Maps and Illustrations vii
Acknowledgments viii
Introduction 1
On a Plane to Las Vegas 1
Looking Back, Looking Ahead 2
The Impact of the Mirage 3
Survival of the Older Casinos 3
Honey, I Blew Up the Casino! 4
The Great Mergers and Acquisitions 5
Gluttons Are More Likely to Choke to Death 5
Oz Stumbles 6
What It Means to You 8
The Quiet Contender 10
A Tale of Two Cities 10
Las Vegas: An Overview 13
Arriving and Getting Oriented 18
CONVENTIONS AND SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 20-22
Las Vegas as a Family Destination 31
PART ONE Accommodations and Casinos 34
Where to Stay: Basic Choices 34
Getting Around: Location and Convenience 40
COMMUTING TIMES IN MINUTES 42-44
What's in an Address? 45
Room Reservations: Getting a Good Room, Getting a Good Deal 60
For Business Travelers 72
Comfort Zones: Matching Guests with Hotels 80
Hotels with Casinos 82
Navigating the Land of the Giants 151
Business Hotels 152
Suite Hotels 153
Suite Hotels without Casinos 154
Las Vegas Motels 158
RV Camping in Las Vegas 158
Accommodations: Rated and Ranked 158
HOTEL INFORMATION CHART 168-185
PART TWO Entertainment and Nightlife 186
Las Vegas Shows and Entertainment 186
Selecting a Show 207
Celebrity-headliner Rooms 209
Production Shows 213
Las Vegas Show Profiles 214
LAS VEGAS SHOW TOP 40 HIT PARADE 215
Las Vegas Nightlife 266
Nightclub Profiles 274
Las Vegas below the Belt 293
PART T H R E E Gambling 298
The Way It Is 298
Rules of the Games 309
PART FOUR Dining and Restaurants 345
Dining in Las Vegas 345
The Restaurants 358
Restaurant Profiles 366
PART F I V E Shopping and Seeing the Sights 414
Shopping in Las Vegas 414
Seeing the Sights 422
Other Area Attractions 433
PART S I X Exercise and Recreation 444
Working Out 444
Golf 448
Outdoor Recreation 462
Spa 101 476
Index and Reader Survey 490
Subject Index 490
Unofficial Guide Reader Survey 503
