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 Wynn Resort

The Wynn Las Vegas Resort
Theater for the Performing Arts

Since the new Aladdin Hotel opened in the summer of 2000, its theater has been the venue for such productions as Forever Swing , the Broadway musical Fosse , and Les Misérables , as well as a concert by British musical star Sarah Brightman.
Thomas & Mack Center

Named for two leading bankers who financed the project, Thomas & Mack’s gala grand opening in 1983 was nothing if not star-studded, featuring as it did Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Diana Ross. The center serves as the venue for rodeos, university basketball games, circuses, world championship boxing matches, and concerts. The record box-office takings for a single event were more than $6 million for the Holyfield vs Bowe heavyweight boxing bout in 1992; the record attendance for a single concert was 17,664.
Three Trips from Vegas

Although it is possible to visit Zion, Grand Canyon, and Death Valley in one trip, it makes more sense geographically to return to Las Vegas in between each place, making three separate excursions.

The Road to Zion

For an overnight trip to remember, drive east on Highway 15 to the Valley of Fire turning. Spend an hour or two on the park’s scenic drive, hiking through Petroglyph Canyon (see Petroglyph Canyon, Valley of Fire) to Mouse’s Tank and visiting the Lost City Museum of Archeology (see Lost City Museum of Archeology, Overton). Then, back on Highway 15, proceed to Mesquite for lunch, making sure you are within reach of one of Zion’s many viewpoints by sunset: you will be richly rewarded. Overnight in the park or at Springdale.

Grand Canyon

Take Highway 93 to Kingman, then Highways 40 and 64 to the national park. It is possible to view much of the canyon’s grandeur by driving along the rim routes, but the total canyon experience involves hiking or riding to the valley floor, spending the night, and perhaps river-rafting. For insights into Native American culture, visit one of the reservations along the rim.

Death Valley

Starting out from Las Vegas again, head northwest on Highway 95 to Beatty, turning off on Highway 374. You can see the major sights easily in a day and a half, but if you wish to hike or golf, you’ll want to allocate more time to the trip.
Thriller Clothing

Provocative swimwear, sexy shoes, and evening wear advertised as “tasteful and classy".
Thunderbird Resort Dining Room, Zion

American fare in a family dining room, where the pies, breads, and sweet rolls are homemade.
Tortoises

Two isolated populations of desert tortoise, the Mojave and the Sonoran, are found respectively in southern Utah and in the Grand Canyon, Death Valley, and other parts of the southwest.
Toss Asian Cuisine

Ingredients are tossed, with marvelous results: lo mein , catfish in black bean sauce, kung pao shrimp.
Toto’s Mexican Restaurant, Boulder City

Mexican standards – burritos, tacos, enchiladas – done with flair at this popular chain.
Treasure Island

Top of the bill is the spectacular pirate battle staged regularly at the hotel entrance (see Treasure Island Sirens of TI).

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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
- $20–$30
- $30–$45
- $45–$60
- over $60