Tag Archives: Frolic

Art in Vegas | I {heart} Vegas

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

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This week I’m loving the fact that the city is filled with art. Really. There is an entire Arts District Downtown, tons of Visual Arts line the streets of Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard, the lobbies, restaurants and hotels are full of pieces and there are a few galleries that house amazing works by renown artists throughout centuries and decades. Think Las Vegas has no culture? Think again.

One of my favorite art galleries is the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The intimate gallery houses visiting exhibits throughout the year with historical artists like Van Gough, Picasso, Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe. Currently, Claude Monet: Impressions of Light, is running now through January 2013. A serene escape from the loudness of the casinos and place to quiet your mind a bit. The BGFA partners with established museum programs throughout the United States and the world to bring impressive collections to the Las Vegas community. General Admission is $15 for 12+, and standard discounts apply (teacher, student, resident, military).

RSMLV Tips: Strollers are not permitted in the museum, neither are photos or video, and the museum does not have a place to store these items. Next time you are in town, check the calendar listing for the Art & Wine event that happens monthly.

The Cosmopolitan is full of eye-candy l’objects d’art throughout the entire property. From the visually engaging video towers in the lobby to the mid-century inspired Art-o-mat vending machines in the halls to the uber contemporary fixtures like hot pink chandeliers and gigantic high-heeled shoes, your eyes won’t be able to take it all in with just one visit. This on-going showcase of contemporary art was developed in partnership with the New York City’s Art Production Fund.

RSMLV Tips: You really just can’t get enough of this visually stimulating resort. Take the time to leisurely stroll through different parts of the hotel, restaurants, pools and banquet rooms. There is art everywhere! Challenge yourself to find something new with each visit. See for yourself by clicking this video of Evalyn Daniel-Putnam’s quick guided tour of  3D art exhibits at The Cosmopolitan.

Aria Las Vegas and City Center house one of the most extensive art walks in the city. The pieces combined make up the first major permanent collection of art in Las Vegas to be integrated into a public space. What I truly {heart} about the space and resorts that make up City Center is how once on property, I feel transformed into the heart of a major cosmopolitan city. Not only is dining ans shopping a major player in that, but the idea of interacting with the pieces in a non-gallery setting feels almost as though I’m walking through a sculpture garden in Paris. Between paintings, sculptures, and architecture, the City Center Fine Art Collection is made up of 15 acclaimed artists and visionaries pieces made accesible to the public.

RSMLV Tips: Download the free CityCenter Fine Art Collection app on your smart phone for a self-guided tour. While you’re at it, check out these other free Las Vegas apps to plan out your visit.

 

Photo image from www.theartsfactory.com

You can’t talk about Art in Vegas without mentioning the bustling Downtown Arts District that has been demanding attention from art communities around the world. It’s a funky little piece of Las Vegas that gives off a distinctive vibe like no other that you won’t find anywhere else in the Valley. Just off Fremont Street you’ll find The Beat Coffee Shop where you can sip true barista-style espresso drinks and delicious food while listening to vinyl records playing on a record player overlooking the mixed crowd of tourists, lost locals and hipster artists, and is located below the Emergency Arts building. Further up off Main is the  heart of the Arts District, the Arts Factory, where you will find cool cafes, antique shops, galleries, boutique style thrift shops and a groovy little yoga studio, Blue Sky Yoga.

RSMLV Tips: If you are in town on a first Friday of the month, be sure to plan a trip to the First Friday Las Vegas community celebration in the Arts District. A family friendly place where the community comes together to celebrate food, music and art. If you are looking to enjoy some public art in a large open space, stop by Symphony Park at The Smith Center. For some Southwestern eats and cool architectural views, pop into Mundo at the World Market, and snap a shot of the Cleveland Clinic Larry Ruvo Center for Brain Health.

World Market Center in Downtown Las Vegas

While some of the galleries do charge a fee to view the exhibits, most of the art in Las Vegas is in public space, and doesn’t cost a thing. It makes for an interesting stroll and educational experience all at once. And you can totally rock the art scene with or without your little entourage!

See! This is why I {heart} Las Vegas!

 

The Mob Museum Las Vegas

01 Friday Jun 2012

Posted by in Travel Inspiration

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How close are you with your Family? Would you do anything for them? Be prepared to answer that question at The Mob Museum Las Vegas. Just like when you’re “in”, you hear about these things, but no one really “knows” about them. I felt it was time to go to The Mob Museum and have a look around. I brought my husband as my witness. Result: Seriously impressed.

The building itself is the original courthouse that stood the test of time during the era of heavy Mob activity that took place in Las Vegas. Even the furniture in the courtroom is all the same, including the bench with a steel plate so the judge could quickly dodge a bullet if necessary. But don’t get too excited, this is not just about the Mob’s involvement in Las Vegas. The museum is actually called The Mob Museum: National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, and takes you through the complete journey of what a Mob was, why they were started and how they grew. From there, you will get a taste of what it was like to be in Las Vegas during that time. I have to admit, growing up here, it was kind of crazy to see photos of parents of the kids my husband and I went to school with, and their personal and professional lives being documented throughout the museum. They were on both sides of the law, and I’m not saying who! Learning more about the Mob and its roots really helped understand why and how quickly they grew and rose to power. And, why Vegas was a prime target for wanting to establish a network.

The other reason for taking a visit to the Mob Museum is the historical piece about Las Vegas. Exhibits identify when the city was founded, who founded it, how it grew and the most important piece…gaming. The Mob Museum explores the intent, the interest and the importance of gaming and how it put Las Vegas on the map. Some of the most interesting pieces are the old photos of the budding little railroad town, Section 14 where the town got its start, the Arizona Club, the first “upscale” gaming hall, and the people who fought to make Vegas happen (you hear their names now as Clark County, Mc Carran International Airport and Fremont Street). As you move through the museum, you move through time and see how as the Mob grew, Vegas was also growing, until it reaches a point where they become relevant of one another.

RSMLV Tips:

Plan Accordingly…the Mob Museum is full of really cool engaging and interactive exhibits. You can go through a “Line-Up”, shoot a “Tommy Gun”, and play all kinds of trivia games throughout the museum. There is also a film in courtroom exhibit on the second floor that details the nation hearings that exposed organized crime to America in 1950 and 1951. If you really want to enjoy everything the  Mob Museum has to offer, then give yourself a good 3-4 hours to work your way through.

Family Friendly…this is a tough one. I don’t think I would have brought my 8 and 6 year old. Not because I don’t want to educate them on the significance of the mob in history, but because there are quite a few bloody and graphic photos and scenes that I just don’t want  to explain to them, or give them nightmares about. Unless your child is really mature for his age, I would probably keep this one to the 12 and up crowd.

Shout Out…after spending half the day at the Mob Museum, you’re bound to get hungry. If you’re not up for Italian food or an old-school Vegas Steak House, then take Las Vegas Boulevard towards the Strip, and off to the right you will see a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant called Dona Maria’s Tamales. It’s been around forever and the food and service is great.

Ticket Discounts…if you are a member of the military, law enforcement, teacher or student, you can enjoy a nice discount off the $18 general admission price.* Nevada Residents pay $10, and kids 5-7 pay $12. All discounts require proof with ID.*As of April 2012

Enjoy your time with the family. But, remember, you didn’t hear any of this from me.

Want more evidence? Check out my Google+ Album documenting my tour.

The Mob Museum gave me 2 media passes to visit the museum. Media passes are given after careful consideration and review of media credentials. I was not forced or threatened to say nice things about them. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reasons to Love the Fashion Show Mall

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

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When I was about 10 years old, my mother got my brother, sister and me dressed up in our Sunday best, and announced we were going to the mall! What?! Yes, that’s right. We got dressed up for a shopping trip to the Fashion Show Mall. My mother had set rules about what we could and couldn’t wear, when and where. When we started public schools without uniforms, we were only allowed to wear jeans on Fridays. When we went to church, girl were not allowed to wear pants, and when we went to the Strip, we had to get dressed up. My, how things have changed. However, my love for the Fashion Show Mall has not.

Long gone are the days of Goldwaters and Robinsons-May, and the little food court at the end of the mall. Now it’s a high-class fashion center filled with top brands, great food, and lots of energy.

Location is key. The Fashion Show Mall is located off the I-15 and Spring Mountain, and once you navigate through the 5 lanes of traffic, you are on your way to the convenient parking structures. Depending on which end of the mall you want to be on, both the Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus valet is super quick and easy.

Fitness fanatics can take in one of the complimentary classes offered at lululemon athletica, get a quick run up and down the Strip or work the stairs at the front of the mall in the early morning hours when no one is there- that is of course, except for those who are just coming home, and that makes for a great distraction! If you are fitness freak, lululemon atheltica offers free yoga classes on Sundays, or the front of the mall is a great starting point for a run on the Strip.

lululemon atheltica las vegas

You’ll go for the shopping, you’ll stay for the food. Some local favorites like Grimaldi’s Pizza and Red Velvet Cafe will tempt you with their homemade specialties. Red Velvet offers vegetarian and veagan dishes, and do not leave there without sampling their chocolate chip cookies. (Eat first, ask if they’re veagan later.) Nordstrom’s Cafe and the NM Cafe are both exceptional and perfect settings for lunching and lounging. For more familiar staples, California Pizza Kitchen and Johnny Rockets is available, and if you want to take it up a notch…head out to the front of the mall where the fancier restaurants are like Capital Grille, Maggiano’s, Ra Sushi, and Burgers and Shakes reside.

Grimaldis Pizza

Shopping. Need I say more? Some of my favorites like Neiman Marcus, Nordstroms and lululemon athletica call the Fashion Show Mall home. I also love popping into some of the smaller chains that I wouldn’t normally frequent, mainly because I shop on-line. It’s always fun to check out Betsy Johnson, J. Crew, the Banana Republic Concept Store, and now Top Shop and Free People are on my pop-in list!

I love that the Fashion Show Mall offers so many things for everyone. And, I especially love there are places to enjoy the great weather and views of the Strip without having to get all involved in a Hotel/Casino/Resort situation.

You can keep up with the haute happenings at the Fashion Show Mall through their website, Facebook page and Twitter.

What is your favorite place to shop in Las Vegas?