Lunacy in Las Vegas
Perhaps you'd always thought the bright lights of Sin City were not for you...
But Las Vegas is the greatest, daftest show on earth. The scale of extravagance and effort devoted to attracting 35 million people a year to the middle of a desert is 1000% guaranteed to be like nothing else you will ever experience in your life. Weekend breaks in Las Vegas are the modern-day equivalent of CS Lewis's magic wardrobe.
The Sphinx at the Luxor is bigger than the real thing in Egypt. A vast "volcano" erupts every hour at the Mirage hotel. The Hardwood Suite at the Palms hotel has its own basketball court, complete with cheerleaders. You couldn't make it up.
During weekend breaks in Las Vegas, you find your perspective of reality shifting. Who would settle for a couple of restaurants at a hotel? Bellagio's has 20. Oh, and a staggering free fountain show which cost $40m, with 1,200 nozzles and 4,500 lights to prove it.
In Circus Circus's casino room, acrobats, trapeze artists and jugglers perform overhead. The hotel's indoor theme park, Adventuredome, is encased in a 20,000 square metre pink glass dome. Should you fancy a spot of culture with your mains, you can dine at Picasso's, surrounded by £30m-worth of originals by the master.
Las Vegas, clearly, is absolutely loop-the-loop. But as you stroll down the Strip gasping at the onslaught of over-the-top sights, you can't help thinking it's so bizarre, it's unmissable.
Treat
your tastebuds. In recent years, many acclaimed super-chefs have opened up five-star restaurants in Las Vegas, making it a surprisingly prime spot for fine dining. Nobu, Aureole, Bouchon, Le Cirque, Picasso's, Chinois and Michael Mina are just a few of the restaurants serving exquisite food in classy surroundings.
Catch
your breath, standing on the transparent glass section of the patio at Ghostbar, on the 55th floor of the Palms. Beneath your trembling feet, you can see straight down to the pool area far, far below. The bar also affords stunning vistas of the Strip and the valley, with décor and clientele as cool as the nighttime views.
Scream
on the Roller Coaster at New York-New York. If the speeds of up to 107km/h don't get you bawling, perhaps the 540-degree spiral will. During the three-minute ride you probably won't have time to enjoy the themed scenery, which includes a replica of New York harbour and a huge reproduction of the Statue of Liberty.
Ange, executive producer, EdinburghI had the most fantastic time in Las Vegas, but also the most bizarre! The place is surreal. Most of the time you don't know whether it's night or day
Quick search
Weekend breaks in Las Vegas
Hotels in Las Vegas
Sightseeing and tours
Las Vegas life
Adult day pass at Adventuredome theme park $22.95
450g steak, sides and a beer at the Monterey Room, Gold Coast hotel $9.95
Viva Las Vegas Elvis wedding package at the Graceland Chapel
$199
Tourist visas to USA
No - Nationals of UK, most EU (exceptions below), Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland. Machine readable passports required
Yes - Nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic, South Africa
Guide only - always check with embassies before travel
Travel to Las Vegas
Flights to Las Vegas
| from | duration |
|---|---|
| London | 10h45 |
| Manchester | 14h45* |
| Edinburgh | 14h45* |
*average, including 1 stop
Airports
McCarran International (LAS)
0km to Las Vegas
All figures approximate
Average daily highs °C