Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shows go on—7 times throughout the day—and shopping here can be elbow to
elbow. Also, take note of the hours. This place closes earlier than most. Exiting by
8pm on a Saturday can be an annoyance.
The Wynn Esplanade
(at Wynn Las Vegas;
%
888/320-WYNN or 702/770-
7000; www.wynnlasvegas.com; Sun-Thurs 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight)
caters to the same demographic as Via Bellagio, and exudes a similar stateliness—
as does pretty much everything in Wynn, considering Steve Wynn is the force
behind both properties (though MGM MIRAGE-Mandalay Group now owns
Bellagio). Again, you may as well go on a treasure hunt for the most affordable
item (and then not buy it) so it at least feels like you're doing something other
than staring at price tags, aghast, in stores such as Brioni, Oscar de la Renta, Graff,
and Jean Paul Gaultier. Another highlight that you won't lose sleep over avoiding?
The Penske-Wynn Ferrari Maserati dealership that charges a $15 entry fee
(p. 137). It's not clear whether that $15 is returned to you should you purchase a
vehicle. When I asked, they answered with a laugh. And a blank stare.
WEST OF THE STRIP
Suburbanites love their shopping, too, and they're served well with options.
The
Fashion Village at Boca Park
5
(750 S. Rampart Blvd., at the intersection of
Charleston Blvd. and Rampart Blvd.; individual store hours vary)
is a hot spot on
the far west side that's located in Summerlin, a tony part of town, and its average
patron tends to be blonde, bronze, and buxom. Less than 10 miles from the Strip,
this enormous white strip mall caters to that look with trendy boutiques such as
Talulah G., C-Level, and Pink; along with home decorating extravaganzas such as
The Great Indoors and the higher-end Design Within Reach (funky mod furniture);
and a spot for the bare necessities, Amore European Lingerie. There are a lot more
shops, plus restaurants such as the trendy Kona Grill and The Cheesecake Factory.
One nice touch: There are a few reserved parking spots for expectant mothers.
And some fun trivia—Boca Park is one of the few places in town away from the
Strip that actually has fountains in use. A couple of years ago, the county and city
passed ordinances restricting fountain use (unless it could be proven to directly
impact the business of a place, which is how the Strip gets away with it) because of
the local water shortage. Triple Five, the developers of Boca Park, continue skirt-
ing the issue by importing their fountain water from Canada and other places.
Just west of Boca Park is another strip mall with the Gap, Banana Republic,
Ann Taylor, Williams Sonoma, and Pottery Barn. South of these stores, in yet
another strip mall, is a Whole Foods. Add to that a little P.F. Chang's, also located
in the vicinity, and you've got the ingredients for an extensive shopping spree,
with lunch.
SOUTH OF THE STRIP
The District at Green Valley Ranch
5
(2240 Village Walk Dr.;
%
877/564-8595
or 702/564-8595; www.thedistrictatgvr.com; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun
11am-7pm)
is part of the new, more vertical and efficient southern Nevada.
Located in Henderson (in a posh area referred to as, you guessed it, Green Valley)
it's a mixed-use space (or a “metropolitan lifestyle center,” as they call themselves)
that's done what most cities do from their start—urban planning. The combination
of suburban sprawl and rising real estate costs have finally inspired developers to
