Las Vegas Off The Beaten Path Tips by madamx

The Boneyard

This is where the old neon signs from the strip go to die. It is a photographer's dream!! You must make advance reservations for a guided tour. You have some limited time while the guide is talking to wander in the immediate periphery, but a lot of wandering around is discouraged due to broken glass, sharp metal, and other hazards. If planning to photograph, you will be asked to sign a disclaimer that the pictures are only for personal use.

There are two tours, one at 11:00 am and one at 2:00 pm. Tours can be cancelled at any time for various reasons or due to volunteer availability. If you have booked a tour always phone ahead to reconfirm.

My recommendation is to take a cab, then after the tour, walk up Las Vegas Blvd north about 8 blocks (a safe and not a difficult walk) to the downtown area to see Freemont Street and other vintage signs. If you're taking a cab, the drivers usually don't know where it is, so print out the instructions given when your tour is booked to give to the cabbie.

The ABC Store

If you've read my other pages, I love the serendipity of finding the unique and unusual that people would otherwise pass by.

The ABC Store in Las Vegas is located in the Fashion Show Mall, and gives you a little slice of island life. Hawaiian music, tradtional and pop is in background at all times, with the pleasant asian/polynesian staff dressed in hawaiian shirts. The only way to describe the place is that it is a convenience store and gift shop rolled into one, presented with polynesian flair. It's fun to browse the aisles; skip over the usual 7-11 stuff available, and have a look at the items aimed at the asian market as well as the hawaiian market. You'll find the coconut pancake syrup across the aisle from the toasted seaweed snacks.

If that doesn't interest you, you can pick up all your sundry items, plus a bottle of Mumm's Champagne if you wish.

Website: http://www.abcstores.com/