Local Attractions
APH 2011 Annual Conference — E x p a n d i n g H o r i z o n s
Las Vegas — Entertainment Capital of the World
Las Vegas continues to build upon its reputation as a showcase for the extraordinary. It attracts more than 37 million visitors a year by pampering them on the grandest scale and offering some of the world's most exciting and versatile entertainers, including Celine Dion, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Garth Brooks, and more. Other hot-selling tickets include such Broadway hits as Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular (Venetian), Jersey Boys (Palazzo) and Tony & Tina's Wedding (Planet Hollywood). A-list headliners like Ray Romano and Kevin James regularly bring their shows to Las Vegas showrooms and arenas; not to mention six Cirque du Soleil productions, comedy clubs, and classic Las Vegas showgirl revues.
Check out the growing roster of world-class gourmet restaurants awaiting you. A host of fine dining and lifestyle magazines, including Bon Appetit, Wine Spectator, Gourmet, Robb Report and Esquire, have honored the city for its exquisite cuisine, created by the likes of Bradley Ogden, Hubert Keller, Alain Ducasse, Emeril Lagasse, and Wolfgang Puck. To accompany its growing list of world-class chefs, Las Vegas has attracted more master sommeliers than any other American city.
Drawing an influx of designers and upscale specialty boutiques, Las Vegas has become one of the country’s premium shopping destinations. Retail leaders such as Harry Winston, Manolo Blahnik, Juicy Couture, Jimmy Choo, and Dolce and Gabbana now populate the Strip at the Fashion Show, Forum Shops at Caesars, Mandalay Place, Miracle Mile Shops, Grand Canal Shoppes, Via Bellagio and the shops at Wynn Las Vegas. Outlet stores abound as well, making the city a true shoppers’ paradise.
Just a few world-class Las Vegas attractions (many are free)
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical GardensJust beyond Bellagio's gracious lobby, you’ll find this no-fee kaleidoscope for your senses. Open 24 hours.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Rotating museum-caliber exhibitions, which have featured renowned artists ranging from Picasso to Warhol, offer visitors a rare opportunity to view legendary works of art carefully selected from prestigious international collections. Open daily.
Fountains of Bellagio
More than a thousand fountains dance to music ranging from Pavarotti to Sinatra. Free show times are:
Monday-Friday 3:00 pm–¬¬8:00 pm every half hour; 8:00 pm–12:00 am every 15 minutes
Saturday-Sunday 12:00 pm–8:00 pm every half hour; 8:00 pm–12:00 am every 15 minutes
Flamingo Resort - Wildlife Habitat
Appropriately enough, the Flamingo Resort is home to a flock of live Chilean Flamingos, as well as a collection of other feathered friends. You'll find swans, ducks, koi, and turtles populating the grounds. All the animals are carefully tended by experts and live on islands and streams surrounded by sparkling waterfalls and lush foliage. Free admission.
The Lake of Dreams
Experience the mystery of this secluded 3-acre lake at Wynn Las Vegas. Surrounded by a lush forest, the idyllic spot takes you away from the chaos and noise of the city. Enjoy the free water and light shows from various vantage points around the lake, including several restaurants and lounges. Shows begin after dark and occur approximately every half hour.
Off-Strip Attractions
Fremont Street Experience - the Heart of Downtown Vegas
Located in Downtown Las Vegas, this extravaganza offers free nightly shows featuring 12.5 million lights and 550,000 watts of amazing sound at VivaVision. Enjoy free concerts and special events throughout the year. Times are 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm, 11:00 pm, 12:00 am. Stroll through the Neon Museum, which hosts some of the old hotel's neon signs.
The Neon Museum
The history of each Las Vegas destination includes its icon signage. Though neon has been mostly replaced by electronic signs, Las Vegas archives over 150 donated or rescued neon signs through the Neon Museum. Some of the signs are displayed in the Fremont Street area. Others may be view at the Boneyard. Advance reservations are required. Book a tour.
The Arts Factory Las Vegas
This collection of artists, architects, photographers, graphic designers, and galleries (all gathered under one roof) is located in the Arts District near downtown. A free First Friday event is held each month from 6:00 pm–9:00 pm.
The Nevada State Museum & Historical Society
Experience the story behind the neon lights. See some of the events that changed this 1905 desert water-stop into today's great city. Get a look at the lives of casino workers today in the 24-hour show, Working 'round the clock in Las Vegas. You’ll also get a peek at another kind of nightlife—Nevada's bats and some earlier valley inhabitants, a Columbian mammoth and a Shasta ground sloth. Open Wednesday–Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. 700 Twin Lakes Drive; Phone (702) 486-5205
Destinations Outside the City
Hoover Dam Tour Center & New Bridge, Boulder City, NV
Where else can you experience two such marvels of engineering in close proximity? When the Mike O’Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge opened in October 2010, USAToday called it “America’s newest wonder.” It has been an instant tourist destination. The bridge is free and features a pedestrian walkway. The Hoover Dam Tour Center is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9:00 am – 5 pm. Visitors should arrive by 3:00 pm, though tickets are sold until 4:15 pm. Pedestrians are prohibited on top of the dam during hours of darkness. Fee: Adults (ages 17-61) $11; Seniors (62+) & Juniors (4-16) $9; Children (0-3) free. Parking $7.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
With a wealth of things to do and places to go year-round, the area’s huge lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen, while its desert rewards hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Three of America's four desert ecosystems—the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran—meet here. As a result, this seemingly barren area contains a surprising variety of plants and animals, some of which may be found nowhere else in the world.
Red Rock Canyon
With more than 50 routes, Red Rock Canyon is a hiker’s paradise less than 30 minutes from the Strip.
Take the Zappos Tour
Any Shoe Lovers out there? If so, you are likely familiar with the online store called ZAPPOS. Savvy entrepreneurs have surely heard of the Zappos story. The company generates $1 billion in gross merchandise sales annually and has been listed as one of the "Best Companies to Work For" by Fortune magazine. Barbara Tabach said " I joined friends on a tour of the Zappos corporate facility in Henderson. In 60-minutes you learn the story of Delivering Happiness and the results of CEO Tony Hsieh leadership...The experience will be a great reward." It's just a 15-20 minute drive from Harrah's.