Rick Garman - Frommers Las Vegas 2011: Frommers Complete Guides Series, Book 844

Frommer's Las Vegas 2011

by Rick Garman

Published by:

Wiley Publishing, Inc.

111 River St.

Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774

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ISBN 978-0-470-63866-8 (paper); ISBN 978-0-470-87720-3 (paper); ISBN 978-0-470-94577-3 (ebk); ISBN 978-0-470-94583-4 (ebk); ISBN 978-0-470-94584-1 (ebk)

Editor: Naomi P. Kraus

Production Editor: Heather Wilcox

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Cover Photo Editor: Richard Fox

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Front cover photo: Neon sign on the exterior of the Golden Gate Casino Alan Schein Photography / Corbis

Back cover photo: Left : A roulette wheel Comstock Images / Getty Images. Middle : A woman hiking in Valley of Fire State Park Brad Wrobleski / Masterfile. Right : The fountains of the Bellagio, with Paris Las Vegas in the background Marla Holden / Alamy Images.

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About the Author

Rick Garman began visiting Las Vegas as soon as he was not barred from doing so by pesky things like laws. He started writing about the city in 1997 when he and his best friend Mary Herczog were invited to write Frommers Las Vegas . He went on to create Vegas4Visitors.com , one of the most respected Las Vegas travel resources on the Web and has appeared in various outlets as a self-proclaimed Vegas expert, although most of that expertise has been gained sitting at a slot machine with a glazed look in his eye while mumbling incoherently to himself. When not gambling away his life savings, Rick lives in Los Angeles and works in the entertainment industry.

A Note from the Author

Mary Herczog wrote this book starting with the 1998 edition that we co-authored, our first collaboration as professionals but certainly not our first as best friends. It was not long after that book hit the shelves that Mary was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Over the next dozen years, Mary faced her illness with a kind of aplomb that most people found either inspiring or confounding, as she chose to focus less on whatever treatment she was undergoing and more on what fantastic meal she was going to get to eat on her next trip to Vegas. She wrote about what she called her tribulations in a series of articles for the Los Angeles Times and later on her website CancerChick.com as a way of demystifying the process, hoping that it might make it a little less scary for anyone else that might be going through the same thing. Through it all, she continued to write her guide books to Vegas and New Orleans and other destinations, which she loved doing partly out of her adoration of travel in general and partly out of her incredible knack for being able to tell people what to do and usually be right.

Mary Herczog died on February 16, 2010, surrounded by her family, her friends, and her dogs, exactly as she wanted it to be... if it had to be at all. About a week earlier, shed asked me to take over this book and I am both humbled and honored to do so. Even though my name is on the title page, this is and always will be her book. Viva Las Vegas, Mary... the city will not be the same without you.

How to Contact Us

In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful placeshotels, restaurants, shops, and more. Were sure youll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed with a recommendation, wed love to know that, too. Please write to:

Frommers Las Vegas 2011

Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774

frommersfeedback@wiley.com

An Additional Note

Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any timeand this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us, however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.

Frommers Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star (highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).

In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature icons that point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:

Special finds those places only insiders know about

Fun facts details that make travelers more informed and their trips more fun

Kids best bets for kids and advice for the whole family

Special moments those experiences that memories are made of

Overrated places or experiences not worth your time or money