"
If you love Elvis, or even just like him, do not miss this show! There wasn't as much acrobatics as I've seen in other Cirque du Soleil shows, but I didn't notice that until now because of all the great dancing and music. It's nostalgic, but not too nostalgic, and it's high tech, but not a case of techno overload. Every seat in the house has a great view thanks to smart theater design, too. What I like best, though, was that the it was a true, larger-than-life Vegas show that still found a way to be respectful to Elvis Presley's memory and his loyal fans. I loved the film clips and pictures on the huge screens that gave a sweet glimpse at the private person who was the King, a side that you don't often hear about.
(Personal note to my most loyal reader: There's a Elvis kissing montage in the middle of the show and they cover some not-so-well-known but great songs of his. You have to see this one, Mom!)
10. Listen to the dueling piano players at The Bar at Times Square at NY NY Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
I was pretty wound up and wanting to hear more live music after the big "Viva Elvis" finale, so I headed over to NY NY to check out the dueling piano players at The Bar at Times Square. Man, was that a great idea! The open air city street design of the casino let me enjoy the music while I strolled around outside the bar with an delicious gelato, wondering what kind of Pulitzer Prize they award for this kind of investigative blog journalism.
STAY TUNED FOR DAY THREE'S REPORT, INCLUDING TWO AMAZING FEASTS & A REVIEW OF SOME ONE-OF-A-KIND MUSEUMS ON AND OFF THE STRIP.
Margo Trott is a freelance writer whose Ladies’ Home Journal humor blog “Ha, Ha, Ha...No, Seriously” has lawnmower lovers everywhere quite upset and confused. (It's a long story.)
