Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
To compound the oddity, The District's second phase—known as “The District
Expansion”—recently opened across the street. Here, you'll find shopping options
such as The Sting Store, West Elm (furniture and housewares), and some small
boutiques, in addition to a gorgeous Whole Foods Market and The Cheesecake
Factory. To transport guests from one side of the street to the other, The District
offers a free trolley service.
OUTLET MALLS
Unlike many cities that ship their outlets to the remote outskirts of town, two of
the discount malls here are easily accessed.
The Las Vegas Premium Outlets
5
(875 S. Grand Central Pkwy.;
%
702/474-7500; www.premiumoutlets.com;
Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm)
offer more chichi options than are custom-
ary in such malls, and they actually have some good bargains. A part of the
Chelsea Premium Outlets Group, the shops are located downtown, bringing
much-needed business to the area. The mall is open-air, and a refreshing change
from the drab indoor shopping experience. And aside from our unbearable but
limited slew of 115°F (46°C) days, it's even pleasant for much of the summer,
with misters fighting off the triple digits, making for a vitamin-D filled, suntan-
ning shopping experience.
As you may know, outlet malls have received unwanted attention in the media
of late for their pricing and practices. Some journalists have pointed out that the
prices at certain outlet malls are no longer lower than they are at regular malls.
There's also been talk of the fact that many brands are now producing lower qual-
ity goods for distribution only at outlet malls. What's the situation here? With
Premium Outlets you'll find a mixed bag. There are stores such as Calvin Klein
and Ann Taylor Factory Store that do indeed have their own outlet line (you be
the judge of the quality). Others have a mixture of off-season and discounted
retail along with their own outlet line (Banana Republic Factory Store, Theory,
and Tommy Hilfiger). Then there are the few gems that are adamant about qual-
ity, selling the same types of clothing you'd find at their retail outlets, such as
Dolce and Gabbana and White House Black Market.
For additional savings, register online (it's free) to receive coupons as part of
the VIP Shoppers Club and the 50-plus shoppers club. The latter awards shoppers
50 and older with an additional 10% discount at participating stores on Tuesdays.
If you're staying in the downtown area, the malls provide low cost transporta-
tion for shoppers in the form of a white and blue shuttle printed with the words
“
CITY RIDE
.” It runs daily 10am to 5:15pm, with stops every 20 minutes, and
costs $1 per ride. You can catch it at the Downtown Transportation Center, the
California Hotel & Casino, The Plaza Hotel & Casino, and the Golden Nugget.
Las Vegas Outlet Center
(7400 Las Vegas Blvd. S.;
%
702/896-5599; www.
lasvegasoutletcenter.com; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-8pm)
has offerings
that are far more generic and typical of standard outlets. Narrow and bland, the
smell of popcorn wafting throughout, window shoppers will see this mall for its
orthopedic shoes and Corning Ware. Truly determined outlet scavengers, on the
other hand, are bound to find some great bargains here, from china to silverware
to unbeatable prices on clothing. It just takes some rummaging. But the best reason
to visit is
Off 5th Saks 5th Avenue Outlet
5
(7680 Las Vegas Blvd. S.;
%
702/
263-7692; Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm),
which is conveniently located
