Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
18
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a true original; there
is nothing else like it in the world. In other
cities, hotels are built near the major
attractions. Here, the hotels
are
the major
attractions. What other city has a skyline
made up of buildings from other cities'
skylines? You can also enjoy great works of
art, world-renowned chefs, and rock clubs
and arenas that attract major acts.
But Vegas is first and foremost a gam-
bling destination. And though the hotels
aren't undercharging for everything any-
more in an effort to lure you into gam-
bling round the clock, they still do their
best to separate you from your cash. The
cheap buffets and meal deals still exist, as
do some cut-rate rooms, but both are
likely to prove the old adage about getting
what you pay for. Nevertheless, free drinks
are handed to anyone lurking near a slot,
and if show tickets aren't in the budget,
you won't lack for entertainment. Free
lounge shows abound, and the people-
watching opportunities alone never disap-
point.
Depending on which areas of the south-
west you plan to visit, Las Vegas might
make a convenient beginning or ending
point to your vacation. Because it's such a
popular destination, you can often find
bargains on airfare and car-rental rates.
And in its own way, Vegas is as amazing as
the nearby Grand Canyon and every bit as
much a must-see. It's one of the Seven
Wonders of the Artificial World. And
everyone should experience it at least
once—you might find yourself coming
back for more.
1
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
BY PLANE
Almost every major domestic airline, and some international airlines, fly
into
McCarran International Airport
(
&
702/261-5211;
TDD 702/261-3111; www.
mccarran.com), just a few minutes' drive from the southern end of the Strip.
Bell Trans
(
&
800/274-7433;
www.bell-trans.com) runs 20-passenger minibuses
daily between the airport and all major Las Vegas hotels and motels all day (7:45am-
midnight). The cost is $6.50 per person each way to Strip area hotels ($12 round-trip),
$8 to $12 to Downtown or other Off-Strip properties.
Even less expensive are
Citizen's Area Transit (CAT)
buses (
&
702/CAT-RIDE;
www.rtcsnv.com). The no. 108 bus departs every 15 minutes from the airport and takes
you to the Stratosphere, where you can transfer to the no. 301, which stops close to most
Strip- and Convention Center-area hotels. The no. 109 bus goes from the airport to the
Downtown Transportation Center (at Casino Center Blvd. and Stewart Ave.). The fares
for buses on Strip routes are $3 one way; Downtown costs $1.75.
Taxis are also plentiful, and a ride to the Strip costs $15 to $20.
BY CAR
The main highway connecting Las Vegas with the rest of the country is I-15
from the northeast (Salt Lake City) and southwest (Los Angeles and San Diego). Lots of
folks drive up from Los Angeles, and, thanks to the narrow two-lane highway, it can get
