Las Vegas Travel Guide
With 320 days of sunshine every year, if you' re looking to escape dreary weather at home, you can' t go far wrong with Vegas. Anyone who says Vegas is just about the Strip needs to get out of the casino and look at the landscape. The desert is spectacular here! It' s a sand fest, but it' s more interesting than that - the Vegas valley is closed in on all sides by mountains that flush red at sunset, and canyons and gorges cleaving their way in between.
Fremont St
Before the Strip sprung up in Las Vegas, there were the casinos that started it all - the 100 year-old Golden Gate, the Golden Nugget, Binion’s (99-cent shrimp cocktail, anyone?) and more. This is the Fremont Street Experience, what some might call vintage Las Vegas. It’s also home to Viva Vision, the biggest big screen on the planet. The giant LED screen towers 90 feet above a pedestrian mall packed with shopping kiosks and two performance stages.
Mirage Hotel Las Vegas
Like the calm before the storm, the volcano in front of The Mirage Hotel and Casino along the Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada is just a peaceful waterfall. Every hour the volcano bursts into life like thunder while flames are shot high into the sky. The once tranquil waterfall is transformed into a molten lava flow. This show in front of the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is a must see while walking The Strip.
Pure
PURE nightclub is the most elite club in all of Las Vegas. 99.9% of the time, PURE is THE place to be and be seen. With two stories of pure decadence, a giant outdoor terrace overlooking the Strip, and elegant details, you will feel like a VIP from the second you walk in. PURE has consistently been dubbed the number one club not only in Las Vegas, but in the country (by E! Entertainment)! Party with the likes of Britney Spears, Fergie, Paris Hilton, and MORE! Linked to the Pussycat Dolls Lounge, you are sure to see some celebrities if they are in town performing with the scantily clad group. Past performers have included Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardashian.
10125 Nu-Waiv Blvd.Mount Charleston
Less than an hour drive west of Las Vegas lies a beautiful mountain escape in the community of Mount Charleston. With the nearly 12,000-foot-high Charleston Peak in close proximity, the area is about 20 degrees cooler than Las Vegas in the summer, perfect for picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. In the winter, you can catch one of four lifts to access 11 trails at Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort in Lee Canyon - yes, there’s skiing in Las Vegas!
The Stratosphere
Sure you might get shot on the way into this casino, but you can't beat the view from on top of the largest U.S. building west if the Mississippi River. Seriously, it's worth the potential bullet. The Strip is amazing from the ground, but you don't get a true appreciation of Las Vegas until you've seen it from nearly 1000 feet. For added thrills, buy the all-access pass to the rides on top of the casino. There's nothing like dangling unnaturally over the side of a really tall wobbly building to make you forget how much money you lost in the blackjack pit.
Binion's
It's hard to beat a classic. It's not very pretty, there's a ton of damage and stale air from the years of smoking patrons and the people inside this place are quite frightening. But I love it nonetheless. This is where the World Series of Poker was born and it's not quite a Las Vegas trip until you pay homage to poker's Mecca. -- RM
New York, New York
The best things about this casino have nothing to do with gambling. New York, New York has the best food court on the Strip. From New York-style pizza to Coney Island hot dogs, this is the place to go if you want good, quick and affordable meals.
The Mirage
This place has taken me for more money that I care to share, but still, it holds a special place in my heart because I had an epiphany in front of the giant fish tank that showcases the hotel's front desk. The epiphany is a secret between me and the fish, but if you haven't walked the Mirage floors, you haven't seen Las Vegas.
Caesars Palace
This is the ultimate Vegas experience that you have try at least once. The hotel rooms are big and well appointed. The bathrooms are HUGE and look like Roman baths. The shopping is fantastic with all sorts of fashionable stores. And the location is spectacular. It's the in heart of the Strip, making it easy to travel anywhere you want.
Treasure Island
The pirates draw me to the casino and the poker keeps me there. This small, but vibrant gambling space offers casual gamblers the perfect atmosphere. There is a small closet for high-stakes gamblers, but this casino is more of a haven for the $100-play-for-fun-blackjack player. Since I am that guy, I like this place. And I like their poker room too.
Hard Rock
This is where the beautiful people come to play. Not all of them are rich. But they're all gorgeous. The people watching here is so good that it's must-stop on any trip to Vegas.
Mandalay Bay
You can't help but fall in love with this casino. The massive gaming floor has an icy cool, modern flair that makes you never want to leave. The tables are youthful but elegant. The carpets are plush, the chairs are comfortable and the service is impeccable.
The Palms
This casino is second to none in my humble opinion. From the beautiful pool to the amazing night life to the good chance you'll spot a celebrity – the Palms offers something for everyone, including a very classy gambling space. Be prepared to pay for your drinks though if you venture away from the tables. We're talking $10+ for shots or martinis (not that I drink girly drinks or anything).
Bellagio
I confess. I've spent more time eating at the Bellagio than gambling there. But that doesn't stop it from being the best casino in Vegas.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Just a few miles west of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon encompasses nearly 200,000 acres of the Mojave Desert, so it’s no surprise that there are ample biking, hiking and climbing opportunities available. If you’d rather enjoy your air-conditioned car -- after you peruse the comfortable and informative visitor center -- a 13-mile scenic drive offers many chances to stop and enjoy the sights.
Springs Preserve
Three miles west of downtown Las Vegas, the Springs Preserve is a non-gaming cultural and historical attraction designed to honor Las Vegas’ fascinating history and to educate visitors about sustainable living. Considered the birthplace of Las Vegas, the site of the Preserve was once home to bubbling springs that were a source of water for American Indians, travelers of the Old Spanish Trail and Mormons who settled the West. The Preserve includes colorful desert botanical gardens, museum galleries, outdoor concerts and events, an indoor theater, a historic photo gallery and a series of walking trails that meander through a scenic wetland habitat.