Las Vegas is ubiquitous for its casinos, extravagant shows and larger-than-life restaurants. Located in Nevada's Mojave Desert, the daytime temperatures in Las Vegas can climb to above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Las Vegas--also known as Sin City--has been featured in numerous films and television programs, making it a stylish playground for adults who looking for the thrill of gambling or a few nights of glitz.
The most obvious places to visit in Las Vegas are its numerous casinos, most of which are located on the Las Vegas strip. Besides the obligatory gaming rooms, these casinos also include hotel rooms, restaurants and shows. One of the most popular casinos is The Paris Las Vegas Hotel Casino, a re-creation of Paris boasting built-to-scale versions of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. Another popular spot is The Mandalay Bay Hotel which has a beach and a tropical bay. The newest casino, The Los Angeles-themed Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino opened in 2007.
The Paris Las Vegas Hotel Casino
3655 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 946-7000
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
www.mandalaybay.com
(702) 632-7777
Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.planethollywoodresort.com
(702) 785-5555
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex is located just outside of Las Vegas. In March, NASCAR holds its Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series here, and the Las Vegas 350 truck race takes place in September. If speed is your thing, every Friday the Speedway permits non-professionals to drag race in what is known as the Midnight Mayhem series. Created to provide an alternative to illegal street racing, the series is quite popular with locals.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N.
Las Vegas, NV 89115
www.lvms.com/
(702) 644-4444
Another activity for adrenaline junkies is the Stratosphere Tower, part of the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. Standing at 1,149 feet, it is the nation's tallest observation tower. However, the tower is also home to a few rides that will thrill even the most daring. The X-Scream is a teeter-totter that hangs guests 866 feet above the ground. The Big Shot shoots guests upwards at 45 miles per hour until they are 1,081 feet high. Lastly, Insanity-The Ride takes the form of a mechanized arm that extends 64 feet from the Tower and twists riders 900 feet above the ground.
Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
www.stratospherehotel.com
(702) 380-7777
