Photos from Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

A small area of the Hard Rock casino, which is quiet during the day but loud and crowded on weekend nights.

The Hard Rock pool is shown hibernating for the winter, but it becomes one of the biggest party scenes in Vegas during the warm months. The river and sand beaches can be wall to wall bodies.

The Hard Rock Hotel as seen from the far reaches of the parking lot, which is where we park our 1983 Chevrolet Chevette so as not to get any dings or scratches on it.

The Hard Rock's expanded casino adds tables and slots, but in an area that doesn't have as strong a party vibe as the original casino does.