Las Vegas, USA
Introduction
Elvis Presley said it best when he described the feeling you get when you enter the entertainment capital of the world. The minute you arrive, you can feel the glamour. The neon lights dazzle and the slot machines draw you in. The city pulses with excitement and fun – and it’s yours for the taking.
No matter where in the world you travel, Las Vegas is renowned as the travel destination for glitz and non-stop entertainment. This said, it’s important to note that there’s another, more refined part to this neon city waiting to be discovered.
Family entertainment also abounds so the kids will never be bored whether it’s a circus act, a free water show or an erupting volcano.
Golf is another attraction you don’t instantly associate with Las Vegas but it’s actually been a popular golf destination since the early ’60s, with championshipcalibre 18-hole courses right on the Strip and more than 60 courses in the area.
Things To Do
- Go to Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay.
- The Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage is home to big cats, a dolphin habitat and lush gardens.
- Get married – nothing quite says “Vegas” like being married in a drivethrough chapel at four o’clock in the morning with an Elvis impersonator as the minister.
- Visit Death Valley.
- Go to the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower Replica.
- Experience the Freemont Street show.
- Take a glass-bottomed boat to the zoo at Isla La Roqueta.
- Go for gaming classes before you hit the tables.
Entertainment
Extraordinary architecture glows in impossible colours. Neon pulsates all around while electric lights flash and music plays. People wander around mesmerised and a laser beam, which is so powerful it’s visible from space, invites the whole universe to come and play.
The nightlife is unique. From traditional casino lounges and cocktail bars to dancetill- dawn nightclubs featuring top deejays, Las Vegas will keep you partying. Ultralounges, which are stylish intimate spaces that allow you to sit in a conversation friendly space while DJ’s spin the latest tunes, are the latest trend in Vegas nightspots. Feel like dancing? Then a replica Studio 54 in the MGM Grand is the place to go.
When it comes to live entertainment, the possibilities are, literally endless. With more than 100 shows in town at any one time, from classic Vegas showgirl revues, complete with rhinestones, feathers and enormous headpieces, the hottest bands or legendary crooners, to cirque-style acrobats and trapeze artists, Las Vegas will leave you spoilt for choice. And the kids aren’t left out with award-winning magicians and great variety acts. And your holiday wouldn’t be complete if you couldn’t boast about seeing the incredible Elvis or Rat Pack impersonators.
Shopping
Shopping in Las Vegas used to be what wives did while their husbands sat at the gaming tables. Not any more. Las Vegas has become a global shopping destination where huge outlet malls contrast with exclusive boutiques in spectacular shopping areas so you’ll be able to shop for some of the world’s best brands and most exclusive designers in one place while buying traditional Vegas souvenirs like dice clocks and playing cards in others.
The Fashion Show Mall put Las Vegas on the retail map while Freemont Street is a shopping experience par excellence.
Dining
Dining today in Las Vegas is a far cry from the all-you-can-eat buffets and steakhouses.
Those interested in the finer things in life will be pleased to know that, in recent times, Las Vegas has undergone a culinary revolution and, as more and more talented chefs continue to flock to Vegas, the city reinforces its reputation as the world’s premier dining destination.
Whether it’s fine dining, Japanese fusion or good old steak and chips – you won’t get better and there’s a good chance you’ll bump into a celebrity if you go to the right place!
History
As an antidote to the bright lights, more people are exploring the more refined attractions, which are often forgotten about because they are less well-known.
There’s the Clark County Heritage Museum and the Imperial Palace Auto Collection where car enthusiasts can see the world’s largest and finest collection of antique, classic, muscle and special interest cars. For a dose of glitz and glamour, don’t miss the homage to Liberace, the man who epitomized Las Vegas style.
Art lovers will be impressed by the Gallery of Fine Art located in the heart of the Bellagio where you’ll see the artworks that have come from museums as well as private collections. Other must-sees include the Las Vegas Art Museum and the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in the Venetian, which showcase treasures from around the world. Make sure you don’t miss the Lost City Museum or the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum for other fascinating exhibits.
Nearby Attractions
Grand Canyon – One of the natural wonders of the world. The natural rock formations which have been carved by the raw power of nature will inspire you. Hoover Dam – Considered one of the world’s greatest engineering feats, it was built during the depression in less than five years. It is 726 feet from its foundation rock to the roadway above the dam. Lake Mead – the largest man-made lake in the Western Hemisphere offers year-round recreation from boating to swimming to hiking to wildlife viewing. Valley of Fire – Nevada’s oldest State Park gets its name from brilliant formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes that appear to be on fire when the sun’s rays reflect on them.
