After leaving behind the Grand Canyon, the next stop of the “Western Wonder” Tour of Trek America is Las Vegas. Regardless of your expectations for this destination, you will most likely be blown away by its atmosphere and extravagance. If you also enjoy gambling in your free time at the best sites playing slots and such, then you will absolutely fall in love with the real thing. But even if you don’t like gambling, Las Vegas has so much to offer for all tastes and types of travelers.
How to get around Las Vegas
Unlike Los Angeles, it is extremely easy to get around the city. Almost everything you can visit is on a main street called The Strip. Then there is the Downtown neighborhood which is at the end of that main street. For about $8 you can buy a “Transit Pass” card that allows you to go up and down as many times as you need on buses that run every 14-20 minutes, 24 hours a day.
On the other hand, you have to know that you can enter all the hotels of The Strip even if you do not stay in them and that most of them are connected by a small free train (so you do not have to walk outside as it happens to be very hot in Las Vegas which is in the desert. There are also walkways all along the avenue, which allow you to cross easily from one side to the other.
What to see in Las Vegas
Even if you are not interested in getting married or playing in the casinos, the city is an authentic amusement park that will leave you amazed at every moment and every corner.
1. Freemont street
The streets of Downtown are the historic center of the city, where everything was born in 1930 when it was decided to legalize gambling in the state of Nevada. With a single excursion you can get to know this part of the city. There are the first casinos and hotels in the city, the whole thing is covered with 2 million lights, there are people flying over your head while you walk, performers in each corner.
2. The Bellagio and the Caesar’s Palace
Who does not know the two most famous casinos in the world? Do not miss the chance to go to the Bellagio, since at night it offers a free show of water and light that is most impressive in a spectacular environment. As for the interior of this 4-diamond hotel, just like the Caesar’s Palace, it’s all glamor and elegance. There are many spacious halls with fresh flowers reminiscent of a Garden of Eden. Both impress by their luxury. If you are a fan of chef Gordon Ramsay, be sure to visit the latter’s restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen.
3. The Venetian
The Venetian is the largest casino in the world but regardless of that, it left me totally amazed with both its facade and its interior. The recreation of Venice is amazing. If you wish, you can stand in line to take a gondola ride through its shopping center. No matter what words I use, it’s impossible to grasp the sight!
4. The Stratosphere
This curious 350 meter tall tower hotel-casino was built in the 90s. The views of Las Vegas from this viewpoint are truly spectacular (about $20 per entrance). They also have a revolving restaurant and three attractions on its roof. The Big Shot is the highest in which you will test the free fall. The X Scream Ride is a little roller-coaster train that will shake you and brake just when you reach the void. The Insanity Ride will let you hang on the edge of the tower, turn and leave you literally flying over Las Vegas.
5. The Paris
Not only is it fascinating to see a “mini” Eiffel Tower (half the size of the original one) converted into a hotel-casino, but in this case, the interior will also surprise you make you feel for a second as if you’re in actual Paris.
6. The Fashion Show Mall
This mall not only has a replica of the Trevi Fountain on its façade, but inside it will also surprise you with its Roman decorations.
7. The Luxor, the Excalibur and the New York
These three casinos are all close together. The most spectacular is their exterior and that, in a matter of minutes, one can “travel” to Egypt with the Luxor (with the replica of the Sphinx, the statues of Karnak and a glass pyramid), to the Middle Ages (with the fairytale castle of the Excalibur) and to New York (with the replica of the Chysler and the Statue of Liberty of the New York). Also, if that was not enough, in the latter you can get on a roller coaster that goes through the different buildings of the metropolis.
8. The Las Vegas Cartel
It is located at the entrance to the city and is usually full of tourists at all hours. It is in an open field and there is not much more to do there than take a picture. If you go at night, you will need a lot of flash because there is nothing that illuminates more than the poster.
9. The Flamingo
As indicated by the name of this hotel-casino in the interior you will find palm trees and pink flamingos to decorate the place.
10. The Aquarium of the Mandalay Bay
In this casino you can visit an aquarium with a lot of protected species and, if you have had luck in the casinos, you can spend a whopping sum of 650 dollars (1000 for two people) to get into the aquarium with the sharks.
