Planning a trip for Las Vegas in the near future? One of the collectible diecast car and collectible shows is coming to Las Vegas February 18th to 21st, 2010, so schedule your visit around then for a unique convention experience. The show will last four days at the Circus Circus Casino and Hotel. Book a Las Vegas hotel now to make sure you have rooms for this car collector enthusiast event, not to mention a weekend of classic sin city fun.

DiecastSpace.com is hosting this exciting convention for ages 5 to 100. Here are some of the events over the four days:

• Classic Downhill Racing
• Diecast Bingo
• Diecast Uno
• Kustomizers Konference
• Hot Wheels Vending Machine Pulls
• Hall of Fame Dinner, featuring 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees…
  • John D’Agostino, renown Hot Rod and Custom Car Builder
  • Bob Rosas, renown Hot Wheels Designer
  • Jeff Glasson, owner of the well know DiecastAudio website
  • …and many more to name.

A custom diecast modeling contest for both amateurs and pros, sponsored by Hot Wheels, is offering cash prizes of $600 for first place, $300 for second place, and $100 for third place. In addition, visitors will be able to rent a space for a reasonable fee; buyers and traders will may take advantage of this 1:1 Custom Car show and swap meet on Sunday, February 21st, 2010.

Learn more at SpinYourTires.com. Quality hotels are available from Station Casinos, not to mention other exciting shows like Dokken and Smokey Robinson. On 22nd to 23rd, Station Casinos will host the Jumbo Million Dollar Bingo Game, so visitors that can extend their visit are encouraged to partake in both family-friendly, memorable events!

This Holiday, Las Vegas has made the news in a big way by becoming the center point for the age-old Christmas tradition: the Christmas tree. Whether you’re staying in Las Vegas or just driving through on the way to visiting family elsewhere, we suggest stopping by the M Resort and check out the tallest Christmas tree in the country. The tree came all the way from Oregon in order to further light up one of the brightest cities of the nation.

The tree stands at 109 feet tall- absolutely massive. Of course, the tallest living Christmas trees in the country come straight from Oregon and stand even higher still, peaking out at 160′! While it’s an impressive achievement for Las Vegas to take the cake this year, it was certainly only made possible through Oregon’s help. And if you travel across the ocean you can find something bigger still: the 261′ tall eucalyptus tree in Australia, protected by activists in 2003. Activists from Japan, Australia, and Canada alike lived in the eucalyptus over the Holidays to protect it from forest loggers, displaying the pinnacle of Christmas tree spirit!

Decorating this year’s tallest Christmas tree in the country with red, green, and gold took the M Resort three full days! Visitors are invited to donate canned goods, gently used coats, and unused toys for Catholic Charities, Three Square, and Toys for Tots. Gingerbread houses made by the local elementary school were also included in the tree’s festivities, encouraged by teacher participation in the M Resort’s Gingerbread Contest.

You can find this amazing specimen at the Villaggio Del Sole Outdoor Events Center. Check out the Las Vegas Sun‘s Photo Gallery of the tallest Christmas tree in the country if you can’t make it out there yourself!

Stop by Extraterrestrial Highway during your Las Vegas vacation

The term “Area 51″ is synonymous with aliens and government conspiracy, but while Area 51 isn’t open to the public, vacations to Las Vegas can include a tour down Route 375, otherwise known as the “Extraterrestrial Highway”. For an adventure that’s truly out-of-this-world, consider exploring said highway, which is the main thoroughfare for Area 51 itself. Extraterrestrial Highway may not be the best destination for you if you’re envisioning a museum-style guided tour, but it’s perfect for a scenic afternoon drive and some Alien Jerky.

How to get to the Extraterrestrial Highway from Las Vegas.

• Take I-15 north for 22 miles.
• Exit 64, take the US-93 north. This will last for 85 miles.
• 12 miles beyond Alamo, there is an intersection with Hwy. 318 on the left. Across the intersection, on the right, is the ruins of an old casino. Turn left on this intersection onto Hwy. 318.
• Less than a mile later, veer left again onto Hwy. 375.
• This intersection will have a sign marked “Extraterrestrial Highway” under a grove of trees. This is where Area 51 workers actually park their cars to take a white bus into Area 51.

About Extraterrestrial Highway.

Nevada State Highway 375 is a 98 mile stretch that connects  US-93 (southeast) to US-6  (northwest). It crosses Tikaboo Valley, Sand Spring Valley, and Railroad Valley. The town of Rachel is the only settlement off the highway save a couple of scattered ranches.

Back in April 1996, Hwy. 375 received the name “Extraterrestrial Highway” (or ET) for the UFO sightings reported near the road. To make the name even more fitting, the secret Air Force testing facility, Area 51, is also located alongside it. Even today, visitors report sightings of strange lights in the night-sky while traveling down ET.

What to do when visiting Extraterrestrial Highway.

You can opt to visit Extraterrestrial Highway in a one day trip or over a two day period. Turning it into a two day adventure offers the luxury of traveling its full length from Crystal Springs via Rachel to Warm Springs, then returning to Las Vegas through Tonopah and US-95. Camping is popular, but you can also stay overnight at the Little A’Le’Inn or Dreamland Resort in Rachel. And for those of you who need a break from the excitement of the Las Vegas Casinos scene, this may be just the ticket.

Some of the places to visit during the road trip:

• Rachel
• Groom Lake Road
• Hancock Summit
• The Black Mailbox
• Tonopah
• Alien Jerky

Some warnings about Extraterrestrial Highway.

Precautions should be taken for this roadtrip. For one thing, many of the gas stations close at night, despite the fact that some are well over 100 miles from the nearest fill up location. Accordingly, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your gas gauge, and make sure to refill before sundown.

Also, Highway 375 is open range, but does have scattered farmland. Since there are no fences, road crossings by cows are relatively commonplace. Be extremely careful at night when it’s harder to see animals in the road from a distance. Hitting a cow would not only cause severe damage to your vehicle, but also result in a hefty bill from the owning Rancher.

Enjoy your Las Vegas vacation detour to Extraterrestrial Highway!

Further reading:

• Nevada’s Area 51 – UFO Capital of the World?
• Extraterrestrial Highway
• Visit Area 51
• Rachel, Nevada

While traditional Sin City entertainment revolves around Las Vegas Hotels and Casinos, there are times when visitors may want to venture off the strip and into places that are geared specifically toward family-oriented attractions, like the Las Vegas Zoo.

The shady 3-acre park is located just 15 miles from the Las Vegas strip,and serves as a great escape from the daytime heat. With hours from 9 am to 5 pm, visitors that are looking for something both exciting and affordable–for couples or the family–can visit the Las Vegas Zoo before the evening rush, then return to the strip to have a night out on the town. Adult admission costs only $8 admission and children cost $6.

Attractions at the Las Vegas Zoo include: the last family of Barbary Apes in the United states; chimpanzee; eagles; ostriches; emus; talking parrots; wallabies; flamingos; large exotic reptiles; and every species of venomous reptile native to Southern Nevada. The zoo also features exhibits by the Las Vegas Gem Club and botanical displays of endangered cycads and rare bamboos. Experience a little Nevada wilderness in the comfort of the Las Vegas Zoo’s exhibits!

And if you’d rather stay on the Strip and experience the wonders of Oceanic life inside a modern Las Vegas Resort, consider the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay, which places you in the tunnels of sharks and in the lives of thousands of fish. The Shark Reef Aquarim is open later than the Las Vegas Zoo–10 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 8 pm every other day–though it is more expensive than the Las Vegas Zoo, at $17 a head. The aquarium is a great zoo alternative for the whole family.

When one thinks about Las Vegas and Sin City, the first image that usually comes to mind is the neon-lit Strip, the cacophony of the tourist crowd, and the endless array of lights and noises on the Casino floor. This is all well and good, but for some people the constant visual and audio stimulation can afflict them with a rare disease. Symptoms include memorization of the precise order and position of the water jets at the Bellagio water show, knowing what time buffets stop charging lunch prices for the perfect gut-busting early dinner, and no longer getting the same adrenaline rush of winning $20 after pumping $100 worth of quarters at your favorite Vegas strip mega-resort.

This disease is called “Las Vegas Jadism.”

The cure? Come try the alternative side of Vegas – surprises await those who dare to take the risk.

The beautiful horizon of Las Vegas

What the “Other” Las Vegas Has to Offer

During the recession, Vegas has seen double digit declines in tourism revenue, hotel occupancy rates, and other key economic signs indicating that during these hard times, people have been less willing to spend money on vacations, luxurious hotels, and fine dining. While this is no big surprise, gambling revenues have also plummeted – this is an eye-raiser considering that gambling has long been considered a “recession-proof” industry. In light of the bleak financial landscape, the officials in Las Vegas have been actively working to promote an Alternative Vegas – here are some of the activities they highlighted that can serve as an instant cure to LV Jadism.

Hiking & Camping

Las Vegas Hiking

Las Vegas is actually surrounded by scenic mountains, canyons, and beautiful, remote views of the Mojave Desert. Red Rock Canyon, in particular, is popular with those who want to get away from the bustling Sin City life and enjoy nature trails, fantastic isolated views, and seasonal waterfalls. Big horn sheep have been known to wander to lakes for water, and the whole family can enjoy a day of exercise and fresh air before sitting down to enjoy the beautiful earth-colored Vegas sunset. Sandstone Canyon and national parks share the same perks. Who ever knew that such natural beauty can occur in this city?

Camping is also not to be overlooked – with most campsites fees starting at $10, camping can be an affordable alternative for any family that is looking to escape society. Rivers, nearby hiking and biking trails, and frequent run-ins with wildlife can be expected, and some campsites even include modern amenities such as grills, areas for building fires, and laundry facilities for those who want a less Spartan experience.

Golfing, Biking, & Skiing

Mountain Biking in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

For those itching to do something active, Las Vegas is an understated destination for recreational sports. Golf courses in Vegas feature the lush, well-maintained greens as expected – but what surprises people is the low wind, the great mountain views, and consistent golfing friendly weather. Some casinos and resorts are recognizing the popularity of golfing in Vegas and offering all inclusive Las Vegas golfing packages to attract visitors.

Biking trails snake throughout the canyons, mountains, and lakes in Nevada, with several well known trails attracting cross-country, mountain, and enthusiast bikers from around the world. Bike rentals and guided bike tours are also available for those who are looking for convenience and rugged mountainous views while blowing down a trail at exhilarating speeds.

Although Vegas frequently reaches 110F or above during the summer, the Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort is a popular place for those seeking a chilly refuge from the Nevada sun. Mt. Charleston features a 500 foot half-pipe, two chairs, 11 different trails, and an annual 120 inches of snow.

Other Activities to Consider

Enjoy the water, but no beaches in sight? Get your fill of the wet stuff by visiting Lake Mead, the Hoover Dam, or going white water rafting or kayaking. Horseback riding and motorized off-roading are ways to enjoy the scenery on hiking trails without actually having to use your legs, and extreme activities such as skydiving and bungee are available for those with a steady heart and life insurance.

If you are worried about being too far from civilization in case you want to retreat to the Vegas experience, or that these activities will take too long to drive to, consider an off-Strip casino such as Red Rock Casino. Red Rock Casino is right next to Red Rock Canyon and often costs a great deal than competing Las Vegas hotel packages.