The U.S. State Department has a Visa Waiver Program allowing citizens of certain countries to enter the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. At press time these included Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Citizens of these countries need only a valid passport and a round-trip air or cruise ticket in their possession upon arrival. If they first enter the United States, they may also visit Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and/or the Caribbean islands and return to the United States without a visa. Further information is available from any U.S. embassy or consulate. Canadian citizens may enter the United States without visas; they need only proof of residence.

Citizens of all other countries must have a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the United States, and a tourist visa, which may be obtained for a minimum fee of $100 (some countries charge more) from any U.S. consulate.

To obtain a visa, the traveler must submit a completed application form (either in person or by mail) with a 1 1/2-inch-square photo, and must demonstrate binding ties to a residence abroad. Usually you can obtain a visa at once or within 24 hours, but it may take longer during the summer rush from June through August. If you cannot go in person, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for directions on applying by mail. Your travel agent or airline office may also be able to provide you with visa applications and instructions. The U.S. consulate or embassy that issues your visa will determine whether you will be issued a multiple- or single-entry visa and any restrictions regarding the length of your stay.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line or by visiting the “Consular Services” section of the American Embassy London’s website at www.usembassy.org.uk.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the Embassy of USA Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Dublin 4, Ireland , or by checking the “Consular Services” section of the website at http://dublin.usembassy.gov.

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6214-5600), or by checking the U.S. Diplomatic Mission’s website at http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular.

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (tel. 644/472-2068), or get the information directly from the “Services to New Zealanders” section of the website at http://usembassy.org.nz.

Medical Requirements

Unless you’re arriving from an area known to be suffering from an epidemic (particularly cholera or yellow fever), inoculations or vaccinations are not required for entry into the United States. If you have a medical condition that requires syringe-administered medication, carry a valid signed prescription from your physician — the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) no longer allows airline passengers to pack syringes in their carry-on baggage without documented proof of medical need. If you have a disease that requires treatment with narcotics, you should also carry documented proof with you — smuggling narcotics aboard a plane is a serious offense that carries severe penalties in the U.S.

For HIV-positive visitors, requirements for entering the United States are somewhat vague and change frequently. According to the latest publication of HIV and Immigrants: A Manual for AIDS Service Providers, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) doesn’t require a medical exam for entry into the United States, but INS officials may stop individuals because they look sick or because they are carrying AIDS/HIV medicine. (more…)

The Grand Canyon

A mile deep, 277 miles (446km) long and up to 18 miles (29km) wide the breathtaking grandeur of the Grand Canyon is so impressive that pictures or words simply cannot do it justice. One of the great natural wonders of the world, it was formed by the cutting action of the Colorado River over millions of years, the harder rock formations remaining as great cliffs, pinnacles and buttes, and the different layers of rock possessing colours that range from purple, fiery red and pastel pink, to yellow, brown, grey and soft tones of blue.

Whether by foot or on horseback, from a plane or helicopter, aboard a raft down the mighty Colorado River or by merely gazing in awe from the rim, the canyon’s seemingly infinite depths can be experienced in a variety of ways and is a landscape not to be missed, however one chooses to see it. The park receives hoards of visitors from around the world, who cannot fail to be transfixed by the sculpted rock shapes, the shifting colours that change with the light and a tiny glimpse of the Colorado River far below.

The Grand Canyon National Park comprises two separate areas, the South Rim and the more remote North Rim. Separated by the 10-mile (16km) width of the canyon, it is a 215-mile (346km) drive from one visitor centre to the other and the South Rim, being the most accessible and possessing more facilities, sees over 90 percent of the park visitors. The North Rim is higher in elevation and wetter, with thicker surrounding forests; it is further to get to and is usually closed by snow from October to May, but many people prefer the comparative peacefulness of its less crowded lookouts.

At both rims there are several drives and walkways along the edge with numerous lookout points for views from different angles, as well as a few hikes down into the canyon where one can overnight at Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor. The impact of over four million visitors a year to the South Rim, especially during the busy summer months, has its negative influences on the park, with overcrowding and traffic congestion, but despite the hoards it is a positively memorable experience to have visited one of the most spectacular examples of erosion in the world. (more…)

The city of Las Vegas was founded on May 15, 1905, when a land auction, in what is now known as downtown Las Vegas, resulted in the purchase of 110 acres of land. The city incorporated on March 16, 1911, and until 1944, operated under a “commission” form of government with each commissioner having administrative control over certain operating departments of the city. Since January 1, 1944, the city of Las Vegas has operated under what is commonly known as a “council/manager” form of government. This form of government was approved by a vote of the people with subsequent Las Vegas City Charter adoption by the legislature.

Until 1975, the voters of the city at large elected the mayor and four city councilmen. A vote of the people in June of 1973 approved a City Charter amendment dividing the city into four wards. This allowed the mayor to be elected at large and each councilman to be elected by the voters of his or her own ward. The City Charter amendment was subsequently adopted by the legislature with the first election by ward held in 1975. The elected officials chose to use the title “commissioner” until 1983 when a new City Charter approved by the legislature changed their title to “councilman.”

A vote of the people in 1999 approved an advisory ballot question to divide the city into six wards. Anticipating a favorable vote, the Nevada Legislature and City Council had previously passed enabling legislation permitting the expansion to six wards. As of January 1, 2000, the change to six wards became effective.

The citizens elect the mayor and six council members who comprise the “City Council.” Their terms are four years with elections staggered every two years.

Mayor

The mayor serves as a member of the City Council, presides as chairman over its meetings, performs ceremonial duties and is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor serves as the official representative of the people in all matters and officially signs enactments of the City Council. One of the council members is elected by the City Council to serve as mayor pro tempore to act during the absence of the mayor.

City Council

The City Council, including the mayor, is the governing body of the city and exercises legislative power by enacting ordinances, resolutions, orders and other policies necessary for the management and execution of the powers vested in the city through the City Charter. Among other things, the City Council is empowered to:
Appoint the city manager and approve the appointment by the manager of the department heads, their assistants and other city staff.
Adopt an annual budget.
Act as the Redevelopment Agency.
Enact and provide for the enforcement of all laws and ordinances.
May acquire, sell and lease buildings and property.
Enter into contracts, agreements, franchises, etc.
License and regulate all businesses, trades and professions.
Organize, regulate and maintain a fire department.
Protect the public health.
Enact and enforce building and safety codes.
Provide for the zoning, subdivision and use of private land and buildings.
Provide for traffic control.
Provide for the abatement, prevention and removal of nuisances.
Establish and appoint citizens to serve on city of Las Vegas boards - Planning Commission, Civil Service Board, Child Care Licensing Board, Arts Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, to name just a few.
Also, members of the City Council serve on various boards - Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Regional Transportation Commission, Regional Flood Control, District Board of Health, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs, etc.

City Attorney

The City Attorney is appointed by the City Council and provides legal guidance and support for elected city officials, city departments, and boards and commissions in conducting city business. The office represents the city before judicial and administrative agencies in civil litigation proceedings and prosecutes all traffic and misdemeanor violations occurring within the limits of the city of Las Vegas. The City Attorney’s Office also provides legal guidance to city departments, board and commission members and elected officials concerning matters that may present a conflict of interest.

City Auditor

The City Auditor’s Office operates under the direction of the City Council. The Mayor, subject to ratification by the City Council, appoints the City Auditor. The City Auditor is responsible for directing audit professionals in a comprehensive audit program including performance audits, compliance audits, special audits, information systems audits, and financial audits. The City Council created an Audit Committee to review and evaluate the internal audit activities. The Committee is appointed by the Mayor and is comprised of two City Council members and three members of the community-at-large.
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Nightlife is Las Vegas’ best-known pastime. The casinos and hotels may be open by day but only under the cover of night does the city’s burst of lights set the atmosphere buzzing. Casinos, restaurants and bars are packed with tourists from all over the world, most in a friendly and genial spirit. Casino hotels tend to house not only the best-known stage shows but also all the late-night bars, nightclubs and live music.

Once again, the city is split between the Strip and Downtown, both of which offer an overwhelming assortment of evening activities. Downtown offers smaller, sometimes more charismatic, venues, while the enormous hotel complexes of the Strip offer a wide variety of entertainment options at each individual complex. Las Vegas is a 24-hour city. Alcohol can be bought at any time of day or night, in restaurants, bars and shops.

The legal drinking age is 21 years. Dress at most casinos is casual, however, more and more lounges do impose a dress code; for example most clubs deny entry to individuals wearing running shoes (trainers) or flip-flops (thongs). Unsurprisingly maybe, the rules are applied more strictly to men than to women. Mixed drinks generally cost between US$4.50 and US$10, although they are usually on the house while gambling. Drinks that come in a souvenir glass may cost more. Most nightclubs charge an admission fee ranging from US$10 to US$25. Some clubs waive admission charges for female patrons.

Listing of virtually every kind of entertainment that Las Vegas has to offer can be found online (website: http://lvindex.com/rolodex.htm). Another good website (www.vegas.com/nightclubs) has a selection of the more popular nightclubs in the city, along with a listing of upcoming events. Also try the 2AM Club Guide from Nevada’s largest alternative newsweekly, Las Vegas Mercury, available online (www.lasvegasmercury.com/2am/index.html)

Bars: All night-time entertainment happens within the hotel-casino complexes. Most bars in Las Vegas feature such extravagant entertainment that they rival the largest nightclubs of other cities. Nevertheless, in Las Vegas, they are simply bars when compared to the lavish shows put on in the theaters and clubs there. The Bellagio’s Baccarat Bar, 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, serves luxurious cocktails against a backdrop of live piano music.

Serving over 100 varieties of vodka, Mandalay Bay’s Red Square, 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard, creates an opulent mix of pre-/post-Revolutionary Russia with its giant decapitated statue of Lenin and blood red velvet curtains, a 25ft long ice bar and vodka tastings in their walk-in freezer.

The Bar at Times Square, New York-New York Hotel and Casino, 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, aims to recreate the feel of an old New York city pub with polished wood floors and nightly entertainment. The Mix Lounge is proving to be one of Las Vegas’ newest and hottest watering holes. Settled high-atop THEHotel at Mandalay Bay, expectant tourists and locals alike queue up in their street-chic attire for a chance to ‘be seen’ in what is being touted as the ‘highest and hottest nightlife destination’ in the city.

Casinos: To gamble, visitors must be at least 21 years old and have proof of age and identity in the form of a driver’s license, passport or other photo identification. Most casinos in Las Vegas do not impose a dress code, although shoes and shirts are required. Some casinos worth visiting (not mentioned in the Key Attractions section) include the Arabian themed Aladdin Resort and Casino, 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South, and The Palms Hotel and Casino, 4321 West Flamingo Road voted ‘Best in Vegas - 2005′ and the newest playground for the young and moneyed party crowd.

The slightly dingy but intimate Gold Spike, 400 Ogden Avenue East, offers low table limit and penny slots, giving a taste of what the city was like in the 1970s. The Golden Nugget, 129 Fremont Street East, has been a fixture of Downtown since 1946, and features the largest gold nugget in the world, weighing in at 23 kilograms (61 pounds). New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, is a recreation of New York, while Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South, aims to import a touch of European class and sophistication.

Clubs: A number of state-of-the-art clubs are offered by the major hotel-casinos. The minimum age for entry is usually 21 years and a dress code is also often in place. One of the best-known clubs is yet another Las Vegas recreation of somewhere else - Studio 54, MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Modelled on the legendary New York nightclub of the 1970s, Studio 54 features live dancers, dance music and a collection of photographs taken at the original club. Pure (website: www.purelv.com), inside Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, is one of the newest clubs to open on The Strip.

The 3,400-sq-meter (36,000-sq-ft) venue offers clubbers the choice of three environments, themes and sounds, with all rooms interconnected by intimate passageways and an elevated glass-enclosed VIP room at the heart of the action. It also tends to have long queues, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early. The Palms Hotel and Casino houses one of Vegas’ most popular nightclubs, Rain, 4321 West Flamingo Road. This 2,600-sq-meter (28,000-sq-ft) adult-only playground features an elevated dance floor lit by a 14ft fireball and dancing fountains of water throb in time with the DJ. Rain is also infamous as the place where Britney Spears partied hard before, during and after her first very short-lived marriage. Reservations are required (tel: (702) 942 6832).

Live Music: Live music is another one of Las Vegas’ legendary forms of entertainment - the city is the former home to superstars like Sammy Davis Junior, Frank Sinatra and Liberace. The Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts, Aladdin Casino, 3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South, headlines major touring rock and popular acts, while the Blue Note Jazz Club, also at the Aladdin Casino, features jazz acts.

The Orleans Showroom, The Orleans Hotel and Casino, 4500 West Tropicana Avenue, has hosted touring pop acts such as Willie Nelson, Neil Sedaka and Jerry Lewis. The Mandalay Bay Events Center, 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South, is a 12,000 seat sport and entertainment complex, the setting for superstar concerts, major sporting events and television specials. It has featured everyone from Steely Dan to Stevie Wonder to Paul McCartney and Wings.

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gourmet, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

There is a 7.25% restaurant tax in Las Vegas for both eat-in and takeaway purchases. The tax is normally added to the bill at the time of payment, although some buffets and fast-food chains may incorporate the tax in their prices. Service charges are unusual in Las Vegas (except for parties of 8-10 or more); it is more usual to leave a 10-20% tip.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they do not include sales tax or tip.

Gourmet

Buccaneer Bay Restaurant

Overlooking Treasure Island’s famous pirate show Sirens of TI, the Buccaneer Bay promises a unique atmosphere as well as gourmet food. The cuisine is American and features mains such as generous portions of prime rib or shrimp scampi saute. Guests also get a bird’s-eye view of Treasure Island’s ship battle below in Sirens Cove, although the Old World stately charm of the restaurant is atmosphere enough. The dress code is ‘dressy casual’. Open Wed-Sun from 1700-2300. Reservations essential. No lunch.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant

The Paris Las Vegas’ unique tribute to the French Eiffel Tower is a slightly smaller rendition but includes a luxury restaurant on the 11th floor, with one of Las Vegas’ best scenic views. Featuring gastronomic feats such as lobster thermidor ‘Eiffel Tower’ and roast rack of lamb Provençale with tarragon jus, the restaurant endeavours to capture the ambience of Europe’s most romantic city. For those who wish to savour more than one dish, there is also a tasting menu with a changing selection of the chef’s best culinary creations. Reservations recommended. No lunch.

Le Cirque

It has stood for 25 years as a temple to gastronomy and epicenter for the New York City power-dining scene; Le Cirque has thrived inside the Bellagio on The Strip since the hotel/casino’s opening. Restaurateur Sirio Maccioni brings a touch of the ringmaster to this whimsical jewel that sits comfortably along the lake overlooking the famous Fountains of Bellagio.

The silk tented ceiling and polished woods offer a sumptuous surrounding and menu items such as braised rabbit in Riesling with spaetzle or lobster salad ‘Le Cirque’ with black truffle dressing have earned the restaurant the AAA Five Diamond award for 2005. The set-menu is three courses and offers a wide variety of options in all three categories. Open all weeknights from 1730-2200. Reservations required.

NobHill

Classic San Francisco Bay Area cuisine is the specialty at NobHill, which features the inspirations of San Francisco’s renowned chef, Michael Mina. A consultant to the popular Bay Area restaurant Aqua and its branch in Las Vegas (see Business below), Mina create a casual, understated atmosphere for dining in the MGM Grand hotel (see Hotels). He blends Las Vegas pizzazz with Californian specialties. NobHill’s popular tasting menu includes Dungeness crab in a sweet poivre sauce and vanilla crepes with flambeed strawberries and Kirsch liqueur. Reservations recommended. No lunch.

Trattoria Del Lupo

Wolfgang Puck’s Trattoria Del Lupo at the Mandalay Bay Resort (see Hotels) could be called an American version of the Italian trattoria. Featuring a 25-seater bar that encircles the center of the restaurant, as well as individual dining and a private dining room for more intimate lunches and dinners, the restaurant boasts a bright and inviting design. Guests can also sit on the verandah and watch the crowd stroll by, although the casino atmosphere makes the surroundings rather noisy.

The restaurant features a blend of traditional Italian and American cuisine, such as Wolfgang’s inspired version of lasagne with braised beef and herb ricotta, and his unique portobello mushrooms, caramelized onion and goat’s cheese pizza. Serving sizes are ample, in accordance with the upper-scale prices. No lunch.

Business

Charlie Palmer Steak

Charlie Palmer is more than a steakhouse, as evidenced by its prestigious location in the Four Seasons Hotel (see Hotels). The cuisine may be North American but the ambience suggests a European touch, with high Spanish-style archways and rich tones lending themselves to intimate dining. Classic dishes include the European-style filet mignon and basil crusted Pacific salmon with balsamic brown butter. But it is the restaurant’s offering of European starters that sets it apart from the typical American steakhouse. A la carte dishes include seared Hudson Valley foie gras with sweet and sour blackberries or an iced shellfish platter with selected sauces. Reservations recommended. No lunch.

Il Fornaio

Italian cuisine has always been a specialty in Las Vegas. In days past, some of the town’s best Italian restaurants could be found in the secluded, quiet neighborhoods where the locals lived, rather than on the Strip. In this case, Las Vegas’ acclaimed restaurant Il Fornaio is located in one of the Strip’s busiest luxury hotels - the New York-New York. Although the ‘outside’ patio overlooking the casino provides an interesting view, it is noisy and smoky. The indoor dining provides a setting for more intimate smoke-free discussions. Signature dishes are Il Fornaio’s wood-fired rotisserie chicken and its pasta dishes. Reservations recommended.

Pegasus Restaurant

Alexis Park’s restaurant, Pegasus, offers an elegant atmosphere for business or leisure dining. Its dishes range from Chilean sea bass with a savoury mango sauce to chicken in Marsala sauce - a long-standing Las Vegas favorite. The restaurant also provides full room service for the hotel (see Hotels). Reservations recommended.

Veranda Cafe and Lounge, Clarion Emerald Springs

Designed to accommodate both casual and more formal dining, the Veranda is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The absence of a casino and throngs of vacationers at the Emerald Springs (see Hotels) makes this a comfortable setting for business dining. Evening specials often include prime rib or New York steak and the lounge also features a happy hour with hot and cold appetizers.

Trendy

Gonzalez y Gonzalez

With its ‘fiesta’ atmosphere of candy-filled pinata toys and brightly lit courtyard dining, Gonzalez in the New York-New York (see Hotels) is probably just as popular for its selection of traditional Mexican drinks as for its food. Typical dishes include the more stereotypical Mexican dishes of burritos, enchiladas and tacos (corn or flour tortillas filled with a choice of meat, vegetables and a spicy sauce). Drinks include an impressive selection of Mexican tequilas.

JJ’s Boulangerie

This small, open French-style bakery with terrace seating serves both pastries and freshly made sandwiches. The breads are all baked on the premises, although the individual items are probably more expensive than they would be in Paris. Set on the edge of a Parisian-style promenade, the bakery is a great place to people-watch while sipping a cappuccino. There is also an ice cream and confectionery counter featuring various light desserts at the back of the store.

Little Buddha

Las Vegas is famous for imitations and transplants. The trendiest restaurant of the moment is Little Buddha, capturing the eclectic atmosphere of the famous Buddha Bar in Paris, France. Diners enjoy superb Asian and Asian-fusion cuisine in an intimate setting while DJs spin their world-famous mixes and an over-sized golden benevolent Buddha looks on from on high.

Sampled recently were the steamed shrimp dumplings with lobster miso sauce and the Char Siu pork chop. The bar at Little Buddha is a special feature with a stream of water running through it, so ladies are warned to watch where they put their handbags or else risk a soaking. Located in The Palms Hotel and Casino (see Hotels), the restaurant is open daily Sun-Thu 1730-2300 and Fri-Sat 1730-2400. Reservations strongly suggested.

Mr Lucky’s

Where else would one find a classic hamburger and fries restaurant if not in a hotel-casino that immortalises Rock’n'Roll? Surrounded by memorabilia from the 1950s and 60s, Mr Lucky’s serves up the best of American casual favorites: hamburgers, fries, pasta and fountain drinks. Surprisingly, the homemade veggie burger has received even more raves than the ‘real’ thing. The casino, situated to the east of the Strip, also contains the world’s largest collection of rock memorabilia.

Budget

California Pizza Kitchen

This chain of restaurants takes the concept of pizza to the extreme. Its most popular creation is the barbecued chicken pizza - combining two of Southern California’s best dishes. Other unusual, but equally popular, versions are the Peking duck and garlic shrimp pizzas. The restaurant also serves a wide selection of pastas and salads, but unlike its other franchises, it does not tend to offer sandwiches. Located in the Sports and Race Book section of the Mirage hotel, the atmosphere can be noisy at times but never dull.

Chipotle

You had best be hungry…very hungry! Chipotle is a national chain of restaurants known for ‘Two Things - Thousands of ways’: their very generous burritos and tacos. These Mexican treats are so big in fact that they come equipped with forks to help better manage the task of devouring these savoury south-of-the-border sandwiches. Choose your favorite ingredients and the staff will make it your way. Some recent combos sampled were the vegetarian fajita burrito bowl made with a mind-blowing assortment of sauteed vegetables and delicious homemade guacamole and the Barbacoa burrito filled with spicy shredded beef braised with chipotle adobo, cumin, cloves, garlic and oregano. Chipotle offers two locations and is open daily from 1030 to 2300.

French Market Buffet

Las Vegas buffets that feature a range of international dishes have a tendency to hit and miss, but the French Market Buffet is considered one of the better all-you-can-eat restaurants of its kind. The buffet is designed in the form of an American food court, with separate serving stations surrounding a large dining area. Dishes range from Mexican spicy enchiladas and tacos, to Italian spaghetti and pizza or traditional American barbecued ribs. The price of each meal includes an all-you-can-eat dessert bar and on Sundays the restaurant offers a champagne brunch buffet.

Fresh Harvest Cafe

The Fresh Harvest Cafe, which is situated in Sam’s Town, to the west of the Strip, serves typical American favorites, from the standard American breakfast of bacon and eggs to steaks and hamburgers for lunch and dinner. The decor is typically American too - bright, airy, and reminiscent of the small-town Western-style diners that put many of its favorite menu items on the map. Its Blue Plate Special is a popular recent addition and features a special of the day, such as corned beef and cabbage or roast turkey. Desserts include a variety of fresh pies and ice cream. The restaurant is open 24 hours except on Tuesdays, when it closes at 2300.

Molly’s Buffet

Molly’s Buffet is located in the heart of Downtown, about 10 minutes north of the Strip, in Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel. The casino’s image and colors are proudly Irish and its popular buffet has been rated one of the better moderately priced buffets in Downtown. Featuring bacon and egg breakfasts and evening prime-rib dinners, the food here could easily be called standard American, if it weren’t for its interesting mix of world cuisine at lunchtime. International cuisine in Las Vegas buffets can be fairly good or fairly poor representations of the real thing, depending upon the cook’s experience and the dishes featured. Molly’s, however, seems to hit the mark, as it is popular throughout the day.

Wild Oats

A popular North American natural foods franchise, Wild Oats is more than a grocery store. Its salad- and deli-counter offers a wide selection of dishes, from traditional vegan salads and soups to meat sandwiches. Customers can ‘mix and match’ their choices from the store and the deli-counter. Self-service seating is also available. The store is located in West Las Vegas, away from the main tourist areas but easily accessible by both public transportation and car.

Personal Recommendations

Drai’s

Opened in 1977 and still owned and operated by former film producer Victor Drai, Drai’s is nestled deep underneath the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino, on the Las Vegas Strip. Accessible only by private elevator, Drai’s provides an opulent living room environment with plush sofas in the lounge, table and booth seating, intimate candle-lit corners and polished dark wood floors throughout. (more…)

Las Vegas is best known for its casinos, the city has gained increasing popularity for shopping, to the point where this is now a major tourist draw in itself. Visitors can look forward to a wide variety of boutique shopping, featuring major European and American designers, as well as inexpensive factory outlet shopping. There is also the stereotypical memorabilia on hand - such as Elvis outfits, lighters and T-shirts.

Shops are located anywhere tourists might happen to pass with money in their pockets in other words anywhere in Downtown and on the Strip. As with
almost everything, the hotel-casinos spare no expense in their efforts to attract customers. The Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes are situated among cobbled walkways that wind through designer boutiques culminating in a replica of St Mark’s Square. The Aladdin offers Desert Passage , a shopping complex based on the North African trade routes that stretched from Spain to the Arabian Sea, featuring cosmetics, men’s and women’s fashion, outdoor gear, gifts and much more.

The Bellagio’s Via Bellagio offers upmarket European shops including Gucci, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Prada and Hermes. Paris Las Vegas features quaint cobblestone walkways rimmed with European and North American specialty stores. Caesars Palace Forum is a beautiful premier retail destination to shop and eat. Also known as the most successful shopping venue in the country, it has over 160 shops and boutiques ranging from fashion such as Escada, Judith Leiber and Versace, to gourmet restaurants that include Spago and the Palm.
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Culturally speaking, Las Vegas is not exactly the world capital of high-brow art. True, it possesses a fine philharmonic orchestra and a ballet troupe, but these do not draw the visitors in nearly the same numbers that popular entertainment does. The city, however, continues to attract some of the biggest names in show business with live theatrical shows, magicians, circus acts and dance. There is one major venue, the UNLV Performing Arts Center, Cottage Grove Street and Maryland Parkway.

Most major hotels offer concierge services and can order tickets for the more popular cultural events. Visitors can go online to Ticketmaster to order and pre-pay for tickets. Events at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 West Lake Mead are free.

The best place for visitors to go for cultural listing is online. One website that holds a master list of all Las Vegas cultural and community events is the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce site. Visit their Calendar of Events page for more details.

Music: The Las Vegas Philharmonic performs at the Artemus Ham Concert Hall at UNLV Performing Arts Center.

Theater: As with virtually everything in Las Vegas, the casinos offer the bulk of the stage entertainment. The Luxor is home to the Pharaoh’s Theater and the Luxor Theater. The 1,200-seat Luxor Theater hosts theatrical productions, while the Pharaoh’s Theater offers a topless revue, as well as comedy acts. The MGM Grand is home to the Hollywood Theater, hosting a variety of performers, including Chris Issak, Tom Jones and David Copperfield, and the 1,700-seat EFX Theater, which is currently showing EFX Alive, which showcases musician Rick Springfield. At Caesars Palace, the Celine Dion Theater in the Colosseum features the Canadian songstress in the entrancing Dragone-created production A New Day as well as Elton John in The Red Piano. The two artists alternate schedules through the year, so check the website for show dates and ticket details.

The Las Vegas Little Theater, 3844 Schiff Drive , and the Actors’ Repertory Theater, Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive are two of Las Vegas’ newest small theaters. Both put on more serious theater than the hotel-casinos, be it the classics, modern playwrights or even musicals.

Dance: The Nevada Ballet Theater , founded in 1972, is one of Nevada’s larger cultural institutions and performs many of its productions at the Judy Bayley Theater at UNLV Performing Arts Center. Many of the revues and touring shows incorporate or are devoted to dance.

Film: Mainstream cinemas in Las Vegas include the United Artists - Showcase Mall, 3769 Las Vegas Boulevard South and the Century Orleans 18, 4500 West Tropicana . Seating is normally done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets are sold at the box office on the day of the performance. There are no exclusively arthouse cinemas in Las Vegas, although the Regal Village Square, 9101 West Sarhara Street, features two to three independent films per week. IMAX enthusiasts can get their fix at Brenden IMAX, 4321 West Flamingo Road , located inside The Palms Hotel and Casino; admission is US$9.75. The average cost for a film in Las Vegas is US$9.

Las Vegas is almost as famous a location for films as it is for casinos. Popular movies based in the city include Bugsy (1991), about the infamous gangster’s move from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and Casino (1995), telling the story of mob-ruled casinos in the 1970s. Leaving Las Vegas (1995) is an emotional story documenting the damage and pain inflicted by alcoholism. The cut-throat and sleazy world of topless revues and Las Vegas nightlife was given an airing in Paul Verhoeven Showgirls (1995). Andrew Bergman’s romantic comedy Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), starring James Caan, Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicolas Cage, pokes fun at Vegas wedding culture and features the astounding Flying Elvises. More recently, the ambitious celluloid version of the late and lamented Hunter S Thompson’s cult classic, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), starred Johnny Depp as the seriously spaced-out ‘gonzo’ journalist, and the remake of the classic Rat Pack vehicle Ocean’s Eleven (2001) directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts.

Cultural Events: Las Vegas’ growing population has opened the door to new cultural and musical events, with springtime events such as jazz festivals in April and May, a folkdance festival in May and Mardi Gras in April. Of course, there is also America’s national day of Independence, July 4, which is celebrated just as fervently in Las Vegas as anywhere else.

Although it is not, strictly speaking, a cultural event, Hunter S Thompson famously reported on the off-road racing in these parts. Las Vegas has become somewhat famous for revving engines, clouds of dust and, of course, arguably the toughest off-road race in America, the BITD (Best in the desert) Nevada 1000 . This 1,609km (1,000-mile) race through the heat and dust of Nevada sets off from Las Vegas on 6 July, returning five days later. Dates for this event change yearly, so visit the website for schedule information.

Literary Notes: More than one book has managed to get behind the flash of Las Vegas’ bright lights to explore its deeper, often darker themes. Not surprisingly, numerous mystery and crime novels are set here. Best known among these are Mario Puzo’s The Last Don (1997), which follows a crime family’s move from Las Vegas to Hollywood, and Michael Ventura’s The Death of Frank Sinatra (1998), which weaves a literary web of crime and intrigue in early 1990s Las Vegas. Many of the movies that made Las Vegas so famous began their lives as books. Casino (1995) was based on the Nicholas Pileggi book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas (1995). Leaving Las Vegas (1995), by John O’Brien, was made into the eponymous movie and recounts a dark, sad tale of a suicidal alcoholic’s finding true love with a prostitute. Perhaps the most influential literary work associated with Las Vegas is Hunter S Thompson’s pop-culture classic, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). The bizarre, true-life tale follows the journalist Thomson and his attorney’s drug-addled journey through Nevada.

Sport:

Although Las Vegas prides itself as an entertainment hub, the city has no professional sports teams. That said, there are sporting events that attract thousands of fans. The Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand has become one of the venues of choice for boxing matches in America. The University of Nevada Las Vegas is home to the UNLV Rebels football team, the local favorite in the exceedingly popular college (NCAA) football league. There is also a wide variety of sporting opportunities in Las Vegas for those who want to take part personally. As a resort destination, the city and region is brimming with golf courses. The vast hotel-casino complexes also offer superb fitness facilities (as luxurious and opulent as their restaurants and lounges) although, due to availability, these are sometimes limited to hotel guests. (more…)

Sightseeing

While most cities have particular entertainment districts for tourists to visit among other attractions, Las Vegas is one giant entertainment district. Las Vegas Boulevard (the central attraction for this 24-hour city) runs through the heart of Downtown, in the north of the city, and turns into the Strip, in the south. The city is divided into two halves - Downtown and the Strip. Downtown (also known as ‘Glitter Gulch’ for the bright neon signs and millions of flashing lights) is the living embodiment of old Las Vegas. Here, the vintage-style hotels, casinos, stage shows and strip joints are joined by the new and popular Fremont Street Experience Mall. Further south, the Strip is home to the latest, biggest and most ambitious casinos, many of which verge on being mini theme parks. Casinos are obviously Las Vegas’ biggest draw card and the biggest and the best.

Passes:There are no tourist passes currently available in Las Vegas.

Key Attractions:

Wynn Las Vegas

Erected on the spot where once stood the legendary Desert Inn, Las Vegas’ newest landmark is the glamorous Wynn Las Vegas. The latest property developed by Vegas casino kingpin Steve Wynn opened its doors on April 28, 2005. Sheathed in coppery bronze reflecting the desert sun, this 42-story, 192-acre, US$ 2.7billion megaresort boasts a 10,000-sq-meter (110,000 sq ft) casino, 2,700 guest rooms, an 18 hole professionally designed golf course, a fine art gallery and Las Vegas’ only fully authorized Ferrari Maserati dealership with 10,000 square foot showroom. The centerpiece of the resort is a 46m (150ft) high mountain with a five-story waterfall cascading into a man-made lake featuring The Lake of Dreams, a multi-media spectacular in an environmental theater setting.

The Wynn also features a US$70m, 2,000 seat domed showroom with a circular stage, the first of its kind in the city and the home of Le Reve, the latest production from Franco Dragone, of Cirque du Soleil fame and the mastermind behind three of Las Vegas’ most popular shows. The resort will also boast close to 5,000 rooms with the scheduled completion of Encore, a 2,000-suite tower, in 2008.

Bellagio

The Bellagio has quickly become one of Las Vegas’ best-known and most visited hotel-casinos. Cashing in on the recent trend towards Euro-opulence, the Bellagio sits on its own four-hectare (10-acre) ‘oasis’, featuring a mock northern Italian village on the shore, behind which looms the bulking mass of the large hotel. T

he hotel offers 3,200 rooms and suites (see Hotels), 17 restaurants, six lounges, botanical gardens and six Mediterranean pool settings. Its 9,000-sq-meter (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, which hosts contemporary art exhibits, as well as a 9,000-sq-meter (100,000 sq ft) glass-encased shopping mall. A popular attraction is the dancing water show from the Bellagio’s world-famous fountains every 30 minutes 1500-2000 Mon-Fri (starts at 1200 Sat-Sun) and every 15 minutes from 2000 -2400.

Freemont Street and The Freemont Street Experience

Located Downtown, near the Plaza Hotel, Freemont Street is a favorite nightly flocking ground for the city’s many tourists. Ten casinos, over 60 restaurants and countless bars and lounges offer Old Las Vegas style enticement to visitors. Peddlers sell silver jewelry and various crafts from their pushcart stalls by day and especially at night, when Freemont Street comes alive with The Freemont Street Experience.

Perched 90 feet above Freemont Street is a hi-tech overhead light and sound show stretching for five blocks over 1400ft composed of one of the world’s largest and longest LED screens. The Experience is an ideal way to take in the ‘real’ Las Vegas and see some of her older and well-known neon signs, for example Glitter Gulch’s Vegas Vickie and the equally recognizable Vegas Vic. Freemont Street is open 24 hours with shows starting at 2030 and from then run hourly between 2100 and 2400. A particular hit for those traveling with families.

MGM Grand

Since its completion in 1993, the momentous MGM Grand has held the title of largest hotel in the world, with over 5,005 rooms. Its enormous Grand Garden Arena has also become one of the key venues for boxing matches in the USA. The casino area alone is 15,300 sq meters (170,000 sq ft). Other features include 15 restaurants, a coffee shop, a food court with five lounges, two showrooms, two wedding chapels, five pools including a flowing river pool, a lion habitat, a dance club and shopping complex. The MGM Grand is also a main terminal station for the Las Vegas Monorail.

Caesars Palace

An old denizen of the Strip, Caesars Palace possesses more Las Vegas character than many of its newer neighbors. 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. Its two main casinos, measuring a total of 12,050 sq meters (129,750 sq ft), feature all the regular games, as well as an ‘empire’ of slot machines that feature prizes such as motorcycles and convertible cars, and jackpots that have reached more than US$21 million. Recent additions to the Caesars Palace property include the newly constructed Colosseum, featuring The Celine Dion Theater, a high-limit slot salon The Palace Court Slot Casino and the all-suites Augustus Tower, slated to open late summer 2005, which will see the resort rooming increase to 3,340 by the end of this year.

Mirage

Of all the mega-casinos that line the Strip, the Mirage provides the biggest outdoor spectacle. The evening sees queues of people taking in the artificial volcano that erupts every 15 minutes from 1900-2400. The setting is completed by an artificial lagoon with 54 artificial waterfalls that flow down the side of the volcano. As visitors make their way inside, they enter an indoor tropical rainforest, a dolphin habitat and a saltwater tropical aquarium. The hotel also boasts a pool and spa, eight restaurants, four lounge bar areas, a white tiger habitat, its famed Shadow Creek golf course and the requisite casino, which features over 2,000 slot machines. (more…)

One-liter bottle of mineral water: US$1.90
33cl bottle of beer: US$2
Financial Times newspaper: US$4.50
36-exposure color film: US$6.50
City-center bus ticket: US$1.25
Adult football ticket: US$45-125
Three-course meal with wine/beer: US$35

1 American Dollar (US$1) = £0.57; C$1.16; A$1.31; €0.83

The CAT Bus is a popular means of public transportation among locals and tourists with various bus routes covering a large portion of the valley. The CAT system carries approximately 175,000 people per weekday, or about 10% of the Valley’s population. Ridership on the system has been increasing rapidly since the summer of 2005, when a combination of high gas prices and service improvements began attracting more riders. A need for increased frequency and new routes caused by the tremendous growth in the Valley stretches the system’s resources.

The Las Vegas Monorail runs from the MGM Grand Hotel at the south end of the Strip to the Sahara Hotel at the north end of the Strip.

The street numbering system is divided by the following streets:
Westcliff Drive, US-95 Expressway, Fremont Street and Charleston Boulevard divides the north-south block numbers from west to east.
Las Vegas Boulevard divides the east-west streets from the Las Vegas Strip to near the Stratosphere, then Main Street becomes the dividing line from the Stratosphere to the North Las Vegas border, after which the Goldfield Street alignment officially divides east and west.

McCarran International Airport provides commercial flights into the Las Vegas valley. The airport also serves private aircraft, domestic and international passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. Although general aviation traffic flies into McCarran International, other airstrips are available.

Intercity bus service to Las Vegas is provided by traditional intercity bus carriers, including Greyhound; many charter services, including Green Tortoise; and several Chinatown bus lines. (more…)