Category: Travel

8 Cheap Things to do in Vegas

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

This post is originally published on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog by Todd Herschberg on March 29, 2017.

1. Get a Cheap Hotel Room

Sure, you can live like a king and spend your life’s savings on a deluxe high-roller suite–but you don’t have to. Depending on when you go and where you stay, you can usually get a cheap hotel room in Las Vegas. After all, it’s Sin City. How much time do you actually plan on spending in the room?

2. Have a Low-priced Drink (or 12)

If you hang out at the slots and/or gaming tables long enough (and gamble), eventually they’ll bring you free drinks. You’ll still want to tip at least a buck or two per drink, though (Pro advice: If you tip more, you’ll find that your drinks come a bit more often). Not a gambler? Check out some of the Downtown bars near the Golden Gate Hotel–you’ll find they’re a bit cheaper.

3. Check Out Some Free Circus Acts

Gotten your drink on and feel like being a kid again? Head on over to Circus Circus for their free show every half hour from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.  The show only runs about 10 minutes, but hey, it’s free!

4. Shape the Future of Television

Seriously, though: wander over to the MGM Grand and check out the CBS Television Research Center. You’ll get the opportunity to be part of a focus group for new TV shows. What’s really cool? Being part of the focus group and then seeing the same episode on TV a few months later–but with changes based on the feedback that you provided.

5. Fill Up at a Budget Buffet

Gone are the days when you could gorge yourself on all-you-can-eat shrimp for under a buck; however, there are still a few buffets around for less than $10. Check out the Feast Buffet over at Palace Station–it’s only $8.99 for an all-you-can-eat meal of a fairly decent quality.

6. Get a Massage for $20

Las Vegas is more than just the Strip. Head over to Chinatown (on and around Spring Mountain Road) and you’ll find a huge number of foot massage places where you can get a reflexology massage for about $20 an hour. After spending a day walking all over Vegas, you’ll be glad you did!

7. Check Out the Free, Secret Light Show

OK, so it won’t be a secret much longer. Inside City Center, there is a shopping center. Inside that shopping center, there is a Louis Vuitton store. Inside the Louis Vuitton store, there is a fourth floor. On the fourth floor, there is a back room. In the back room, there is a permanent art installation by James Turrell called “Akhob”–an amazing light show. Absolutely free-of-charge, it’s effectively a private show: they only allow four people at a time. The tricky part? They require reservations about a month in advance and are only open 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Call Louis Vuitton for a reservation.

8. People-watch

One great spot to people-watch is the EastSide Lounge at the Encore at Wynn. If you stick around late enough, you’ll get to see all of the young, amazingly-drunk folks spilling out of the nightclub at closing–always good for an entertaining hour or so. Otherwise, plunk yourself down just about anywhere in Vegas on any given night, sit back, and watch the show.

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Unexpected Essentials to Pack for Your Overseas Trip

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Planning a trip overseas is a daunting task, from booking airfare and hotel stays to dealing with different languages, currencies, times zones, and cultures. That’s why you should plan as much as you can in advance, including your packing list.

Here are some unexpected essentials to include in your suitcase when packing for a trip overseas:

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has protein, fat, and sugar, which are your basic nutritional needs. It doesn’t spoil, and it tastes good on fresh fruit or bread. Peanut butter is a comfort food that tastes like home. Bring it with you, because it’s unlikely you’ll find it in the grocery stores in other countries.

Pack your favorite jar of peanut butter or a non-perishable snack like granola bars, crackers, or trail mix. These snacks make those long plane, train, and automobile rides much more bearable.

Footwear

Grab your favorite pair of sneakers, and you’re all set, right? Wrong. In Hong Kong, a restaurants often refuse to serve patrons because they are wearing sneakers. Some hotels in Europe don’t allow you to wear flip-flops in the lobby. Give yourself some options because you don’t want to have to buy shoes at your destination.

Shoes purchased in European or Asian shoes might look like your favorite Nikes or Timberlands, but they might not hold up after a 10-mile walk through the cobblestone streets of Denmark or London. You don’t want to fall or break an ankle. However, if that happens, you can use a trusted company like MedjetAssist to arrange transportation to a medical facility.

Outerwear

Make sure you know what type of weather you’ll encounter on your travels. If you are going to several places where the climates may differ, find a thick jacket with layers that can withstand many temperatures and keep you dry, too.

Antacid

While traveling it’s wonderful to experience local cuisine. Adventurous eating can be a highlight of traveling. However, you might find your stomach upset by unfamiliar food. Be sure to bring some of your trusted gastrointestinal prevention along. Otherwise you might find yourself having an uncomfortable vacation. Even if you have an iron stomach, acid eats through iron. Your stomach won’t withstand everything you throw at it. With a little pre- and post-noshing medication as needed, you and your stomach can enjoy the cuisine of any region.

U.S. Dollars

If you enjoy the art of bargaining, you might be surprised to learn that you’ll get a better deal if you have U.S. dollars–especially in some parts of Asia. In Vietnam, you’ll find that many retail shops and restaurants display prices in dollars. Make sure you carry some, but not too many, or you might find a local kid picking your pocket and running off with your dollars.

By putting these often-overlooked items on your packing list, you can ensure that your trip is more comfortable — allowing you to focus on the destination and the adventure.

 

Arlington, Texas: A Premier Destination for Any Type of Traveler

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Ask anyone outside of Texas if they’ve heard of Arlington, and they might think you’re talking about the city near Washington, D.C. Located 20 miles west of Dallas, the city of Arlington has worked hard and used a lot of resources to gain the respect it deserves. It offers amazing experiences for all types of travelers.

Family Fun

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Image by Chad Zandi via Trover.com

As a kid growing up in Texas, Arlington was my Disneyland. Back when family road trips were still a thing, my parents piled my brother and me into the back seat of our sedan and drove 400 miles north for a fun-filled weekend in Arlington. We stayed in one of the many IHG hotels near Six Flags Over Texas and had a great time at the amusement park. It was my first experience with adult rides.

I still remember the rush of adrenaline as I spotted the outline of the Texas Giant off into the distance. At the time, it was the largest wooden roller coaster in the world. Six Flags remains a popular facility today, with rides, characters, and shows.

Sports Fanatic

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Image by Tiffany Allington via Trover.com

Arlington is where both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers play. If you’re a baseball or football fan, Arlington is your mecca. The ultra-modern AT&T Stadium has been the home of the Cowboys since 2009. Metroplex residents know the stadium as The Death Star or one of a few other choice nicknames. If you want to ask somewhere where to find the stadium, have them point you in the direction of Jerry’s World.

Just across the massive parking lot is Globe Life Park. I still refer to it by its original name, The Ballpark in Arlington. It’s a classic structure that reminds you of baseball stadiums of the past. Every seat in the house is fantastic, and you can get game day seats for under $30 for most games. If you happen to plan your trip on a dollar hot dog day, you’ll be in baseball heaven. Both parks offer in-depth tours on non-game days, too.

Business Minded

Nestled between the two iconic sports stadiums is the Arlington Convention Center. With a massive 30,000-square-foot Grand Hall and another 40,000 square feet of exhibition space and meeting rooms, the convention center offers you plenty of options and amenities for meetings of five to 500.

It’s not all business when business travelers go to Arlington, though. If you need a team-building exercise, book a lane or 10 at Alley Cats or race at K1 Speed and beat the tar out of your boss with no guilt. For refreshments, you have to check out Arlington’s first locally owned brewery. The pretzel bites and pale ales are amazing at Division Brewery.

With its rapid growth and proximity to two major cities and a major international airport, Arlington, Texas, is on its way to becoming a household name. No matter what type traveler you are or what kind of trip you’re planning, Arlington has something for you.

 

5 Historical Attractions in Birmingham

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Founded in 1871 as part of the post-Civil War Reconstruction efforts, Birmingham is a cornerstone of American history. Explore these five attractions to learn about Birmingham’s historical impact, which still affects our society today.

Civil Rights Institute

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Image by Bill Dillard via Trover.com

Located in the Civil Rights District, a beautiful area of town with hotels and restaurants, the Civil Rights Institute chronicles the course of the Civil Rights movement from 1950 to 1960. This interactive museum offers informative, haunting exhibits about the country’s struggles from segregation to integration. The many displays use life-size models, historic recordings, and multimedia features to show how the battles of the past are relevant today. Museum tickets cost $15, and discounts are available for children and seniors.

Jazz Museum

Also in the Civil Rights District is the Jazz Hall of Fame. From the early days of boogie-woogie to the latest jazz fusion, you can explore how jazz is woven into all musical genres, including hip hop, alternative, and rock. The Jazz Hall of Fame is also dedicated to nurturing future musicians. It offers classes and seminars for jazz enthusiasts of all ages. Nothing brings the world together like music.

Baptist Church

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Image by Jennifer Hott-Greenway via Trover.com

Don’t miss your chance to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church in the Civil Rights District. Established in 1873, this was the first African-American church in Alabama. It was the central meeting place for leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, and in May 1963, the church was the starting point for marches and demonstrations. The church is best known as the site of the bombing that killed four little African-American girls. The tragedy led to a massive backlash and sparked the passing of the Civil Rights Bill of 1963.

Flight Museum

A short drive from the city you’ll find the largest aviation museum in the South. The 75,000-square-foot facility houses aircrafts, photos, and artifacts depicting the history of flight. You can sit in a World War II fighter jet or a modern-day A-12 Blackbird. The museum also explores the history of military flight, with exhibits from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Tuskegee Airmen. Museum tickets cost $7, but all military personnel and their families can enter for free.

Sports Hall of Fame

Sports and athletes are as influential today as they were in the past. At the Sports Hall of Fame, you can learn more about Alabama’s contributions to the world of sports. The museum has over 5,000 pieces of memorabilia from athletes who were born in Alabama, attended school in Alabama, or otherwise impacted sports in Alabama. This organization also encourages higher education by offering sports awards and scholarships to local high school athletes.

On some vacations, you plan for relaxation, and on others, you plan to learn something. Birmingham, Alabama, might not be the sexiest of vacation spots, but the city’s importance to the development of the South is clear in its historical sites. A visit to these places will give you a historical perspective on the social climate of our country today.