Las
Vegas
was a sleepy frontier town until 1931, when gambling was legalised. The rest, as they say, is history. See the old Vegas on Fremont Street,
where the world's largest mechanical sign, Vegas Vic, recalls the city of the
1940s and '50s. Afterward, embrace
the flashy and new at neon-lit casinos all along The Strip. If you look hard enough, you can find
some family-friendly venues here and there. If you need a dose of natural outdoor
recreation, consider Lake Mead, just a
30-minute drive but a world away.
Las
Vegas
Adventure
Let's
face it: The Strip is all about gambling at the casinos, where piles of money
are won or (considering the odds) lost - and, of course, bejewelled showgirls
and big-name headliners. Kids of
all ages, though, will enjoy the ongoing acts at Circus Circus or the hands-on
science exhibits at Lied Discovery Children's Museum. Children under 12 see glittering Cirque
du Soleil for half-price and neon that lights the sky like no place else on
earth for free.
Nightlife
& Party with Locals
A
stroll along The Strip is Las
Vegas' best entertainment. Walk through the world's largest
sound-and-light show beginning at Luxor and, if your strength holds up, ending at
Circus Circus, where acrobats flit overhead. Along the way, view the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and The Mirage's
erupting volcano. Cirque du Soleil
presents Vegas' most spectacular stage shows, while acts from Barry Manilow to
Santana perform all around town.
Casino-hopping
on The Strip is a great way to experience the Vegas experience. The interior of each lavish hotel-casino
is more outrageous and giggle-inducing than the last. Just when you think they can't possibly
top themselves, they do. From
Venice to Paris,
from New York City to the ultra-luxurious Wynn
Las Vegas, it is all, completely and uniquely, Las Vegas.
Gourmet
Cuisine & Dining Out
The
Las Vegas food
scene has seen an enormous change.
Virtually overnight, there was an explosion of new restaurants, most the
creations of the so-called 'celebrity chef' phenomenon.
Celebrity
chefs Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse have at least a dozen restaurants in town
between them; multi-Michelin-starred chef Joël Robuchon opened two restaurants
in the MGM Grand; master Italian chef Mario Batali has two at The Venetian;
deservedly famed chef Julian Serrano reigns at Bellagio's Picasso; Thomas
Keller, the brains behind Napa Valley's French Laundry - considered by many to
be the best restaurant in the United States - has a branch of his Bouchon
bistro; legendary chef Alain Ducasse is behind Mix at THEhotel; and high-profile
names such as Pinot Brasserie, Le Cirque, Aureole, Olives, Border Grill, Nobu,
and others have all rolled into town.
In
a city known for its buffets, Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas stands out
for its better-than-average offerings.
World
Class Golf Courses
Las
Vegas
has been a favourite golf destination since the early 1950s and '60s, with
championship-caliber 18-hole courses right on the Strip. Mild weather, clear
blue skies, spectacular views of The Strip and the surrounding mountains make
Las Vegas the
ideal choice for a golfing holiday.
With more than 60 courses in the Vegas area catering to every skill level
and budget, there's no shortage of options. With moderate daytime temperatures,
autumn, winter and spring are the high seasons for golf in Las Vegas. Early-morning or late-evening play will
help you beat the heat of summer, when you can also enjoy lower green fees.
Family
Holidays
Strolling
on The Strip after dark is an experience for the entire family. You haven't really seen Las Vegas until you've seen
it at night. This neon wonderland
is the world's greatest sound-and-light show. Begin at Luxor and work your way past the incredible
hotels and their attractions.
You'll pass the gotta-see-it-to-believe-it New
York-New
York on your way, and if your strength holds out, you
will end at Circus Circus, where live acrobatic acts take place overhead while
you gamble. Make plenty of stops
en-route to take in the Sirens show at Treasure Island, see The Mirage volcano
erupt, take a photo of the full moon over the Eiffel Tower, and marvel at the choreographed
water-fountain ballet at Bellagio.
You
haven't really seen Cirque du Soleil until you've seen it performed in a
showroom equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and a
seemingly infinite budget for sets, costumes, and high-tech special effects.
It's an enchantment. The kids will love it. Visiting the dolphins at The Mirage is
another treat for the kids. This is
a most un-Vegas experience. Watch
these gorgeous mammals frolic in their cool blue pool. If you're really lucky, they'll play
ball with you!