Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
5
Remarkable
Sights &
Attractions
Let's rank the ones you definitely must see
T
RUTH BE TOLD
,
MANY VACATIONERS COME TO VEGAS AND HAVE A
perfectly fine vacation gambling, shopping, eating in restaurants, going to
shows . . . without ever leaving their hotels. If they see the light of day, it's at the
rooftop pool, and if they decide to wander out, it's to the casino right next door
for a change of scenery. Are they missing out? Absolutely. Are they having the time
of their lives, anyway? Probably.
Which brings us to the paradox of Vegas: In all other cities, you leave your
hotel to go out and see the attractions. In Vegas, the hotels are the major attrac-
tions . . . so why go out at all?
Here's my pitch for going outside. Within the last decade, Las Vegas has
moved beyond its single-minded emphasis on casinos to develop other sights and
attractions. Love cars? You can spend days gawking at classic rides in showroom/
museums, or hit the racetrack in a new Corvette or Hummer. Into fine art? There
are now nearly half-a-dozen museums in town where you'll be able to get your
Monet, Rauschenberg, or Rembrandt fix. Interested in seeing the great wonders
of the world? Welcome to the city where the landscape is an architectural Cliff
Notes. The pyramids of Egypt, the canals of Venice, the Eiffel Tower? On the
Strip, you'll see all these structures and more, shamelessly cribbed from the origi-
nals. Roller coasters, history museums, top-notch aquariums, and spectacles
galore are all here for the taking.
This chapter is geared towards the more active vacationer. Those who want to
go out and see all that Sin City has to offer, from the absurd to the sublime. If
you've come here just to gamble, then I wish you the best of luck, you can skip
this chapter, and study card counting instead. But if you're here to do it all, read
this chapter carefully. I've divided it into several sections. First is a brief guide to
Las Vegas' top attraction, the Strip itself. Then I list the ten other top sights and
attractions, followed by the attractions that should appeal to vacationers of varied
interests. Be sure to check out the “Other” Las Vegas in chapter 7, as well, which
promotes the types of experiences that will allow you to meet locals and get a real
behind-the-scenes peek at the magic and madness of Vegas—from backstage
tours, to breakfasts with the Mayor, to cooking classes with top Vegas chefs.
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME
IF YOU HAVE JUST 1 DAY IN LAS VEGAS
That's more than enough to stroll
its main attraction: the Las Vegas Strip. Start at the Luxor and make your way north
for as long as your stamina holds up, shopping, gambling, and sightseeing along the
