DK Travel : Las Vegas

The Entertainment Capital of the World offers just about everything: the world’s largest hotels; the brightest stars in show business; shops and restaurants that rival any on earth. It’s true, too, that the lights are brighter in Las Vegas. Yet you don’t have to go far from the glamour and glitter to find the natural beauty of lakes and the desert as well.

The Ice Gardens

It may be swimming weather outside, but kids who like to ice skate can cool off at the indoor Ice Gardens, where there are both hockey and ice skating rinks. Ice-skating queen Surya Bonaly works out at the rink when she is in town.
The Inn Dining Room, Death Valley

Elegant dining room with lace tablecloths, firelight flickering on the adobe walls, and views of the Panamint Mountains. Continental fare is served in a six-course, prix fixe menu (try braised lamb shanks as your entrée).
The Legacy Golf Course

The host to the US Open Qualifying tournament is a popular course with convention delegates, and combines Scottish links-style golf with the dramatic desert vegetation of Nevada. The course highlight is the Devil’s Triangle (holes 11–13).
The Little White Chapel

This chapel represents what for many people is the epitome of Las Vegas; it has acquired a reputation for hosting rather unusual weddings. It was here in the spring of 2001 that a mass wedding took place, officiated by multiple Elvises. For the bride and groom who are acting on mad impulse or whose hectic lives leave them only a few minutes to spare, the Little White Chapel offers the world’s only Drive-Up Wedding Window. The window never closes, and no appointment is necessary.
The Mirage

Rooms are big, TVs are big, bed have the best sheets and incredibly comfortable mattress toppers. All the soft furnishings in the room are available for sale in the gift shop too! I would have liked our bathroom to be a bit bigger but that might vary from room to room. We asked for a view as it was my birthday but as we had arrived late we were told that we might have to come and be asked to be moved to a room with a view the next day. We didn't fancy moving about and it turned out that from our window we could see Trump Tower, The Venetian, Harrah's and the top of the volcano anyway! We really enjoyed the food, drinks and gambling in the The Mirage too. The poolside area is fabulous and the large frozen cocktails, while expensive, are to die for! When you walk around Vegas and compare the 3 star hotels to this you really see the difference. I loved it and would definitely stay there again should I be lucky enough to go back!
The Mirage Volcano

With displays like this, it is hardly surprising that the Mirage, when it was built in 1989, is said to have triggered the 1990s hotel-building boom. The man-made, multimillion-dollar volcano spews fire 100 ft (30 m) into the air every 15 minutes, every evening. Ingenious lighting and steam effects convey the drama of lava flows, while loudspeakers broadcast vivid sound effects.
The National Rodeo Finals

Normally held in the first and second week of December the Rodeo is a great entertainer. If you haven't got tickets to the Rodeo don't worry because the whole of Las Vegas is alive with everything cowboy and Rodeo. The Excalibur Hotel and Casino always has live Country & Western music, you'll see more cowboys in the bar than you have ever seen in any episode of Dallas. The Golden Nugget normally has some headline acts from Nashville performing and a huge party. Head off to the convention centre where every day there are different things going on from live chat shows to a Miss Rodeo pagent. There are hundreds of stalls selling everything Rodeo and Cowboy, you'll be able to get the Stetson you always wanted and in any colour to. The atmosphere around the town is second to none. The wonderful Cowboy charm and the drawl of southern accents is wonderful. They don't even mind explaining the rules to the Rednecks.
The Orleans

French Quarter-themed hotel, with green-shuttered windows and wrought-iron balconies.
The Phantom of The Opera

This is a show not to be missed, even though you have seen it in other cities, the Vegas show beats them all. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has excelled himself.
The Revere at Anthem

Winding through three desert canyons, this course features natural changes in elevation and spectacular views of the Las Vegas skyline. The summer rates, as at many Las Vegas courses, are considerably lower than those charged at other times of the year.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with a half bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $20
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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes, and extra charges.
- under $50
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- over $200