We had a fantastic week in Las Vegas this August, staying at the Jockey Club on the strip, right next to the Bellagio Resort. It was extremely hot and dry so always take water with you, even if only going out for a stroll down the strip, you become dehydrated very quickly.
We had done a lot of research before we travelled. We used both travel books and the internet. ( Dorling Kindersley,Eye Witness Travel Guide -' Las Vegas', particularly good as it tells you about the history of the place and give so much information.) It really is worth doing your homework before you go, because there is so much to see and do that it would be easy to miss out on the attractions. In a week its impossible to do everything so its agood idea to makea plan of priorities.The image of Las Vegas as a sleezy gambling and sex trade town, has long been changed and although you are surrounded by casinos and you do see prostitutes occasionally, they do not in anyway detract from the sheer magic of this incredible place. There is something for every age in Vegas, from toddlers through to pensioners. Something also to suit every pocket. You can eat at trendy, expensive restaurants or take your pick from hundreds of food courts in the resort hotels, offering cuisine from all corners of the globe. The quality and service at all the places we ate in was first class. I can particularly recommend the buffet at Ballys resort hotel. I have never seen so much choice of freshly prepared foods in one dining experience and all for $19. Have a little of everything and take your time between plates, there is so much!
If you are a golfer, there are some fantastic courses, although a car is essential. My husband played at the TCP course at the 'Canyons'. Took awhile to find but well worth the trouble. You have to be a good golfer for this one. I am a beginner, so I drove the cart and took my binoculars with me to watch the wildlife. There were chipmunks, partridges, hares and rabbits in abundance. I had such fun watching them and also looking into the back gardens of the huge houses backing onto the course. How the other half live! There are stunning views out towards Red Rock Canyon in the background. You can get leaflets about the golf courses from the hotels when you arrive. Book a tee time before going. They are more relaxed about clothing too in the golf clubs, although conservative is the key.
We were both surprised to see so many families with children in Las Vegas, now I realise that the term Resort Hotel, which is something alien to Brits, really does mean that each hotel offers enough entertainment for all the family and if you were not very adventureous, you could actually not need to venture outside of the complex in which you are staying. You could still eat at a different place each day, find things to keep the whole family happy and not go outside at all. Amazing. Children are allowed in the casino areas, although not to stop at the gaming tables.
Gambling, the major money making attraction of Las Vegas goes on 24 hours aday, 7 days a week. Of course, we had read about it before we went, but we were still stunned. One morning at about 8am, going for a stroll down the strip looking for a breakfast venue, we saw all the casinos fully operational, tourists sitting at the tables and alcohol being served. We have travelled all over the world on holiday, but I don't think in all our time abroad we have spent so much time with our mouths open with wonder as we did at the sights and sounds of Vegas. It is truly a larger than life magical land of hedonistic fun. It seemed that around every corner there was something bigger, better, more beautiful, more strange,more outrageous. There is building and development going on all over the city, old hotels being knocked down and new ones going up. Each development company trying to out do and improve on the last resort to be completed. One taxi driver told us that there are a staggering 6000 people moving to live and work in Vegas, each month!
We had one afternoon at the discount outlet malls. 'The Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas' at 32100 Las Vegas Blvd S. Huge, airconditioned, places to eat and many many bargins to be had, especially for Brits. Later we went to the 'Las Vegas Outlet Centre' at 7400 Las Vegas Blvd S, which has all the premium fashion houses there, top designer labels. Not such a relaxing shopping experience as it is not in an airconditioned mall and each time you come out of a shop you are blasted with the heat outside. Maybe thats the idea, you have to go in the shops to cool off ! At the first mall we bought my 18 year old son 4 pairs of Levi 501's for the price of 1 pair at English prices. He was very happy.
We had a couple of trips out of town that were worth our efforts. Again, car neccesary for these, car hire there is also very cheap. We drove to Red Rock Canyon, out to the west of Vegas. About an hour, not that far but the traffic is heavy until you leave the city limits. Its a straight road all the way from the strip and the beauty of it is the fact that you can see your goal for miles before you get there. The closer you get, the bigger the mountains tower on the horizon. The wonderful colours becoming clearer, more vivid. All of a sudden you are in the desert, a landscape so reminiscent of cowboy films from your chilhood, only not black and white as they were on our screens then, but fabulous technicolour. Is there anything out there that doesn't take your breath away ? We took a scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon. Got out at the visitor centre and spent time looking around the liitle museum there, reading about the canyon native history and wildlife. The drive itself only takes 45 min, but you can stop at places along the way to follow designated hiking trails. Something to suit every ability from extreme hikers to plodders. We had taken walking shoes in the car but changed our minds after our experiences of just getting out of the car to take photos. We wimped out! The heat was searing and a walk in it would probably have done us both in!
We had a cowboy trail in the same area, well worth the trip. You do need long trousers, loads of water, a hat, flexible hips and a strong constitution for heights. In some parts as you go up the side of the canyon, the horse takes you to within a few feet of the edge and below you is a chasm too deep to contemplate!
Can recommend the helicopter trip from the airport to the Grand Canyon and back, with a flight over the length of the strip as a finale! The company ( Papillon) picked us up and returned us to our hotel by taxi, the flight last 45 mins approximatley to get to the Canyon, we flew over Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Saw where the Colorado river enters Lake Mead and the different colours in the water. The pilot gave us a commentary all the way which was brilliant. The helicopter carries 6 passengers, we were only 4, so plenty of room and everyone had a window seat. I don't think I can find words to adequately describe the Canyon, lets just say it is truely is a wonder to behold and its magesty, solitude and size make it a humbling experience. On our particular trip we flew down into the Canyon, landed on a rocky strip where we were treated to a picnic, glass of champayne, photo opportunities and 20 mins in which to contemplate the passage of time and forces brought to bear in creating this awesome spectacle.
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