This year I visited Las Vegas over Valentine’s Day weekend. Flying in on Southwest we arrived early Thursday morning. As usual the airport was very busy, but we quickly gathered our luggage and exited to catch a shuttle to our hotel. The shuttle will cost you a lot less than a taxi. This year it is $8 off strip and $6 to the strip. I have been to Vegas many times and have learned the only way to successfully travel if you are staying on the strip is to use public transportation. There are trolleys, buses and the monorail that run pretty much all day & night to take you to your destination.  On this particular stay we were off strip. We took lodging at the Rio – all suite hotel. Rio offers a variety of dining choices, beautiful large rooms, a lively casino with plenty of excitement and entertainment, and a free shuttle to the strip.

Highlights that we visited on this trip were The Venetian where Madame Tussauds wax museum is. Instead of paying the entrance fee you can find various wax figures outside to take photos with. We had the pleasure of seeing the wax figures of the men from Blue Man Group. These wax figures were very life like, so much so I felt like I needed to ask to take my photo with them. On Valentine’s Day I treated my husband to a concert at the House of Blues, located inside Mandalay Bay. The House of Blues offered a small musical stage with open standing, and some seating for the VIP. Drinks were overpriced which was to be expected. The sound quality was perfect in this small lounge setting. Be forewarned if you attend any concerts at this location no cameras are allowed and you will have to check it at the door where you will have to pay a fee.

There were many changes to the strip since my last visit. Planet Hollywood had finished there renovations and finally opened the Miracle Mile Shops. Trump Towers were in the process of going up and The Palazzo was newly opened. All of course very beautiful sky scrapers, but the old time feel Vegas use to offer can only be found miles down the strip. But even those are in danger of being closed down. At last note Circus, Circus was scheduled to be demolished in the near future.  Once this occurs the only old time Vegas you can visit will be the downtown area, which we were unable to visit on this particular trip.

The weather was a true disappointment in February. The temperatures were as low as 55 and no higher than 65. When we arrived winds were gusting upwards of 75MPH. Our shuttle driver told us the last time that winds were that strong a construction worker was badly injured when he was blown by a gust of wind from a building site. The winds were so strong that night that all the fountains on the strip were closed down and the Sirens Of TI at Treasure Island were not performing. They even had to close the airport temporarily until the winds died down. Even with the winds gone the temperatures did not improve. Not the warm climate I was expecting.

My final review would be:

House of Blues – excellent concert venue, but be prepared to bring some cash
Rio Suites – a luxurious hotel with plenty of shazam to offer it’s guests
The Venetian – fabulous pina coladas
Weather in February – cold, windy and should be avoided