Drawing nearly
40 million visitors each year, Las Vegas is a gleaming desert oasis offering the kind of luxury accommodations, vibrant nightlife and world-class dining and entertainment that no other city can.
Here's a taste of today's hottest tourist attractions — both on and off the Strip — and a peek at what's in store in 2009.
Raising the stakes no longer billed as a strictly 21 and older gaming mecca, the thriving metropolis has invested heavily in broadening its appeal and is now considered by many to be the ultimate one-stop vacation destination.
"Las Vegas never ceases to amaze people with its ability to constantly change, evolve and reinvent itself," says alicia Malone at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors authority. "It caters to a wide variety of tastes and budgets, and there are so many exciting things to see and do that it's not unusual to go an entire trip without ever setting foot in a casino."
Home to a collection of award-winning
restaurants, live entertainment, high-end
retailers and lavish resorts, Las Vegas can
provide a much needed break from the
daily grind.
"This is the perfect place for any type of weekend getaway — a distraction from the realities of life which truly has something for everyone," Malone said.
"And whether it's your first or 50th time here, you can always look forward to a brand new experience that's all your own because the options are endless." Here are some places to check out during your next trip to Las Vegas:
Dining
Feast Buffet at Red Rock casino Resort Spa
11011 W. Charleston; 702-797-7517 www.redrocklasvegas.com
Six live-action cooking stations dish up Italian, Chinese, American and international specialties along with assorted sushi and barbecue favorites.
Lawry's The Prime Rib
4043 Howard Hughes Parkway; 702-893-2223 www.lawrysonline.com
Traditional steakhouse fare in an elegantly understated art deco setting, hand-carving its most popular cut of meat tableside.
Mesa GriLL at Caesars Palace
3750 Las Vegas Blvd., 877-346-4642 www.mesagrill.com
Cozy, upscale establishment showcasing signature Southwestern creations by celebrity restaurateur and Food Network chef Bobby Flay.
Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
620 E. Flamingo Road; 702-691-2053 www.roysrestaurant.com
East meets West in an Islands-inspired menu that skillfully blends the flavors of the Pacific with classic French culinary techniques.
Entertainment Casino Headliners Enjoy a healthy dose of side-splitting comedy or awe-inspiring magic as delivered by the industry's most sought-after acts such as Criss Angel, Penn & Teller, Jay Leno, Ray Romano and Wayne Brady.
Cirque Du Soleil (KÀ, Love, Mystère, O, Zumanity, Le Rêve) www.cirquedusoleil.com With a seventh Vegas show expected to debut late this year, the acclaimed franchise continues to amaze audiences with its gravity defying acrobatic artistry.
Live Concerts
Scheduled to take the stage this spring are some of music's biggest stars including Cher, Bette Midler, Pussycat Dolls and Britney Spears.
Sporting Events Revel in the thrill of competition at any of several bowling and basketball championships, big league baseball and hockey match-ups, monster truck rallies and NASCAR races.
Sights Hoover Dam Approximately 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on the Nevada-Arizona border; www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/ Tour info: 702-494-2517 Completed more than 70 years ago, the 800-foot-tall engineering marvel remains an integral part of local history and is open daily for hour-long guided tours.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area About 18 miles from Las Vegas strip via West Charleston Boulevard www.redrockcanyonlv.org A 195,000-acre natural preserve where adrenaline junkies can engage in activities like camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and rock climbing against a scenic desert backdrop.
Attractions Aquariums, Zoos Feast your eyes on one of the city's many spectacularly elaborate wildlife exhibits (MGM Grand's Lion Habitat, Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef, Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, among others).
Outdoor Shows
Situated along the busiest stretch of the famed Las Vegas Strip, the Fountains of Bellagio, Sirens of TI and the recently revamped Mirage Volcano are all prominently featured in free nightly performances.
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