Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

9
Shopping
Shopping in Vegas—Nirvana or an
endless Sisyphean repetition of every
mall you’ve ever been to? Depends on
your viewpoint. If you are looking for
quaint, clever, unique stores, this isn’t
the town for you (with a few notable
exceptions, most of which will require
you to drive some blocks off the
Strip). But if you are looking for
general shop-till-you-drop fun, this
is your kind of town. In addition
to some extensive (and recently
revamped) malls, many hotels have
comprehensive, and sometimes highly
themed, shopping arcades. The most
notable of the arcades are in Caesars
Palace, Aladdin, and The Venetian
(details below).
In addition to exploring the malls,
outlets, and shops listed below, you
might consider driving Maryland
Parkway, which runs parallel to the
Strip on the east and has just about one
of everything: Target, Toys “R” Us,
several major department stores, Tower
Records, major drugstores (in case you
forgot your shampoo and don’t want
to spend $8 on a new bottle in your
hotel sundry shop), some alternativeculture
stores (tattoo parlors and hip
clothing stores), and so forth. It goes
on for blocks.
1 The Malls
Boulevard Mall The Boulevard is the largest mall in Las Vegas—at least until
the remodeled Fashion Show Mall trumps it in late 2003. Its 144-plus stores and
restaurants are arranged in arcade fashion on a single floor occupying 1.2 million
square feet. Geared to the average consumer, it has anchors like Sears, JCPenney,
Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Marshalls. There’s a wide variety of shops offering all sorts
of items—moderately priced shoes and clothing for the entire family, books and
gifts, jewelry, and home furnishings. There are also more than a dozen fast-food
eateries. In short, you can find just about anything you need here. And there’s free
valet parking. The mall is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm
and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. 3528 S. Maryland Pkwy. (between Twain Ave. and Desert
Inn Rd.). & 702/732-8949. www.blvdmall.com.
Fashion Show Mall What was a nondescript, if large, mall has now been
revamped with a yowsa exterior much more fitting Las Vegas. It’s capped by a
giant . . . well . . . they call it a “Cloud” but we call it “that weird thingy that looks
like a spaceport for UFOs, what in the heck were they thinking?” Inside, you will
find the city’s first Nordstrom, a Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, a Macy’s and
eventually a Lord & Taylor. Construction on the $300 million expansion should
be completed in late 2003. The mall presently comprises more than 130 shops,
restaurants, and services. And the Cloud/Alien Spaceport Thingy will have giant
LED screens, music, and other distractions—again, much more fitting for Vegas,
where even the malls have to light up. Valet parking is available, and you can even
arrange to have your car hand-washed while you shop. The Fashion Show is open
Monday through Friday from 10am to 9pm, Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and