Sample Itineraries

Choose one: Hoover Dam - Desert Strip Adventure - Mountain Escape - Native American Passage - Neon Zone - River Region

Neon Zone

Tour No. 14: Night Tour

The brilliant colors and shapes of Las Vegas' famous neon is experienced during a tour down the Las Vegas Strip to downtown's Fremont Street Experience. The Strip is the only city street in America that has been designated an All-American Road. The trip can begin at the Mandalay Bay and end at the Fremont Street Experience in time to enjoy the light and sound show that is projected 90 feet above the famous Glitter Gulch casino area. Dinner at one of Las Vegas' fine restaurants such as Lawry's the Prime Rib and McCormick and Schmick's Seafood restaurants will cap a memorable evening.

Mileage: 8. Time: One hour without dinner or show.

Tour No. 15: Sidewalk Entertainment

In addition to the Fremont Street Experience downtown, several establishments on the Strip offer entertainment that can be viewed from the street. The Luxor's lights bathe the Sphinx and other Egyptian statuary in exotic hues. Step up to the Excalibur for the battle between Merlin and the fiery dragon. New York-New York welcomes visitors to its Big Apple and features a roller coaster and replica of the Statue of Liberty. The fountains at Caesars Palace are a perfect backdrop for visiting shutterbugs, and the Bellagio has a water laser-light show on a lake fronting the Strip. At the Mirage, the exploding volcanoes prepare sightseers for the sidewalk pirate battle next door at Treasure Island. (Clue: the pirates always win.)

Mileage: 4. Time: Excellent for a group's free time.

Tour No. 16: Theme Parks and Thrill Rides

Tours can incorporate The Adventuredome thrill attractions such as the roller coaster and log flume ride under the pink dome at Circus Circus; the roller coaster at New York-New York; the roller coaster, Strat-O-Fair midway, and Big Shot thrill rides at the Stratosphere; and Speed: The Ride roller coaster at the Sahara.

Mileage: 3. Time: Let your stomach be your guide.

Tour No. 17: Cultural Corridor

One mile north of the downtown casino core are two museums and a state park within walking distance of each other. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has animated dinosaurs, an exhibit dedicated to Nevada's wildlife, live sharks, and displays of animals from around the world. Across the street, the Lied Discovery Children's Museum has more than 100 hands-on exhibits relating to the arts and sciences.

Behind the Natural History Museum, a remnant of Las Vegas' first settlement, the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, is now a state park with exhibits on the role the fort played in the city's history. (Timed right, this tour can incorporate a Triple A Las Vegas 51's baseball game at adjacent Cashman Field.)

Mileage: 1. Time: Two hours.

Tour No. 18: Strip Museums

There are seven museums located within a five-mile radius of the Strip. There is an excellent car collection at the Imperial Palace, and the Guinness World of Records Museum, located across the Strip from Wet & Wild, offers a look at the record holders. The Elvis-A-Rama Museum has an extensive collection of King momentos, and the Liberace Museum has memorabilia belonging to Mr. Showmanship. At the Luxor, King Tut's Tomb and Museum recreates the archaeological find. Madame Tussaud's Celebrity Encounter Wax Museum is located in the Venetian, and two Guggenheim museums are scheduled to open in September 2001. The Bellagio also offers an art museum.

Mileage: 5. Time: Excellent activity for free time.

Tour No. 19: The Neon Zoo

Creatures from the wild have taken up residence at four Las Vegas hotels. The Mirage has a dolphin habitat and tigers, lions, panthers, and an elephant belonging to illusionists Siegfried and Roy. There are more lions in the habitat at MGM Grand. The Flamingo Las Vegas features flamingos, penguins, swans, turtles, and fish in its wildlife habitat. The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay exhibits sharks, sea predators, and other exotic creatures.

Mileage: 2. Time: Excellent activity for free time.