Three Days in Sin City
By Brittaney Carter
Casinos, live shows and rich food—it’s all a part of the splendor of Las Vegas. It may not be the most likely of destinations during the holiday season, but the ICA Chiropractic Summit Conference will lead chiropractors to this desert oasis Dec. 7-9. There’s never a shortage of things to do in Vegas, and our guide to Sin City will keep you in the know and out of trouble between conference sessions.
Day One: Life on the Strip
Start your Vegas adventure with the sizzling excitement of Las Vegas Boulevard. The Strip is packed with deluxe hotels, each with its own premiere casino, where you can try your luck at the slots, have drinks in one of the countless upscale nightspots or just take in the amazing décor.
First on the list is Wynn Las Vegas, the newest and most luxurious of the accommodations on the Strip. This 50-story resort towers above the Vegas skyline and features nearly 3,000 rooms, a golf course and a European-style pool, which is considered to be the center of activity during daytime hours. After sunset, take a seat at one of the hotel’s lobby bars, Parasol Up and Parasol Down. The two-story bar derives its name from the charming, yet offbeat décor of upside down parasols suspended from the ceiling. The bar offers a great view of the Lake of Dreams, a lagoon fed by a five-story waterfall. The lake is also the venue of a light show that combines color and water to present striking visual effects.
Travel a little farther down the Strip, and you’ll be enticed to step inside yet another great hotel, the Venetian. Characterized by its rich Italian-themed décor, this all-suite paradise ?recreates a romantic Venice in the middle of Las Vegas. An intimate gondola ride down the Grand Canal will carry you gently alongside boutiques and under bridges. On the lighter side of things, visit the World Famous Madam Tussauds Las Vegas where you’ll find life-size wax replicas of stars like George Clooney, Andre Agassi and Shaquille O’Neal.
Whisking away from Italy to France, your next stop will be Paris Las Vegas, the hotel that captures all the enchantment of the City of Light. The lobby greets guests with rich gold trimmings and elaborate chandeliers. At Paris, see Las Vegas from a completely different angle by going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Riding the elevator to the observation tower of this half-size model of the famous French tower will place you 460 feet above all the action of Las Vegas and offers a great view of the city lights at night. You can dine at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, one of the best that Sin City has to offer according to AAA, which gave it four diamonds. With an authentic French spread coupled with a view of the Strip, the dining experience here never disappoints.
Day Two: Gearing up for the National Finals Rodeo
The Strip is certainly tantalizing enough to occupy your entire vacation, but it’s important to wander off the boulevard in order to get the total Las Vegas experience. On Saturday, get your blood flowing at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving. This facility offers you the chance to take flight within the confines of a 22-foot air column. Each skydiving package includes a 20-minute training session, 15 minutes for equipment preparation and three liberating minutes of flight. Anyone can dive, and it’s 100 percent safe. No more excuses!
If defying gravity isn’t your thing, try an outdoor adventure at Red Rock Canyon. This conservatory and park is located just 20 miles outside of Las Vegas, and offers outdoor enthusiasts the chance to hike or just marvel at its russet formations. Pack a lunch and relax at one of its picnic areas, or make your way down the 13-mile road that encircles the site. It’s the perfect pathway for a scenic drive.
After you’ve worked up an appetite, have lunch in old Vegas at Casa di Amore. This authentic old-time eatery offers nothing of the chain restaurant variety. Instead, you’ll find a small, yet charming spot with a red brick exterior. Once inside, old photos of Vintage Vegas on the walls will draw you in, telling the story of the little-known city in the desert that became Las Vegas. The menu is versatile, featuring Italian American plates and specials.
After testing your courage with indoor skydiving or hiking up canyon trails, it’s time to get excited about the 49th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Every December, thousands of cowboys flock to Las Vegas to experience the NFR, making it the biggest event in the city during the holiday season. With 10 days of rodeo shows and live entertainment by country music superstars, the NFR is set to take over the city again this year. This year the rodeo takes place Dec. 6-15.
Before the rodeo performances begin Saturday night, make sure to visit the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More than 400 vendors will participate this year, with everything in tow from Western attire—including cowboy boots and spurs—to handcrafted pieces and furniture. When you’re done shopping, a shuttle is available to take you to the Thomas & Mack Center for the night’s show. The lineup of events for this year’s rodeo include tie-down roping, steer wrestling and barrel racing. Cowboy contestants will also show off their riding skills with saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding.
Day Three: Shopping—Not Everything Stays in Vegas!
With the holidays in full swing, a day of shopping may be in order, and Vegas has enough malls to satisfy all tastes. The first stop is the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace. Here, your eyes will be just as satisfied as your urge to spend as they feast on a display reminiscent of Roman splendor. The Plaza features a large reflecting pool and replicas of the Trevi and Triton Fountains of baroque Rome. To top it all off, a glance upward will reveal skylights that simulate various times of day. Stop by FAO Schwarz, DKNY or one of the other 160 stores to pick up gifts for the family.
For more designer’s delight and great stores, visit Fashion Show Las Vegas. The December shopping experience at Fashion Show goes the extra mile. While the sun is scorching outside, the mall simulates winter flurries inside, making it the perfect holiday getaway. In addition, the mall’s more than 250 stores are anchored by seven favorites, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Bloomingdales.
One Vegas staple that every visitor must see is the Bellagio hotel and casino, and taking a shopping trip to the hotel’s upscale retail center grants the perfect opportunity to do so. The upscale Via Bellagio rests beside Lake Bellagio and is decorated in fine Italian accents. With only a handful of stores, the mall stresses quality, not quantity, housing designer boutiques like Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Fendi and Hermes. If your casino winnings are still burning a hole in your pocket, Via Bellagio is definitely the place to shop.
To rest your feet—and your wallet—take a break at Café Bellagio. It offers a casual dining experience with simple yet elegant dishes. Then, head over to the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens to stand in the midst of inspiring blossoms. The gardens burst with an exciting mix of flowery scents, vivid colors and intricate arrangements. During your visit, delight in the sights and scents of the festive setup, complete with a 40-foot holiday tree.
Before leaving Las Vegas, there’s one more attraction that every visitor must see. The Fountains of Bellagio are a breathtaking experience that combines classical music and opera with the choreographed effects of illuminated fountains. Often one of the most talked-about destinations in the city, the fountains will give your trip to Vegas a worthwhile grand finale to the city of luxury and opulence.
©2006 Today's Chiropractic