Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(that is, you who fear those of painted face) beware: Clowns are everywhere, in all
shapes and sizes, and involved in all pastimes. From the clown menorah to the
clown Mt. Rushmore, to clowns eating hot dogs, playing soccer, dressed as hoboes,
and so much more. Ron Lee has been sculpting these smiling funnymen for more
than 25 years, and boasts the world's largest collection of limited edition clown
figurines. To get here, take I-15 North to U.S. 95 South. Exit at Auto Show Drive
and turn left. Turn left on East Gate Road, and then left on Commercial Way.
M&M World
(in Showcase Mall, 3785 Las Vegas Blvd. S.;
%
702/736-7611;
www.mymms.com; Sun-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-midnight)
managed to take
just about everything that's ever been emblazoned with any kind of logo in the
history of capitalism and chocolified it. The smiling chocolate-encrusted circles
fill up four floors and take the form of hats, magnets, statuettes, NASCAR
items—and oh so much more. Aside from the souvenirs and trinkets they also sell
colors of M&Ms that you won't find in your local supermarket—gray, pink,
black, and so forth—and allow customers to match at will. (
Warning:
A line tends
to form at purple.) The place gets mobbed with tourists, so bring your patience,
and while you're here check out the rest of the Showcase Mall—there's a movie
theater; GameWorks (p. 136); and the World of Coca-Cola, where you can view
and buy all things Coke.
SPORTING GOODS
Bass Pro Shop
55
(in the Silverton, 8200 Dean Martin Dr.;
%
702/730-5200;
www.basspro.com; Mon-Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 9am-7pm)
takes you over the river
(and under the waterfalls!) and through the woods, and face-to-face with an enor-
mous dead moose. Wait, make that four of them, standing amid rocks and grass
in as realistic a setting as you can get within a sporting goods store. And this is the
Paul Bunyan of sporting goods stores. Consider its multiple aquariums (one even
has fishing demonstrations), an indoor archery range, a shooting arcade for kids
that has targets on animals that used to be alive, mounted deer heads at every
turn—and we haven't even gotten started on the retail aspect. There are boats,
guns, camo, fishing gear, camping gear, ATVs, and even a display for jerky. All set
in a realistically outdoorsy habitat, with rocky precipices, streams, grass, and carved
wood—even the non-sporty will be entertained here. And there are enough prod-
ucts for indoors lovers—clothes, shoes, dog toys, candy and more jerky—that
they won't be leaving empty handed either.
WIGS
Though showgirls are far outnumbered by today's strippers, their iconic status
remains, and so do at least a few traditional shows.
Serge's Showgirl Wigs
(953 E.
Sahara Ave.;
%
702/732-1915; www.showgirlwigs.com; Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm)
keeps their bad hair days away. It's tucked away in Commercial Center, an old,
rundown strip mall filled with such unexpected finds as Lotus of Siam (p. 101)
and Serge's. Owner Steve Serge has been in the wig business for more than 20
years, and has a clientele ranging from showgirls to dancers to housewives and
chemo patients. Here you'll find just about any style of wig, from synthetic to
$3,000 wigs made from real hair, plus hair clip-ons and accessories needed to take
your coiffing to the next level. And for an added bonus, Serge also has a wig out-
let for lower cost wigs located just across the strip mall.
