Passing by what will soon be the entrance to The Linq the other day, we caught a glimpse of the new entertainment promenade’s marquee being assembled.

The entrance to The Linq is between Flamingo and The Quad, on the corner where O’Sheas used to sit.

The section of the marquee that says “The Linq” was being hoisted by crane above the sign’s support post, and lowered into place guided by ropes. It’s a little hard to describe, so we felt compelled to capture a far-too-long video of the process.

Simmer down. It’s just a sign being installed.

Anyhoo, the portion being lowered onto the post weighed about 700 pounds, while the support post itself weighs in the neighborhood of 20,000 pounds. Because you can never have too many useless facts in your head.

This blog probably could’ve just dead lifted it, but we didn’t want the hard hat guys to feel badly.

It takes teamwork and a windless day to pull off a maneuver like this one. And yes, if you look closely at the sign (see below), there are dudes in there to make sure it’s a snug fit. It goes without saying that on a hot Las Vegas day, this blog does not want to be one of those dudes.

Just another day having 700 pounds lowered down onto your head. No biggy.

We can’t wait for the full marquee to be unveiled in all its sparkly awesomeness. We suspect there will be no question as to where The Linq is located. Read more about The Linq at the official site.

Leading up to the Miss USA pageant from Planet Hollywood on June 16, the toothsome contestants have been taking advantage of everything Las Vegas has to offer. This blog forced itself to chronicle some of the activities leading up to the Miss USA broadcast.

First, several contestants visited Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace for a chance to prepare their own lunch.

Note to self: Miss USA contestants are up for just about anything.

The contestants got a hands-on demonstration on the finer points of fish preparation from the restaurant’s Executive Chef, Jeremy Berlin.

This blog would not do this. We tend to be a big baby. You go, Miss Idaho.

Also on the agenda was a visit to Nobu restaurant, also at Caesars Palace, where a group of contestants were treated to some world-class teppanyaki.

There are definitely perks to being a Miss USA contestant. It’s Nobu!

At another jucture in the contestants’ whirlwind tour of The Strip, they dined at Margaritaville at Flamingo Las Vegas. 

Aside from a tasty lunch (yes, beauty contestants eat), this stop included a meeting with Jon Gray, the “Mayor” of The Linq project. A highlight was when Gray gave each contestant in attendance a cupcake with their state on top.

Relocation to Florida, anyone?

The cupcakes were provided by Sprinkles Cupcakes, one of the upcoming tenants in The Linq.

The reigning Miss USA even shared her cupcakes. Why would anyone do that?

The ladies donned their hard hats and were taken on a walking tour of the Linq construction site.

Miss Nevada can even work a hard hat.

The contestants got to autograph a wall inside one of the new establishments in The Linq. Now, you’ll know some true insider scoop about The Linq: The signatures will be encased in the wall of a Starbucks.

Las Vegas immortality comes in many forms.

Of course, the highlight of any Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas is pool day at Flamingo Las Vegas. And this blog is being completely objective about that.

Pool day, you are awesome beyond words.

The contestants work a bit (taping segments for the live broadcast), but also get a chance to lounge and enjoy the Sin City sun.

This blog’s fainting spell may or may not have been caused by exposure.

Here’s a little video to augment the Miss USA poolside experience.

Gosh, we’ve probably shared too many photos from the pool already. Don’t you hate when that happens?

Please, you’re getting in the way of our waterfall photo!

If it’s one thing this blog has learned, it’s that nobody is all that interested in photos of women, in bikinis, poolside. Especially photos like the one below.

Today’s game: Spot the ginger!

Look, we don’t make up the news, we just report it.

Seriously, we need to move on here.

We may have taken a few more bikini photos, so you may want to check out our exclusive photo gallery.

Best of luck to all the contestants, and make sure to watch the Miss USA pageant on June 16, 2013 on NBC. Visit the official Miss USA site for prelimiaries and more.

Las Vegas is the ultimate place to stay and play on Father’s Day, so here are some things to do to keep the Old Man busy and feeling appreciated for all his love, support and myriad guilt trips thoughout the years.

1. Auto Collections at The Quad

Your pop will be in seventh heaven among the dozens and dozens of classic and rare cars at this must-see attraction inside The Quad. See more.

This blog’s dad would love the Auto Collections, and he hates everything.

2. Carnivore’s Delight

On Father’s Day, Old Homestead Steakhouse at Caesars Palace (this blog’s favorite steakhouse on The Strip) will offer a special 24-ounce bone-in New York strip steak for $88 per person. This acclaimed steak is unforgettable, just like seeing Dad in his black socks and sandals. Also at Caesars, Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill will feature its recently-debuted traditional English Sunday Roast prix-fixe menu for $56 per person. Once Dad tries this feast, he may even put you back in the Will.

3. Sin City Revealed

Speaking of “bone-in,” give the Old Man a jolt with a little Sin City, well, sin. Topless shows like “X Burlesque” at Flamingo, “Peepshow” at Planet Hollywood and “Jubilee!” at Bally ‘s should do the trick.

“X Burlesque” has been making dads gleeful since 2002.

4. Engineering Wonder

Here’s a free thing to do for Father’s Day. Drive by the construction site of the High Roller observation wheel at The Linq. It’s only half its ultimate height at the moment, but it’s still a wonder to behold. And did we mention gawking is free?

The mind reels.

5. $777 Burger

That’s not a typo. At Le Burger Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas, make dad feel like royalty with a $777 burger. (Don’t have a coronary. It’s served with a bottle of Rose Dom Perignon champagne.) Read more.

Dad helped change your diapers. Probably. He’s probably worth it.

6. Laugh It Up

Hey, having you as a kid wasn’t a walk in the park, so give Dad the gift of laughter. Check out Jeff Civillico at The Quad, George Wallace at Flamingo, Anthony Cools at Paris, Vinnie Favorito at Flamingo, Sin City Comedy at Planet Hollywood and the Improv at Harrah’s.

7. Help Dad Be a Swinger

Golf in Vegas rocks! On warmer days, hit the links early at world-class courses like Cascata or Rio Secco. Is this a super original thing to do with your dad? Of course not. He doesn’t care about originality. He cares about you not screwing up Father’s Day. Just go with golf.

8. A Hangover to Remember

It’s hard to believe, but at one time, your dad was a blast. He was funny and charming and adventurous. The key to helping him revisit his glory days is, obviously, liquor. Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace recently opened a cognac lounge, for example. High quality cognac can run into the hundreds per ounce, but can you really put a dollar value on love for Father’s Day? Or try a Vegas classic, slushy drinks in souvenir cups with neck straps. The 96-ounce monsters at P.F. Chang’s, pictured below, and the Purple Strap-On at Carnaval Court are highly recommended.

Ah, the vague memories of Las Vegas you’ll share.

Treat Dad to a Vegas adventure he’ll never forget for Father’s Day, and if you need a referral for a good bailbondsman, just let us know.

If you’ve been checking in on the live cam that points toward The Quad and the neighboring Linq entertainment district project, you may have noticed the Quad’s new “vortex” lights being tested.

Today, we got a close-up look at the dazzly good fun to come.

Center-Strip is about to get some sweet new bling.

Click here for a larger version.

The lights are still being tested, but given the display is impressive during bright sunlight, we expect it’s really going to be a head-turner at night.

We can’t wait!

If you haven’t shopped at the Appian Way Shops at Caesars Palace recently, you’re missing out on a slew of new ways to give your credit card the ultimate workout.

In recent months, about a dozen new shops have either opened from scratch or received dramatic renovations. Here are some highlights.

Home

One of our favorites! This store has such eclectic offerings from around the world, they’re hard to describe. There’s a vast range of decorative pieces, including one-of-a-kind antiques dating back to ancient Chinese dynasties.

Don’t expect these photos to get any more in focus as we go along. This is a blog.

This acupuncture dummy caught our eye at Home. Needles not included.

Um. Ow?

Oh, and this wheel. We love old stuff.

Ah, the circularity of life.

King Baby

This jewelry store has a rock ‘n’ roll vibe and a large celebrity following.

Alfonso XIII of Spain was declared king when he was born. So, he was literally a king baby.

The store is overflowing with handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. These hearts are very popular.

Dudes, this is like a free pass out of the doghouse. You’re welcome.

P!Q

Another quirky new store we love! P!Q has home accessories, games and peculiar souvenirs.

It’s weird, but wonderful. Sort of like chewing on packing peanuts. But pleasant.

We especially enjoyed the purses that smell like chocolate.

Like a lot of things in Las Vegas, you lick it, you bought it.

Bottlehood

This eco-friendly company repurposes glass liquor bottles, turning them into glassware and jewelry. Working with Caesars Entertainment, the company repurposes about 260,000 bottles each year that would otherwise go into landfills.

Bottlehood recycles glass containers the way this blog recycles old blog posts. Hello, it’s called conservation.

Jimmy Crystal

The New York City-based Jimmy Crystal is new to the Appian Way Shops, with jewelry and accessories, eyewear, watches and home décor.

Why do they call it “eyewear”? You wear glasses on your nose. It’s nosewear.

Olive & Beauty

Olive & Beauty is a boutique store with fresh olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars from around the world, plus gourmet spices, pastas, gift baskets and olive oil-based skin care and cosmetics.

Thanks for volunteering to be in our photo, guy holding something.

Travel+

Everything you could ever want when it comes to travel solutions, Travel+ has top-name suitcase brands as well as an extensive selection of handbags, backpacks, business cases and travel accessories.

Swiss people love Travel+. A reference upwards of six Swiss people who read this blog will appreciate.

Vittorio

Vittorio offers a variety of Italian leather handbags and accessories.

Vittorio, in Italian, means “conqueror.” See? Not all our trivia is useless.

Optica

This popular luxury eyewear chain is also new to the Appian Way Shops, and has an extensive collection of luxury brands including Cartier, Chrome Hearts, Prada, Gucci and Dior.

Before eyeglasses, some would use glass globes filled with water to read. Look, we needed a caption. Most people skip these, so please, just move on.

Fans of the Appian Way Shops at Caesars Palace will note a few renovations of existing stores, including Carina (fashion), Forever Flawless (skincare and cosmetics) and the Emperor’s Essentials store (everything else).

Available at Emperor’s Essentials. Hey, some essentials are more essential than others.

Enjoy a few more photos in the gallery below, and stop by to see what’s new at the Appian Way Shops at Caesars Palace. Because there’s a lot. We know because our hands are tired from typing this blog post. But it’s a good kind of tired.

The Rio Las Vegas and New Capital Ventures have announced a joint effort to bring a new zipline attraction, the VooDoo Skyline, to the hotel in late summer, 2013.

The heart-stopping zipline will launch 400 feet in the air, from the popular night spot, VooDoo Lounge. Daredevils will ride at speeds up to 33 miles-per-hour to another tower at Rio, the Ipanema Tower.

Let us say, with all due respect, “Aieee!”

The new ride should provide some of the most spectacular views of The Strip in all of Las Vegas. Assuming your eyes are open. Which this blog’s won’t be.

Unlike most ziplines, the VooDoo Skyline will accommodate two riders at a time. Another unique feature is that on the attraction’s return trip, guests will ride an additional 800 feet to the starting point, facing backwards, for a total ride distance of nearly one-third of a mile.

Actually, it’s more accurately called a “zip ride.” Ziplines don’t go backward, can’t accommodate two people (seated), and a zip ride can’t get stuck halfway to its destination as ziplines sometimes can.

This photo shared on Rio’s Facebook page shows the view from the zipline launch point. What is wrong with people?

VooDoo Skyline is a collaboration between the Rio and New Capital Ventures partners Joe Shortal and Jonathan Borchetta, and Stan Checketts, who has created more than 200 amusement rides around the world for companies such as Disney and Six Flags.

Checketts even designed what at one time was the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Dodonpa coaster in Japan. Bottom line: This guy knows adrenaline.

Here’s another Stan Checketts effort that may provide a taste of what’s to come at Rio.

VooDoo Skyline is slated to operate seven days a week, from noon to midnight each day. Pricing and other details are yet to be announced. Read more at the Las Vegas Review Journal.

This blog is a tremendous fan of free.

Now, the Flamingo is offering free slot tournaments on weekends, with prizes of even more free! Specifically, free slot play. One of our favorite forms of free, ever.

These slot machines won’t accept your money. Enjoy that feeling while it lasts!

Here’s the skinny. Or the low-down. Or the 411. Or whatever people call it.

Any new or existing Total Rewards loyalty club member can enter the slot tournaments. (It’s free to join Total Rewards, of course.) They’re held in the Margaritaville Casino at the Flamingo, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

When you enter, you play a three minute session to determine your score. Yes, three minutes. Sort of like this blog’s love life.

There were easily 40 lost shakers of salt when we stopped by.

Tournament results are posted at 3:30 p.m. The top prize is $500 in Reel Rewards (free slot play), with a total of five players winning ($400 in Reel Rewards for second place, $300 for third, and so on).

Good luck, and remind us again why people travel to anywhere other than Las Vegas? We’ll wait.

Today’s featured dealertainer at The Quad is Scott as Garth Brooks.

Can our Garth Brooks sing? Yes. Can the real Garth Brooks deal blackjack? We have no idea, but let’s not get bogged down by “details” or “facts.”

Find out more about the dealertainers at The Quad.

Comedy-magician Mac King recently celebrated the lucky 13th anniversary of his show, the Mac King Comedy Magic Show, at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

In honor of the occasion, the supremely likeable King got a proclamation from Mayor Carolyn Goodman naming May 11 “Mac King 13th Anniversary Day” in Las Vegas. Sadly, no cash value, but money isn’t everything.

Mac King also got a cake, because some things are worth more than money.

Said King in a news release we just cut and paste this quote from, “A big thank you to all my pals and fans who have come out to support comedy and magic in the afternoon. I look forward to making more memories here at Harrah’s Las Vegas and I really am the luckiest boy on Earth.”

Also in attendance at the event were cast members from Million Dollar Quartet, also at Harrah’s.

Joining Mac King were “Million Dollar Quartet” stars Martin Kay (who plays Jerry Lee Lewis), Benjamin D. Hale (Johnny Cash), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins). Elvis had apparently left the building.

Thanks to our buddy, Gabe Ginsberg, for the great pics.

Some Mac King stats: He’s performed more than 6,760 shows at Harrah’s, used 20,280 feet of rope in his timeless rope trick, and he’s magically appeared more than 20,280 Fig Newtons. Or whatever they’re calling Fig Newtons now, possibly just Newtons.

As for some of our favorite Mac King moments from the past 13 years?

Don’t miss Mac King’s very funny, family-friendly show at Harrah’s, consistently named the best afternoon show in Vegas, as well as one of the best bargains in the known universe. Although we may have embellished that last part a little bit.

The seventh annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit festival is officially under way in the city known as much for its restaurants as its neon.

As is the tradition, this year’s event began with a “saber off” ceremony (the removal of a cork via a dramatic, sabering motion), wherein this blog was drenched with expensive champagne.

It’s all fun and games until somebody gets their camera sticky.

Vegas Uncork’d, a four-day food-lover’s extravaganza is resplendent with dinners, wine and food tastings, cooking demonstrations and all things gastronomical.

Some of the town’s best chefs take part in the event. We forced several of them to have their photo taken.

Restauranteur and chef Greg Sherry, of Old Homestead Steakhouse at Caesars, this blog’s favorite restaurant on The Strip. Yes, we have a favorite, just like normal people.

A variety of hotels on The Strip host Vegas Uncork’d events, and a highlight of the festival is the Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. Lots of chefs. Lots of food. Lots of wine. Oh, yes, there will be trash-talking.

It is important that you do not attempt to get between this blog and a Grand Tasting. We’re just saying.

Caesars Palace’s Chef Guy Savoy of Restaurant Guy Savoy, and Frank Pellegrino of Rao’s. Don’t get all jealous about the Old Homestead thing, you two.

We finally got to meet “Hell’s Kitchen” winner Christina Wilson. Her prize was a gig at Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas. Happily, she seems to have made it through her Probationary Period.

Let’s just say Christina Wilson went through a very public job interview.

About 40 chefs took part in the Vegas Uncork’d saber ceremony. We are sharing some of the ones from Caesars Entertainment hotels, because we’re sort of biased like that.

Chef Francois Payard of Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace has forgotten more about chocolate than the rest of us will ever know.

Although you have procrastinated masterfully, there are still tickets available to some of the Vegas Uncork’d events.

Chef Jeremy Berlin is Executive Chef at the new Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace. We get the impression he takes food very seriously.

Vegas Uncork’d runs through May 12, 2013, so get on that.

Find out more at the official site, VegasUncorked.com.

The weather in Las Vegas is absolutely gorgeous, and dining outside is a wonderful way to take advantage of the sunshine.

This blog completely sympathizes with those around the country still in the throes of winter. (Sorry, Minnesota and Wisconsin.) And what better way to “sympathize” than to “share photos of people enjoying outdoor dining” while also “gloating a little”?

1. Serendipity 3

This restaurant in front of Caesars Palace has ample seating, warm breezes and ranks among the best places to people-watch on The Strip.

When packing for Las Vegas, sunglasses are as essential as Elvis sideburns and the phone number of a good bail bondsman.

Note: There are two seating areas at Serendipity 3. One faces The Strip (above), and the other faces, well, this.

This view is what's described on review sites like Yelp as, "Akin to having your eyeballs dipped in newborn kittens."

2. Central Michel Richard

Central Michel Richard recently opened its centrally-located patio, and diners can order lunch to-go at the restaurant’s bar for consumption on the patio, complete with an ample supply of umbrellas for shade.

Once the sun goes down, there's a DJ, and Central's patio takes on a nightclub vibe.

3. Rao’s

With a great view of the Garden of the Gods pool complex, Rao’s is a terrific spot to enjoy a take-out order and play a little bocce while catching some rays.

Why do they call it "antipasto"? This blog is pro-pasto.

4. La Salsa

This popular restaurant at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace also has outdoor seating next to a replica of the Trevi fountain.

"The Pulse of Vegas Blog: Calling things 'hidden gems' since 2009."

5. Margaritaville

Even regular diners at Margaritaville at Flamingo Las Vegas aren’t always aware of the restaurant’s third floor patio, complete with a bar, lots of tables and a spectacular view of Caesars and The Strip.

We see a massive amount of nachos in your future.

We weren’t kidding about the nachos thing.

Somebody was just photobombed by a sweet pink phone case.

6. Carlos’n Charlie’s

This tequila-fueled party spot at Flamingo Las Vegas boasts a patio with sun, fun and drinks the size of bathtubs. More Carlos’n Charlie’s.

You want mellow, do lunch. You want "I can't feel my face," do dinner.

7. Mon Ami Gabi

Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas is easily one of the more well-known spots to dine outside in Las Vegas. Great service, consistently good food and people-watching make it an essential part of any Vegas visit.

Mon Ami Gabi is even more awesome than our awesome photo of her. Yes, it's a she.

8. Cabo Wabo Cantina

There aren’t too many places where you can dine outside and hang out with a bona fide rock star, but Cabo Wabo Cantina fits the bill. Even when Sammy Hagar (The Red Rocker) isn’t in town, the lively outdoor seating at Cabo Wabo at Planet Hollywood is worthy of an ovation.

Bonus: Balloonage.

9. Pink’s

The dogs are plentiful at this Planet Hollywood eatery, as is the sunshine and ogling at this intimate seating area facing Las Vegas Boulevard.

Nothing too fancy, but plenty of fresh air and vitamin D.

10. P.F. Chang’s

What’s not to love? Check out some pics from our recent visit to this fixture at Planet Hollywood, including our encounter with some new, 96-ounce cocktails.

We avoid sitting right behind the horse. Just a personal preference.

11. PBR Rock Bar & Grill

The fun at PBR Rock Bar at Planet Hollywood can’t be contained inside, so it overflows into the restaurant’s perfectly-situated outdoor patio. Step inside for a ride on the mechanical bull, or just watch as hundreds of Vegas visitors stroll by. Many in sun dresses and inappropriately-short shorts. We’re just saying.

Note the lack of snow-blowers.

So, pick your spot and enjoy Sin City’s fabulous weather and diverse dining. But don’t wait! This window of wow-worthy weather may not last forever. One time, in 1987, we had a day in May where it was, brace yourself, overcast for upwards of 20 minutes!

Just kidding. Never happened. But we didn’t want the people in Minnesota and Wisconsin to feel too badly. Probably.

It’s Vegas, just deal with it.

In Las Vegas, pole dances are free, but lap dances are usually $20 a pop.

Thanks to the roaming balloon-maker at Carlos’n Charlie’s restaurant at Flamingo for the balloon sculpture this blog probably does not condone.

If you’re ever in the mood to master the pole yourself, check out Stripper 101 at the V Theater in The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. You might also enjoy X Burlesque University at Flamingo Las Vegas.

It’s a little thing called “swim-up blackjack at Caesars Palace.”

"Keeping you cool, even when the blackjack action gets hot!" We think you'd agree, this blog is perhaps the best copywriter ever.

For many, Burger Palace at The Quad has been a mainstay of their Hangover Mitigation Ritual for ages. Now, you’ll have to head over to Hash House a Go Go, also at The Quad, because Burger Palace has closed.

Don't cry because it's ending, smile because it happened.

No official announcement of what will end up in the Burger Palace space has been made, but with all the new things happening at The Quad, we’re confident something tasty is on the way.

Speaking of newness at The Quad, we roamed the grounds and snapped some pics of the newness, so hold onto your Spanx! Yes, reading this Las Vegas blog with Spanx is recommended, mainly because we like saying Spanx.

The vortex thingy atop the space formerly occupied by O’Sheas is nearing completion. Down below is The Quad’s newly-opened casino area.

We also like saying "vortex."

The front facade of The Quad is continuing its transformation to something newer and fancier.

It's like magic, but without all the gratuitous hand gestures.

On the Flamingo-facing side of The Quad, there’s a lot of work still going on. This textured wall has wires peeking out, so we anticipate it will have undulating lights, much like the ever-changing, new porte-cochère lights.

In Vegas, a wall is never just a wall.

A few feet away, some tweaks are being made to the north wall of Flamingo Las Vegas. Our extensive research into exactly what’s being built revealed “this blog does not do extensive research, sorry.” We’re thinking it could be a new entrance to the Flamingo from The Linq, the in-progress entertainment district from Caesars Entertainment.

Like putting an extension on your home, but Flamingoier.

On the Carnaval Court side of The Quad, the building is in the process of getting a sleek new facade.

Thank you for all your hard work, dudes that seem to have no fear of heights, who definitely aren't this blog.

Speaking of Carnaval Court, between The Quad and Harrah’s Las Vegas, the popular party spot has a new construction wall. A new VIP area is being built out, including the removal of a couple of go-go dancing platforms, but don’t panic, there are more on the other side of Carnaval Court. Disaster averted.

In Vegas, construction walls portend delights.

Coming soon to Carnaval Court is the Carnaval Grill. Here’s a sign for it. Details to come.

Spare your arm hair and let someone else do the grilling.

The changes at The Quad pretty much happen daily, so keep on your toes when looking for your favorite places to hang out. The sports book has changed its days and hours of operation, as evidenced by the sign below, saving us the need to take notes, which we appreciated.

There will be a quiz.

The good news is there’s a new self-betting race and sports kiosk on the casino floor for times when the Race & Sports Book at The Quad is closed. It’s located across from The Quad Wine & Spirits, in the hotel’s new casino area.

The aforementioned sports betting kiosk thingy.

The Emperor’s Buffet has some interesting hours, too, so print out the photo below and bring it with you to Las Vegas. Or use the Internet or whatever.

Until we saw this sign, we did not know there was a Verge tower at The Quad. Formerly, the Pagoda Tower. This blog is so informative, it actually learns things from itself.

We’ll do our best to breach security and keep you up-to-date on all the latest news from center-Strip, the world’s most exciting destination, other than your mom’s house, if she’s making that dessert you like.

The wildlife habitat at Flamingo Las Vegas is truly an oasis within the oasis that is the Las Vegas Strip, and this blog visits as often as possible to take in the surprising diversity of animals on display, including a pair of rescued pelicans.

This blog loves it some pelicans.

Bugsy and Virginia are alive and well at Flamingo Las Vegas! The pelicans are named after the colorful mob figure who helped make the Flamingo a reality back in 1946, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, and his girlfriend, Virginia Hill.

While the habitat’s Chilean flamingos get a lot of the limelight, we think the comical Bugsy and Virginia steal the show.

It's easy to tell Bugsy and Virginia apart. This is one of them.

You can tell Bugsy and Virginia apart because she’s gray (and her head’s a little yellow), while Bugsy’s darker in color. Virginia is three, and Bugsy’s between one and two years old.

"You're creeping everybody out right now. I can't take you anywhere."

Now, guests can enjoy feedings of the charming birds, along with a presentation by the dedicated staff at the wildlife habitat, including Jackie Liptak, pictured below.

Bugsy and Virginia get the VIP treatment.

We grabbed some video of Jackie doing her feeding presentation, whether she wanted us to or not. Feedings take place at 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day. We’re thinking you’ll probably make the 2:00 p.m. if you’re doing Vegas as it was intended to be done.

Neither of the pelicans are able to fly due to injuries before they were rescued, so they’re not able to be released back into the wild. They were in pretty rough shape when they arrived, but the team at Flamingo is slowly nursing them back to health.

Bugsy's been through a lot, so be nice.

The habitat is teeming with wildlife. That’s probably why they call it the “wildlife habitat.” Just a guess.

Hannah, below, is a black-necked swan and is almost 20 years old, or nearly old enough to play the slot machines nearby. Hey, it’s Vegas. Hannah’s been at the Flamingo since she was three.

Yes, she'll beg, but don't cave. No human food, please.

Oh, that reminds us, don’t throw coins in the ponds at the wildlife habitat for luck. If the birds eat the coins, it can be dangerous. If you need some luck, you can throw your spare change into the nearby fountains outside Carlos’n Charlie’s restaurant.

The pond at the habitat is a “living pond,” meaning it’s stocked with things its inhabitants can eat, such as minnows and crayfish. So, no coins or litter, please.

If you hang out and observe, stories begin to unfold around you at the wildlife habitat. Even love stories.

For example, the birds below are truly an odd couple. The female Mallard (left) flew into the habitat one day, and caught the eye of a Cinnamon Teal. The Cinnamon Teal got an immediate crush, in spite of the difference in their cultural and religious backgrounds, and he’s been following her around ever since.

The heart wants what the heart wants.

The staff at the habitat are happy to share their wealth of knowledge about all the animals under their capable care. Below is Robin Matos, the Wildlife Manager.

Robin's brain is full of wildlife facts. Ask her for some.

Of the odd couple, Matos says, “The Mallard looks a lot like a Cinnamon Teal hen, just four times larger. So, I think he just likes big girls.”

Below is the male Hooded Merganser, complete with “breeding plumage,” which sounds a little like what you wear when you visit a Vegas nightclub, if you ask us.

Perhaps the last thing you expected to see during your visit: A Hooded Merganser.

And we can’t forget about the whistling ducks. They’re called whistling ducks because they don’t quack, they, you know, whistle. This isn’t rocket science.

We are forced to say the whistling ducks are adorbs.

The ponds at the wildlife habitat have more than 300 fish, and about 15 fresh-water turtles.

During our visit, one of the turtles made a break for the hotel’s GO pool. Hey, we experience that urge often throughout our day, too. Jackie to the rescue, assisted by the pool’s turtle-wrangling lifeguards.

The turtles sometimes roam during egg-laying season, so watch your step.

A face only a mother, and this blog, could love.

Check out that cartilaginous shell, whatever that might actually be.

The wildlife habitat at Flamingo is one of our favorite free, family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas.

Why do we love the wildlife habitat so much? Just beak-cause. We'll be here all week.

More pics, and see you at Flamingo.