The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2013

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