A few pointers if u are spending New Years eve on the strip. Many of the hotels will close their doors to anyone who does not have a room key an hour or two before and after New Years. An exception may be if you show a Diamnd or 7star card to get into a Harrahs property. The strip becomes Extremely crowded, and can be scary to stand in during the midnight peak. Small children should NOT be taken to the strip.
For best viewing and safety, try to pick somewhere a bit wider to stand, such as in front do the Mirage fountain, or up Flamingo Ave a bit away from Las Vegas Blvd.
The monorail will close for at least an hour and it will take a couple of hours after midnight for normal traffic to ensue over closed roads such as Flamingo, so don't plan to cross the strip or go anywhere by car or shuttle during the night.
Even when standing n the strip, you are best off to stay on the same side of the street as your hotel.
Pick out your viewing spot early and get there at least 45 minutes prior to midnight. Check the newspaper for locations where the fireworks will go off. Dress warmly with hat and gloves.
To avoid the crowds, a good viewpoint is the back of the Rio in the parking lot with a panoramic view of the strip, but no music. The Hilton's pool area or garage is another good viewpoint on the other side of town.
The fireworks are short, lasting only 15 minutes.
If you want to eat dinner, somewhat expensively, but with a great view, try Alize at Palms or Voodoo Lounge t Rio, or Top of Stratosphere, if you still can book it.
If you are invited to a casino dinner and show, be aware that most of these are snide, with no view of the fireworks planned, so you will have to eat and go outside. Many of these venues include a free buffet the next day, so ask about that.
Unfortunately our casino invites in Vegas have been sparse this year, so we will have dinner at the Gold coast and head for home to watch Anderson Cooper and
Kathy Griffin on tv, who were hysterically funny last year (Cooper's giggling to Griffin's shenanigans was so funny).
Have fun and stay warm.
