Whether you have money to burn on the slot machines, a taste for fine dining and dazzling shows, or simply want to marvel at the brashness of it all, Allison Block finds Las Vegas comes up trumps.
The Reading Room
With its wood-coffered ceiling and cherry-wood parquet floors, The Reading Room (in the skybridge between the Mandalay Bay and Luxor hotels) is a civilised addition to the ?city of sin?. From Homer to Hunter S Thompson (best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), the literary landscape is well represented in Vegas' first-ever general-interest independent bookstore, which boasts art books, children's titles and limited editions. And its strategic location, next to coffee house, the Chocolate Swan, means that caffeine-craving bibliophiles can sip a brew while they browse.Binion's Horseshoe Hotel and Casino
Vegas is flush with places to play poker, but the home of the annual World Series of Poker is Binion's Horseshoe Hotel and Casino (now owned by Harrah's) on Fremont Street.Each April, card sharks like Howard Lederer and Annie Duke put their best poker faces forward in the lucrative world of ?No-limit Texas hold 'em? poker. But this five-card frenzy isn't the only game on offer. From slots to blackjack, keno to roulette, the urge to flirt with Lady Luck has been luring gamblers to this no-frills landmark since 1951.
Blue Man Group
It's been 20 years since this colourful trio of bald, boisterous entertainers first performed on the streets of New York. Their franchise is now an international sensation, and ?Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor? is a frenetic feast for the senses, combining music, theatre, percussion and technology. Those who really want to get in on the action should secure seats in the Poncho Section, the area closest to the stage where circular garments are distributed to audience members, offering protection from the succession of liquids that are splashed about during the show. Tickets cost $69?$99 from the Luxor Hotel, on the Strip (you can't miss it; it's the giant pyramid).MonteLago Village
Old-world Mediterranean charm meets the 21st century on the cobblestone streets of MonteLago Village, in Nevada's new hot spot, Lake Las Vegas. Minutes from the Strip, this upscale shopping enclave features a superlative selection of restaurants and boutiques. Buy a colourful kite from Flights of Fancy, assess original paintings at Collectors Fine Arts or toast a six-figure deal with a five-figure martini glass (a very sobering $45,000 at Da Mincci Jeweler).Red Rock Canyon
When Vegas' man-made metropolis leaves you longing for the great outdoors, jump on Highway 159 and get back to nature at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. This awe-inspiring expanse in the shadow of the Spring Mountains is just 17 miles from the Strip, making it perfect for an afternoon break to blow those cobwebs away. You can enjoy stunning vistas on a 13-mile drive, amble through the Mojave Desert flora and fauna on a variety of walking trails, or if even try scaling the park's sandstone cliffs.Rosemary's Restaurant
Even the most fastidious critics are full of praise for Rosemary's Restaurant (8125 W Sahara, West Side), which is owned and operated by husband-and-wife chefs Michael and Wendy Jordan. Its European style and New Orleans charm create an intimate setting and the menu features irresistible offerings like rosemary-braised lamb shank and Texas barbecued shrimp. Wine lovers will appreciate vintage suggestions to accompany each entree. For dessert, try the rustic apple tart with butterscotch sauce, candied walnuts and cinnamon ice cream or the enticing chocolate beignets. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine costs $130.
