Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

THE TOP ATTRACTIONS 175
the Liberace Museum. The Dolphin
Habitat at The Mirage is also
worth a look. At night, take in a
show. We think O and Mystère, the
productions from the avant-garde
Cirque du Soleil, are the finest in
Vegas, but there are plenty to
choose from. Though buffets are
still the most Vegas-appropriate
food experience, genuine haute cuisine
by celebrity chefs has invaded
the town and you should take
advantage of it. Le Cirque, Renoir,
and Picasso are our top choices, but
you can’t go wrong with anything
by Emeril Lagasse, plus there are
branches of Onda, Olives, Aqua,
Circo, Pinot, Star Canyon, and the
Border Grill. Be sure to leave some
time to go Downtown to check out
the casinos in the classic Glitter
Gulch and to visit the Fremont
Street Experience light show.
If You Have 3 Days
By now you’ve spent 2 days gambling
and gawking. So take a break
and drive out to Red Rock Canyon.
The panoramic 13-mile Scenic
Loop Drive is best seen early in the
morning when there’s little traffic.
If you’re so inclined, spend some
time hiking here. If you want to
spend the whole day out, have
lunch at nearby Bonnie Springs
Ranch. After lunch, enjoy a guided
trail ride into the desert wilderness
or enjoy the silliness at Old Nevada
(see chapter 11 for details).
If You Have 4 Days or More
Plan a tour to Hoover Dam. Leave
early in the morning, returning to
Las Vegas after lunch via Valley of
Fire State Park, stopping at the
Lost City Museum in Overton en
route (see chapter 11 for details).
Alternatively, you can rest up by
spending the day by the hotel pool
or going to the hotel spa. At night,
presumably refreshed and toxins
purged, hit the casinos and/or catch
another show. If you aren’t tired of
magic, Lance Burton is a wonderful
show for a reasonable price, or
there is the arty weirdness of the
Blue Man Group at Luxor, or
Jubilee! if your trip won’t be complete
without a topless revue. You
can also feast at dinner, since you
certainly haven’t tried all there is. If
you want a good dinner with a great
free show, go to Treasure Island’s
Buccaneer Bay Club, which overlooks
that hotel’s new Sirens of TI
production.
As you plan any additional days,
consider excursions to other nearby
attractions such as Lake Mead, the
Grand Canyon, or even Area 51.
Inquire about interesting tours at
your hotel sightseeing desk.
1 The Top Attractions
See also the listings for theme parks and other fun stuff in section 4, “Especially
for Kids.”
The Arts Factory Finds Believe it or not, Las Vegas has a burgeoning art
scene (what some would consider soul-crushing is what others consider inspirational),
and this complex, located in the Gateway district, is the place to find
proof. It features a few galleries and a number of workspaces for local artists. Several
of the spaces are closed to the public. On the first Friday of each month,
they have a party event (unimaginatively named “First Friday”) showcasing local
artists and arts-oriented businesses, with live music, street performances, and
other entertainment and activities. Go to their website for further details.
101–109 E. Charleston Blvd. & 702/676-1111. www.theartsfactory.com. Mon–Tues and Thurs–Fri
noon–5pm and by appointment.