Attractions
Most of the hotels on The Strip are experiences all by themselves - well worth a visit, with many warranting more than just a casual glance.
Top Free Attractions
Bellagio Fountains :
The Bellagio Fountains are, in my view, easily the best free attraction on The Strip. They 'dance' every half hour from 3pm weekdays and 12pm weekends and then every 15 minutes after 8pm. You'll need to get there reasonably early to get a great view, but none are really poor. You'll get to see the fountains perform to various different tracks - some modern music, some classical, some opera, something for everyone! It is still one of the shows that will make you stop and watch it, even if you have seen it many times before. I viewed them from the top of Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris (as in the picture above) at night - it's a marvellous sight! Just a word - the Eiffel Tower is
not free!
Mirage Volcano :
The main feature of The Mirage when it exploded on the scene in October '89, the volcano has been remodelled and will 'resume' in December this year, '08. No one is quite sure what it's new schedule will be, but rumour has it that it's due to be every half hour, after 6 at night. It is supposed to be a huge improvement on the previous 'explosion', so it may well be worth your while making a point of seeing it when you next travel.
The Sirens Of TI :
Used to be the Pirate Ship Battle at Treasure Island. Was, undoubtably, better as that - as the now cheesy 'battle' between dolly birds & a cast of male dolts really stretches idiocy to new levels! Still, it's free and it's still quite a spectacle to see the ship move around for the 'attack'.
Lion Habitat at MGM Grand :
A real favourite with kids (but adults enjoy it too), the habitat is inside the MGM Grand, in the Rainforest Cafe area. As it's made of perspex, the habitat can be viewed (safely) from below too. It opens at 11 am, and stays 'open' until 10 pm (depending on the lions, of course). If there are cubs around, you can have your photo taken with them :
lionpics.us/
Fremont Street Experience :
This is how Downtown decided to try and entice people back down to the area. It's a massive awning/canopy that covers Fremont Street and explodes in a spectacular light and sound show.
The Downtown casinos themselves paid for the experience. It does appear to have brought people back to Downtown. It runs each night from 7 pm till midnight - I think you can enjoy about 5 to 6 shows in that time (they are all different).
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens :
Walk past the lobby area and you'll come to the conservatory. It's a wonderful spectacle of botanical brilliance! The theme changes every two or three months (currently it's "Harvest show" until November 28, after which I'm sure it will be a Xmas extravaganza). The flowers, trees and plants are beautifully arranged and highlighted - the attention to detail is quite stunning (when I visited in July, we had a mini Bellagio & lake, and a glorious bonsai Mount Rushmore). Well worth a stroll in, before or after the fountain show.
The Masquerade Show In The Sky at The Rio :
Plays daily at every hour from 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m inside the Rio casino, west of The Strip.
It basically involves a lot of brightly lit floats weaving their way around the roof of the Casino, with plenty of performers and dancers 'doing their thing' on the floor.
It is supposed to a very energetic show that seems to impress all that see it.
Top paying attractions
Secret Garden at The Mirage :
Where you can see the dolphin habitat and many types of big cats. Costs $15,
opening hours 11am-6pm, every day. Here's the link:
mirage/attractions/secret-garden.aspx
The Stratosphere :
The Stratosphere is an attraction in its own right (including the stunning aerial view of The Strip and everywhere else in Las Vegas ). It has four rides on the top of it. Standing at 1149 feet it is the tallest building in the USA, west of the Mississippi. The Observation deck costs $10.95 to enter and the rides are $9 each (although a multi-ticket is discounted). X-SCREAM (above) is one of those rides - many call it the mildest!
The tower also has the "Top Of The World Restaurant" inside it - highly recommended by many for a romantic view of The Strip at night (but very expensive). The tower is open from 10am till 1am (2am weekends) daily. Despite being closer to Downtown than most parts of The Strip, it's a very popular attraction, so be prepared to queue.
Eiffel Tower Experience at Paris :
From here, you get a quite stunning view of The Strip and (in particular) the fountains at Bellagio - especially at night. For tickets, visit the Eiffel Tower Box Office (inside Paris itself) from 9:30 am to 12:30 am every day.
I must say when we visited last year ('07) we had an attendant (you have to go up the tower in groups, in an elevator) who had obviously quit charm shool
very early. Indeed, there was hint of a rebellion at one stage, so upset were paying customers (myself included) at being treated as poorly as common criminals and idiots of the highest order. It may have been a one-off, but you have been notified!
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay :
A massive aquarium, filled with various kinds of sea life - and sharks. Opens from 10 am - 11 pm, costs $15.95. It is good, but whether it's worth the cost is a bit of a quandary, to be honest.
Gondola Ride at The Venetian :
For those of you who are having a romantic time in Vegas, this is a must do (and kids enjoy it too). Be serenaded by a singing gondolier (and they really can sing, believe me).
Hours of operation: Sunday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. - midnight.
Cost: $16 per person and $8.50 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 years old and younger are free. A private, two-passenger gondola ride is available for $64. Prices apply for both indoor and outdoor gondola rides.
Reservations: Ticket sales open at 9 a.m. and can be purchased only for the same day.
Finally, because nothing can follow this...
Grand Canyon :
Whilst in Las Vegas, you really should (at least once) visit one of the most incredible sights anywhere on earth - The Grand Canyon National Park.
no photos ever do it justice - you really do have to see it close up, with your own eyes, to understand the full majesty of this incredible natural wonder.
There are many ways to visit - by car, by plane, by coach, or by helicopter. You can visit the west rim (which is closest and has the skywalk) or the north rim (not aseasy to get to) or the south rim (which is where most end up going). I cannot give detailed information here - it's something you do need to research yourself and base your own decision around time, cost and comfort.
Here's some sites to view:
destination360/north-...nyon-tours.php
nps.gov/grca/
en.wikipedia/wiki/Grand_Canyon
grand.canyon.national-park/
or just enter "Grand Canyon" in a search engine, and you'll find masses of info.
Really, it's something you need to plan yourself, because of the myriad ways you can visit it. But, as I have said, it really is something you should do at least once during your stay. It is unforgettable, once experienced.
This page will give you an idea of other, less spectacular, attractions in and around Vegas:
vegas/attractions/
Shopping
There is no lack of 'retail therapy' available in and around Vegas. On The Strip itself, you have the magnificent Forum shops at Caesars Palce:
which is an experience in itself. Others to consider : Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood , Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Fashion Show Mall (opposite Treasure Island and Wynn). You will also find shopping at Mandalay Bay, Mirage, TI, Bellagio, MGM Grand, as well as most of the the other large strip casinos. You will find a wide range of stores here - some big chains, other independent.
There are several outlet malls close to The Strip - you'll find large discounts on high street brands.
Las Vegas Premium Outlet which is just north of the strip
premiumoutlets/outlets/outlet.asp?id=58
We've visited the Premium Outlets a few times, and there are some astonishing bargains to be had - particularly at the Nike, Levi and Vans stores. At least half price, and many times a lot less than that.
Las Vegas Outlet Center which is south of Mandalay Bay
premiumoutlets/outlets/outlet.asp?id=61
We found this to be inferior to Premium Outlets. Of course, you may view it differently.
Las Vegas Fashion Outlet which is actually a good 30-40 minutes drive south of the strip in Primm (you pass it coming from LA). You can ride one of the world's longest roller coaster's at Primm
themeparks.about/cs/lasvegas/a/desperado.htm
Apparently eating there is what can best be described as 'dodgy'!
fashionoutletlasvegas/
And there's also the Boulevard Mall and Meadowns Mall too.
To be honest, alot of these malls offer pretty much the same choice of stores. I happen to really like the Premium Outlets, but that may just be familiarity? You can't really go wrong. One thing I would say is that you are going to pay in a Strip Casino shopping outlet - the floorspace is just so unbelievably expensive, they have to recoup it somewhere. It's almost certainly cheaper at an off strip, non casino location - but it isn't as convenient, is it? You pays your money...