Itinerary for Las Vegas--A Sin City Adventure

Built on more than 120 acres and situated at the four corners of the Las Vegas Strip, the Bellagio is three miles from McCarran International Airport. Local attractions include the Las Vegas Convention Center, located two and one-half miles from the hotel, and the Hoover Dam, located 32 miles from the resort. The world famous Fountains of Bellagio feature choreographed streams of water which conduct a show to the sounds of classical music and opera.Bellagio's lobby features 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers created by Dale Chihuly. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens contain exotic plants. There is also an onsite Gallery of Fine Art, currently featuring works by Ansel Adams (general admission is 15). The hotel's outdoor pool area resembles a Mediterranean villa, is open year-round, and includes a courtyard, a whirlpool, and cabanas for rent. Gambling guests can try their luck at one of more than 2,700 slot machines, 140 gaming tables, and 30 poker tables, not to mention the race and sports book. The full-service spa offers massage therapies, beauty treatments, a fitness center, and fitness classes. Live entertainment includes performances of O by Cirque du Soleil. Several high-end boutique shops are located throughout the Bellagio's grounds. Rounding out the amenities are the full-service business center, valet parking, tour assistance, golfing arrangements, and two wedding chapels. Fine dining options include Le Cirque, Circo, Prime Steakhouse, Picasso, Michael Mina's seafood restaurant, Jasmine, and Shintaro. Guests may partake in casual dining with at Sensei, Olives, Noodles, FIX Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Bellagio, the Buffet, and the Pool Cafe. In addition, the Bellagio also offers four quick-dining establishments, five onsite bars, Jean-Philippe Patisserie, and the nightclub, Light.Guestrooms feature minibars, irons and ironing boards, dual-line telephones, dataports, high-speed Internet access, and bathrobes.

Located atop the 800-foot high Stratosphere Hotel Casino, Top Of The World Restaurant offers a view of Las Vegas that is unmatched. The room rotates slowly at 360 degrees per hour so you can see the entire city from every angle. The service is superb and the excellent menu features steaks, fresh fish and lobster. Cocktails and a moderately priced wine list are available. Truly, this is an unforgettable dining experience. Afterwards, you can ride the rollercoaster at the top.

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.

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.

Another Las Vegas hit for restaurateur Wolfgang Puck, this place presents an eclectic offering of globally inspired dishes in a romantic atmosphere. Freshly baked breads start off the meal, as well as wonderful appetizers. For an entree, try the famous wood-fired pizzas or the more exotic quail with spinach. The lamb chops are also exquisite. Two options include the relaxed bistro cafe or a dining room for more formal meals. Both restaurants feature complete wine and bar services. Located inside the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. Private dining is also available.

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.

In a city famous for lights, it is nice to honor the old neon signs. This historic display is located within the Fremont Street Experience and though it is open all day, it is best viewed at night. See the original Aladdin's lamp in its full-color splendor and the horse and rider from the old Hacienda Hotel. The museum often adds new items to this marvelous collection. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted.

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.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses 1.5 million acres of land and water. The powerful flow of the Colorado River is denied by that famous feat of engineering, the Hoover Dam, thus creating Lake Mead, the 16th largest man-made lake in the western hemisphere. With 820 miles of shoreline, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area provides ample opportunities for boating, swimming, hiking, scuba diving and fishing. There are campgrounds, boat and jet-ski rental services, hotels, restaurants, beaches and four marinas.

Located inside the Bellagio hotel, Spa Bellagio welcomes you to a rich and rejuvenating range of facial and body therapies. Try the Bellagio Stone Massage—aquamarine gemstones are used to massage your face and body—for a warm and refreshing touch. The spa also offers various other therapies, such as the Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, Indian Head Massage and Thai Yoga Massage. Pick up products from the in-house sale to carry the relaxed feeling home. Spa Bellagio also houses a sauna room, a steam room, a salon and a fully equipped fitness center. Reservations are recommended.

The SW Steakhouse found in Wynn Las Vegas is a cut above the other Vegas steakhouses. Offering a variety of entrees like seared Hawaiian tuna, olive oil poached Scottish salmon and bouillabaisse, the SW Steakhouse is not the typical meat and potatoes joint. Though, of course, they do serve meat, and it is to die for. Every steak is cooked to perfection and you can find some specialty steaks here, like a double-cut rib eye or a 40 oz. porterhouse for two. After dinner, try the summer sampler for dessert, but be sure to bring friends to help because this is a four course dessert with shakes, ice cream sandwiches, sorbet and ice cream bars.

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.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just a few miles west of Las Vegas, is named for the deep red 3,000-foot-high sandstone cliffs that are perched above the dusty wastelands of this part of the Mojave Desert. The view from any part of the park is breathtaking: mostly nature fills the view, but from some points you can make out the entire Las Vegas Strip in the distance! If the temperature is extremely hot, climbing/hiking/bicycling throughout the park is not recommended; instead, opt to drive around the park (expect to pay a small fee for motorized vehicles) along a 13-mile paved loop. A visitor's center provides information on area history, geology, flora and fauna (visitors may encounter burros, big horn sheep or desert tortoises). You can also pick up a map of the park with detailed hiking routes (beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels). Rangers offer guided tours at no charge -- see website for schedules. It's open daily at 6a.

This restaurant is well known for a variety of fresh seafood and outstanding steaks cooked to perfection. The frites are absolutely addictive. Choose to sit inside or relax outside on a beautiful day; the decor makes you feel you are in a Parisian bistro. There are excellent choices on the menu - Cold Appetizers, Hot Appetizers, Gabi's Classics etc as well as the wine list. Don't miss the amazing desserts like the Creme Brulee and the Bananas Foster Crepe. Food is reasonably priced with generous servings.

Science comes alive to the common man at the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, you can be awe-struck by the facts surrounding the atom bomb. Adjacent to the University of Nevada, this is an ideal place for students to assemble material for projects. Children under six are allowed in for free, so bring them along for an early lesson in awareness. The museum store has collectibles on display for those who'd like a souvenir of this historic and scientific outing.

Step into Jean-Philippe Patisserie and take a trip back to childhood when you were a little kid just finishing some chocolate ice cream, leaving a good portion of it on your face because you ate it so excitedly. That is how you'll leave this take-out dessert spot, located in the luxurious Bellagio. Choose from bite-size chocolates, savory crepes, fluffy cakes, sweet cookies, crisp salads, and warm paninis. With sweets in hand, take the opportunity to gaze upon the world's largest chocolate fountain at the entrance to the shop.

The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden in the Bellagio Hotel is one of Las Vegas' claims to fame. The garden is a sanctuary to more than 7500 flowers, which are well taken care of by 140 horticulturists. The garden is a treat to the eyes with its beautifully placed gazebos, ponds, bridges and water fountains. Its a delight to tour the garden during day time with the light pouring in from the glass ceiling. The night tours are equally exotic with the stars overhead, making it more tranquil.

Dine with authentic Picasso's on the walls and enjoy a Michelin Five Star Award Mediterranean dinner at the Bellagio Hotel. Master Chef Julian Serrano was the first Las Vegas chef to be honored with the James Beard Award for 'Best Chef, Southwest' and continues to wow diners with his ever-changing fresh seasonal menus. There are two separate menus; a four-course tasting menu and a five-course Chef's Ddgustation. In 2002 Las Vegas Restaurant Survey voted Picasso 'Most Popular Restaurant' in Las Vegas and the restaurant has maintained its reputation for excellence.

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.