10 reasons to ditch L.A. and go to Las Vegas for Halloween weekend

Halloween is not just for kids anymore. It has become an all-weekend, if not weeklong, event of parties and carousing. And, dare we say, it doesn’t get any spookier than spending Halloween in Las Vegas. If you were scratching your head trying to think of something to do here in L.A., consider a weekend getaway to Sin City. There’s enough going on for you to create some horror stories of your own — and as we all know, what happens in Vegas… Oh, don’t make me say it.

1.  Fright Dome at Circus Circus. For some, the thought of staying at Circus Circus is a scary enough proposition. But Halloween is one time of the year when even the best Vegas hotel snob will want to head down to the north end of the Strip and check out Fright Dome. It has been ranked among the top five scariest haunted attractions in the United States for two years in a row,  and this year it will offer new haunted houses, freak shows, scare zones and much more to those who dare to enter. Hours: 7 p.m. to midnight. Caveat: Not recommended for children under 12. Cost: $33.95 per person. Contact: Fright Dome, (702) 794-3939.

2.  Circus of Horrors and the Mortuary from the Freakling Bros. If it’s bizarre freaks and true human oddities you’re looking for, Circus of Horrors is it. The Mortuary, the haunted-attraction company’s longest running show, is its creepiest show and full of theatrical illusions. This year Freakling Bros. has put the two events together at the same location in North Las Vegas. Cost: $11 each or $18 for both. Contact: Freakling Bros., (702) 362-FEAR.

3. Jonathan Davis of Korn will be headlining a Halloween Fright Fest at LAX at the Luxor. Visit LAXTheNightClub for details.

4. Masquerade Ball at Lavo. Hosted by the cast of “Phantom,” this is not your typical costume party. Cost: $30 for me and $20 for ladies. Tip: Free admission when you come in costume and show your “Phantom” ticket stub from that night. Contact: Lavo Nightclub at the Palazzo (pictured), (702) 791-1800.

5. Monster Mayhem. It’s three attractions in one. Head on over to the Town Square (Las Vegas Boulevard at the 215 Freeway)  for the Haunted Mansion, The 3-D Morbid Clown Manor and a completely new Aces & Eights Haunted Casino. Plus, there’s an aboveground graveyard. Cost: $22. Contact: Monster Mayhem.

6.  Harrah’s Superheros and Villains outdoor party right on the Strip. $10,000 in cash prizes will be given out to the best costumes each night Oct. 30 and 31 at Harrah’s Carnaval Court.  First-place winners for sexiest costume (ladies only) and most creative costume will get $1,500 each. Second-place costumes will get $1,000 each. Radio stations KOMP-FM (92.3) and the Point (97.1 FM) will be broadcasting live and there will be live entertainment, the Bacardi girls and Allegiant Air will be giving away round-trip airfare for “trick or treat flight night.” Time: noon to 3 a.m. Cost: $10 cover charge after 8 p.m. Contact: Harrah’s Carnaval Court.

7.  Night of the Killer Costumes 2. Whether you’re dressed up like a Playboy bunny or your favorite sci-fi action hero, the Palms wants you to party with them. Moon nightclub will be having a space-themed, sci-fi contest and right next door the Playboy Club will have a Playboy-themed costume party. Great prizes, including a night at the Sky Villa Suites, will be awarded to the best costumes at Rain. Contact: Palms.

8. The MGM Grand has a “Halloween Blowout” deal for $99 per night on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 31-Nov. 1). Just use the promo code INB230 when you book online. Without the code, prices start at $130 per night. And while you’re there, stop by Studio 54 for its 11th Annual Nightmare on 54th Street. There’s a Nightmare Costume contest on Friday night. Contact: MGM Grand, (800) 929-1111.

9. Jesse Jane, hosts Halloween at Prive. The Moveable Buffet talks about a new Vegas tradition of mixing  adult film stars and Halloween costume contests for resort nightclub events.

10. Celebrity nightclub parties galore. Join Carmen Electra at New York New York’s new Rok Vegas nightclub, “That ’70s Show” star Wilmer Valderrama at Pure Nightclub (Caesars), Jeff Beacher and his Madhouse Crew for Tao’s Insanity Ball and Costume Contest. Las Vegas Weekly has The complete Halloween party planner for all the clubbers coming to town.

– Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel & Deal blogger

[First photo: frightdome.com, second photo: lavolv.com, third image: mgmgrand.com]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 12:37 pm by Jen Leo and is filed under Las Vegas, Last Minute, News, Tips & Advice, Weekend Getaways. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.