Garman - Frommers EasyGuide to Las Vegas 2014

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Garman began visiting Las Vegas as soon as he was old enough to not be barred from doing so by pesky things like laws. He started writing about the city in 1997 when he and his best friend Mary Herczog were invited to write Frommers Las Vegas. He went on to create Vegas4Visitors.com, one of the most respected Las Vegas travel resources on the Web, and and has appeared in various outlets as a self-proclaimed Vegas expert, although most of that expertise has been gained sitting at a slot machine with a glazed look in his eye while mumbling incoherently to himself. Rick was honored to return to the Frommers fold in 2010 after Mary passed away after a long struggle with breast cancer and dedicates this book to her memory.

ABOUT THE FROMMER TRAVEL GUIDES

For most of the past 50 years, Frommers has been the leading series of travel guides in North America, accounting for as many as 24% of all guidebooks sold. I think I know why.

Though we hope our books are entertaining, we nevertheless deal with travel in a serious fashion. Our guidebooks have never looked on such journeys as a mere recreation, but as a far more important human function, a time of learning and introspection, an essential part of a civilized life. We stress the culture, lifestyle, history and beliefs of the destinations we cover, and urge our readers to seek out people and new ideas as the chief rewards of travel.

We have never shied from controversy. We have, from the beginning, encouraged our authors to be intensely judgmental, criticalboth pro and conin their comments, and wholly independent. Our only clients are our readers, and we have triggered the ire of countless prominent sorts, from a tourist newspaper we called practically worthless (it unsuccessfully sued us) to the many rip-offs weve condemned.

And because we believe that travel should be available to everyone regardless of their incomes, we have always been cost-conscious at every level of expenditure. Though we have broadened our recommendations beyond the budget category, we insist that every lodging we include be sensibly priced. We use every form of media to assist our readers, and are particularly proud of our feisty daily website, the award-winning Frommers.com.

I have high hopes for the future of Frommers. May these guidebooks, in all the years ahead, continue to reflect the joy of travel and the freedom that travel represents. May they always pursue a cost-conscious path, so that people of all incomes can enjoy the rewards of travel. And may they create, for both the traveler and the persons among whom we travel, a community of friends, where all human beings live in harmony and peace.

Arthur Frommer

T he flamboyant showman Liberace once said too much of a good thing is wonderful! He may very well have been talking about Las Vegas, a city in which he was a frequent headliner, and one that has built its reputation on the concept of excess. Theres too much too look at, too much to do, too much to eat, too much to drink, and certainly too many ways to lose your money. Indulgence is where most people start their visit and why not? You can run out of room on your memory card trying to snap pictures of all the postcard-worthy sights from dancing fountains to blasting volcanoes; the hotels are so big that getting from your room to the front door requires rest periods; the dining scene has turned this town into a culinary destination; and the nightclubs have elevated Sin City to the biggest, most successful party spot in the world. And all of that is before you get to the shows, the shopping, and the sheer madness of glittering casinos. Look at the faces of those waiting for their flights out of town: tired, maybe a little hung over still, but then theres that little smile when they think about one of those what happens in Vegas... moments they just had. When it comes to Las Vegas, Liberace may have had a point.

THE best AUTHENTIC LAS VEGAS EXPERIENCES

Strolling on the Strip After Dark: You havent really seen Las Vegas until youve seen it at night. This neon wonderland is the worlds greatest sound-and-light show. Begin at Luxor and work your way past the incredible hotels and their attractions. Youll probably be exhausted, both physically and mentally, by the time you get to the halfway mark around Caesars Palace, but forge ahead and you could go all the way to the Stratosphere Tower for a birds-eye view of the city from more than 1,000 feet up. Make plenty of stops en route to see the Mirage Volcano erupt, take a photo of the full moon over the Eiffel Tower, and marvel at the choreographed water-fountain ballet at Bellagio.

Casino Hopping on the Strip: The interior of each lavish hotel-casino is more outrageous and giggle-inducing than the last. Just when you think they cant possibly top themselves, they do. From Venice to Paris, from New York City to the Manhattan-style chic of CityCenter, it is all, completely and uniquely, Las Vegas. See The Best Las Vegas Casinos later in this section.