With its lavish hotels, bustling casinos, upscale restaurants, elegant shopping arcades and reputation for guilt-free fun, the city of Las Vegas draws millions of visitors from all over the world and the United States each year. The city underwent extensive new construction in first decade of the 21st century, and its legendary casinos have become but a sidelight to the main events: dozens of spectacular sites, events, monuments and attractions that are open to the public.
The legendary light show above Fremont Street dazzles visitors each night. This electronic sound and light spectacle consists of 12 million small lights, all flashing and dancing to music in a tunnel overhead. There are several different themed shows playing throughout the day.
Fremont Street Experience
425 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101-5639
702-678-5600
vegasexperience.com
The fountains in front of the Bellagio Hotel have become a must-see for Vegas visitors. The water rises and falls in time to classical music, enchanting visitors and spraying the area with a mysterious mist. The shows begin every half hour; at night the fountain becomes an aquatic light-and-sound show.
This roller coaster in the New York/New York resort is the fastest attraction in town, taking visitors 203 feet into the air and through a series of dips, rises, twists and terrifying plunges at 67 miles per hour. The coaster also offers wedding packages.
New York New York Hotel & Casino
3790 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
866-815-4365
nynyhotelcasino.com/entertainment/entertainment_therollercoaster.aspx
The Stratosphere Tower is impossible to miss; at 1,149 feet it's the tallest hotel and casino in town. The observation deck at the top gives visitors a view from more than 100 floors up. There are shops, gambling spots and several fun rides, including the Big Shot, the X-Scream (a giant teeter-totter), and of course, Insanity - The Ride, in which you are buckled in and spun around at top speed while extended more than 60 feet out and over the abyss. Wait for lunch!
Stratosphere
2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
702-380-7777
stratospherehotel.com
This is a half-size version of the famous Parisian monument, reaching a height of 460 feet. There is a high-speed elevator to the observation deck at the top, and the Eiffel Tower Restaurant for a romantic dinner with a spectacular view.
Eiffel Tower Experience
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109-4345
702-948-6937
eiffeltowerrestaurant.com
This aquarium at the Mandalay Bay displays sharks, crocodiles and other interesting marine species in a maze-like series of tanks and aquatic tunnels that allow visitors to see the exhibits overhead. There are sharks, rays, giant turtles, mysterious moon jellyfish and a piranha tank.
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
877-632-7800
mandalaybay.com/entertainment/sharkreef.aspx
For a top-flight dining experience, try Dinner in the Sky. Guests are strapped in and hoisted 180 feet over the Strip for a meal with a view at the Sky Table. The table seats 22 people, and all packages include a cocktail reception, champagne toast and a souvenir photo; the Sunset package gives visitors a bit longer to enjoy dining at dusk.
Dinner in the Sky
2800 West Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89102-4390
702-257-7303
dinnerintheskylv.com
This famous London museum has been faithfully recreated at the Venetian Hotel. There are more than 100 amazingly lifelike models of familiar celebrities and historical figures; the museum also offers "interactive" exhibits in which visitors can pose and frolic with three-dimensional wax athletes and movie stars. After the visit, it's just a few steps to a gondola ride through the Vegas version of the Venetian Grand Canal.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas
3377 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109-8911
702-862-7800
madametussauds.com
In a city of spectacles, the Wynn Las Vegas offers one of the city's most spectacular with "La Reve," an aquatic show that takes place in a domed, round theater. The performers splash, swim and dive, performing surprising underwater feats and giving spectators in the "splash zone" a damp and up-close experience. The VIP package offers plush seats, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne.
Le Reve Theater
3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #33
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-770-9966
boxoffice.wynnlasvegas.com
You can see the entire Strip from the air on the six-seat A-Star Jet Helicopter. The A-Star takes guests directly above the bright lights of Caesars, the Bellagio, the Luxor pyramid and other famous Strip monuments as well as Fremont Street downtown. Flight time is about 12 minutes.
All Las Vegas Tours
4285 N Rancho Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89130
702-233-1627
alllasvegastours.com
