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Las Vegas has become one of the top food cities in the country and now boasts more master sommeliers than any other city in America. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in Las Vegas that doesn’t have a celebrity chef on its roster.

Some of the famous chefs who have opened restaurants in Vegas include Joël Robuchon and Tom Colicchio at the MGM Grand, Kerry Simon at the Palms and Luxor, Alain Ducasse at the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Thomas Keller at the Venetian, Michael Mina at the Bellagio, Daniel Boulud at Wynn, Charlie Palmer at the Four Seasons and Mandalay Bay, and Wolfgang Puck, who has restaurants at Caesars, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, the Venetian and, most recently, the Palazzo (Emeril Lagasse also has restaurants at the latter three). The new CityCenter corrals nearly 30 more restaurants into the already packed dining scene, backed by heavy hitters such as Pierre Gagnaire, Julian Serrano and Sirio Maccioni. Whatever the cuisine, atmosphere or price point, you’ll find what you’re craving for in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas has burst onto the culinary scene with a slew of elite dining experiences that would give any major metropolitan area a run for its money. Internationally renowned chefs such as Guy Savoy, Joël Robuchon, Michael Mina and Alessandro Stratta opened restaurants here, and Pierre Gagnaire’s Twist is his first U.S. venture. Bring your taste buds to these five best Las Vegas food experiences:

1. Guy Savoy. Located in the Augustus Tower of Caesars Palace, Guy Savoy’s only American venture is quiet, cool and sophisticated. Run by Guy’s son Franck, you can be assured that you’ll get the same quality treatment and meal here that you would at the original Guy Savoy in Paris - minus the Eiffel Tower view. Two tasting menus (one 10-course and one four-course) are available, and both offer Savoy’s signature dish of artichoke and black truffle soup, a divine concoction served with toasted mushroom brioche and earthy truffle butter.
2. Joël Robuchon. One of the world’s greatest chefs, Joël Robuchon has come to epitomize fine French cuisine. The intimate dining room is regal, from the black-and-white-tiled entryway to the chandelier in the middle of the room. The 16-course tasting menu will set you back a cool $385, but it’s worth it. What makes his food so special is the innovative ways he shows his respect for ingredients. It’s the only Five-Star restaurant in the state.
3. Twist. Following in the footsteps of fellow legendary French chefs Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnaire opened Twist as his first stateside foray. Located on the 23rd floor of the opulent Mandarin Oriental, Twist offers views from its 20-foot-high windows that are as noteworthy as the chef. Don’t- miss dishes include chicken chiffonade with three kinds of tender gnocchi, as well as the signature langoustine five ways. Close with the Grand Dessert Pierre Gagnaire, a twist on traditional French pastries and a meal unto itself.
4. Stratta. Perhaps it is the walls lined in mother of pearl and the 22-karat gold sand-casted candelabras at the entrance, or the custom-carved mahogany ceiling and boiserie wood marquetry. Whatever the secret, Alessandro Stratta’s namesake restaurant has awed diners and garnered accolades since settling in at Wynn Las Vegas in 2005. The richly appointed dining room is only a hint of the luxury and grandeur that await you on the plate. The cuisine of the French Riviera is what Strata focuses on, and he executes it with such style and grace you’ll think you’re in the South of France. Service is attentive and pleasant, but not overwhelming.
5. Michael Mina. Tucked behind the Bellagio’s stunning Conservatory, Michael Mina feels like a nice little secret. The restaurant is the perfect storm of design and cuisine, from its chic décor with floor-to-ceiling blond wood shelves to its innovative menu and equally sleek wine collection. Michael Mina, one of the few restaurants on the Strip that does a vegetarian tasting menu, is well-known for its tasting trios, which feature a singular product presented three different ways, ideal for those who want to expand their palates.

Unlike other cities, some of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas are quite vibrant rather than moody and dark. In other words, they don’t compromise the city’s general feel. Le Cirque and Mix, as well as Picasso decorated with - you guessed it - art by the legendary artist, fit the bill. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant overlooks the Strip and evokes the great building itself, and Aureole enlists a Cirque du Soleil-like waitstaff.

1. Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Chef Joho has done it again at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. By that, we mean he’s cooking his impeccable fresh cuisine just above the 11th floor of the Paris Las Vegas’s Eiffel Tower replica. If its name doesn’t give it away, the restaurant oozes with romantic charm from its spectacular views to the scrumptious dishes such as foie gras with braised Bing cherries and Alsace spice cake.
2. Aureole. When you come to Aureole, come thirsty. The 42-foot steel and glass wine tower that greets you at the door holds 10,000 bottles and comes complete with “wine angel stewards,” servers who float on wires to snag your bottle of choice from the towers. Charlie Palmer’s menu treats fresh-off-the-farm ingredients with elegance and sophistication, evidenced in dishes such as the scallop sandwiches in a crisp potato crust and monkfish osso buco with chanterelles and pork-belly-stuffed cabbage.
3. Le Cirque. The original Le Cirque in New York City is legendary because the food is spectacular, and because the service, often led by family patriarch Sirio Maccioni himself, is stellar and welcoming. Le Cirque at Bellagio holds to the same principles. Maccioni’s sons run the restaurant to the same exacting standards as its East Coast sibling. In the vibrantly colored, circus-tent-like dining room, expertly executed French cuisine is served.
4. Mix. Alain Ducasse’s artful restaurant located atop the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, offers one of the most stunning views of the Strip. Walking into Mix is like entering a modern art museum with its sleek, white décor and enormous chandelier, made of 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls. American cuisine is interpreted using contemporary haute French technique, producing dishes such as lobster salad served with a tangy apple and vegetable mosaique, and surf and turf made with halibut and foie gras rather than the standard lobster and steak.
5. Picasso. With its stunning view of the Fountains of Bellagio, Picasso is by far one of the most elegant and awe-inspiring dining rooms in the world - an art-minded romantic couple’s dream. And if all the Picassos surrounding you aren’t enough, culinary artist Julian Serrano prepares his own masterpieces for you to enjoy. The sublime degustation and prix fixe menus are predominantly French and Spanish influenced, and the wines - with more than 1,500 selections to choose from - are sourced exclusively from European vineyards. The menu changes almost daily based on what’s fresh each morning.

Whether you’re looking to grab a relaxing after-dinner drink with friends or dance your way to dawn in the clubs, Sin City’s nightlife will not disappoint. Those looking to crank it up a notch can head to nearby XS at Encore Las Vegas. A magnet for celebrities and those looking to party with them, this posh spot pulls out all of the stops, from crocodile-embossed leather VIP booths to big-name DJs to an outdoor pool area with private cabanas. Or head to Encore’s nightclub, Surrender, a swank indoor-outdoor venue.

It doesn’t get more tech-chic than at Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar at Mandalay Bay. From the table-to-table instant messages to the touch-activated LED dance floor to the iPod request system, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied into the wee hours of the morning.

For dancing, the best spots are at celeb-centric Pure at Caesars Palace and the cavernous and decadent Tao Nightclub - don’t mind the 20-foot hand-carved Buddha - at the Venetian. The dance floors are enormous and the DJs are expert spinners, pulling in hundreds of revelers nightly.

Las Vegas is home to some incredible restaurants headed by celebrity chefs, as well as some casual eateries fit for the whole family. The Vegas aesthetic - showy and bright - appeals to kids, too. And at the Rainforest Café, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café and the Hard Rock Café, they’ll have plenty to look at. Settebello is your best bet for good pizza in Sin City, and you can follow up an evening at Fellini’s Risorante with thrill rides at the Stratosphere.

1. Fellini’s Ristorante. You’ll find all of your favorite Italian dishes at Fellini’s Ristorante at the Stratosphere - without the hefty price tag and the too-chic-for-children atmosphere. Here, you can admire the murals of Italy on the wall and munch on ravioli right alongside your kids. And after the meal, head over to the Stratosphere tower for SkyJump Las Vegas. It’s a controlled free fall where you jump off the 108th floor; we say don’t take your kids immediately after eating pasta and bread at Fellini’s, if you catch our drift.
2. Settebello. It isn’t easy finding good pizza in Las Vegas. Located in a strip mall, like most Vegas venues off the Strip, Settebello is a hit with locals for its honest-to-goodness Napoletana-style pizza. The brick oven, imported from Italy, is what makes these thin-crust beauties so tasty. It gets up to temperatures of 950F, which chars the bottom of the pizza, while keeping the top warm and gooey. Simple toppings such as crushed tomatoes, luscious fresh mozzarella and fruity olive oil are all you need to satisfy your family’s pizza craving.
3. The Hard Rock Café. Though it boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, neon décor, and resembles a fancy club, the Hard Rock Café serves burgers and shakes adults and kids alike can enjoy. It features the world’s largest rock shop, where you can buy some rock ’n’ roll memorabilia for your kids that they’ll be sure to remember for years to come.
4. Rainforest Café. Equally aesthetically stimulating is the Rainforest Café in the MGM Grand Hotel. Unique, over-the-top Amazon-themed décor paired with American food make this staple a perfect dinner destination for your little ones.
5. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café. Pretend you’re staying in a tropical island, rather than a desert, for a night at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café. Many of the booths look like old fishing boats, and there’s a giant fake helicopter hovering above the bar. If stilt walkers who dole out balloon hats throughout the restaurant somehow don’t impress your kids, the simple Jimmy Buffett-inspired grub will.

Boxing and casinos go together like Texas and Hold ’Em. Especially in Las Vegas, which is also known as the Boxing Capital of the World. This is, after all, where Mike Tyson got an earful. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather - the list goes on, but anyone worth his weight class has fought in Vegas.

The Events Center at Mandalay Bay gets top billing when it comes to boxing bouts. The 12,000-seat complex is relatively small in comparison to other venues, providing good sightlines from nearly every seat. Consequently, it often draws a packed house, so secure tickets in advance. If sitting ringside isn’t in your cards, head to the casino’s sports bar to get in on the action, flat-screen style.

Perhaps the best-known boxing venue in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand Garden Arena is also one of the largest, comfortably seating 16,800 fight fans. State-of-the-art acoustics let you hear every swing of the glove - a necessity since many seats are too far away from the action in the ring and must resort to watching on the jumbo screens. If you care about seeing the bout up close, be prepared to shell out some heavy coinage.

Even if you don’t understand the appeal, it shouldn’t deter you from feeling the power, smelling the oil and reveling in the grit of NASCAR at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Every March, more than 100,000 fans fire up their grills and head to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races. The $200 million track, which was built in 1995, extends 1,500 acres and includes the 1.5-mile super speedway, in addition to a 2.5-mile road course, a half-mile dirt oval and a drag strip. Technicalities aside, the people-watching here is priceless. So when your eyes tire of following the blurry left turns on the track, grab a hot dog and check out your neighbor’s head-to-toe Jimmie Johnson-themed wardrobe.

But if you’re still pining to watch more traditional sports, teams such the Los Angeles Dodgers’ AAA affiliate team, the Las Vegas 51s and the Las Vegas Wranglers East Coast League hockey team play in Sin City.

Should you get the urge to leave beyond the soundtrack of casino slot machines in search of some live music, there are three Las Vegas venues that have kept us coming back.

1. House of Blues. Calling the Mandalay Bay Resort home for more than a decade, this House of Blues outpost is far from your typical concert venue, even by Vegas standards. From the voodoo-esque art on the walls to the worn-in wood and corrugated tin surrounding the place, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into New Orleans. And that’s not a bad thing. House of Blues is one of the coziest and most comfortable places in town to catch bands, which range from lesser-knowns like Cancer Bats to classics like Joe Satriani and headliners like Jay-Z and the Black Crowes. Multiple levels (tip: check out the comfortable and semi-secret theater seating upstairs) and various bars make for different vantage points and convenient cocktail grabbing throughout the shows. The best people-watching occurs during Sunday’s Gospel Brunch. While the singers on stage get down for Jesus, hundreds of guests praise the lord and pass the biscuits in rockabilly style.

2. The Joint. Considering its location in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a resort built around the theme of good music, the bar remains high for talent at The Joint. The rocking stage and sound system have blasted the likes of Bob Dylan, the Killers, Tom Petty and Coldplay, and succeed in bringing in varied acts of a high caliber (don’t expect to find lesser-known bands and singers here, unless they’re an opening act). The space blends down-home charm with state-of-the-art technology - 25-foot-tall speaker bays and multiple plasma screens - to create an authentic rock-club vibe.

3. The Pearl. The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort delivers a uniquely intimate environment - with only 2,500 seats - for seeing major performers who normally never set foot in venues so small. With a stage that’s only four feet off the floor (and the farthest seat 120 feet away from the stage), performers interact with audiences here like nowhere else. That’s what makes a show at the Pearl so fun, and tickets so hard to come by. You might see celebrities such as Jay-Z or Rihanna camped out in the private boxes, which have their own bars and powder rooms. Recent acts have included Bruno Mars, Bob Dylan, Mike Epps and Maroon 5.

Not all Las Vegas entertainment is on that famous four-mile stretch of road known as the Strip; expand your horizons beyond Las Vegas Boulevard, you might even stumble upon some of the top local museums.

Few states have as explosive a history as Nevada does. The Atomic Testing Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institute, educates you about the Nevada Test Site, which is a piece of land the size of Rhode Island that witnessed the bulk of American nuclear tests from 1951 to 1992, only 65 miles from Las Vegas. Get a better understanding of the nuclear world through simulations, artifacts, films and a glimpse into what it was like to work at the test site, as told by the former employees. Be sure to stop by the gift shop to see the assortment of nuclear-themed gifts, including an Albert Einstein action figure.

The Neon Museum is where history comes to rest - it’s referred to as the Boneyard for a reason. The Neon Museum holds the vestiges of vintage Vegas, featuring signs and architecture dating back to the 1940s. Check out relics like the Golden Nugget sign. A nice addition is La Concha, a shell-shaped building designed by Paul Revere Williams that was saved from demolition and painstakingly moved here. Tours are by appointment only and must be made at least one day in advance.

Sin City’s “most unique” museum award goes to the Pinball Hall of Fame, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse packed with loads of bleeping, beeping, pinging action. The museum holds the world’s largest collection of pinball machines dating as far back as the 1950s. Test your reflexes on machines from the Bride of Pinbot to the Family Guy - some even have antique wood rails. Most games only cost a quarter or two, and all proceeds are donated to the Salvation Army. The more you play, the more pinball pays - as if you needed a reason to go another round.

Once you’ve taken in the internationally inspired architectural creations of the Strip (as warped as they may seem), it’s time to learn how it all came to be. Rent a car and head out to Hoover Dam, a structure responsible for supplying several states with water. The Hoover Dam actually has more masonry mass than the Egyptian pyramids. Plus, the views are spectacular. It’s built into a canyon and traps the water from the Colorado River, converting much of it to electricity. Take the Dam Tour, and enter the belly of the beast, 500 feet below ground, where you’ll learn about the history and impact of this engineering marvel. Following the tour, drive around Lake Mead, which is a natural side effect of the dam. It’s not an ideal place for lounging (the shores are rocky at best), but it offers some great hiking trails. We recommend the Historic Railroad Trail, which leads you on an old train route through five tunnels, with excellent lake views. Las Vegas is more outdoorsy than you’d think, and it’s worth prying yourself away from the blackjack tables to see why.

You’ve walked the Strip and fed your curiosity at Hoover Dam. Now it’s time to head downtown. Just a short cab ride from the north end of the Strip, the downtown area shows you where it all began. Give a little back to the Las Vegas economy and try a few hands of $5 blackjack at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas - every time you gamble here your money goes, in part, toward helping local schools. Admire the light shows that play on the Fremont Street Experience canopy before stopping into the Golden Gate Casino for its famous 99-cent shrimp cocktail (famous for the price, and tastes pretty good considering). Wash it all down at the Griffin, a bar on east Fremont Street with an oddly alluring dungeon feel and a fabulous jukebox. Make your way back to your hotel in time for the sunrise - and grab yourself an Irish coffee before starting the cycle all over again. You’ll have time to sleep when you go home.

When you pack for a trip to Las Vegas, you’ll need to bring a range of clothing. During the day, you will need to wear beat-the-heat clothes (remember: you’re in the Mojave Desert) such as tanks, tees and shorts and - even more important - comfy shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking around the Strip or downtown areas. If you want to check out Sin City’s hot daytime pool scene, be sure to pack a swimsuit. Don’t be afraid to bring along some flashy attire; Las Vegas is one of the few places where a little glitz goes over well. In general, people dress up a bit more at night in the restaurants and at clubs and shows - although, really, anything goes. You’ll see a bachelorette in lingerie next to a tourist in mom jeans. Just remember that if it’s more than 100F outside, it’ll be heavily air-conditioned inside. You will probably want to pack some extra layers.

Living large in Las Vegas is no tall order, especially since the city contains more over-the-top luxury hotels than anywhere else in the country. The Las Vegas mentality of constantly upping the ante has resulted in some incredible properties lining the Strip. Even standard rooms seem to trump your average hotel room. Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, for example, are ultra high-class, while the Bellagio is traditional Vegas yet still elegant. The MGM Grand and Wynn Las Vegas are also as sophisticated as they come.


1. Four Seasons. “Tranquility” isn’t a word often used to describe the Las Vegas Strip, but it can be found at the Four Seasons. Located on floors 35 through 39 of the Mandalay Bay resort, this non-gaming hotel has its own entrance, restaurants and a pool with attendants at the ready to provide the requisite Evian spritz. The elegance of the hotel extends to the guest rooms, which start at 500 square feet of luxury with down duvets and pillows, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city and twice-daily housekeeping service.
2. Bellagio. With its world-class art offerings - from the colorful Chihuly glass sculpture on the lobby ceiling to the masterpieces gracing the walls of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art - the Bellagio continues to hail as the class act of the Strip. Water is the element of choice here, with the magical Fountains of Bellagio, Cirque du Soleil’s awe-inspiring water-themed O show and five beautifully manicured courtyard pool areas. The guest rooms continue the aquatic adventure with Italian marble deep-soaking tubs and glass-enclosed showers.
3. Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas - a 47-story, non-gaming hotel - delivers the same sophisticated elegance and top-notch service that its namesake properties have been providing for years. The 27,000-square-foot spa includes 17 treatment rooms with seven couples suites, as well as a gym with yoga and Pilates studios.
4. Skylofts. With thousands of guests streaming through the doors of the MGM Grand each day, it can be hard to get personalized attention, which is why the clever people at MGM created Skylofts, an ultra-luxurious, stylish boutique hotel within the hotel. Occupying the top two floors of the MGM Grand, Skylofts is the brainchild of designer Tony Chi, and it evokes an urban-loft feel with modern furniture, steam rooms, flat-screen TVs in the bathrooms and custom Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems.
5. Tower Suites at Wynn. Located within Wynn Las Vegas, the luxurious Tower Suites offers not only the ultimate in intimate hotel experiences, but also the amenities to round out the perfect stay. Guest rooms feel like residential apartments and feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows; automatic drapery and lighting controls; the pillow-top Wynn Dream Bed featuring 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens with a 310 thread count; and enormous bathrooms with soaking tubs, glass-enclosed showers and nightlights under his and her sinks.

The best time to visit Las Vegas depends on how well you can handle the heat. From May to October, the Las Vegas weather can be summed up in one word: hot. Or maybe to add an adjective: very hot. Temperatures average in the 100F range and can get as high as 117F in late July and August. The rest of the year is mild, with temperatures rarely getting below the 40F to 60F range in the winter and hovering at a comfortable 70F to 85F in the spring. The city boasts more than 300 sunny days a year and very little precipitation. Since the casinos, hotels, malls, meeting venues, restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment venues are heavily air-conditioned, you’ll easily forget the scorching desert heat outside. Just be sure to have another layer ready for those rooms where they’re keeping their temps in the 60s.

The Strip, a.k.a. Las Vegas Boulevard, is the engine that keeps Las Vegas chugging along, and it’s a requisite if you have limited time in town. The four-mile street takes you around the world in a matter of hours. See a miniaturized version of New York City, catch views from Paris’s most recognized landmark and travel gondolier-style through the Italian Renaissance.

Regardless of where you’re staying, it’s easiest to begin at one end of the Strip and make your way from there. Cabs are nearly as common as slot machines on Las Vegas Boulevard, so you’ll have no trouble finding one (though you will have to go to a hotel entrance taxi line to get a cabto stop). For a cheaper option - albeit pricey as public transportation goes - the high-tech (driverless) monorail can get you through the Strip in less than 15 minutes.

Start at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and head north, taking the indoor walkway to Luxor. While you’re there, enjoy a morning poker lesson before hopping on the monorail to Excalibur, which puts you Strip-central in no time. From here, pick and choose the casinos that appeal to you. High-stakes gamblers will enjoy the enormous and extravagant mega-resorts such as the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas (and the perks that accompany such invited guests). Whereas the smaller casinos, such as O’Sheas and Slots-A-Fun, tend to have better payouts and lower minimums. Once you’ve gotten your gambling fix - and unfortunately come to understand that the house always wins - it’s time for some exceptional people-gawking. Where else can you watch showgirls mingle with card sharks, and bachelorettes dance the night away in little more than lingerie?

For a bit of romance, meander through the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Bellagio or entice your inner child as you browse the perfectly polished Ferrari-Maserati collection at Wynn Las Vegas. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, there are, of course, a slew of big-name restaurants to have dinner. Cap off your Vegas day with a Cirque du Soleil show. With so many to choose from, you’re unlikely to go wrong, but our vote goes to O at Bellagio. If you’ve got anything left in your wallet by midnight, the tables are always open.

While you may vacation in Las Vegas in hopes of winning big at the casino, you should have a contingency plan just in case you get hit with bad luck at the roulette wheel. Luckily, Sin City offers a slew of free attractions. You have nothing to lose by venturing out to see water shows like the Volcano or Fountains of Bellagio. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the lion cage at MGM Grand are all great complimentary attractions in a city where losing money is a pretty common occurrence.

1. The Volcano. For nearly two decades, the Volcano at the Mirage burbled and spewed its innards onto the surrounding lake with the help of some fancy lighting and special effects. It went dormant in February 2007, but after a renovation by WET Design, the Volcano is erupting yet again, this time with music to match. Thanks to the combined efforts of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, the Volcano impresses Strip passersby with an exclusive soundtrack to match the erupting rhythms, soaring fireballs and fiery lava.
2. Sirens of TI. Stand your ground on the sidewalk early for the Sirens of TI show, because it fills up quickly. This battle between buff young pirates and barely clad sirens takes place in the lake in front of TI on the Strip. There are powerful pyrotechnics, amazing acrobatics and nearly 12 minutes of dialogue.
3. Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Picture an organic art museum, where the displays are made of flowers, shrubs, plants and trees, and change with the seasons. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens does just that, and it’s even more beautiful than it sounds. The 13,500-square-foot palatial setting, located across from the resort’s lobby, is home to five alternating displays throughout the year, with themes that include the holidays, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall. On average, each display consists of 40 trees, 1,500 shrubs and 10,000 blooming plants. Considering that the hotel spends $8 million annually on the conservatory, this free attraction is a jackpot all around.
4. Lake Bellagio. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. MGM Grand lions. For those who prefer to live on the wild side, visit the lions at MGM Grand. An Asian good-luck symbol, lions have made a home at MGM Grand for years, frolicking in their own expansive habitat, just a few feet from the slots. The multi-level dwelling hosts a handful of lions, and there’s a translucent tunnel that makes you feel as though you’re in with the beasts.

Couples may head to Las Vegas for quickie weddings officiated by Elvis impersonators. But as Britney Spears and Angelina Jolie have proved, eloping doesn’t always lead to a happily ever after. If you’re not one to rush, the Fountains of Bellagio and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas have been known to inspire wedding proposals. Though tying the knot isn’t the only way to stir up some romance in Vegas: Take a gondola ride at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, check out the manmade lake at the Wynn and enjoy nature at the Springs Preserve on a date in Las Vegas.

1. Eiffel Tower. Las Vegas is a city obsessed with replication - and we’re not talking carbon copies and model airplanes. Though the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is half the size of the original at 460 feet, the view from the top is equally stunning. A dizzying windowed elevator ride takes you and your loved one up nearly 50 floors to the open-air observation deck, which allows for 360-degree views of Las Vegas. It’s intimate up here, but it gets packed with tourists on the weekends.
2. Fountains of Bellagio. From plenty of different vantage points on the Strip, you can see the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio. Whether you’re up close or watching from afar, the water show is quite a sight. The choreographed medley features more than 4,500 flashing lights while music by the likes of Frank Sinatra plays.
3. Gondola ride. Who needs the murky waterways of Venice when you can take a gondola ride through the pristine, chlorinated canals of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino? Choose the indoor canal or the outdoor one, and float in a gondola modeled after the real deal. The ride takes you through the Grand Canal Shoppes, which cover 500,000 feet of retail space and restaurants.
4. Lake of Dreams. No multi-star hotel on the Strip is worth its weight without a manmade lake, and the one at Wynn is particularly special. Surrounded by a 120-foot-tall artificial mountain that shields it from Las Vegas Boulevard, the Lake of Dreams breathes an air of exclusivity, just like the rest of Wynn resort. But the lake’s true purpose is to wow onlookers throughout the evening, as it plays host to a variety of surreal shows: statues of men and women arise from the water, light and music spring to life, and there’s even a giant inflatable frog whose mouth moves in sync with Louis Armstrong’s sweet serenade What a Wonderful World.
5. Springs Preserve. The Mojave Desert isn’t all browns and grays. The Springs Preserve provides outdoorsy couples a nice green break from the glitzy Strip. Just a couple of miles from Las Vegas Boulevard, this 180-acre historic preservation project embraces the concept of sustainability - a positive step in a city known for its frequent building implosions. With eight acres of gardens, miles of walking paths, an amphitheater and even a Wolfgang Puck restaurant (and you thought all the good grub was on the Strip), the Springs Preserve offers everything you need to plan a great date.

Bright, jazzy lights and the sound of cards shuffling immediately come to mind when we think of Las Vegas. But the masterminds who grew a multimillion-dollar playground out of an arid desert certainly haven’t stopped at the slot machines. Las Vegas has evolved into a show-stopping entertainment hub. From multiple iterations of the larger-than-life modern circus that is Cirque du Soleil, to comedy any way you like it, to classic Vegas entertainment featuring magicians, showgirls, A-list celebrities and big-time boxers, the shows of Sin City have only gotten bigger and more diverse over the years. Here are the five best things to see and do in Vegas:

1. Gamble. There is no doubt gambling is the name of the game in Las Vegas, and the reason that more than 36 million people visit each year. You’ll have no trouble finding a casino willing to deal you in - if the slot machines in the airport weren’t enough of a hint. If it’s your first trip to the city, you’ll likely spend most of your time on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Strip.
2. Catch Cirque. Sin City may as well change its nickname to Cirque City. With seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas and more on the horizon, the question remains: How many is too many? The amazing acrobats show off their superhuman flexibility and strength in productions such as the Mirage’s The Beatles LOVE, which has a rocking soundtrack; Treasure Island’s Mystere, a favorite among Cirque purists; and MGM Grand’s Kà, a martial arts-filled spectacle.
3. See showgirls. For a taste of old Las Vegas, snag a seat for Jubilee! at Bally’s to watch showgirls strut their feathers, and not much else. But if you glance behind the scenes, you’ll learn that there’s a lot more to being a showgirl than having a knockout body. Peek into the showgirl’s world with the Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Backstage Tour. A showgirl leads you across the stage, around the set and through the costume room, sharing fun facts about the production.
4. Watch the water show. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. Hit the clubs. The Strip offers a brilliantly lit stretch of nightlife opportunities. Digitally savvy revelers will rejoice at the tech-toy playground that is Eyecandy at Mandalay Bay. Wine aficionados will encounter a playground of their own at the Palazzo’s Double Helix Bar. Surrender at Encore is the place for A-list sightings and, after an evening just about anywhere, a Bloody Mary at Zuri is just what you need to convince you to do it all over again.

Though Las Vegas is known for bawdy adult entertainment, there are a surprising amount of attractions designed for the whole family. Leave the swanky restaurants and gambling for an adults-only night and take your kids on some G-rated thrill rides, an aquarium and more.

1. The Stratosphere. At the north end of the Strip, the top of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower offers thrill rides you can’t find anywhere else in Las Vegas. With three depth-defying rides to pick from (our personal favorite is Insanity, the Ride, which involves a mechanical arm extending over the edge of the Stratosphere tower and spinning at a force of three Gs), the kids will have plenty to get them revved up. For those less inclined to hang 1,000 feet above the cement, visit the observation deck instead. As the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S., it offers quite a view of the Strip.
2. The Adventuredome. If the kids haven’t had enough of the thrill rides, they’re sure to be sated by the Adventuredome in Circus Circus. America’s largest indoor theme park, including the world’s only indoor double-loop roller coaster, lets you escape the desert heat while the kiddies enjoy the rides. Circus Circus also offers free circus performances daily under the big top, and little ones are invited onstage to learn a trick or two of their own.
3. The Mirage. Snatch up the family and head south to the Mirage. Though you may have to pass through the dinging casino, it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of the enormous, 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the front desk in the lobby. Then make your way outside to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat to get face-to-face with lions, white tigers, leopards and bottlenose dolphins. Trainers are on hand to answer questions and show off a litter of white tiger cubs.
4. Spago. When you and your entourage have worked up an appetite, Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars (right next door to the Mirage) is a good bet for the whole family. The food is exceptional and the family-friendly atmosphere means the eye-rolls when a drink spills or a fork is dropped will be at a minimum. Plus, Spago has a children’s menu with all the favorites, including grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Meanwhile, you can nosh on crisp calamari and lamb chorizo pizza with goat cheese.
5. Mac King Comedy Show. Cross Las Vegas Boulevard and enter Harrah’s Las Vegas in time for the Mac King Comedy Show. As one of the only daytime magic shows in Vegas, Mac King’s routine provides the perfect mid-afternoon respite. Quirky jokes and visual tricks are Mac King’s specialty, though his ridiculous plaid suits run a close second.

Las Vegas may be in the middle of the desert, but it’s an oasis for shoppers. Of course, Sin City goes over the top and redefines high-end shopping in the casinos that double as malls. You’ll find both a Ferrari-Maserati dealership and Alexander McQueen’s second U.S. boutique at the Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade. The Encore Esplanade upped the ante with the addition of edgier, high-end shops like In Step and Shades, where a new pair of sunglasses will have you rockstar ready in no time.

Across the street from the Wynn and Encore is the two-story Fashion Show mall, which mixes high-end department stores (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom) with more affordable retail therapy (Macy’s, Dillard’s). The mall tries to live up to its name: An 80-foot-long catwalk in the middle of the space hosts fashion shows and other private events.

It may not have a runway, but CityCenter’s Crystals Retail and Entertainment complex is designed to look like an outdoor park. However, this park is all about that other kind of green: It teems with high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford and Miu Miu and a number of equally glamorous places to dine. For more über-luxe fashions, make a beeline for the Shoppes at the Palazzo, where you can outfit yourself in Burberry, Barneys New York - Vegas’s first - Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Head down the Strip to Via Bellagio for more high-priced power players, including Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.

For a shopping spree that is an experience unto itself, visit the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Follow the cobblestone faux-Roman streets into shops like Harry Winston, Baccarat and Versace. When you need a break between stores, stop and watch the free Atlantis Show. It brings Roman gods and a simple story to life with animatronic “actors” who spring to action every hour. Afterward, you’ll be ready to tackle Dior.

Meta-description: Where is the best shopping is Las Vegas? Learn from our inspectors about where to shell out serious cash on designer threads-Alexander McQueen’s second shop in the U.S. is located in Las Vegas. Enough said.

Las Vegas has burst onto the culinary scene with a slew of elite dining experiences that would give any major metropolitan area a run for its money. Internationally renowned chefs such as Guy Savoy, Joël Robuchon, Michael Mina and Alessandro Stratta opened restaurants here, and Pierre Gagnaire’s Twist is his first U.S. venture. Bring your taste buds to these five best Las Vegas food experiences:

1. Guy Savoy. Located in the Augustus Tower of Caesars Palace, Guy Savoy’s only American venture is quiet, cool and sophisticated. Run by Guy’s son Franck, you can be assured that you’ll get the same quality treatment and meal here that you would at the original Guy Savoy in Paris - minus the Eiffel Tower view. Two tasting menus (one 10-course and one four-course) are available, and both offer Savoy’s signature dish of artichoke and black truffle soup, a divine concoction served with toasted mushroom brioche and earthy truffle butter.
2. Joël Robuchon. One of the world’s greatest chefs, Joël Robuchon has come to epitomize fine French cuisine. The intimate dining room is regal, from the black-and-white-tiled entryway to the chandelier in the middle of the room. The 16-course tasting menu will set you back a cool $385, but it’s worth it. What makes his food so special is the innovative ways he shows his respect for ingredients. It’s the only Five-Star restaurant in the state.
3. Twist. Following in the footsteps of fellow legendary French chefs Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnaire opened Twist as his first stateside foray. Located on the 23rd floor of the opulent Mandarin Oriental, Twist offers views from its 20-foot-high windows that are as noteworthy as the chef. Don’t- miss dishes include chicken chiffonade with three kinds of tender gnocchi, as well as the signature langoustine five ways. Close with the Grand Dessert Pierre Gagnaire, a twist on traditional French pastries and a meal unto itself.
4. Stratta. Perhaps it is the walls lined in mother of pearl and the 22-karat gold sand-casted candelabras at the entrance, or the custom-carved mahogany ceiling and boiserie wood marquetry. Whatever the secret, Alessandro Stratta’s namesake restaurant has awed diners and garnered accolades since settling in at Wynn Las Vegas in 2005. The richly appointed dining room is only a hint of the luxury and grandeur that await you on the plate. The cuisine of the French Riviera is what Strata focuses on, and he executes it with such style and grace you’ll think you’re in the South of France. Service is attentive and pleasant, but not overwhelming.
5. Michael Mina. Tucked behind the Bellagio’s stunning Conservatory, Michael Mina feels like a nice little secret. The restaurant is the perfect storm of design and cuisine, from its chic décor with floor-to-ceiling blond wood shelves to its innovative menu and equally sleek wine collection. Michael Mina, one of the few restaurants on the Strip that does a vegetarian tasting menu, is well-known for its tasting trios, which feature a singular product presented three different ways, ideal for those who want to expand their palates.

Should you get the urge to leave beyond the soundtrack of casino slot machines in search of some live music, there are three Las Vegas venues that have kept us coming back.

1. House of Blues. Calling the Mandalay Bay Resort home for more than a decade, this House of Blues outpost is far from your typical concert venue, even by Vegas standards. From the voodoo-esque art on the walls to the worn-in wood and corrugated tin surrounding the place, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into New Orleans. And that’s not a bad thing. House of Blues is one of the coziest and most comfortable places in town to catch bands, which range from lesser-knowns like Cancer Bats to classics like Joe Satriani and headliners like Jay-Z and the Black Crowes. Multiple levels (tip: check out the comfortable and semi-secret theater seating upstairs) and various bars make for different vantage points and convenient cocktail grabbing throughout the shows. The best people-watching occurs during Sunday’s Gospel Brunch. While the singers on stage get down for Jesus, hundreds of guests praise the lord and pass the biscuits in rockabilly style.

2. The Joint. Considering its location in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a resort built around the theme of good music, the bar remains high for talent at The Joint. The rocking stage and sound system have blasted the likes of Bob Dylan, the Killers, Tom Petty and Coldplay, and succeed in bringing in varied acts of a high caliber (don’t expect to find lesser-known bands and singers here, unless they’re an opening act). The space blends down-home charm with state-of-the-art technology - 25-foot-tall speaker bays and multiple plasma screens - to create an authentic rock-club vibe.

3. The Pearl. The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort delivers a uniquely intimate environment - with only 2,500 seats - for seeing major performers who normally never set foot in venues so small. With a stage that’s only four feet off the floor (and the farthest seat 120 feet away from the stage), performers interact with audiences here like nowhere else. That’s what makes a show at the Pearl so fun, and tickets so hard to come by. You might see celebrities such as Jay-Z or Rihanna camped out in the private boxes, which have their own bars and powder rooms. Recent acts have included Bruno Mars, Bob Dylan, Mike Epps and Maroon 5.

Unlike other cities, some of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas are quite vibrant rather than moody and dark. In other words, they don’t compromise the city’s general feel. Le Cirque and Mix, as well as Picasso decorated with - you guessed it - art by the legendary artist, fit the bill. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant overlooks the Strip and evokes the great building itself, and Aureole enlists a Cirque du Soleil-like waitstaff.

1. Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Chef Joho has done it again at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. By that, we mean he’s cooking his impeccable fresh cuisine just above the 11th floor of the Paris Las Vegas’s Eiffel Tower replica. If its name doesn’t give it away, the restaurant oozes with romantic charm from its spectacular views to the scrumptious dishes such as foie gras with braised Bing cherries and Alsace spice cake.
2. Aureole. When you come to Aureole, come thirsty. The 42-foot steel and glass wine tower that greets you at the door holds 10,000 bottles and comes complete with “wine angel stewards,” servers who float on wires to snag your bottle of choice from the towers. Charlie Palmer’s menu treats fresh-off-the-farm ingredients with elegance and sophistication, evidenced in dishes such as the scallop sandwiches in a crisp potato crust and monkfish osso buco with chanterelles and pork-belly-stuffed cabbage.
3. Le Cirque. The original Le Cirque in New York City is legendary because the food is spectacular, and because the service, often led by family patriarch Sirio Maccioni himself, is stellar and welcoming. Le Cirque at Bellagio holds to the same principles. Maccioni’s sons run the restaurant to the same exacting standards as its East Coast sibling. In the vibrantly colored, circus-tent-like dining room, expertly executed French cuisine is served.
4. Mix. Alain Ducasse’s artful restaurant located atop the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, offers one of the most stunning views of the Strip. Walking into Mix is like entering a modern art museum with its sleek, white décor and enormous chandelier, made of 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls. American cuisine is interpreted using contemporary haute French technique, producing dishes such as lobster salad served with a tangy apple and vegetable mosaique, and surf and turf made with halibut and foie gras rather than the standard lobster and steak.
5. Picasso. With its stunning view of the Fountains of Bellagio, Picasso is by far one of the most elegant and awe-inspiring dining rooms in the world - an art-minded romantic couple’s dream. And if all the Picassos surrounding you aren’t enough, culinary artist Julian Serrano prepares his own masterpieces for you to enjoy. The sublime degustation and prix fixe menus are predominantly French and Spanish influenced, and the wines - with more than 1,500 selections to choose from - are sourced exclusively from European vineyards. The menu changes almost daily based on what’s fresh each morning.

When you pack for a trip to Las Vegas, you’ll need to bring a range of clothing. During the day, you will need to wear beat-the-heat clothes (remember: you’re in the Mojave Desert) such as tanks, tees and shorts and - even more important - comfy shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking around the Strip or downtown areas. If you want to check out Sin City’s hot daytime pool scene, be sure to pack a swimsuit. Don’t be afraid to bring along some flashy attire; Las Vegas is one of the few places where a little glitz goes over well. In general, people dress up a bit more at night in the restaurants and at clubs and shows - although, really, anything goes. You’ll see a bachelorette in lingerie next to a tourist in mom jeans. Just remember that if it’s more than 100F outside, it’ll be heavily air-conditioned inside. You will probably want to pack some extra layers.

Once you’ve taken in the internationally inspired architectural creations of the Strip (as warped as they may seem), it’s time to learn how it all came to be. Rent a car and head out to Hoover Dam, a structure responsible for supplying several states with water. The Hoover Dam actually has more masonry mass than the Egyptian pyramids. Plus, the views are spectacular. It’s built into a canyon and traps the water from the Colorado River, converting much of it to electricity. Take the Dam Tour, and enter the belly of the beast, 500 feet below ground, where you’ll learn about the history and impact of this engineering marvel. Following the tour, drive around Lake Mead, which is a natural side effect of the dam. It’s not an ideal place for lounging (the shores are rocky at best), but it offers some great hiking trails. We recommend the Historic Railroad Trail, which leads you on an old train route through five tunnels, with excellent lake views. Las Vegas is more outdoorsy than you’d think, and it’s worth prying yourself away from the blackjack tables to see why.

You’ve walked the Strip and fed your curiosity at Hoover Dam. Now it’s time to head downtown. Just a short cab ride from the north end of the Strip, the downtown area shows you where it all began. Give a little back to the Las Vegas economy and try a few hands of $5 blackjack at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas - every time you gamble here your money goes, in part, toward helping local schools. Admire the light shows that play on the Fremont Street Experience canopy before stopping into the Golden Gate Casino for its famous 99-cent shrimp cocktail (famous for the price, and tastes pretty good considering). Wash it all down at the Griffin, a bar on east Fremont Street with an oddly alluring dungeon feel and a fabulous jukebox. Make your way back to your hotel in time for the sunrise - and grab yourself an Irish coffee before starting the cycle all over again. You’ll have time to sleep when you go home.

The Strip, a.k.a. Las Vegas Boulevard, is the engine that keeps Las Vegas chugging along, and it’s a requisite if you have limited time in town. The four-mile street takes you around the world in a matter of hours. See a miniaturized version of New York City, catch views from Paris’s most recognized landmark and travel gondolier-style through the Italian Renaissance.

Regardless of where you’re staying, it’s easiest to begin at one end of the Strip and make your way from there. Cabs are nearly as common as slot machines on Las Vegas Boulevard, so you’ll have no trouble finding one (though you will have to go to a hotel entrance taxi line to get a cabto stop). For a cheaper option - albeit pricey as public transportation goes - the high-tech (driverless) monorail can get you through the Strip in less than 15 minutes.

Start at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and head north, taking the indoor walkway to Luxor. While you’re there, enjoy a morning poker lesson before hopping on the monorail to Excalibur, which puts you Strip-central in no time. From here, pick and choose the casinos that appeal to you. High-stakes gamblers will enjoy the enormous and extravagant mega-resorts such as the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas (and the perks that accompany such invited guests). Whereas the smaller casinos, such as O’Sheas and Slots-A-Fun, tend to have better payouts and lower minimums. Once you’ve gotten your gambling fix - and unfortunately come to understand that the house always wins - it’s time for some exceptional people-gawking. Where else can you watch showgirls mingle with card sharks, and bachelorettes dance the night away in little more than lingerie?

For a bit of romance, meander through the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Bellagio or entice your inner child as you browse the perfectly polished Ferrari-Maserati collection at Wynn Las Vegas. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, there are, of course, a slew of big-name restaurants to have dinner. Cap off your Vegas day with a Cirque du Soleil show. With so many to choose from, you’re unlikely to go wrong, but our vote goes to O at Bellagio. If you’ve got anything left in your wallet by midnight, the tables are always open.

Not all Las Vegas entertainment is on that famous four-mile stretch of road known as the Strip; expand your horizons beyond Las Vegas Boulevard, you might even stumble upon some of the top local museums.

Few states have as explosive a history as Nevada does. The Atomic Testing Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institute, educates you about the Nevada Test Site, which is a piece of land the size of Rhode Island that witnessed the bulk of American nuclear tests from 1951 to 1992, only 65 miles from Las Vegas. Get a better understanding of the nuclear world through simulations, artifacts, films and a glimpse into what it was like to work at the test site, as told by the former employees. Be sure to stop by the gift shop to see the assortment of nuclear-themed gifts, including an Albert Einstein action figure.

The Neon Museum is where history comes to rest - it’s referred to as the Boneyard for a reason. The Neon Museum holds the vestiges of vintage Vegas, featuring signs and architecture dating back to the 1940s. Check out relics like the Golden Nugget sign. A nice addition is La Concha, a shell-shaped building designed by Paul Revere Williams that was saved from demolition and painstakingly moved here. Tours are by appointment only and must be made at least one day in advance.

Sin City’s “most unique” museum award goes to the Pinball Hall of Fame, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse packed with loads of bleeping, beeping, pinging action. The museum holds the world’s largest collection of pinball machines dating as far back as the 1950s. Test your reflexes on machines from the Bride of Pinbot to the Family Guy - some even have antique wood rails. Most games only cost a quarter or two, and all proceeds are donated to the Salvation Army. The more you play, the more pinball pays - as if you needed a reason to go another round.

Whether you’re looking to grab a relaxing after-dinner drink with friends or dance your way to dawn in the clubs, Sin City’s nightlife will not disappoint. Those looking to crank it up a notch can head to nearby XS at Encore Las Vegas. A magnet for celebrities and those looking to party with them, this posh spot pulls out all of the stops, from crocodile-embossed leather VIP booths to big-name DJs to an outdoor pool area with private cabanas. Or head to Encore’s nightclub, Surrender, a swank indoor-outdoor venue.

It doesn’t get more tech-chic than at Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar at Mandalay Bay. From the table-to-table instant messages to the touch-activated LED dance floor to the iPod request system, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied into the wee hours of the morning.

For dancing, the best spots are at celeb-centric Pure at Caesars Palace and the cavernous and decadent Tao Nightclub - don’t mind the 20-foot hand-carved Buddha - at the Venetian. The dance floors are enormous and the DJs are expert spinners, pulling in hundreds of revelers nightly.

Couples may head to Las Vegas for quickie weddings officiated by Elvis impersonators. But as Britney Spears and Angelina Jolie have proved, eloping doesn’t always lead to a happily ever after. If you’re not one to rush, the Fountains of Bellagio and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas have been known to inspire wedding proposals. Though tying the knot isn’t the only way to stir up some romance in Vegas: Take a gondola ride at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, check out the manmade lake at the Wynn and enjoy nature at the Springs Preserve on a date in Las Vegas.

1. Eiffel Tower. Las Vegas is a city obsessed with replication - and we’re not talking carbon copies and model airplanes. Though the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is half the size of the original at 460 feet, the view from the top is equally stunning. A dizzying windowed elevator ride takes you and your loved one up nearly 50 floors to the open-air observation deck, which allows for 360-degree views of Las Vegas. It’s intimate up here, but it gets packed with tourists on the weekends.
2. Fountains of Bellagio. From plenty of different vantage points on the Strip, you can see the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio. Whether you’re up close or watching from afar, the water show is quite a sight. The choreographed medley features more than 4,500 flashing lights while music by the likes of Frank Sinatra plays.
3. Gondola ride. Who needs the murky waterways of Venice when you can take a gondola ride through the pristine, chlorinated canals of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino? Choose the indoor canal or the outdoor one, and float in a gondola modeled after the real deal. The ride takes you through the Grand Canal Shoppes, which cover 500,000 feet of retail space and restaurants.
4. Lake of Dreams. No multi-star hotel on the Strip is worth its weight without a manmade lake, and the one at Wynn is particularly special. Surrounded by a 120-foot-tall artificial mountain that shields it from Las Vegas Boulevard, the Lake of Dreams breathes an air of exclusivity, just like the rest of Wynn resort. But the lake’s true purpose is to wow onlookers throughout the evening, as it plays host to a variety of surreal shows: statues of men and women arise from the water, light and music spring to life, and there’s even a giant inflatable frog whose mouth moves in sync with Louis Armstrong’s sweet serenade What a Wonderful World.
5. Springs Preserve. The Mojave Desert isn’t all browns and grays. The Springs Preserve provides outdoorsy couples a nice green break from the glitzy Strip. Just a couple of miles from Las Vegas Boulevard, this 180-acre historic preservation project embraces the concept of sustainability - a positive step in a city known for its frequent building implosions. With eight acres of gardens, miles of walking paths, an amphitheater and even a Wolfgang Puck restaurant (and you thought all the good grub was on the Strip), the Springs Preserve offers everything you need to plan a great date.

While you may vacation in Las Vegas in hopes of winning big at the casino, you should have a contingency plan just in case you get hit with bad luck at the roulette wheel. Luckily, Sin City offers a slew of free attractions. You have nothing to lose by venturing out to see water shows like the Volcano or Fountains of Bellagio. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the lion cage at MGM Grand are all great complimentary attractions in a city where losing money is a pretty common occurrence.

1. The Volcano. For nearly two decades, the Volcano at the Mirage burbled and spewed its innards onto the surrounding lake with the help of some fancy lighting and special effects. It went dormant in February 2007, but after a renovation by WET Design, the Volcano is erupting yet again, this time with music to match. Thanks to the combined efforts of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, the Volcano impresses Strip passersby with an exclusive soundtrack to match the erupting rhythms, soaring fireballs and fiery lava.
2. Sirens of TI. Stand your ground on the sidewalk early for the Sirens of TI show, because it fills up quickly. This battle between buff young pirates and barely clad sirens takes place in the lake in front of TI on the Strip. There are powerful pyrotechnics, amazing acrobatics and nearly 12 minutes of dialogue.
3. Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Picture an organic art museum, where the displays are made of flowers, shrubs, plants and trees, and change with the seasons. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens does just that, and it’s even more beautiful than it sounds. The 13,500-square-foot palatial setting, located across from the resort’s lobby, is home to five alternating displays throughout the year, with themes that include the holidays, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall. On average, each display consists of 40 trees, 1,500 shrubs and 10,000 blooming plants. Considering that the hotel spends $8 million annually on the conservatory, this free attraction is a jackpot all around.
4. Lake Bellagio. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. MGM Grand lions. For those who prefer to live on the wild side, visit the lions at MGM Grand. An Asian good-luck symbol, lions have made a home at MGM Grand for years, frolicking in their own expansive habitat, just a few feet from the slots. The multi-level dwelling hosts a handful of lions, and there’s a translucent tunnel that makes you feel as though you’re in with the beasts.

Las Vegas may be in the middle of the desert, but it’s an oasis for shoppers. Of course, Sin City goes over the top and redefines high-end shopping in the casinos that double as malls. You’ll find both a Ferrari-Maserati dealership and Alexander McQueen’s second U.S. boutique at the Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade. The Encore Esplanade upped the ante with the addition of edgier, high-end shops like In Step and Shades, where a new pair of sunglasses will have you rockstar ready in no time.

Across the street from the Wynn and Encore is the two-story Fashion Show mall, which mixes high-end department stores (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom) with more affordable retail therapy (Macy’s, Dillard’s). The mall tries to live up to its name: An 80-foot-long catwalk in the middle of the space hosts fashion shows and other private events.

It may not have a runway, but CityCenter’s Crystals Retail and Entertainment complex is designed to look like an outdoor park. However, this park is all about that other kind of green: It teems with high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford and Miu Miu and a number of equally glamorous places to dine. For more über-luxe fashions, make a beeline for the Shoppes at the Palazzo, where you can outfit yourself in Burberry, Barneys New York - Vegas’s first - Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Head down the Strip to Via Bellagio for more high-priced power players, including Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.

For a shopping spree that is an experience unto itself, visit the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Follow the cobblestone faux-Roman streets into shops like Harry Winston, Baccarat and Versace. When you need a break between stores, stop and watch the free Atlantis Show. It brings Roman gods and a simple story to life with animatronic “actors” who spring to action every hour. Afterward, you’ll be ready to tackle Dior.

Meta-description: Where is the best shopping is Las Vegas? Learn from our inspectors about where to shell out serious cash on designer threads-Alexander McQueen’s second shop in the U.S. is located in Las Vegas. Enough said.

Bright, jazzy lights and the sound of cards shuffling immediately come to mind when we think of Las Vegas. But the masterminds who grew a multimillion-dollar playground out of an arid desert certainly haven’t stopped at the slot machines. Las Vegas has evolved into a show-stopping entertainment hub. From multiple iterations of the larger-than-life modern circus that is Cirque du Soleil, to comedy any way you like it, to classic Vegas entertainment featuring magicians, showgirls, A-list celebrities and big-time boxers, the shows of Sin City have only gotten bigger and more diverse over the years. Here are the five best things to see and do in Vegas:

1. Gamble. There is no doubt gambling is the name of the game in Las Vegas, and the reason that more than 36 million people visit each year. You’ll have no trouble finding a casino willing to deal you in - if the slot machines in the airport weren’t enough of a hint. If it’s your first trip to the city, you’ll likely spend most of your time on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Strip.
2. Catch Cirque. Sin City may as well change its nickname to Cirque City. With seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas and more on the horizon, the question remains: How many is too many? The amazing acrobats show off their superhuman flexibility and strength in productions such as the Mirage’s The Beatles LOVE, which has a rocking soundtrack; Treasure Island’s Mystere, a favorite among Cirque purists; and MGM Grand’s Kà, a martial arts-filled spectacle.
3. See showgirls. For a taste of old Las Vegas, snag a seat for Jubilee! at Bally’s to watch showgirls strut their feathers, and not much else. But if you glance behind the scenes, you’ll learn that there’s a lot more to being a showgirl than having a knockout body. Peek into the showgirl’s world with the Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Backstage Tour. A showgirl leads you across the stage, around the set and through the costume room, sharing fun facts about the production.
4. Watch the water show. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. Hit the clubs. The Strip offers a brilliantly lit stretch of nightlife opportunities. Digitally savvy revelers will rejoice at the tech-toy playground that is Eyecandy at Mandalay Bay. Wine aficionados will encounter a playground of their own at the Palazzo’s Double Helix Bar. Surrender at Encore is the place for A-list sightings and, after an evening just about anywhere, a Bloody Mary at Zuri is just what you need to convince you to do it all over again.

Though Las Vegas is known for bawdy adult entertainment, there are a surprising amount of attractions designed for the whole family. Leave the swanky restaurants and gambling for an adults-only night and take your kids on some G-rated thrill rides, an aquarium and more.

1. The Stratosphere. At the north end of the Strip, the top of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower offers thrill rides you can’t find anywhere else in Las Vegas. With three depth-defying rides to pick from (our personal favorite is Insanity, the Ride, which involves a mechanical arm extending over the edge of the Stratosphere tower and spinning at a force of three Gs), the kids will have plenty to get them revved up. For those less inclined to hang 1,000 feet above the cement, visit the observation deck instead. As the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S., it offers quite a view of the Strip.
2. The Adventuredome. If the kids haven’t had enough of the thrill rides, they’re sure to be sated by the Adventuredome in Circus Circus. America’s largest indoor theme park, including the world’s only indoor double-loop roller coaster, lets you escape the desert heat while the kiddies enjoy the rides. Circus Circus also offers free circus performances daily under the big top, and little ones are invited onstage to learn a trick or two of their own.
3. The Mirage. Snatch up the family and head south to the Mirage. Though you may have to pass through the dinging casino, it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of the enormous, 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the front desk in the lobby. Then make your way outside to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat to get face-to-face with lions, white tigers, leopards and bottlenose dolphins. Trainers are on hand to answer questions and show off a litter of white tiger cubs.
4. Spago. When you and your entourage have worked up an appetite, Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars (right next door to the Mirage) is a good bet for the whole family. The food is exceptional and the family-friendly atmosphere means the eye-rolls when a drink spills or a fork is dropped will be at a minimum. Plus, Spago has a children’s menu with all the favorites, including grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Meanwhile, you can nosh on crisp calamari and lamb chorizo pizza with goat cheese.
5. Mac King Comedy Show. Cross Las Vegas Boulevard and enter Harrah’s Las Vegas in time for the Mac King Comedy Show. As one of the only daytime magic shows in Vegas, Mac King’s routine provides the perfect mid-afternoon respite. Quirky jokes and visual tricks are Mac King’s specialty, though his ridiculous plaid suits run a close second.

Las Vegas has become one of the top food cities in the country and now boasts more master sommeliers than any other city in America. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in Las Vegas that doesn’t have a celebrity chef on its roster.

Some of the famous chefs who have opened restaurants in Vegas include Joël Robuchon and Tom Colicchio at the MGM Grand, Kerry Simon at the Palms and Luxor, Alain Ducasse at the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Thomas Keller at the Venetian, Michael Mina at the Bellagio, Daniel Boulud at Wynn, Charlie Palmer at the Four Seasons and Mandalay Bay, and Wolfgang Puck, who has restaurants at Caesars, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, the Venetian and, most recently, the Palazzo (Emeril Lagasse also has restaurants at the latter three). The new CityCenter corrals nearly 30 more restaurants into the already packed dining scene, backed by heavy hitters such as Pierre Gagnaire, Julian Serrano and Sirio Maccioni. Whatever the cuisine, atmosphere or price point, you’ll find what you’re craving for in Las Vegas.

Unlike other cities, some of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas are quite vibrant rather than moody and dark. In other words, they don’t compromise the city’s general feel. Le Cirque and Mix, as well as Picasso decorated with - you guessed it - art by the legendary artist, fit the bill. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant overlooks the Strip and evokes the great building itself, and Aureole enlists a Cirque du Soleil-like waitstaff.

1. Eiffel Tower Restaurant. Chef Joho has done it again at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. By that, we mean he’s cooking his impeccable fresh cuisine just above the 11th floor of the Paris Las Vegas’s Eiffel Tower replica. If its name doesn’t give it away, the restaurant oozes with romantic charm from its spectacular views to the scrumptious dishes such as foie gras with braised Bing cherries and Alsace spice cake.
2. Aureole. When you come to Aureole, come thirsty. The 42-foot steel and glass wine tower that greets you at the door holds 10,000 bottles and comes complete with “wine angel stewards,” servers who float on wires to snag your bottle of choice from the towers. Charlie Palmer’s menu treats fresh-off-the-farm ingredients with elegance and sophistication, evidenced in dishes such as the scallop sandwiches in a crisp potato crust and monkfish osso buco with chanterelles and pork-belly-stuffed cabbage.
3. Le Cirque. The original Le Cirque in New York City is legendary because the food is spectacular, and because the service, often led by family patriarch Sirio Maccioni himself, is stellar and welcoming. Le Cirque at Bellagio holds to the same principles. Maccioni’s sons run the restaurant to the same exacting standards as its East Coast sibling. In the vibrantly colored, circus-tent-like dining room, expertly executed French cuisine is served.
4. Mix. Alain Ducasse’s artful restaurant located atop the Hotel at Mandalay Bay, offers one of the most stunning views of the Strip. Walking into Mix is like entering a modern art museum with its sleek, white décor and enormous chandelier, made of 15,000 hand-blown Murano glass balls. American cuisine is interpreted using contemporary haute French technique, producing dishes such as lobster salad served with a tangy apple and vegetable mosaique, and surf and turf made with halibut and foie gras rather than the standard lobster and steak.
5. Picasso. With its stunning view of the Fountains of Bellagio, Picasso is by far one of the most elegant and awe-inspiring dining rooms in the world - an art-minded romantic couple’s dream. And if all the Picassos surrounding you aren’t enough, culinary artist Julian Serrano prepares his own masterpieces for you to enjoy. The sublime degustation and prix fixe menus are predominantly French and Spanish influenced, and the wines - with more than 1,500 selections to choose from - are sourced exclusively from European vineyards. The menu changes almost daily based on what’s fresh each morning.

Las Vegas is home to some incredible restaurants headed by celebrity chefs, as well as some casual eateries fit for the whole family. The Vegas aesthetic - showy and bright - appeals to kids, too. And at the Rainforest Café, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café and the Hard Rock Café, they’ll have plenty to look at. Settebello is your best bet for good pizza in Sin City, and you can follow up an evening at Fellini’s Risorante with thrill rides at the Stratosphere.

1. Fellini’s Ristorante. You’ll find all of your favorite Italian dishes at Fellini’s Ristorante at the Stratosphere - without the hefty price tag and the too-chic-for-children atmosphere. Here, you can admire the murals of Italy on the wall and munch on ravioli right alongside your kids. And after the meal, head over to the Stratosphere tower for SkyJump Las Vegas. It’s a controlled free fall where you jump off the 108th floor; we say don’t take your kids immediately after eating pasta and bread at Fellini’s, if you catch our drift.
2. Settebello. It isn’t easy finding good pizza in Las Vegas. Located in a strip mall, like most Vegas venues off the Strip, Settebello is a hit with locals for its honest-to-goodness Napoletana-style pizza. The brick oven, imported from Italy, is what makes these thin-crust beauties so tasty. It gets up to temperatures of 950F, which chars the bottom of the pizza, while keeping the top warm and gooey. Simple toppings such as crushed tomatoes, luscious fresh mozzarella and fruity olive oil are all you need to satisfy your family’s pizza craving.
3. The Hard Rock Café. Though it boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, neon décor, and resembles a fancy club, the Hard Rock Café serves burgers and shakes adults and kids alike can enjoy. It features the world’s largest rock shop, where you can buy some rock ’n’ roll memorabilia for your kids that they’ll be sure to remember for years to come.
4. Rainforest Café. Equally aesthetically stimulating is the Rainforest Café in the MGM Grand Hotel. Unique, over-the-top Amazon-themed décor paired with American food make this staple a perfect dinner destination for your little ones.
5. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café. Pretend you’re staying in a tropical island, rather than a desert, for a night at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Café. Many of the booths look like old fishing boats, and there’s a giant fake helicopter hovering above the bar. If stilt walkers who dole out balloon hats throughout the restaurant somehow don’t impress your kids, the simple Jimmy Buffett-inspired grub will.

Las Vegas has burst onto the culinary scene with a slew of elite dining experiences that would give any major metropolitan area a run for its money. Internationally renowned chefs such as Guy Savoy, Joël Robuchon, Michael Mina and Alessandro Stratta opened restaurants here, and Pierre Gagnaire’s Twist is his first U.S. venture. Bring your taste buds to these five best Las Vegas food experiences:

1. Guy Savoy. Located in the Augustus Tower of Caesars Palace, Guy Savoy’s only American venture is quiet, cool and sophisticated. Run by Guy’s son Franck, you can be assured that you’ll get the same quality treatment and meal here that you would at the original Guy Savoy in Paris - minus the Eiffel Tower view. Two tasting menus (one 10-course and one four-course) are available, and both offer Savoy’s signature dish of artichoke and black truffle soup, a divine concoction served with toasted mushroom brioche and earthy truffle butter.
2. Joël Robuchon. One of the world’s greatest chefs, Joël Robuchon has come to epitomize fine French cuisine. The intimate dining room is regal, from the black-and-white-tiled entryway to the chandelier in the middle of the room. The 16-course tasting menu will set you back a cool $385, but it’s worth it. What makes his food so special is the innovative ways he shows his respect for ingredients. It’s the only Five-Star restaurant in the state.
3. Twist. Following in the footsteps of fellow legendary French chefs Joël Robuchon, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse, Pierre Gagnaire opened Twist as his first stateside foray. Located on the 23rd floor of the opulent Mandarin Oriental, Twist offers views from its 20-foot-high windows that are as noteworthy as the chef. Don’t- miss dishes include chicken chiffonade with three kinds of tender gnocchi, as well as the signature langoustine five ways. Close with the Grand Dessert Pierre Gagnaire, a twist on traditional French pastries and a meal unto itself.
4. Stratta. Perhaps it is the walls lined in mother of pearl and the 22-karat gold sand-casted candelabras at the entrance, or the custom-carved mahogany ceiling and boiserie wood marquetry. Whatever the secret, Alessandro Stratta’s namesake restaurant has awed diners and garnered accolades since settling in at Wynn Las Vegas in 2005. The richly appointed dining room is only a hint of the luxury and grandeur that await you on the plate. The cuisine of the French Riviera is what Strata focuses on, and he executes it with such style and grace you’ll think you’re in the South of France. Service is attentive and pleasant, but not overwhelming.
5. Michael Mina. Tucked behind the Bellagio’s stunning Conservatory, Michael Mina feels like a nice little secret. The restaurant is the perfect storm of design and cuisine, from its chic décor with floor-to-ceiling blond wood shelves to its innovative menu and equally sleek wine collection. Michael Mina, one of the few restaurants on the Strip that does a vegetarian tasting menu, is well-known for its tasting trios, which feature a singular product presented three different ways, ideal for those who want to expand their palates.

Living large in Las Vegas is no tall order, especially since the city contains more over-the-top luxury hotels than anywhere else in the country. The Las Vegas mentality of constantly upping the ante has resulted in some incredible properties lining the Strip. Even standard rooms seem to trump your average hotel room. Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, for example, are ultra high-class, while the Bellagio is traditional Vegas yet still elegant. The MGM Grand and Wynn Las Vegas are also as sophisticated as they come.


1. Four Seasons. “Tranquility” isn’t a word often used to describe the Las Vegas Strip, but it can be found at the Four Seasons. Located on floors 35 through 39 of the Mandalay Bay resort, this non-gaming hotel has its own entrance, restaurants and a pool with attendants at the ready to provide the requisite Evian spritz. The elegance of the hotel extends to the guest rooms, which start at 500 square feet of luxury with down duvets and pillows, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city and twice-daily housekeeping service.
2. Bellagio. With its world-class art offerings - from the colorful Chihuly glass sculpture on the lobby ceiling to the masterpieces gracing the walls of the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art - the Bellagio continues to hail as the class act of the Strip. Water is the element of choice here, with the magical Fountains of Bellagio, Cirque du Soleil’s awe-inspiring water-themed O show and five beautifully manicured courtyard pool areas. The guest rooms continue the aquatic adventure with Italian marble deep-soaking tubs and glass-enclosed showers.
3. Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas - a 47-story, non-gaming hotel - delivers the same sophisticated elegance and top-notch service that its namesake properties have been providing for years. The 27,000-square-foot spa includes 17 treatment rooms with seven couples suites, as well as a gym with yoga and Pilates studios.
4. Skylofts. With thousands of guests streaming through the doors of the MGM Grand each day, it can be hard to get personalized attention, which is why the clever people at MGM created Skylofts, an ultra-luxurious, stylish boutique hotel within the hotel. Occupying the top two floors of the MGM Grand, Skylofts is the brainchild of designer Tony Chi, and it evokes an urban-loft feel with modern furniture, steam rooms, flat-screen TVs in the bathrooms and custom Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems.
5. Tower Suites at Wynn. Located within Wynn Las Vegas, the luxurious Tower Suites offers not only the ultimate in intimate hotel experiences, but also the amenities to round out the perfect stay. Guest rooms feel like residential apartments and feature wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows; automatic drapery and lighting controls; the pillow-top Wynn Dream Bed featuring 100 percent Egyptian cotton linens with a 310 thread count; and enormous bathrooms with soaking tubs, glass-enclosed showers and nightlights under his and her sinks.

Not all Las Vegas entertainment is on that famous four-mile stretch of road known as the Strip; expand your horizons beyond Las Vegas Boulevard, you might even stumble upon some of the top local museums.

Few states have as explosive a history as Nevada does. The Atomic Testing Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institute, educates you about the Nevada Test Site, which is a piece of land the size of Rhode Island that witnessed the bulk of American nuclear tests from 1951 to 1992, only 65 miles from Las Vegas. Get a better understanding of the nuclear world through simulations, artifacts, films and a glimpse into what it was like to work at the test site, as told by the former employees. Be sure to stop by the gift shop to see the assortment of nuclear-themed gifts, including an Albert Einstein action figure.

The Neon Museum is where history comes to rest - it’s referred to as the Boneyard for a reason. The Neon Museum holds the vestiges of vintage Vegas, featuring signs and architecture dating back to the 1940s. Check out relics like the Golden Nugget sign. A nice addition is La Concha, a shell-shaped building designed by Paul Revere Williams that was saved from demolition and painstakingly moved here. Tours are by appointment only and must be made at least one day in advance.

Sin City’s “most unique” museum award goes to the Pinball Hall of Fame, a 10,000-square-foot warehouse packed with loads of bleeping, beeping, pinging action. The museum holds the world’s largest collection of pinball machines dating as far back as the 1950s. Test your reflexes on machines from the Bride of Pinbot to the Family Guy - some even have antique wood rails. Most games only cost a quarter or two, and all proceeds are donated to the Salvation Army. The more you play, the more pinball pays - as if you needed a reason to go another round.

Boxing and casinos go together like Texas and Hold ’Em. Especially in Las Vegas, which is also known as the Boxing Capital of the World. This is, after all, where Mike Tyson got an earful. Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather - the list goes on, but anyone worth his weight class has fought in Vegas.

The Events Center at Mandalay Bay gets top billing when it comes to boxing bouts. The 12,000-seat complex is relatively small in comparison to other venues, providing good sightlines from nearly every seat. Consequently, it often draws a packed house, so secure tickets in advance. If sitting ringside isn’t in your cards, head to the casino’s sports bar to get in on the action, flat-screen style.

Perhaps the best-known boxing venue in Las Vegas, the MGM Grand Garden Arena is also one of the largest, comfortably seating 16,800 fight fans. State-of-the-art acoustics let you hear every swing of the glove - a necessity since many seats are too far away from the action in the ring and must resort to watching on the jumbo screens. If you care about seeing the bout up close, be prepared to shell out some heavy coinage.

Even if you don’t understand the appeal, it shouldn’t deter you from feeling the power, smelling the oil and reveling in the grit of NASCAR at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Every March, more than 100,000 fans fire up their grills and head to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races. The $200 million track, which was built in 1995, extends 1,500 acres and includes the 1.5-mile super speedway, in addition to a 2.5-mile road course, a half-mile dirt oval and a drag strip. Technicalities aside, the people-watching here is priceless. So when your eyes tire of following the blurry left turns on the track, grab a hot dog and check out your neighbor’s head-to-toe Jimmie Johnson-themed wardrobe.

But if you’re still pining to watch more traditional sports, teams such the Los Angeles Dodgers’ AAA affiliate team, the Las Vegas 51s and the Las Vegas Wranglers East Coast League hockey team play in Sin City.

Whether you’re looking to grab a relaxing after-dinner drink with friends or dance your way to dawn in the clubs, Sin City’s nightlife will not disappoint. Those looking to crank it up a notch can head to nearby XS at Encore Las Vegas. A magnet for celebrities and those looking to party with them, this posh spot pulls out all of the stops, from crocodile-embossed leather VIP booths to big-name DJs to an outdoor pool area with private cabanas. Or head to Encore’s nightclub, Surrender, a swank indoor-outdoor venue.

It doesn’t get more tech-chic than at Eyecandy Sound Lounge & Bar at Mandalay Bay. From the table-to-table instant messages to the touch-activated LED dance floor to the iPod request system, you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied into the wee hours of the morning.

For dancing, the best spots are at celeb-centric Pure at Caesars Palace and the cavernous and decadent Tao Nightclub - don’t mind the 20-foot hand-carved Buddha - at the Venetian. The dance floors are enormous and the DJs are expert spinners, pulling in hundreds of revelers nightly.

Should you get the urge to leave beyond the soundtrack of casino slot machines in search of some live music, there are three Las Vegas venues that have kept us coming back.

1. House of Blues. Calling the Mandalay Bay Resort home for more than a decade, this House of Blues outpost is far from your typical concert venue, even by Vegas standards. From the voodoo-esque art on the walls to the worn-in wood and corrugated tin surrounding the place, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into New Orleans. And that’s not a bad thing. House of Blues is one of the coziest and most comfortable places in town to catch bands, which range from lesser-knowns like Cancer Bats to classics like Joe Satriani and headliners like Jay-Z and the Black Crowes. Multiple levels (tip: check out the comfortable and semi-secret theater seating upstairs) and various bars make for different vantage points and convenient cocktail grabbing throughout the shows. The best people-watching occurs during Sunday’s Gospel Brunch. While the singers on stage get down for Jesus, hundreds of guests praise the lord and pass the biscuits in rockabilly style.

2. The Joint. Considering its location in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a resort built around the theme of good music, the bar remains high for talent at The Joint. The rocking stage and sound system have blasted the likes of Bob Dylan, the Killers, Tom Petty and Coldplay, and succeed in bringing in varied acts of a high caliber (don’t expect to find lesser-known bands and singers here, unless they’re an opening act). The space blends down-home charm with state-of-the-art technology - 25-foot-tall speaker bays and multiple plasma screens - to create an authentic rock-club vibe.

3. The Pearl. The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort delivers a uniquely intimate environment - with only 2,500 seats - for seeing major performers who normally never set foot in venues so small. With a stage that’s only four feet off the floor (and the farthest seat 120 feet away from the stage), performers interact with audiences here like nowhere else. That’s what makes a show at the Pearl so fun, and tickets so hard to come by. You might see celebrities such as Jay-Z or Rihanna camped out in the private boxes, which have their own bars and powder rooms. Recent acts have included Bruno Mars, Bob Dylan, Mike Epps and Maroon 5.

Once you’ve taken in the internationally inspired architectural creations of the Strip (as warped as they may seem), it’s time to learn how it all came to be. Rent a car and head out to Hoover Dam, a structure responsible for supplying several states with water. The Hoover Dam actually has more masonry mass than the Egyptian pyramids. Plus, the views are spectacular. It’s built into a canyon and traps the water from the Colorado River, converting much of it to electricity. Take the Dam Tour, and enter the belly of the beast, 500 feet below ground, where you’ll learn about the history and impact of this engineering marvel. Following the tour, drive around Lake Mead, which is a natural side effect of the dam. It’s not an ideal place for lounging (the shores are rocky at best), but it offers some great hiking trails. We recommend the Historic Railroad Trail, which leads you on an old train route through five tunnels, with excellent lake views. Las Vegas is more outdoorsy than you’d think, and it’s worth prying yourself away from the blackjack tables to see why.

You’ve walked the Strip and fed your curiosity at Hoover Dam. Now it’s time to head downtown. Just a short cab ride from the north end of the Strip, the downtown area shows you where it all began. Give a little back to the Las Vegas economy and try a few hands of $5 blackjack at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas - every time you gamble here your money goes, in part, toward helping local schools. Admire the light shows that play on the Fremont Street Experience canopy before stopping into the Golden Gate Casino for its famous 99-cent shrimp cocktail (famous for the price, and tastes pretty good considering). Wash it all down at the Griffin, a bar on east Fremont Street with an oddly alluring dungeon feel and a fabulous jukebox. Make your way back to your hotel in time for the sunrise - and grab yourself an Irish coffee before starting the cycle all over again. You’ll have time to sleep when you go home.

When you pack for a trip to Las Vegas, you’ll need to bring a range of clothing. During the day, you will need to wear beat-the-heat clothes (remember: you’re in the Mojave Desert) such as tanks, tees and shorts and - even more important - comfy shoes if you plan on doing a lot of walking around the Strip or downtown areas. If you want to check out Sin City’s hot daytime pool scene, be sure to pack a swimsuit. Don’t be afraid to bring along some flashy attire; Las Vegas is one of the few places where a little glitz goes over well. In general, people dress up a bit more at night in the restaurants and at clubs and shows - although, really, anything goes. You’ll see a bachelorette in lingerie next to a tourist in mom jeans. Just remember that if it’s more than 100F outside, it’ll be heavily air-conditioned inside. You will probably want to pack some extra layers.

The best time to visit Las Vegas depends on how well you can handle the heat. From May to October, the Las Vegas weather can be summed up in one word: hot. Or maybe to add an adjective: very hot. Temperatures average in the 100F range and can get as high as 117F in late July and August. The rest of the year is mild, with temperatures rarely getting below the 40F to 60F range in the winter and hovering at a comfortable 70F to 85F in the spring. The city boasts more than 300 sunny days a year and very little precipitation. Since the casinos, hotels, malls, meeting venues, restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment venues are heavily air-conditioned, you’ll easily forget the scorching desert heat outside. Just be sure to have another layer ready for those rooms where they’re keeping their temps in the 60s.

The Strip, a.k.a. Las Vegas Boulevard, is the engine that keeps Las Vegas chugging along, and it’s a requisite if you have limited time in town. The four-mile street takes you around the world in a matter of hours. See a miniaturized version of New York City, catch views from Paris’s most recognized landmark and travel gondolier-style through the Italian Renaissance.

Regardless of where you’re staying, it’s easiest to begin at one end of the Strip and make your way from there. Cabs are nearly as common as slot machines on Las Vegas Boulevard, so you’ll have no trouble finding one (though you will have to go to a hotel entrance taxi line to get a cabto stop). For a cheaper option - albeit pricey as public transportation goes - the high-tech (driverless) monorail can get you through the Strip in less than 15 minutes.

Start at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and head north, taking the indoor walkway to Luxor. While you’re there, enjoy a morning poker lesson before hopping on the monorail to Excalibur, which puts you Strip-central in no time. From here, pick and choose the casinos that appeal to you. High-stakes gamblers will enjoy the enormous and extravagant mega-resorts such as the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas (and the perks that accompany such invited guests). Whereas the smaller casinos, such as O’Sheas and Slots-A-Fun, tend to have better payouts and lower minimums. Once you’ve gotten your gambling fix - and unfortunately come to understand that the house always wins - it’s time for some exceptional people-gawking. Where else can you watch showgirls mingle with card sharks, and bachelorettes dance the night away in little more than lingerie?

For a bit of romance, meander through the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Bellagio or entice your inner child as you browse the perfectly polished Ferrari-Maserati collection at Wynn Las Vegas. Depending on what you’re in the mood for, there are, of course, a slew of big-name restaurants to have dinner. Cap off your Vegas day with a Cirque du Soleil show. With so many to choose from, you’re unlikely to go wrong, but our vote goes to O at Bellagio. If you’ve got anything left in your wallet by midnight, the tables are always open.

While you may vacation in Las Vegas in hopes of winning big at the casino, you should have a contingency plan just in case you get hit with bad luck at the roulette wheel. Luckily, Sin City offers a slew of free attractions. You have nothing to lose by venturing out to see water shows like the Volcano or Fountains of Bellagio. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the lion cage at MGM Grand are all great complimentary attractions in a city where losing money is a pretty common occurrence.

1. The Volcano. For nearly two decades, the Volcano at the Mirage burbled and spewed its innards onto the surrounding lake with the help of some fancy lighting and special effects. It went dormant in February 2007, but after a renovation by WET Design, the Volcano is erupting yet again, this time with music to match. Thanks to the combined efforts of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, the Volcano impresses Strip passersby with an exclusive soundtrack to match the erupting rhythms, soaring fireballs and fiery lava.
2. Sirens of TI. Stand your ground on the sidewalk early for the Sirens of TI show, because it fills up quickly. This battle between buff young pirates and barely clad sirens takes place in the lake in front of TI on the Strip. There are powerful pyrotechnics, amazing acrobatics and nearly 12 minutes of dialogue.
3. Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Picture an organic art museum, where the displays are made of flowers, shrubs, plants and trees, and change with the seasons. The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens does just that, and it’s even more beautiful than it sounds. The 13,500-square-foot palatial setting, located across from the resort’s lobby, is home to five alternating displays throughout the year, with themes that include the holidays, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall. On average, each display consists of 40 trees, 1,500 shrubs and 10,000 blooming plants. Considering that the hotel spends $8 million annually on the conservatory, this free attraction is a jackpot all around.
4. Lake Bellagio. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. MGM Grand lions. For those who prefer to live on the wild side, visit the lions at MGM Grand. An Asian good-luck symbol, lions have made a home at MGM Grand for years, frolicking in their own expansive habitat, just a few feet from the slots. The multi-level dwelling hosts a handful of lions, and there’s a translucent tunnel that makes you feel as though you’re in with the beasts.

Las Vegas may be in the middle of the desert, but it’s an oasis for shoppers. Of course, Sin City goes over the top and redefines high-end shopping in the casinos that double as malls. You’ll find both a Ferrari-Maserati dealership and Alexander McQueen’s second U.S. boutique at the Wynn Las Vegas Esplanade. The Encore Esplanade upped the ante with the addition of edgier, high-end shops like In Step and Shades, where a new pair of sunglasses will have you rockstar ready in no time.

Across the street from the Wynn and Encore is the two-story Fashion Show mall, which mixes high-end department stores (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom) with more affordable retail therapy (Macy’s, Dillard’s). The mall tries to live up to its name: An 80-foot-long catwalk in the middle of the space hosts fashion shows and other private events.

It may not have a runway, but CityCenter’s Crystals Retail and Entertainment complex is designed to look like an outdoor park. However, this park is all about that other kind of green: It teems with high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford and Miu Miu and a number of equally glamorous places to dine. For more über-luxe fashions, make a beeline for the Shoppes at the Palazzo, where you can outfit yourself in Burberry, Barneys New York - Vegas’s first - Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin. Head down the Strip to Via Bellagio for more high-priced power players, including Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.

For a shopping spree that is an experience unto itself, visit the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Follow the cobblestone faux-Roman streets into shops like Harry Winston, Baccarat and Versace. When you need a break between stores, stop and watch the free Atlantis Show. It brings Roman gods and a simple story to life with animatronic “actors” who spring to action every hour. Afterward, you’ll be ready to tackle Dior.

Meta-description: Where is the best shopping is Las Vegas? Learn from our inspectors about where to shell out serious cash on designer threads-Alexander McQueen’s second shop in the U.S. is located in Las Vegas. Enough said.

Though Las Vegas is known for bawdy adult entertainment, there are a surprising amount of attractions designed for the whole family. Leave the swanky restaurants and gambling for an adults-only night and take your kids on some G-rated thrill rides, an aquarium and more.

1. The Stratosphere. At the north end of the Strip, the top of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower offers thrill rides you can’t find anywhere else in Las Vegas. With three depth-defying rides to pick from (our personal favorite is Insanity, the Ride, which involves a mechanical arm extending over the edge of the Stratosphere tower and spinning at a force of three Gs), the kids will have plenty to get them revved up. For those less inclined to hang 1,000 feet above the cement, visit the observation deck instead. As the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S., it offers quite a view of the Strip.
2. The Adventuredome. If the kids haven’t had enough of the thrill rides, they’re sure to be sated by the Adventuredome in Circus Circus. America’s largest indoor theme park, including the world’s only indoor double-loop roller coaster, lets you escape the desert heat while the kiddies enjoy the rides. Circus Circus also offers free circus performances daily under the big top, and little ones are invited onstage to learn a trick or two of their own.
3. The Mirage. Snatch up the family and head south to the Mirage. Though you may have to pass through the dinging casino, it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of the enormous, 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the front desk in the lobby. Then make your way outside to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat to get face-to-face with lions, white tigers, leopards and bottlenose dolphins. Trainers are on hand to answer questions and show off a litter of white tiger cubs.
4. Spago. When you and your entourage have worked up an appetite, Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars (right next door to the Mirage) is a good bet for the whole family. The food is exceptional and the family-friendly atmosphere means the eye-rolls when a drink spills or a fork is dropped will be at a minimum. Plus, Spago has a children’s menu with all the favorites, including grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Meanwhile, you can nosh on crisp calamari and lamb chorizo pizza with goat cheese.
5. Mac King Comedy Show. Cross Las Vegas Boulevard and enter Harrah’s Las Vegas in time for the Mac King Comedy Show. As one of the only daytime magic shows in Vegas, Mac King’s routine provides the perfect mid-afternoon respite. Quirky jokes and visual tricks are Mac King’s specialty, though his ridiculous plaid suits run a close second.

Bright, jazzy lights and the sound of cards shuffling immediately come to mind when we think of Las Vegas. But the masterminds who grew a multimillion-dollar playground out of an arid desert certainly haven’t stopped at the slot machines. Las Vegas has evolved into a show-stopping entertainment hub. From multiple iterations of the larger-than-life modern circus that is Cirque du Soleil, to comedy any way you like it, to classic Vegas entertainment featuring magicians, showgirls, A-list celebrities and big-time boxers, the shows of Sin City have only gotten bigger and more diverse over the years. Here are the five best things to see and do in Vegas:

1. Gamble. There is no doubt gambling is the name of the game in Las Vegas, and the reason that more than 36 million people visit each year. You’ll have no trouble finding a casino willing to deal you in - if the slot machines in the airport weren’t enough of a hint. If it’s your first trip to the city, you’ll likely spend most of your time on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the Strip.
2. Catch Cirque. Sin City may as well change its nickname to Cirque City. With seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas and more on the horizon, the question remains: How many is too many? The amazing acrobats show off their superhuman flexibility and strength in productions such as the Mirage’s The Beatles LOVE, which has a rocking soundtrack; Treasure Island’s Mystere, a favorite among Cirque purists; and MGM Grand’s Kà, a martial arts-filled spectacle.
3. See showgirls. For a taste of old Las Vegas, snag a seat for Jubilee! at Bally’s to watch showgirls strut their feathers, and not much else. But if you glance behind the scenes, you’ll learn that there’s a lot more to being a showgirl than having a knockout body. Peek into the showgirl’s world with the Donn Arden’s Jubilee! Backstage Tour. A showgirl leads you across the stage, around the set and through the costume room, sharing fun facts about the production.
4. Watch the water show. Romance is anything but watered down at Lake Bellagio, as water, music and light meld together in an aquatic ballet. The water echoes human motion seen in dance, swaying while spraying more than 460 feet into the air. The jets’ moves are perfectly choreographed to music, with scores from Broadway, the classics and more. If you can’t snag a prime place along the Lake Bellagio railing, head across the street to Paris for an equally stellar view.
5. Hit the clubs. The Strip offers a brilliantly lit stretch of nightlife opportunities. Digitally savvy revelers will rejoice at the tech-toy playground that is Eyecandy at Mandalay Bay. Wine aficionados will encounter a playground of their own at the Palazzo’s Double Helix Bar. Surrender at Encore is the place for A-list sightings and, after an evening just about anywhere, a Bloody Mary at Zuri is just what you need to convince you to do it all over again.

Couples may head to Las Vegas for quickie weddings officiated by Elvis impersonators. But as Britney Spears and Angelina Jolie have proved, eloping doesn’t always lead to a happily ever after. If you’re not one to rush, the Fountains of Bellagio and the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas have been known to inspire wedding proposals. Though tying the knot isn’t the only way to stir up some romance in Vegas: Take a gondola ride at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, check out the manmade lake at the Wynn and enjoy nature at the Springs Preserve on a date in Las Vegas.

1. Eiffel Tower. Las Vegas is a city obsessed with replication - and we’re not talking carbon copies and model airplanes. Though the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas is half the size of the original at 460 feet, the view from the top is equally stunning. A dizzying windowed elevator ride takes you and your loved one up nearly 50 floors to the open-air observation deck, which allows for 360-degree views of Las Vegas. It’s intimate up here, but it gets packed with tourists on the weekends.
2. Fountains of Bellagio. From plenty of different vantage points on the Strip, you can see the spectacular Fountains of Bellagio. Whether you’re up close or watching from afar, the water show is quite a sight. The choreographed medley features more than 4,500 flashing lights while music by the likes of Frank Sinatra plays.
3. Gondola ride. Who needs the murky waterways of Venice when you can take a gondola ride through the pristine, chlorinated canals of the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino? Choose the indoor canal or the outdoor one, and float in a gondola modeled after the real deal. The ride takes you through the Grand Canal Shoppes, which cover 500,000 feet of retail space and restaurants.
4. Lake of Dreams. No multi-star hotel on the Strip is worth its weight without a manmade lake, and the one at Wynn is particularly special. Surrounded by a 120-foot-tall artificial mountain that shields it from Las Vegas Boulevard, the Lake of Dreams breathes an air of exclusivity, just like the rest of Wynn resort. But the lake’s true purpose is to wow onlookers throughout the evening, as it plays host to a variety of surreal shows: statues of men and women arise from the water, light and music spring to life, and there’s even a giant inflatable frog whose mouth moves in sync with Louis Armstrong’s sweet serenade What a Wonderful World.
5. Springs Preserve. The Mojave Desert isn’t all browns and grays. The Springs Preserve provides outdoorsy couples a nice green break from the glitzy Strip. Just a couple of miles from Las Vegas Boulevard, this 180-acre historic preservation project embraces the concept of sustainability - a positive step in a city known for its frequent building implosions. With eight acres of gardens, miles of walking paths, an amphitheater and even a Wolfgang Puck restaurant (and you thought all the good grub was on the Strip), the Springs Preserve offers everything you need to plan a great date.