Page 9 - AAA Shelby County – AAA Now! – March/April 2018

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las vegas: Glittery Oasis in the Desert By Judie Karhan
Ever since the 1960s when Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and other members
of the notorious Rat Pack made their headlining appearances in Las Vegas, this city has been known as a glamorous, glittery desert oasis where the entertainment never stops.
With football-field-size rows of gaming tables, slot machines, cocktail lounges and restaurants, the mega resorts that line the Las Vegas
Strip attract pleasure-seekers from
around the globe. With its eclectic collection of entertainment venues and dazzling shows, including the avant-garde “Blue Man Group,” Cirque du Soleil, and an endless lineup of renowned performers such as Celine Dion, the city has certainly earned
its reputation as “The Entertainment
Capital of the World.” But this
distinction is selling Las Vegas short,
because during the past two decades the city has transformed into a sensational multi-dimensional resort destination – a world in itself.
Experience Paris, the City of Light, simply by strolling through the Paris Las Vegas Casino/Resort, which features scaled replicas of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The spirit of the city is displayed in the charming cobblestone-paved shopping district, lined with gourmet French restaurants and the finest Parisian boutiques.
For a taste of Italy, venture to the Venetian. In a setting that reproduces the legendary city of Venice, this luxury resort captivates guests with the sights
and sounds of the world’s most romantic city. You can even cruise throughout the property along canals navigated by gondola operators.
The five-diamond Bellagio Hotel, inspired by the town of its namesake located
on the shores of Italy’s beautiful
Lake Como, provides the
freedom to glide around in more than one million gallons of water.
The entire family will enjoy Las Vegas’ unusual shopping venues, too, such as Aladdin’s Arabian-
themed marketplace named Desert Passage, the four-story M&M store, and Caesars Forum, featuring scores of unique shops.
With all its indulgent pleasures, it’s not surprising that Las Vegas does not come up short on heart-pounding thrill rides either. The Big Apple Coaster winds its way around the New York New York grounds, lifting riders up to 203 feet and reaching speeds of up to 67 mph.
The Stratosphere Las Vegas features a freestanding tower that tops out
at 1,149 feet and is equipped with observation areas and some thrill ride attractions. One ride, SkyJump, has daredevil visitors jumping off the tower’s edge in a controlled bungee- jumping venue.
For a different leap of faith, maybe you’re in the mood to get married. If you don’t have time to arrange a
wedding with Merlin at the Excalibur or Cleopatra at Caesars Palace, drive-thru ceremonies are available. Or, if you have a very deep romantic streak, take your vows with “minister Elvis” at the Graceland Wedding Chapel.
It seems that anything is possible in Las Vegas.
The Venetian
setting for an extraordinarily choreographed ballet
of water, music and lights that enchants strolling crowds daily.
With all this glitz
and glamor going for Las Vegas, it might seem that the city is a playground for adults only, but not so. At the Renaissance-inspired Excalibur Hotel there
are plenty of family-friendly shows and activities, including a true dinner theater and themed roller coasters. You can watch swashbuckling pirates at Treasure Island and visit the African Lion Exhibit at MGM Grand Las Vegas.
The Bellagio
Fremont Street
Another not-to-miss attraction is the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Dubbed “North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit,” this aquarium features many fascinating creatures of the sea, including sharks, sawfish and giant rays. There are more than 2,000 animals in all, and they have the
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