Las Vegas

Las Vegas attracts people from all over the world to its extravagant casinos, live entertainment, small chapels where Elvis impersonators perform wedding ceremonies, and wild nightlife scene – there’s never a dull moment in this city. Las Vegas transports you around the world and back in time via its themed hotels: Start out in the Mojave Desert, then find yourself in New York, Paris, Venice, then ancient Rome and Egypt and even Asia, all in one day and just a short walk from one another. Day and Night Life Day and night in this city are like… well, night and day. Daytime brings lounging by the gorgeous hotel pools, gambling, or wandering through shops or exhibits inside some hotels – anything to escape the desert heat. As the day cools off, the night heats up with live entertainment at one of the famous Las Vegas shows, or dancing and drinks at one of the many nightclubs. One of the biggest draws to Vegas is the chance to strike it rich playing poker, blackjack, slot machines, and more. Vegas is the iconic destination for a weekend getaway with friends. Choose any of the hotels on the Vegas Strip, and you’ll be near the most famous sites Las Vegas has to offer. No matter which you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy much of what the others have to offer by exploring them during the day. One part of the hotels you won’t have access to is the pool, so if a dreamy pool is essential, plan to stay at Mandalay Bay, the Hard Rock Café (a bit off the strip), or Caesar’s Palace. While the major draws to Las Vegas are the casinos and nightlife, there are plenty of family-friendly options for your Vegas vacation. Hotels like New York, New York (which has a scaled down skyline of NYC), the Stratosphere, and Circus Circus offer roller coaster rides and arcades that kids and thrill-seekers will love. At the Mirage Resort, visit Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and dolphin habitat, where you’ll find tigers, leopards, and Bottlenose Dolphins. This exhibit is a bit pricey at $17 per adult and $12 per child, but in all, it’s a great experience. Also check out the Luxor Pyramid, guarded by the sphinx statue. Inside, there are educational exhibits (which are currently about the human body and the Titanic), but again, these can be expensive. The Venetian and Paris hotels are a few favorites that transport you right to Europe. At the Venetian, wander the streets of Venice, take a gondola ride along a canal, and admire the changing skies of Italy while you shop at upscale boutiques and designer stores. At the Paris hotel, visit a half-scale model of the Eiffel Tower. Even after dark, there are good options for families, like free shows outside of several hotels. Of note are the Bellagio fountains, choreographed to lights and music. Shows start every 15 minutes once it gets dark, and those are the most impressive shows to watch. Treasure Island Hotel features pirate battles on Buccaneer Bay, and the Mirage has an erupting volcano every hour of the evening. Live Shows And finally, a trip to Las Vegas is not complete without attending at least one live show. There are concerts from long-running Vegas entertainers, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow or Elton John, and comedy shows from Jerry Seinfeld to Carrot Top. Some typical Vegas-style shows are the Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, and stunts and illusions from Criss Angel. Tip: discounted tickets are often available last-minute on the day of the event or a few days before, so check with some of the ticket sellers if you’re willing to take your chances – after all, it is Vegas!