Las Vegas Things to Do Tips by soccergrrl

Las Vegas Boulevard, aka The Strip, is where the action is in Vegas. It's home to all the over-the-top hotels and casinos you've no doubt heard or read about: Luxor, Venetian, Bellagio, Paris . . . And it's worth seeing in both bright sunlight and the lurid, lively neon of the night. New York New York was my absolute favorite facade by day, but at night some of the other hotels stand out more -- like Paris and Excalibur (with its wand-zapping wizard). For sheer brightness, of course, nothing beats the Luxor, out of whose pyramid shines the brightest light on Earth.

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Address: Las Vegas Boulevard
Directions: The Strip is verrrrrry long -- running from Mandalay Bay at the south end to the Stratosphere at the north.

Outside the MGM Grand there are two wonderful, huge, gold lions. Statues. Inside, in the casino, are some wonderful, life-size, furry lions. Real ones. They have a large plexiglass enclosure that the handlers say keeps out nearly all of the casino noise. Better still, you can walk under part of the enclosure and the lions can walk, jump, or lie down right over your head. It's way cool.

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Phone: 877-880-0880 or 702-891-7777
Address: Inside the MGM Grand Casino
Directions: The MGM Grand is near the south end of the strip. At night, it's the green one.
Website: http://www.mgmgrand.com/lv/pages/ent_lionhab.asp
Other Contact: Main Hotel URL: http://www.mgmgr

New York New York has its own roller coaster, called the Manhattan Express, that twists, turns, climbs, dives, and loops all around the "city." We rode at night, and it was tons of fun. I was terrified, screamed my head off, but had a blast. My husband nearly split his gut laughing at me. You'll need to leave any bags, cameras, or other similar accessories at the platform -- there are lockers (50 cents, I think) to hold your stuff.

This was my favorite "architecture" of the hotels and casinos -- it's built to look like the Manhattan skyline, and they even have a miniature Brooklyn Bridge. The casino and shops inside are meant to make you feel as if you are strolling a New York neighborhood.

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Address: New York New York is at the south end of the Strip
Website: http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com/pages/ent_coaster.a

The Stratosphere, that can't-miss-it tower at the north end of the Strip, affords a great view over the sprawling light show that is Las Vegas. My husband and I headed up here, via a fast elevator, for a glass of champagne on our wedding anniversary (awwwww . . .). The view, while spectacular, can be tough to capture on film. ( Oh yeah, it's actually a hotel and casino too . . . )

The tower itself is the highest free-standing observation deck in the US, and the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

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Address: More of a "can't-not-see" location . . north Strip
Directions: http://www.stratospherehotel.com/flash/tower_attractions/index.html
Website: See above -- URL too long

You can't really imagine this -- you have to see it for yourself. I knew I wanted to check this out (c'mon, it's FREE), but I didn't really expect much except a lot of fountains spewing water. Let me tell you, it was pretty daggone cool! We arrived a bit early to get a good spot with a head-on view. The music was Henry Mancini's theme for the Pink Panther, and it made for a fun show. (And as an aside, the Bellagio is a pretty long walk from the Luxor!)

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Address: Along the Strip, in front of the Bellagio Hotel
Directions: Mid-Strip, across from Paris (just look for the Eiffel Tower . .)

http://www.bellagio.com/pages/attrac_highfountain_flash.asp
Website: See above -- URL too long

Yes, I know I included this as a tourist trap as well. It is, but that makes it worth seeing in its own right. Plus, there's the light and sound show. "The Fremont Street Experience" is the name given to this nightly series of shows that takes place in the covered "Glitter Gulch" of . . . well, crap . . . and on the ceiling overhead. There are millions of lights in the arched covering of the area, and speakers placed overhead all along the way. This allows for a somewhat overwhelming sound and light show that is a unique Vegas experience.

Otherwise, Fremont street is an area full of every junky tourist shop you've ever seen, and then some. Plus a few of the older hotel/casinos like the Golden Nugget. We did find a tasty restaurant there, Zax (a relatively new arrival in the Golden Nugget). You'll also find kiosk vendors and street performers here.

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Address: Off the main Strip, on Fremont Street.
Directions: We drove from our hotel and parked at the Lady Luck Casino.
Website: http://www.vegasexperience.com/

Go ahead -- pamper yourself. You know you deserve it. Let me say I am not normally a "spa" person. I'm a tomboy; I don't wear makeup; brushing my hair is as fancy as I get with hairdos. However, having access to the ultimate in relaxation and stress-relief is right up my alley.

The Oasis Spa was a relaxing experience like no other I've had. I signed up for a riverstone massage because I'd been wondering what this heated stone fuss was all about. Much to my surprise, my $140 got me access to all of the spa -- water, juice, and snacks; steam room; sauna; whirlpool; showers with variously fragranced products; and a "finish" area with free haircare products, blowdryers, etc. (And, after my 4pm massage, I could have returned to the spa anytime up until midnight.) The massage was incredible, especially after I'd spent the last two days wandering the desert and hiking up and down the Strip. Go on -- splurge!

A word to the wise, which I wish I'd known. The spa, which is in two parts and completely segregated into male and female, is "clothing optional" in the sauna/steamroom/whirlpool area. When I went, all had "opted" to wear their swimsuits -- but mine was in my room. I didn't feel comfortable being the only naked person around, so I sweated it out (literally) in my little spa robe. Next time I'll bring my suit.

(And this isn't just for women; my husband got a riverstone massage too and had the same reaction I did.)

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Address: Inside the Luxor, near the pool area.
Directions: The Luxor is at the south end of the Strip.

http://www.luxor.com/superset.php3/amenities/spa.php3
Website: See above -- URL too long

The Venetian is an eye-dazzling, indoor architectural marvel in a city full of them. When you say "over the top" -- this is it. You can ride in a gondola, stroll the canal, or shop and dine all indoors but surrounded by a replica of Venice. And the vaulted, column-lined hallway from the front desk is gilded and painted as if this were a true palace.

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Address: Mid to north Strip
Directions: Look for the replica of the bell tower.
Website: http://www.venetian.com/home.cfm

Located in the Mirage Hotel and Casino, beyond the pool, this wild cat zoo and dolphin habitat is worth a visit. There, you can see a number of "white" cats -- lions and tigers -- as well as leopards, a black panther, and a ceremonial Thai elephant. The dolphin habitat consists of several pools and quite a few dolphins. They are not specially trained to perform, and there are no shows, but the keepers play with the dolphins in the course of their daily work and you get to see that. They play with balls and other floating toys, leap, and roll themselves up onto the edges of the pool.

The cost is $12 for adults, and you can stay as long as you like. There is a free audio accompaniment to the cat areas.

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Address: Located in the Mirage Hotel & Casino
Directions: Enter the casino and look for the signs to the pool and Secret Garden.
Hours:
Weekdays 11 - 5:30
Weekends/holidays 10 -5:30
Website: http://www.mirage.com/pages/attrac_secret.asp

Another cool Vegas freebie is the volcano in front of the Mirage Hotel & Casino. It erupts nightly (except in inclement weather -- I love it!), about every 15 minutes (between about 7 and midnight). Be warned that if you are up close to it, the fire effects can feel very hot!

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Address: In front of the Mirage Hotel & Casino
Directions: Look for the "volcano" in the water area, covered with tropical plants. (I don't think it looks particularly much like a volcano by day, but I guess that's not the point.)
Website: http://www.mirage.com/pages/attrac_volcano.asp