Frommer's Portable Las Vegas

193 Pages·2003·3.968 MB·English

by  Mary Herczog

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P O R T A B L E
Las Vegas
7th Edition
by Mary Herczog
Here’s what critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price
ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
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Published by:
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ISBN 0-7645-4267-2
ISSN 1090-5472
Editor: Naomi P. Kraus
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5 4 3 2 1
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Contents
List of Maps v
1 Planning Your Trip to Las Vegas 1
1 Visitor Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Major Convention Dates for 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
3 Money-Saving Package Deals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
4 Getting There . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2 Getting to Know Las Vegas 8
1 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Fast Facts: Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
3 Where to Stay 18
Reservations Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
1 South Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
2 Mid-Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
3 North Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
4 East of the Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
5 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
4 Where to Dine 63
1 South Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
2 Mid-Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
3 North Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Worth a Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
4 East of the Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
5 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
6 Buffets & Sunday Brunches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
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5 What to See & Do in Las Vegas 97
1 The Top Attractions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
2 Getting Married . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
3 Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
4 Fore! Great Desert Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
5 Staying Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
6 About Casino Gambling 120
1 The Major Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120
2 The Casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
7 Shopping 138
1 The Malls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
2 Factory Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
3 Hotel Shopping Arcades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
4 Souvenirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
5 Las Vegas Specialty Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
6 Candy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
7 Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
8 Wigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
8 Las Vegas After Dark 148
1 The Major Production Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
2 Headliner Showrooms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
3 The Bar Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
4 Dance Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
5 Gay Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
6 Strip Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Index 172
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Accommodations Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Restaurant Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
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List of Maps
Las Vegas at a Glance 9 South Strip Dining 65
Accommodations on the Mid-Strip Dining 71
Strip 21
North Strip Dining 79
Accommodations East of the
Dining & Nightlife East of
Strip 53
the Strip 83
Downtown Accommodations
Downtown Dining 88
59
Las Vegas Attractions 99
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, working for Frommer’s and with Naomi Kraus is like hitting 21 a
whole bunch of times in a row. Great thanks to Rick Garman for 14 lucky
years. Thanks to designated drinkers Arlene and Caroline. Steve Hochman
makes me a winner.
—Mary Herczog
The editorial staff at Frommer’s also wishes to thank the Las Vegas Conven-
tion & Visitors Authority and Alex Kraus (who does know when to hit and
when to hold in blackjack) for their assistance in making this book a winner.
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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
Mary Herczoglives in Los Angeles and works in the film industry. She is the
author of Frommer’s Las Vegas, Frommer’s New Orleans, and Las Vegas For
Dummies,and contributed to Frommer’s Los Angeles. She still isn’t sure when
to hit and when to hold in blackjack.
ANINVITATIONTOTHEREADER
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels,
restaurants, shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us
about them, so we can share the information with your fellow travelers in
upcoming editions. If you were disappointed with a recommendation, we’d
love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Portable Las Vegas, 7th Edition
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030-5744
ANADDITIONALNOTE
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—
and this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call
ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors,
and publisher cannot be held responsible for the experiences of readers while
traveling. Your safety is important to us, however, so we encourage you to
stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a close eye on cameras,
purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
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FROMMER’SSTARRATINGS,ICONS& ABBREVIATIONS
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked
for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating
system.In country, state, and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions
to help you narrow down your choices and budget your time accordingly.
Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (recommended) to three
stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and regions are
rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars
(must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat
point you to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that
separate travelers from tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their
trips more fun
Kids Best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
FROMMERS.COM
Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at
www.frommers.comfor travel information on more than 3,000 destinations.
With features updated regularly, we give you instant access to the most cur-
rent trip-planning information available. At Frommers.com, you’ll also find
the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car rentals—and you can
even book travel online through our travel booking partners. At Frommers.
com, you’ll also find the following:
•Online updates to our most popular guidebooks
•Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways
•Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends
•Online travel message boards with featured travel discussions
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1
Planning Your Trip to
Las Vegas
I
n the pages that follow, you’ll find everything you need to know to
handle the practical details of planning your trip in advance: airlines
and area airports, a calendar of events, a list of major conventions
you may want to avoid, resources for those of you with special
needs, and much more.
We also suggest that you check out chapter 8, “Las Vegas After
Dark,” before you leave home; if you want to see the most popular
shows, it’s a good idea to call ahead and order tickets well in advance
to avoid disappointment. (Ditto if you want to dine in one of the
city’s top restaurants; head to chapter 4, “Where to Dine,” for full
reviews and contact information.)
1 Visitor Information
For advance information, call or write the Las Vegas Convention
and Visitors Authority,3150 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109
(& 877/VISIT-LV or 702/892-7575; www.vegasfreedom.com).
They can send you a comprehensive packet containing brochures, a
map, a show guide, an events calendar, and an attractions list; help
you find a hotel that meets your specifications (and even make reser-
vations); and tell you if a major convention is scheduled during the
time you would like to visit Las Vegas. Or stop by when you’re in
town. They’re open daily from 8am to 5pm.
Another excellent information source is theLas Vegas Chamber
of Commerce,3720 Howard Hughes Pkwy., #100, Las Vegas, NV
89109 (&702/735-1616; www.lvchamber.com). Ask them to send
you their Visitor’s Guide, which contains extensive information
about accommodations, attractions, excursions, children’s activities,
and more. They can answer all your Las Vegas questions, including
those about weddings and divorces. They’re open Monday to Friday
from 8am to 5pm.