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Jeff Does Vegas takes listeners on a thrilling journey to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip…and beyond! Offering a unique blend of insider tips & tricks, captivating stories, and in-depth interviews with local experts, entertainers, and Vegas insiders, Jeff Does Vegas also dives into the fascinating history & evolution of the city including the stories behind the iconic landmarks, legendary performers, and notorious characters who’ve helped to shape the city’s unique culture. Whether you’re a ”seasoned Vegas veteran” or preparing for your first visit, this is the podcast for all your Las Vegas needs!
Episodes
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Back in March of 2022, I was joined on the podcast by Adam Bauer - aka "Travel Fanboy", aka "Cheapskate Vegas" - for what I thought would be a one-off conversation about some of the changes Las Vegas was going through at the time.
We talked about things that had happened over the previous 12 months and made some predictions on what we thought would happen in the following 12 months. That "one-off conversation" has turned into an annual tradition and I'm pleased to welcome Adam back for the THIRD time as we share more of our Las Vegas prophecies & predictions!
We talk about last year's predictions - including what we got wrong & what we got right; We share our thoughts & opinions on how big events like Super Bowl & F1 went as well as what needs to happen to make these events better; And we make predictions on what 2024 will bring to Las Vegas!
Follow Adam on X (formerly Twitter) and be sure to check out his website, Cheapskate Vegas for all the latest updates on what's going in Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Influencers have always been "a thing" in Las Vegas - and in a city as visually stunning as Vegas, it only makes sense that content creators would want to cash in on things.
But in 2023, things got weird. There seemed to be a real "boom" in content creators; there are literally hundreds of people blogging, vlogging, tweeting, and podcasting about Las Vegas.
The culture has gone through a real shift over the last year or so with the attitude changing from "When one wins, we all win" to "F**k everyone else...I'm looking out for number one".
For this episode of the podcast, I was joined by Adam Bauer - aka "Travel Fanboy", aka "Cheapskate Vegas" - for a frank & honest conversation about what's been happening in the Vegas Content Creator community. We talked about what's wrong, what needs to change, and who's doing things right.
Follow Adam on X (formerly Twitter) and be sure to check out his website, Cheapskate Vegas for all the latest updates on what's going in Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Mid-September 2023, news began trickling out online that MGM Resorts was experiencing - as they put it - a "cyber security issue." The company said they'd began shutting down systems to minimize the impact of the problem and that their facilities were "operational".
But on social media, it was a totally different story.
Guests at several MGM Resorts, including Mandalay Bay, the MGM Grand, and the Bellagio were all reporting major issues including slot machines & gaming floors shut down, room keys & locks not functioning properly, and hours-long lines waiting to be "manually checked in".
But what happened? How did it all go down? And how can it be prevented?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to answer those questions - and many others...
FC aka Freakyclown is an ethical hacker, social engineer, co-founder of cyber security company Cygenta, and the author of "How I Rob Banks (and other such places)." He's spent the last 30 years helping thousands of corporations & organizations advance their security, both online and in the real world.
Learn more about FC on his website, follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and check out his YouTube Channel. You can also head over to the Cygenta website to learn more about what FC and his wife, Dr. Jessica Barker, do for their clients.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Here's what I need you to do:
Close your eyes and imagine it's the early 1980's. You're sitting in the captain's chair, cruising the Atlantic shores of the Hamptons with your friends on board. The bikinis are florescent, the shirt collars are popped, and the boat shoes are being worn sock-free. The sound system is pumping out the soft rock vibes of Toto, Kenny Loggins, and Air Supply.
That's Yacht Rock. And THAT is what Las Vegas headliners, The Docksiders, are all about!
Joining me for this episode of the podcast is Kevin Sucher, founder of The Docksiders, America's favorite Yacht Rock band!
Kevin is a long-time music industry vet who's worked with some pretty heavy hitters in the business - including Stevie Wonder, Train, Gwen Stefani, and David Foster.
Kevin shared what inspired him to form The Docksiders, we found out which music icon convinced Kevin to bring the show to Vegas, and we had an in-depth discussion about the music industry today & what the future of the business might hold.
Visit The Docksiders website to learn about the band, listen to their music, and get tickets to their latest residency at Notoriety Live in Downtown Las Vegas. Also, be sure to follow The Docksiders on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and subscribe to the Docksiders YouTube Channel.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
I absolutely LOVE discovering new Vegas content creators and then sharing them with you. Whether it's a new vlogger, blogger, or - as in the case of this episode - a fellow podcaster.
Joining me this time around is Brian Ortega, host & creator of the Concierge Confidential podcast. Every episode, Brian gives his listeners an inside look at the world of Las Vegas and the people who work in it. Brian explores every aspect of the Vegas lifestyle from hotels to restaurants to nightlife and he even shares some awesome tips & tricks for Las Vegas visitors.
Brian & I talked about his time working as a concierge at a major Las Vegas resort, what inspired him to launch the podcast, and he stepped back into his concierge role to share some of his favorite restaurants, shows and more!
Listen to Concierge Confidential on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. And be sure to follow Brian on X (formerly known as Twitter).
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 23, 2023
Monday Oct 23, 2023
For the newest resort coming to the Las Vegas Strip, it's been a long and strange journey...
Fontainbleau Las Vegas sat completely dormant and roughly 70% complete for almost 15 years. It's been through ownership changes, multiple bankruptcies, and lawsuits. It's faced recessions, financial issues, questions about its structural integrity, and even a global pandemic.
But after all that, here we are...powering ahead towards the grand opening of what's shaping up to be one of the biggest & most luxurious resorts on the Vegas Strip.
For this episode, I'm joined by Eli Segall, Investigative Business Reporter and former Real Estate Reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal to talk about the past, present, and future of the Fontainebleau. We went in depth on the history of the property - including the original ownership & concept for the property - and discussed the potential impact the new resort may have on revitalizing the north part of the Las Vegas Strip.
Check out Eli's articles on the Las Vegas Review-Journal website and be sure to follow Eli on X (formerly Twitter).
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
We're roughly a month away from Formula 1 hitting the Vegas strip, and to say it's a "controversial topic" would be a massive understatement.
On one side, you've got the proponents who love it; they say it will bring global attention to the city, shine the spotlight on Vegas as a world-class sporting city, and be a HUGE economic benefit for the city with an estimated $1.2 billion impact.
Then, on the other side, you've got the people who absolutely HATE the event; they're tired of traffic tie-ups & construction chaos, they're disgusted with F1's greed, and they're tired of disruptions on the strip with track preparation - including blocking off the Bellagio Fountains & closing the Mirage Volcano.
Joining me for his second appearance is Todd McCandless, host of The Parc Fermé Podcast, an awesome F1 podcast. As we get closer to "lights out", I thought it might be fun to have Todd back for another chat about the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Todd was here about a year and a half ago after the race was officially announced, but with things fully in motion and race weekend quickly approaching, I figured it was time for an update.
Todd and I also talked about the current F1 season, Max Verstappen & Red Bull Racing's dominance & the effect that was having on viewership, and whether or not the addition of another American-based team would re-spark U.S. interest in Formula 1.
For all the latest on Formula 1, visit The Parc Fermé website and make sure to listen to The Parc Fermé Podcast. Also be sure to follow The Parc Fermé on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Joining me for this episode of the podcast is one of my favorite Las Vegas content creators, Sergio Portesan, the brains behind Viva Las Value, a website/blog all about how to do Vegas like high roller on a low roller's budget.
Last time I had Sergio on the show was a little over 3 years ago, shortly after Vegas had reopened following the big COVID-19 shutdown. I was unable to go to Vegas due to various travel restrictions in place so I asked him to do a "Trip Report By Proxy" to talk about his Vegas experience.
It's now been almost 6 months since my last trip to the city, but Sergio just wrapped up a visit in the last few weeks, so I thought it might be fun to have him back to do it again.
Sergio shared his hotel experience staying both on the strip and downtown, we talked about what It's like attending a bachelor party with a bunch of Vegas virgins, and we discussed some of the same "challenges" Sergio ran into on this trip that others also seem to be dealing with on their own Vegas trips.
We also got a little serious during our conversation, as Sergio shared the epiphany he had during this trip and the blog post he wrote that's garnered a lot of attention.
Be sure to check out Viva Las Value for all the Vegas tips & tricks you could ever need and follow Sergio on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
My guest for this episode of the podcast wears A LOT of different hats...
Dayvid Figler is a performer, musician, author, podcast host...and he's a long-time trial lawyer with several notable clients & cases in his portfolio.
Dayvid was kind enough to join me for a chat where we discussed his experiences growing up in the shadow of the Vegas Strip (literally), running away to college at the age of 16 and writing the Nevada Bar exam at 23, his role in overturning a lap dance ban in Clark County, what it's like hanging out with Flava Flav (yes...THAT Flava Flav), and his part in City Cast Las Vegas, a daily podcast that shares all the Vegas news & information you could ever need or want.
Follow Dayvid on X (formerly Twitter), visit the City Cast Las Vegas website for all your Vegas information & news, follow City Cast Las Vegas on X (formerly Twitter) & Facebook, and listen to City Cast Las Vegas on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
It's been almost three decades since the world lost one of the most influential rap & hip-hop artists of all time...the legendary Tupac Shakur.
On the night of September 7, 1996, Tupac was shot while sitting at a car at a stoplight at the corner of Flamingo Road & Koval Lane, just east of the Vegas Strip. He died 6 days later at University Medical Center.
The case has remained unsolved for the past 27 years and the circumstances surrounding the murder have been shrouded with uncertainty & speculation with multiple theories floating around on who killed Tupac.
Joining me for this episode of the podcast to shed some light on the crime & peel away a few layers of the mystery is true crime author & journalist, Cathy Scott.
Cathy is the author of The Killing of Tupac Shakur: Who Did It and Why? which is considered to be one of the best books ever written on the subject of Tupac's murder. At the time of the shooting, Cathy was working as a reporter for the Las Vegas Sun and she was one of the first people in the world to report Tupac's death.
Cathy & I took a deep dive into the case covering everything from the timeline of events the night of the shooting, to the bungled police investigation, to recent developments in the story.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
It's not very often that you get the chance to talk with someone who's collaborated with & performed for the likes of Sting, Jerry Lewis, Ice T, Fergie, and Jeff Goldblum so when that opportunity comes up, you take it!
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Las Vegas entertainer, Melody Sweets!
You may recognize Melody from her time as "the Green Fairy" in Spiegelworld's Absinthe (a role she originated & performed for over 6 years), one her production show at the Roman Plaza at Caesars Palace, or you might have seen her photos in one of the dozens of places they've appeared (including Las Vegas Magazine, the New York Times, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition).
Melody jumped on the show to have a conversation about her latest project, a new web series called Sweets' Spot featuring "Baking, Boobies...and One Evil Donut".
We talked about Melody's life pre-Vegas and what brought her to the city, the evolution of Sweets' Spot from a live show in NYC to the video series it now, the future of the series, and much more!
Watch all 6 episodes of Season 1 of Sweets' Spot online now at sweetsspottv.com, learn more about Melody - including her music & live appearances - on her official website, and be sure to follow her on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Undoubtedly, one of the most colorful characters in the history of Las Vegas is Oscar Goodman.
Oscar has been a part of the Vegas scene since the mid-60's when he moved to town to practice law and ended up with some of the most notorious organized crime figures on his client list including Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal & Tony "The Ant" Spilotro. Following his time as a defense attorney, he successfully ran for mayor, going on to serve three terms. He had a cameo - as himself - in the film, "Casino" starring Robert DeNiro & Joe Pesci. And, he even contemplated a run for Governor of Nevada.
Now, in his mid-80's, he's the subject of a new podcast series.
Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas focuses on the life & times of Oscar Goodman.
Joining for for this episode, and making his second appearance on the podcast is John Katsilometes, columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal who's also serving as host for this season of Mobbed Up.
John & I discussed what went into creating this season of Mobbed Up, how he convinced Oscar to be a part of the podcast, and how many hours he spent sitting with Oscar collecting his stories.
Season 3 of Mobbed Up - The Fight For Las Vegas is available September 14th, 2023 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts.
Be sure to follow John Katsilometes on X & Instagram and check out his column, Kats, at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Aug 28, 2023
Monday Aug 28, 2023
I'm going to be totally honest with you...this episode of the podcast is very likely to upset a lot of people. But everything being said here NEEDS to be said.
After my last trip to Vegas, I released the "NOT The May Trip Report" episode, in which I brought up several things that I didn't enjoy about the city and, in turn, my vacation. I got a lot of a lot of feedback about that particular episode - some agreeing with me and some STRONGLY disagreeing with me.
I began to think that I was crazy...maybe it was just me. Then, I started to see a lot of the same comments & complaints being made by people posting on Vegas-related social media channels and by several other Vegas content creators - including bloggers, vloggers and podcasters.
Then, it happened...
Sam Novak, the creator of Vegas Unfiltered (who's appeared on the show before) wrote an article for Vegas 411 titled, "This Is The Worst Time In History To Visit Vegas".
I asked Sam to join me for a conversation about the article as well as the current state of affairs in Las Vegas. As expected, he was BRUTALLY honest about what's happening in the city.
We talked about construction chaos, skyrocketing costs, the overall state of the strip, and much more. Plus, I asked the big question: What will it take to FIX things in Las Vegas?
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
If you dig into the history of Las Vegas, you're going to find a lot of stories about crime. A majority of these stories involve the mob, organized crime, and their involvement in the casino industry & other illegal activities.
But if you go deep enough down the rabbit hole, you'll discover that every once in awhile, things in Las Vegas go "BOOM"...and that's what this episode of the podcast is all about.
I'm pleased to welcome back Meagan & Anthony Smith, the creators of Mayhem In The Desert, a true crime blog that shares the darker side of the history of Sin City. On the site, they take deep dives into the famous - and infamous - crimes that have happened in Las Vegas, stretching back across the decades.
One of the subjects on their site that caught my eye was the history of bombings in Las Vegas, and I thought I'd invite Meagan & Anthony back to share these stories. Some of them might be familiar to you...and others? Not so much.
Be sure to visit Mayhem In The Desert online and make sure you follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, check out & subscribe to the Mayhem In The Desert YouTube Channel.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Pro sports is about more than just "the thrill of victory" and "the agony of defeat". It's grown into a massive global industry that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy. As such, it should come as no surprise that Las Vegas wants to get a piece of the action.
And according to proponents, the impact pro sports can have on a community goes beyond what happens on the field or at the rink; job creation, tax revenue, and increased tourism are often cited as being big benefits to being the home of a pro sports franchise or hosting a big event like the Super Bowl or Formula 1. These "benefits" are also the same ones brought up by team owners when they're trying to convince governments to hand over tax dollars to build new stadiums, as in the case of the Oakland A's likely relocation to Las Vegas.
But are these impacts real? Do communities actually see any major economic benefit? And is there an upside to the government handing hundreds of millions of dollars to billionaire team owners to build venues?
My guest is here to answer those questions - and more! Victor Matheson is a Professor of Economics & Accounting specializing in Sports Economics at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Victor has published numerous articles on the economic impact of hosting mega-sports events as well as the economics of sports stadiums, including the effects of public financing of sports facilities.
Follow Victor on Twitter and check out his Google Scholar profile to read his work.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
As anyone who's a regular listener knows, I absolutely LOVE food! In fact, sharing my restaurant experiences from my Vegas vacations is one of my favorite parts of putting together my trip report episodes, so anytime I have the opportunity to have a guest on the show to talk about food, I jump at that chance.
This time around, I'm joined by Las Vegas restaurant & food critic, John Curtas.
John has been living in Las Vegas since the early 1980's and started writing about the Vegas food & restaurant scene in the mid-90's. He's the author of the book, Eating Las Vegas - The 52 Essential Restaurants and the creator of the Eating Las Vegas Blog. John has also made appearances on TV & radio, he's been a judge on several episodes of Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America, and he's the co-host of the podcast, Eat. Talk. Repeat.
John and I talked about he became a food & restaurant critic, how the Vegas food scene has changed over the years, what the future holds for Las Vegas when it comes to restaurants & cuisines, and John was kind enough to share some his favorite - and not so favorite - dining experiences.
To keep up with John & his culinary adventures, be sure to follow him on Twitter & Instagram.
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
This time on Vegas Book Club, we're going ALLLLL the way back to Episode #25 of the podcast and my conversation with Steve Cyr, the subject of the book Whale Hunt In The Desert by Deke Castleman.
Steve is a Casino Host in Las Vegas - but he's not just any host. Steve is one of the elite hosts who deal almost exclusively with "whales".
What is a "whale", you ask? "Whales" are the extreme high-roller VIP's who come to Vegas and spend MASSIVE amounts of money; it's not uncommon for a "whale" to drop $1 Million or more over the course of a weekend in the city. In order to bring them - and their huge bank accounts - to Las Vegas, casino hosts hook them up with lavish comps...from high-end suites & villas, to private jets, to ringside tickets at UFC events, to pretty much anything you can imagine.
Steve is one of the guys who makes that happen.
We talked about his early days in the casino business, how he re-invented the way hosting was being done in Las Vegas, and some of the more "bizarre" requests he's gotten from his clients.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
On this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to and my chat with Dennis Blair, author of the book, Touring With Legends.
A Las Vegas-based comedian & musician, Dennis's career has spanned almost 40 years and over that time, he's worked with some of the biggest names in comedy and music. He co-wrote a feature film, he's worked on numerous TV specials, and he's appeared on the Tonight Show several times.
Dennis and I talked about what got him into comedy, his early days working with the legendary Rodney Dangerfield & what led to their falling-out, his time on the road with the incomparable Joan Rivers, and what it was like spending 18 years as the opening act for the late great George Carlin.
Order your copy of Touring with Legends by Dennis Blair from your favorite online bookseller now!
__________________________________________________________________________
Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #78 of the podcast and my conversation with David G. Schwartz, UNLV Professor, Las Vegas Historian, and author of the book At The Sands.
December 15, 1952 saw the opening of one of the most iconic hotels in the history of Las Vegas - The Sands Hotel & Casino.
During its heyday, it hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment, most notably the legendary Rat Pack featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. And although that might be what The Sands is best known for, there's way more to story than that.
David and I talked about what inspired him to cover the history of The Sands, how "mobbed up" the hotel was, Frank Sinatra's involvement the ownership of the property, and what led to the eventual downfall of The Sands (both figuratively and literally).
Get your copy of At The Sands by David G. Schwartz from your favorite online bookseller.
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Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
For this episode of Vegas Book Club, we're taking a trip back to Episode #116 of the podcast and my chat with Eric Sherwood, aka "Annoyed Pit Boss" on Twitter, and author of the book Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt.
Eric entered the gaming industry following what I like to call a "forced career change", first as a dealer and eventually moving up to the position of pit boss. As he got further into the crazy world of the casino business, he realized the stories from his day-to-day life were too good to NOT share.
First came the Twitter account, then came the book.
Eric & I talked about his entry into the gaming industry, what inspired him to create his Twitter account & write his book, and he even shared some tips & tricks for novice players thinking of hitting the tables on their next Vegas trip.
Dealt: Stories From My Life On The Felt is available from your favorite online bookseller.
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Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
This time around on Vegas Book Club, we're headed back to Episode #93 of the podcast and my conversation with Matthew O'Brien, author of the books Beneath The Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving The Las Vegas Storm Drains.
Underneath the glitz & glamour of the Las Vegas Strip lies a massive network of tunnels which serve the practical purpose of protecting the big casinos & hotels from flash floods that often occur after summertime rainfalls. However, those tunnels have also become a living space for hundreds - if not thousands - of homeless people in the city of Las Vegas.
Matthew is a writer, editor, and teacher who lived in Las Vegas for 20 years. He's considered an authority on homelessness in the Las Vegas tunnels and he's the founder of Shine A Light, a non-profit program that helps people living in the tunnels and provides them with resources to get out of the tunnels.
Matthew & I discussed his early experiences with the tunnels, the work that went into writing his books, and what inspired him to create Shine A Light.
Beneath the Neon and Dark Days, Bright Nights are both available from your favorite online bookseller.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
For this instalment of Vegas Book Club, we're heading back to Episode #42 of the podcast and my conversation with Richard Zoglin, the author of Elvis In Vegas: How The King Reinvented The Las Vegas Show.
July 31, 1969 was a day that changed Las Vegas forever; on that date, the King of Rock N' Roll stepped on stage at the newly-opened International Hotel to kick off what would eventually turn into one of the biggest Las Vegas residencies of all time..
Richard and I took a deep dive into Elvis's first appearance in Vegas back in 1956, the unlikely friendships he made during his time in Las Vegas, the toll his Vegas residency took on his health, and the overall impact Elvis made on Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
When you think "music" and "Las Vegas" there's likely a few names that come to mind almost instantly like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Liberace or Wayne Newton.
But I'm willing to bet that "Punk Rock" isn't even on your radar. However, a new attraction, sandwiched between the growing Arts District and the World-Famous Las Vegas Strip is hoping to change that.
The recently-opened Punk Rock Museum houses the world's largest collection of Punk Rock artifacts & memorabilia including posters, instruments, clothing, and artwork - all donated by the people who LIVED it.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Vinnie Fiorello, the former drummer & lyricist for the Ska-Punk band, Less Than Jake. Vinnie is also the Chief Marketing Officer and one of the co-founders of the museum.
Vinnie & I talked about the inspiration behind the foundation of the museum, some of the notable names who've come together to create the museum, and the incredibly unique experiences offered by the Punk Rock Museum.
If you'd like to learn more about The Punk Rock Rock Museum be sure to visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.
Get your punk rock fix with the Punk Essentials Playlist on Spotify!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
The history of Las Vegas is jammed full of so many great stories about the mob and their involvement in the city but for this episode of the podcast, we're going in-depth on one that you might be be very familiar with.
Originally hailing from a small town in Texas that doesn't even exist anymore, Benny Binion rose to become a kingpin of the Las Vegas casino scene, creating a legacy that's lasted well beyond his death in the late 1980's.
Joining me to share Binion's story is Geoff Schumacher, Vice President of Exhibits & Programs at The Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Geoff and I talked about what got Benny into gambling & organized crime, what prompted his move to Las Vegas from Dallas, the unique trends Benny set in the casino business, and how the Binion name lives on in Las Vegas today.
To learn more about Benny Binion & his legacy, pick up a copy of Blood Aces: The Wild Ride of Benny Binion by Doug J. Swanson or I'll Do My Own Damn Killin' by Gary Sleeper. You can also pay a visit to The Mob Museum and find out all about Benny Binion and the other famous (and infamous) people who helped to shape Las Vegas.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
I generally try to keep things pretty light on the podcast and stay away from topics that some might consider "serious" or "controversial", but if I spot an issue that I think my listeners need to know about, I go for it. So, heads up...this might not be the Jeff Does Vegas that you're used to.
Human Trafficking is a massive problem around the world, and especially in Las Vegas; it might not come as much of a surprise to some people that Vegas has the 4th-highest rate of trafficking in the United States ranking behind Orlando, Atlanta and Washington D.C..
I wanted to take a dive into the issue, get to the root of the problem, and find out what's behind this high rate of human trafficking as well as but some of the myths & misconceptions surrounding it - and I think you might be very shocked by what you're about to hear.
To help me out with this topic, I reached out to a Las Vegas organization called The Cupcake Girls and my guest for this episode of the podcast is Amy-Marie Merrell, their Executive Director.
Amy & I discussed the work that The Cupcake Girls does with victims of human trafficking & sex trafficking as well as those working in the sex industry who are consensual sex workers, Amy shared some shocking facts about who's being trafficked and by whom they are being trafficked, and we talked about some of the legal changes Amy would like to see happen to better support & protect victims of trafficking.
If you want to learn more about The Cupcake Girls, support the work they're doing, or find the resources needed to get assistance, visit their website at TheCupcakeGirls.org. You can also follow them Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
I make no secret about the fact that I absolutely LOVE food.
In fact, as anyone who listens to the podcast on a regular basis knows, when I put together my "Trip Report" episodes, I always mention that that being able to tell people about the meals I've enjoyed in Las Vegas is probably my favorite part of the trip.
So, when I was presented with the opportunity to chat with a Las Vegas-based chef who took her passion for cooking and turned it into a career, I jumped at that chance.
My guest for this episode of the podcast is Chef Alicia Shevetone. Chef Alicia is a pop-up chef who regularly hosts events across the city, she's authored cookbooks, she makes appearances on local Vegas television, and she hosts her own online cooking show. She's also the creator of Dink Cuisine, a unique cooking concept for a very specific demographic.
Learn all about Chef Alicia, find out about Dink Cuisine, see where she'll be appearing and get your hands on her cookbooks by visiting Chef Alicia's website. Also, make sure follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
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__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
Las Vegas bills itself as "the Entertainment Capital of the World" and it's easy to see why with all the big names performing up & down the Strip on a nightly basis...and it's been that way for decades. But how did that all come to be...and what role did the world of organized crime play in making it happen?
My guest for this episode of the podcast is here to help clear things up for us.
Making her second appearance on the podcast is Claire White, the Director of Education for the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Last time Claire was on the show, we went in-depth on Liberace & the impact he had on the Vegas entertainment scene. We briefly touched on the topic of the mob and their place in Las Vegas's entertainment history, but I thought it might be fun to get Claire back to go into a little more detail.
We discussed the early days of Las Vegas entertainment, the Mob's role in helping to build up the industry in Las Vegas, and some of the prominent performers with alleged mob ties.
If you want to learn more about the history of Las Vegas & the role of the mob in establishing the entertainment industry, pick up a copy of Bright Light City: Las Vegas in Popular Culture by Larry Gragg. And be sure to pay a visit to the Mob Museum on your next trip to Las Vegas. Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube!
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
After becoming the first ever magician to win America's Got Talent back in 2014, Mat Franco hit the Vegas strip with his show, Magic Reinvented Nightly at The Linq where he's been performing for almost 8 years.
On my last trip to Las Vegas, I had a chance to sit down backstage with Mat for a conversation. We talked about what got him into magic & his family's support through his career, his AGT experience, the recent re-vamp of his Vegas show, and much more!
For tickets & showtimes, you can visit MatFranco.com and be sure to follow Mat on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
The very first ever WrestleMania was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31st, 1985. The brainchild of WWF owner Vince McMahon, WrestleMania played host to roughly 19,000 people at the Garden and was seen across the United States by over 1 million people via closed-circuit television. At the time, it was the largest pay-per-view wrestling event ever.
In the years following, Wrestlemania would become the most successful and longest-running pro wrestling event in history, even setting several attendance records with crowds of over 100,000 people cramming stadiums to watch the show.
But that doesn't mean it was all good...which brings us to this episode of the podcast.
In 1993, 9 years after that first WrestleMania, the WWF (now WWE) decided to try their luck at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with what was planned to be the most opulent WrestleMania ever. There were elephants, camels, Roman Gladiators, chariots, and even an appearance by Cleopatra & Julius Caesar.
Despite all of that, WrestleMania IX is often regarded as "the worst WrestleMania of all time" and my guest is here to help break down all the reasons why.
Mark Hoke is the host of The Mark Hoke Show, the number 1 rated Pro Wrestling radio show in Las Vegas.
As WrestleMania IX gets set to celebrate its 30th anniversary, Mark and I went in-depth discussing the event; everything from the choice of venue to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's memorable entrance to the politics behind the controversial ending.
You can listen to The Mark Hoke Show live Sunday mornings at 8am PT on Las Vegas's KDWN 101.5 FM and online via the Audacy app, or listen when you want wherever you get your podcasts.
Also, be sure to follow Mark on Facebook & Twitter for all the latest from the world of pro wrestling.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
One of the most serene spots along Las Vegas Boulevard also happens to be home to one of the biggest spectacles in the city's history:
During my last trip to Las Vegas, I caught up with Joe Friday from the Evel Knievel Museum in Topeka, Kansas. Joe was attending the same conference I was, as he's prepping to release a brand-new podcast all about the incredible story of Evel Knievel.
Joe and I talked about Evel's early life and how he got into stunt riding, how Evel "conned" his way into jumping the fountains at Caesars, his career following the jump, and much more.
Joe also shared some very cool Evel Knievel/Las Vegas news with me.
If you want to learn more about the history of Evel Knievel, you can visit the Evel Knievel Museum online and be sure to follow the museum on Facebook and Instragram.
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Become a Jeff Does Vegas Insider today for only $5 USD/month & enjoy all kinds of cool perks like early access to new episodes, commercial-free versions of EVERY episode, invites to exclusive live streams & videos, insider-only virtual hangouts and even real-life in-person hangouts IN Las Vegas!
Sign up NOW at patreon.com/jeffdoesvegas
__________________________________________________________________________
Jeff Does Vegas is an official Vegas.com affiliate!
Help support the podcast & get exclusive deals by booking your hotel stays, shows, attractions, tours, clubs and even complete vacation packages (including air & hotel) with our special link!