Strip Tips: Leap day, uncorking, oysters and dining

Vegas never met a "holiday" it didn't like and leap year is no different. There will be a few free things on the Strip, in honor of leap day, and someone's going to try to set a Guinness World Record on the Strip. Also, do-gooders will get a chance to do some good by dining out.

Free admission

Who says babies born on leap days get shortchanged? Madame Tussauds at The Venetian is offering free admission to the wax museum to anyone born on Feb. 29. Just show your identification at the box office. The catch? You must go on your birthday, Feb. 29. And for those who didn't know, leap year contains an extra day, Feb. 29, which occurs only once every four years. Madame Tussauds opens at 10 a.m. Call 862-7800 or visit madametussauds.com/lasvegas.

Setting a record

On the Strip, you don't have to be a leap year baby to get something free. On Feb. 29, head down to the Bellagio at 11 a.m. to watch 300 people try to break the Guinness World Record for the most bottles of wine uncorked at one time. Count us among those surprised that such a record exists. Currently, it's 252. Chefs Michael Mina, Julian Serrano, Hubert Keller, Rick Moonen and Mike Minor will be among the 300 people trying to set a new record. After all those bottles are opened, the wine will be shared with Bellagio guests. All of this is to announce ticket information and the final programming for Vegas Uncork'd, which doesn't happen until May 10. That's when Bon Appetit hosts four days filled with food and wine events showcasing the best Vegas has to offer. For more information, visit vegasuncorked.com.

Oyster hour

Lakeside at the Wynn just launched a nightly oyster happy hour. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Hama Hama, St. Simone, Shibumi or Rappahannock oysters cost $1.50 each. Lakeside, which is on Wynn's Lake of Dreams, is run by Chef David Walzog, a three-time James Beard/Perrier-Jouet Rising Chef nominee.

Special menus

Las Vegas Restaurant Week kicks off Monday and several Strip restaurants will be offering special menus. The event, which runs through March 4, benefits Three Square Food Bank. This is an opportunity to try out restaurants that may not fit into your budget otherwise. For a list of menus from participating restaurants, go to helpoutdineout.org.

Question

How do you get to Caesars Palace from the back?

Caesars is among the Strip hotels that can be accessed from Frank Sinatra Drive so you can completely avoid traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard. If you're downtown, just take Industrial Road to Frank Sinatra and make a left. If you're coming from the north, take Interstate 15 to Spring Mountain Road heading west. Make a left on Polaris Avenue, a left on Twain Avenue, go under the overpass and make a right on Frank Sinatra. Finally, make a left into Caesars.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564. Follow @StripSonya on Twitter.