Las Vegas

The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino contains everything listed in its name, and a great deal more. Once upon a time on its site stood the legendary Sands Hotel. But Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack were long departed from the scene by the time the venerated structure was demolished to make way for The Venetian. Opened in 1998, this billion dollar behemoth is one of Las Vegas' greatest centers of luxury and entertainment.

MGM has a long and glorious tradition as an entertainment company. Some of the most treasured films of the 20th century were produced by this motion picture enterprise. But in the last decades of the previous century, the company branched out to other forms. The MGM Grand is one magnificent sample.

Originally housed in what is now the Bally's Las Vegas, that site was sold in 1986 and construction begun on something bigger, better, bolder. Those three words are easily associated with MGM and they fit well as a description of the current MGM Grand.

At 755 East Flamingo Road in Las Vegas resides one of the more unusual museums that visitors to this wild city can view. Considering that we're talking about Vegas, that's saying something. In fact, this museum would be considered unusual anywhere. For at that site is housed The Atomic Testing Museum.

Sponsored in large part by the Smithsonian, and run by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, it offers displays and videos documenting the almost 50-year history of nuclear weapons testing in Nevada.

The Star Trek Experience inside the Las Vegas Hilton is one of the more unusual 'rides' a visitor can take anywhere, even taking Disneyland into account. While Disneyland offers many a thrilling ride these days, few actually involve live actors that interact with the 'traveler' during the ride. This is performance art at its best.

The astounding Cirque du Soleil is an enormous acrobatic act... and so much more. If you have an image of the old time circus with clowns and acrobats, be prepared for a shock. Cirque du Soleil has this, and much more, but in a form that is wildly different.

Not too many years ago, using the word 'dining' in relation to Las Vegas would have elicited laughter from any gourmet. True, you could get a steak for $2, but it was barely edible. The 'all-you-can-eat' buffets for a few dollars were no better. The cheap food was there, as everyone knew, simply to draw in the crowds, who would then spend money gambling.

But Vegas has changed.

Vegas is naturally associated with gambling. Then came the inexpensive food, in order to get people to stay near the casinos to... gamble. Later came shows to attract people to the casinos to, well, gamble. But Vegas has evolved. Fine restaurants, shows solely for the sake of entertainment and - finally - great shopping has arrived.

Today, the Las Vegas visitor will find more choices than any amount of plastic could cover. The shops offer everything from run-of-the-mill clothing to fine chocolate to exotic cars, all done Vegas-style, of course.

Forum Shops, Caesars Palace