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Vegas Weekend

The ultimate Vegas weekend should start off with a reservation at the best restaurant in the hotel, as most great times are highlighted by a great meal. Make a point to linger over dinner. When done, head to the casino lounge. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and timing is everything.

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You can get the best feel for Vegas this way. The casino floor bustles. It's a cacophony of sights and sounds, an energized hum you find yourself swept up in.

You can sleep in the next morning if you want; there's no rush. When you get up, take a walk along the Strip; in doing so, you'll be taking a walk around the globe and through several centuries. Take a thrill ride. You might see a few lions and a shark or two.

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Don't forget to nap, as day blends seamlessly into night. Have an amazing dinner followed by a show, maybe some dancing afterwards. Or head back down to the lounge. Or to another show. Or to a nightclub or ultra-lounge with exclusive bottle service and ultra-groomed urbanites. It's ultra everything. You get the idea.

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Day two can start off much the same way, but you might not be sure what day it is. There are no alarm clocks, no wake-up calls, no appointment calendars. Which is precisely the point.

You may have lit it up the night before, but you'll still want to check out the town. Go to Hoover Dam, Red Rock National Recreation Area, and maybe, if time allows, Valley of Fire. Or, take half a day for a helicopter ride over the magnificent Grand Canyon. If you behaved yourself the previous night, you could try some golf, rock climbing or river rafting.

That leaves one more night on the town. One more adventure. One more evening of unlimited possibilities.

Vegas, baby. Vegas.

Bachelor//ette Party

The city was conceived, designed and built for good times, and has become the quintessential destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Planning is, of course, important, as the bride- or groom-to-be should be treated to a well-organized weekend (keeping in mind that well organized does NOT have to mean sedate).
So, what's a well-intentioned best man or maid of honor to do? Start with research. Some weekends are better than others for things like room availability. Your hotel should be able to tell you if one weekend is better than another.
Next, find out what daytime activities will appeal to your group. If you have golf fans, the area is flush with courses for virtually every skill level and budget. There are also some great outdoor adventures such as climbing or hiking in and around Red Rock National Park, Valley of Fire or the Mount Charleston area.
Or, skip the physical activity altogether and spend the day being pampered at a hotel spa.
Your dining choices are endless. Las Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the world, and there's something for every taste and budget.
A production show or concert helps set the tone for the rest of the night. Many shows are perennials, while other concerts are one or two nights only. Check the showguide in advance to help you plan the show entertainment on your trip. Again, though, your choices are limitless: avant garde production shows, celebrity singers and comedians, rock concerts. Since this is a bachelor or bachelorette party, you can always choose from any number of adult male or female revues.

Hotels near South of the Las Vegas Strip


Las Vegas' club scene has emerged as the most exciting, diversified in the world, and is a natural for sendoff parties. Most will take group reservations which will get you through the line, but you'll have to reserve a table for bottle service. Since this is Las Vegas, keep in mind that most clubs don't even start to get warmed up until after 10 p.m.
Another good idea: book a hired vehicle. You can go traditional with a stretch limo complete with a Jacuzzi, make a statement with an extra long Hummer or go for a party bus that's really just a traveling nightclub.
And remember, if arranging this organized chaos seems like too much work, Vegas has the best party planning services imaginable.

Night on the Town

You can use all those hours in Vegas to enjoy drinks in some of the most interesting locations imaginable, from New York to Paris to Egypt, Venice and Rome. All without experiencing jet lag or having to endure airport security.

Hotels near West of the Las Vegas Strip

Tip-top Spots with a View

Binion's Steak House downtown is known for its breathtaking, south-facing view of the Stratosphere and Strip.
Try the Stratosphere's Top of the World Lounge just before twilight to watch the city turn on from 100 stories up.
Mandalay Bay is home to two amazing bars on the top floors of its towers. The House of Blues Foundation Room offers a Moroccan-infused view of the Strip, while Mix, atop its companion tower, THEHotel, is a modernist masterpiece with an amazing view.

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Ghostbar atop the Palms is a wonderful place to rub elbows with The A List.
Drinks on the Boulevard
Carnaval Court at the entrance to Harrah's is a festive place to cocktail it up and watch cover bands.
Tangerine at Treasure Island offers a funky patio that looks out over Siren Bay and scantily-clad lady pirates. They call them "sirens."
Dueling Pianos Are Key
The New York-New York and Harrah's both tout popular dueling piano bars where the suds and songs just keep on going.
Wine Bars
Aureole inside Mandalay Bay is a lovely place to taste the grape, as "wine angels" bounce up and down ropes in climbing gear to retrieve wine from a three-story tower in the middle of the restaurant.Ye Ole Irish Pub
Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York is as authentic a pub as you will find on the Strip. The parts making up the decor were all imported with the beer. There's bangers n' mash to keep you fueled through the night.

Vodka Locker
Better red than dead. Red Square inside Mandalay Bay is home to a frozen block of ice that runs down the center of the bar to keep beverages chilled. In the vodka locker there are hundreds of vodkas frozen and ready for consumption.
Mechanical Bull
The Frontier is the Vegas home of Gilley's. Yes, that Gilley's from Texas. The one with the mechanical bull that Debra Winger made famous in Urban Cowboy. Or was it John Travolta? Drink some beer and two-step here.
The Ladies
Forty Deuce from Los Angeles has opened an outpost for its burlesque club in Mandalay Bay. Racy, but not raunchy.
It can be wild over at Coyote Ugly in the New York-New York where bartenders and servers get crazy on the bars. Warning: Wear a tie and it will be cut off.

Food Fanatic

The evolution of Vegas' dining scene in the past 10 years has been nothing short of remarkable. For years food here was little more than an afterthought. It's true that most hotels had a gourmet room to keep their customers happy - and on the property - but no one thought of Las Vegas as a world-class city for dining.
How things have changed. Today Las Vegas is recognized as one of the world's great dining destinations, with a long list of renowned chefs and spectacular restaurants that are remarkable for their lavishness, architecture and creativity.

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A seminal moment in Las Vegas' emergence as a dining sensation occurred in 1992, when the highly respected Austrian chef, Wolfgang Puck, opened Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace. Puck's colleagues thought his Vegas venture was a risky bet; the chef himself knew better. Turns out he was years ahead of his time, as his Las Vegas Spago became a triumphant success.
Puck now owns and operates three other upscale eateries in Las Vegas: Chinois, also in the Forum Shops; Café de Lupo at Mandalay Bay; and Wolfgang Puck Café and Grille at the MGM Grand.
And the man who was considered a culinary pioneer by coming to Las Vegas now finds himself in good company indeed. The list of celebrity chefs here reads like a who's who in the world of fine dining:
Emeril Lagasse opened Emeril's New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand, and later, Delmonico at the Venetian. Thomas Keller, owner of French Laundry in California's wine country, opened Bouchon at the Venetian. Bradley Ogden has his own self-named haute American cuisine masterpiece at Caesars Palace.
That's just for starters. Charlie Palmer opened Aureole at Mandalay Bay and Charlie Palmer Steak is next door at the Four Seasons. Nobu Matsuhisa opened Nobu inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Michael Mina of San Francisco's Aqua has opened Seablue and Nobhill at the MGM Grand.

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Other well-known culinary families who have opened restaurants in town include New Orleans' Brennans, who opened a second Commander's Palace inside Desert Passage at Aladdin; New York's Maccionis family opened another Le Cirque inside the Bellagio; and the An family from Beverly Hills opened Crustacean at the Aladdin's Desert Passage.

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Adding spice to the dining scene are some homegrown chefs who have also made names for themselves: André Rochat, of André's at the Monte Carlo and downtown Las Vegas and Alizé at the top of the Palms; Michael and Wendy Jordan with Rosemary's a few miles west of the Strip; and Kerry Simon, the name behind Simon Kitchen & Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

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Las Vegas is also home to a large number of the world's top sommeliers. One of the best known may be Andrew Bradbury, who has become internationally renowned for the more than 4,000 wines available at Aureole and his retail store 55 Degrees, both inside Mandalay Bay. Aureole is highlighted by a three-story wine tower, which "wine angels" ascend via climbing harnesses and ropes to retrieve the bottle of your choice.
It all makes for a heavenly, entertaining experience, and reinforces the fact that, in Las Vegas, it's all about taking dining to new heights.

Vegas Basics

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What to Pack| Visitor Info Centers| Getting To Vegas| Getting Around Vegas| Events & Holidays| Getting Married| Gay & Lesbian Travelers| Travelers with Children| Travelers with Special Needs| Publications & Web Sites

Las Vegas, an ever-changing fantasy-land of a city, has seen unbelievable expansion since it emerged from the desert 100 years ago.

Thirty-seven million visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas every year. They stay in some of the most glamorous, unique hotels in the world.

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They eat at five-star restaurants and expansive buffets.

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They play at casinos, pools, health spas and golf courses.

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Sometimes (many times, actually) they even marry each other.

You will be dazzled by Vegas, but the sheer number of things to see and do can seem overwhelming.

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A little advance planning will help you to enjoy your Vegas trip. Continue reading for basic visitor information (what to bring, things to know) and an overview of this special destination.

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Vegas Wedding

Love is all you need to tie the knot in Las Vegas. Well, you also need $55, valid identification and a social security number to get the license. That's not so bad, though, is it?
Call it getting married without a hitch.
Whatever chapel you choose, it's got you covered. Need a ring or two? They've got 'em. Flowers? Check. Gown and tuxedo? Rentable. Don't want to leave the comfort of your car to make a lifetime commitment to the one you love? Do the drive-thru. (No, you can't order fries with that.)

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Want to exchange vows dressed in Medieval costumes, or as Star Trek characters? No problem there, either. Many chapels and hotels offer a variety of ceremony themes. Most chapels also have experienced, professional staff to help make everything extra special. Just be sure to get to the Clark County Marriage License Bureau beforehand. It's the official government agency that issues every marriage license in Las Vegas, which you must have before any ceremony can be performed. (It's worth noting that the Bureau is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, and is open around the clock on holidays such as Valentine's Day.)
For convenience, most wedding chapels offer a variety of packages, from very simple to very elaborate. (Contrary to popular belief, many people put as much effort into planning their Vegas wedding as they would if they were having it back home.) No wonder Las Vegas has been one of the world's most popular destinations for weddings for more than 50 years - last year alone, the Marriage Bureau here issued 128,000 licenses!
What's more, Las Vegas resorts are providing some spectacular traditional weddings that can see parties of 300 of the bride and groom's friends and family come to town. Which makes sense: with its endless entertainment possibilities, Las Vegas is a perfect honeymoon destination - and newly married couples certainly don't have to worry about keeping friends and family busy!

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Other reasons Las Vegas is such a popular wedding destination? It's easy - there are no waiting periods or blood tests required. And ceremonies can cost as much, or as little, as couples want.
Let's not forget that there's always champagne for toasts. Vegas hasn't run out of bubbly, ever.
There's no question that the Las Vegas wedding is an integral part of the popular culture. Everyone has a Vegas wedding story, it seems, and everyone knows the long list of celebrities who have been married here, from Michael Jordan to Elvis to Britney.
Ah yes, Britney. Okay, so that one lasted about as long as a head cold. But lest we get too cynical, let's remember another couple that tied the knot here: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. That was in 1958, and they're still going strong.

Basic Info

Electricity: The United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles). If visiting from outside of North America, you may require an electrical adapter for any electronics or appliances you want to bring. Las Vegas electrical outlets accept the standard North American plug with two flat parallel pins.

Emergencies: For police or medical assistance call 911 (toll-free).

Population (2003): 535,395 (City of Las Vegas); 1,641,529 (Clark County).

Telephone Area Code: 702.

Tax: There is a 7.5 percent sales tax on purchases and a 9 percent tax on hotel rooms in Las Vegas. (An additional 2% is added to the room tax for certain Downtown properties adjacent to and near the Fremont Street Experience.)

Time Zone: GMT/UTC -8 (Pacific Time).

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