Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
third of the size (540 ft. tall), its observation deck gets pretty crowded. I also have
a friend who found the height and the speed of the elevator up so discombobu-
lating that she spent the rest of the day fighting wooziness. Still, it's a lovely view,
especially if you time it to be up there during the Bellagio Fountain show (it's just
across the street). At the Stratosphere you're higher (857 ft. at the top observation
deck), there are explanations of what you're seeing marked at the bottom of the
viewing window (you can also go up to the amusement park area for an outdoor
view), and the entire space is much, much larger and rarely feels overcrowded. But
you're at a less visually potent end of the Strip, so the view is, arguably, less dra-
matic. Is either worth it? On a view to value ratio, I'd say the experience doesn't
tip particularly in either direction. It's pleasant but not something I'd go out of
my way to do again.
Note:
When it gets too windy, the Eiffel Tower does close, so call and check
before trekking over there if it's a blustery day.
SPORTS & RECREATION
Want to watch sports? You can do so in any casino on the Strip, and most of the
off-Strip ones as well, in the Sports Book area. But the teams that are being bet
on will never be hometown teams . . . because they simply don't exist. Beyond the
players on the University of Nevada teams, this large city has no major league
teams to speak of (yeah, there's the Wranglers who play hockey, but who follows
them?).
So if you want to see sports live, you'll have to confine yourself to the non-
team sports. Vegas is a major
boxing
town, with the big Strip Hotels serving as
the setting for some of the most intense knock-down, drag 'em out brawls in
recent history (it was at the MGM Grand that boxer Mike Tyson got his first taste
of ear, biting down on Evander Holyfield's left one in 1997). For information on
how to obtain tickets to these events go to p. 223, but I'll repeat here the advice
my colleague Kate gives in that chapter—don't bother. Concerts and matches cost
more in Vegas than in any other part of the country, and it's near impossible to
get a discount. You'll see the action better on pay per view than you will in the
cheap seats you can afford.
Car races are also major events in Vegas, held at the impressive $100-million
complex known as the
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
5
(799 Las Vegas Blvd. N.,
across from Nellis Air Force Base;
%
702/644
-
4443; www.lvms.com; tickets
$
11-
$
261).
Here you'll find a 2
1
⁄
2
-mile FIA-approved road course, a 1
1
⁄
2
-mile super
speedway, paved and dirt short-track bull rings, a 4,000-foot drag strip and more
NASCAR action than your mammalian brain can incorporate (I'm talking
painted chests, screaming tykes, and air scented with eau de beer). The famed
Nextel Cup is held here, giving the speedway the nickname of the “Blue Oval”
thanks to the domination of Ford drivers in that event. The Speedway is accessi-
ble via public transportation (go to the website for schedules and maps).
The PGA Tour's
Las Vegas Senior Classic
(held in Apr; www.pga.com)
and
The National Finals Rodeo
(in Dec at the Thomas & Mack Center; see p. 306)
are
two annual events that add to the town's sports roster; you'll also find the occa-
sional bull riding championship, super-cross matches, and NBA games on offer.
