I've never been to Las Vegas during the winter, but compared to much of the rest of the year, it's friggin' cold in the desert this time of year. The high temperature was in the low 50s both days we were there, and the low in the high 30s (sorry, I can't think in Celsius but I'm sure there are lots of conversion tables on the web). I was all excited to use the fancy outdoor tropical-themed pool at our hotel, but just standing outside for more than a few minutes was more than I wanted to do.
There were a couple of cool things going on because of the holidays. At the Bellagio's Conservancy, just beyond the main lobby, there was an elaborate Christmas display with scenes of penguins decorating a Christmas tree, reindeer covered with pecans, and shooting streams of water over a central wreath-enclosed corridor.
It's also considerably less crowded than other times of year. It seems like many people like to go to Las Vegas around New Year's Eve, but not around Christmas time. Hotel rooms seem to be discounted, though a few stage shows were closed because of the holidays.
Also, if you've never been to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory about twenty minutes east of the Strip, it's worth a visit. Somewhere around Los Angeles, there is a See's Factory, but there are no tours offered there. We had been to the Ethel M factory about five years ago, but it was a Sunday morning, and the factory was not producing anything because it was a weekend.
I had high hopes because we visited on a Monday morning, but there were probably only about half a dozen people actually making chocolate, and a half dozen more boxing them. I asked why there was not more production, and the person in the gift shop said that it all depends on the demand at the time. Ethel M is owned by M&M-Mars, but it seems like all the chocolate for the busy holiday season has already been made, or that the factory tour is only for show, and most of the chocolates are made elsewhere.
