SEKAI Explorer Guide Las Vegas (2011)

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Table of Content:

• Understand

• Get in

By car

By bus

By plane

By rail

• Get around

By foot

By monorail

By bus

By taxi

By car

Rental cars

By scooter

• See

• Do

Rides

Shows

Free Shows

Cirque du Soleil Shows

Production Shows

Headliner Shows

Comedy Shows

ImpressionistorImpersonation Shows

Tribute Shows

Magic Shows

Hypnotists

Adult Shows

Topless Female Dancers

Topless Male Dancers

Gamble

Age Restrictions

The odds

Pre-paid gambling cards

ATMs

Comps

Poker

Spectator Sports

Get married

Tennis

Ice skating

• Buy

High-end Shopping Malls

Outlet Malls

Books

• Eat

Buffets

Restaurants

On the Strip

Off the Strip

Downtown

Desserts

• Drink

Bars

Clubs

Ultra Pool

Ultra Lounge

• Sleep

On the Strip

Off the Strip

Downtown or Fremont Street

Suburbs

Bed & Breakfast

Camping

Hostels

• Stay safe

Robbery

Other crimes

Driving dangers

Heat exhaustion and dehydration

• Contact

Internet

• Cope

Smoking

Consulates

• Get out

Rock climbing and hiking

Skiing

Mountain Biking

Other nature

Cities

Understand

Compared with other cities in the Western US, Las Vegas is a relatively recent arrival. It was founded in 1905, and for many years it was merely a small settlement in the middle of the desert. However, several pivotal events would come together in less than twenty years to make Las Vegas what it is today:

- The construction of Hoover Dam in 1928 brought thousands of workers to the area.

- Nevada legalized gambling in 1931, and what is now downtown Las Vegas became an entertainment center for the dam workers, with casinos and speakeasies.

- In 1941, the luxurious El Rancho Vegas resort opened on what would later become the Las Vegas Strip. Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel later opened the Flamingo Hotel in 1946, starting the building boom and one-upmanship that would continue largely unabated for the next 50 years and creating a precedent of Organized Crime involvement in Nevada's gambling industry that arguably persists.

Climate

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Daily highs (°F)

56

63

69

78

88

99

104

102

94

81

66

57

Nightly lows (°F)

34

38

44

51

60

69

76

74

66

54

42

34

Precipitation (in)

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.4

0.5

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.4

Check Las Vegas's 7 day forecast at NOAA

The city is laid out as follows: Main Street as well as the numbered streets run north-south, starting with Main Street in the west. The bus station is on Main Street. Downtown has several hotels and casinos, as well as the "Fremont Street Experience", a pedestrian mall lined with casinos, near the western end of Fremont Street. South of downtown starts the "Strip" (Las Vegas Boulevard South), a north-south street lined with large casino-hotels. The northern end of the Strip's casino section is marked by the tall Stratosphere tower. Frequent shuttle buses run up and down the Strip and connect the Strip to downtown. The convention center and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV) are located east of the Strip, which is where the Las Vegas Monorail runs. The airport is east of the Strip near the southern end.

Get in

By car

Driving on Las Vegas Boulevard (the "Strip"), especially on weekends, is an exercise in frustration; gridlock takes over and you could possibly spend an hour or so just driving through the Strip. Do what the locals do and avoid driving long distances on the Strip altogether. Instead take I-15, which parallels the Strip, and get off at the exit nearest your hotel and park there. Frank Sinatra Drive (which dead ends into Industrial Road) lies just west of the Strip, runs behind the casinos, and provides another option. Koval Lane and Paradise Road provide similar access on the eastern side of the Strip.

Virtually all major casinos on the Strip, and downtown, offer free parking and many also offer valet parking for an additional charge. On Friday and Saturday nights, the self-parking lots fill up fast; consider splurging on the valet to avoid cumbersome delays and endless circling around.

By bus

Buses can be an inexpensive and convenient option, especially if just traveling up-and-down the Strip, or to-and-from downtown. A bus ride is a good way to recuperate during those hot summer months after a long and tiring walk on the Strip since the buses are air conditioned.

The city bus line Citizens Area Transit [13] (CAT), +1 702 228-7433, operates 49 routes throughout the valley. Most routes operate 5:30AM-1:30AM daily, but some routes operate 24 hours per day. The fare is $2 for adults and $1 for kids and seniors for all residential routes. The Deuce, the London-style double decker bus operating the route along Las Vegas Blvd, costs $3 for adults and $1.50 for children and seniors, and the fare may be paid directly to the driver (no change given). If purchasing a child or senior fare, be prepared to show some form of picture ID to prove your age to the driver. During the larger conventions (such as CES, NAB, and MAGIC) the Deuce also operates on a special one way service from the Las Vegas Convention Center. This service only operates in the afternoon from the convention center to the Strip, the bus travels southbound and services all regular stops from Circus Circus onward. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the ticket vending machines (located in front of the north and south halls). In addition, 2 additional ticket vending machines are located on the Strip, one at the Slots-of-fun/Circus Circus stop and one at the Showcase Mall/MGM Grand stop.

The bus drivers do not give change. However, the ticket vending machines do give change, and accept credit/debit cards. Transfers require payment of an additional fare.

Be aware that on the Strip, buses may stop on close intervals and may be there for a couple of minutes as passengers board and disembark.

A residential 24-hour day pass ($5 for adults and $2 for kids and seniors) covers all routes except The Deuce, which costs $0.50 extra, and an "all-access pass" for $7 covers all routes on the system. If you will be staying for a long period of time (at least 8 days for adults or 4 for children and seniors) and plan to buy an all access pass, a more economic option is to purchase a 30-day bus pass. These can be purchased from either of the two bus terminals (both can be reached by riding the Deuce to Downtown terminal, or to the South Strip Terminal), or from any ticket vending machine. It is important to note however, that if you would like to purchase a child or senior fare pass, you will need to do so from the customer service agent at the terminals. These passes are valid for 30 days following the first use and can be used on all routes.

If the buses are crowded, a good way to avoid waiting for the next bus is to walk one block east from the Strip and use route #108 - Paradise Road or walk one block west to Industrial Road and use route #105 - Martin L King Blvd / Koval - which runs parallel to the Strip route.

By plane

McCarran International Airport (IATA: LAS) [5] is served by many domestic and international air carriers. Southwest Airlines [6] and USAirways [7] have hubs at LAS. The cost at the airport to rent a luggage trolley/cart is $3.

Hotels owned by MGM Grand (MGM Grand, and New York New York) and Harrah's Entertainment (Rio, Harrah's, Bally's, Paris, Caesars Palace, and Flamingo) allow you to check in at the hotel and transfer luggage between the hotel and the airport.

When leaving Las Vegas, the 'curbside check-in' counters will save a wait, but cost you $4 + tip, and you won't be allocated a seat number until boarding time (i.e. likely to be the least-desirable seat).

To travel between the airport and your hotel:

- Taxis cost $10-$20. The taxi line is well organized as the city taxi dispatcher will direct you to a numbered space along the curb. You need not tip the taxi dispatcher. As in any city, you can be taken advantage of if the taxi driver thinks you are naive or new to the city. Do not allow the taxi driver to take you through the I-15 tunnel (an extra $10) or tell you the story about the "big accident" enroute to your hotel, if either of these happens take down the driver's hack license number and call the Nevada Taxi Cab Authority.

- CAT Bus #108 [8] costs $2 each way and departs every 20-30 minutes from Ground Level Zero (take the escalator down from the baggage claim and walk towards the parking garage; the covered bus stop is on the right). The bus travels along Paradise Road to the Convention Center and the LV Hilton, taking about 20-25 minutes. At the intersection of Paradise Road and the Strip (Las Vegas Boulevard), you can switch to the Deuce shuttle bus, traveling north to downtown or south to other hotel casinos.

- Shuttle Buses will take you to any hotel on the Strip or downtown for $6.

- Limousines cost ~$35.

By rail

Amtrak's Southwest Chief [9] operates daily service from Los Angeles, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico to Needles, California, 113 miles south of Las Vegas. From Needles, there is bus service to Las Vegas, with a stop in Laughlin.

Amtrak's San Joaquin Route [10] operates between San Francisco and Bakersfield. From Bakersfield, Amtrak operates 2 daily buses to Las Vegas.

Get around

By foot

If traveling along the Strip, walking is a reasonable option as the hotel-casinos are close to each other. In most cases, hotels are connected to each other either by bridge or underground or in the case of Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay, by a complimentary rail shuttle. Be aware that during the summer, the oppressive heat during the daylight hours may make walking a very uncomfortable activity.

By monorail

The Las Vegas Monorail [11], +1 702 699-8200, runs along the east side of the Strip with stops behind several of the hotels and at the Las Vegas Convention Center [12]. It costs $5 one-way, $9 return and $15 for a one-day pass. Do the math before boarding, it could be cheaper for a small group to take a taxi. Because the monorail stops at the back entrance of the hotels, it takes a long time to wind through the maze of casinos, often taking 30 minutes to an hour to get from one point to another on the Strip - if you're in a hurry, take a taxi. The monorail's carrying capacity of 4,000 people per hour is woefully insufficient to handle the evening exodus from the larger conventions which have as many as 150,000 attendees. If you are visiting with a friend from Nevada and want to ride the monorail, consider asking them to buy your fare because by showing a Nevada State ID or Clark County Work Permit Card (issued to all hotel employees) they qualify for the locals fare of $1. The discounted fare can be purchased from the customer service booths located at each station.

In actuality, the Monorail is regarded as a failure and is best avoided due to price and inconvenience.

By bus

Buses can be an inexpensive and convenient option, especially if just traveling up-and-down the Strip, or to-and-from downtown. A bus ride is a good way to recuperate during those hot summer months after a long and tiring walk on the Strip since the buses are air conditioned.

The city bus line Citizens Area Transit [13] (CAT), +1 702 228-7433, operates 49 routes throughout the valley. Most routes operate 5:30AM-1:30AM daily, but some routes operate 24 hours per day. The fare is $2 for adults and $1 for kids and seniors for all residential routes. The Deuce, the London-style double decker bus operating the route along Las Vegas Blvd, costs $3 for adults and $1.50 for children and seniors, and the fare may be paid directly to the driver (no change given). If purchasing a child or senior fare, be prepared to show some form of picture ID to prove your age to the driver. During the larger conventions (such as CES, NAB, and MAGIC) the Deuce also operates on a special one way service from the Las Vegas Convention Center. This service only operates in the afternoon from the convention center to the Strip, the bus travels southbound and services all regular stops from Circus Circus onward. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the ticket vending machines (located in front of the north and south halls). In addition, 2 additional ticket vending machines are located on the Strip, one at the Slots-of-fun/Circus Circus stop and one at the Showcase Mall/MGM Grand stop.

The bus drivers do not give change. However, the ticket vending machines do give change, and accept credit/debit cards. Transfers require payment of an additional fare.

Be aware that on the Strip, buses may stop on close intervals and may be there for a couple of minutes as passengers board and disembark.

A residential 24-hour day pass ($5 for adults and $2 for kids and seniors) covers all routes except The Deuce, which costs $0.50 extra, and an "all-access pass" for $7 covers all routes on the system. If you will be staying for a long period of time (at least 8 days for adults or 4 for children and seniors) and plan to buy an all access pass, a more economic option is to purchase a 30-day bus pass. These can be purchased from either of the two bus terminals (both can be reached by riding the Deuce to Downtown terminal, or to the South Strip Terminal), or from any ticket vending machine. It is important to note however, that if you would like to purchase a child or senior fare pass, you will need to do so from the customer service agent at the terminals. These passes are valid for 30 days following the first use and can be used on all routes.

If the buses are crowded, a good way to avoid waiting for the next bus is to walk one block east from the Strip and use route #108 - Paradise Road or walk one block west to Industrial Road and use route #105 - Martin L King Blvd / Koval - which runs parallel to the Strip route.

By taxi

One of the easiest ways to get around is by taxi. It is relatively cheap to go from hotel to hotel, but be aware that since traffic is often so congested on the strip, taking a taxi often isn't much faster than walking. Many taxis will cut off the strip to use a parallel road--this is often faster but can double your taxi fare. The taxi driver is required to use the meter and to take the shortest route to your destination. There is a surcharge for rides originating at the airport, but not for extra passengers. Taxi lines (queues) are typically found at the front of hotels. You would be unwise to attempt to hail one on the street, especially on the Strip, as it is illegal for a taxi to stop traffic to pick up or drop off a passenger. The best way to hail a taxi outside of a cabstand is to use the following method: if you are wanting to go north on the Strip, stand on the east side about 20 feet before a turn off. The taxi you want to wave over will have the yellow lights off. Standing like this allows the taxi to turn off the road and pick you up. It is customary to tip the hotel taxi dispatcher $1 and tip the taxi driver 15% of the meter, and about $1 per piece of luggage.

If you are traveling with a large group, consider hiring a limousine, as you will often forgo a wait and the price per person may even be lower than that using a taxicab. Limousines usually queue in front of the taxicab line and can be approached directly.

By car

Driving on Las Vegas Boulevard (the "Strip"), especially on weekends, is an exercise in frustration; gridlock takes over and you could possibly spend an hour or so just driving through the Strip. Do what the locals do and avoid driving long distances on the Strip altogether. Instead take I-15, which parallels the Strip, and get off at the exit nearest your hotel and park there. Frank Sinatra Drive (which dead ends into Industrial Road) lies just west of the Strip, runs behind the casinos, and provides another option. Koval Lane and Paradise Road provide similar access on the eastern side of the Strip.

Virtually all major casinos on the Strip, and downtown, offer free parking and many also offer valet parking for an additional charge. On Friday and Saturday nights, the self-parking lots fill up fast; consider splurging on the valet to avoid cumbersome delays and endless circling around.

Rental cars

If you mostly plan to hang around one casino and your time in Vegas is short, you might want to forego a rental car altogether and just take taxis. On the other hand, taxi fares add up quickly, and with car rental so cheap, anyone staying a few days or longer would be better suited with the flexibility of a car. Some of the best sights are located just outside of Las Vegas and require that you drive to those destinations.

Renting a car at McCarran International Airport is fairly cheap and popular. All the rental agencies are located under a single roof and all use the same shuttle from the airport to the facility. There have been reports of an extra 30 min increase in the time it takes to pick up and/or drop off your vehicle, so please add this to any arrival and departure times so you won't be late for flights/meetings.

There are numerous car rental offices on the Strip, and therefore it is very easy to rent a car from your hotel for a day trip. Remember to rent ahead of time as it can be busy during the weekends.

By scooter

- Scoot Vegas Moped Rentals [14] (+1 702 275-2379) offers scooter rental, a great way to see the sites. Free delivery to all strip hotels. Must be over 18 with a valid drivers license and major credit card.

- Vegas Scooters [15] (702-624-4326) Offers scooter rental with free gas, mileage, taxes, pickup and delivery.

See

- Viva Vision - Fremont Street Experience, 702-678-5600, [16]. dusk to mid night. A pedestrian mall just outside the downtown casinos. Multimedia shows are displayed on a giant canopy over the street nightly. Free.

- Fountain Show @ Bellagio, [17]. The Fountains of the Bellagio perform a magnificent display (set to music) every 15 minutes in the evenings and also every hour on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Show times can vary on public holidays.

- Botanical Gardens @ Bellagio, [18]. Inside of the casino there is a tremendous flower garden, with displays changed every month or two.

- Gallery of Fine Art @ Bellagio, [19]. A fine-art gallery. Not free.

- Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, [20]. Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park has over 150 species of animals and plants.

- Flamingo Garden, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, [21]. A 15-acre garden with Flamingos and other exotic birds, as well as koi and turtles.

- The Lion Habitat @ MGM Grand, [22]. Close-up viewing of several lions during the day. Garden Cafe is also worth a look. Free.

- Volcano @ The Mirage, [23]. Eruptions begin at 6:00 p.m. and run every hour on the hour until 11:00 p.m. (nightly). The volcano in front of the casino erupts in a terrific light show.

- Aquarium @ The Mirage, [24]. There is an impressive aquarium behind the check-in counter and a dolphin habitat. Not Free.

- Shark Reef Aquarium @ Mandalay Bay, [25]. The highlight is walking through a transparent tunnel with sharks, sea turtle, fish on all sides. $16.

- World's Largest Golden Nugget @ Golden Nugget Hotel. The world's largest gold nugget is on display in the back of the casino.

- The Tank @ Golden Nugget Hotel. a $30 million complex complete with a shark tank, a 3-storey waterslide and seven private cabanas.

- Toilets @ Main Street Station. The urinals in the men's room are mounted on a piece of the Berlin Wall. If you're one of the fairer sex, ask an employee to let you see it, they almost always will accommodate you.

- Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza, (about 1 mile west of Treasure Island, Take a westbound CAT Route 203 bus from the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road between TI and the Fashion Show Mall), [26]. A place to experience Asian culture.

- U.S. Route 95 At Night. This route climbs gradually northwest of Las Vegas so that the Strip's neon lights remain visible for a remarkably long distance, appearing as a luminous cloud from the furthest point.

- Erotic Heritage Museum, 3275 Industrial Rd, +1 702 369-6442, [27]. Museum dedicated to the sexual revolution.

- The Neon Museum Las Vegas, 821 North Las Vegas Boulevard, (702) 387-6366, [28]. An outdoor lot loaded with huge signs that once twinkled in front of the Silver Slipper, Stardust, and El Cortez. See the giant horeshoe made of thousands of gold-colored light bulbs!

- Exclusive VIP Transportation, 9409 Chateau St Jean, 702-889-8477, [29]. Exclusive VIP specializes in Limousine Transportation for large groups up to 30 passengers.

- Vegas Scooters, 3100 las vegas blvd, 702-624-4326, [30]. 8-10. Scooter rentals. Free gas,mileage,taxes,pickup and delivery. 49.

Do

- Ride a Gondola @ The Venetian Hotel. Includes a visit to St. Mark's Square. $15 for 4 minutes.

- Indoor Skydiving @ Vegas Indoor Skydiving, 200 Convention Center Drive, +1 877-545-8093, [31]. $50+.

- Shoot an Automatic Weapon @ The Gun Store, 2900 E Tropicana Ave, +1 702 454-1110, [32]. 9AM-6:30PM daily. Photo ID required. Beware long lines. 2-3 hours long wait is not unusual on weekends and busy days $25-40.

- Play Pinball Games @ The Pinball Hall of Fame, 3330 E Tropicana Ave, [33]. Old-style machines and newest ones from Stern are there, all in very good condition. Definitely worth a look. From $0.25 per game.

- Kayak Trips from Kayak Las Vegas, 1647A Nevada Highway, Boulder City, +1 702 293-5026, [34]. Paddle the Colorado River from the base of Hoover Dam to Willow Beach Arizona, hike to hot springs from the river. Paddle to island beaches for a swim at Lake Mead.

- Helicopter Tours From Fly Maverick, 6075 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 888-261-4414, [35]. Helicopter tours that will take you deep into the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon or soaring above the neon lights and mega resorts of the Las Vegas Strip, as well as helicopter tours that include rafting down the Colorado River. $114-599. (36.079581,-115.172522)

- Stripper 101 Pole Dancing Classes @ V Theater, [36]. For ladies aged 18 and over. Advanced scheduling required. From $40.

- Exotics Racing School, [37]. After a training session, get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 F1 or other race car and go up to 130mph with an instructor in the passenger seat. From $249 depending on the car and number of laps.

- Sun Buggy Fun Rentals, 6825 Speedway Blvd Bldg B Ste 101 (I-15 N to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. 3rd Right behind Shelby's corner cafe), +1 702 644-2855, [38]. 7AM-7PM daily. Dune buggy rentals and off-roading experiences at the Las Vegas dunes.

- Vegas Horseback Tours, 2470 Chandler Ave Ste 11, +1 888-584-9059, [39]. Daily. Horseback Tours include a Sunset Dinner, Lunch or Breakfast horseback ride, an authentic cowboy meal and a visit to cowboy town and petting zoo. Free hotel pick-up. $109-139.

- Poker Classes by David Chicotsky, [40]. Learn from the 2008 poker player of the year. 2-hour class: $600.

- Red Rock Canyon, on the western edge of the Las Vegas city limits, [41]. Features hundreds of traditional/gear and sport routes. Climbing is possible year-round, though Spring and Fall tend to be most comfortable. There are a couple of guide books that detail the routes. Though the area does not receive much precipitation, it is worth remembering that if the sandstone becomes wet (from rain or snow) it becomes brittle and you'd be wise to avoid it for at least two day before checking if it dried out. There is also a scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon, which will take you about 30 minutes to complete, though there are opportunities to park up and get out of the car. Entry is $7 per car unless you have a National Park pass.

For mountain activities such as hiking, climbing, and skiing close to Las Vegas, see Get Out

Rides

- The Roller Coaster @ New York New York Hotel, [42]. The Roller Coaster will lift you up 203 feet, drop you down 144 feet and leave your pulse trying to catch up to 67 mph. Simulating a jet fighter's barrel roll, you'll turn 180°, hang 86 feet in the air, take the famous "heartline" twist and dive. Individual Tickets: $14; Scream Pass: $25 (includes: all day ride pass, $2 off 5x7 photo); Family Fun Flight for Four: $60 (Includes Four individual ride tickets and 2 5x7 close up photos).

- Rides @ The Stratosphere Hotel, [43]. . There are 3 intense rides on the top of the tallest hotel on the strip: Big Shot - Shoots passengers straight up 160 feet at 45 mph (over 4 Gs) until they are 1,081 feet above the Strip. X-Scream - A giant teeter-totter that propels you 27 feet over the edge of the Tower, 866 feet above the ground. Insanity, the Ride - A massive mechanical arm extends 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and spins you at a force of 3 Gs for a truly mind-bending experience. For the people who do not like rides but still want to do something at the top, there are shops and a great view. Elevator to the top of the hotel: Adult $16, Child $10; Rides: $12-13 each.

- The Adventuredome @ Circus Circus, [44]. America's 2nd largest indoor theme park with 25 rides and attractions for all ages. Day pass: $26.95.

Shows

Free Shows

- World-Class Circus Acts @ Circus Circus, 2880 S. Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 734-0410, [45]. From 11am, every half-hour. Aerialists, jugglers, acrobats and trapeze artists take the stage at the world's largest permanent circus daily. Free.

- Masquerade Show in the Sky @ Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7776, [46]. A mix between Mardi Gras floats and Rio Carnival. Very popular. Free.

- Sirens of TI @ Treasure Island, 3300 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 894-7111, [47]. Shows are in the evening. More of an adult show than a family show, complete with showgirls and hunky pirates. Plan to arrive early as it is difficult to get a good viewing spot. Free.

- I Lost My M in Vegas @ M&M World, 3785 S Las Vegas Blvd (in the Showcase Mall, next to the MGM Hotel & Casino), [48]. Daily. 3–D movie. Free.

Cirque du Soleil Shows

Las Vegas hosts 7 very popular Cirque du Soleil [49] shows. To secure the best seats, reservations well in advance is recommended. In order of opening date, the shows are;

- Mystère @ Treasure Island, +1 800-392-1999, [50]. A classic Cirque show, full of amazing feats, impressive costumes, and humor. Definitely worth the time and money. Although it's family-friendly, it verges on too intense and psychedelic for younger children, so consider avoiding for children are under eight.

- O @ Bellagio, +1 888-987-7111, [51]. The stage at the Bellagio contains a 1.5 million gallon swimming pool, from which most performers emerge and retreat to. It's an incredibly impressive show.

- Zumanity @ New York-New York, +1 866-774-7117, [52]. An adult show. You must be 18 or older to attend.

- KÀ @ MGM Grand, +1 877-264-1844, [53]. Spectacular show that tells a tale of Imperial Twins on a journey to fulfill their destinies.

- Love @ Mirage, +1 800-963-9634, [54]. This recent addition to Cirque du Soleil is a show based on the music of The Beatles. The show explores the content of the songs as interpreted by performances from a cast of 60.

- Criss Angel Believe @ Luxor, +1 800-557-7428, [55]. Based on the magic of Criss Angel.

- Viva Elvis @ Aria, X, +1 877-25-ELVIS (253-5847), [56]. The Life and music of Elvis Presley.

Production Shows

Reserve your tickets well in advance for the best available seating. The most popular shows are sold out on the weekends.

- All That Drags @ Lucky Cheng's, 3049 S Las Vegas Blvd, [57]. Drag queen cabaret. Temporarily postponed.

- Blue Man Group @ Venetian, +1 866-641-7469, [58]. Nightly 7:30PM and/or 10:30PM. $71-130.

- Gregory Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [59]. Thursday thru Tuesday at 4:00PM. Extraordinary talents of performing pets. $35.

- Le Rêve @ Wynn, [60]. F-Sun 7:00PM & 9:30PM. Held in a domed stage with no seat further than 40 feet from the stage. Le Rêve takes you through a young woman's dream, and features acrobats, synchronized swimming and diving. $99-195.

- Menopause: The Musical @ Luxor, [61].

- Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular @ Venetian, +1 866-641-7469, [62]. 95 minutes.

- Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [63]. 7:30pm Nightly. From $90.

- Tournament of Kings @ Excalibur, Excalibur, [64]. 6:00PM & 8:30PM except Tuesdays. $60.

- V: The Ultimate Variety Show @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, V Theater, Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [65]. Nightly 7:00pm & 8:30pm. Iincludes magic, special effects, death-defying stunts, wild comedy, visual artists. $60.

- Vegas! The Show @ Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. S, +1 702 260-7200, [66]. 7PM and 9pm Nightly, except Sunday. A trip back to the swank days of Frank, Dino and Sammy features a tap dance number, a tribute to Gladys Knight and a performance of the Can-Can. $80.

Headliner Shows

- Donny and Marie @ Flamingo, 3555 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 733-3333, [67]. $95-260 plus taxe & fees.

- Bette Midler - The Showgirl Must Go On @ Caesars Palace's Colosseum, [68].

Comedy Shows

There are always different comedians coming to Las Vegas. Some comedians that have recently performed in Las Vegas include Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, and Carrot Top. Always a great way to get a laugh and end the night.

- Sin City Comedy Show @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [69].

ImpressionistorImpersonation Shows

- Terry Fator @ Mirage, 702-792-7777, [70].

Tribute Shows

- Fab Four Live @ V Theater Planet Hollywood Casino, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd South Ste. 360, +1 702 260-7200, [71]. Rated the best Beatles tribute band. $50-75.

- Human Nature @ Imperial Palace, [72]. The Ultimate Celebration of Motown showcases the distinctive, dynamic harmonies of members Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Michael Tierney. This quartet is known for outstanding concert and stage performances and has toured with Céline Dion and Michael Jackson.

- Motown Revue - Hitzville - The Show @ V Theater Planet Hollywood Casino, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd South Ste. 360, +1 702 260-7200, [73]. Tues-Sat at 6:00pm. Includes the hits of Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, Tina Turner, The Four Tops and Motown diva Diana Ross & The Supremes as they rock the stage. $45-55.

- What Happens in Vegas @ Clarion Hotel, [74]. Tuesday to Saturday 7:30 PM-9PM. Vegas Variety show featuring the best entertainers in the Magic of Music and Comedy. $10.

Magic Shows

- David Copperfield @ MGM Grand, [75]. One of the world’s most famous magicians. Some of his best known illusions are making the Statue of Liberty disappear, walking through the Great Wall of China and flying over the audience (which he does nightly).

- Lance Burton, [76].

- Mac King Comedy Magic Show @ Harrah's, [77]. $25.

- Penn and Teller @ Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7776, [78]. Daily @ 9PM. $75-85.

- The Mentalist @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [79]. Nightly except Wednesday @ 7:30PM. From $50.

- Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur @ Tropicana, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 800-829-9034, [80].

Hypnotists

- Anthony Cools - The Uncensored Hypnotist @ Paris, 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd, [81].

- Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, +1 702 260-7200, [82]. Nightly except Friday @ 10PM. From $35.

Adult Shows

Topless Female Dancers

- Bite @ Stratosphere, [83]. Every day except Thursday at 10:30PM. A vampire-themed revue set primarily to popular rock songs from the 70s and 80s. $50.

- Crazy Girl @ Riviera, [84]. Nightly @ 9:30PM. $45.

- Crazy Horse Paris @ MGM Grand, [85]. The show is unlike most other topless revues as it is presented in a more artistic manner through lighting, costumes, and set designs. Most of the females are of the same shape and size. One of the slogans for the show is 'celebrating the artistry of the nude'. Also features two breaks for the women when a male performer takes the stage first performing a magic card act, then a comedic musical number.

- Fantasy @ Luxor, [86]. Nightly: 10:30 pm. Vocalist Lorena Peril takes center stage. Steamy choreography and striking vocals fused with a touch of comedy. The high-energy production show features a variety of performances including salsa, belly dancing routine and celebrity impersonations by comedian Sean E. Cooper. From $39.

- Jubilee! @ Ballys, [87]. Spectacular sets & elaborate costumes. 25 years running. See the Titanic sink right on stage.

- Peepshow! @ Planet Hollywood. Th-Tu @ 9PM. Stars Holly Madison, best known for her TV series Holly’s World and The Girls Next Door $65.

- X Burlesque @ Flamingo, [88]. Nightly @ 10PM, 90 minutes. Showcases a variety of performances by six gorgeous dancers set to contemporary music. Combines high-energy performance with the use of props such as bathtubs, guitars, lollipops and feather boas. $45.

- Zumanity @ New York New York, [89]. The sensual side of Cirque du Soleil.

Topless Male Dancers

- American Storm @ V Theater Planet Hollywood, [90]. Voted as Best Male Strip Show of 2008. $30.

- Chippendales @ Rio, +1 702 777-7776, [91]. The original all male revue.

- Thunder from Down Under @ Excalibur, [92]. Sunday-Thursday: 9 pm; Friday & Saturday: 8 & 10:30 pm. . From $47.

Gamble

If you win...

Chances are that, if you win it big in Las Vegas and you are not a U.S. citizen your winnings will be subject to a 30% withholding tax from the IRS. That $10,000 slot winning can dwindle quite quickly if that is taken off the top. Not to worry though you can reclaim your gambling winnings tax through a 1042-S form. You should get this from the casino so don’t lose it...it is your starting ticket to getting your gambling winnings back.

Opportunities to gamble are found in most places in the Las Vegas metro area, even at McCarran Airport and small supermarkets.

Age Restrictions

It is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age. Even if you are at least 21 years old, you are required to bring to the casino a valid ID that shows your current age or complete date of birth (e.g. driver's licence, passport) as proof of your age. Photocopies of valid IDs are usually not considered valid. In-house security makes rounds of inspections to check compliance. If you are under-age or without a valid ID to prove your age and found in the gambling premises, hotel staff will ask you to leave, and could ask the metro police to issue you a citation. Moreover, under-age gamblers cannot collect any jackpot; such bets are void and the casino will at best return your wager before asking you to leave the premises. There is a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and metro police regularly transport violators to a juvenile center.

The odds

It is beneficial to understand the rules, strategies, and odds of each game before you arrive. The games with the lowest house advantage if you know how to play are craps (dice) with full odds and blackjack; however, tables where a 21-blackjack pays only 6:5 or even-money instead of the traditional 3:2 give the house a big advantage, and should be avoided. Games in which the casino has the best house advantage include slot machines, roulette, and some craps bets (hardways and propositions). If a game is unfamiliar to you, just ask the dealer for advice on how to play. If you are playing during the daytime at a table that is not crowded, most dealers will be happy to explain the game to you, and even slow down the dealing.

Pre-paid gambling cards

To facilitate gambling in machine-based games, you can use a pre-paid card to make wagers and collect winnings. Obtain one of these from the counter, insert the card into the gambling machine you choose to play and the machine will deduct your wagers as well as add your winnings to it. You can go to another cash dispensing machine to redeem your winnings as well as reload the value.

ATMs

Most casinos offer ATMs and over-the-counter cash facilities, but beware about the charges set by your bank and the machine operator or establishment. ATMs in casinos may charge exorbitant fees for withdrawals.

Comps

One reason to gamble, aside from the hope of winning money, is that by doing so, you could receive complimentary ("comp") rooms, meals, and even airfare depending on your play. Most casinos issue free "player cards." It is generally to your advantage to show or insert your player card every time you play a table game or slot machine. At the end of your trip, you can ask the hotel if you are eligible for any comps, you might be pleasantly surprised. And if you arrive at the casino prepared to lay out $1,000 or more, don't be bashful; ask the pit boss to be "rated" for comps before or while you begin playing. Separate from comps, many hotels offer discount packages for travelers who book a Sunday-Thursday night arrival. Most of these packages offer gambling coupons or a matching play -- see the Sleep section for details.

Poker

Texas Hold'em, 7-card stud, and Omaha can be found at almost all Las Vegas poker rooms. However, not all casinos have a poker room, so call the casino or ask a gaming floor attendant. Casinos with non-smoking poker rooms include Wynn, Bellagio, The Palms, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and Mirage.

During June and July, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is held in Las Vegas [93]. If you are interested in poker, this is a must see and all top poker players are present. And if you are a skilled player, you can play the sidegames taking place during the WSOP.

Spectator Sports

- Las Vegas 51s, Cashman Field, [94]. Triple-A baseball club affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, the 51s have been in Las Vegas longer than any other professional sports team. The 51s began as the Las Vegas Stars in 1983 and were affiliated with the San Diego Padres. In 2000, the Stars cut ties with San Diego and became the affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers and changed their name to the 51s, a reference to Area 51. The 51s have won 2 Pacific Coast League crowns and 8 division titles.

- Las Vegas Wranglers, Orleans Arena, [95]. ECHL hockey affiliate of the Calgary Flames, the Wranglers began in 2003 and are the longest active affiliate of the Calgary Flames hockey club. In their first 5 years, the Wranglers have becoming a decent ECHL team that can be fun to watch. The Wranglers have won two division titles, one Brabham Cup, and one conference title.

Get married

Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. To get married, first go to the County Clerk's Office and apply for a marriage license. Both parties must have valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The cost is $60 per opposite-sex couple. The Las Vegas Wedding Bureau is open from 9AM-midnight seven days a week, including holidays. No blood test or waiting period is required.

Once you have a marriage license, the wedding ceremony can be performed by any priest, minister, rabbi or Justice of the Peace authorized to perform weddings with in the Las Vegas area. Numerous wedding chapels are located around the Wedding Bureau and on the Strip. You can choose an elaborate theme wedding, such as an Elvis impersonator as officiant, or a simple ceremony and reception celebration.

Most major hotels and Vegas Wedding Chapel offer wedding packages for those who wish to plan a larger wedding ceremony. But don't let a lack of planning stop your nuptials; all Vegas wedding chapels can perform immediate weddings with no prior appointment, although it is recommended to make a reservation for your wedding. If you make a reservation most chapels will provide courtesy limousine transportation from your hotel to the chapel and back. Lastly, making a reservation decreases the likelihood of having to wait.

Remember your wedding is a special event and want the best regardless of how much you plan to spend. You can receive a quality service at very affordable prices in Las Vegas. It is advised to check with the Las Vegas Better Business Bureau before making any arrangements. You may check the local BBB reports online [96].

Tennis

Las Vegas is a great place for tennis fans. Not only do many of the hotels offer excellent courts but public courts abound as well. Vegas is also home to many amateur tournaments, UNLV tournaments, as well as The Tennis Channel Open [97].

Ice skating

Given the very high temperatures during the summer it maybe a surprise that ice skating is popular, but at inside rinks!

- Las Vegas Ice Center, 9295 W. Flamingo Rd. (west of the Bellagio), (702) 320-7777 (fax: (702) 255-9356), [98]. A twin-rink facility.

- SOBE Ice Arena, 2400 N. Rancho Drive (at the Fiesta Rancho), (702) 631-7000, [99]. Vegas' only ice rink integrated into a casino/hotel complex.

Buy

High-end Shopping Malls

Many of the larger casinos include high-end shopping areas with designer stores.

- Forum Shops, (in Caesars), [100]. A huge high-end shopping area that also offers free animatronics shows at Fountain of the Gods and Atlantis located at either end of the mall.

- Grand Canal Shoppes, (in the Venetian), [101]. Another massive shopping area that features the tacky objets d'art shop featured in Martin Bashir's interview with Michael Jackson.

- Town Square, [102]. About half a mile south of Mandalay is an outdoor mall in the shape of a small Mediterrenean town and stands out as such amidst all the other, air-conditioned indoor malls. The idea of open-air shopping in the summer in the desert might seem crazy at first, but an extensive network of trees, shadow alleys and water sprayers let you actually enjoy sunny afternoons outside. And as such, Las Vegas' temperatures are not as heat prone in the seasons of fall, winter, and spring. All shops and restaurants here have their own, distinguished one- or two-storey houses. The town actually centers around a real town square featuring trees, ice-cream and coffee stands and benches to rest. The mall has a huge book store.

Outlet Malls

Las Vegas is a hub for outlet malls.

- Las Vegas Outlet Center, (a few miles S of Mandalay Bay), [103]. 120 outlet stores in an indoor setting complete with two food courts.

- Las Vegas Premium Outlets, [104]. At the gateway of Downtown - 120 designer and name-brand outlets including Coach, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and more.

Books

- Gamblers Book Club, 5473 S. Eastern Ave, [105]. This store is stacked with books that can teach you how to count cards and bet on sports. Try to visit when former owner Howard Schwartz is around for some interesting Vegas lore.

- The Gambler's Book Store, 5473 S. Eastern Ave, [106]. This is the oldest gambling book store in the nation; if you need to learn how to play a game, this is where you go.

Eat

Large casinos will invariably offer a variety of dining options, ranging from the omni-present buffet to simple cafes to gourmet restaurants.

Buffets

The most famous buffets in Las Vegas are at the Rio, Bellagio, Paris and Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin), though the newly opened Wynn buffet is becoming more and more of a favorite with tourists and locals alike. The best buffets typically run about $30 a person for a weekend dinner. Lunch is your best value at most buffets when they are around half price, breakfasts are cheapest and often have a great spread too. Do not forget that tipping your buffet waiter 10-15% is customary. You can leave cash on the table at the end of your meal or tip the cashier at the counter on a credit card.

- Le Village Buffet, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S (Paris Las Vegas), +1 702 946-7000, [107]. Featuring dishes from five French provinces, the Village Buffet offers exquisite classic French foods, some made to order, and seasonal specialties under a faux sky in a village-like setting. Patrons may, for example, choose to sit in a town square or French country home.

- Spice Market, 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd (Planet Hollywood), +1 702 785-5555. The casino changed names, but the buffet is the same. All styles of food including good seafood. Line moves fast.

- Village Seafood Buffet @ Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7777, [108]. Su-Th 4PM-10PM, F Sa 3PM-11PM. This buffet is one of the better buffets in Las Vegas, with an extensive seafood collection (as well as other items). Lines can be long. Note that the Rio also offers the Carnivale World Buffet, which is cheaper but does not offer a total seafood oriented buffet, but features a changing variety of dishes featuring seafood. $34.99 (dinner only).

- The Buffet @ Wynn, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 770-7100. 8AM-10PM, Sa Su brunch 8AM-3PM. 16 exhibition cooking stations and a luxurious selection of extraordinary dishes. Dress is casual. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served, with champagne brunch on weekends.

- The Buffet @ Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S (Bellagio), +1 702 693-7111, [109]. 7AM-10PM daily, Sa Su brunch 7AM-4PM. Arguably the best buffet on the Strip, with the dinner menu including pre-split crab legs, venison, Kobe beef, and wild boar. Gourmet Friday dinner includes Beef Wellington, Rack of Lamb, Veal Ossobuco, Grilled Swordfish, and Curried Duck Legs. The Buffet has spectacular selections from Italy, China, and Japan as well as fresh seafood and traditional American food. no charge 4 and under.

Restaurants

On the Strip

- Aria, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd, [165]. Two hotel towers, nine bars, 17 restaurants, 1,840-seat theater, gift shop, 800,000 square foot spa, pool and 300,000 square feet of meeting space mean you need never leave. From $159.

- Bally's, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 888-742-9248, [166]. A moderate hotel and casino, but the location at the center of the Strip and the large rooms makes it one of the best values around. (36.114,-115.171)

- Bellagio, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 693-7111 (toll free: +1 888-987-6667), [167]. One of the most upscale hotels in Las Vegas, the Bellagio features an art gallery, a massive indoor flower garden, and the Cirque du Soleil show "O". (36.1123,-115.175)

- Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 737-2100 (toll free: +1 866-BILLS-45), [168]. An excellent value hotel in the middle of the Strip between Bally's and Flamingo, across from Caesar's palace and Bellagio.

- Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-427-7243, [169]. Renowned for its originality and features, Caesars Palace offers 3,300 hotel rooms and more than 26 different restaurants and cafes. (36.1165,-115.174)

- Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-224-7287, [170]. A cheaper and less upscale casino that caters to families. The Manor is in poor shape; the Tower rooms are somewhat better. Scheduled for demolition and rebuilding. $50-60. (36.1367,-115.163)

- Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 800-697-1791, [171]. Named after the mythical sword of King Arthur, this family friendly hotel has a large pool and rides for the kids. (36.0997,-115.175)

- Flamingo, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 733-3111 (fax: +1 702 733-3528), [172]. (36.1153,-115.171)

- Four Seasons, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702-632-5000 (fax: +1 702-632-5195), [173]. Occupying the top four floors of Mandalay Bay's main building, the Four Seasons is one of the most exclusive and high-end accommodations in Las Vegas.

- Hard Rock, 4455 Paradise Rd, +1 702 693-5000, [174]. A premier destination entertainment resort located on 16.7 acres on the corner of Harmon and Paradise Road, inside the Paradise Corridor. (36.1087,-115.154)

- Harrah's, 3475 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 369-5000, [175].

- Imperial Palace, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South, +1 702 731-3311, [176].

- Luxor Resort and Casino, 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 262-4100, [177]. An Egyptian-themed hotel with a massive pyramid that offers interesting room layouts. This hotel is a good option for those looking for a lower-priced but still upscale room on the Strip.

- Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 632-7777, [178]. Located at the far southern end of the Strip next to the Luxor.

- Mandarin Oriental, 3752 S. Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 590-8888, [179]. The most luxurious, nongaming hotel in CityCenter. 47 floors. The guest rooms and public spaces subtly reference Asian design with art and decorative accents -- paintings of kimonos, panels that slide like shoji screens, pendant lamps that resemble Japanese lanterns, and high-sheen built-in drawers that suggest the lacquer and tiers of Tansu chests. From $345.

- Mirage, 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 791-7111, [180]. An upscale hotel located near the middle of the Strip, the Mirage features a "volcano" that erupts every hour, a white tiger exhibit, a 200,000 gallon tropical aquarium, and a tropical rain forest. $75-500.

- MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 891-7777, [181]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Opened in 1993, this Hollywood themed resort has 5,044 guest rooms. The theme "Maximum Vegas" refers to the point that almost anyone can find something to do. With 6.6 acres of swimming area, 2 wedding chapels, 3 theaters, a lion habitat, multitudes of resturaunts, a spa and salon, a 380,000 square foot conference center, shops galore, and 165,000 square feet of casino floor. start $79.

- Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 730-7777, [182]. Modeled after the opulent Place du Casino in Monte Carlo.

- New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd S, (nynyreservations@nyforme.com), [183]. From $89.

- Owners Suites at Signature, 125-145 Harmon Ave, +1 888-7512-4446 (info@ownerssuitesatsignature.com), [184]. Luxury condos on top of the MGM Grand. From $99.

- Paris, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 946-7000, [185].

- Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702-785-5555, [186]. 2500 rooms, 2 swimming pools, casino, spa, fitness center, shops, 24-hour room service, free parking, restaurants and bars.

- Rio Las Vegas, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, [187]. Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas can open the door to a world of Las Vegas entertainment.

- Riviera royale, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd S, 1-702-4795488, [188]. This Riviera Casino Hotels accommodations and service is above average and the best value for the money. The location is preferable because it is located on strip but not smack in the heart of the strip so your not overwhelmed with hordes of crowds and traffic.‎ From $49.

- Sahara, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 737-2654, [189]. One of the cheapest hotels located on the Strip, also served by the monorail. Has a large casino floor, swimming pool, a buffet diner, several restaurants and a NASCAR exhibition. From $41.

- Stratosphere, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 380-7777, [190]. The 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower is a Las Vegas landmark. From $30.

- Travelodge Las Vegas South Strip, 3735 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 736-3443, [191]. The Travelodge Las Vegas has cable TV, free parking for motor coaches and buses and a heated outdoor pool that’s open all year. From $59.

- Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 894-7111 (toll free: +1 800-288-7206), [192]. From $99.

- Tropicana, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 888-826-8767, [193]. From $36.

- The Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-444-5777 (reservations@palazzolasvegas.com), [194]. The Venetian's sister property located right next door, The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino has an extraordinary 50-floor luxury tower with 3,066 suites, along with a 100,000-square-foot gaming casino, and a 450,000-square-foot meeting and convention facility. It is home to over 60 international boutiques, Barneys New York, the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, the 40/40 Club, the Broadway smash Jersey Boys, and 15 incredible restaurants.

- The Signature at MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, [195]. A luxury suite hotel behind the MGM Grand.

- The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 414-4100, [196]. A high-end hotel located near the center of the Strip and offering everything from the Grand Canal shops to the incredible Blue Man Group show.

- Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 770-7000, [197]. Built at a cost of $2.7 billion, this is the most expensive resort in the world, with the money plowed into (among other things) a private golf course, an artificial mountain with a 5-story waterfall and a million-gallon water tank for the nightly show. From $250.

- Vdara, 2600 W. Harmon Ave, (866) 745-7767, [198]. 57 floors. Includes a sizable spa, pool complex, restaurant, bar and nearly 1,500 suites. Vdara is one of the few upscale Las Vegas hotels hospitable to families. 250 Panoramic rooms, include a four-person dining room table, a washer-dryer and full-sized kitchen appliances. A non-smoking hotel. From $129.

- South Strip Travelodge of Las Vegas, 3735 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 736-3443, [199]. Cable TV, free parking and a heated outdoor pool that’s open all year.

Off the Strip

- Artisan Hotel, 1501 W Sahara Ave, 1-702-214-4000, [200]. A small non-gaming boutique hotel.

- Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino, 3500 Paradise Rd, +1 702 731-2020, [201]. Three blocks away from the Las Vegas Monorail Convention Center stop and 1 mile away from the Strip. 3 miles from UNLV. Free complimentary shuttle service to the Strip.

- Clarion Hotel & Casino, 305 Convention Center Dr, +1 702 952-8000, [202]. Offers lodging accommodations near the convention center, Strip attractions, with a wedding chapel, deals, discount specials and vacation packages.

- Comfort Inn Airport, 4350 Paradise Rd, +1 702 938-2000, [203]. Within walking distance of UNLV and the Thomas and Mack Center sports arena.

- Desert Rose, 5051 Duke Ellington Way, +1 702 739-7000, [204]. .Spacious 284 condo-styled suites with the comforts of a vacation resort. Sparkling resort pool and hot tub, surrounded by lush foliage.

- Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89015, [205]. Clean, modern hotel. Restaurants range from steak house to large buffet, and a cafe with unusually good (not fancy) breakfasts and Chinese at modest costs. From $31.

- Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, 4000 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 367-7111 (toll free: +1 888-402-6278), [206]. A full service hotel with a casino, eight restaurants, a 70 lane bowling alley, 711 hotel rooms. Free shuttle to the Strip, free valet parking, fitness center. Views of the Strip and great value.

- Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Henderson/Las Vegas, 910 South Boulder Hwy, [207].

- Holiday Inn Las Vegas, 4055 Palos Verdes, +1 702 473-6400, [208]. New hotel. Great location just off the Strip near UNLV, the Convention Center and the airport.

- Hooters Casino Hotel, 115 E Tropicana Ave, +1 702 739-9000, [209]. Located right behind the Tropicana and quick walk to the Strip or monorail. Guests can expect to see the Hooters Girls throughout the property. From $35.

- Hyatt Place Las Vegas, 4520 Paradise Rd (Across from the Hard Rock Casino), +1 702 369-3366, [210]. Popular for business travelers. 42" flat panel HDTV and free wi-fi in each room. Free breakfast and airport shuttle.

- JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa, 221 N Rampart Blvd, 1-702-869-7777, [211]. Includes the 40,000 sq foot Aquae Sulis Spa & Salon.

- Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Rd, (toll free: +1 888-732-7117), [212]. This 3000 room hotel/casino is situated just north of the Las Vegas Convention Center, a couple of blocks east of the Strip. A monorail station is located next to the lobby.

- Las Vegas Marriott, 325 Convention Center Dr (adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, near the Monorail, 2 blocks from the Strip), +1 702 650-2000, [213]. The rooftop foyer presents beautiful sweeping views of the landscape.

- Palms Hotel, 4321 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 942-7777, [214]. A great view of the Strip from the Ghostbar. A Maloof casino.

- Platinum Hotel, 211 E Flamingo Rd, 1 877-211-9211, [215]. Boutique non-gaming hotel, all rooms are suites with kitchen and private balcony. Two blocks from the Strip, near the Bellagio.

- Ramada Las Vegas, 325 E Flamingo Rd, +1 702 732-9100, [216]. Three blocks away from the Strip and 2 miles away from UNLV. Free complimentary airport shuttle service.

- Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, 3400 Paradise Rd, +1 702 784-5700 (toll free: +1 800-750-0980), [217]. Non-gaming, non-smoking hotel convenient to Las Vegas Convention Center, McCarran Airport, Monorail, and the Strip.

- Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7777 (toll free: +1 800-PLAY-RIO), [218]. Claims to have some of the largest standard rooms in Las Vegas.

- Super 8 Las Vegas, 4250 Koval Lane, [219]. World's Largest Super 8 located only 1 block away from the Strip.

- Trump International Hotel & Tower, 2000 Fashion Show Dr, +1 702 982-0000, [220]. 64 floors. Sweeping panoramic views of the city against a majestic backdrop of surrounding mountains. 1,232 suites and 50 penthouse suites, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Spa at Trump and Health Club.

- Westgate Flamingo Bay, 5625 W Flamingo Rd, [221]. One and two bedroom villas equipped with a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, spacious living room and a fireplace. 2.5 miles from the Strip.

- Westin Casuarina Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa, 160 E Flamingo Rd, +1 702 836-5900, [222]. 826 rooms and suites offer understated style and the utmost elegance.

Downtown

- Pasta Pirate, 12 E Ogden Ave (California Hotel & Casino), +1 702 385-1222, [140]. Closed Tu. Delicious steaks, seafood, and pasta. A romantic darkened wharf decor with a view to the chef's flaming grill. The steak and lobster special is a really great value. All dinners include a glass of house wine. Call ahead for reservations to avoid a long wait.

Desserts

Luv-It Frozen Custard: Hidden some two blocks north of the Stratosphere Tower and just east of South L.V. Blvd on the north side of Oaky. This family operation offers excellent frozen custards with outstanding toppings. Their blue building with white pillars and trim shares a parking lot with a convenience store. [141]

Drink

In Las Vegas, free drinks are offered to all gamblers, even those playing 5-cent slot machines. You should tip the waitress at least $1 per drink; failure to do so will likely cost you free drink privileges.

Although it is offically NOT allowed per the lawbooks, drinking on public sidewalks and other areas on the Strip and Downtown is rarely if ever enforced. Thus it is entirely common to consume alcohol in public areas, including the public sidewalks within the Las Vegas city limits which includes all of Downtown, The Strip and close-by areas. Again, as previously mentioned, over-intoxication and disorderly conduct is frowned upon, so stay within your own limits. On special occasions (New Years Eve and Independence Day for example) there may be bans on glass bottles and/or aluminum cans for the Strip and the Downtown area. Plastic cups and sports bottles are allowed at these times and either provided at purchase or often available at hotel/casino exit doors. When inside a casino or hotel there is seldom any restrictions on carrying drinks from one bar, restaurant or playing location to another with the exception of some showrooms and theaters where it will be clearly posted. Individual shops may also have rules about carrying in food and drink of any kind.

The town of North Las Vegas, Henderson and other outlying areas have very DIFFERENT regulations forbidding removal of alcohol from bars, etc. so check with your host or doorman if in doubt. Many bars and liquor stores are open 24 hours a day. There are also special posted laws for convenience stores, grocery stores and other retail liquor outlets restricting consumption in the immediate vacinity. Most of all, always remember to drink responsibly and realize that the hot, dry desert air in the summer months can have very adverse health affects on people consuming alcohol such as rapid dehydration and deadly heat stroke, even after dark. Drink plenty of water as well!

Bars

- Bunkhouse, Downtown (One block from the USA Hostel), [142]. Cheap downtown bar with live music. Friendly with travelers and frequented often by the staff and guests of the nearby hostel.

http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/atelier-joel-robuchon-french-restaurant.aspx* Centrifuge @ MGM Grand, [143]. Circular shaped bar/lounge; every hour the bar staff dances on the bartop or lounge tables.

- Casa Fuente @ Caesar's Palace. Cuban-themed lounge offering more than 100 different cigars and a good selection of whiskeys. Try the $40 Opus X cigar.

- Cleopatra's Barge @ Caesars Palace, [144]. A luxurious floating lounge in a ornate replica of the barge that transported Cleopatra down the Nile.

- Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Rd, +1-702-791-5775, [145]. The finest dive bar in Vegas! A bit out of the way, but plenty of atmosphere.

- Freakin Frog, 4700 S Maryland Pkwy, +1-702 597-9702, [146]. Nice bar off the Strip with a very large beer selection and live music on weekends.

- Nine Fine Irishmen @ New York New York, [147]. This pub was actually constructed in Ireland and then shipped to Las Vegas. A great Irish band plays most nights starting around 9PM, the crowd is always energetic, and the Guinness and Bass flow easily. Beer: $7.

- Pink Taco @ Hard Rock, [148]. The very best of Mexico with atmosphere, tequila, buckets of beer and of course, tasty Mexican food.

- Stripper Bar @ Planet Hollywood, [149].

- Todd English Pub @ Crystals CityCenter, 3720 South Las Vegas Boulevard, [150]. Sports bar with great pastrami sliders and over 30 beers on tap.

- Venus Lounge @ Venetian. Pricey, but enjoyable for a couple of quick cocktails.

Clubs

There is a club or lounge in nearly every hotel and casino. Most clubs remain open until 4AM, with various after-hour clubs available for the truly hard-core partiers. Drink prices can range anywhere from $4-8 for a domestic bottle of beer, $8-10 for well drinks made with cheap generic liquor, and $200 or more for a bottle of spirits. Clubs are always busy on weekends, and may also be packed during weekdays at places that have Service Industry Night (SIN), usually Tuesday to Thursday, when locals working in the service industry have their night off.

A good way to find out what places are currently hot in Vegas is to ask service staff who look like party-people. People working inside hotels are bound to recommend the hotel's institutions, so rather go for waiters or shop-assistants in restaurants or malls outside the hotels.

The top clubs will charge entry of $15 or more. Exceptions may include those who have reserved a table, those who get there early, ladies, and locals. Expect to wait in a line for 10 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the night. It is usually best to arrive before 10PM; while the club may be emptier, the line will be shorter and you may avoid paying a cover charge. Sitting at a table often requires a bottle purchase and if you stop making purchases, they will ask you to vacate the table so that someone else can occupy the table. The dress code varies by club. The general rule of thumb is most of the time women know what to wear when they are going out, and men should avoid wearing tennis shoes, tank tops, hats, t-shirts, and blue jeans.

- 3121 @ Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7776, [151]. The club is huge with over 30,000 sq feet of dance space. Prince used to play shows here often.

- Coyote Ugly @ New York New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd, South, 702-740-6969, [152]. Sunday-Thursday: 6pm-2am; Friday & Saturday: 6pm-3am. Just like the movie, expect beautiful 20-something women serving you drinks and getting rowdy on the bar. Free entry for locals, $10 for all others.

- Drais @ Billy's, 3595 S Las Vegas Blvd (between Ballys and Flamingo)), (info@draislasvegas.com), [153]. until 9AM. The most popular place for after hours on weekends, so expect long queues especially from 5AM. Two dance-floors: the main floor features trance and Euro dance (otherwise rare in Vegas), the VIP floor (extra charge) features hip hop. $20-30.

- Haze @ Aria, +1-702-693-8300, [154]. Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 10:30pm - 4am. Designed by the Light Group. 25,500 square feet.

- Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce @ Mandalay Bay, 3930 S Las Vegas Blvd, [155]. Burlesque club. General Admission: $20 (Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs.). Front of the line: $40 (Fri., Sat.)..

- Jet @ Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South, [156]. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday: 10:30PM-4AM. A 15,000 square foot dance club, featuring three distinct rooms: house, hip-hop and rock.

- LAX @ Luxor, 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, [157]. Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: Opens at 10pm. Where young Hollywood goes to party. Exclusive club with an exclusive guest list. 26,000 square feet.

- Rock Cafe @ Imperial Palace. until 2AM on weekdays. One of the hot party locations for a weekday night in Vegas. This place gets the crowd going by rock music, and also by classical 80s party pop hits. The toilet is located inside the casino, which makes every trip to the loo a temptative gambling break. free on weekdays.

- TAO Las Vegas @ Venetian, [158]. Wednesday - Saturday, 10:30pm until Close. A 10,000 square foot nightclub. There is an outside terrace with Strip views, 3 bars, two main rooms playing a variety of hip hop, house and rock.

- Vanity @ Hard Rock Hotel, [159]. Friday-Sunday: 10PM-4AM. 14,000 square feet, 64 VIP booths, Terrace overlooking Hard Rock Beach Club. $20 for ladies, $40 for gentlemen, local ladies free.

- XS Nightclub @ Encore, 3121 Las Vegas Blvd S, [160]. Officially, this $100 million 40,000 square foot club is the most expensive nightclub ever built. Popular among NBA stars.

Ultra Pool

An Ultra Pool is a mix of a pool, and club all in one.

- Wet Republic, (MGM Grand), +1 702 891-3563, [161]. 11AM-Dusk. Located next to the MGM Grand, this Ultra Pool is the Ultimate Maximum Vegas Day Club. Have a blast swimming around in one of the many pools, or swim (yes, swim) up to a bar and order your favorite drink. Not into getting wet? Relax at a cabana or day bed. Bottle service is available. On select days be sure to stop by as live DJ's will spin the hottest music to cool you down on a hot day in Las Vegas.

Ultra Lounge

An ultra lounge is a mix between lounge and a night club, but the difference to "real" night clubs is tiny and vanishes completely, when the DJ pulls out hard-core dance hits.

- Blush, (Wynn's). On the 1st floor of Wynn's with an open-air section. Very posh, and accordingly not very energetic music and crowd. $25.

- Ghostbar, (Palms), +1 702 942-6832, [162]. 8PM-late. Located on the hotel's roof, this bar features a section of floor that is made of thick glass with nothing beneath it -- the glass is the only thing between your feet and the ground 55 stories below.

- Mix, (THEhotel at Mandalay Bay), +1 702 632-7777. Mix Lounge, located on the 64th floor atop THE hotel at Mandalay Bay, offers guests stunning 360-degree views of the Strip and the Vegas valley from its floor-to-ceiling windows.

- OPM, (Caesars Palace). Located in the Forum Mall, Caesars Palace, OPM is one of the worlds premier RnB clubs. Located above a restaurant, Budda statues, black decor and red mood lighting, gives it a slightly underground feel. Two rooms play RnB/Hip Hop and Dancehall. Regularly frequented by celebrities.

- Pure, (Caesars Palace), +1 702 731-7873, [163]. F-Su, Tu 10PM-early morning hours. Pure claims to be the hugest disco/club in Vegas with 40,000 square foot of space. On weekends, be prepared for huge queues unless you are an attractive woman or a wealthy man. The 14,000 square foot open air terrace on the 10th-ish floor is the only area open also on weekdays. It features a panorama view of the Strip glitter with all strip hotels in sight. Other areas, only open on week-ends, include the Pussycat Doll Lounge and the ultra exclusive (and expensive!) VIP Red Room, frequented by many celebrities. $25+; girls may get waved in for free.

- Tabu, (MGM Grand), +1 702 891-7183, [164]. Th-M 10PM-close. A small but sophisticated bar, this is a great place to linger over a cocktail.

Sleep

With some exceptions, hotels and other sleeping establishments will not allow anyone under age 21 to reserve a room due to on-site gambling. For those of age 18-20, it is highly recommended to research and reserve in advance of arrival.

The vast majority of visitors to Las Vegas arrive on Friday or Saturday nights and stay for the weekend. As such, room rates can seem ridiculously cheap from Sunday-Thursday night but zoom upwards on weekends. Travelers can plan a trip to their advantage: by staying, say, Sunday through to Thursday, one can not only save a bundle on hotel rates, but also take advantage of package deals that may include a show, meals, and gambling coupons -- occasionally worth more than the cost of the hotel room itself.

Be aware that many amenities that are included for free in other cities may be quite expensive in Las Vegas; most hotels charge for use of the fitness center with rates around $20 to $40 per visit, local calls are usually billed, and wireless internet is generally at least $12 per day. In Las Vegas parlance, the words "hotel" and "casino" are interchangeable. Some casino hotels charge "resort fees" on top of room charges: it is wise to check (when staying at a casino hotel) if there is a "resort fee" and how much it is.

There is a big difference between casino hotels and mainstream hotels without gambling. Casino hotels tend to be large (often with a long walk from the parking to your room and often via the gambling floor). The size of casino hotels means that they often have a wider range of services (restaurants, bars, shops, coffee shops, etc.) and many facilities have long opening hours or are open 24 hours.

On the Strip

- Aria, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd, [165]. Two hotel towers, nine bars, 17 restaurants, 1,840-seat theater, gift shop, 800,000 square foot spa, pool and 300,000 square feet of meeting space mean you need never leave. From $159.

- Bally's, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 888-742-9248, [166]. A moderate hotel and casino, but the location at the center of the Strip and the large rooms makes it one of the best values around. (36.114,-115.171)

- Bellagio, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 693-7111 (toll free: +1 888-987-6667), [167]. One of the most upscale hotels in Las Vegas, the Bellagio features an art gallery, a massive indoor flower garden, and the Cirque du Soleil show "O". (36.1123,-115.175)

- Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, 3595 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 737-2100 (toll free: +1 866-BILLS-45), [168]. An excellent value hotel in the middle of the Strip between Bally's and Flamingo, across from Caesar's palace and Bellagio.

- Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-427-7243, [169]. Renowned for its originality and features, Caesars Palace offers 3,300 hotel rooms and more than 26 different restaurants and cafes. (36.1165,-115.174)

- Circus Circus, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-224-7287, [170]. A cheaper and less upscale casino that caters to families. The Manor is in poor shape; the Tower rooms are somewhat better. Scheduled for demolition and rebuilding. $50-60. (36.1367,-115.163)

- Excalibur, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 800-697-1791, [171]. Named after the mythical sword of King Arthur, this family friendly hotel has a large pool and rides for the kids. (36.0997,-115.175)

- Flamingo, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 733-3111 (fax: +1 702 733-3528), [172]. (36.1153,-115.171)

- Four Seasons, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702-632-5000 (fax: +1 702-632-5195), [173]. Occupying the top four floors of Mandalay Bay's main building, the Four Seasons is one of the most exclusive and high-end accommodations in Las Vegas.

- Hard Rock, 4455 Paradise Rd, +1 702 693-5000, [174]. A premier destination entertainment resort located on 16.7 acres on the corner of Harmon and Paradise Road, inside the Paradise Corridor. (36.1087,-115.154)

- Harrah's, 3475 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 369-5000, [175].

- Imperial Palace, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South, +1 702 731-3311, [176].

- Luxor Resort and Casino, 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 262-4100, [177]. An Egyptian-themed hotel with a massive pyramid that offers interesting room layouts. This hotel is a good option for those looking for a lower-priced but still upscale room on the Strip.

- Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 632-7777, [178]. Located at the far southern end of the Strip next to the Luxor.

- Mandarin Oriental, 3752 S. Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 590-8888, [179]. The most luxurious, nongaming hotel in CityCenter. 47 floors. The guest rooms and public spaces subtly reference Asian design with art and decorative accents -- paintings of kimonos, panels that slide like shoji screens, pendant lamps that resemble Japanese lanterns, and high-sheen built-in drawers that suggest the lacquer and tiers of Tansu chests. From $345.

- Mirage, 3400 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702 791-7111, [180]. An upscale hotel located near the middle of the Strip, the Mirage features a "volcano" that erupts every hour, a white tiger exhibit, a 200,000 gallon tropical aquarium, and a tropical rain forest. $75-500.

- MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 891-7777, [181]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Opened in 1993, this Hollywood themed resort has 5,044 guest rooms. The theme "Maximum Vegas" refers to the point that almost anyone can find something to do. With 6.6 acres of swimming area, 2 wedding chapels, 3 theaters, a lion habitat, multitudes of resturaunts, a spa and salon, a 380,000 square foot conference center, shops galore, and 165,000 square feet of casino floor. start $79.

- Monte Carlo, 3770 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 730-7777, [182]. Modeled after the opulent Place du Casino in Monte Carlo.

- New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd S, (nynyreservations@nyforme.com), [183]. From $89.

- Owners Suites at Signature, 125-145 Harmon Ave, +1 888-7512-4446 (info@ownerssuitesatsignature.com), [184]. Luxury condos on top of the MGM Grand. From $99.

- Paris, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 946-7000, [185].

- Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 S Las Vegas Blvd, +1 702-785-5555, [186]. 2500 rooms, 2 swimming pools, casino, spa, fitness center, shops, 24-hour room service, free parking, restaurants and bars.

- Rio Las Vegas, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, [187]. Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas can open the door to a world of Las Vegas entertainment.

- Riviera royale, 2901 Las Vegas Blvd S, 1-702-4795488, [188]. This Riviera Casino Hotels accommodations and service is above average and the best value for the money. The location is preferable because it is located on strip but not smack in the heart of the strip so your not overwhelmed with hordes of crowds and traffic.‎ From $49.

- Sahara, 2535 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 737-2654, [189]. One of the cheapest hotels located on the Strip, also served by the monorail. Has a large casino floor, swimming pool, a buffet diner, several restaurants and a NASCAR exhibition. From $41.

- Stratosphere, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 380-7777, [190]. The 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower is a Las Vegas landmark. From $30.

- Travelodge Las Vegas South Strip, 3735 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 736-3443, [191]. The Travelodge Las Vegas has cable TV, free parking for motor coaches and buses and a heated outdoor pool that’s open all year. From $59.

- Treasure Island, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 894-7111 (toll free: +1 800-288-7206), [192]. From $99.

- Tropicana, 3801 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 888-826-8767, [193]. From $36.

- The Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 877-444-5777 (reservations@palazzolasvegas.com), [194]. The Venetian's sister property located right next door, The Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino has an extraordinary 50-floor luxury tower with 3,066 suites, along with a 100,000-square-foot gaming casino, and a 450,000-square-foot meeting and convention facility. It is home to over 60 international boutiques, Barneys New York, the Canyon Ranch Spa Club, the 40/40 Club, the Broadway smash Jersey Boys, and 15 incredible restaurants.

- The Signature at MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, [195]. A luxury suite hotel behind the MGM Grand.

- The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 414-4100, [196]. A high-end hotel located near the center of the Strip and offering everything from the Grand Canal shops to the incredible Blue Man Group show.

- Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 770-7000, [197]. Built at a cost of $2.7 billion, this is the most expensive resort in the world, with the money plowed into (among other things) a private golf course, an artificial mountain with a 5-story waterfall and a million-gallon water tank for the nightly show. From $250.

- Vdara, 2600 W. Harmon Ave, (866) 745-7767, [198]. 57 floors. Includes a sizable spa, pool complex, restaurant, bar and nearly 1,500 suites. Vdara is one of the few upscale Las Vegas hotels hospitable to families. 250 Panoramic rooms, include a four-person dining room table, a washer-dryer and full-sized kitchen appliances. A non-smoking hotel. From $129.

- South Strip Travelodge of Las Vegas, 3735 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 736-3443, [199]. Cable TV, free parking and a heated outdoor pool that’s open all year.

Off the Strip

- Artisan Hotel, 1501 W Sahara Ave, 1-702-214-4000, [200]. A small non-gaming boutique hotel.

- Best Western Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino, 3500 Paradise Rd, +1 702 731-2020, [201]. Three blocks away from the Las Vegas Monorail Convention Center stop and 1 mile away from the Strip. 3 miles from UNLV. Free complimentary shuttle service to the Strip.

- Clarion Hotel & Casino, 305 Convention Center Dr, +1 702 952-8000, [202]. Offers lodging accommodations near the convention center, Strip attractions, with a wedding chapel, deals, discount specials and vacation packages.

- Comfort Inn Airport, 4350 Paradise Rd, +1 702 938-2000, [203]. Within walking distance of UNLV and the Thomas and Mack Center sports arena.

- Desert Rose, 5051 Duke Ellington Way, +1 702 739-7000, [204]. .Spacious 284 condo-styled suites with the comforts of a vacation resort. Sparkling resort pool and hot tub, surrounded by lush foliage.

- Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Pkwy, Henderson, NV 89015, [205]. Clean, modern hotel. Restaurants range from steak house to large buffet, and a cafe with unusually good (not fancy) breakfasts and Chinese at modest costs. From $31.

- Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, 4000 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 367-7111 (toll free: +1 888-402-6278), [206]. A full service hotel with a casino, eight restaurants, a 70 lane bowling alley, 711 hotel rooms. Free shuttle to the Strip, free valet parking, fitness center. Views of the Strip and great value.

- Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Henderson/Las Vegas, 910 South Boulder Hwy, [207].

- Holiday Inn Las Vegas, 4055 Palos Verdes, +1 702 473-6400, [208]. New hotel. Great location just off the Strip near UNLV, the Convention Center and the airport.

- Hooters Casino Hotel, 115 E Tropicana Ave, +1 702 739-9000, [209]. Located right behind the Tropicana and quick walk to the Strip or monorail. Guests can expect to see the Hooters Girls throughout the property. From $35.

- Hyatt Place Las Vegas, 4520 Paradise Rd (Across from the Hard Rock Casino), +1 702 369-3366, [210]. Popular for business travelers. 42" flat panel HDTV and free wi-fi in each room. Free breakfast and airport shuttle.

- JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa, 221 N Rampart Blvd, 1-702-869-7777, [211]. Includes the 40,000 sq foot Aquae Sulis Spa & Salon.

- Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Rd, (toll free: +1 888-732-7117), [212]. This 3000 room hotel/casino is situated just north of the Las Vegas Convention Center, a couple of blocks east of the Strip. A monorail station is located next to the lobby.

- Las Vegas Marriott, 325 Convention Center Dr (adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, near the Monorail, 2 blocks from the Strip), +1 702 650-2000, [213]. The rooftop foyer presents beautiful sweeping views of the landscape.

- Palms Hotel, 4321 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 942-7777, [214]. A great view of the Strip from the Ghostbar. A Maloof casino.

- Platinum Hotel, 211 E Flamingo Rd, 1 877-211-9211, [215]. Boutique non-gaming hotel, all rooms are suites with kitchen and private balcony. Two blocks from the Strip, near the Bellagio.

- Ramada Las Vegas, 325 E Flamingo Rd, +1 702 732-9100, [216]. Three blocks away from the Strip and 2 miles away from UNLV. Free complimentary airport shuttle service.

- Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, 3400 Paradise Rd, +1 702 784-5700 (toll free: +1 800-750-0980), [217]. Non-gaming, non-smoking hotel convenient to Las Vegas Convention Center, McCarran Airport, Monorail, and the Strip.

- Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, +1 702 777-7777 (toll free: +1 800-PLAY-RIO), [218]. Claims to have some of the largest standard rooms in Las Vegas.

- Super 8 Las Vegas, 4250 Koval Lane, [219]. World's Largest Super 8 located only 1 block away from the Strip.

- Trump International Hotel & Tower, 2000 Fashion Show Dr, +1 702 982-0000, [220]. 64 floors. Sweeping panoramic views of the city against a majestic backdrop of surrounding mountains. 1,232 suites and 50 penthouse suites, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Spa at Trump and Health Club.

- Westgate Flamingo Bay, 5625 W Flamingo Rd, [221]. One and two bedroom villas equipped with a full kitchen, whirlpool tub, spacious living room and a fireplace. 2.5 miles from the Strip.

- Westin Casuarina Las Vegas Hotel, Casino & Spa, 160 E Flamingo Rd, +1 702 836-5900, [222]. 826 rooms and suites offer understated style and the utmost elegance.

Downtown or Fremont Street

- Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel, 128 Fremont St, +1 702 382-1600, [223].

- California Hotel and Casino, 12 East Ogden Avenue, (702) 385-1222, [224].

- El Cortez Hotel and Casino, 600 E Fremont St, +1 702 385-5200, [225]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11A. 300 rooms, 2 restaurants and a chinese buffet. Recently remodeled with a great rewards program! $35+.

- Fitz Casino Hotel, 301 Fremont St, (702) 388-2400, [226].

- Four Queens Hotel & Casino, 202 Fremonst St, 702-385-4011, [227].

- Fremont Hotel & Casino, 200 E Fremont St, +1 800-634-6460, [228]. 32,000 square foot casino and 4 restaurants.

- Golden Gate Hotel and Casino, 1 Fremont Street, (702) 385-1906, [229].

- Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, 129 Fremont St, +1 702-385-7111, [230].

- Las Vegas Club Hotel & Casino, 18 East Fremont St, (702) 385-1664, [231].

- Main Street Station Hotel and Casino, 200 N Main St, +1 800-713-8933, [232]. Victorian theme. Includes not-to-be-missed Garden Court Buffet.

- Plaza Hotel and Casino, 1 S Main St, +1 702 386-2110, [233].

Suburbs

Many modest hotels, well-away from the Strip and downtown, cater to "locals"; many offer lower rates and (often) better games. Among them are:

- The Station Casinos. Located throughout the greater LV area, to include deluxe resort properties.

- Sam's Town. On Boulder Highway toward Henderson. Large property with considerable parking, to include excellent facilities for RVs.

- Fiesta Henderson. At intersection of I-215 and I-515. Standard rooms, economical and tasty dining, and excellent games. Room rates for players are especially attractive.

They are complemented by plush, full-resort hotels/casinos in select locations. Examples include:

Bed & Breakfast

- Michele's French Country Cottage, 4429 Casa Sencia, +1 702 454-6992. When the flashing neon lights of Vegas get too much, try this great alternative. Capturing the essence of an Alsace-Lorraine French country farmhouse.

- Milo's Inn at Boulder 534 Nevada Hwy, Boulder City, +1 702 294-4244 [234] Quiet bed and breakfast at Milo's Wine Bar in historic Boulder City near Hoover Dam. Remodeled rooms.

Camping

- Arizona Charlie's Boulder Casino, Hotel and RV Park, 4445 Boulder Hwy, +1 702 951-9000 (toll free: +1 800-970-7280, fax: +1 702 951-9211), [235]. Easy access from interstate and reasonable prices; great for overnight stays passing through Vegas.

- Hitchin' Post RV Park and Motel, 3640 Las Vegas Blvd N, +1 702 644-1043 (toll free: +1 888-433-8402, fax: +1 702 644-8359), [236]. Sites are cramped but cheap. They take your name but don't take reservations if they are nearly full (beware!).

- Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, 2711 W Windmill Lane, (toll free: +1 800-566-4707), [237]. Nice clean RV park south of the Strip, 50 amp full service hookups. Two pools and hot tubs. Need to drive or take shuttle to the Strip. Easy access from I-15.

Hostels

- USA Hostels Las Vegas, 1322 Fremont St, +1 702 385-1150, [238]. A definite budget option. A reasonably well kept hostel with very friendly staff. Free beer and BBQ at the weekend is not to be missed. Surrounding area is not overly safe. Walking alone at night is not recommended. The pizza parlour next door does a deal on a soda and a generous slice of pizza for around $3. Fremont Experience is roughly a 20 minute walk from the hostel.

- Sin City Hostel, 1208 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 868-0222, [239]. Hostel located near the north end of the Strip. Simple, clean, efficient. $15 per night in a 6-bed dorm includes continental breakfast.

- Tod Hostel and Motel (Hostelling International Las Vegas), 1508 Las Vegas Blvd S, +1 702 982-1481 (toll free: +1 877 343-1481, todhostelusa@gmail.com, fax: +1 702 823-2781), [240]. This HI-affiliated hostel is on the north end of the Strip. Dorms $23+, single privates $30+, double privates $40+.

Stay safe

Robbery

Given the city's lure of easy money, Las Vegas naturally attracts a small unsavory element. Still, robbery and muggings are comparable to those of any large American city. Be vigilant and do not leave any valuables visible in your car. If you are lucky enough to win a large jackpot, you can ask the casino to hold your winnings in its safe or to pay you with a check to avoid carrying a large amount of money. If you insist on all your winnings in cash, all casinos have security personnel available to escort you to your car or room upon request.

Major casinos are generally very safe; casinos take security seriously and have security cameras recording almost every square inch of its property as well as uniformed and plainclothes security personnel patrolling at all times.

Make sure your hotel door is closed safely at night. If there is knocking on the door at night, don't open it unless you are sure of the good intentions of the persons that knocked. They might just be drunk, but there could be more serious trouble. Remain calm and call security when necessary.

Other crimes

Despite the advertising slogan What happens here, stays here, Las Vegas has laws that are vigorously enforced. Contrary to popular belief, prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and all of Clark County, although it is legal at licensed brothels in a few rural counties of Nevada. Pedestrians may drink alcohol from an open container on "the Strip", but not in automobiles (not even for passengers).

Driving dangers

Remain vigilant while driving. Las Vegas Boulevard ("the Strip") is notorious for fenderbenders and other collisions due the amount of stop and go traffic and the numerous distractions (pirates, volcanoes, women, etc) offered to drivers. Many people are also driving intoxicated as well; Nevada has an unusually high frequency of traffic deaths with alcohol involved, and most of them happen in and near this city.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration

Expect extremely low humidity and temperatures above 105°F (40°C) May to September. Bring sunscreen and wear loose, dark-colored clothing that substantially blocks sunlight. Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.

Contact

Internet

Las Vegas Airport has free WiFi. On the Strip some internet cafes exist with prices from 20¢/minute.

- Elysium Internet Cafe, 7875 Sahara Ave #101, +1 702 307-4931, [241]. $3/hr, or connect to wifi for free!

Cope

Smoking

Inside all large casino (generally those casinos exceeding 15 slot machines), strip clubs and standalone bars not serving food, smoking is permitted. In large casinos, there are areas which are smoke-free, but they may be very close to smoking areas. Poker rooms are typically smoke-free. Smoke-free table games and slot areas are also available. Restaurants inside casinos are non-smoking. Nightclubs and lounges are not required to ban smoking as long as they do not serve food.

For all other stand alone restaurants, bars, convenience stores, grocery stores and airport facilities smoking is banned in all establishments which sell food other than prepackaged snacks. This ban will be obvious in most places by the absence of ashtrays and the required clearly posted signs. In most cases smoking areas may be provided outdoors, always ask your server as various options are almost always available. The penalty can be a $100-$600 ticket if caught by authorities. In practice, there is extremely lax official enforcement in most informal off-strip locations due to a lack of enforcement personnel and some will even offer ashtrays "at your own risk" if you ask for one. Smoking is still permitted in any stand alone bar or club (with or without gambling machines) which do not serve food other than pre-packaged snacks (i.e. chips, pretzels, candybars). Although a gray area, many smoking-permitted bars which do not serve food will not "object" to you "carrying" food in from adjacent/attached non-smoking restaurants. Ask. Many stand alone restaurants now also provide a physically separated (i.e. separate entry doors and separately ventilated) non-smoking dining area and a smoking-permitted bar/gaming area to accomodate both smokers and non-smokers.

Consulates

- Germany (Honorary), 4815 W Russell Rd Ste 10 J, +1 702 873-6717 (consul@vegasresidences.com, fax: +1 702 920-8988), [242].

- Italy (Honorary), 3084 Red Arrow Dr, +1 702 210-7986 (montivegas@aol.com, fax: +1 702 801-0495), [243].

Get out

- Hoover Dam is located in nearby Boulder City.[244]

Rock climbing and hiking

- Spring Mountains, North of Red Rock Canyon. Five peaks over 11,000' which is Bristlecone Pine County. At 11,918 ft (3,362 m), Mt. Charleston reaches the treeless alpine zone and is Nevada's fourth highest peak. The geology is mainly limestone which soaks up rainfall and snowmelt up high and releases it in lower canyons. Carry plenty of water for hikes along the crest. Expect snow at higher elevations October to May or June.

- Lake Mead National Recreation Area [245] - one hour and twenty minutes north-east by car. Hot springs.

- Grand Canyon is about 4 hours by car, via the Hoover Dam.

- Mount Whitney, highest U.S. peak outside Alaska. About two hours beyond Death Valley.

- Zion National Park is about three hours east of Vegas and offers stunning scenery in a red-walled canyon.

Skiing

- Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort, (in the Spring Mountains, reached by State Highway 156), [246]. 45 minutes from Las Vegas.

- Brian Head Resort, (in southern Utah), [247]. Offers more vertical feet but is about a three hour drive via I-15.

- Mt. Charleston ski area in winter, hiking up to alpine zone in summer. 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas.

Mountain Biking

- Bootleg Canyon, (near Boulder City, take Highway 93). provides excellent technical cross-country and downhill trails. 30 minutes south of "the Strip".

- Blue Diamond, (just south of Red Rock Canyon). Less technical riding, but with amazing views.

- White Mountains (California) includes the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. To get there, take US-95 and S.R. 168 to Westgard Pass, then paved road as far as Shulman Grove at 10,000 ft, gravel to Patriarch grove just below treeline.

Other nature

- Death Valley is two hours to the west by car.

- Desert National Wildlife Range [248], primitive camping on 1,588,459 acres of Mohave Desert. Set aside primarily for desert bighorn sheep, is 23 miles north of Las Vegas on U.S. 95.

- Great Basin National Park has Nevada's only glacier and other excellent mountain scenery, Bristlecone Pines, cave tour with stalactites etc. North on US-93 to Ely, east on US-50.

- Valley of Fire State Park [249] is one hour north-east by car. However, note that the highway is under construction and so driving north from Lake Mead will add two extra hours to go 4 mi (6 km).

Cities

- Los Angeles is about 4 hours by car.

- Mesquite is a delightful little resort on the Nevada-Arizona border near Utah.

- Sedona, Arizona, New Age tourist town in red sandstone canyon.