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Five Things Not to Miss in Las Vegas

With its multitude of bright lights, unique experiences and larger-than-life characters, Las Vegas presents its visitors with a tricky decision of where to begin their trip and what sights to see. For those who have never been to the city before, there are a few experiences that simply must not be missed.

The casinos

They are a crucial part of what makes Las Vegas unique and provide a good starting point for the majority of people visiting the city. There are dozens of casinos located throughout Las Vegas, many of which are based on the Strip - the iconic boulevard that runs through the city and turns into a neon-lit world of glitz, glamour and excitement at night. Some of the world's biggest casinos are located on this stretch, including the Bellagio with its famous fountains, the Mirage and the MGM Grand.

The casinos offer everything from blackjack and roulette to slot machines and sports betting, as well as gaming lessons to give guests some tips before they head out on the floor. There is also plenty of live entertainment to be enjoyed at these giant tourist attractions, with Eric Clapton, David Copperfield, Fleetwood Mac and many others due to appear over the coming months.

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay is the only predator-based aquarium and exhibit in North America. Visitors can walk through a transparent tunnel surrounded by some 1.6 million gallons of seawater, which is populated by more than 2,000 marine animals. The aquarium is home to sharks of many different species, as well as piranha, rare golden crocodiles, endangered green sea turtles, giant rays and many other exotic creatures. One of the most popular features of Shark Reef is the touch pool, where visitors can get up close and personal with sharks, rays, crabs and other wildlife.

Animal lovers will find many other attractions to interest them around Las Vegas, including the MGM Grand Lion Habitat, which was founded to "honour the lion" and help safeguard its preservation. The Mirage is home to Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, an attraction set up in the name of the famous performance duo which provides a home for white tigers, panthers, leopards and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Stratosphere Tower

Standing at a height of 1,149ft, Stratosphere Tower is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the United States and the second tallest in the western hemisphere, behind only the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. The tower's most popular attractions are its rooftop rides, which include the Big Shot, the highest thrill ride in the world. Visitors can also try out X-Scream and Insanity, which has a mechanical arm that extends 64ft over the edge of the tower and spins riders around 900ft in the air.

Stratosphere Tower boasts several other features that make it worth a visit, including a casino with more than 50 of the most popular table games and over 1,200 slot and video game machines. Live entertainment at the complex includes the American Superstars show, which features impersonators of Elvis, Christina Aguilera, Rod Stewart and others.

Adventure tours

Visitors who fancy the idea of venturing beyond the limits of their holiday destination and exploring the expanse of Nevada desert that surrounds Las Vegas can do just that by booking a place on one of the many tours that set off from the city. One of the most popular options is an excursion to the Grand Canyon, which provides the opportunity to see the gorge's stunning landscapes and rivers and even go on a helicopter flight or a boat ride. Adrenaline junkies can participate in action tours which can include whitewater rafting, quad biking and other pursuits, while those looking for a more relaxing day out can set off on photography and sightseeing trips that take in some of the region's most impressive spectacles.

There are also plenty of tours available to people planning to stay within the city limits, including excursions that offer an introduction to Las Vegas' colourful history and even visit locations that are thought to be haunted.

Live shows

The range of live shows in Las Vegas means that tourists looking for some evening entertainment really will be spoilt for choice. Cirque du Soleil is a regular fixture in the city, currently presenting Mystere, Love, Ka and other shows at casino resorts including the Mirage and the MGM Grand. Musical fans will be able to see shows including The Lion King and Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular this year, while comedy lovers will be entertained by the likes of Jay Leno and the illusionist duo Penn & Teller.

Las Vegas is also famous for its never-ending line-up of live music concerts, which this year will include shows by Aretha Franklin (June 19th), George Thorogood (July 25th) and Rod Stewart (August 1st). Many artists present ongoing shows in the city, including American favourites Barry Manilow and Bette Midler.

This article is provided by Hotels Hotels Hotels suppliers of cheap hotels in Las Vegas

Updated: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:27:43

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