Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

GETTING AROUND 59
and three more broke ground at Spring Mountain in the summer of
2003 and are scheduled for completion in August 2004.
• Do D.I. Direct: Most visitors seem to get a lot of mileage out of the
Strip and I-15. But if you’re checking out the local scene, you can
bypass both of those using Desert Inn Road, which, after a recent
addition, is now one of the longest streets running from one side of
the valley to the other. Plus, the 2-mile “Superarterial” section
between Valley View and Paradise zips you nonstop over the Interstate
and under the Strip. The biggest thrill ride this side of the New
York–New York roller coaster!
• Grin and Bear It: Yes, there are ways to avoid traffic jams on the
Strip. But at least these traffic jams are entertaining! If you have the
time and patience, go ahead and take a ride along the Strip from
Hacienda to Sahara. The 4-mile drive might take an hour, but while
you’re grinding along, you might see a Sphinx, an active volcano, a
water ballet, and some uniquely Vegas architecture.
• Industrial Age: Had enough of the glamour? Just want to sneak in
the back door of your favorite hotel? Industrial Road may be the
way to go. After a widening and face-lift a few years ago from Russell
to Oakey, Industrial is a nice alternative to congestion on the
Strip and I-15. Industrial provides rear-entrance access to most
hotels between Caesars Palace and Circus Circus. Eventually it will
tie in with Frank Sinatra Drive, another frontage road that now provides
rear access to hotels from the Mandalay Bay to Monte Carlo.
• Beltway Bypass: Starting in December 2003, a 53-mile beltway (I-
215) will wrap around the valley, allowing for easy access to the
outskirts and to bypass the city. The “ultimate facility” of six-lane,
limited-access divided highway won’t be complete for another
decade, but the southern section is a full freeway, and a few dozen
more miles of interim roads are now open as frontage roads and
four-lane highways.
• Catch the CAT: Some locals complain about Citizens Area Transit
(CAT) bus service in certain neighborhoods. But the Strip routes are
frequent and well serviced, running ’round the clock from the
South Strip Transfer Terminal to the Downtown Transportation Center
in the north. The 301 runs every 10 minutes during busy hours,
and there’s also a limited-stop express bus (no. 302) every 15 minutes.
Other routes go for $1.25, but the 301 and 302 are the CAT’s
gravy trains and will run you $2. Exact change, please.
• Are discounts available for members of AARP, AAA, frequent-flier programs,
or trade unions? If you belong to any of these organizations, you may
be entitled to discounts of up to 30%.
• How much tax will be added to the rental bill? Local tax? State use tax?