Las Vegas

Once known primarily for its casinos and neon lights, today’s Las Vegas offers so much more for visitors of every age. Dine, shop, dance the night away or laze by the pool. Explore the Arts District, the Fremont Street Experience or the great outdoors. Take in a musical, magic act, comedy show or concert.

GETTING THERE & AROUND

McCarran International Airport lies just 5 miles south of Downtown. Visitors may rent vehicles or get to their destinations via inter-city and private shuttles, rideshares, taxis and limos. Citizens Area Transit operates buses; the Monorail, a 4-milelong, seven-station line connecting eight major resorts and the convention center; and DEUCE, a double-decker bus line operating along the Strip and into Downtown. Single rides are $3, with one- and three-day passes available at a reduced rate. One can also rent sport bikes, specialty/classic cars or motorcycles.

LODGING

MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

The 6.5-acre pool complex with a lazy river, waterfalls and grottos along with performances like David Copperfield and Cirque de Soleil make this a family-friendly option. New Topgolf complex with 120 climate-controlled bays ups the fun quotient.

3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, tel 877 880 0880 mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com

Oasis at Gold Spike

Located in trendy Downtown, this boutique property offers co-working space, an outdoor lounge with beer pong and cornhole, a 24-hour restaurant and fitness center. Its “living room” hosts nightly neighborhood dance parties.

217 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas, NV 89101, tel 702 768 9823 oasisatgoldspike.com

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas

A sports club; lux restaurants (including Nobu); a 4,500-person live music venue; Mykonos-themed Élia Beach Club; spa; casino: The brand-new, justopened Virgin Hotel has everything except resort and self-parking fees … really!

4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169, tel 702 693 5000 virginhotelslv.com

Night Lights: Las Vegas Strip

PHOTO: © LUCKYPHOTOGRAPHER | DREAMSTIME.COM

DINING

Bouchon at The Venetian

This bistro from The French Laundry’s Thomas Keller serves up modern takes on classic French cuisine, a raw bar and French pastries.

3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 10F, Las Vegas, NV 89109, tel 702 414 6200 venetian.com

Hexx Kitchen + Bar

Take in the view of the Bellagio Fountains across the street from the outdoor patio as you enjoy the daily brunch offering, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Also check out the award-winning cocktails and house-made, handcrafted bean-to-bar chocolates.

Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109, tel 702 331 5100 hexxlasvegas.com

SW Steakhouse

Impeccable service and exceptional Kobe wagyu beef stand out here. Request a table on the patio overlooking the Lake of Dreams at Wynn to take in its nightly multimedia experience.

Wynn Las Vegas, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109, tel 702 770 3325 wynnlasvegas.com

ATTRACTIONS

Dream Racing

Choose from the world’s largest and fastest selection of exotic cars and go for a spin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. A variety of experiences help you satisfy your need for speed, from ride-alongs with professional drivers to sliding behind the wheel yourself for several laps, with additional options including telemetry analysis and advice from an instructor.

7000 Las Vegas Blvd. N., Las Vegas, NV 89115, tel 702 605 3000 dreamracing.com

The Mob Museum

Housed in a restored U.S. post office and courthouse, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement’s four floors of exhibits examine the history of organized crime, from Prohibition to the rise of the drug cartels. Explore the work of forensic scientists in the Crime Lab or go through video training and live role-playing in the Firearm Training Simulator experience.

300 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101, tel 702 229 2734 themobmuseum.org

Take to the Air

Experience Las Vegas and nearby attractions from the air with either helicopter tours or hot-air balloon rides. Balloon operators offer private or shared group early morning flights. Actual flight time is about an hour and usually concludes with a Champagne toast and light breakfast. Daytime or evening helicopter tours over the Strip take an hour or two, but a four-hour tour offers sightseeing over the Grand Canyon, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as well as the Strip.