San Diego, New Orleans, and Las Vegas Travel Secrets

Earlier in the week, Dominque King's MidwestGuest blog outlined three top travel secrets about Detroit. She'd been invited to do so by another travel blogger, and then she passed the "Three Travel Secrets" torch to me.

Since I've spent my adulthood living in three common vacation destinations, the most helpful "travel secrets" I can share are about places I've called home. If you're planning to visit San Diego, New Orleans or Las Vegas, here's a recommendation and three insider tips for each one...




San Diego, CA
San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park
Full-screen

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road
Escondido, California 92027
760-747-8702


The San Diego Zoological Society is world-famous, but you may not know it manages two separate parks. The main zoo is located in the heart of the city in historic Balboa Park. But if you venture to inland North County, you'll find a unique safari adventure at the Wild Animal Park.

This is a breeding facility for endangered species that encompasses 1,800 acres amid the rolling hills of beautiful San Pasqual Valley. The vast acreage is divided into two habitats representing "Africa" and "Asia". Animals are grouped by native continent, but live otherwise without barriers. They co-mingle and roam freely in this well-designed natural environment.

General admission to the park offers access to great shows and exhibits. But if you're looking for the kind of experience to remember for a lifetime, go on the guided safari. In my opinion, the Photo Caravan Tour is well-worth it: You get a close-up look at these worlds from the back of a flatbed truck. In "Asia" you'll get to toss apples into the mouths of rhinoceroses that are close enough to touch their tusks. In "Africa" you stop in the middle of what feels like wilderness to feed giraffes biscuits out of the palm of your hand. Right out of your hand. Giraffes. Awesome!


Three Insider Tips for Visiting San Diego:

  • San Diego is famous for beautiful weather, but the months it's not sunny may be counter-intuitive. Though the temperatures are warm, insiders know to expect potentially disappointing beach weather during "May Gray" and "June Gloom."
  • From Imperial Beach near the US/Mexico border to Oceanside 50-miles north, San Diego County boasts stunning coastline. Each beach is unique in physical features and local character. Whether you're after a surf spot or sunset perch, this guide is helpful.
  • San Diego is home to the largest base in the US Navy western fleet, so look for military discounts at many attractions if you're eligible.

 
 
New Orleans, LA
Jacques-Imo's Cafe

8324 Oak Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504-861-0886


You could eat your way through a tour of New Orleans, which is why most any visitor's travel to-do list includes tasting its world-famous cuisine. The best meal you ever had in your life is the last one you just ate, because it's near impossible to pick a favorite.

Many out-of-this-world restaurants are tucked along quiet streets in residential areas. There's no slick marketing to alert tourists these unassuming spots are crazy good.

Suggesting one place among so many worthy contenders is no easy task, but if asked, I'd direct you Uptown to delicious Jacques-Imo's Cafe.

Be warned: This "travel secret" is no secret to locals. They don't take reservations, and you can expect anywhere from a one to three hour wait. What's on the menu worth standing around for? Anything they serve. You could close your eyes and randomly point to an item, to be served a meal you'll dream about for days.



Three Insider Tips for Visiting New Orleans:

  • Movies set in New Orleans show the characters getting around by iconic streetcar, but this is not a viable real-world transportation option unless you only plan to explore two streets. Furthermore, the city is tough to navigate by car if you're unfamiliar. Skip the rental and use taxis. They're relatively inexpensive compared to other cities, and you'll be free to "let the good times roll."
  • Another draw to the city is its legendary music scene, and there are a dizzying number of options for live entertainment. The best resources, I think, for planning who to see where: Offbeat and WWOZ radio,
  • Summertime is off-peak for travel to New Orleans, so lower-priced deals on airfare and hotels can generally be found during this time — if and I do mean if — you don't mind extreme humidity and heat.


Las Vegas, NV
Golden Nugget Hotel Casino's Pool

129 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-385-7111


If what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas, everything in this city would be a travel secret. But I bet you already know about The Strip attractions and lavish resorts. Did you also know you can swim with sharks? You sure can. At Las Vegas' exotic Golden Nugget pool.

In the middle of this salt-water oasis is a shark tank you can swim around from all sides. And get this... You can even go through it if you want to. From the pool's upper deck, you'll find the entrance for the water slide that shoots you through a tube... in the middle of the shark tank... in the middle of the pool.

Plus, there's poolside blackjack and cocktail service if that's your kind of thing. Too bad max capacity of people in the hot tub is only fifty-two. If you're here in the summertime, that won't matter to you anyway. When it's 110+ degrees outside, you'll want to be in the uber-cool pool.



Three Insider Tips for Visiting Las Vegas:

  • Most travelers visit from Thursdays - Sundays, and room rates are priced accordingly. If you have the flexibility to plan for a Monday - Wednesday visit, lodging costs can be dramatically reduced compared to peak days.
  • There are more hotel rooms in Las Vegas than any other city in the world. And it still sometimes sells out. Unless you are traveling specifically for one of the following major events, it will be cheaper and less crowded if you plan around them: National Finals Rodeo (first week of December), New Years Eve, Superbowl weekend, and NASCAR weekend (mid-March).
  • Pack whatever you want to wear — absolutely anything goes. But one thing you cannot do without is a pair of comfortable shoes. Trust me. Each hotel property is like a city in and of itself, and you will do a lot more walking than you think.



So those are my "travel secrets" I hope come in handy. Of course, there's more than three insider tips to each of these cities, so please feel free to comment if you know something to add. Meanwhile, I'm passing the torch to others. Keep an eye out for more secrets from these wise travelers:

  • American Nomad is the travel blog of Moon Guide author, Laura Martone. She covers the best of U.S. travel—from vacation deals to festivals, weekend getaways, travel tips, and more.

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Posted by TheWordWire at 12/13/2009 1:30 AM
Categories: Vegas Baby,N'awlins Gumbo
Tags: New Orleans Las Vegas San Diego
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  • 12/13/2009 5:42 PM Dominique wrote:
    These all sound great...but I've been longing to go to New Orleans for ages, so that would be my first choice! Between the eats and the music, you'd be hard-pressed to get me to leave once I got there :)
    Reply to this
    1. 12/13/2009 5:58 PM TheWordWire wrote:
      You'd be welcomed with open arms. Thanks for the comment, and for including me in this topic.

      Reply to this
  • 12/13/2009 7:04 PM Laura Martone wrote:
    Thanks, Wordy, for sharing such wonderful tips - and for including me in the "travel secrets" fun. I'll post mine this week!
    Reply to this
    1. 12/14/2009 10:19 AM TheWordWire wrote:
      I know you've got some good secrets -- look forward to your article.

      Reply to this
  • 12/13/2009 8:28 PM Amy at The Q Family wrote:
    All are great tips!! New Orleans is another one on our must-visit and it's not too far from Atlanta so I can't wait to make it happened soon. Then, you have to go on and mention that it's the foodie city.. Now I have to push it up to the top of my list. :)
    Reply to this
    1. 12/14/2009 10:16 AM TheWordWire wrote:
      Atlanta/Athens is actually home for me too -- I've made the NOLA / ATL drive MANY times. It's a good 8 hours, but still a pretty easy trip. Eat well when you go!
      Reply to this
  • 12/14/2009 3:03 AM KatieTripbase wrote:
    A fabulous post packed full of fantastic travel tips, thanks for sharing!

    Shark casino pool sounds pretty special!!
    Reply to this
    1. 12/14/2009 10:08 AM TheWordWire wrote:
      Thanks so much for stopping by! There are some pretty incredible pools in town, but the shark tank is my fave. To be fair, I haven't been to a whole lot of the resort pools... you have to be a hotel guest to go to most of them. But some, like this one, welcome locals for an admission fee.
      Reply to this
  • 12/15/2009 5:29 AM Heather on her travels wrote:
    I like that swimming with sharks idea - well, my kids might like it. I remember I was in Hong Kong when Jaws came out and I imagined a shark was in the pool with me for weeks afterwards.
    Reply to this
    1. 12/15/2009 12:59 PM TheWordWire wrote:
      I bet your kids -- any age -- would TOTALLY like it. I remember when Jaws came out too, and I'm thankful it didn't scar me too much to take the plunge through this thing myself. =)

      Thanks for your comment!

      Reply to this
  • 12/16/2009 1:23 PM Accidental Olympian wrote:
    I have never been to Vegan (I know, weird), but you better believe when I finally do I am going to that pool! How amazing! Thanks for the tip.
    Reply to this
  • 12/16/2009 1:25 PM Accidental Olympian wrote:
    Umm Vegan? Where is that?


    VEGAS.

    Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh typing too fast. :)
    Reply to this
  • 1/26/2010 3:38 AM Katesimon wrote:
    Hay really things you shared are amazing reasons to visit there thanks

    Kate Simon
    ______________________________________
    Houston Airport limo Services
    Reply to this
  • 3/19/2010 12:08 AM Houston Limousine wrote:
    Well,
    it's great to have a trip of las vegas, Thanks for the tips you shared to us.
    Reply to this
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