traveldk.com

The Forum Shops are laid out along pseudo-Roman streets within the Caesars Palace complex, characterized by two-story storefronts topped with statues of Roman senators. Along with wares from Europe, American design is featured at s tores like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and the Disney Store. Ask for a map of the shops at the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (see Sources of Information) before you put on your shopping shoes.

Simply walking along Via Bellagio is an unforgettable experience. The boutiques are so opulent as to be intimidating: even if you dare not step inside, then at least the entrances to Escada, Chanel, Gucci, and others are large enough to see inside. Tiffany’s windows are especially dazzling during the holiday season.

Italian cashmere at Manrico, men’s European designer apparel at Casablanca Clothiers, and Alegre are among the upscale clothing stores. A fresher breath in merchandising comes from shops such as Tommy Bahama, which captures the joie de vivre of the tropics.

This upscale shoppers’ paradise is currently being renovated and expanded and will incorporate a venue for fashion shows and other events.

The newest of the city’s residential malls, Galleria offers department store shopping and down-to-earth services, such as shoe and jewelry repair, free jewelry cleaning, alterations and tailoring, hairstyling, film developing, gift wrapping, and postage stamps.

Internationally known brands such as Nike shoes and Calvin Klein clothing are among the almost 150 outlets in this ever-expanding mall. The discounts on goods can be astonishing – sometimes as high as 75 percent. Style-conscious parents should seek out the children’s outfitters Oshkosh B’Gosh, Bugle Boy, and Carter’s. The obligatory Vegas-style entertainment comes in the form of a giant carousel plus laser light shows, presented hourly.

Located on the second floor of The Venetian, the emphasis at Grand Canal Shoppes is on European elegance. Exquisite goods for sale include handmade Venetian lace, glass, and masks as well as silks, shoes, and jewelry from various European countries. Part of the pleasure of shopping at this mall is the ambience – not quite like the real Venice, but enjoyable nonetheless.

For people who enjoy logo items, MGM Grand shops offer four stores – MGM Grand & Co., Lion Habitat Retail Shop, a Rainforest Café outlet, and Las Vegas Harley Davidson (motorcycle-related merchandise). Other businesses include Photo Magic.

This is definitely the most stylish of the ubiquitous logo shops in Las Vegas. The rock music-oriented merchandise transcends coffee mugs and walking billboard T-shirts. Their aloha shirts are smart; the leather backpacks are handsome.

Shoppers enter Bally’s Avenue Shoppes by way of Bally’s Plaza, a space-age fantasy of palm trees, fountains, and neon columns. In between visiting the two dozen or so clothes shops and art galleries, you can keep tabs on the latest scores in sporting events around the world at The Race and Sports Book. The ice-cream parlor is a delight.