Las Vegas Holiday Favourites

The heart of the city, a 13–block stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South, is lined with hotel casino resorts, each with its own particular absurd delight. The lights at night are so head–spinning you might be too distracted to take it all in. Truth be told, it’s too far to walk in one go, so plan to do it in stretches.

It’s Vegas, after all, and even if you don’t want to drop a dime, you’ll want to see what’s inside those flashy facades. From Egypt and Rome to medieval Venice to a scaled–down New York City. Remember, in other cities, hotels are built near the attractions. In Vegas, they are the attractions.

The original heart of the city, the pedestrian–only section of Fremont Street comes as a relief after the overwhelming Strip. Each casino is an easy distance from the next, the crowds seem less daunting, and you don’t have to jostle for position to view the overhead Fremont Street Experience light show.

All–you–can–eat, low–cost buffets have long been a symbol of the city. The sight of rows of prep stations, offering varieties of international and American cuisine, not to mention mounds of shrimp and prime rib, remains a treat. The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas is tops in appeal, though also in price.

Visitors can watch these playful mammals swim and frolic in a meticulously designed environment; they’ll even interact a bit thanks to cute and lively trainers, glorying in the best job in Vegas. Take as long as you like to enjoy the dolphins’ company; if you are really lucky, they might even play ball with you.

Vegas is a shopper’s paradise. Shopping centres are largely attached to the casino hotels and are every bit as extravagantly designed. From Versace to Old Navy, there is something for every budget, and in the case of the Forum Shops, it’s all set in an overblown Roman streetscape. Buy some shoes in between rounds of blackjack–maybe your winnings will pay for them!

The tacky variety shows that were once the standard for Strip entertainment have almost entirely vanished in favour of a great many offerings from the human circus Cirque du Soleil. A favourite is KÀ at the MGM–Grand, a near–perfect blend of Cirque artistry, athleticism, visuals, and storytelling.

Classic, over–the–top (not to mention topless) Vegas revues are a dying breed, hedged out by special–effects–laden modern productions and just a modicum of good taste. But if you are nostalgic for some old–fashioned glamour and barely naughty fun, come see the pinnacle of what was once the dominant theatrical art form in town, the shameless and delightful Jubilee!

With the Atomic Testing Museum, the city delivers something unexpected and otherwise unique. For 4 decades, Sin City’s neighbor was the country’s primary nuclear weapons testing ground. This admirable facility offers perspectives, technical and personal, on the science and implications of the work done there.