By Chris Leadbeater
Las Vegas might be a place of glitter-coated casino-hotels and whirring roulette
wheels, but there's far more to it than that. For all the opportunities to have
a quick flutter, couples and families can enjoy a fun-packed Las Vegas holiday without venturing anywhere near the casino floor or the card table.
See the world
The hotels that house these mega-casinos, most of them lined up along the famous Las Vegas Strip, are works of art in their own right - ultra-modern accommodation palaces where you can relax in style. Paris does a neat approximation of the French capital, complete with a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower. New York New York pulls a similar stunt with its version of the Big Apple. Caesars Palace goes all out to recreate the atmosphere of Ancient Rome, all pillars, columns and statues. And then there is The Venetian, which does Venice with real flair, right down to the gondolas. Of course, there are less glitzy options - and if you want to do Vegas on a budget, you can relax in comfort at the Best Western Mardi Gras, a cosy hotel with pool just off The Strip.
Be entertained
Vegas has a reputation for putting on a song and dance, thanks partly to the era when Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley walked its stages. These days, there is an emphasis on energetic showpieces, from the hugely popular madcap comedy of the Blue Man Group (at The Venetian) to the dazzling acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil with several hugely popular shows at various Vegas locations. The Cirque's 'O' show at the Bellagio is one of the most popular. Here you can watch acrobats, synchronized swimmers and divers perform in, on, and above a shimmering indoor lake in a magnificent theatre reminiscent of a European opera house.
Dine in style
There is also pleasure galore to be found in Vegas’s restaurants. Eateries range from cheerful burger bars and breakfast joints to ultra-gourmet fine dining. If you want to splash out, take your tastebuds to Postrio at The Venetian, where Austrian uber-chef Wolfgang Puck serves contemporary American cuisine. Alternatively, you could try Bartolotta, a pristine Italian restaurant at another of the leading hotel lights, Wynn.
Shop like a superstar
Dedicated retail therapists can pursue their dream with gusto in a city that takes its shopping very seriously. Most hotels have an in-house mall, including Caesars Palace, where the Forum Shops, dotted around an Ancient Roman plaza, are as enticing as their setting is ornate. Then there is the Fashion Show Mall, just north of The Venetian, where the 250 boutiques and outlets include Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's. The Las Vegas Premium outlet mall is also well worth a visit.
See the sights
For the ultimate view of Vegas, it's difficult to beat The Stratosphere, a hotel that comes equipped with its own a 1149ft tower - a lofty beacon above The Strip that offers an incredible city-wide vista - as well as nerve-jangling thrill rides. The greatest view of all, though, is totally natural. The Grand Canyon - 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and over a mile deep in parts - lurks just over the state line in Arizona, but is well within reach for visitors to Vegas. You can jump in a jeep and take a day trip to the West Rim which offers breathtakingly wide views with hardly another tourist in sight. Or, for the ultimate Canyon adventure, hop aboard a chopper. Helicopter tours touch down right inside the Canyon's towering walls for a champagne picnic. The manmade glitz and glamour of Vegas have to be experienced to be believed, but for many people this natural wonder is the highlight of their holiday.
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Chris Leadbeater is a freelance travel journalist. He writes regularly for the Daily Mail. His favourite destinations are Cuba, the USA and Paris.