Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

321 Pages·2004·4.911 MB·English

by  Mary Herczog

Las Vegas
2004
by Mary Herczog
Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s:
“Amazingly easy to use.Very portable,very complete.”
—Booklist
“Detailed,accurate,and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.”
—Glamour Magazine
“Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.”
—Des Moines Sunday Register
“Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.”
—Knight Ridder Newspapers
About the Author
Mary Herczoglives in Los Angeles and works in the film industry. She is the author
of Frommer’s New Orleans, California For Dummies, Frommer’s Portable Las Vegas for
Non-Gamblers, and Las Vegas For Dummies,and has contributed to Frommer’s Los
Angeles. She still isn’t sure when to hit and when to hold in blackjack.
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ISBN 0-7645-3888-8
ISSN 1532-0006
Editor: Naomi P. Kraus
Production Editor: Heather Wilcox
Cartographer: Nicholas Trotter
Photo Editor: Richard Fox
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5 4 3 2 1
Contents
List of Maps vi
What’s New in Las Vegas 1
1 The Best of Las Vegas 4
1 Frommer’s Favorite Las Vegas 2 Best Hotel Bets . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Experiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 3 Best Dining Bets . . . . . . . . . . . .12
A Look Back at Vegas: No Winning Websites . . . . . . . . . .14
Tomorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2 Planning Your Trip to Las Vegas 16
1 Visitor Information . . . . . . . . . .16 Frommers.com: The Complete
2 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Travel Resource . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Las Vegas Advisor . . . . . . . . . .17 8 The 21st-Century Traveler . . . . .29
3 When to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 9 Getting There . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Las Vegas Calendar of Events . . .19 Flying with Film & Video . . . . . .32
New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas . . . .20 10 Packages for the Independent
Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
4 Travel Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . .21
11 Tips on Accommodations . . . . .35
5 Health & Safety . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Major Convention Dates
6 Specialized Travel Resources . . . .23
for 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
7 Planning Your Trip Online . . . . .27
12 Recommended Reading . . . . . .37
3 For International Visitors 38
1 Preparing for Your Trip . . . . . . .38 Fast Facts: For the
2 Getting to the United States . . .45 International Traveler . . . . . . . .47
3 Getting Around the
United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
4 Getting to Know Las Vegas 53
1 Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Did You Know? . . . . . . . . . . . .61
2 Getting Around . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Fast Facts: Las Vegas . . . . . . . .62
Chopper Tom’s Traffic Tips . . . .58
iv CONTENTS
5 Where to Stay 67
1 Coming Attractions . . . . . . . . . .67 So Your Trip Goes
2 Three Questions to Ask Before Swimmingly... . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
You Book a Room . . . . . . . . . .69 5 North Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
Reservations Services . . . . . . . .69 6 East of the Strip . . . . . . . . . . .105
3 South Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Cheap Hotel Alternatives . . . .113
Family-Friendly Hotels . . . . . . . .81 7 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
4 Mid-Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 8 Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Staying off the Strip . . . . . . . . .88
6 Where to Dine 122
1 Restaurants by Cuisine . . . . . .124 5 East of the Strip . . . . . . . . . . .150
2 South Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 6 West Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . .157
You Gotta Have a Theme . . . .130 Sweet Sensations . . . . . . . . . .162
3 Mid-Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135 7 Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Family-Friendly Restaurants . . .144 8 Buffets & Sunday Brunches . . .166
4 North Strip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
7 What to See & Do in Las Vegas 173
Suggested Itineraries . . . . . . .173 4 Especially for Kids . . . . . . . . . .192
Sin City Inverted . . . . . . . . . . .174 Going Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
1 The Top Attractions . . . . . . . . .175 5 Organized Tours . . . . . . . . . . .197
Siegfried & Roy’s House . . . . .185 Mayor Oscar B. Goodman’s
2 Getting Married . . . . . . . . . . .187 Top 10 Places to Recapture
Old Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . .198
An Elvis Impersonator’s Top 10
6 Fore! Great Desert Golf . . . . . .198
Reasons to Get Married in
Las Vegas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188 7 Staying Active . . . . . . . . . . . .200
3 Attractions in Nearby Desert Hiking Advice . . . . . . .202
Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192 8 Spectator Sports . . . . . . . . . . .203
8 About Casino Gambling 204
1 The Four Most Pervasive Myths Memories of a Longtime
About Gambling . . . . . . . . . . .205 Dealer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
2 The Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207 The World Series, Las Vegas–
Players Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
3 The Casinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
CONTENTS v
9 Shopping 234
1 The Malls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234 6 Reading Material:Used Books,
2 Factory Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . .235 Comics & Gambler Books . . . .240
3 Hotel Shopping Arcades . . . . .236 7 Candy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
4 Vintage Clothing . . . . . . . . . .239 8 Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
5 Souvenirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 9 Wigs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
10 Las Vegas After Dark 243
Lounge Lizard Supreme . . . . . .244 Wayne Newton’s Top 10
1 What’s Playing Where . . . . . . .245 Favorite Lounge Songs . . . . . .258
2 The Major Production 4 Comedy Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246 5 Coffeehouses . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Family-Friendly Shows . . . . . .249 6 Piano Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
12 Inaccuracies in the Movie 7 Gay Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Showgirls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252 8 Other Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Penn & Teller’s Top 10 Things 9 Dance Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
One Should NEVER Do in a
10 Strip Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .271
Vegas Magic Show . . . . . . . . .255
Two Strippers Give Nine Strip-
Afternoon Delight? . . . . . . . . .257
Bar Etiquette Tips . . . . . . . . . .273
3 Headliner Showrooms . . . . . . .257
11 Side Trips from Las Vegas 276
1 Hoover Dam & Lake Mead . . . .276 4 Bonnie Springs Ranch/
2 Valley of Fire State Park . . . . .283 Old Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288
3 Red Rock Canyon . . . . . . . . .285 5 A Close Encounter with
Area 51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291
Appendix:Las Vegas in Depth 294
1 A Look at the Past . . . . . . . . .294
Index 298
General Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .298 Restaurant Index . . . . . . . . . . .305
Accommodations Index . . . . . .305
List of Maps
Las Vegas & Environs 5 Mid-Strip Dining 137
Las Vegas at a Glance 55 North Strip Dining 149
South Strip Dining & Nightlife East
Accommodations 75 of the Strip 151
Mid-Strip Dining & Nightlife West
Accommodations 87 of the Strip 159
North Strip Downtown Dining 165
Accommodations 101
Las Vegas Attractions 177
Accommodations East
Henderson 193
of the Strip 107
Excursions from Las Vegas 277
Downtown
Lake Mead & Vicinity 281
Accommodations 115
Area 51 292
South Strip Dining 129
Acknowledgments
As always, working for Frommer’s and with Naomi Kraus is like hitting 21 a whole bunch
of times in a row. Great thanks to Rick Garman for 14 lucky years. Thanks to designated
drinkers Arlene and Caroline. Steve Hochman makes me a winner.
—Mary Herczog
The editorial staff at Frommer’s also wishes to thank the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors
Authority, Brigitte Bélanger and Magdalena Vandenburg at Cirque du Soleil, and Alex
Kraus for their assistance in making this book a winner.
An Invitation to the Reader
In researching this book, we discovered many wonderful places—hotels, restaurants,
shops, and more. We’re sure you’ll find others. Please tell us about them, so we can share
the information with your fellow travelers in upcoming editions. If you were disappointed
with a recommendation, we’d love to know that, too. Please write to:
Frommer’s Las Vegas 2004
Wiley Publishing, Inc. • 111 River St. • Hoboken, NJ 07030
An Additional Note
Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any time—and this is
especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirma-
tion when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held
responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us,
however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Keep a
close eye on cameras, purses, and wallets, all favorite targets of thieves and pickpockets.
Other Great Guides for Your Trip:
Frommer’s Portable Las Vegas
Frommer’s Portable Las Vegas for Non-Gamblers
Las Vegas For Dummies
The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas
Frommer’s Irreverent Guide to Las Vegas
Frommer’s California
Frommer’s Utah
Frommer’s Arizona
Frommer’s U.S.A
Frommer’s Star Ratings,Icons & Abbreviations
Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality,
value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system.In country, state,
and regional guides, we also rate towns and regions to help you narrow down your choices
and budget your time accordingly. Hotels and restaurants are rated on a scale of zero (rec-
ommended) to three stars (exceptional). Attractions, shopping, nightlife, towns, and
regions are rated according to the following scale: zero stars (recommended), one star
(highly recommended), two stars (very highly recommended), and three stars (must-see).
In addition to the star-rating system, we also use seven feature iconsthat point you
to the great deals, in-the-know advice, and unique experiences that separate travelers from
tourists. Throughout the book, look for:
Finds Special finds—those places only insiders know about
Fun Fact Fun facts—details that make travelers more informed and their trips
more fun
Kids Best bets for kids and advice for the whole family
Moments Special moments—those experiences that memories are made of
Overrated Places or experiences not worth your time or money
Tips Insider tips—great ways to save time and money
Value Great values—where to get the best deals
The following abbreviationsare used forcredit cards:
AE American Express DISC Discover V Visa
DC Diners Club MC MasterCard
Frommers.com
Now that you have the guidebook to a great trip, visit our website at www.frommers.com
for travel information on more than 3,000 destinations. With features updated regularly,
we give you instant access to the most current trip-planning information available. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the best prices on airfares, accommodations, and car
rentals—and you can even book travel online through our travel booking partners. At
Frommers.com, you’ll also find the following:
• Online updates to our most popular guidebooks
• Vacation sweepstakes and contest giveaways
• Newsletter highlighting the hottest travel trends
• Online travel message boards with featured travel discussions
What’s New in Las Vegas
G
ee, what isn’t new in Las Vegas? dead and gone. Do not expect a
That they want to take your money “family-friendly” place, not at these
and will do so by any means necessary. prices. Vegas is returning to its adult
Cynical? Hardly. That is, after all, why roots, with all that entails, so you
this town was built and don’t, for a should think twice—and then some
minute, think anything else. more—about dragging Junior along
Otherwise, everything is new in Las with you to Sin City.
Vegas. This town is afflicted with termi- Having said that, you might, with
nal restlessness and must keep finding some planning, end up spending a lit-
new ways of attracting visitors who can tle bit less this year than in the most
then be relieved of their money. Heck, recent past. Vegas experienced a huge
by the time we’ve finished writing this, loss in revenue after September 11,
everything we’ve written, everything plus about a 50% drop in tourism,
in the whole town, will be outdated, resulting in about 14,000 people
changed, or somehow different. being laid off, the largest labor cuts
Perhaps we exaggerate. But really, experienced by any one city in the
only a little. Hotels are routinely reno- nation following the terrorist attacks.
vating, upgrading, redecorating their With the economy in flux, continu-
rooms, and changing their themes ing concerns about security during
(because everyone knows that a Span- travel, and all sorts of world-shaking
ish theme will bring in more tourist events occurring, tourism for Vegas is
dollars than a Mardi Gras theme—that up and down and up and down, and
is, until they decide it’s been long what you are going to face is unpre-
enough with the Spanish theme and dictable. Conventions are still coming
then switch to an Asian one), and that’s to town—not as huge, perhaps, as in
only if they aren’t blowing up the hotel the past, but enough to make hotel
and starting over from scratch. New bookings impossible during their stag-
restaurants with celebrity chefs and big ing. The rest of the time, you might
prices open, and longtime stalwarts well find a bargain. For cost-cutting
with comfort food for the ages close. tips and other useful planning advice,
Shows that have been touted with see chapter 2.
enormous billboards and bigger bud- ACCOMMODATIONS You’d
gets close in the blink of an eye. Please think that tourism dips would daunt
remember this and think kindly of us if any plans for further expansion, but
anything in this book is inaccurate. no, not our fearless Vegas hotel hon-
Because that’s why. chos. We shake our heads as reports
So, as we write this, what’s new? Or come in of still another giant Vegas
even, what’s going to be new? hotel in the planning stages. “Don’t
PLANNING YOUR TRIP The they have enoughhotel rooms by now?”
Disneyfication of Vegas is pretty much