This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There are many different ways for Utahns to bring in the new year. Spending New Year's Eve in Las Vegas with thousands of revelers certainly is a possibility, given that Sin City is less than an eight-hour drive from the Wasatch Front.
The choices in Vegas are many and mostly expensive. There are clubs, dinner areas and viewing areas.
Of course, a visitor can also just walk along the famous Strip, which is closed to traffic. That might mean not being able to get into some casinos, which are so crowded that doors are locked. It could mean waiting 20 to 25 minutes to use the rest room if you do get into a big resort hotel. And, at midnight, it will mean jostling shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other people as fireworks explode from all corners.
Having experienced that scene once in my life, I've decided watching it on television is much easier.
That said, the Las Vegas monorail is offering a package for $175 per person or $300 per couple to spend the night at the Third Rail Lounge.
Included are unlimited monorail rides for 24 hours, allowing access from the Strip throughout the night. The event includes unlimited beer and wine, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and access to a themed party photo booth complete with a souvenir print to take home.
The lounge is a good spot to watch the fireworks and, since traffic on New Year's Eve is a nightmare in Las Vegas, using the monorail to access Strip venues is certainly a good idea/
For information or to purchase tickets, go to lvmonorail./com/nye2017.