Destination Guidebook for Las Vegas, Nevada
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The Strip, a brilliantly lit land of themed and classic casino-hotels, stretches for more than 3 mi/5 km along Las Vegas Boulevard South. The flashing signs and lighted facades are known worldwide, and walking the Strip is a memorable, if crowded and exhausting, experience. Free sidewalk shows that cost millions to design and maintain—such as the fountains at Bellagio, the volcano at Mirage and the Sirens at TI (formerly Treasure Island)—are designed to lure visitors. Take the time to explore as many of the larger properties as you can; you'll be amazed at how thoroughly they re-create the four corners of the earth—and fantasy worlds beyond. Inside, you'll find attractions such as circus acts, wild-animal habitats, fine art, astounding entertainment, an ever-expanding variety of casino games, spas, shopping and the world's best collection of dining options in a single city.
Close to the Strip in both distance and wattage is downtown Las Vegas. The highlight there, literally, is the Fremont Street Experience, a five-block pedestrian mall covered by a high-tech canopy that several times a night displays an elaborate light show set to music.
Most people are so enamored with the Strip they don't venture beyond it to take advantage of other area attractions. The Liberace Museum includes the entertainer's million-dollar wardrobe, pianos, automobiles and much more. UNLV offers museums, plays and a concert hall that hosts ballet, opera and other fine-arts performers as well as visiting speakers. The city seems to host a local festival every week, and the weather is ideal for bike races, marathons and other nonmajor sports. Gambling's the raison d'etre for Las Vegas' casinos—isn't it? Visitors may wonder, because many casinos have unique personalities and special offerings, from shows and shopping to unbelievable pools that eclipse the slot machines and gaming tables. A casino's ambience makes it a destination in its own right, so pick one that suits your mood.
Call Bally's the "anti-theme" casino. It's strictly classic Las Vegas—big on glitz, gaming and productions. Shows include Donn Arden's Jubilee! (US$50-$90), with a Bob Mackie-gowned showgirl extravaganza and spectacular effects such as the sinking of the Titanic, and The Price is Right—Live (US$49.50). The dramatic hotel entrance from Las Vegas Boulevard includes four 200-ft/61-m people-movers. With 2,814 guest rooms in two 26-story towers, Bally's was first in the city to introduce an entire concierge floor, Bally's 22nd Club. It also boasts the city's most expensive buffet—the lavish Sunday-only Sterling Brunch (US$75 per person), complete with sushi and caviar. 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-967-4567. Toll-free 800-374-7469. http://www.ballyslasvegas.com. When casino impresario Steve Wynn opened Bellagio in 1998, he designed it as the ultimate upscale hotel experience, inspired by the northern Italian resort area surrounding Lake Como. More formal than others and not particularly keen on families with children, it seemed at times snobbier than most Strip casinos. An 8-acre/3-hectare lake provides a choreographed display of fountains, lights and rousing music every half-hour 3-8 pm, and every 15 minutes 8 pm-midnight. For the most spectacular visual effects, see it after dark or catch it from the top of the replica Eiffel Tower across the Strip. The hotel has a lavish conservatory featuring rotating botanical sculptures and displays that change seasonally, a stunning ceiling fixture in the lobby designed by famed glass artist Dale Chihuly, fine-art exhibits and an impressive collection of celebrity-chef restaurants. "O," (US$99-$150) Cirque du Soleil's most poetic production, sells out nightly. The poker room and some other gaming areas are designated smoke-free; management evaluates each pit in the casino and makes daily adjustments for nonsmokers. The Via Bellagio shopping avenue features such famous names as Gucci, Prada and Chanel. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-693-7111. Toll-free 888-987-6667. http://www.bellagio.com. In Las Vegas terms, Caesars is almost as ancient as the Roman civilization it mimics. It opened in 1966, but extensive, lavish renovations and expansions have kept it well on par with its younger neighbors. Its 949-room, 26-story luxury tower, added in 2005, brought the total number of rooms to 3,370, and its 4.5-acre/2-hectare gardens have four pools. There is also the 4,100-seat Colosseum, host to such performers as Bette Midler, Elton John and Cher. The Forum Shops is one of the most financially successful malls in the country and boasts a series of Roman streetscapes, ever-changing "skies" that move from dawn to dusk to night, haute-couture shops and gourmet restaurants. There are two free shows within the Forum Shops, at the Festival Fountain and Atlantis, with laser special effects and animatronic Roman characters, plus a 50,000-gal/189,270-l saltwater aquarium. 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-731-7110. Toll-free 866-227-5938. http://www.caesarspalace.com. The free attraction is the varied daily circus shows, and that's why it's a must for families. Trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, acrobats and jugglers from around the world perform every 30-45 minutes on the Midway Stage 11 am-midnight. Not free is the Adventuredome, one of the largest indoor amusement park in the U.S., with a variety of thrill rides, IMAX movies, laser tag and more. The sprawling casino features table games, slot machines, poker and more. 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S., North Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-734-0410. Toll-free 800-634-3450. http://www.circuscircus.com. The medieval theme is clear from the exterior. It's an imitation castle, with the emphasis on imitation—the white walls look as if they're made of Styrofoam. Inside, there are strolling Renaissance entertainers and a stairway descending to the Fantasy Faire Midway, which includes carnival games, Merlin's Magic motion simulator and three 3-D rides: SpongeBob, DinoIsland and the Extreme Log Ride (US$9.95 each or US$12.95 for three). Adults can enjoy the Thunder From Down Under male-striptease show (US$47-$59 per person). The Tournament of Kings dinner show (US$61.74 per person) offers two performances per night, with pretend jousting (no one gets hurt). Ventriloquist Ron Lucas (US$29.95-$39.95) and his dummies offer good, clean fun in the afternoon, while Louie Anderson (US$63) keeps the audience laughing with his nightly comedy. The casino has slot and video poker machines, poker, table games and keno. 3850 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (at Tropicana Avenue), South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-597-7777. Toll-free 877-750-5464. http://www.excalibur.com. Though it no longer resembles the original palm-tree studded, low-rise joint that Bugsy Siegel built in 1946, the Flamingo is one of the few remaining Strip properties with a name and ambience relating to the days of yore. Now, the Flamingo includes a series of four high-rise towers dressed in a pink facade, with a Caribbean-style pool area, plus a free 15-acre/6-hectare wildlife habitat. It is located at the famous Four Corners of the Las Vegas Strip, and many of its 3,565 rooms offer great views of the nonstop action below. Stop there to see the local edition of Second City (US$49.45 per person), headliner Toni Braxton (US$75.90-$119.90), comedian George Wallace (US$65.95-$82.50), Hawaiian musicians and comedians Society of Seven (US$49.94), and hilarious and politically incorrect stand-up comic Benny Favorito (US$43.95). 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-733-3333. Toll-free 800-732-2111. http://www.flamingolv.com. The only high-end casino in the old downtown area, it opened in 1946 and still has a lot to offer, at a lower price and at a more human scale than the megaresorts farther south. Doors open directly out to the Fremont Experience. A US$100 million remodeling includes a US$30 million pool renovation that offers something no other pool in town offers—the chance to swim with sharks. A shark aquarium with Plexiglas walls is inserted in the middle of the pool, complete with a three-story tube slide that lets brave swimmers swoop through the middle of the tank. Open only to guests, parents can watch their kids and relax from the Jacuzzi and dive bar alongside. For poker players, the Nugget and Binions next door offer a variety of morning and early-afternoon tournements. 129 East Fremont St., Las Vegas. Phone 702-385-7111. Toll-free 800-634-3454. http://www.goldennugget.com. The world's first rock 'n' roll hotel opened in 1995, and the noisy casino that features rock memorabilia never lets you forget exactly where you are. Small by Vegas standards, the Hard Rock has only 607 rooms yet attracts the world's hottest music stars to perform in The Joint, which holds 1,400 people. The casino is also home to one of the city's hottest clubs, Body English. A chandelier with 32 gold saxophones dangles in the resort's entry. The outdoor hot spot is the lagoon pool, replete with a floating craps table and waterslide; it also doubles as an outdoor party called Rehab on Sunday in warm weather. 4455 Paradise Road at Harmon Avenue (two blocks east of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-693-5000. Toll-free 800-473-7625. http://www.hardrockhotel.com. In the middle of Las Vegas' theme-mania in the early 1990s, Harrah's was the first casino to remodel its theme out of existence: It went from a bona fide riverboat, complete with 400-ft-/124-m-tall smokestacks, into the nondescript boxy maze it remains today—albeit with a vaguely Mardi Gras party theme. It has 2,579 rooms in 22- and 35-story towers, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, his-and-hers spas, stand-up comic Rita Rudner (US$54); Hats!, a musical comedy celebration of a 4,999-year-old woman facing the "Big Five-O" (US$49.95); and one of the premier stand-up comedy venues The Improv at Harrah's (US$19.05); kid-friendly Mac King Comedy Magic Show (US$24.95); the outdoor Carnaval Court retail and entertainment area, and a monorail stop. 3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-369-5000. Toll-free 800-392-9002. http://www.harrahs.com. Barbra Streisand opened the hotel in 1969, when it was known as the International and was one of the first major off-Strip properties. Then came Elvis Presley, who dominated the hotel's entertainment roster in the '70s. Today, it boasts Barry Manilow (US$137-$250), as well as the internationally acclaimed comedy show Menopause: The Musical (US$54.45) and The $250,000 Game Show (US$46.20). Also a favorite for meetings and conventions because of the adjacent Las Vegas Convention Center. The property's most popular draw is the Star Trek attraction, with the Klingon Encounter and Borg Invasion rides in 4-D, the 20,000-sq-ft/1,858-sq-m SpaceQuest casino, Quark's Bar & Restaurant and the Deep Space Nine shopping promenade. 3000 Paradise Road (two blocks east of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-732-5111. Toll-free 800-222-5361. http://www.lvhilton.com. Named after the ancient Egyptian city of the same name, Luxor's black-glass pyramid is one of the most striking big casino-hotels from the outside. At night, the world's brightest beacon shoots straight up, so that even high-flying planes can see where it is. Inside, Egyptian artifacts and hieroglyphics line the walls of the 30-story pyramid, and guests travel to the hotel rooms on "inclinators"—elevators that travel up the interior slope of the 350-ft/107-m pyramid at a 39-degree angle. The replica of King Tut's tomb is interesting and a more thorough re-creation than most theme attractions in Las Vegas. The Pharaoh's Pavilion has IMAX theaters that show a variety of features, including some in 3-D. Carrot Top romps nightly in an energetic, if often crude, comedy show (US$54.95-$65.95), and there is an adult dance revue Fantasy (US$49.50-$64.90). The hotel is developing a magic show with Cirque du Soleil featuring Criss Angel, and building a 50,000-ft/15,500-m exhibition facility that will feature Bodies…The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, all scheduled to begin opening in late 2008. 3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-262-4000. Toll-free 888-777-0188. http://www.luxor.com. Mandalay Bay shoots for an understated South Seas/Far East feel, with abundant tropical greenery inside and out. The main floor of the casino is one of the most comfortable in town, with wide walkways that reduce the claustrophobic feeling many gaming rooms have. Behind the hotel is a water complex, complete with a lagoon, an enormous sandy beach, a man-made river and a wave pool. The main sightseeing activity is the Shark Reef aquarium, which puts the emphasis on dangerous creatures such as sharks, moray eels, stonefish, crocodiles, pythons and piranhas. One of its key entertainment venues is the legendary House of Blues, playing an eclectic mix of live music in its 1,800-seat facility; another is the Mandalay Bay Arena, seating up to 12,000. The ABBA-inspired musical Mamma Mia! plays in the Mandalay Bay Theatre (US$53-$113.50). Mandalay Place is a shopping complex of 42 stores and restaurants located on the bridge between Mandalay Bay and Luxor. Four Seasons Las Vegas shares the main building, and THEhotel at Mandalay Bay is an adjoining high-rise hotel tower with the nightclub Mix on the top floor. A free tram runs between Mandalay Bay, Luxor and the Excalibur. 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-632-7777, but be prepared for a long wait before reaching a live person. Toll-free 877-632-7000. http://www.mandalaybay.com. One of the world's largest hotels, the MGM is so big you can get lost in its never-ending floor plan, not to emerge until your feet are very sore. For all of its size, the hotel is a little thin on sightseeing spectacles. The best is the Lion Habitat, where you can see pairs of the big cats working their day jobs—they're trucked to the hotel each day for two-hour shifts from a nearby ranch (like other Vegas stars, they're primped and groomed prior to making an appearance). Occasionally, visitors also have a chance to pose with lion cubs. Cirque du Soleil's extravaganza, KA (US$69-$150), might be the most impressive tech theater in the world. The hotel's other activities center on nightlife and shopping. There are two large theaters for limited headliner engagements, a smaller showroom that hosts Crazy Horse Paris revue from Paris' Crazy Horse (US$59), the award-winning Tabu nightclub, the Rouge lounge, the Centrifuge bar with its dancing staff and the sprawling Studio 54 nightclub, plus the Studio Walk retail shops. Television City in the Studio Walk area is a free attraction with CBS videos and logo merchandise. There is a designated smoke-free slots section in the main casino, and some of the gaming tables are smoke-free. 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-891-1111. Toll-free 877-880-0880. http://www.mgmgrand.com. Extremely glamorous, the Monte Carlo is styled after the opulent Place du Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco, with domed ceilings, arches, crystal chandeliers, fountains and marble floors. But underneath all the glamour, the resort is family-friendly with a 21,000-sq-ft/1,950-sq-m water park and high-tech video arcade. Its microbrewery, The Monte Carlo Pub & Brewery, is the only one on the Strip and offers live music Friday and Saturday nights. The hotel is also home to the Lance Burton Theater, where the kid-friendly master magician has performed since opening day in June 1996 (US$66.50-$72.55). He is spelled by adult comedian Robert Schimmel (US$38.50-$49.50). 3770 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-730-7777. Toll-free 800-311-8999. http://www.monte-carlo.com. The facade is striking, to say the least—the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and the Chrysler Building, all standing chockablock along Las Vegas Boulevard. The Big Apple theme continues in the interior on a no-less-ambitious scale, with art-deco styling and simulated settings such as Times Square, Central Park and a stunning representation of Greenwich Village. The Manhattan Express roller coaster, with its inverted roll, is the main non-gaming activity—it has its thrills, and the views, especially of the Four Corner area at the Strip and Tropicana, are alone worth the price of the ride. There is also a large Coney Island-type video-game arcade, and the property is home to Zumanity, Cirque du Soleil's erotic adult show (US$69-$129). For sports fans, the ESPN Zone is connected to the hotel with a Strip entrance. 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-740-6969. Toll-free 800-693-6763. http://www.nynycasino.com. A one-third-size (though still quite tall) replica of the Eiffel Tower is the centerpiece of Paris in Nevada; three of its four legs are anchored in the casino. You can take an elevator to the top, but it's not a free ride (in fact, it costs almost as much as if you were ascending the real tower). Back on the ground, push past the casino area inside the main entrance to find the indoor Parisian streetscape. The cobblestoned lane is lined with boutiques, restaurants and clubs. You'll hear accordion music and perhaps see people posing as living statues. Parisian landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and facades of the Paris Opera House and the Louvre line the streets, and with all the French tourists about, you'll think you're in that other city of lights. Anthony Cools: Raw and Uncensored (US$52.75-$74.75) crosses the line with his risque comedy hypnosis; Cools also produces the late-night topless revue Ohh La La (US$58.25). The Eiffel Tower is open daily 10 am-1 am, weather permitting. Admission to the Eiffel Tower is US$10 adults, US$7 children and seniors. 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-946-7000. Toll-free 888-266-5687. http://www.parislasvegas.com. Nestled next to Red Rock Conservation Area, this billion-dollar locals' resort opened in 2006. In a welcome break with Las Vegas tradition, the resort feels more like a hotel with a casino area away from the main gate than like a casino with rooms; in fact, it's the first neighborhood resort-casino that competes with the Strip. With a large pool area, Kids Quest and the nearby red hills, this upscale locals resort might also become a favorite meeting place for family reunions and other get-togethers. Thursday-Saturday, the Rocks Lounge features one of the area's best local acts, Zowie Bowie, for the price of a drink. With a great spa, movieplex and the Cherry nightclub, there is plenty to keep adults happy, as well. 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas. Phone 702-797-7777. Toll-free 866-767-7773. http://www.redrockresort.com. You have to venture a short way off the Strip to get to the Rio. The main attraction (aside from the usual array of gaming, restaurants and bars) is the Show in the Sky—Mardi Gras floats move along a track attached to the ceiling, while costumed revelers throw beads to the casino players and onlookers. "Bevertainers" serve cocktails one minute and perform the next, and flair bartenders—juggling bottles and shakers—occupy the casino floor's circular bar. The Voodoo Lounge, one of the city's highest nightclubs, is on the 51st floor. The free 12-minute Mardi Gras shows take place daily on the hour 6 pm-midnight. The Chippendales perform nightly (except Wednesday, US$39.95-$49.95) in their own theater, complete with Flirt, an ultralounge designed specifically to cater to women. The property also boasts two clubs: Club Rio, the city's largest dance club, and The I-Bar, with a scantily clad staff. 3700 W. Flamingo Road (at Valley View), Las Vegas. Phone 702-777-7776. Toll-free 800-752-9746. http://www.riolasvegas.com. When the Sahara opened in 1952, it was crowned the "Jewel of the Desert." As the city's first themed casino, it has statues of camels and Arabs scattered throughout the property. Over the years, its legendary performers have included Johnny Carson, George Burns and the Beatles. Now the Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and Marevelettes (US$50.30-$62.95) perform their R&B hits; wise-acre Emmy-Award-winning TV star Roseanne Barr (US$62-$92) rocks the famed Congo Room; The Brett Daniels Magic Show: WOHSCIGAM (US$39.95-$49.95, US$25.95 for children younger then 13, US$29.95 for seniors older then 65) offers magic with a murder-mystery plot; and Fab Four Mania (US$60.90-$93.90) re-creates the Beatles' careers in song. Even the steak house is a Vegas classic: the venerable House of Lords. To complete the ambience of yesteryear, the Moroccan-themed Sahara offers special retro suites, decorated in true Rat Pack style, complete with balconies overlooking the Strip. Its more modern-day attractions include the NASCAR Cafe, the Las Vegas Cyber Speedway and a roller coaster called Speed: The Ride, which hurtles passengers forward and backward at speeds up to 70 mph/113 kph. 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., North Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-737-2111. Toll-free 888-696-2121. http://www.saharavegas.com. Cars, boats and fish are all over the Silverton, where everything caters to outdoorsmen from around the nation. That includes 300 rooms, generous gaming-room space, dining options and the 165,000-sq-ft/15,329-sq-m, two-story Bass Pro Shop (http://www.basspro.com) featuring aquariums and mounted wildlife in various poses of natural wonder. Opting for downscaled elegance, the woodsy rooms feature warm tones, naturalistic art (such as a panel of watercolors depicting various trout patterns) and the same beds that upscale patrons enjoy at Bellagio (for a fraction of the cost). The hotel is filled with fish art, mermaids, souped-up motorcycles and boats, and other manly accoutrements, including a pimped-up speedboat that can be won on the penny slots. Several salt- and freshwater aquariums include a 117,000-gal/442,893-l artificial reef with more than 4,000 tropical fish, three species of stingrays and three species of sharks that can be seen from places at the Mermaid Bar (a favorite lunchtime retreat for local businessmen and a great place for bargain after-work appetizers). Behind the bar, two 500-gal/1,893-l jellyfish aquariums lit with changing LED lights provide a hypnotic alternative to the ubiquitous TV screens of other sports bars. Multiple shuttles to the Strip are offered. 3333 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas. Phone 702-263-7777. Toll-free 866-946-4373. http://www.silvertoncasino.com. At 1,149 ft/350 m high, the Stratosphere Tower is America's tallest freestanding observation tower and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Take a 100-story trip to the top in a double-decker elevator for breathtaking 360-degree views of the valley and beyond. If you have the nerve, you can add to your high-altitude experience on three thrill rides: The Big Shot is a 160-ft/50-m free-fall experience; the X Scream is a teeter-totter ride that hangs 29 ft/9 m over the edge of the building and 866 ft/264 m above the Strip; and Insanity has an arm that holds 10 seats 64 ft/20 m over the roof's edge and spins riders at speeds up to 3 Gs. US$9.95 to ride to the top of the building, US$6 for locals, hotel guests, children and seniors; US$10 each for the Big Shot, X Scream and Insanity. Various price packages are available that combine the ride and tower admission fees, including an all-day unlimited pass for US$29.95. 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., North Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-380-7777. Toll-free 800-998-6937. http://www.stratospherehotel.com. One of the forerunners of the shift to themes and big spectacles, the Mirage's tropical motif centers on the South Seas. Outside is a gigantic waterfall topped by a volcano that "erupts" on the hour 6 pm-midnight, with elaborate lighting effects simulating the lava flow. The resort also houses two natural habitats: a network of dolphin pools and the Secret Garden, a misted, lush sanctuary with rare white tigers and other animals that have performed with famed illusionists Siegfried & Roy. There is also a giant aquarium behind the front desk. Cirque du Soleil and the Beatles collaborated to produce LOVE (US$93.50-$150), and Danny Gans has been impersonating his way into local hearts and minds for years now (US$100). For nonsmokers, the Mirage has a high-powered ventilation system throughout the casino and public spaces, especially the poker room; the faux but lush rain-forest ambience also gives the air a fresh and clean feel. 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-791-7111. Toll-free 800-456-4564. http://www.themirage.com. Between the Venetian and the Sands Expo Center, this US$1.9 billion all-suites hotel adds to the Strip's luxury brand with high-end retail: celebrity chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Charlie Trotter, Mario Batali and Wolfgang Puck; an affiliation with the Venetian's Canyon Ranch Spa; and an all-star cast for the resident production of Jersey Boys (US$70-$147.50). 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas. Phone 702-607-7777. Toll-free 877-883-6423. http://www.palazzolasvegas.com. This casino resort is the symbol of good times for twenty- and thirtysomethings, with attractions such as Ghostbar on the 55th floor and Rain dance club. Be on the lookout for celebrities—young Hollywood jet-setters appear regularly, and the glitterati show up in droves at the 40-story Fantasy Tower, with its Playboy casino and nightclub on the top floor and one-of-a-kind Hardwood Suite with half-court basketball and locker room. If you need a relaxing break from the game floor, head to the resort's 14-screen IMAX movie theater; if you need a break from your children, stash them in the Kids Quest day-care facility. 4321 W. Flamingo Road (1 mi/1.6 km west of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-942-7777. Toll-free 866-942-7777. http://www.palms.com. Billing itself as one of the more upscale Vegas properties, the Venetian immerses visitors in a luxurious simulation of the Renaissance-era city. Gracefully arched bridges, flowing canals, vibrant piazzas and stone walkways faithfully re-create Venice's Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge and Campanile di San Marco. St. Mark's Square, lined with restaurants and shops, is the scene of street-style entertainment. The Escher-like marble floor off the lobby is one of the great optical illusions in the City of Illusion. There are several sightseeing attractions that will set you back a few dollars. You can take a gondola ride through the canals while being serenaded by a singing boatman. The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum offers fine-art exhibitions. Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter includes a chance to be a Playboy bunny and to marry George Clooney. US$15 for the gondola ride (same-day reservations required). The Venetian's production shows are top notch. Phantom—The Las Vegas Spectacular (US$76.10-$165.20) benefits from paring down the script to the 90-minute Vegas format while keeping spectacular voices and special effects; Blue Man Group (US$79-$139.50) entertains without ever saying a word; and Wayne Brady (US$49-$149) combines music and comedy. 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-414-4100. Toll-free 877-857-1861. http://www.venetian.com. Adjacent to its sibling property, the Mirage, this resort originally used Robert Louis Stevenson's novel of the same name as its jumping-off point. Later, however, the hotel adopted the name TI in an attempt to revamp itself, changing its overall theme from pirates to a hip and trendy resort. As such, it boasts an open balcony and a bar overlooking Siren's Cove—the best seats for the revamped sexy pirates show. Passers-by can also take in the show for free from the street at 7:30, 8:30, 10 and 11:30 pm. Inside is an equally worthwhile show, the original Cirque du Soleil production of Mystere, with clowns who mingle with the audience, roving devils, compelling music and, most of all, mind-boggling acrobatic performances (US$60-$95). 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-894-7111. Toll-free 800-944-7444. http://www.treasureisland.com. This property of casino magnate Steve Wynn, on the grounds of the old Desert Inn, features a clean, elegant exterior—an eye-catcher on a street famous for flights of fancy. The interior is similar to Bellagio, another Wynn-designed resort, but lacks the touches that make Bellagio the joy it is. Attractions include a man-made mountain, several small lakes and lagoons with waterfalls, and a multimedia water and light show, but they are designed so that they are difficult to enjoy unless you are in your room or at one of the restaurants. High-end shops along the Wynn Esplanade include a Ferrari-Maserati dealership, an Oscar de la Renta store and a Manolo Blahnik store. Le Reve (US$99-$174) is the Cirque du Soleil wannabe created by former Cirque director Franco Dragone and held in a submerged theater-in-the-round. Spamalot (US$69-$109) fulfills Monty Python fans' dreams with a witty reprise of their most memorable bits including tossing a cow, a Trojan bunny and the favorite tune "I'm Not Dead Yet." The property's spa, open to guests only, has 45 treatment rooms, and there are 15 restaurants, many opened by award-winning chefs. The 18-hole golf course was redesigned by Tom Fazio. Everything is designed to reinforce the impression that this is a place for guests who have made it and want to spend their money proving it. 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-770-7000. Toll-free 888-320-9966. http://www.wynnlasvegas.com. | Historic Sites | Top  |
Part of the original 1855 Mormon settlement, the museum is housed in the oldest original building in Nevada. Among the artifacts: an old pump organ, a loom and a spinning wheel. Ongoing children's programs occur autumn through spring, and there are demonstrations of the use of traditional weapons. Monday-Saturday 8 am-4:30 pm. US$3 adults. 500 E. Washington Ave. (at Las Vegas Boulevard North), Las Vegas. Phone 702-486-3511. http://parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm. In the Bellagio resort, this gallery hosts two or three world-class traveling art exhibitions per year. Sunday-Thursday 10 am-6 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am-9 pm. Admission US$17 adults US$12 students, which includes an audio tour. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-693-7871. Toll-free 877-957-9777. http://www.bgfa.biz. Showcasing the paintings and sculptures of local and visiting artists, the CAC is one of the anchor galleries behind the increasingly popular First Friday open-studio events with street vendors, music and food. First Thursday is for those who just want to look at art. Most works are for sale. The CAC is located in the Arts Factory, home to a number of small, locally owned studios and galleries. Daily except Monday roughly noon-4 pm. Free. 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas. Phone 702-382-3886. http://www.lasvegascac.org. This gallery features exhibits by contemporary artists of national and international stature. Although it's small compared to other art offerings in the area, the exhibits are thought-provoking and enjoyable. Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm. Closed Sunday and holidays. Free. Alta Ham Fine Arts Building, Maryland Parkway (on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, campus), Las Vegas. Phone 702-895-3893. http://www.unlv.edu/Colleges/Fine_Arts/Facilities/Donna_Beam_Gallery. This is the highest-profile museum in Las Vegas. The Guggenheim Hermitage presents shows drawn from the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and other works related to the Guggenheim Foundation. World-class exhibits, beautifully presented. Daily 9:30 am-7 pm. US$19.50 adults, US$15 seniors, US$12.50 students with ID and US$9.50 children ages 6-12. The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-414-2440. http://www.guggenheimlasvegas.org. This facility, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, has a permanent collection that includes an eclectic mix of oils, desert sculpture, watercolors, old-master paintings, postmodernist works and pottery. It also hosts high-profile traveling exhibitions. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. US$6 adults. 9600 W. Sahara Ave. (9 mi/14 km west of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-360-8000. http://www.lasvegasartmuseum.org. An ever-growing collection that includes animated dinosaurs, an African room, an international wildlife room, live sharks, and exhibits on southern Nevada's plant and animal life. There's a gift shop, too. A great location for families, it's conveniently across the street from the Lied Discovery Children's Museum. Daily 9 am-4 pm. US$8 adults, US$7 military, seniors and students with ID, US$4 children ages 3-11. 900 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas. Phone 702-384-3466. http://www.lvnhm.org. This museum preserves Las Vegas history by collecting its discarded neon signage (sadly, the city known for its neon is increasingly opting for updated lighted displays). Some signs can be viewed at the east end of the Fremont Street Experience. The museum organizes other neon events such as bus tours and exhibits of signs that are stored at the Boneyard (a repository for signs that have been donated to the museum). The Boneyard is open Tuesday-Friday 11 am-5 pm to groups of 10 at US$5 per person, and with special arrangements for smaller groups (a minimum US$50 donation is required). Viewing the signs along Fremont Street is free; visit the museum's Web site for a walking-tour guide. Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard, downtown, Las Vegas. Phone 702-387-6366. http://www.neonmuseum.org. Mr. Showmanship's memorabilia and million-dollar wardrobe, plus the world's largest rhinestone, a rare-piano collection, and classic and customized cars are showcased in the museum. The gift shop alone is worth the price of admission—where else can you shop for a Liberace candelabra and collectible thimbles as his heavenly music wafts through the air? Don't miss the outstanding assortment of crystal, watches and cocktail rings. Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-4 pm. US$15 adults, US$10 students and seniors, free for children younger then 10. Liberace Plaza, 1775 E. Tropicana (at Spencer—2 mi/3 km east of the Strip), Las Vegas. Phone 702-798-5595. http://www.liberace.org. Kids (and adults who think like kids) can feel, see and explore more than 100 interactive exhibits at the Lied (pronounced Leed) Museum. Educational workshops let kids get a taste of such adult concerns as jobs, paychecks and shopping. Tuesday-Friday 9 am-4 pm, Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm. US$8 adults, US$7 children ages 1-17, military and seniors. Children younger than 11 must be accompanied by an adult. 833 Las Vegas Blvd. N. (across from Cashman Center), Las Vegas. Phone 702-382-5437. http://www.ldcm.org. More than a museum, Madame Tussaud's has gone interactive to provide guests the opportunity to enjoy such dynamic experiences as sitting front and center for one last Elvis concert, or taking to the stage themselves to sing for the world's toughest critic, Simon Cowell. Madame Tussaud's features more than 100 wax sculptures of movie stars, sports heroes and world leaders. Newer members of the collection include Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears and J.Lo, all part of the Divas Las Vegas exhibition. Touch and be photographed with your favorite celebrity. The downside is that the museum is pricey compared to other attractions. Daily 10 am-10 pm. US$24 adults, US$14 children ages 6-12. 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip (in front of the Venetian), Las Vegas. Phone 702-862-7800. http://www.madametussaudslv.com. This museum on the University of Nevada at Las Vegas campus emphasizes Southwest archaeology, anthropology and natural history. Traveling exhibition gallery. Live desert animals. Monday-Friday 8 am-4:45 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm. Free. Swenson at Harmon (enter from the west side of campus), Las Vegas. Phone 702-895-3381. http://hrc.nevada.edu/museum. Exhibits highlight the history, natural history and Native American culture of the Nevada region and the Mojave Desert, as well as the history of the Las Vegas valley. Daily 9 am-5 pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. US$4 adults, free for children younger than 17. 700 Twin Lakes Drive, at the south end of Lorenzi Park (be aware that it is in a maze of somewhat confusing side streets), Las Vegas. Phone 702-486-5205. http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/museums/lv/vegas.htm. With Nevada's historic importance in the development of the country's nuclear weaponry, it makes sense that Las Vegas should have a museum devoted to the Atomic Age, especially one connected with the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation. It contains archive footage of the bomb tests, personal testimonies from witnesses and workers at the tests, displays of pop-culture references, a Ground Zero Theater meant to simulate an A-bomb test and a gift shop with imaginative souvenirs. Monday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm, Sunday 1-5 pm. US$12 adults. 755 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. Phone 702-794-5161. http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org. Once a museum, the facility now displays more than 250 classic automobiles for sale. Daily 9:30 am-9:30 pm. US$6.95 (free passes are usually available through the museum's Web site). Imperial Palace Hotel, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip (on the fifth floor of the hotel's parking facility), Las Vegas. Phone 702-794-3174. http://www.imperialpalace.com/autos.php. | Parks & Gardens | Top |
This park is a former "divorce ranch." From the early 1900s till the 1950s, when divorces were hard to obtain in most states, some people headed to easygoing Nevada. After living there for a comparatively short time and establishing residency (as little as six weeks from 1931 forward), couples could file for divorce. Locals who are unhappy that the park's namesake went to jail are currently trying to reclaim the original Tule Springs name. An oasis of trees, ponds and lush landscaping surrounds the historic buildings, which are in a state of arrested decay. You may not want to hang around for six weeks, but the picnicking, fishing, bird-watching, hiking and biking are enjoyable. Daily 6 am-dusk. US$6 per vehicle. 9200 Tule Springs Road (about 10 mi/16 km north of downtown, off Highway 95), Las Vegas. Phone 702-229-6297. http://www.lasvegasparksandrec.com. A working farm since the 1920s, this is one of the last remnants of Las Vegas' rural past. It is named the Meadows because of its plentiful springs. Farmed by Anasazi, Paiute, Mormon settlers, Japanese truck farmers and others, the natural springs, streams and wetlands were a farmer's delight in the middle of the desert. Little remains of that history, but Gilcrease Orchard hangs on. Down to 50 acres/20 hectares after chunks were sold off for development, families still love to go and pick seasonal fruit and produce. Enjoy apples, pears and peaches along with a summer assortment of vegetables, including tomatoes, pumpkin, cucumber and squash. US$2 adults, US$1 children. Pay for produce as you exit. 7800 N. Teneya Way, Las Vegas. Phone 702-645-1126. http://www.gilcreaseorchard.org. This is the site of the original Big Springs, where water bubbled to the surface from underground aquifers; thanks to the springs, the Mexican scout who discovered it named the place Las Vegas (the Meadows). Today, it's a water-efficient showcase about 10 minutes west of downtown with more than 300 species of desert-compatible vegetation and a dozen theme gardens that feel like an oasis. Free lectures; master gardeners are on-site Thursday and Saturday 9 am-1 pm. The Desert Living Center's buildings are designed as a model and inspiration of sustainable desert living using old and new technologies. Visitors wander through five buildings with 43 interactive exhibitions to learn ways to be more environmentally conscious of their own living choices. OREGEN Experience explores the early history of the Las Vegas valley's human settlers. In 2009, the site will also host the Nevada State Museum. Daily (except holidays) 8 am-5 pm. The Gardens are free. 3701 W. Alta Drive (take the Valley View exit off Highway 95, go south on Valley View, then east on Alta for half a block), Las Vegas. Phone 702-822-7700. http://www.springspreserve.org. | Amusement Parks | Top |
This pink, climate-controlled "bubble" covers 5 acres/2 hectares with thrill rides, animated dinosaurs and a double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster. Also bumper cars, a miniature roller coaster and other rides for children younger than 9. Call for hours of admission, which vary. Individuals taller than 48 in/122 cm pay US$24; people 33-48 in/84-122 cm tall pay US$16; children less than 33 in/84 cm tall ride free if accompanied by an adult. Individual ride tickets are also available for US$4-$7. 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (in the Circus Circus resort), North Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-794-3939. http://www.adventuredome.com. This complex houses every video game imaginable (more than 200) as well as virtual games. It is also one of the handful of venues in Las Vegas to host music shows for all ages. Sunday-Thursday 10 am-midnight, Friday and Saturday 10 am-1 am. After 9 pm, players younger than age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Purchase a card (available in varying amounts) to activate the games. 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (next to MGM Grand), South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-432-4263. http://www.gameworks.com/locations/las_vegas.php. The popular interactive attractions of Klingon Encounter and Borg Invasion 4-D combine live actors and remarkable special effects. Both begin with the History of the Future museum, which chronicles the past three decades of the Star Trek TV series and feature films. The Deep Space Nine space-station promenade holds an enormous collection of Star Trek merchandise and memorabilia, and Quark's Bar and Restaurant offers food and Star Trek-themed drinks. The rides are connected to a Star Trek-themed casino area, where actors portray characters from the popular franchise and interact with guests. You must be at least 42 in/107 cm tall to enter the rides. True Trekkies won't want to miss it; others will have to decide if paying such a price makes sense. June-September daily 11:30 am-9:30 pm; October-May 11:30 am-8:30 pm. Quark's Bar open Sunday-Thursday 11:30 am-10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am-11:30 pm. US$38.99 adults, US$37.99 seniors and children. Admission includes all-day entry into both attractions and the museum. Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road (east of the North Strip area), Las Vegas. Phone 702-697-8735. Toll-free 888-732-7117. http://www.startrekexp.com. | TV & Film Studios | Top |
Go there and you can help decide what is on television. Guests pick up free tickets (near the pool), then return at a scheduled time to preview and review television pilots. Not everything is a winner, but it is fun being asked, for a change. Children 10 and older are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Screenings are 8 am-10 pm-ish. Call for evening hours. MGM, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-891-5752. Toll-free 800-646-7787. | Zoos & Wildlife | Top |
View Chilean flamingos in this outdoor setting, part of 15 acres/6 hectares of tropical gardens with lush foliage and waterfalls. These birds, along with numerous species of swans, quail, cranes, pheasants, ducks and sacred ibises, are regularly on display. You can also see a variety of fish species, from Japanese koi to albino channel catfish, plus grackle birds, house sparrows, mallard ducks and hummingbirds in the menagerie. Open 24 hours a day, but the best times to visit are at 8 am and 3 pm, when the animals are fed and the keepers wear microphones to explain the process. Free admission. Inside the Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-733-3111. Toll-free 800-732-2111. http://www.harrahs.com/casinos/flamingo-las-vegas/casino-misc/wildlife-habitat-detail.html. A "sunken" temple where you can watch all sorts of sea creatures swimming around and above you. It serves as home to dangerous beasts of the deep, including sharks, moray eels, stonefish and piranhas. You can also spot crocodiles and pythons. Open daily 10 am-11 pm (last admission 10 pm). US$15.95 adults, US$12 children ages 5-12, free for children age 4 and younger. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S., South Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-632-4555. Toll-free 877-632-7000. http://www.mandalaybay.com/entertainment/shark. This wildlife experience plays off the idea of MGM's signature lion. In a state-of-the-art, glass-enclosed showcase with foliage, trees and a waterfall, the habitat displays two lions at a time, and occasionally visitors are allowed to have photos taken with lion cubs. In sync with the animal theme, the Rainforest Cafe directly across the way is a good place to stop for a bite to eat and marvel at the animatronic gorillas. Daily 11 am-10 pm (lions are not always there). Free. MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-891-7777. Toll-free 800-929-1111. http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/lion-habitat.aspx. A collection of more than 150 species of plants and animals in a 3-acre/1-hectare park. It has a rare-animal and bird display, including the only family of Barbary apes in the U.S. Other featured exhibits include a Chinese tiger, a Chinese alligator and a pair of rare fossa, members of the mongoose family. It also has exhibits from the Las Vegas Gem Club. Daily 9 am-5 pm. US$8 adults, US$6 children ages 2-12 and seniors. 1775 N. Rancho Drive (a half-block south of Texas Station), Las Vegas. Phone 702-647-4685. http://www.lasvegaszoo.org. The Mirage has two areas where visitors can view animals. The Secret Garden contains seven habitats with 21 rare breeds of animals, including white tigers and white lions. The Dolphin Habitat lets you view bottlenose dolphins from above and below water level in an elaborate seawater pool complex. Become a trainer for the day (US$550) to work side-by-side with a trainer, and learn how to feed and train a dolphin. Both the Secret Garden and the Dolphin Habitat are open Monday-Friday 11 am-5:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5:30 pm during winter; daily 10 am-7 pm in summer. US$15 per person for both attractions, US$10 children ages 4-12. Free for children 3 and younger when accompanied by an adult. The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Center Strip, Las Vegas. Phone 702-791-7111. http://www.mirage.com. | Other Options | Top |
Founded by veteran candy maker Forrest Mars, Ethel M offers a self-guided tour that provides a look at the way chocolates are manufactured. The tour is short, but you get a reward at the end—free chocolate. Outside, you can stroll through a 2.5-acre/1-hectare cactus garden that contains more than 300 species of cacti and desert plants from around the world, in all shapes and sizes. You can also visit the Living Machine, an acre/half-hectare of live plants that transform wastewater into clean irrigation water. Free self-guided tours daily 8:30 am-7 pm. 1 Sunset Way (at Sunset and Mountain Vista), Henderson. Phone 702-433-2500. Toll-free 888-627-0990. http://www.ethelm.com. A canopy above this five-block pedestrian mall is fitted with 12.5 million lights. Music plays while light shows beam over the crowd every evening, helping to draw people to the downtown casinos. Different presentations throughout the evening. The shows begin at dusk and run on the hour until midnight. Open-air concerts with a wide range of popular music also play throughout the year. During the day, it is a cooler place to walk outside because of the shade from the light display overhead. The area encourages visitors to venture across Las Vegas Boulevard to experience authentic Cuban restaurants, local bars and clubs, music and retro burger bars. The Fremont area is where Vegas first began. East of Fremont, visitors will find a culture that has grown up without the oversight of large casinos. Free. Fremont Street between Main and Fourth streets, downtown, Las Vegas. Phone 702-678-5777. Toll-free 800-249-3559. http://www.vegasexperience.com. Organized groups can watch demonstration cooking by celebrity chefs and then sample the results. It's great for rounding out a group getaway that centers on food. US$1,000 and up, with a 15-person minimum. 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. (in the Bellagio), Las Vegas. Phone 702-693-7155. http://www.bellagio.com. The sunny weather makes Vegas a good place to go outside and get some exercise (except, perhaps, in the broiling heat of summer). Golf is extremely popular with the residents and visitors, and the area has some top-rank courses (charging top-rank prices).
The desert landscape west of town is a hub of recreational activity. The hiking and biking trails at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area take you into a beautiful and undeveloped wilderness. Horseback tours of the area are also available. You can reach Red Rock and the nearby Spring Mountain Ranch State Park by taking West Charleston Boulevard west for about 18 mi/29 km (it becomes Highway 159).
If your idea of recreation involves less exertion and more relaxation, every major hotel offers high-end day spas with every form of bodywork from massages to scrubs and aromatherapy. To assuage any guilt, state-of-the-art exercise equipment is usually close by. Off the Strip, there are also many day spas and tanning salons, including those offering spray tanning. | Bird Watching | Top |
Part of the Western Flyway, Clark County has a number of fragil ecosystems that support a surprising number of local and migratory birds. The Society meets regularly, and conducts restoration activities and field trips. Phone 702-390-9890. http://www.redrockaudubon.org. | Boating & Sailing | Top |
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