For most people, one thing springs to mind when the name Las Vegas is mentioned, and that, of course, is the casino. The city in the desert, as Las Vegas is sometimes known, is where you go to gamble, everyone knows that. But not everyone knows that there are plenty of other things you can do there as well.
What to do and where to go
But let us start with the casinos. Any traveller to Las Vegas will undoubtedly head for the Strip, the main thoroughfare that is home to all the bright lights of some of the world’s most fantastic hotels and casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard. Famous casinos here include the largest, the MGM Grand, the Mandalay Bay Resort and the Bellagio with its famous illuminated Fountains. All of these casinos have something for every visitor, from slot machines to table games.
Many of the casinos also have hotels attached and those mentioned above are no exception. These, however, may be pricey and if you are looking for great deals on where to stay, check out Outdoor Traveler for information on accommodation. They will show you that hotels are not your only choice in Vegas, but that you can stay at villas and lodges if you prefer. They will also let you know about other sightseeing attractions in the city, ideal for when you want a break from gambling.
Las Vegas has museums you can visit as well as casinos. If you want to see a museum that you will not see anywhere else in the world, you should head for the Atomic Testing Museum with its history of Vegas as the Nevada Test Site. For another view on history, visit the Mob Museum, which will give you an insight into Vegas’s notorious Mafia-riddled past.
If you are unable to visit actual places in the world, Vegas can offer you imitations. For example, if you have always wanted to see the pyramids, head over to the Luxor hotel, which is made of glass and built in the shape of the famous Egyptian landmarks. Want the romance of Venice? Then the Venetian hotel is for you with its re-creation of the city’s famous canals. Fancy a trip to Paris or the city that never sleeps? You can see the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Las Vegas and the Statue of Liberty at New York, New York.
No vacation is complete without having a shopping spree and if you want a mall that is a little bit different, you need to visit the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace. Decorated in a faux-Roman style, this mall has more than 160 stores, many of them world-famous names, including Dior, Tiffany & Co and Cartier. If your body cannot stand the pace of shopping, take some time out in one of the spas.
There is so much more to Las Vegas than casinos if you are prepared to look, but, however you choose to spend your vacation, you are guaranteed never to experience anything quite like Vegas again.
