The Best of Las Vegas In Two Days

Just came back from my 4th trip to the "Sin City". What amazes me most is that in the last decade none of my visits to this city was the same. They are always adding something new and fascinating. If you visited Vegas before 1995 you would not recognize the city today. The skyline is completely different and so are the attractions. It is "Orlando" of the west and you will surely have lots of fun.

Following is a list of must-see in order of preference and after that I will suggest an itinerary to see it all.

1- The Hoover Dam Tour

2- The Water Show at the Bellagio lake;

3- The view from the "Eiffel Tower" in Paris, Vegas;

4- The "Shark Reef" at Mandalay Bay;

5- The "Desert Passage" at Alladin;

6- The "Luxor" atrium and architecture;

7- The "Stratosphere" Tower;

8- The "Venetian" canal;

9- The "Manhattan Express" and skyline at New York, New York;

10- The Treasure Island and Mirage outdoor shows.

How can you save time and see all of these in a short time? It is easy unless you are a gambler and get stuck in the first casino you enter. A solution: break in change whatever you can afford to loose (in my case it was $20.00 in nickels and that's a lot of coins!). That way every place you visit you can play the slot machines for a while and try your lucky. If you are not familiar with casino rules it is my duty to inform that you can drink for free as long as you are playing. So, waste a few coins and you can sip a drink in every casino while you rest between walks. All you have to do is tip the nice attendant girl $1.00 . Sometimes the drink takes a while, so play slowly. Believe me, I drank way more worth than my $20.00 + tip. So, if I did not win a penny at least I drank for free. Who knows? You might also hit a jackpot by chance! One more thing? stop drinking and playing if you finish the coins you were allowed to loose. You've gone too far by then.

Now that we are all set let's start our city tour. You must divide The Strip (Las Vegas Blvd) in 4 sections. Each takes about 1/2 day to cover. So, you can do it in just 2 days, but if you have more time in town go slower and enjoy more of each casino and attractions.

SECTION ONE: Mandalay Bay/Luxor/ Excalibur/N.Y.N.Y and MGM.

You should do this tour in the morning since the only thing you might wanna see at night in this area is the bright light coming out of the top of the pyramid at Luxor, but you can easily do that later at night driving by car along The Strip.

I suggest you to park at N.Y.N.Y since it is well situated, free and has walkways over the strip to 2 other casinos. To reach the further ones you will take a tram.

The N.Y.N.Y main attraction is the Manhattan Express, a really scary roller coaster that runs outside and inside the casino. I love those type of rides but this one is way out of control . It is also pricey at $12.00 but if you are not dizzy enough at the end of the journey, the second ride is "only" $5.00. Would you dare? Be warned: in the beginning when the cars are climbing you can see your reflection at the mirrored windows of the hotel skyscrapers and that by itself will freeze your heart. It is very, very high as you have absolutely no idea looking at it from the street level. There are 2 horrifying dips and what I think is the worst, you will shake like crazy and have a pain in your neck at the end. You do not feel as safe as you do when riding Disney's roller coasters, that is for sure. Should you go? It's up to you, but don't blame me.

Besides the coaster you want to walk down to the casino throughout New York alleys and neighborhoods filled up with restaurants and shops and go outside to see the statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge replicas up close. If you are looking for the best spot where you can frame the whole building in a picture you'll find that at the Tropicana Casino in the opposite diagonal corner. The view from here is not obstruct as it is from the caged walkways over the streets.

Next you can either go to MGM for a free look at the lions or cross the walkway to Excalibur. At the latter you will have photo opportunities at the entrance to the castle. Wander around the casino a bit and immerse yourself in a medieval time. Take the tram all the way to the Mandalay Bay. Here you must visit Shark Reef ($14.00). It is an awesome aquarium where you will be surrounded by sharks in every single direction, that is, above, bellow and all side walls. Worth the price!

Now you can either walk or take the tram back to the Luxor next door. This casino has an amazing architecture, probably as remarkable as the original pyramids in Egypt if you do not consider the historical value of the latter. Here you'll find rides and an IMAX theatre which pale compared to the rest. Definitely the huge atrium interior is something so extraordinary that you can't avoid contemplating it with your mouth opened for quite some time. The elevators are called "inclinators" because they ascend diagonally, but unfortunately you have to be a registered guest nowadays to ride one to the top. The pool area on the other hand is one of the few ones in Vegas where you can wander free and it's worth to see the building from this perspective. Also take a look at the Sphinx (you have to go under it to go back to the tram station). Don't forget to come back here at night to see the light coming out of the pyramid summit. It can be seen even from space!!!

Time to retrace your steps back to N.Y.NY., get in your car and go on to the next area.

SECTION TWO: Alladin/Paris, Vegas/Caesar Palace/Bellagio

This is one of the best areas on the Strip. Choose to do it in the afternoon and evening hours so that you can enjoy the lights and the outdoor shows.

Park at the Caesar. The shopping here used to be the best in town a few years ago, but now some newer casinos have outshine it a bit. Still, it is an impressive casino that you can not afford to pass by. Go to the Forum and then watch the statues to come alive hourly. Take the walkways to the outside area to contemplate the gardens and roman statuary. At this time this area is under construction and you bet it will be amazing in a near future with the Coliseum addition.

Next door is Bellagio, the beautiful! The most dramatic and inspiring of them all. If you only have time to visit one casino, look no further, this is the one. Belaggio is also the most luxurious. The splendid blue lake at its entrance and the dancing-water show will take your breath away and make you fall in love with the place right the way. The best picture you will take of the Eiffel tower (located across the street) can be taken from the higher grounds around the mid section of the lake sidewalk near the casino main doors. The water show starts at 3PM, but during the night hours it runs more frequently at 15 minutes intervals. Explore every corner of this building you can possibly go to, it is exuberant in every aspect. Do not miss the colorful sculptured glass-flowered ceiling at the main lobby.

I had the opportunity to watch "O" at the Bellagio. This is by far the best show I've seen from the Cirque du Soleil which I admire immensely . What an incredible acrobatic circus in the water spectacle ! Probably one of your best night out choices in Vegas.

Now, take the outside moving walkways and go to the Alladin, located across L.V.Blvd. This casino is a newer version that replaced the old one imploded a few years ago. The best here is the mall next door called "Desert Passage", an adventure à la Arabian Nights storyteller. Either if you like shopping or merely browsing around my advice is not to miss it.

Finally finish up this section at the Paris, Vegas. The heart of the casino is the Eiffel Tower foundation against a realistic blue and cloudy sky. Lights are dim and the atmosphere is naturally romantic at the "sidewalk cafes" and bistros. Even the hostess will greet you in French! This is certainly a good area to have dinner and a cocktail. A must is to cross the bridge and take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel tower itself (U$12). This is in my opinion a better view than the one offered at the taller Stratosphere because it is more centered on the Strip and so you will have a great close-up view of the surroundings. You have to remain at the tower top plateau at least to glimpse the water show at the Belaggio Lake down bellow. You can hear the music all the way from up there! Also, check outside the casino some other famous landmarks like the "Triumph Arch" and the "Louvre" museum façade.

SECTION THREE: Mirage/Treasure Island/Venetian

In a second day start by visiting this area. You can park for free at the Venetian. Go to the Grand Canal to do some shopping or to admire the view of the gondolas crossing the inner waterways all along the path. Check out the San Marco Square and the exterior Italian architecture.

Across the street visit the tropical and lush Mirage. Go to the check-in area to see the aquarium and visit the free White Tiger exhibition. They also have a small zoo and Dolphin Habitat that costs $10 to get in. I particularly did not care much for it, but would definitely recommend for kids.

Late in the afternoon you must watch the Buccaneer Bay pirate show a the Treasure Island . It gets crowded, so try to get a sit at a table at one of its restaurants to observe the "battle" comfortably. Expect fire, smoke and visual effects. It is not too long, but it is free. Right after that go back to the Mirage to catch up a volcano explosion every so often atop its front courtyard waterfall.

Now, head to the last section of the Strip toward the tall Stratosphere tower.

SECTION FOUR: Stratosphere/Downtown

You should get here by sunset, so that you can admire the view from the tallest structure in town. You can see the entire city, as far as the mountains and the desert all around. At the top you can dine, ride a corkscrew roller coaster or do the "Big Shot" up on its antenna like shaped pinnacle. Both are fun, but I preferred the latter . You can combine it all with the third ride (the elevator itself to the top) to save some money.

When the night falls go to downtown Las Vegas at Freemont Street. Here the lights are the old Vegas style and great for pictures. Quite hot under it too! You must wait for the top of the hour when they have the Fremont St. Experience show. This is an unforgettable moment and a highlight of your trip to Vegas. Suddenly the casino lights are turned off all at the same time and above you , extending 4 street blocks , millions of computer controlled micro-lights will form pictures, as if it was a movie rolling on the sky, accordingly to the music that fills up the air. It is a surreal sight, something like the future in a different planet or a dreamlike fantasy like this 2 incredible days you just had in Las Vegas.

There's more to see while here, but you can rest assured that with little or no time in your hands you will see absolutely the best you could possible see and know the city like a pro. Enjoy it!

For More Information

Paradise Found Tours maintains a website for Hoover Dam at http://www.paradisefoundtours.com. The site provides information for hoover dam tours, special news, fees and other pertinent information.