Best & Worst 2008: The year in Vegas
Palms Place (connected to the Palms casino) opened, followed by Trump (behind the now imploded New Frontier). Both have been scrambling to make good on sales contracts and close deals with prospective residents that were made before the credit crunch.
But at least these properties made it through construction.
The Monte Carlo fire may have been an ominous sign of what was to come.
The most anticipated show of the year was the collaboration between Cirque and new-wave magician Criss Angel. After a few delays, “Criss Angel Believe” opened on
Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the relative success of “Jersey Boys” at Palazzo. After the quick closing of other Broadway-to-Vegas efforts, including “Spamalot” earlier this year, “Jersey Boys” (based on the lives and music of the Four Seasons) may have benefited from low expectations. Instead of quickly folding, the show is closing out the year going strong. The real test will come when it reaches its milestone first anniversary next May. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
One Vegas attraction that has drawn a lot of attention in 2008 is the Erotic Heritage Museum. Located near the area of town zoned for adult entertainment and sharing a parking lot with a strip club, the attraction offers a surprisingly traditional museum approach to its chosen topic, including hosting movie screenings and live nude modeling. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
In terms of changes on the Strip that visitors are most likely to notice, No. 1 is the recently reopened and revamped Mirage Volcano. Originally opened with the casino in 1989, the Vegas landmark spent most of 2008 being taken apart for the renovation. But earlier this month the volcano returned to life at a press conference attended by the mayor and
Interestingly, for a city that spends millions to put an attractive image in front of the public, there was truly only one story (check
