Las Vegas, Nevada — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Las Vegas
When you visit Las Vegas you quickly realise that the city itself is the biggest attraction. You can simply walk the Strip and bask in the fluorescent lights, soak up the sounds of laughter, traffic hooting, pinging slot machines, and absorb the incredible energy of this improbably fascinating city in the desert. 100 years ago there was nothing here - today it's one of the world's fastest growing cities.
The key sites are naturally the extravagant casinos that line the Strip. Check out the MGM-themed Mirage, the Egyptian fantasy of the Luxor and opulence of the Bellagio. Music fans will head for the Liberace museum and the grand shows, while automobile nuts won't want to miss the world-class Imperial Palace Automobile Collection.
If exploring on foot, do so at night when the lights make their biggest impact and the temperature is cooler. During the day make the most of the city buses which run the length of the strip.
Shopping in Las Vegas
Las Vegas just might be the mall shopping capital of the world: there are over 20 mega malls competing for your dollar, each uniquely themed in its own style, and each offering prices that retailers in other cities struggle to compete with. So if you are burdened with your gambling winnings here are some shopping venues to help lighten your load:
Town Square Las Vegas is a mega mall with a difference: most of the stores are outside so you can enjoy a pedestrian friendly village atmosphere while exploring a comprehensive range of stores. Town Square also offers an eclectic range of restaurants, a newly built day-spa, and a wonderful interactive children's park. Another retail center is Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Occupying prime position on the Strip, there are over 170 specialty stores and 15 restaurants to choose from.
Caesars Palace is home to the hugely popular Forum Shops with over 700,000 square feet (220,000 sq/m) of retail space, while the Fashion Show Mall at 3200 Las Vegas Boulevard is still worth a visit for its incredible bargains 30 years after its founding. The largest mall, and indeed the biggest in the whole state of Nevada, is Boulevard Mall offering over 170 stores and 1,2 million feet (370,000 sq/m) of retail space.
If you like your mall shopping with a healthy dose of kitsch then don't miss The Grand Canal Shops at the Venetian. This indoor shopping area is built as authentic reproduction of Venice's Grand Canal (and yes, there are gondolas) with a replica of Piazza San Marco as the extravagant center piece.
The Strip is known for designer boutiques and haute couture, and all the big names are represented here. Away from the strip and opulent malls you can find more individual stores selling Las Vegas collectibles (old gambling chips are highly collectable), esoteric books and kooky clothing. Two markets are really worth a look: Broad Acres Swap Meet has over 600 retailers and the Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet has an astounding variety of new merchandise.
Sales tax of 7.75% is built into the price of goods. Because states set their own sales tax the US government has no system for refunding you as a non-US visitor.
Las Vegas Nightlife
There's a reason they say 'what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas' and the nightlife and entertainment may well be that reason. With bars, clubs, strip clubs, casinos and world-class international shows running for months on end, it's little wonder why Las Vegas has earned itself a reputation, albeit not always favorable, as one of the world's party capitals.
The world-famous strip is bland and dingy-looking during the day, but the minute the sun sets over this desert oasis the city springs to life with neon illuminating just about every inch of this infamous city. The real problem when heading out for a night on the strip is choosing where to begin.
The current trend regarding shows is towards big name headliners and Big Broadway productions all of which can be seen at the main hotels throughout town. Many hotel lounges and bars have been replaced with DJs and go-go dancers and those in search of a drink need look no further than the hotel bars.
Hotels worth checking out while in Las Vegas are the Bellagio, the Venetian, Caesars Palace, Palms Palace, Trump Hotel and the MGM Grand. Here you will find endless hours of entertainment, if not in the bars and lounges, then perhaps in the slots and on the tables.
Attractions for Kids
At first Las Vegas may seem bright and brash, no place to take kids on vacation, but this fun and fantasy filled city is described as the world's largest theme park - what more could a child want? Set in the middle of the vast Mojave Desert, this family vacation destination offers everything from wildlife viewing to theme parks and shopping malls. Kids on vacation in Las Vegas will immediately be impressed by the re-created New York and Paris skylines, seen from 'The Strip', and revel in the adventurous notion of exploring the canals of Venice or the Egyptian pyramids. And all the pretty Las Vegas lights, so many lights everywhere! An 8pm bedtime will be a tough call... In an attempt to lure gamblers to the casinos to squander all their cash, Las Vegas accommodation and restaurants are surprisingly affordable - a real benefit for families on vacation. The pursuit of pleasure by both parents and children alike is possible year-round; the summers in Las Vegas are definitely hotter, but everything is air-conditioned.
