Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

FAST FACTS: LAS VEGAS 65
Showbiz Weekly, and Where to Go in Las Vegas, that are chock-full of
helpful information—although probably of the sort that comes from paid
advertising.
Parking Free valet parking is one of the great pleasures of Las Vegas and
well worth the dollar tip (given when the car is returned) to save walking
a city block from the far reaches of a hotel parking lot, particularly when
the temperature is over 100°F (38°C). Another summer plus: The valet will
turn on your air-conditioning so that you don’t have to get into an “oven
on wheels.”
Pharmacies There’s a 24-hour Walgreen’s (which also has 1-hr. photo processing)
at 3763 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (& 702/739-9638), almost directly across
from the Monte Carlo. Sav-On is a large 24-hour drugstore and pharmacy
close to the Strip at 1360 E. Flamingo Rd., at Maryland Parkway (& 702/
731-5373 for the pharmacy, 702/737-0595 for general merchandise). White
Cross Drugs, 1700 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (& 702/382-1733), open daily from
7am to 1am, will make pharmacy deliveries to your hotel during the day.
Police For nonemergencies, call & 702/795-3111. For emergencies, call
& 911.
Post Office The most convenient post office is immediately behind the
Stardust hotel at 3100 Industrial Rd., between Sahara Avenue and Spring
Mountain Road (& 800/297-5543). It’s open Monday to Friday from
8:30am to 5pm. You can also mail letters and packages at your hotel, and
there’s a full-service U.S. Post Office in the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace.
Safety In Las Vegas vast amounts of money are always on display, and
criminals find many easy marks. Don’t be one of them. At gaming tables
and slot machines, men should keep wallets well concealed and out of the
reach of pickpockets, and women should keep handbags in plain sight (on
laps). If you win a big jackpot, ask the pit boss or slot attendant to cut you
a check rather than give you cash—the cash may look nice, but flashing it
can attract the wrong kind of attention. Outside casinos, popular spots for
pickpockets and thieves are restaurants and outdoor shows, such as the
volcano at The Mirage or the fountains at Bellagio. Stay alert. Unless your
hotel room has an in-room safe, check your valuables in a safe-deposit box
at the front desk.
Show Tickets See chapter 10 for details on obtaining show tickets.
Taxes Clark County hotel room tax is 9%, and in Henderson it’s 10%; the
sales tax is 7%.
Time Zone Las Vegas is in the Pacific time zone, 3 hours earlier than the
East Coast, 2 hours earlier than the Midwest. For exact local time, call
& 702/248-4800.
Veterinarian If Fido or Fluffy gets sick while traveling, go to the West
Flamingo Animal Hospital, 5445 W. Flamingo Rd., near Decatur Boulevard
(& 702/876-2111). They’re open 24 hours and they take Discover, Master-
Card, and Visa, and have an ATM.
Weather See “When to Go” in chapter 2. For local weather information,
call & 702/248-4800. The radio station 970 FM does weather reports.