Las Vegas may be one of North America’s most famous cities. Vegas is where couples go to elope, to cut loose, or blow off steam. Las Vegas offers resorts and vice, most popular of which is gambling. In fact, gambling is so entwined with Las Vegas it’s hard to imagine going there for any other reason. What if I told you Las Vegas had more to offer? What if I told you not only was it possible to go to Vegas and not gamble, but it was possible to go and have an entire vacation without gambling at all? You’d probably say prove it. Well, let me tell you about all the fun there is to be had in Las Vegas without spending any money on gambling.
If you like to golf, it may please you to know there are more than 50 courses in or near Las Vegas. With the strip’s skyline in sight, the Bali Hai golf club is a good place to start. This par 71 7,002 yards course offers an easy start and challenging finish to your round of golf. Visit www.balihaigolfclub.com for details. Another par 71 course, the desert pines golf club clocks in at 6,810 yards. As a public course, Desert Pines offers more reasonable rates than others but still offers a beautifully designed course and challenging round of golf. Visit www.desertpinesgolfclub.com to learn more. If you want to find out about more of Las Vegas’ golf courses visit www.lasvegasgolf.com for a comprehensive golf guide.
When you see the casinos and resorts lining the Strip, you forget Las Vegas has an entire history that doesn’t involve gambling. You forget that in 1905, Las Vegas was a stop on the railroad between Salt Lake City and L.A. You even forget that in 1910 the city outlawed gambling, leading to illicit gambling dens. Although you don’t forget about Bugsy Seagle and his role in turning Vegas into a gambling town. You might want to start with the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort or the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society (www.nv.gov, 700 Twin Lakes Dr.).
If you’re hankering for something a little glitzier, you might consider taking in a show. Do you like Magic? Maybe you’ll feel like checking out David Copperfield. No? Maybe you’d be in the mood for the awe and wonder of Cirque Du Soleil. If you’re more in the mood for a concert performance, you might see Mariah Carey or Celine Dion. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Las Vegas has more live performances than you could fit in to a vacation. Go to www.visitlasvegas.com for more information on the endless variety of shows Las Vegas has to offer.
If you’ve got extra money to spend, why not get in some shopping? Conveniently located on the strip, the Miracle Mile Shops provides the perfect starting place to spending your money. With 170 stores, 15 restaurants and a movie theater, the Miracle Mile is THE place to get your shopping done. Visit www.miraclemileshopslv.com to learn more. If you want to get off the strip, you might visit Town Square Las Vegas at 6605 Las Vegas Blvd S. This open air venue features shops and restaurants located over twenty-two buildings boasting a variety of architectural styles. For a list of shops and amenities, visit www.townsquarelasvegas.com.
Now, you might want to see some of Las Vegas’ amenities. Did you know, Vegas boasts the first master planned Chinatown in America? Chinatown offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Chinese culture, more shopping, as well as great restaurants. Visit www.lvchinatown.com for details on what they have to offer. If you’re in the mood for something spookier, visit Haunted Vegas Tours. Daring you to “put a little fright in your night,” the tour visits 21 haunted places around town including the Motel of Death and places haunted by the likes of Bugsy Seagle. Visit www.hauntedvegastours.com for more details.
By now, you’ve worked up an appetite. Vegas offers everything from cafes to fast food, nightclubs, beer bars and brew pubs. Visit Gordon Biersch for fine craft brewed beers and great food. Check out their website at www.gordonbiersch.com. Check out the Victorian style bar and two levels of outdoor patio offered by Nine Fine Irishmen. Visit their website at www.nynyhotelcasino.com for more. Obviously, I can’t list every restaurant and dining experience Las Vegas has to offer. For a fairly extensive listing visit www.visitlasvegas.com for more restaurant selection.
Las Vegas has so much more to offer than can be listed here. If you’re interested in visiting Vegas and want more things to do than I’ve listed, here are a few websites to help you plan your trip. First, www.visitlasvegas.com will give you a good start to planning your trip. Next, www.las-vegas.cc and www.alllasvegastours.com/things to do will round out your itinerary. And don’t forget websites like www.citysearch.com and www.tripadvisor.com to help find places to eat and drink. And most importantly, when you go, just have fun.
