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The Angelenos Guide To Las Vegas Getaways

The Vegas getaway is a popular diversion for many people living in Southern California, and more specifically, Los Angeles. Las Vegas is relatively accessible by car, and it is even more accessible when you utilize cheap flights on an airline like Southwest. Regardless of how you get there, Las Vegas offers unlimited amounts of entertainment for those who are tired of local attractions. Here are a few destinations for those who want to make a quick getaway to Las Vegas and the Strip.

Where To Stay

Hotels in Vegas are large and plentiful. As one might expect, most of the big hotels are combined with casinos, so that guests don't have to think about venturing outside into the desert heat to find entertainment. Many hotels provide deals and packages to lure guests, though this doesn't always mean that lodging is cheap. The following are some of the more popular and luxurious hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 414-1000
www.venetian.com

Overall, the Venetian can be a fairly expensive destination, but the spacious rooms and top-rated restaurants make it a popular and well-reviewed hotel on the Strip.

Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(877) 632-7800
www.mandalaybay.com

Great food, luxurious rooms and a fantastic pool area make this a very busy hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(888) 987-6667
www.bellagio.com

The fountains and lake at this hotel make it an intriguing location, and visitors can enjoy good food and the famous show "O" from Cirque Du Soleil.

For those who don't desire to stay on the Strip itself, there are lodging options within easy distance. This is assuming that people want to walk, drive into the Strip and park or take a taxi. Tourists should keep in mind that some parts of Vegas are not exactly ideal, so it is best to read reviews before pursuing a seemingly good deal.

Where To Gamble

In all honestly, the safest place to gamble is in one's own living room with friends. However, people often go to Las Vegas with the general acceptance that they aren't going to come home with all of their money. New casinos are popping up all the time, and those who want to gamble can hit a variety of places. These include the following:

The MGM Grand
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(877) 880-0880
www.mgmgrand.com

This destination boasts one of the largest gambling facilities in the entire world. Gamblers have almost limitless opportunities to enjoy multiple gaming areas and other attractions throughout the complex.

The Flamingo
3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
888-902-9929
www.flamingolasvegas.com

This is a more "classic" casino, as it has been around for a number of years. However, it remains a popular spot for tourists and gamblers who want to experience a bit of Las Vegas history.

Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
866-227-5938
www.caesarspalace.com

The Caesars casino is world-famous, and it has a huge collection of slots, tables and other games. In addition, visitors are treated to the beautiful architecture that is fit for a Caesar.

What To See And Do

In addition to gambling, hotels and buffets, Las Vegas is known for big shows. There are a variety of newer and longer-term acts that appeal to a variety of individuals and interests. These include some of the more famous and popular events, such as:

Blue Man Group
866-641-SHOW
www.blueman.com

The Blue Man Group is an unusual presentation of music and multimedia, and Las Vegas visitors won't be disappointed if they take in this theatrical show.

Cirque Du Soleil
www.cirquedusoleil.com

The Cirque Du Soleil brand continues to expand and tourists who want a definitive Las Vegas vacation owe it to themselves to take in this uniquely visual experience.

Penn & Teller
(702) 777-7776
www.pennandteller.com

Fans can never be quite sure what they will get when they see Penn & Teller. The crass pair combines magic and humor to create a show that visitors are unlikely to forget.

If you're not into shows, there are other attractions throughout the city. They include a wide variety of interests, including:

The Stratosphere Roller Coaster
2000 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 380-7711
www.stratospherehotel.com

Many cities have amusement parks and roller coasters. Las Vegas adds the twist of putting a roller coaster 866 feet off the ground.

M&M's World
3785 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109-4333
(702) 740-2520
www.mymms.com

This multi-storied attraction is basically a big store with a huge variety of M&M merchandise. For M&M fans, it is an intriguing stop that is difficult to duplicate.

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South Suite 2001
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 862-7800
www.madametussauds.com

Wax museums are always an interesting tourist attraction, and Madame Tussaud's is famous around the world for their historical, political and celebrity figures.

Regardless of what you like to do, Las Vegas has an endless number of diversions for those who want to be entertained at all hours of the day and night. Granted, Las Vegas isn't necessarily a quiet or tranquil place to visit, but most individuals who head for Vegas have an idea of what they will experience.

- Todd Pheifer
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