Las Vegas

uring nighttime, The Strip is an All-American scenic route approximately 4.2-mile long, featuring many of the largest hotel, casino, and resort properties in the world. As a matter of fact, fifteen of the world’s 25 largest hotels by room count are on the Strip, with a total of over 62,000 rooms. This road offers the best perspective to absorb the Las Vegas experience offering a visual overload of its skylines with flashy mega-resorts such as New York-New York, Paris Las Vegas, The Venetian, Bellagio, The Mirage and many other breathtaking casinos.

But venture past the flashing neon and dazzling lights and you may be surprised by what you find. Each grand building is a destination unto itself, bursting with magnificent amenities and attractions for all. As spectacular as the resorts are, the events they offer nearly nightly are just as impressive: there’s Caesars Palace and the designer boutiques at The Forum Shops. Shore lovers will adore The Beach at Mandalay Bay, which is miles away from the typical hotel pool. Sun-seekers can also soak up rays at resort pools at the Hard Rock Hotel, Palms and pretty much anywhere in between.

From world-class spas to roller coasters and more at Circus Circus or Stratosphere, each day in Las Vegas can be a whole new vacation. There are live animal exhibits to be enjoyed at many resorts, like Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. Las Vegas comes alive at night, with such a large number of attractions which is close to impossible to describe. Cirque du Soleil’s shows are among the most sought after among visitors: LOVE is a psychedelic journey through the trends and politics of the ’60s and most importantly, The Beatles; Mystère provides a complete spectrum of awe-inducing entertainment with colorful sets, imaginative costumes and highly-skilled performers. Featuring expressions of sensuality through dance and gymnastics, Zumanity reveals a provocative new side of Cirque du Soleil. 

Àis the first production by Cirque du soleil to feature a cinematic story line while maintaining flawless imagery, music, martial arts and acrobatics; combining dance, music and awe-inspiring visuals, Michael Jackson ONE brings alive Jackson’s creative genius in a new adventure. O by Cirque du Soleil is an ethereal, visually stunning show that incorporates the elements of air, fire and – most prominently – water.

A long list of legendary entertainment stars made Las Vegas their mainstay, and headliners like Garth Brooks or Céline Dion keep being extremely popular, as masquerade balls, magic shows, comedy acts, headliner concerts, theatrical performances, symphonies – the list goes on and on. Las Vegas is also the mecca of party animals: whether it’s getting past the velvet rope at a happening nightclub such as XS at Encore or Marquee at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, snagging a cabana and star-watching at the WET Republic adults-only party pool, or sashaying through a Stripper 101 course taught by exotic dancers, the fun never ends.

In spite of all this, although Las Vegas’s main objective is  designed to make you forget that there is an outside world, many cultural sites continue to be  additional venues of interest: Springs Preserve is a fun way to learn all about the desert surrounding Las Vegas and the Nevada State Museum also features many informative exhibits and displays.

Finally, there is a stark contrast between the artificial sights of “Sin City” and the many natural wonders, as untouched as some of the canyons, desert, and mountains that surround it. The Grand Canyon, Bonnie Springs Ranch/Old Nevada, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Valley of Fire State Park and Death valley, all readily available through a one-day excursions.