Things to see in Las Vegas
Attractions
Bellagio
Cashing in on the recent trend towards Euro-opulence, the Bellagio sits on its own four-hectare (10-acre) 'oasis', featuring a mock-yet-tasteful northern Italian village on the shore, behind which looms the bulking mass of the hotel itself. The property has more than 3,900 rooms and suites, 15 restaurants, six lounges, botanical gardens and five Mediterranean pool settings. Its 9,000-sq-m (100,000-sq-ft) casino features over 2,000 slot machines and electronic games and over 100 table games. The Bellagio also has a fine art gallery, as well as a huge glass-encased shopping mall. Its free fountain shows, held regularly throughout the afternoon and evening, are the stuff of legend.
Address: , 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 702 693 7111.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.bellagio.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Caesars Palace
An old denizen of the Strip, Caesars Palace possesses more Las Vegas character than its newer neighbours. It sits in a lavish Roman setting, perhaps the historical theme best suited to this city of excess, with Roman columns, grand staircases, manicured shrubbery, imported marble statuary and luxuriant fountains. It has two main casinos, which feature all the regular games, as well as an 'empire' of slot machines. This is also where you'll find the Colosseum, an entertainment venue familiar to Elton John and Celine Dion.
Address: , 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 866 227 5938.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.caesars.com/caesars-palaceAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mirage
The Mirage is best known for its nightly outdoor spectacle: an artificial volcano that erupts every 30 minutes from 1900-2300. The setting is completed by a lagoon with 54 waterfalls that flow down the side of the volcano. Inside is an indoor tropical rainforest, a dolphin habitat and a saltwater tropical aquarium. The hotel also boasts several pools and a spa, 15 cafés and restaurants, lounge bar areas, a white tiger habitat, Shadow Creek golf course and the casino, which features over 2,000 slot machines.
Address: , 3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 702 791 7111.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.mirage.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino
Costing an eye-watering US$2 billion to construct, the Venetian isn't the only Vegas complex to cash in on a European theme, but it is the most entertaining to stroll through. No effort was spared in recreating the city's own version of Venice, complete with trompe-l'oeil skies, immense oil paintings and plenty of water. Much of the complex features canals, on which gondolas carry visitors up and down. The 10,800-sq-m (120,000-sq-ft) casino, featuring around 2,200 slot machines and 120 table games, sits behind a replica of the Doge's Palace. The complex also has almost 40 bars and restaurants, five pools and a fitness centre.
Address: , 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 702 414 1000.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.venetian.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Stratosphere Tower
Dominating the skyline at the northern end of the Strip, Stratosphere Tower rises 350m (1,149ft) above the casino and hotel of the same name. It's the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, and has the obligatory indoor and outdoor decks with views of the entire city. There is a bar and restaurant at the top, plus several high-altitude adrenaline thrill rides, including a 10-second 'decelerator descent' back to ground level via a vertical zip wire.
Address: , 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89104-2597Telephone: +1 702 380 7777.
Opening times:
Sun-Thu 1000-0100, Fri-Sat 1000-0200.
Website: http://www.stratospherehotel.comAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
High Roller
The city's newest big attraction is also the world's largest observation wheel. Standing 168m (550ft) above the ground at its highest point, it's a full 30m (98ft) taller than the London Eye, to which it bears more than a passing resemblance. Each cabin can hold up to 40 people, and the views from the top are undeniably spectacular, particularly at night.
Address: , 3545 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 866 328 1888.
Opening times:
Daily 1130-0200.
Website: http://www.caesars.com/linq/high-rollerAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mob Museum
Learn about the history of the mob, its infiltration into Vegas and its battle with law enforcement in this fascinating museum. Devote at least three hours to touring the former courthouse offering interactive exhibits, artefacts and high-tech theatre presentations.
Address: , 300 Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101Telephone: +1 702 229 2734.
Opening times:
Daily 1000-1900 (Sep-Jun); Sun-Thu 1000-1900, Fri-Sat 1000-2100 (Jul-Aug).
Website: http://www.themobmuseum.orgAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ Sign
Debatably the most iconic Vegas sight of them all, the landmark 7.5m-tall (25ft) 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign is as defined a part of the city's heritage as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Ocean's Eleven. Created by graphic designer Betty Willis in the 1950s, the diamond-shaped placard is considered by many to mark the unofficial southern end of the Strip, and remains a perennially popular photo opportunity.
Address: , 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89119Telephone:
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Wynn Las Vegas
Erected on the spot where the legendary Desert Inn once stood, the Wynn Las Vegas has become one of the city's most recognisable (and most glamorous) landmarks. Sheathed in coppery bronze reflecting the desert sun, this 42-storey, 78-hectare (192-acre), US$2.7 billion megaresort boasts a 10,000-sq-m (110,000-sq-ft) casino, an 18-hole professionally designed golf course and a fine art gallery. The centrepiece of the resort is a 46m-high (150ft) mountain with a five-storey waterfall cascading into a man-made lake.
Address: , 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109Telephone: +1 702 770 7000.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.wynnlasvegas.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Fremont Street and The Fremont Street Experience
Located Downtown near the Plaza Hotel, Fremont Street bills itself as providing the 'vintage Vegas experience'. Eight casinos, over 60 restaurants and countless bars and lounges offer 'Old Las Vegas' style enticement – think wandering showgirls, traditional casinos and free live bands. Perched nearly 30m (90ft) above Fremont Street is a hi-tech overhead light and sound show canopy stretching for five blocks over 425m (1,400ft) composed of one of the world's largest and longest LED screens. Thrill seekers can ride the SlotZilla zip line down the street, flying either above or below the canopy. Fremont Street is open 24 hours with shows starting at 2030, running hourly between 2100 and 2400.
Address: , Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101Telephone: +1 877 834 2748.
Opening times:
Daily 24 hours.
Website: http://www.vegasexperience.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Las Vegas Visitor Information Center
Address: , 3150 Paradise Road , Las Vegas, NV 89109-9096Telephone: +1 877 847 4858.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-1700.
Website: http://www.visitlasvegas.comBesides handing out information, the visitor centre can assist with hotel reservations and booking tours, and tickets for shows. A free visitor guide is available through the website.
Tourist passes
The VISITicket Las Vegas Power Pass (www.visiticket.com) provides free entry to 24 citywide attractions and offers a range of other discounts. Tickets are valid for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days.
