While most residents of Las Vegas try to avoid mucking it up with the tourists, gawkers and innumerable visitors that come to the city each year, there are times when it feels really good to act like newbies by walking Vegas with a different shade of glasses.
To that end this is the first in a series of walking tours that will help remind locals, whether long time residents or new transplants, just what makes Las Vegas one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
A Walking Tour of the Center Strip
Depending on the pace, how many pit stops for food, drinks and shopping are made, this tour could take an hour to all evening. Here are some of the highlights.
Stop One: Make a Wager at Bally’s
While Bally’s may seem to be on the lower echelon of the mega resorts, it still boasts one of the most local friendly sports books. Toss down a ten spot on a three-team parlay or take that underdog straight up. With bet in hand wander out to the strip via the neon people movers and wander over to Paris.
Stop Two: Zip up the Eiffel Tower
Like its big sister in France, the half size replica of this symbol of France grants one of the best views to be had. Zip up to the top near dusk for one of the best views of the city and a spectacular vantage point for the famed Bellagio fountains.
Stop Three: Fountains and Glass Sculptures Galore.
Even if you journeyed up the Eiffel Tower you’ll likely stop again for the varied fountain shows that go off at least twice an hour. Grab a bit of luck for that parlay and take in a show accompanied by Old Blue Eye’s “Luck Be A Lady” and wonder at the mastery this city in the desert has claimed over water. Absorb the beauty of the glass floral sculptures that dominate the Bellagio’s lobby before shopping your way to Caesar’s.
Stop Four: Hail Caesar
Wander over Flamingo Blvd via the skybridge to Caesar’s Palace where toga clad cocktail waitresses will bring beverages while you try your hand a few hands of blackjack. Stop by the Exotic Car room before journeying into the Forum Shops, where numerous stores and restaurants offer their wares. One favorite is Espresso, a quick pit stop where coffee, gelato and sandwiches can be purchased to fuel the second half of the tour.
Stop Five: “Natural” Wonders at the Mirage
Exit the Forum Shops for a view of the Mirage’s massive volcano that erupts like Old Faithful every hour. Wonder at the 20,000 gallon aquarium and the tropical canopy, before visiting with the white tigers that made Siegfried and Roy so famous.
Stop Six: Sirens, Sushi and Cirque at TI
Head over to Treasure Island by tram and be rewarded by an hourly mock naval battle at Siren’s Cove between swashbuckling beauties that could be body doubles for a Victoria Secret shoot and beefy wanna be Chippendales understudies. While there chow down on some sushi at the Social House and take in Cirque Du Soleil’s Mystere, the Strip’s first, and some say best, Cirque show.
Stop Seven: Canals and Cocktails.
End the evening at the mega resort most beloved and hated by locals. Standing on the last resting spot of the famous Sands, the Venetian takes a grander and more elegant approach than many of the tourist focused mega resorts. Take a gondola ride through the Grand Canal Shoppes, pose like fools in front of Elvis or Michael Jackson at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum or marvel at the artistic majesty at the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum. Grab a nightcap at V Bar or hang with the Blue Man Group before heading home or reversing course and doing it all over again. After all Vegas never sleeps.
