LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

There is perhaps no city on earth that represents unbridled capitalism with all its promise and folly better than Las Vegas. Before maturing into the world’s icon of no-holds-barred entertainment, Las Vegas Springs was a natural oasis, a welcome stop along The Spanish Trail of the 1800s for wannabe miners seeking California’s gold. Fresh water bubbling from the ground into lush meadows juxtaposed against the cactus and sand of the surrounding Mojave Desert gave the place an irresistible appeal from day one. When railroads reached the springs in 1906, the city’s first fortune was made: 1,200 lots were sold in a single day. Today, Las Vegas holds appeal for those looking to make their fortune at the gaming tables or those who come here to hike the rich desert terrain.

Getting Around
Simply raise your arm in Vegas and you can catch a cab. It’s a better alternative to driving when casinos are dealing free drinks.  Luckily, the best vehicle is free, non-polluting and lessens hangovers: your feet. For a quick and easy option, try the monorail, which gets you from one end of the strip to the other in just 15 minutes and costs only $5 per ride.

Night Out
Vegas is notorious for uninhibited wildness, partly thanks to Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. But the fact of the matter is that Vegas can be anything to anyone—singles to couples to families. The possibilities are endless, and mostly wholesome. All ages enjoy nightly performances by the Blue Man Group (www.blueman.com) at The Venetian. Body English throws a nightly party for mature audiences ’til 4 a.m. and while the dress code for waitresses is fine lingerie; guests generally wear clothing over theirs. PURE Management Group (www.purelv.com) oversees several hip Vegas venues, all award winning.

Stone’s Throw
Five hundred dollars in Las Vegas can buy a single token for high-roller slot machines, a round at Shadow Creek (the world’s most expensive golf course), or almost seven years of the America the Beautiful Pass giving you access to all of the National Parks and Federal lands in the country including the Red Rock Canyon Conservation area, 10 minutes west of Las Vegas. The red, white and black stone wonderland is a world-renowned rock climbing destination, and the hiking trails into the shadowy canyons are good place to recover from a few bad hands. 

Tuck In
Boasting more hotel rooms than any other city in the United States, there’s always a vacant room, however it’s best to make a reservation well in advance of your arrival. Remember many casinos are not just hotels, but elaborate theme parks that make choosing a hotel akin to deciding what planet to visit. After all, who goes to Vegas to sleep? For luxe accommodations, stay at Bellagio, the Venetian or the Wynn Las Vegas. If “budget” and “luxurious” can be used in the same sentence, it’s at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which boasts plenty of entertainment in-house.

Food Fix

By Topher Donahue