Las Vegas may have a light beam shooting out of a massive pyramid that you can see from space, and two – yes two – Statues of Liberty, but even so, the city is dwarfed by the marvels that surround it.
The blazing Red Rock Canyon, surreal landscapes, and sparkling hot springs outshine the Strip’s brightest neon lights. Fall, when summer’s ovenblast temperatures give way to 80 degree days, is one of the best times to see them. Believe me, it is much easier to walk on the busy Strip and truly lovely to visit the Lake, the Valley of Fire or the Mountains.
Las Vegas Boulevard – the world famous Las Vegas Strip – is the central artery of the city and the main line to a majority of the city’s best sights, gambling, food and fun. With neon signs and dancing fountains along an eight-mile stretch of awesome, the Strip delivers sensory overload. Wheter you want to roll the dice at one of the city’s casinos, watch a world-class performance, eat at a celebrity chef’s vegas outpost or simply glory in the glittering spectacle, it can be hard to choose what to do first when you travel here.
1. ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada’ sign
The iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” sign serves as Sin City’s unofficial welcome mat.
This neon beacon has greeted visitors at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard since 1959, when commercial artist and prolific sign designer Betty Willis designed it as a gift to the city. Because Willis never trademarked her work, merchandising companies have been able to replicate it on t-shirts, mugs and other gifts.
2. LUXOR Hotel & Casino
This 1990s-built pyramid isn’t one of the seven wonders of the world, but it stands out in a town where copycatting New York, Paris, venice and other iconic destinations certainly is a compliment.
Outside, a spotlight at the pyramid’s peak boasts of being the strongest beam of light in the world. The resort just opened the Strip’s first dedicated arena for multi-player video games.
One of the newest additions to the City, this $100 million urban oasis between the New York-New York and Park MGM hotels stretches from Las Vegas Boulevard back to T-Mobile Arena.
Along the way, brick walkways wind past the Las Vegas outpost of Shake Shack and other open-air restaurants, a walk-through water feature that evokes parting the Red Sea and “Bliss Dance,” a 40-foot-tall statue of a dancing woman. The area is hopping before home games for the NHL’s Golden Knights, the first pro sports team in Vegas history.
4. Fountains and the Botanical Garden of Bellagio
Water that dances like ballerinas. The spectacle, designed by a company poetically named Wet, opened with the property in 1998 and today comprises more than 1,000 fountains in all, some shooting spray more than 450 feet into the air. The fountains go off weekdays every 30 minutes between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and every 15 minutes between 8 p.m. and midnight. They are even more frequent on weekends.
Bellagio also has got a breathtaking Conservatory & Botanical garden. The passionate display of nature in all its awe-evoking glory – quite simply, sensational! Let your imagination wander as you assume a leisurely stroll amongst rare natural finds selected distinctively for Bellagio from all over the world. Admire the essence of every season recreated with exceptionally gorgeous plants, flowers and trees thoughtfully arranged to inspire full splendor.
5. CityCenter Las Vegas
CityCenter Las Vegas is a multi-resort development in the heart of the Strip built with an ambition to refine and redefine Las Vegas, CityCenter debuted a new era of resort experiences. It has got a welcoming environment for people to gather, relax and enjoy. CityCenter includes AREA Resort & Casino (4004 room casino resort), VDARA Hotel & Spa (1495 room luxury condonimium style hotel), CRYSTALS (Shopping Mall) and the VEER TOWERS (669 luxury condo residences).
6. LINQ PROMENADE
Malls are nothing new in Las Vegas. But this open-air pedestrian-only attraction, which opened in 2013, is more than a shopping center. The LINQ Promenade stretches from the Strip to the High Roller, the tallest observation wheel in the world (at 550 feet tall, it’s taller than the London Eye.
7. Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
This zoo-like oasis in the courtyard of the Flamingo Las Vegas is home to more than 60 exotic birds (including Chilean flamingoes, of course), 20 turtles and 300 fish.
The free attraction opened in 1995, and it’s a great place to escape from the hubbub of the Strip and the nearby LINQ Promenade.
8. The Mirage Volcano
Fireballs, water cannons and booming percussion riffs highlight the free “eruptions” at the volcano that fronts The Mirage along Las Vegas Boulevard.
The volcano dates back to the hotel’s opening in 1989. It was updated with new beats in 2008.
9. The Venetian’s Canals
Couples can enjoy the gondolas while listening the italian love songs. Gondola rides are available in two spots: outdoors in a canal that runs along Las Vegas Boulevard, and indoors along the 285,000-gallon Grand Canal, which passes beneath bridges and past piazza cafes.
10. Freemont Street experience
Fremont Street Experience is the heart of downtown Vegas; a five-block pedestrian-only entertainment district with everything from the SlotZilla, the world’s largest slot machine, to a zipline. Actually, the zipline starts inside the slot machine.
Next week we are going to show the nature around Las Vegas!
For more information about the tours, resorts, hotels, travel please visit our travel company’s website:
M & M LUXURY TRAVEL www.mandmluxurytravel.com
Marianna Jackson / Las Vegas, NV.
