Travel & Leisure

A Las Vegas vacation can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, from a booze and gambling-filled party to a nice vacation away from home with the kids (some people even combine these two vibes in one vacation). The Las Vegas vacation industry really boomed in the late 60s and early 70s when Las Vegas invented its image as a playground for adults,  full of glitzy casinos, extravagant shows, and bars that were open night and day. In this Vegas you could catch a show, gamble all night, throw back a whiskey sour with breakfast at 8am and go to sleep for a few hours before doing it all over again.

In the early 90s the Las Vegas vacation became something completely different. With the introduction of attractions like New York New York’s roller coaster and MGM Grand’s child-friendly environment, the Las Vegas casinos began to attract families who were traveling together. Casino owners realized they could attract the all-night gamblers and high rollers while catering to a completely new crowd, the families, who brought their own money to play in the Las Vegas sands. Kid-friendly shows, restaurants, and attractions popped up everywhere, and many casinos also offered child play areas so mom and dad could still go off to drink and gamble.

Now, Las Vegas vacations represent an odd hybrid between the adult and child’s playground. Roller coasters rumble over casino floors where slot machines ping and whiz and roulette wheels clatter. Thanks to the legalization of prostitution in Vegas, advertisements for escort agencies litter the sidewalks and ads for topless shows are displayed on taxi cabs next to ads for Sponge Bob Square Pants. Though the strip has reinvented its image as a family-friendly location, the adult-playground feeling still persists. You can still find more high-end restaurants and nightclubs that just about any other small area in the U.S., and money and champagne still flow freely.

Though adults and young children alike can enjoy a Las Vegas vacation, the environment is a little tougher for teenagers. Since those under 21 can’t drink, nor can they gamble, most of the adult-orientated attractions in Vegas are off-limits to them. Likewise, older teenagers probably aren’t very interested in the arcades or the roller coasters that their younger siblings are so excited about. Though some nightclubs aren’t 21+, most of them are, leaving older teens with little entertainment. If you’re a family with a few teenagers another location may be better, as vacationing with older teens in Vegas may entice them to try out more adult forms of entertainment.

Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on Internet Marketing for years. For more information on Las Vegas vacation, visit his site at Las Vegas vacation

Hopefully you have taken a spring vacation with the family. If not, there is still time before the crowds and the heat limit privacy and comfort. But it’s not too early to be thinking about a special summer vacation in the Colorado Rockies. But where?

If you’re a native of Colorado, you already know that you have lots of options; If funds are not a problem, you can choose from amusement and theme parks in the city, swimming and slides at Glenwood Springs, cave excursions, white-water rafting, zoos, mountain climbing, hiking one or more of the many 14,000 foot peaks, jeeping, 4 wheeling, and many, many other options.

Of course, Colorado offers hundreds of camping, hiking, and mountain climbing locations ranging from primitive and secluded to purely touristy. May I suggest an inspirational area that is somewhere in the middle of that range, but definitely a number 10 in beauty and variety – Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area?

Maroon Bells is a popular summer attraction and you’ll meet lots of people, but you all have something in common, and your shared desire to revel in the splendor of mountain peaks, lakes, streams, and wildlife will add an exciting dimension of human connection.

The most popular access to Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, which totals more than 174,000 acres in two national forests, White River and Gunnison, ascends from the popular ski resort of Aspen, Colorado. Motorized travel from Aspen to Maroon Lake is restricted, and you’ll want to check the times and exceptions. A convenient bus makes regular trips up the valley to the lake for a nominal fee, thus attempting to curtail traffic and pollution. Bus drivers provide an interesting and entertaining tour dialog for the short drive. The trip up the road is free of charge for non-motorized travel including biking and hiking.

Activities in the area include:

• Hiking
• Biking
• Skate Boarding
• Camping
• Fishing
• Wildlife and Scenery Photography
• Dining
• A Variety of Activities in the Town of Aspen Including Summer Concerts and Cultural Events

Several Internet sites provide more in-depth information as well as the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen.

If you haven’t yet explored this part of Western Colorado, consider this summer of 2007 the time to do it. If you have vacationed in this beautiful wilderness area in the past, this is your invitation to do it again, perhaps in a more challenging arena. Really, the choice is yours.

Donald Pyle is a husband, father, and grandpa with experience in education and interpersonal relations. He specializes in helping others plan and realize their travel needs and their dream vacations. He is a certified referring travel agent, association specialist, and CLIA certified.
http://cedarviewtravelresources.com

For travelers an excellent destination is Illinois which offers a variety of options. The best option is to visit Chicago and enjoy the many museums and cultural scenes it has to offer. The Museum of Science and Industry is one option travelers should always go see along with the Brookfield Zoo. If you travel to the small historic town of Galena you can take an old fashioned Mississippi River cruise on a riverboat. The beautiful Lake Shelbyville can be found in the city of Champaign along with the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Reserve. The Lincoln Home National Historic site for history buffs can be found in the city of Springfield.

Visitors can find a multitude of attractions in Chicago and are bound to find something that attracts them since Chicago is a major cultural center. Many choose to visit the Sears Tower while in Chicago, but visiting the shores of Lake Michigan will allow you to see the impressive skyline of downtown Chicago. In addition, Chicago offers many beaches and outdoor water activities for those who like outdoor attractions when they travel.

There are many options when it comes to accommodations in Chicago and the Illinois Travel Guide at http://www.enjoyillinois.com will give you an excellent selection while helping you to find the right accommodation for your travel needs. However, the newest option in Chicago is the Conrad Hotel on Rush Street which just took over the Le Meridian property in 2006. This hotel offers excellent amenities such as five hundred threat count sheets, Molton Brown bath products, wireless computer access, plasma televisions, docking stations for ipods and if you are traveling with kids there is free cotton candy when you check into the hotel.

When visiting Chicago the best option is to visit the many museums the city has to offer. The best place to start your trip is at the Metropolis which is a replica of the city in the Superman stories. This not only features statues of Superman but also has details down to the Metropolis Planet newspaper. The place also has the Super Museum which features every Superman related memorabilia possible.

Another option for the movie buffs is the Chester Gould-Dick Tracy Museum. This museums features many of the original artwork and photos of the Dick Tracy comic strip and the move. There is even a Crimestopper Club Room where you can stop to relax after a long day of visiting the museums. The museum also offers a wing where kids can have hands on experience with forensic tools and practice their comic drawing techniques. Chicago is one of the few cities where you can find a museum that the whole family will love and has a unique approach and subject.

Greg Chadwick owns and operates the Illinois Hotel Finder website. Please visit our website to find great deals on Illinois Hotels.