Las Vegas, Nevada - Overview and Essential Travel Information
by cctraveler2 at TravelPost
Viva Las Vegas! In the middles of the desert, Las Vegas is like a mirage, like a fata morgana. The colors of the casinos and their neon lights, contrast sharply with the dry and barren land around. What brings you to Vegas is clear: it's all about having fun, more precisely having fun and gambling. And that is precisely what Vegas offers: mind-boggling, out-of-this-world, oversized casinos in every size, shape and theme. Eiffel towers, Roman palaces, Egyptian Pyramids. Even Mardi Gras & the Brooklyn Bridge! The sights of Europe, Africa and United States come to you - in one destination. Vegas offers all of this and more - with no jet-setting necessary and although Las Vegas is all about money, there are so many free or at least very cheap shows on offer, that it is still easy to have a great time without spending too much. In fact, some of the bigger, more well known casinos offer guests FREE drinks while they are gambling. So, stand around near your favourite gambling table and order away; just don't forget to tip the waitress. SIGHTS CONEY ISLAND EMPORIUM Twenty-four hour arcade with interactive laser tag, virtual reality games, bumper cars, a shooting gallery and more. Open 24 hours. GAMEWORKS A massive hall with computer games. Over 40,000 square feet. STAR TREK: THE EXPERIENCE A dream come true for trekkies: features a complete re-creation of the promenade from 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine;' Quark's Bar & Restaurant; Zek's Grand Emporium and Moogie's Trading Post; The History of the Future, a self-guided museum tour; and The Voyage Through Space, an interactive ride where visitors are 'beamed' through time and space to the Transporter Room and bridge aboard the USS Enterprise. THE TOMB AND MUSEUM OF KING TUTANKHAMEN Who needs to go to Luxor. This full-scale replication of King Tut's Tomb, as found by Howard Carter in 1922 brings you the same you will find in Egypt. TITANIC: THE EXHIBITION Features artifacts recovered from Titanic's wreck site. THE AUTO COLLECTIONS More than 300 antique, classic and special interest automobiles. BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY The glass-domed 90,000-square-foot conservatory features 1,200 bins of exotic plants and flowers such as orchids, lilies and hyacinth. Displays changed monthly. CASINO LEGENDS HALL OF FAME A huge collection of memorabilia that have to do with gambling. DESERT DEMONSTRATION GARDENS The gardens were developed to educate the public on landscaping in the desert. Entrance is free. MADAME TUSSAUD'S CELEBRITY ENCOUNTER The 30,000-square-foot exhibit features five themed environments showcasing more than 100 wax figures of celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Elton John, Elizabeth Taylor, Bugsy Siegel, Don King, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Liberace and many more. PLANETARIUM The desert is a good place to look at the stars. SHELBY AMERICAN INC. - Sports Car Museum The museum and tour features the latest version of Shelby American sports vehicles, along with a dozen Cobra cars. GETTING AROUND McCarran International Airport is located at the southern end of the Strip about 5 miles (8km) south of downtown. Several companies run shuttle buses between the airport and the city. Taxis are also available and city buses run along the Strip into downtown. If you're staying on the Strip the best way to get around is the inexpensive shuttle bus that runs between the big casinos and hotels 24 hours a day. Taxis are also a good option. Those who want to get out of town will need their own wheels. You can rent a car at one of the many agencies in town. Tour buses run regularly between the city and Hoover Dam.
 Paris Casino
 Bellagio fountains in front of the casino
 The Las Vegas Strip - infamous!
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