Venice, Paris, Greece or Egypt? Millions of tourists take cheap flights to Las Vegas each year to glide down the gondolas of The Venetian or whoosh 140 metres above the Strip on the Eiffel Tower Ride.
Las Vegas used to be all about Blackjack and Roulette, but while gaming is still a big part of the action on the Strip - that 6km stretch between Russell Road and Sahara Avenue - it is now partly about luxe breaks and family hols. Travellers are going for the shopping, high-end spa treatments, celebrity-chef restaurants, and headliner shows.
Beyond the mega-watt Strip, there is plenty of nature to explore. Many travellers pencil in a visit to the Red Rock National Conservation area, Lake Mead National Recreation area and Mount Charleston, all a quick drive from the hotels and casinos.
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Located in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas's climate is arid. Summers are hot and winters are short. During the summer months temperatures can hit the 40-degree mark. Winter temperatures are about 16 degrees and whatever rain falls (about 110mm) falls during these months.
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Las Vegas is a four-season destination.
Peak Season:
Las Vegas never really slows down. The times of year that are low season in other destinations such as August or Christmas are still busy in Las Vegas. The peak times of the year in Las Vegas are Memorial Day Weekend (last Monday in May), July 4, Labor Day Weekend (first Monday in September), New Year's Eve and Spring Break (March/April).
Off Season:
There's not really an off-season in Las Vegas. The popularity of Las Vegas for conventions ensures that hotel occupancy rates stay buoyant, even in midweek.
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There are lots of car-rental companies with desks at McCarran International including Budget, Avis and Hertz. The per day rate is about $25.
Taxis are available on the east side of baggage claim, outside door exits 1-4. Shuttles and limousines depart from the west side of baggage claim, outside exits 7-13. Fares start from about $6 (approximately $7 AU) one way.
Public transport is provided by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada. Buses run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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The Strip is 6km long, compact enough to walk around if fortified by a hearty buffet breakfast, but there are several private bus companies that travel between the attractions if energy levels are low. Renting a car at McCarran International is a good idea if you are planning on heading outside the city and Las Vegas has plenty of free parking spaces. Almost every major hotel has free valet parking.
Renting a limo is a classy way of travellling around. An hour's rental will cost about $35. Metered taxis are readily available.
Public buses run all day, every day; fares start at $2.
The Las Vegas Monorail operates along the east side of The Strip, seven days a week from 7am to 2am on Monday to Thursday or to 3am at the weekend. A single-ride ticket costs $5.
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- Check out Citycoups.com, the coupon website that gives discounts on restaurants, shows, wedding chapels and hair salons.
- Catch a helicopter tour of the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas Strip or Grand Canyon. Tours depart every few minutes. Some are luxury affairs, with free limo upgrade and champagne picnic lunches.
- A boat tour of Lake Mead will take you from the Hoover Dam to the entrance to the Grand Canyon and back.
- Las Vegas has a wealth of museums such as the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum and Liberace Museum. The museum boasts a rare piano collection, antiques, jewellery, customised automobiles and elaborate costumes.
- The Stratosphere Tower is the tallest observation tower in the U.S. There are thrilling rides such as the Big Shot, that shoots passengers straight up 48 metres at more than 4 Gs until they are 330 metres above the Las Vegas Strip and the X-Scream, an enormous teeter-totter that propels you 8 metres over the edge of the Tower, 263 metres above the ground. The Observation Deck is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S.
- The pyramids, Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals are there and so is a section of the Berlin Wall. Granted, only male visitors can see this. The section of the Wall is the backdrop to the urinals of Main Street Station.
- Before boarding cheap flights to Las Vegas, visit Vegas4locals.com (www.vegas4locals.com) and sign up for the weekly newsletter. It's packed full of freebies and cut-rate tickets.
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