From neon signs to Elvis impersonators, drive-thru weddings to gambling, no matter what springs to mind when you think of Las Vegas it can't prepare you for the real thing. The show never stops in a city where even the hotels you stay in are made to look like movie sets and yet they are among the most affordable places to stay in the western world. Las Vegas however, has hidden depths and sits among some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. It is easily accessible from a host of UK airports and the prime seasons to visit are the spring and autumn because temperatures can be unbearably hot during the summer months. Las Vegas is accessible by daily flights from the UK in approximately eleven hours.
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Las Vegas's youthful atmosphere, dazzling Strip and breathtaking scenery makes it unlike anywhere else on earth...
Las Vegas has something for everyone, and caters for all ages and types of holidaymaker. There is definitely a youthful atmosphere to the area, with everything from hip-hop clubs to stage shows running well into the night. There's plenty to see and do during the day, and with some of the most modern hotels in the world, with themes such as pirate ships, circuses and erupting volcanoes children will certainly be entertained too. However, this is an adult destination above all else, with most people travelling to enjoy the casinos.
What to do...
Las Vegas is America's premier entertainment destination and this is a city that truly never sleeps. The infamous Las Vegas Strip is the ideal place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. Packed with casinos, accommodation is surprisingly cheap and yet the facilities available are first rate. The hotels and casinos are lavish and have an array of movie or travel-style themes including the Paris hotel with its replica of the Eiffel Tower that incorporates an observation deck.
| Las Vegas is America's premier entertainment destination... |
The southern part of the Strip includes more themed casinos and hotels such as Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and New York-New York. You'll also find the MGM Grand here, which has been home to some of the biggest sporting events of the last three decades. The Venetian Hotel recreates St. Mark's Square and you can take a Gondola ride on a reproduction Venetian Canal, while the Mirage features a volcano spewing molten rock and lava and The Luxor is a huge black-glass pyramid with 36 floors. With so much to pack in, the best way to ensure you'll see everything The Strip has to offer is to take a helicopter ride over the area.
Perhaps the most famous hotel on The Strip is the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. This has a vast garden and an Italian theme with more than 3,000 rooms and hundreds of gaming tables and slot machines. The fountains are renowned, dancing to opera and classical music from 7pm-midnight every day.
Fun-seekers should head to the Stratosphere Tower on Las Vegas Boulevard, a quirky tower with many theme park rides such as the Big Shot (which is not for the faint hearted) and Insanity, which spins riders over the tower's edge. Other roller coasters include the Manhattan Express at New York-New York, the roller coaster at MGM Grand Adventures and the Canyon Blaster at the Adventuredome.
Las Vegas isn't without its culture either, and there are many art galleries to explore. Most of the museums are based on more modern themes, and the Liberace Museum, an effective shrine, should not be missed. The Elvis-A-Rama museum was recently closed but a world class Elvis feature will replace the museum in the near future. Fans of classic motoring should head to the Imperial Palace Auto Collection, which has more than 250 antique cars on display. The many wedding chapels are well worth visiting too, whether you plan to join in on the nuptials or not.
Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas is a shopping haven that caters to those with plenty of cash left over from the casinos. Many of the stores are styled with special designs including Exotic Cars featuring vehicles worth up to a million dollars, and the hot-pink and blue exterior of the D-Loe House of Style in the downtown area that is owned by Cirque du Soleil costume designer Mario D'Loe.
By night the Vegas showcase continues with the Tribute to Frank, Sammy and Dean offering rat pack nostalgia, while Jet offers a mainstream dance floor and lots of intimate lounges. Cirque du Soleil offers spectacular shows throughout the year, while the likes of Elton John and Celine Dion who have performed in residency as part of an extended tour. The Beauty Bar is a great place to down cocktails and the Double Down Saloon is a thriving punk bar that includes the house rules 'you puke, you clean'! For those who prefer something a little more refined, there is a high standard of gourmet to be sampled with numerous celebrity chefs throughout the area. Picasso offers superb French-Mediterranean cuisine, while Binion's Coffee Shop stays open 24hrs a day. Anyone on a budget should head to Canter's Deli and vegetarians are catered for at Paymon's Mediterranean Café and Hookah Lounge.
Las Vegas is not just about the glamour and the glitz though because it sits among some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Day trips to the Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon and the Grand Canyon should not be missed with helicopter journeys and flights available. The Grand Canyon in particular is one of the great natural wonders of the world. The South Rim is often overrun with tourists and so it can be wise to head to the North Rim for a more secluded view of this breathtaking and memorable sight.
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