Head to Vegas for a long weekend, meet up with friends. Drink a little, eat a little, sleep by the pool and just enjoy a long weekend. Moderation and easy living during the off season for the No. 1 tourist location that doesn’t involve roller coasters or animated characters running around and touching your kids like a TSA agent — well, that was the plan.

But Las Vegas isn’t really a place for moderation, it’s all about excess.

When we checked into our room at the Mirage (review to come tomorrow), it was late — maybe 10 p.m. But that’s not Vegas late, we’d quickly learn when we got back to our room at 3 a.m. (which, from what I gather, still isn’t Vegas late).

So what’s Vegas like in July?

It’s really frickin’ hot, that’s what it’s like. As soon as you walk through baggage claim section of the airport over toward the taxi stand (it was a little tricky for us to find) you can feel the wave of heat rising off of the sidewalk. The heat is the one constant we always faced — what with Vegas being a desert and it being summertime.

But I can say the Taxi stand at Las Vegas is the most efficient one I’ve ever gone through. (Expect to pay about $20 for a cab ride to the strip, in fact, keep a wad of $20s in your pocket for almost every occasion. Sandwich? $20. Cocktail? $20. Cigarette? $20.)

Anyway, the taxi stand is pretty simple, and it makes you wonder why no one else uses a similar system. After weaving through a maze of ropes that keeps the queue moving, there are a series of signs with a number on it. A man at the front of the line simply looks at the people coming to the head of the line and shouts a number and points. How many? Four? No. 3; How many? Two? No. 3. It goes on and on like that until the number hits 20.

Then a battalion of taxis drive up and stop in unison. Everyone hops into their respective cab and they’re off. It’s pure travel efficiency and moves you quickly from the baking sidewalk and back into some air conditioning. (Our particular driver was a Vegas native, who had been driving cabs for about a year and said it was the best job around.)

And you’re going to learn to appreciate the AC.

Nothing on this menu was $5

I’m sorry to put that song in your head. And not every Subway will play the jingle as you order your sub. Take, for instance, a 2 AM sudden hunger attack as we were walking out of the Venetian in Las Vegas. We found Subway and decided, why not, it’s cheap and realitively good food.

In our wait in line, we met a woman from San Francisco who only wanted a burrito but was settling for Subway. San Francisco is known for their burritos. San Francisco… Did I mention she was from San Francisco? Well she did, about 10 times in our five minutes of talking to her. Odd.

The other odd thing? Subway on the strip is freakin’ expensive. We couldn’t find any five dollar subs. We didn’t even find a seven dollar sub. Nope. They started at $8.25 and prices went all the way to $11.25. I thought we’d get a casino chip or some kind of token since we were paying more for a sandwich we could normally buy for $5. But either we ate it or all we got was a sandwich.

The Vegas Strip. You gotta love it.

I am down right uncomfortable, my head aches, my tummy is not right, my body is crying out for a hot bath, a cup of hot tea and the comfort of my own bed. I’m beat.

Now that’s not to say that Vegas didn’t totally deliver, that’s why I’m hurtin. I saw some incredible things during my three day stay. But three or four nights is about all any human should endure in Sin City.

Sure, you could spend another day by the pool or take one of those day trips out to to the Grand Canyon, but a long weekend, even if it’s Tuesday through Friday, is about all the time you need to fill your body up with toxins and empty your bank account. EVERYTHING costs something in Vegas. Simply walking down the street. In my first story you saw me posing with a micro Elvis, that did not come free. In Vegas, everyone is trying to make a buck.

When I’m traveling my mantra is usually “The plan is no plan” and Vegas was no different. Sure there were certain things I wanted to do and most of them I did; got my picture with the Vegas sign, saw Old Vegas, ate and drank, did some serious people watching (half your fun right is sitting along The Strip and watching the crazy parade walk by, and that is actually FREE!)

There were things that didn’t get done but I’m not worried, I have a feeling Vegas isn’t going anywhere and I certainly plan on going back.

As much fun as I had and as excited as I was to go on this trip I must say I am equally as happy to return home. Vegas has really deepened my appreciation of my life. The comforts of home are going to feel like the jackpot I didn’t hit in the casino!

Let me tell you, was outstanding to have to show us the in’s and out’s of Vegas.

From our first encounter with Beau we were already on the move. Many of the strip hotels are connected through a crazy chain link of moving escalators, bridges and tunnels. Very cool. These passageways are sprinkled with bars, designer shops, art work, some pretty impressive art work at that, among other things.

The Cosmopolitan was definitely up there on my top hotel picks. It was aesthetically pleasing on so many levels. Browsing through art work and actually being in a temporarily quiet place is a respite from what is normally sensory overload that is Vegas. I swear it’s taken my brain at least a day to catch up and go back on the normal wavelength.

Better yet in the Cosmo, they have art vending machines. So cool. There are about twenty or so artists to choose from. You put your money and instead of junk food, cigs or condoms, you get hand made art. I dug it.

Back to Beau, he was a fearless leader, whipping us through this Vegas labryinth, all the while shouting at the mobs of passing tourists or cat calling at various ladies, of all kinds.

Another insider perk, because of his handy Honda Civic we were able to see sights that we perhaps otherwise wouldn’t have been seen. Old Vegas, which was cool, just for nostalgia alone. Definitely some cool footage from that mini strip. Side Note- The pool at the Golden Nugget looks like a good time.

We stopped for sliders at another one of my Insider Picks. ‘Slidinthru’. This little slice was our own private Oasis for about 30 minutes. Our motley crue was already hanging from a long night of partying @ Chateau, added to hours of walking and sipping daiquiris, with a splash of a Honda zipping through the Nevada streets, we enter a place that is any hipster’s wet dream.

Pop art and graffiti for days, NBA JAM up against the wall and the most bad ass slider menu I’ve ever seen. I ordered the mix n match- Caprese, just what you’d imagaine; fmresh ozz, tomato, basil & fried eggplant (bonus), Yaya- Lil Angus burger, feta, tzatiki, cucs, and finally a classic Barby. Heaven on sweet little toasted buns.

We end our tour with the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. A classic choice.

This is enough for one afternoon so we head back to NY NY for naps before our next adventure.

Moral of the story- It’s good to know a local and plans are over rated.

Whether that be business or pleasure or spur of the moment impulse, whatever it is usually dictates the nature of your trip.

Leaving Detroit for Las Vegas. As a last minute tax return purchase, it is still surreal that in a few short hours I will be basking in the Vegas sunshine and later tonight, aglow in the iconic Las Vegas strip.

As a Vegas Virgin I have my ideas about what the next 3 and a half days might include but Iʼm fairly certain it is something that can not be fully realized until one sees is for themselves.

I havenʼt been outside my home state of Michigan in five months and for someone with a need to travel like myself itʼs like cabin fever on steroids. I think Michigan is trying to give a proper send-off with the recent cold front that has currently set in. At a blistery below 30 with a biting wind, those blue Vegas skies will be that much brighter.

Sin City. Entertainment Capital of the World. Full of any and every kind of person youʼd
want to meet. Iʼm ready to be transported to an alternate reality.

Viva Las Vegas!!!!

But now a number of hotels in Las Vegas are making it a little bit easier with the Pet Stay program.

The program was started by Caesars Palace and is offered by a slew of hotels along the strip including Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, Harrah’s Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, Bally’s Las Vegas, Rio Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, and Imperial Palace.

The way it works is pretty straight forward — pay a doggy surcharge (around $40) and get an upgraded room with a dog mat, food and water dish, waste bags and a couple of doggie treats.

There are a few other rules to bark by.

1. Dog’s can’t weigh more than 50 pounds.

2. You can’t have more than two dogs.

3. Dogs are only allowed in designated areas.

4. Dogs are not allowed to use slot machines, though table action at the poker table is allowed.

To book a room at a PetStay resort in Las Vegas visit www.caesars.com and select the ‘PetStay’ room type from the listing of available accommodations. Or, dial (800) 427-7247 to reserve today.

Photo from Pet Stay Las Vegas.

Members of the Lingerie Football League Las Vegas franchise unveil the official game uniforms for Lingerie Bowl VIII at The Sporting House Bar & Grill inside New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Lingerie Bowl VIII

And unlike its manly counterpart, where people already know what the team uniforms look like, the Lingerie Bowl always features new uniforms — as one might expect — and those were unveiled last week at the game’s official hotel in Las Vegas, New York- New York Hotel & Casino.

Ground Zero for the only bowl game where players wear two cups instead of one is easily The Sporting House & Grill, located at New York New York. It expects things to get even busier as Lingerie Bowl VIII approaches. (The game is set for Feb. 6, 2011 and The Sporting Bar plans on releasing a full schedule of events.) Some of the activities include revealing the name for

Lingerie Football League Las Vegas franchise star Angelica Bridges unveils a Lingerie Bowl VIII uniform at The Sporting House Bar & Grill. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Lingerie Bowl VIII

the expansion team in Vegas as well as bringing in some of the big names in the Lingerie Football League.

The 7 on 7 full contact football game may sound like a joke, kind of like women’s rugby, but don’t get caught laughing at either set of women — they’ll stop you into the ground, pour a beer on your head and then go out on the town. These women are both beautiful and tough — welcome to the 21st Century.

There are currently 10 teams around the country and the league organizers intend to add four more teams for the 2011 season, which begins next fall. Expect more festivities from now until the big game in February.

We also expect the tickets to be cheaper than that other Bowl game in February — which is starting to look a lot less super.

And just in case you don’t think these players are tough, check out this video.

Yes, you can still sign up even though the San Francisco Giants won that other World Series.

This is the largest Beer Pong tourney in the world — held Jan. 1 through Jan. 5 at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino. Last year, 900 teams bounced and drank their way through the tournament and all teams this time around are guaranteed a dozen matches and least two hang overs.

Better yet, the tournament includes four nights in Vegas, win or lose. Player packages start at $500 per person and include entrance fee to WSOBP VI and a hotel room. Vomit clean up in your room is complimentary. The deadline to enter is Dec. 10.

OK, this is not a difficult sport, but you can still tell your friends you’re a professional athlete — pretty much in the same category as extreme eaters, but according to the official Beer Pong World Series website the rules are as follow:

Two teams stand at opposite ends on an 8-foot-long table, where ten 16-ounce cups, filled with roughly 2 ounces of beer or another liquid, are placed in a bowling-pin formation. Each team takes turns tossing beer pong balls (similar to table tennis balls) at their opponent’s cup formation. If a ball goes into a cup, the cup is removed from the game. The first team to eliminate all of its opponent’s cups wins. At the WSOBP sporting event, four of the ten cups in the formation are filled with water to minimize alcohol consumption.

OK, so it’s lame to put water in a couple of the cups — though hydration remains important for any athlete. And here’s our take — if you’re going to go to Vegas (and everyone should go to Vegas at least once a year), this just might be the event to head into. What else are you going to do during the day? Go look at a time share?

Coming home with an extra $50 grand only makes it that much more appealing.

Follow the World Series of Beer Pong on Twitter and Facebook.

Photo courtesy of World Series of Beer Pong.

CityCenter in Vegas. Photo by Gayle McCarthy

Tired of walking past illegal immigrants slapping cards of naked girls in your face while perambulating The Strip? If not, I fear and weep for your future. No doubt, the allure of Vegas will always remain a touch seedy and a bit sad (think Nicolas Cage’s character in Leaving Las Vegas), but it’s revamping its image with the new CityCenter complex, a 67-acre glitzy showcase of patterned glass, lofty sky-scrapers at odd angles with sweeping curves—a mini Manhattan amidst the desert landscape. It’s home to several stately hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental, Aria Resort and Vdara Hotel & Spa, and the Über-swank Crystals shopping center with elite retailers Versace, Prada, Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton. Cha-ching.

The Vdara spa. Photo by MGM Mirage.

Beat the heat in the cool confines of Vdara’s Health & Beauty spa (non-guests are welcome), an 18,000-square-foot, two-level respite of holistic healthcare and wellness featuring 11 private treatment rooms, intimate lounges with soaking tubs and soothing circular waterfalls, redwood saunas and eucalyptus steam rooms, and men’s and women’s retreats. Guests can treat themselves to a glass of bubbly or wine upon entering the lobby at the Champagne Bar or make themselves a fresh cup of herbal tea in the upstairs retreat areas. Spa menu options include massages (deep tissue, hot stone, couples, among others); body treatments (espresso mud body scrub and lemon verbena body polish); and skin care services (anti-aging facial, sun repair, and moisture replenishment facial). It’s a tad pricey ($150 for deep tissue massage) but well worth the indulgence, especially if Lady Luck’s on your side.

The Town Square Las Vegas. Photo by Town Square Las Vegas

Just a short cab drive away from CityCenter is Sin City’s new Town Square Las Vegas, a one-stop shopping, dining and entertainment complex located on the south end of the Strip on Las Vegas Boulevard, just a few miles south of Mandalay Bay. It’s a breath of fresh air for Vegas, literally—the open air center features 22 buildings detailing a unique mixture of Old World and contemporary architectural styles with an eclectic mix of retail shops and restaurants, including a Whole Foods Market, H&M, an Apple store, and an 18-screen movie theater. There’s everything from coal-fired pizza to Japanese, Mexican food to deli fare; if you prefer Italian, a “don’t miss” dining experience is the affordably-priced Brio Tuscan Grille designed in upscale Tuscan villa décor, offering up generous portions of original Tuscan culinary creations. Choose from an extensive menu of house-made pasta specials, flatbreads, quality steaks (the artichoke-crusted beef medallions were, in haute culinary terms, incredibly tasty), and pair your meal with the perfect red or white wine.

On my way back to The Strip, I asked the cabbie what he thought of the glitz and glam of CityCenter. “It’s from a different time, a different mind-set…I don’t think it knows who or what it wants to be just yet, but it’ll get there.”

However, the other packages, well, sound like a great thing to have in your back pocket for when things at home just get to be a little too much. It’s a weekend away and Vegas is all about getting away.

· LAS VEGAS: Stay and Play at  Circus Circus for $125

Estimated Value: $250 Only 40 available

Let the good times roll! Save 50% and enjoy 3 nights at the famous Circus Circus Hotel Casino and Theme Park! Includes dining and a day at the Adventuredome for 2!

· LAS VEGAS: Stay, Play and Relax  at ARIA for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000  Only 5 available

Experience the energy and excitement of ARIA in the heart of CityCenter, Las Vegas. Save 50% and enjoy 2 nights in a suite, dinner for 2, massages, and tickets to Viva ELVIS^™.

· LAS VEGAS: Escape to SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000 Only 5 available

The top of the world has relocated! Experience an elegant 2-story suite with all the luxury that SKYLOFTS and MGM Grand have to offer. Includes a 2-night stay, massages, dinner for 2, and more!

· LAS VEGAS: The Ultimate Getaway: The Mirage for $1,000

Estimated Value: $2,000 Only 5 available

Come experience a getaway in the resort that started it all. Vegas starts at The Mirage! Save 50% on a 4-night stay, dinner for 3 nights, VIP seating to 2 shows, and more!

· LAS VEGAS: $250: 2-Night Getaway  to New York-New York

Estimated Value: $500  Only 20 available

Save 50% and get away to the New York-New York in Las Vegas! Spend 2 nights in a spa suite and take in Zumanity by Cirque du Soleil for only $250!