360 Vegas Vacation 8 Spring 2019

Random Vegas 

Since it opened in 1941, despite multiple expansions and renovations, the property has never changed it exterior façade.  On Feb 22, 2013, the El Cortez, the original hotel/casino built on Fremont St, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Twitpic of the week 

Metaphor, oh how I love the.  Unless the architect for the property’s marquee signage was Nostradamus, there is no way they could have known how the landscape of the Vegas valley would evolve over the years.  Regardless, when the El Cortez opened in 1941, its marquee design would essentially direct your attention to the future of the city on Highway 91, a POV we had the opportunity to enjoy for the first during 360VV8.  Then again, maybe they did see what lay just beyond the horizon.  After all, 1941 was also the year that the El Rancho, Las Vegas Blvd’s first proper hotel/casino, would open.  An event that signaled the rise of what would later be known as the Strip.  A nickname coined by another Vegas pioneer and former LA Police officer Guy McAfee, inspired by the famous California Sunset Strip.  If that name rings a bell for another reason, it may be because McAfee built the Golden Nugget and co-founded the city of Paradise Nevada so casino owners on the strip could avoid paying taxes to the city of Las Vegas by establishing themselves outside of the Las Vegas city limits. 

360VegasMark pics

360VV8 Photos

Official Photographer @japluto09

360VV7 Fall 2019

Random Vegas 

Originally in 1989, Stratosphere was only meant to be a thousand foot tall neon sign for Bob Stupak's Vegas World.  The concept evolved in 1990 into an observation tower that would be the signature attraction for the property.  It wasn't until Stupak had to bring on Grand Casinos as investment partners to finish the project that the idea of rebranding was introduced.  In 1995, 3 years after construction started on the tower, Vegas World was closed for remodeling and expansion.  It would reopen in 1996 as Stratosphere. 

Twitpic of the Trip 

It comes in waves, the realization that I actually live in Las Vegas and exactly what that means.  For example, as fun and relaxing as 360 Vegas Vacations are, there was always a weighted "To-Do" list that came with them.  What's changed since I was last in Vegas?  What do I need to see and experience? How do I get it all done in the 5-6 days I'm in Vegas?  All that's gone now.  Now it's just an opportunity to hangout with my friends and meet some amazing new ones in the greatest city in the world, aka my home.  It hit me unlike ever before the 1st Saturday following #360VV7, typically more of a lachrymose time as recollections of our latest adventures are still fresh and the countdown to when I can return begins.  This time, I was back on the strip, wandering about, documenting another installment of 360 FHE.  And it hit me...this is your life now.  You never have to leave Vegas again.  You're home.  And no matter what else happens, no matter how dark the corners of your mind become or how trapped you become in them, never forget that you're a two-time life lottery winner.  You got the girl and domestic bliss in Las Vegas.  Then, while looking at the photo captured by official 360 Vegas Vacation photographer @japluto09, a mischievous idea came to mind...I'm gonna wreck this fuckin town. 

360VV7 Flickr 360VV7 SmugMug (@Japluto09 - Official 360VV Photographer)

360 Vegas Vacation 6 Summer 2018

Official 360 Vegas Vacation Photographer

Random Vegas

In the (6) 360 Vegas Vacations we've had to date, planned events have had to be aborted at the last minute 4 times, 2 of them have happened at Tropicana, at 360VV2, 3 and 6. The other two events were the meet and greet at Bellagio's Baccarat Bar and the Spa @Aria, both at 360VV4.

Twitpic of the week

It's one of the most commonly shared, stunning views of Las Vegas, unarguably one of the best in the city.  If you've never experienced it in person, as we had not before VV6, I state my regret.  It is truly mesmerizing.  For me, an awe-inspiring view of a city that changed my life in ways I could have never imagined, brought to you via the bucket list of one 360 Vegas Tony.  If you've never visited the Skyfall Lounge at Mandalay Bay, Delano to be specific, make a point to change that on your next visit.  I submit that you will NOT state regret.  You're Welcome!

Sun - Tues

May 28 - 30, 2017

Sunday

• 3 pm - Meet & Greet @Luxor Centra Bar
• 5 pm - Limo Ride to Fremont @Luxor ($RSVP)*
• 6 pm - Group Gaming @Main St Station/California/Downtown Grand

Monday

• Noon - Banger Brewing
• 5 pm - Tender @Luxor (RSVP)*
• 6:30 pm - 360 Vegas Family Meet & Greet @Mandalay Bay Skyfall featuring...
  • @Faces and Aces
  • @MeltzVegas aka EDGeVegas
  • @NeonVacation
  • @TravelFanboy
  • @TravelZork
  • @VegasConfessions
  • @VegasUntz
  • @VitalVegas
• 8 pm - Group Gaming @Luxor/Excalibur

Tuesday

• 8 am - 360 Exercise Experience w/@RaisingLasVegas
• 10 am - 360 Vegas Indulgence @Canyon Ranch Spa @Venetian (RSVP)
• 11 am - Time Square Bar @NYNY, Hangout at the Park @NYNY & judge Monte MGM Park Carlo
• 6 pm - Drinks @Centrifuge @MGM 
• 8 pm -  Group Gaming @Tropicana

Times & Events confirmed, venues subject to change

*Space Limited

360 Vegas Vacation 5 Fall 2017

Random Vegas 

In March of 2013, Caesars Entertainment announced that they would close their property on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Flamingo, known at the time as Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, invest $185 million into renovations and reopen in early 2014 as Gansevoort, a NY based boutique luxury hotel brand.  That partnership dissolved less than 6 months later when, while applying for a gaming license in the state of Massachusetts, the states gaming board uncovered alleged ties between one of Gansevoort’s investors and the Russian Mafia.  In Jan of 2014, it was officially announced the new name of the property would be Cromwell, a new brand created by Caesars Entertainment (Various Sources) 

Twitpic of the Trip 

Once we knew we were staying at Cromwell instead of the long planned LINQ, I began to suspect that the “Twitpic of the Trip” would be taken from the rooftop pool/day club at the property.  In no hurry, we waited until after #360VV5 and the Labor Day weekend crowd went away.  Despite being lineless on a Wednesday, our attempt to check out the space was quickly thwarted when we were informed that pool attire was required for entrance…and we had too many clothes on.  In no mood, we said fuck it and moved on.  And as so often happens in Vegas, when plans get forcibly changed, alternative opportunities present themselves and create experiences that couldn’t have been matched by best laid plans.  This trip’s winner is a picture we took from the 2nd level outdoor dining space at Mr. Chow’s @Caesars, overlooking the pool area and subtly implying to all that noticed you existed in that space that in fact, you are better than they are, in every conceivable way.  Suck it. 

Sun - Tues

Sept 3 - 5, 2017

Sunday

• 4 pm - Meet & Greet @Rhumbar @Mirage
• 5 pm - Drinks & Dinner @STACK @Mirage
• 7 pm - Group Gaming @Mirage
• 10 pm  - Group Gaming/Dueling Pianos @Harrah's

Monday

• 11 am - Pool Cabana @Flamingo
• 5 pm - 360 Vegas Family Meet & Greet @Catalyst @LINQ feat
• Vital Vegas
• 6 pm - Dinner @Tilted Kilt @LINQ Promenade
• 8 pm - Open Bar on the High Roller @LINQ
• 9 pm - Group Gaming @LINQ

Tuesday

• 8:30 am - #360EE (Exercise Experience w/@Raising Las Vegas)
• 10 am - 360 Vegas Indulgence @Canyon Ranch Spa @Venetian
• 11 am - Brunch @Bacchanal @Caesars Palace
• 1 pm - Cigars & Scotch @Montecristo @Caesars Palace
• 2 pm - Bugsy's Bar @Flamingo
• 5:30 pm - Dinner @Giada's @Cromwell
• 7 pm - Meet & Greet @Bound @Cromwell
• 8 pm - Group Gaming @Cromwell/Flamingo/LINQ/Harrah's

360 Vegas Vacation 4 Trip Report Summer 2017

Random Vegas

In 1994, a five-block section of Fremont St was closed to automobile traffic so a pedestrian walkway with a 90 foot tall, 1,400 foot long canopy could be built to attract people to downtown Las Vegas.  With 12.5 million LEDs and 208 speakers capable of 550,000 watts of sound used for nightly light and sound shows, it would become known as The Fremont Street Experience (a2zlasvegas.com)

Twitpic of the Trip

Full Trip Flickr Album

While there were several photos to choose a winner from, the image that would win Twitpic of the Trip was never in question, from the moment I saw it. We are going to have a few 1^st on this one.  For the 1^st time in 360 Vegas history, the Twitpic of the week isn’t a photo taken by a person, it’s a collage of pictures from 8 people, Julie Moore aka @japluto09, Michael Movestro aka @VegasBrightSite, Del Reed aka @NeonVacation, Alastair Greenwood aka @Bluestorm2000, Shawn DeWitt aka @sdewitt70, Andrew, Corrington aka @agcorrington, Steven Christian aka @StevenGoPackGo, Myself and even thought he didn’t contribute a photo the collection, he’s the man who made it all possible, my brother Scott Roeben aka @VitalVegas.  Also for the first time, I’m not watermarking them with the winners twitter handles.  First of, you’ll all kind of infringing on my brand logo so you’re lucky you aren’t receiving a cease and desist from my lawyers but truthfully, because this one is for me.  There aren’t words to adequately describe what the picture makes me fell, so I won’t try.

#360VV4 Trip Report

Sun - Tues

May 28 - 30, 2017

Sunday

• 4 pm - Meet & Greet @Secret Pizza @Cosmopolitan
• 6 pm - Limo Ride to Fremont @Cosmopolitan Porte Cochere
• 8 pm - Group Gaming on Fremont St

Monday

• 10 am - Brunch @Wicked Spoon @Cosmopolitan
• 12 pm - Pool Time @BLVD Pool @Cosmopolitan
• 2 pm - Lunch @Eggslut @Cosmopolitan
• 4 pm - Meet & Greet @Baccarat Bar @Bellagio feat
• @CousinVinny
• @Faces&Aces
• @MeltzVegas
• @VegasBright
• @VitalVegas
• @YouCanBetOnThat
• 6 pm - Dinner @Wahlburgers
• 8 pm - Group Gaming @Bally's & Paris

Tues

• 11 pm - Lunch @Planet Dailies @Planet Hollywood
• 1 pm - Group Gaming @ARIA
• 6 pm - Dinner @STK @Cosmopolitan
• 8 pm - Group Gaming @Planet Hollywood

Alt Tues Plans - 360 Vegas Indulgence w/ @Raising Las Vegas

• 10 am - Spa @Aria
• 1 pm - Shopping @North Outlet Mall
• 3:30 pm - Pampered @Platinum Entourage Salon

Proof that Aria Lied

Limo Playlist

360 Vegas Vacation 3

Download MP3

Random Vegas

Bliss Dance at MGM’s The Park complex is 40 feet tall and weighs 7500 lbs (@MGMResortsIntl).  While she does light up at night, the internal LED lights she was built with are not being used.  She’s lit up by external color lighting.

Twitpic of the Trip

It’s fitting that the art center piece of The Park in Vegas is a 40 foot tall nude women.  Never has metal mesh looked so sexy.  The twitpic of the trip captured her sultry movement with the Monte Carlo, as she is currently known as, as a back drop.  While she is large, the angle we found gave her the impression that she could be almost as large as the hotel itself.  Prediction time, if MGM still owns the name “THE Hotel” formerly at Mandalay Bay, now Delano's, Monte Carlos new name will be “THE Hotel at the Park”.

Sun - Tue

May 15 - 17th 2016

Sunday

• 4 pm - Meet Up @TAG Sports Bar @LINQ
• 6 pm - Limo to the Fremont St Experience @LINQ Porte Cochere (brought to you by Earth Limos)
• 7 pm - Dinner @Pizza Rock
• 8:30 pm - Goodbye @Mermaids & @LaBayou
• 8:30 pm - Cigars & Scotch w/ Vice Lounge Online @Vatos @Binions/Drinks @Beer Garden @Plaza
• 10 pm - Group Craps & Slot Races @Plaza

Monday

• 11 am - Brunch @Hash House A Go Go @Plaza
• 12:30 pm - Flights @Banger Brewing
• 5 pm - Dinner @Tacos & Tequila @Luxor
• 6:30 - $5 Group Craps @Luxor
• 9 pm - Cheese & Booze @Tender @Luxor

Tuesday

• 12 pm - Lunch @Broadway Burger @NYNY
• 1:45 pm - Check out The Park
• 3 pm - BLVD Creamery @Monte Carlo
• 4 pm - Drinks @Brand Lounge @Monte Carlo
• 5 pm - Drinks & Cigars w/ Vice Lounge Online @Centrifuge @MGM Grand 
• 6 pm - Dinner @TAP Sports Bar @MGM
• 8 pm - Craps @Tropicana

  Limo Playlist