One thing is for sure - when you talk about Las Vegas, you are talking about a city unlike any other in the world!
Las Vegas plays host to the most lavish and spectacular shows ever presented to the public. Whatever your taste - there is something for everyone - from topless reviews to wholesome family entertainment, magic acts, animal acts and any number of Cirque du Soleil offshoots that leave audiences agog with their other-worldly costuming and incredible acrobatic feats.
For the Baby Boomers and still older audiences, there are the perennial Las Vegas acts like Wayne Newton, Celine Dion and Elton John's Red Piano Show at Caesar's Palace, Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance at the Venetian and a continuous arrival of all-time stars including Cher, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and on and on every day of the year.
If stand-up comedy is to your liking, Las Vegas regularly welcomes Jerry Seinfeld, George Carlin, Drew Carey, David Spade, Jay Leno and old-timers Tim Conway and Harvey Korman - and "Mr. Insult" himself, Don Rickles, among many others.
Originating as a sparsely populated two-lane highway to Los Angeles, the Las Vegas Strip has evolved into a magnificent "Street of Dreams", constantly re-inventing itself as the old hotels are demolished and newer, larger and more magnificent hotels arise in their place.
Newest of the new is the Wynn Las Vegas, a 2,700 room extravaganza occupying the space of the once-renowned Desert Inn. The splendors of the Wynn Hotel include a man-made mountain, a hotel-front lake of bubbling, fiery, color-changing water and luxuriously appointed rooms equipped with high-tech everything such as flat panel televisions, high-speed internet, multi-line cordless phones, CD players, and more…..
Another splendiferous hotel is the Venetian. A magnificent architectural accomplishment, this Venice, Italy themed mega resort has replicas of St. Marks Square, the Bridge of Sighs, the Clock Tower and to complete the picture, a canal with gondolas and singing gondoliers.
The Venetian's stunning main lobby contains beautifully hand-painted murals from artists round the world that decorate a huge, soaring rotunda. The entire area, including the Grand Colonnade, a three-story high hallway leading to the casino, is grandly adorned with original works of art and a dizzying array of sculptures and fountains.
Then there is the enormous MGM Grand which consists of four 280 ft. towers of 5,034 art-deco themed guest rooms of which 751 are suites and 29 private villas located within the main building - "The Mansion" - at the hotel itself. As in all the major hotels on the Strip, the casino area offers a myriad of gambling experiences: slot machines, video poker machines, keno, and at the tables there are several variations of poker, blackjack, baccarat, race and sports books, etc.
A popular attraction at the MGM Grand is the Lion Habitat which is a glass-enclosed rock and pool area where visitors can get up close (but not too close) to the animal residents. World class entertainment, top line restaurants and five swimming pools with adjoining private cabanas are all part of the magnificence of the MGM Grand.
Matching any of the finest Strip hotels in design and amenities is the posh Bellagio. The hotel's design was inspired by the idyllic Italian village of Bellagio which overlooks beautiful Lake Como.
A twelve acre lake fronts the resort and each evening, a score of fountains erupt sending geysers of water into the air in perfect synchronization with a choreographed ballet of music and colored lights. Within the building is a soaring atrium of lush gardens spectacularly decorated with changing themes that recognize major worldwide holiday celebrations.
In addition, Bellagio offers 3,000 luxurious rooms of which 270 are suites. First-class restaurants featuring panoramic views and an elegant swimming pool area add to the enjoyment of a stay at this fine hotel.
The Mirage Hotel and Resort mimics - very effectively - a visit to a South Seas paradise. A volcano replica at the front entrance has been the most highly publicized feature of the Mirage since its opening in 1989 and is as well recognized as the famous "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign greeting motorists entering the city from California. The volcano erupts every 15 minutes after dark and spews lava-like streams of fire down its sides, attracting hordes of onlookers.
The hotel is comprised of three 29 story towers of 3,049 rooms; six Polynesian style bungalows are available with private pools.
A 20,000 gallon aquarium located behind the registration area treats guests to a wondrous view of sea life featuring sharks, rays and other undersea inhabitants. Inside the hotel are natural habitats housing rare white tigers and dolphins in an area expertly landscaped with tropical foliage.
The Las Vegas Strip's landmark hotel is Caesar's Palace. The hotel, which originally opened in 1966, has undergone a series of renovations and as always, stands as one of the Strip's most lavish and impressive structures.
Five towers feature 3,348 beautifully furnished rooms in Roman, Centurion, Forum, Palace and Augustus themes. Fine dining abounds with a myriad of first-class dining options - formal and informal. And visitors are offered incredible shopping experiences at the world famous Forum Shops featuring renown boutiques and very expensive specialty shops selling jewelry, crystal, tableware, etc.
A 36,000 sq. ft. showroom offers exotic automobiles such as Aston Martin, Porsche and Rolls Royce. The spa at Caesar's Palace has 22 treatment rooms where clients can enjoy various therapeutic massages and services.
For your enjoyment, there is outstanding entertainment such as Celine Dion and Elton John who are regular performers at the hotel, four Roman-style pools and a 129,000 square foot casino featuring most of the popular table and slot games.
A great place for families with children and inexpensive to boot is Circus Circus. Updated and remodeled, this 70's era landmark hotel will keep the kiddies amused with practically round the clock high wire, trapeze and other circus acts which are free for the looking. An Adventuredome Playland, fully enclosed and air-conditioned, features rides, shops and swimming pools.
The Strip goes on and on, stretching ever further from North to South with no end to resort building in sight as it continues to invent and re-invent itself.
