Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the largest city in the state of Nevada. Commonly referred to as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” it is situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape. The city has giant mega-casino hotels, decorated with lavish care and attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos have names that evoke romance and mystery—Luxor Hotel and Casino, The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, and the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. Others evoke popular worldwide destinations, such as: New York-New York Hotel and Casino, Paris Las Vegas, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, and The Venetian. There is an abundance of shows and many of the larger casinos now include high-end shopping areas with designer stores.

Opportunities to gamble are found in most places in the Las Vegas metro area, as well as McCarran airport and small supermarkets. However, please be advised that it is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age. Las Vegas is also the wedding capital of the world. Both parties must have valid ID and the cost is $55 per couple. The Las Vegas Wedding Bureau is open from 9 a.m. to midnight seven days a week, including holidays. No waiting period is required.

Vegas has some of the best climbing in America. Red Rock Canyon is located on the western edge of the Las Vegas city limits and features hundreds of traditional/gear and sport routes. Climbing is possible year-round, though spring and fall tend to be most comfortable.

When most people imagine Las Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind is The Strip—the four mile stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard with all the famous casinos and hotels. Bordered by Mandalay Bay in the south and the Stratosphere in the north, visitors can enjoy 30+ casinos which are attractions in themselves. Fabulous shopping, dining, and world-class entertainment can all be found here. Pick up the latest designer bag in the boutiques at the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace Hotel Casino. Or peruse the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian Resort & Casino. Watch the dancing Fountains at Bellagio, or take in an imported Broadway show. Attempts have been made to make The Strip more pedestrian-friendly by adding footbridges, free shuttles, cable-pulled trams, and the Las Vegas Monorail (frequency and rates vary).

Presenting a Vegas spin on the upscale culture of Venice, the Venetian is located on the Strip and features a Grand Canal complete with gondola rides, a 120,000 square-foot casino, elegant accommodations, and is approximately four miles from McCarran International Airport.Located on the site of the historic Las Vegas Sands and connected to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Venetian's signature feature is its quarter-mile Grand Canal, a waterway by piazzas and shops on which guests may partake in gondola rides. Performers entertain guests along the Grand Canal's cobblestone walkways. The Grand Canal Shoppes include 80 international boutiques and name-brand outlets. The hotel's casino offers table games, a semi-private high-limit salon, slot and video poker machines, and a luxury race and sports lounge. Live entertainment includes Broadway shows such as the Blue Man Group, the Phantom of the Opera, and Wayne Brady. The Venetian is also home to Madame Tussaud's wax museum, housing replicas of celebrities. Canyon Ranch SpaClub is a 69,000 square-foot, two-level wellness and fitness facility offering massage therapies, beauty treatments, a beauty salon, acupuncture, a fitness center, whirlpools, saunas, a 40-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, fitness classes, and a cafe. The five-acre pool deck atop the fourth level of the Venetian tower has three pools, one whirlpool, ten cabanas for rent, cocktail service, and a central bar.

Delmonico Steakhouse is another of Chef Emeril Lagasse's successful ventures. The original Delmonico's in New York has been closed for more than 70 years, but its reputation as an elegant, luxurious restaurant is reincarnated here at the Venetian. Fabulous steaks are featured in addition to veal, seafood and pasta dishes. And the adage you get what you pay for was never more applicable than here.

Presenting a Vegas spin on the upscale culture of Venice, the Venetian is located on the Strip and features a Grand Canal complete with gondola rides, a 120,000 square-foot casino, elegant accommodations, and is approximately four miles from McCarran International Airport.Located on the site of the historic Las Vegas Sands and connected to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Venetian's signature feature is its quarter-mile Grand Canal, a waterway by piazzas and shops on which guests may partake in gondola rides. Performers entertain guests along the Grand Canal's cobblestone walkways. The Grand Canal Shoppes include 80 international boutiques and name-brand outlets. The hotel's casino offers table games, a semi-private high-limit salon, slot and video poker machines, and a luxury race and sports lounge. Live entertainment includes Broadway shows such as the Blue Man Group, the Phantom of the Opera, and Wayne Brady. The Venetian is also home to Madame Tussaud's wax museum, housing replicas of celebrities. Canyon Ranch SpaClub is a 69,000 square-foot, two-level wellness and fitness facility offering massage therapies, beauty treatments, a beauty salon, acupuncture, a fitness center, whirlpools, saunas, a 40-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, fitness classes, and a cafe. The five-acre pool deck atop the fourth level of the Venetian tower has three pools, one whirlpool, ten cabanas for rent, cocktail service, and a central bar.

This truly amazing state-of-the art aquarium has sharks, alligators, monitor lizards and other amazing creatures living in more than 1,000,000 gallons of salt water at the Mandalay Bay Resort. You will enjoy a beautiful display of blue sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, eels and a remarkable jellyfish display with black lights. Tickets are USD15.95 for adults; USD10.95 for children 12 years and above and free for children younger than 4. This is a must-see exhibit for the whole family.

In Las Vegas cutting edge entertainment is de rigueur and the Mirage Hotel resident show, "Love" is not only cutting edge but also razor sharp. A miraculous marriage of performance and artistic icons, the Beatles and Cirque du Soleil, "Love" is an acrobatic spectacle of athleticism and a symphonic rendering of the soundtrack of the last half of the 20th century. "Love" sprung from the friendship of Beatle George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. These kindred spirits got the bright idea that something should be done to present Beatles classic music within a show manifesting the best that Cirque could devise. The result is an entirely magical feast for the senses. Non-stop acrobatics and sky high daring do of the chameleon-like performers are spellbindingly awe-inspiring. Scored to timeless Beatles hits like Get Back, Eleanor Rigby, Help!, Yesterday, Strawberry Fields, and many more, the audience is driven to successive heights of anticipation. The Beatles have a large song catalog and some highlights are worth noting. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds is a showstopper particularly with light blinding color costumes. At the close, the chorus of Hey Jude sweeps over the house as the whole audience sings along, entirely breaking that fourth wall between performers and viewers. The emotional effect is palpable and you stagger out of the theatre thinking you've passed through another dimension of time and space. Music is under the direction of George Martin and his son Giles. The elder Martin is the Beatles original and most long-lasting producer way back to the Liverpool days, ensuring a strict fidelity to what the Fab Four intended. "Love" is a stroll down memory lane for anyone who remembers the Beatles as the 1960's musical revolutionaries. Owing to the alchemy of Cirque du Soleil this music transcends the past, encompassing our present and future. Mirage theatre and the production have been specially built for this show at a cost of nearly $100 million with state of the art sound and lighting, all-around projection, and enough special effects for a trip to the moon and back. There is no shortage of great entertainment all along the Vegas Strip, but if your travels bring you to this desert oasis, "Love" at the Mirage is an experience you cannot duplicate anywhere else.

Tickets: $75.90-$165 Showtimes: Th-M 7p & 10p; Tu,W Dark

Presenting a Vegas spin on the upscale culture of Venice, the Venetian is located on the Strip and features a Grand Canal complete with gondola rides, a 120,000 square-foot casino, elegant accommodations, and is approximately four miles from McCarran International Airport.Located on the site of the historic Las Vegas Sands and connected to the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the Venetian's signature feature is its quarter-mile Grand Canal, a waterway by piazzas and shops on which guests may partake in gondola rides. Performers entertain guests along the Grand Canal's cobblestone walkways. The Grand Canal Shoppes include 80 international boutiques and name-brand outlets. The hotel's casino offers table games, a semi-private high-limit salon, slot and video poker machines, and a luxury race and sports lounge. Live entertainment includes Broadway shows such as the Blue Man Group, the Phantom of the Opera, and Wayne Brady. The Venetian is also home to Madame Tussaud's wax museum, housing replicas of celebrities. Canyon Ranch SpaClub is a 69,000 square-foot, two-level wellness and fitness facility offering massage therapies, beauty treatments, a beauty salon, acupuncture, a fitness center, whirlpools, saunas, a 40-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, fitness classes, and a cafe. The five-acre pool deck atop the fourth level of the Venetian tower has three pools, one whirlpool, ten cabanas for rent, cocktail service, and a central bar.

The luxury tour is the Grand Canyon tour; 12-hours of exploring the West Rim in addition to lunch. If you happen to lose or forget your camera, this company has Nikons and film available. Hotel pick-up and drop-off included. Adventure Photo Tours are conducted in air-conditioned seven-passenger Ford Explorers, with snacks and water provided. The Red Rock Vistas Tour is four-hours in duration and introduces the bright red landscapes of the Nevada desert.

O solo mio! You will be the recipient of a vocal performance as your personal gondolier trained by masters in Venice, Italy takes you on a trip you will never forget. These crafts navigate the canals that run through the Grand Canal Shoppes located at the Venetian Hotel Casino. Reservations are required if you want a singing gondolier to take you on your journey.

Encompassing Fremont Street in the center of downtown Las Vegas is a light and musical show like none other in the world. A permanent canopy has been constructed to cover the casino-lined street with two million lights and a state-of-the-art sound system. This USD70 million attraction provides shows in the evening hours and is a popular area for filming motion picture scenes. There is no charge for entrance except for their New Year's Eve Street Bash. The special shows projected on the canopy ceiling last for approximately seven minutes.

A visual water symphony choreographed to music provides an unforgettable welcome to the Bellagio Hotel Casino. The water jets span more than 1000 feet and can shoot up to 250 feet in the air while seeming to dance to choreographed lights and romantic classical music. It is a spectacular sight and one worth taking the time to view while strolling along the boulevard. Be sure to bring a camera as this is one of Vegas's best attractions; not to mention, it is also free! Every 30 minutes until 7p, after which shows are every 15 minutes.

A tribute to Roman opulence, Caesars Palace specializes in providing entertainment and pampering services fit for the gods. It is located on the Strip, approximately four miles north of McCarren International Airport. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace offer some of the best shopping in world.The property's amenities include the new Qua Baths and Spa, a luxurious retreat with an array of unique treatments and services, including Roman Baths. The Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis features four pools and two whirlpools. The 129,000-square-foot casino offers slot machines, table games, poker, keno, and a race and sports book. The Coliseum at Caesars Palace is a 4,000-seat stadium is now home to Bette Midler starting February 2008, Elton John's The Red Piano, and other events. Two onsite shopping venues hold more than 120 stores. The property also features a wedding chapel, a beauty salon, 24-hour room service, tour assistance, golfing arrangements, dry cleaning and laundry services, and a business center.Dining includes 808, Augustus Cafe, Bradley Ogden, Nero's, the Cafe Lago Buffet, the Cypress Street Marketplace, Sea Harbour, Hyakumi, the Mesa Grill, Rao's, and the Restaurant Guy Savoy. Payard Patisserie & Bistro, a joint venture between Caesers Palace and world-famous Pastry Chef Francois Payard, opened in November of 2007. Nightlife options include several bars and lounges. Pure nightclub offers a new standard in Las Vegas nightlife, with Strip views and two stories of decadence.All Classic rooms feature high-speed Internet access (fee applies), voicemail, safes, hairdryers, climate control, Nintendo games (fee applies). The Augustus Tower rooms offer a new definition of luxury with flat-panel TVs in the bed and bath areas.

A tribute to Roman opulence, Caesars Palace specializes in providing entertainment and pampering services fit for the gods. It is located on the Strip, approximately four miles north of McCarren International Airport. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace offer some of the best shopping in world.The property's amenities include the new Qua Baths and Spa, a luxurious retreat with an array of unique treatments and services, including Roman Baths. The Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis features four pools and two whirlpools. The 129,000-square-foot casino offers slot machines, table games, poker, keno, and a race and sports book. The Coliseum at Caesars Palace is a 4,000-seat stadium is now home to Bette Midler starting February 2008, Elton John's The Red Piano, and other events. Two onsite shopping venues hold more than 120 stores. The property also features a wedding chapel, a beauty salon, 24-hour room service, tour assistance, golfing arrangements, dry cleaning and laundry services, and a business center.Dining includes 808, Augustus Cafe, Bradley Ogden, Nero's, the Cafe Lago Buffet, the Cypress Street Marketplace, Sea Harbour, Hyakumi, the Mesa Grill, Rao's, and the Restaurant Guy Savoy. Payard Patisserie & Bistro, a joint venture between Caesers Palace and world-famous Pastry Chef Francois Payard, opened in November of 2007. Nightlife options include several bars and lounges. Pure nightclub offers a new standard in Las Vegas nightlife, with Strip views and two stories of decadence.All Classic rooms feature high-speed Internet access (fee applies), voicemail, safes, hairdryers, climate control, Nintendo games (fee applies). The Augustus Tower rooms offer a new definition of luxury with flat-panel TVs in the bed and bath areas.

A tribute to Roman opulence, Caesars Palace specializes in providing entertainment and pampering services fit for the gods. It is located on the Strip, approximately four miles north of McCarren International Airport. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace offer some of the best shopping in world.The property's amenities include the new Qua Baths and Spa, a luxurious retreat with an array of unique treatments and services, including Roman Baths. The Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis features four pools and two whirlpools. The 129,000-square-foot casino offers slot machines, table games, poker, keno, and a race and sports book. The Coliseum at Caesars Palace is a 4,000-seat stadium is now home to Bette Midler starting February 2008, Elton John's The Red Piano, and other events. Two onsite shopping venues hold more than 120 stores. The property also features a wedding chapel, a beauty salon, 24-hour room service, tour assistance, golfing arrangements, dry cleaning and laundry services, and a business center.Dining includes 808, Augustus Cafe, Bradley Ogden, Nero's, the Cafe Lago Buffet, the Cypress Street Marketplace, Sea Harbour, Hyakumi, the Mesa Grill, Rao's, and the Restaurant Guy Savoy. Payard Patisserie & Bistro, a joint venture between Caesers Palace and world-famous Pastry Chef Francois Payard, opened in November of 2007. Nightlife options include several bars and lounges. Pure nightclub offers a new standard in Las Vegas nightlife, with Strip views and two stories of decadence.All Classic rooms feature high-speed Internet access (fee applies), voicemail, safes, hairdryers, climate control, Nintendo games (fee applies). The Augustus Tower rooms offer a new definition of luxury with flat-panel TVs in the bed and bath areas.

Hoover Dam was built during the Depression and completed in 1935. Hoover Dam is a multipurpose reclamation project on the Colorado River, controlling floods, storing water for irrigation and providing generation of hydroelectric power, fish and wildlife habitat. This world-renowned structure has been rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders. For the Discovery Tour, the age limits are adults (17-61 years), seniors (62+) juniors (7-16 years), US Military (adults & seniors) and children (0-6 years). The Powerplant Tour is wheelchair accessible, however, the Dam tour is not.

Is it Paris, or Las Vegas? Paris Las Vegas, of course. Ride to the peak of the 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower in the glass elevators. At the observation deck on top, you will behold a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas Strip from 540 feet up. The 11th-floor Eiffel Tower Restaurant is formal dining at its finest; reservations are necessary. Tickets available at the Tower.

Inside one of the five tall, white-washed buildings of Caesars Palace Hotel Casino, you will find the Forum Shops which were added in 1992. Here, you can buy with the richest of them (Gucci, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Baccarat, Harry Winston, etc.) in an atmosphere reminiscent of the ancient Roman Senate: large statues, majestic fountains and grand pillars abound. This enormous mall spans multiple floors (more than 643,000 square feet!) and is dotted with various restaurants (some with a dress code and some casual) to please all palates, including Wolfgang Puck's renowned Spago. Free valet parking available.

The newly renovated, tropical-themed Mirage Hotel and Casino boasts an indoor rainforest, a dolphin habitat, and one of the most famous spectacles in Las Vegas--the Mirage's erupting volcano. The hotel is located at the heart of the Strip. It is approximately four miles from McCarran International Airport.The entrance of the hotel is home to a lagoon with towering waterfalls and a 54-foot high volcano that spews smoke and fire 100 feet above the water once an hour nightly. Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat features dolphins swimming in the two and one-half million-gallon pools. Also created for the Mirage by Siegfried and Roy is the White Tiger Habitat, a tropical environment featuring the exotic cats. The 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium in the lobby features 1,000 coral reef creatures. The 100-foot atrium houses a tropical rainforest. The casino offers slot machines, poker tables, table games, a high-limit lounge, and a race and sports book.Live entertainment includes the new show LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. Mirage is also home to Celebrity Impressionist/Singer/Comedian/Ventriloquist Terry Fator, and touring headline entertainers. The newly redesigned Spa and Kim Vo Salon feature massage therapies, beauty treatments and hydrotherapies. The Revolution Lounge is a 7,000 square-foot lounge featuring psychedelic floors, walls, and tables with pulsating lights, as well as musical theme nights, and the Beatles-themed Abbey Road Bar. JET is a three-floor, four-bar nightclub. Dining options include Japonais, BLT Burger, STACK, Fin, Kokomo's, Onda Ristorante & Wine Lounge, Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, Caribe Cafe, Cravings, the Carnegie Delicatessen, the Paradise Cafe, and more. The property also includes six bars and lounges. Other amenities include boutique shopping, the tropical outdoor pool area, and European sunbathing at Bare (for a fee).

By far the most famous attraction at Mirage Hotel is the Volcano. It's the closest it could be to a real volcano. Amidst 3-acres of water, the volcano comes to life everyday at 7:30p. It shoots up 54 feet spraying smoke and fire. The water below is transformed into streams of molten lava. Admission is free of charge. Call for show timings.

Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat is a tropical paradise dedicated to the wild things. You will find many exotic animal breeds housed here, from elephants, panthers and leopards to Siegfried and Roy's rare and enchanting white tigers. This exhibit is presented in an effort to spotlight the need to protect vanishing breeds. Along with the land-based residents, visitors are invited to visit the intriguing Dolphin Habitat. You will thoroughly enjoy watching the antics of these amazing creatures that love to show off for onlookers. This attraction is located at the Mirage Hotel Casino located mid Strip.

Spectacular red sandstone makes this a scenic desert wonder. This State Park has been a Nevada landmark since the 1930s and is home to many desert animals. On the cave walls you will see Indian petroglyphs, still remarkably preserved after hundreds of years of erosion from dust and wind. The drive is just over 50-miles northwest of Las Vegas and at sunset produces a memorable photographic opportunity. Check with the visitor center for details of the park, as well as souvenirs.