Insiders Guide to Vegas, USA
Airing Date: Nov 13th, 2006
The centre of gambling in the US, Las Vegas is marketed as The Entertainment Capital of the World, also commonly known as Sin City, due to the popularity of legalized gambling, the availability of alcohol at any time (like all of Nevada), and various types of adult entertainment.
The city's glamorous image has made it a popular setting for films and television programs. The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos and the most famous casinos line Las Vegas Boulevard South, also known as the Las Vegas Strip.
There are many casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large casinos are also located in the county around the city.
People come here for all kinds of gambling - whichever way you want to tie the knot, Las Vegas offers the ultimate freedom of choice, ranging from Elvis presiding over a 24-hour drive-through chapel to a lavish soire at one of the world's premier resorts, from a breathtaking outdoor ceremony at Mt. Charleston to a traditional ceremony in a church packed with guests.
With more than 120,000 marriage licenses issued annually, Las Vegas is recognized as the world's wedding capital. Most popular wedding days in Las Vegas: Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve.
Vegas doesn't have to cost you the earth - here are 10 free things to do in Las Vegas:
1) White tiger exhibit at the Mirage Resort.
2) Gondola watching at The Venetian Hotel and Casino.
3) Caesars Palace: Stroll to the Forum Shops, and watch a seven-minute show of special effects as Roman statues come to life.
4) Gaze upon the Eiffel Tower. Paris Las Vegas opened in September 1999 complete with replica Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
5) Stroll the streets of Paris: Open the door to Paris Las Vegas, walk through a noisy casino, and find yourself ambling down the cobblestone pathways of The City of Lights.
6) The lion habitat at the MGM Grand.
7) New York City. New York, New York Hotel & Casino opened in 1997. Outside, a faux Statue of Liberty stretches her torch between palm trees and a Coney Island-style roller coaster that does loop-the-loops in front of replica skyscrapers.
8) The dancing fountains of Bellagio. The Bellagio hotel opened in 1998. Every afternoon and evening, the hotel's manmade turquoise lake becomes the staging ground for a 1,000-foot-long fountain display.
9) The flaming volcano at the Mirage. Every 15 minutes from 7 p.m. to midnight, the Mirage's replica volcano erupts only a few steps from Las Vegas Boulevard.
10) The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
FURTHER INFORMATION Air New Zealand return to Las Vegas from $1940 ex Sydney, $2023 ex Melbourne, $2023 ex Brisbane, $2240 ex Adelaide
$2424 ex Perth. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 13/11/06.
Rooms from $118 a night. Twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 13/11/06.
Car hire from $83 a day. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 13/11/06.
Hertz - PH:
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