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The Casinos There are
dozens of casinos on this short stretch of road. Some of the most
popular include MGM which is one of the larges casinos in the world,
Excalibur which is popular with families because of its medieval
theme, New York – New York, which features a Coney Island style
rollercoaster, Caesars Palace and Bellagio, both known for luxurious
accommodations (they are all luxurious, these two are known more so
for this) and Bellagio with its famous water show, Mirage with a
“live” volcano visible from the Strip, Luxor shaped like a pyramid
and with an Egyptian theme, Paris, Mandalay Bay with its famous
Shark Reef and famous clubs, and Planet Hollywood.
I’m Bored!
Those are two words you will likely never hear on the Strip.
Obviously the most popular pastime is gambling. That is what Vegas
is known for and how the casinos pay the electric bill. Sometimes
called the tourist tax, the gambling industry is the primary reason
Nevada can afford an otherwise low cost of living. Some of the more
popular games include blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, and the
slot machines. If you are not a huge gambler, just sit down at a
table and the dealer will take you through all of the rules. Be
ready to lose though, odds are always in the house’s favor.
It’s not a scam though, some do come to Vegas and win, and the
dealers are definitely on the player’s side (their tips depend on
it, and that makes up the lion’s share of their income). Along with
the classic casino games you may want to try some of the novelty
games each casino has, like wheel of fortune and other less popular
but very original gambling options.
Shows
It’s been said that Vegas is where stars go to die… that is only
because you haven’t seen what these “dying” stars get paid for what
amounts to a few hours of work a week. Every casino on the strip has
at least one show, most have a few shows, from comedy to performance
to adult, whatever your taste chances are there are at least a dozen
great shows you will want to see. Here is a list of some of the more
popular shows in each category in no particular order:
Production
1. Phantom – romance based on Phantom of the Opera
2. Disney’s Lion King
3. Zumanity – adult oriented performance (R, not XXX)
4. Blue Man Group – odd but extremely entertaining
5. Jersey Boys
6. Le Reve – performance art
7. LOVE – Beetles music and performance
8. V – “variety” performance show
9. SINATRA Dance with Me
10. Tournament of Kings – more for the kids, it’s a performance show
featuring knights
Adult
1. American Storm –male nude
2. Chippendales - male nude
3. Men of X - male nude
4. Thunder from Down Under – male nude
5. Fantasy
6. Peepshow starring Holly Madison
7. X Burlesque
8. Stripper 101
9. MGM Grand’s Crazy Horse Paris
10. Crazy Girls
It should be noted that along with adult shows, the strip is
literally surrounded by quality (and some down and dirty) strip
clubs both male and female. If it were cops and robbers, clubs would
have the Strip surrounded, cuffs out, and it would be forced to turn
itself in… or strip if that’s your thing. If you are a young man (or
girl, you don’t even have to be young actually) looking for some of
the extracurricular fun Vegas is inexplicably famous for, you’re out
of luck. Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and it is enforced. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen hooker and mark alike
escorted from hotel rooms. I’m not sure where the rumor started, but
prostitution is illegal here…
On the other hand, it is perfectly legal only 15-20 miles south.
We have maps and they have menus. Have fun.
Magic
1. Amazing Johnathan
2. Chris Angel
3. David Copperfield
4. Dirk Arthur’s Wild Magic
5. Mac King Comedy Magic Show
6. Nathan Burton Comedy Magic
7. Penn & Teller
8. Zen Magic
Comedy
1. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club
2. Carrot Top
3. Defending the Caveman
4. Fear and Laughing in Las Vegas
5. Louie Anderson
6. Playboy Comedy Club
7. Rita Rudner
8. Andrew Dice Clay
Literally the list of shows in Las Vegas could fill a book. There
are hundreds in every genre and that is not even including the guest
appearances and one night shows performed regularly by comedians and
other celebrities.
Nightlife
Every single casino on the Strip has a nightclub. Many have more
than one. These aren’t your Midwest, close at 2am nightclubs either,
these are the “holy crap is that the sun, where’d my pants go?”
nightclubs. Some of the popular ones are Jet at the Mirage, Pure at
Caesars Palace, Tao in the Venetian, XS Nightclub in Encore, Body
English at the Hard Rock (Hard Rock is off the trip about half a
mile, but has some outstanding nightlife), Tryst at the Wynn, Studio
54 at MGM, and The Bank in the Bellagio.
Other Stuff
Vegas is also home to some amazing
golf courses.
There are many golf courses throughout Las Vegas, the nearest to the
strip is Desert Inn Golf Course which is situated right behind the
strip in between the Stratosphere and
City Center.
Spas are in nearly every casino on the strip. These feature full
service and some of the most luxurious accommodations you will find
anywhere.
Pools obviously
are huge, especially in the summer when it gets over 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. The Mirage and Caesars Palace both feature Topless
pools, so you may want to ask for details.
Las Vegas is called the adult playground for a very good reason.
And the Las Vegas Strip is at the center of it all. You won’t find a
more exciting mile of road anywhere else on earth. |
