Popular attractions in Las Vegas
The hotel-casinos of Las Vegas are the main reason people visit the city. But they have more to offer the wandering tourist than just gambling.
The following are some of the most popular attractions in Las Vegas.
Inside the Bellagio
Visitors to the Bellagio are greeted by a magnificent artificial lake with over a thousand water jets and an illuminated 18-foot ceiling at the lobby with thousands of hand-blown and colorful glass flowers. The opulent Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art regularly displays the works of famous contemporary painters while the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens showcases eye-opening floral arrangements.
Flamingo Wildlife Habitat
The Flamingo has a 15-acre gaming area consisting of gardens, waterfalls, and a wildlife habitat with koi, swans, turtles, African penguins and authentic Chilean flamingos. The decorative plants and palm trees make the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat look like a jungle rather than a zoo.
Inside The Mirage
The Mirage is the favorite haunt of high rollers and the first to introduce theatrical effects to delight its visitors. In front is a huge fake 100-foot volcano that erupts every hour after sundown, spewing out flames and orange lava-like water. At the lobby, there’s a 20,000-gallon aquarium with five dozen species of tropical fishes, including pygmy sharks. The dome-covered atrium houses a rainforest with streams, cascades and jungle foliage whose exotic scent fills the lobby. The Mirage also features an enclosure with white tigers and a dolphin habitat.
Star Trek: The Experience
The fans of Star Trek will feel like they’ve found paradise at the theme park Star Trek: The Experience, located on 3000 Paradise Road at the city center. It houses two excellent Star Trek exhibits, simulator rides and costumed Star Trek characters walking around.
Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay
Don’t expect to see a great white shark here, as the billboard outside may indicate, but there are plenty of sharks. Tourists can see them up close from a long transparent tunnel. The Shark Reef is home to jellyfish, sea turtles, stingrays, moral eels and over a thousand types of fish. The Shark Reef also boasts of one of the few remaining golden crocodiles in the world.
Lion Habitat at MGM Grand
If you’ve had your fill of sharks, you may want to enjoy the lions at the MGM Grand. Visitors can see the lions here up-close through the transparent walkway tunnel, but only two lions are displayed at a time. That’s enough to give any tourist the shivers, especially since the magnificent big cats are separated only by a sheet of protective glass
Guggenheim Hermitage Museum
Located inside The Venetian, the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum has an excellent collection from modern masters, known as the Guggenheim Collection. Its ceiling pays tribute to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. The Guggenheim Las Vegas is partners with the State Hermitage Museum of St Petersburg in Russia, which sources masterpieces from Europe. It was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Rem Koolhaas.
King Tut Museum
The jewels are mere reproductions of the original artifacts unearthed by English archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922, but they are impressive just the same. The museum also exhibits reproductions of relics from the tomb of King Tut dating back to an ancient Egyptian dynasty.
Adventuredome
Located at Circus Circus, this theme park features many thrilling rides, including the Sling Shot tower and the famed double-loop Canyon Blaster. Children will squeal with delight as clowns entertain them for free all day.
Wild Wild West Hotel
