Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

64
CHAPTER 4 . GETTING TO KNOW LAS VEGAS
For more minor problems, if you are on the Strip, the Imperial Palace
has a 24-hour urgent-care facility, the Nevada Resort Medical Center, an
independently run facility on the eighth floor, with doctors and X-ray
machines. It’s located at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., between the Sands and
The Flamingo (& 702/893-6767).
Hot Lines Emergency hot lines include the Rape Crisis Center (& 702/
366-1640), Suicide Prevention (& 702/731-2990), and Poison Emergencies
(& 800/446-6179).
Liquor & Gambling Laws You must be 21 to drink or gamble; proof of age
is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it’s
always a good idea to bring ID when you go out, especially if you look
young. There are no closing hours in Las Vegas for the sale or consumption
of alcohol, even on Sunday. Don’t even think about driving while you’re
under the influence, or having an open container of alcohol in your car.
Beer, wine, and liquor are all sold in all kinds of stores pretty much around
the clock; trust us, you won’t have a hard time finding a drink in this town.
It’s even legal to have an open container while walking on the Strip.
Lost & Found Be sure to tell all of your credit-card companies the minute
you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest
police precinct. Your credit-card company or insurer may require a police
report number or record of the loss. Most credit-card companies have an
emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be
able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit
card in a day or two. Visa’s U.S. emergency number is & 800/847-2911 or
410/581-9994. American Express cardholders and traveler’s check holders
should call & 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call & 800/307-
7309 or 636/722-7111. For other credit cards, call the toll-free number directory
at & 800/555-1212.
If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and
American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via
Western Union (& 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).
Identity theft or fraud are potential complications of losing your wallet,
especially if you’ve lost your driver’s license along with your cash and credit
cards. Notify the major credit-reporting bureaus immediately; placing a
fraud alert on your records may protect you against liability for criminal
activity. The three major U.S. credit-reporting agencies are Equifax (& 800/
766-0008; www.equifax.com), Experian (& 888/397-3742; www.experian.
com), and TransUnion (& 800/680-7289; www.transunion.com). Finally, if
you’ve lost all forms of photo ID, call your airline and explain the situation:
They might allow you to board the plane if you have a copy of your passport
or birth certificate and a copy of the police report you’ve filed.
Newspapers & Periodicals There are two Las Vegas dailies: the Las Vegas
Review Journal and the Las Vegas Sun. The Review Journal’s Friday edition
has a helpful “Weekend” section with a comprehensive guide to shows
and buffets. There are two free alternative papers, with club listings and
many unbiased restaurant and bar reviews. Both City Life and Las Vegas
Weekly are published weekly. And at every hotel desk, you’ll find dozens
of free local magazines, such as Vegas Visitor, What’s On in Las Vegas,