Las Vegas: Beneath the Glitz

Introduction

It's been immortalized in print and onscreen, gleaming with millions of artificial lights in the middle of the Nevada deserts. Las Vegas has earned its reputation as the "Entertainment Capital of the World," with someone offering a show or a game of some kind at every turn. Since gambling was legalized there over 75 years ago, Vegas has become the number one destination in North America to pursue the vice in all its forms. Sparkling luxury hotels house the casinos and high rollers, and they play host to dozens of notable concerts, circuses and shows of all kinds.

Getting Around

Vegas has an array of options for transportation, but it isn't the finest spot for public transit. Its Monorail is a bit expensive--$5 one-way, and while the buses are cheap ($1.25), they're often very crowded and slow. Many prefer transportation by taxi, and depending on how long your stay, it might be beneficial to rent a car, which isn't awfully expensive. In all, it might be entertaining to do most of your travel by walking--you never know what you'll come across.

Key Attractions

With so much being offered and so little time (and likely a finite amount of cash), it's probably worth your while to map out your must-sees. Here's a few we recommend.

HOTELS

Where other cities' classic landmarks might be famous for their historical value, Vegas is all about the shiniest, grandest and most modern attractions -- it's one of the few places where the hotels themselves are the iconic mainstays rather than just the place you sleep. One of these icons is Caesar's Palace (top left), which combines the splendor of Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece to create an environment of decorated decadence. Another is the massive Bellagio, which sits on the edges of a 10-acre lake and features 16 restaurants and one of the most opulent lobbies of any hotel, not to mention countless other luxurious offerings. The younger crowd flocks to The Palms, once the site of MTV's Real World, which boasts a 14-theatre cinema and Las Vegas's only in-hotel tattoo parlor.