A Las Vegas vacation is like time travelling to another world. Where else can you see Venice, Paris, New York, Egypt, Rome, Arabia and the French Riviera, all in one day? Nowhere! Las Vegas is a unique and intriguing place, full of non-stop neon, sequins and celebrated excess. The city truly does live up to the label of “The entertainment capital of the world.” But as anyone who’s taken a Las Vegas vacation lately knows, it’s got a whole lot more to offer than the showgirls and gambling that made Sin City famous.
An online article couldn’t possibly cover all of the sights and attractions that make a Las Vegas vacation unforgettable. If you’re going, you’ll definitely want get yourself a good tourbook. There are simply far too many great things to see and do in Las Vegas–and believe me, you won’t want to miss any of them! What follows then, are just a few of my favorites.
The Strip: a Las Vegas vacation without “The Strip” would be like a birthday party without cake–unthinkable! This 3.5 mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard is the heart of Vegas action. The Strip is where all of the big casino mega resorts are, and at night it’s ablaze with neon lights and throngs of people walking from casino to casino.
Stratosphere Tower: said to be America’s tallest freestanding tower, this amazing 1,149-foot structure at the Stratosphere Hotel gives visitors a spectacular panoramic view of Las Vegas. Stratosphere Tower has both indoor and outdoor observation decks, along with a hair-raising roller coaster and other hang-onto- your-hat thrill rides.
Cirque Du Soleil: what started in the 1980s as a small troupe of French Canadian street performers quickly morphed into one of the world’s largest and most popular theatrical companies. Cirque du Soleil shows are an artful mix of acrobatics, music, dance, elaborate costumes and incredible pyrotechnics. There are currently four permanent Cirque shows in Las Vegas (“Mystere,” “Zumanity,” “O” and “KA”) and they’re all spectacular. If you can only see one of the lavish production shows Las Vegas is famous for, make it Cirque du Soleil.
Casino Hotel Hopping: the mega resorts in Las Vegas are so much more than just a place to sleep for the night. They are destinations themselves, offering an array of entertainment for the whole family. Best of all, many of the activities are free! The pirate-ship battle at Treasure Island, the erupting volcano at the Mirage, King Tut’s Tomb at the Luxor, the Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand, and a gondola ride at the Venetian are just a few of many that are well worth visiting on your Las Vegas vacation.
The Excaliber Hotel & Casino: you can time travel back to the medieval days during your Las Vegas vacation with a visit to this themed resort. The Excaliber features a white turreted castle complete with moat and drawbridge and two 2,000 room towers. Tons of fun attractions are found on three different levels within the Excaliber castle, including free entertainment such as singers, jugglers, magicians and a fearsome dragon battle. The Excaliber Tournament of Kings is a medieval dinner show with jousting, dragons, fire-wizards, costumed serving wenches and more (no utensils allowed–you eat your food with your fingers!).
New York New York: you could probably spend all of your Las Vegas vacation at this immensely popular mega resort without getting bored or running out of things to do and see. If you’ve never been to New York city, this incredible Las Vegas landmark is a great way to experience many of the things that make the Big Apple memorable. Among the sights are the recreation of New York City’s skyline which towers over The Strip, a detailed 150-foot- tall replica of the Statue of Liberty, a 300-foot version of the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Central Park, Wall Street and Liberty Plaza. The Manhattan Express is a Coney-Island style roller coaster that zips around the entire New York New York complex at speeds up to 67 mph.
A Las Vegas vacation is sure to be one of your most memorable trips. However, there’s so much to do, you’ll need to go back to Vegas many times if you hope to experience it all!
