A List of the Best Las Vegas Must-Sees
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Las Vegas Must-SeesA list of Las Vegas must-sees will furnish perspective to any curious Las Vegas visitor. It’s a daunting task to pick from the huge variety of shows, casinos, and attractions in Sin City. This list presents only the most iconic, enjoyable, and stunning attractions in Southern Nevada. On Strip Entertainment.The Las Vegas Strip is a part of Las Vegas Boulevard cluttered with world-class entertainment options. It runs North-South in the approximate center of the Las Vegas Valley. While the literal ends of the Strip vary from person to person, it is normal to begin with Mandalay Bay at Russel Road, which is what drivers from California see first, and end with the Sahara and Stratosphere casinos at Sahara Avenue, in the North. Buses, taxis, and walking areas abound on the Strip, so generally a car is easy to go without. Attractions like the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Rio, and the Palms are not actually on the Strip, but are close enough to be thought of as pieces of it. http://www.lasvegas.net/For Everyone:The Bellagio Fountainshttp://www.lasvegas.net/Bellagio-Attractions.htm#fountainsThe most spectacular water and light extravaganza anywhere is at the Bellagio resort, and it won’t cost you a dime. The show happens every night and day, and provides ample viewing space on the street in front of the 4-acre, man-made lake Bellagio. Show Begins:
Monday-Friday 3:00pm-8:00pmShow every 1/2 hour 8:00pm-12:00amShow every 15 minutes Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays 12:pm-8:00pmShow every 1/2 hour 8:00pm-12:00amShow every 15 minutes The Stratosphere Tower.The tallest tower in the West is also a hotel, casino, and a destination for thrill seekers. The outdoor observation deck on level 109 brings the horizon right to you, as well as a great view of some of the daring riders 800 feet over the Strip. The Tower is a great place to be when the city lights are coming on, but any time of day brings a worthwhile view. TIMES:Sunday-Thursday: 10am-1amFriday-Saturday: 10am-2amTOWER TICKETS:Adult – $15.95Child – $10.00Senior – $12.00Hotel Guest – $12.00Nevada Resident – $12.00A Fantastic Swimming Pool.In July and August, when temperatures can explode your thermometor, a swimming pool becomes a lifesaver. Las Vegas is the best place for pool. Select from this shortlist: For the biologist: The Tank, at the Fremont Street Experience, is the most original and special swimming pool currently in Sin City. A two-story aquarium sits in the middle, filled with sharks, a waterslide, and other ocean life. Swimmers and water sliders can stare at sharks from in the water or out, through a plexiglass separator. Above the main level, a separate pool for adults only provides a resting place for European sunbathers. And drinks and cards surround the area For the beautiful partygoer: Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was the first pool party in Vegas, and is still the champion of crazy, poolside action. Don’t go to relax, save money, or lay out. Do go to be a part of the wild side of daylife. For the beach lover: The Beach at Mandalay bay is huge: A sandy beach, a wave pool, a lazy river, a separate topless area, restaurants, bars, and cabanas. It contains four pools total spread out over11 acres, in addition to a running track and jetted hot tubs. Overall the best place to get sun in Sin City, but busy on Saturday and Sunday. For Consumers:The Forum Shops at CaesarsSee for yourself what the mall with the most earnings per square foot in America looks like. The Forum Shops was The original reason people came to Las Vegas to shop, and is still the best. For Children:The Adventuredome at Circus Circus has been where kids want to go in Las Vegas since the ’90s. The 5 acre theme park is filled with rides and food. Admission is free, and groups of ride tickets are available to suit every need. Off the Strip:Some Las Vegas attractions are far enough away to require a car, and at least one is not even in Nevada. For Everyone:The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign:While technically the Strip, the attraction is about half a mile of dull city street away from the closest casino, Mandalay Bay. The hotel The Four Seasons is a little closer. Hardy pedestrians can take the hike South to the sign, but be warned that it is just a walk, with none of the excitement that make strolling the heart of the Strip so enjoyable.It’s better to drive to the sign, but even that has its hazards. The sign is right in the center of Las Vegas Boulevard, a very active road. The parking lot connected to the sign has ten parking spaces for cars, two for buses or limousines, and two handicapped spaces. On busy days, more spaces are needed.. The amount of people entering this parking lot can grow long and untidy. Those who want to see the Sign, but don’t really need to take their picture under it, should have their copilot take the photo from the car as they drive by. This will be an easier way to get the shot. Those who absolutely need to get their picture by it should consider the alternative: a “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” replica, erected on Boulder Highway just north of Tropicana Avenue. This optional sign sees far less traffic than the original. Fremont Street
Also going by the names Downtown, Old Las Vegas, and the Fremont Street Experience, the section of Fremont Street between Main Street and Las Vegas Boulevard is the original home of Las Vegas gambling. The most historic , the Golden Gate (Est. 1906!), is still open on Fremont. Fremont Street is about two miles North of Sahara Avenue, so walking from the active part of the Strip will wear your feet out. The Fremont Street experience is a 10-story tall, 4-block long curved ceiling embedded with 2.1 million lights. After dark, the light pulsate to the sounds of classic rock or country. The shops, casinos, hotels, and carts that share this space all combine to create a totally unique entertainment space. This is the most excellent place to get a picture taken with a showgirl, enjoy a cheap and unhealthy meal, and see the strangest mix of people in the world. The Hoover Dam
The most popular dam in America is free every day for the curious. About 45 minutes from the heart of the city, the Dam is accessible via highway 95. Drivers will go East from central Las Vegas, on any major street or highway, then South on the 95 through Henderson and Boulder City. Go left onto Highway 93 in Boulder City, and continue to the Dam.The Hoover Dam is the biggest dam many travelers will ever see. Since 1936, guests have stared 726 feet down into the Colorado River where it comes out of the spillways. http://www.lasvegas.net/hoover-dam.htm
The Grand Canyon
Actually in Arizona, the Grand Canyon sees more visitors from Las Vegas than anywhere else. Tourists often use Vegas as the jumping-off point to see the West, traveling to Death Valley, the Canyon, and Zion nation park from this one city.The West Rim of the Grand Canyon is half a morning’s drive away by car, making it a great day trip. Helicopter tours to the Canyon require only a few hours to view the scenery. The South Rim, six hours away by car, is more of a commitment. The North Rim, also six hours away, is the deepest part,, closed during the winter. Facts:Tourist vists/year: 38 million Public Transportation Costs: The Deuce bus: $7/day pass, $3/two-hour pass.Monorail: $12/day pass, $5/one way. Average Temperature: Summer 103 F (39 C)Winter 61 F (15 C) Hotel Room Rates: $50 – $10,000 Cost of a lightbulb in the Luxors’ apex: $1,200
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