The neon lights and glittering dust surrounding the streets of Vegas is still an appealing image of Vegas, but the town at present offers much more than just the blinking impressions. The big modern resorts still have the casino as the heart of the complex, but the accommodation and food premises are themed around the popular European cites, like Rome, London or Paris.
the Strip at night
The Strip
The Strip is probably t in the nation. Officially called Las Vegas Boulevard South, the famous 4-mile stretch of highway
contains most of the top hotels, shopping centres, gambling and entertainment premises.
The night drive or walk along the strip allows to trully experience illusion and magical spirit of the town.
Glitter Gulch
The area stays at present in the shade of the Strip, but it a good place to spot the signs of the past like famous 16m tall Las Vegas Vic. Glitter Gulch features as many lights as the Strip, some of the old ones are on display in Neon Museum. The new passage way made on Fremont Street.
The Venetian
Why go to Italy, when yo have Venice here ? Well not exactly the whole city, but the most popular landmarks of the city, including the Rialto Bridge, Dodges Palace and Campanile on San Marco square. The real Italian gondoliers pushing their boats add the flavour to the area full with restaurants, coffee shops and galleries.
Bellagio
The modern casino hotel complex themed around the Italian village on the shore of Lake Como, but with the Renaissance castle-like hotel building and the free pirate show with a volcano eruption.
Forum shops at Caesars
The impressive shopping mall featuring the life size replicas of ancient sculptures from Rome, with some models of Italian landmarks from Rome and the new show around the Lost City of Atlantis theme.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
The most popular Vegas museum located in premise of the Venetian shows the present top
celebrities, sportsman and politicians. You can talk with George Washington, hug Marylin Monroe and mug the present US president. Interactive shows include music playing with the Blue Men Band and the photo session ‘marry Clooney’ with the wax figure of most wanted man in Hollywood.
Hoover Dam
Finished in 1935 the dam supplies electricity to the states of California, Nevada, and Arizona. The exceeded level of water in Colorado River is spread into the man made Lake Mead, which offers spots for fishing, scuba diving also the boat cruises. Part of the dam is opened for visitors, who can see 17 large turbines and multimedia presentations in the Visitors Center.
Grand Canyon
One of US icons the eroded valley of Colorado river is shared by the four states. Arizona features the National Park with Mule Deer and California condors.The hiking trails go through the most picturesque parts of the Grand Canyon, but noone goes to Las Vegas to walk there, popular are airplane flights above the Canyon as well as the river rafting at the bottom of the canyon.
Red Rock Canyon
located just ten miles west of Las Vegas this part of Mojave Desert features trials for hiking, mountain biking, or guided tours during which one can spot tortoises or desert whiptail lizards.
[photo courtesy of http2007]