Signature, Slots, Shows and Starbucks - Day 5 Atomic Museum, KISS minigolf and Fremont Street

[BONZO]

Saturday 27th September

Alison was up at 5.30 this morning (how many sunrises does the girl want to see! ) and had coffee and breakfast while she waited for me to get up. I was already awake but went back to sleep, it was far too early to get up!

Eventually I got out of bed and didn’t feel 100% as I was a bit dizzy. It’s the sort of feeling when you get out of bed too quickly or slight vertigo, very odd. Nurse Alison thinks I’m dehydrated (I don’t think I’m drinking enough for the heat /dryness here). Lots of water and breakfast later and I felt a lot better.

A photo of the adult pool (Wet Republic):


We spent the next couple of hours having a lazy morning watching the Ryder Cup, then walked out to the National Atomic Testing Museum. (Alison: Shaun really knows how to show a girl a good time!)

It was quite interesting – a very cheap deal on Groupon at $21 for two). They had Robbie the Robot here so that’s the entrance fee taken care of. We wandered round the museum reading up on the history of the atomic testing in the area, and watched a short film. There was an additional interesting exhibit about Area 51 and UFO’s which gave food for thought but we declined to take part in the model aircraft building expo.

On the way back we swung into the Hard Rock Hotel. Nice feel to the hotel although another one that’s way off strip. It felt very similar to the Orlando HRH (as you would expect) and on the way in they had some rock photographs, including one of Led Zeppelin at Knebworth in 1979 – I was there! A real rock fans paradise here – I love it!



As time was getting on we decided to have lunch here at the Culinary Dropout. We had some chips and dip:


Alison had egg white frittata with chicken and mushrooms, and Dr Pepper; I had Gorgonzola Chicken salad and another thumping hoppy IPA of about 8%. Not a cheap lunch but a nice atmosphere – all very ‘cool’.





It was time to move on now although I could linger here for a lot longer taking in all the memorabilia.

We called into an appropriate shop on the way back as they might have some clothes to fit my ever expanding middle:



However feeling inspired by the Ryder Cup it was time to do KISS mini golf. What a bizarre place and a true die-hard fan Mecca.



It’s gloriously tacky but a real labour of love complete with a chance have your photo taken with authentic KISS boots on for $5 and even a wedding chapel – only in America eh?



In the spirit of Las Vegas we had a $5 bet on the outcome. Alison managed to get a couple of holes-in-one early on and I thought that was that until we came to last hole.


I had caught up and it was a draw after the 17th. Can you believe I was put off by Gene Simmons tongue and fluffed the last hole and it was a win to Alison! Humpf! :angry:





It was still very hot so we had a slow walk back to the Signature pool for a swim and relax for a couple of hours. We really did enjoy the ‘time out’ mid afternoon each day – even if it was just for half an hour or so, that chance to sit and recharge the batteries was really good for us.

Wet Republic was really popular today (we didn;t ever go, just watched from our balcony!):



We headed back up to the room for a shower and change before going out to Fremont Street and Glitter Gulch. We’d looked into the transport options and decided to take the express bus from outside MGM all the way. (We liked the express bus very much – it was really convenient, and highly recommended.)

Wow! We jumped off the bus and you could feel the buzz about the place! This really was an exciting and happening place, a great atmosphere with so much going on, bright lights and a number of street performers. The singers were amazing – they performed on a stage to one side and had drawn quite a big crowd. There was a zipline flying above our heads too! (The photos don’t do it justice)





First stop was to find somewhere for dinner, and we decide to wander round to see what took our fancy. I wasn’t sure if there was anything on the menu at the Heart Attack Grill. My goodness, Guinness world record for highest calorie burger, getting spanked for not eating up, wine with IV bag and pole, and lots of stuff cooked in 100% pure lard! Do you weigh over 350lbs? Eat free! There was even a massive set of digital weighing scales out front! I jumped on but don’t want to reveal what the results are here! (Alison: Ha,ha,ha! I won’t say anything!)

Crikey, I’m not that hungry but it sure does appeal. We decided to go something a bit lighter so we went to Hash House a go-go. I didn’t think I could manage a proper main course so decided to have The Kokomo Meatloaf Sandwich with a Sam Adams. The meal sounded simple so I also asked for a side order of cheese mash. Big mistake!

OMG! OMG! OMG!

The waitress came over with our food and presented me with something out of Man vs Food and said, “Are you going manage all of that?” “I need to keep the twins fed,” I said as I eyed up the food mountain in front of me. The cheese mash on its own was a meal in itself being a bowl of mashed potato covered with bacon then topped off with about a pound of cheese!

Alison had a miserly BBQ chicken sandwich, salad and a cocktail. (Alison: it was delicious – and still a big meal!) The whole thing was a good deal – costing less than lunch!







I ate what I could manage and pushed the plate to one side, defeated. I felt like Violet Beauregard from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – just push me over and wheel me out of the restaurant.

We wandered around the area, taking in the atmosphere and wandering in and out of various casinos just to look around. We did some betting in Bunions and the Golden Nugget, before calling it a night. We caught the bus back as far as the Sahara stop, then jumped on the monorail as it took us very close to the Signature at the back of MGM.

Total on the betting front - I bet $25 and won a few cents Alison bet $25 and won $1. Not such a good day!

[Guest]

Wow that pool got busy! We didn't get to golf, looks fun!

[KarenG]

Oh fabulous Shaun! What a day!

We loved Freemont Street (I know some people don't)

I have to ask about KISS golf though - it looks like it would cause a migraine! Is that just the photos?

[mossyflossy]

Oh my oh my, you did make me laugh abt Heart attack Grill: can honestly say I never even noticed it! HHAGG, good effort on your food mountain, Alison's meals always look very healthy and restrained!

[daytonababe]

Originally Posted by KarenG

Oh fabulous Shaun! What a day!

We loved Freemont Street (I know some people don't)

I have to ask about KISS golf though - it looks like it would cause a migraine! Is that just the photos?

See more...

Lol we did the Kiss golf last year, and its so fun the kids love it, but yes its very very bright..

OP nice day :-)

[Pussycat Doll]

Great day, food looks fab! Pussycat

[abiknox]

Great read again, Freemont St looks fab. We missed it last time but will definitely be giving it a go this trip! I didn't realise there was a Hash House there, where abouts is it? i can see my beloved kiwi & watermelon lemonade! We went to the Imperial palace one last time and it was incredible! Had to laugh at the Violet from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comment though. I can picture it now

You're definitely managing a lot with your days!

[BONZO]

Originally Posted by abiknox

Great read again, Freemont St looks fab. We missed it last time but will definitely be giving it a go this trip! I didn't realise there was a Hash House there, where abouts is it?

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It's to the West of Fremont street, quick google search will bring up exact location. Also noticed one in RiO but it shuts at 6pm or so so no dinner service for some reason.

[beck_loz]

Great report x

[orlandosgr8]

Wow that pool is busy! Had to laugh at the descriptions at the heart attack grill