New York City 5.6 hrs

Boston 6.0 hrs

Miami 5.5 hrs

Philadelphia 5.5 hrs

Los Angeles 1 hr

Chicago 7.5 hrs

Dallas-Fort Worth 2.75 hrs

San Francisco 1.25 hrs

The Strip: This is the hot spot of Vegas, the section of South Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara Avenue and Russell Road where it all happens, especially at night when the lights come on and the dice start rolling. Several new resorts have recently opened here, including the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, the Venetian, the Paris, the Aladdin, and the Four Seasons.

Downtown: Located around the intersections of Fremont Street and Main Street near the northern portion of South Las Vegas Boulevard, the downtown area has undergone a recent renovation, highlighted by the canopied light, stage, and street shows of the Fremont Street Experience.

Las Vegas is in a flat, dry desert valley. Located in the Great Basin of Southern Nevada, mountain ranges flank it to the east and west.

With virtually no rain (averaging just 4 inches annually) and blissfully free of humidity (averaging 29%), Las Vegas offers mostly fresh sunny days of 66°F, though this varies from season to season. The city basks in bright, clear skies an average of 211 days each year. Be prepared, nonetheless, for extremes of heat in high summer and downright chilliness in winter.

Spring low 50° - high 75°

Summer low 80° - high 100°

Fall low 60° - high 80°

Winter low 45° - high 60°

Thanks to a welcoming climate, this is a year-round destination, but the most comfortable temperatures come during spring and autumn. Weekdays have slightly smaller crowds, and holidays bring a tidal wave of people. June, July, the week before Christmas, and the week after New Year's are your best chances for the smallest crowds.

Two words: gambling and entertainment! This is the epicenter of Las Vegas' existence, but recent years have also brought family entertainment such as The Adventuredome and the Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand.

The best stage-show spectacles to be found anywhere, as well as top Broadway shows and many variety acts, are also a big draw.

When you want to escape the nonstop action and relax for a while, there's the dining, shopping, golf courses, and spas of Las Vegas that have emerged as world-class venues.

Gamble!: High-stakes or pocket-change, whatever you've got to try your luck with, Vegas gives you a way to play the odds, from blackjack to roulette to slots, and so on, including sports books. And there's plenty more to do in the casinos, like watching the spectacular shows, feasting on gourmet meals, calling out requests to a lounge singer, and doing some people-watching, obviously!

Hoover Dam: The monolithic dam, built during the Depression, is a National Historic Landmark and rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America's Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders. Cruise the dam and its offspring, Lake Mead, with lunch, movie, and a visit to movie stars' homes.

Excursion to the Grand Canyon: Hop a bus to the Canyon for one of the most spectacular vistas on Earth. Averaging 10 miles across, the canyon walls are one mile deep and meet up at the base with the Colorado River that carved it eons ago and still rushes through for some 277 miles. There are over 400 miles of trails, including the popular Bright Angel Trail that descends into the canyon and can be taken on foot or by mule. Rafting through the canyon on the Colorado River is a peak experience!

Get Married: At the Candlelight Wedding Chapel, music, witness, bouquet, and boutonniere are ready if you are. It's a pretty little place to exchange vows, should you be struck by a spontaneous fit of romance. You provide the spouse, they'll provide the rest.

Adventuredome: America's largest indoor theme park features a double loop, double corkscrew roller coaster called Canyon Blaster. There are also numerous attractions for all ages, midway games, an arcade, clown shows, and more. Circus Circus

Gondola Rides: Just like in Venice, with your gondolier singing love ballads in English and Italian as he rows you through a replica of the Grand Canal. After your ride, enjoy the street jugglers, as well as Italian Renaissance singers and musicians. The Venetian

Racing: Live life in the fast lane by learning to race cars and motorcycles at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one of America's fastest motorsports parks. Drive an actual NASCAR stock car at Richard Petty Driving Experience or an Indy-style open-wheel racer at Mario Andretti Racing School. Grand Prix-type Formula 2000 cars provide the challenge at world-famous Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy. And at Freddie Spencer High Performance Riding School, the legendary 3-time World GP Champ shows you how to take a superbike around the road course at maximum lean.

Star Trek - The Experience: Beam aboard the USS Enterprise, blast through galaxies at warp speed, and battle Klingons. It isn't a ride – it's a mission! Las Vegas Hilton

Get Pampered at a Spa: Let's face it, there's just nothing like non-stop play to exhaust aperson! So when you've pushed yourself to the limit, treat yourself to a massage and sauna. Or maybe a facial is just what you need. Whatever soothing kindness your body craves, you'll find it at more than 12 luxurious, fully-equipped spas at the Strip hotels.

Boutique, Mall, & Outlet Shopping: These have exploded onto the Vegas scene, and many hotels have complete upscale shopping centers right on the premises. Every name in fashion is represented, from Ralph Lauren to Prada. Department stores include Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Fashion Show, an enormous mall located on the Strip across from Wynn, boasts 7 flagship department stores plus over 200 specialty shops and restaurants, making it a must-see for serious shoppers. When you're looking for a bargain, the outlet stores in nearby Primm have great deals on designer clothes!

Visit the Hotel Attractions: The goal of each new hotel is, simply, "More." Of everything. Moreeye-popping spectacles, more exotic displays, more glitz, more! Some favorites:

* At Wynn you can experience an entirely new concept in theatrics: Le Reve (The Dream). Designed by Franco Dragone (formerly of Cirque du Soleil), and based on the work of famed psychoanalyst Ernst Jung, the show takes place in a circular theater where water plays a vital role in the dreamscapes that appear above, below, and on all sides of the audience. You will be reminded of dreams you have actually had, represented by flying, falling, and explosions. Nightly

* At The Mirage, a 54-foot volcano erupts in the center of a lagoon with waterfalls and palm trees every night.

* At The Bellagio, more than a thousand fountains dance in front of the hotel, enhanced by lights and music from giants like Pavarotti and Sinatra. The daily display spans more than 1,000 feet, and water shoots 240 feet in the air! Inside, the hotel boasts an impressive fine arts gallery, which regularly hosts exhibitions that stay for a few months at a time.

* At Treasure Island, the Sirens of TI® begins with a 17th century clash between a group sirens and a band of renegade pirates. The Sirens lure the pirates to their cove, stir up a tempest strong enough to sink a ship, and transform Sirens’ Cove into a 21st century party every night.

* The Rio Suites celebrate the spirit of "Carnivale!" with their daily Masquerade Show in the Sky. Above the casino floor is a spectacular floating parade of dancers in exotic costumes and masks.

* At Excalibur, witness the popular Las Vegas dinner show, Tournament of Kings with invading armies, dancing maidens, jousting, fireworks, and eating with your fingers every night.

* At The Venetian, Italian artists were brought in to create enormous murals that cover the great walls and ceilings of the public areas. The hotel recreates the famous canals and grand architecture of Venice, and you can see impressive reproductions of the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum located inside displays authentic masterpeices drawn from the collections of the Guggenheim in New York, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, and the Kunschistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Fremont Street Experience: A 175,700-square-foot, 90-foot-high canopied light and sound extravaganza in a landscaped, car-free pedestrian oasis. Dancing, music, and moving images created by over 2 million lights dazzle you from a stage on high that ensures an excellent view for everyone. When the lights and music wrap up, festivals, street performers, and 10 adjacent casinos keep you entertained.

Atomic Testing Museum: Between 1945 and 1992, the US conducted 1,050 nuclear bomb tests -- about 90 percent of which were detonated in Nevada. A real blast from thepast, this downtown museum commemorates the dawn of the nuclear era, when mushroom clouds regularly rose high above the desert just 65 miles from the Strip. Browse through the archive's collection of some 300,000 testing-related documents, check out the interactive exhibits and eerie pop culture artifacts (such as the "Fat Man" and "Little Boy" salt-and-pepper shakers, named for the bombs dropped on Japan in World War II), and duck into a replica '60s backyard bomb shelter. In addition, the Department of Energy provides a monthly public tour of the Nevada Test Site that departs via bus from the museum.

Liberace Museum: Founded by the bejewelled one himself, this museum is a showcase of his glittery collection of pianos, costumes, limousines and, of course, rhinestones. Located on East Tropicana Avenue, it draws a mixed crowd, including those who grew up with his television presence, and those who have discovered the man's legacy throughthe Liberace Foundation. Most befitting to Las Vegas, here you can see the world's largest rhinestone!

Neon Museum: This "museum" officially opened in 1996 with the turning on of the refurbished Hacienda Horse & Rider, and today its salvaged signs from bygone casinos, hotels, and restaurants can be seen 24 hours a day at the downtown outdoor galleries (best viewed at night, of course).

Golfing: Las Vegas has been named 2005's "Top Emerging Golf Destination in the World" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, and it's no surprise why! The city is home to some of the best courses in the Southwest, designed by masters like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Rees Jones. There are both public and private courses located right on the Strip and in the surrounding countryside, backed by the rugged scenery of the southern Nevada landscape. Here's a selection of the many tempting courses in Las Vegas:

* Bear's Best: Jack Nicklaus brings 18 of his favorite hole designs to this spectacular desert setting. From the first tee to the last, challenges mirror courses such as PGA West and Old Works. Rating/Slope: 74/147. Yardage (back tees): 7,229.

* Arroyo Golf Club: This 18-hole, Arnold Palmer-designed course at the Red Rock Country Club cuts through rugged terrain, with its lush greens providing a stark visual contrast to the brown hills and blue skies. Be careful when judging the water features and bunkers! Rating/Slope: 71.9/124. Yardage (back tees): 6,857.

* Lake Las Vegas Resort: This scenic resort benefits from 2 top courses, Reflection Bay (designed by Jack Nicklaus) and The Falls (designed by Tom Weiskopf), with a total of 36 holes. The courses stretch along the shores of the lake, accented by palm trees and waterfalls. Rating/Slope: 74.3/138 (Reflection Bay), 74.1/136 (The Falls). Yardage (back tees): 7,261 (Reflection Bay), 7,250 (The Falls).

* Wynn Las Vegas: The Wynn Las Vegas is the newest, most upscale resort in the city, and its golf course is equally dramatic. Designed by Tom Fazio and Steve Wynn, its 18 holes wind through water features, marshes, and lush landscaping, creating a golfing experience never before seen on the Las Vegas Strip. Yardage: 7,042.

* Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort: Not one, not two, but THREE 18-hole courses designed by none other than Pete Dye! Whether you're out on Snow Mountain, Sun Mountain, or The Wolf, you're sure to appreciate the greatness of this resort's dedication to golf. Rating/Slope: 73.9/125 (Snow Mountain), 73.3/130 (Sun Mountain), 76.3/149 (The Wolf). Yardage (back tees): 7,158 (Snow Mountain), 7,112 (Sun Mountian), 7,604 (The Wolf).

* Royal Links Golf Club: The weather will give away the fact that you're not in Scotland, but a distinctly British feel can be attributed to the inspiration of 11 different British Open Rotation Courses. Castle-like monuments add to the ambience of this 18-hole course, designed by Dye Designs International. Rating/Slope: 73.7/135. Yardage (back tees): 7,029.

* Tournament Players Club at The Canyons: Known as TPC, this golf retreat provides the only public PGA Tour facility in Las Vegas. Golfers have a chance to match skills against the pros on this stunning 18-hole Bobby Weed design that is challenging, yet playable. Rating/Slope: 73/131. Yardage (back tees): 7,063.

* Las Vegas Country Club: This private 18-hole course is located next to the Hilton Hotel, just off the northern end of the Strip. The course, where Senior PGA Tour player Larry Laorretti once served as a golf pro, is marked by long and tough par-fours and well-bunkered holes. Rating/Slope: 72.8/128. Yardage: 7,164.

* Las Vegas National Golf Club: Conveniently located just off the Strip, near the convention center, this 18-hole course challenges golfers of all levels with some tough par-threes and dog-legged holes. Rating/Slope: 72.1/130. Yardage: 6,815.

* Bali Hai Golf Course: This 18-hole course is recognized by Golf Week as one of the "Top 40 Resort Courses in America". Follow the course across 7 acres of water hazzards, palm trees, rocky outcrops, and white sand traps. Rating/Slope: 73/130. Yardage: 7,002.

* Callaway Golf Center: At the lower end of the Strip, Callaway is home to the "Divine Nine" lighted 9-hole course, 110-stall driving range, St. Andrews pro shop, and Bistro 10 restaurant. Yardage: 1,230.

Eating doesn't get any better than this. Chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Wolfgang Puck have poured into the city and established a restaurant scene to rival New York and Paris. In fact, there are now more "Celebrity Chefs" in Vegas than in any other single city on Earth! Or, if you prefer, the famously inexpensive and delicious hotel buffets serve all you can eat of truly delicious fare for as little as $3 for breakfast, $4 for lunch, and $6 for dinner. El Rancho Hotel on the Strip started the tradition in the early 1940s and, since then, nearly every hotel has joined in, regularly offering up to 45 items per buffet meal. Check out Circus Circus, which has 3 serving-lines, regularly gets around 13,000 customers each day, and once served an incredible 17,600 people in a single day!

Gourmet

Emeril's Fish House: Culinary mega-star Emeril Lagasse's eatery at the MGM Grand "kicks it up a notch" to make your taste buds "happy happy" with fine seafoodand Creole specialties. Las Vegas Blvd.

Bradley Ogden: That long line of FedEx trucks pulling up to Caesars Palace every morning means that chef Bradley Ogden will be serving super-fresh, all-organic food at his new eponymous restaurant every night. The famed Bay Area talent, whose new take on classic “farm fresh” American cuisine has earned him national acclaim, prepares incredible dishes like Free Range Petaluma Organic Chicken Breast, Colorado cedar Springs Lamb Rack, and Eden Farms Oak Fired Pork Loin. Each day's menu changes, depending on the products available from his top-quality vendors. Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Highly Recommended

Le Cirque: This gourmet oasis in the Bellagio is a reprise of the acclaimed New York sensation, serving contemporary French cuisine in an elegant setting overlooking the lake. Las Vegas Blvd.

Trattoria del Lupo: Part of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, this eatery has the classic presence of an authentic Italian trattoria, serving antipastas, pizza, Tuscan Angus Burgers, Wolfgang's Lasagna, and elaborate dinner entrées with an extensive wine list. Diners can relax with views of the pasta, charcuterie, and bakery preparation areas, where traditional specialties from regions of Northern and Southern Italy are lovingly cooked in a wood-burning rotisserie and pizza oven. The inviting atmosphere also features patio seating, where you can people-watch inside the hotel. Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Local Flair

The Coyote Café: This bistro's food is so good it keeps you howling for more. The hearty Southwestern cuisine combines flavors from traditional Mexican, Native American, Creole, and Cajun cooking, blended with modern gourmet twists. A lively bar up front neighbors an exhibition cooking area around a cazuela (casserole) oven. Las Vegas Blvd.

Main Street Station Garden Court Buffet: Repeatedly voted Downtown Las Vegas' best buffet, this 540-seat room isn't your typical "grab-a-tray" experience. Cuisine spotlights American, Southern, Southwestern, Pacific Rim, Chinese, and Mexican foods, as well as designer pizza and pasta. The room itself is truly grand, with majestic vaulted ceilings and Victorian "gingerbread" decor. With super food at amazingly low prices, this is the surest bet in town. Main Street Station Casino Brewery Hotel, 200 N. Main Street

Romantic

The Top of the World: A revolving restaurant at the top of the Stratosphere slowly spins you around the light show 106 stories below, for a view that is as almost as absorbing as your dinner partner. Las Vegas Blvd.

Aureole: Award-winning chef Charlie Palmer brings to Vegas the same impeccable service and attention to detail that makes his sophisticated Aureole in Manhattan one of the world's best. The romantic dining room inside Mandalay Bay features waterfalls and live swans - but it's his Herb Crusted Pacific Halibut and Roast Spring Rack of Lamb with Sweet Garlic that you'll tell your envious friends about. Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd South

Vegas marquees are the envy of the entertainment world. Only here can visitors always rely on close encounters with superstars like Liza Minnelli, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, Bette Midler, and Pavarotti. When mega-diva Barbra Streisand broke a 27-year concert hiatus on New Year's Eve 1993, it was Las Vegas she chose as her venue. There are also countless small shows and assorted acts that won't cost you much at all, in addition to the scores of clubs and bars lining the Strip.

"O" by Cirque du Soleil. Bellagio

Mystére by Cirque du Soleil, on a giant water stage. Treasure Island

rumjungle: A reggae house featuring live music by Trinity. Mandalay Bay

Studio 54: Resident DJ Frankie of NYC spins the Wheels of Steel. MGM Grand

Rainbow Bar & Grill: A Los Angeles music landmark since the 1970s, the Rainbow has landed in Las Vegas as a 24/7 club and hangout that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals, including its world-famous pizza and homemade chicken soup. Sporting red leather booths and rock 'n' roll memorabilia on the walls, the 7,500-square-foot eatery features a full-service bar, 2 dining rooms with plasma TVs, an outside patio, and a main lounge for live entertainment. 4480 Paradise Road

World Archery Festival: This impressive display showcases the revival of an ancient warrior skill. March

NASCAR Racing: Heart-pounding NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series stock cars go fender-to-fender at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, while the exciting NASCAR Craftsmen Truck Series takes over the track in September. March/September

Jazz in the Park: Free outdoor jazz concerts are a nice change of pace from the hectic tempo of The Strip. June

Las Vegas Music Festival: The festival opens and closes with concerts at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. During the festival, there are chamber music concerts in various venues throughout the city. August

Harvest Festival: You'll feel like you've wandered into the past as you stroll through this old-fashioned fair with food, crafts, and handmade furniture. August

World Championship Chili CookOff: Set your taste buds on fire with all-day tastings of the world's best chili. September

Las Vegas Invitational: Watch the pros play during this PGA-sanctioned golf tournament, played at 3 of the most popular courses in town - TPC at Canyons, TPC at Summerlin, and Southern Highlands. October

National Rodeo Finals: Taking place in Las Vegas since 1959, and known as the Superbowl of Rodeos, this major event is the best place to see the wildest, bravest, most foolhardy cowboys and cowgirls in all their back-breaking action. The stakes are high: the winner receives $5 million plus the coveted Golden Belt Buckles. Events include bull riding, roping, bareback and saddle bronco riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. Be sure to book your tickets early! December

Casual clothes including shorts, jeans, sundresses, khakis, and t-shirts are the norm in and out of the casinos from spring through autumn. Jackets are often necessary during the cooler winter months. Many people like to dress up for shows and special evenings out, but casual dress is acceptable in most Las Vegas showrooms.

We strongly advise that you confirm the following information and regard this only as a basic guide.

Gambling/Drinking: You must be at least 21 years old. No one under 19 is allowed unaccompanied on The Strip after 10:00pm from Sunday through Thursday, or after midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Tipping: Tipping is an important part of a Las Vegas employee's income. If you get lucky at the slot or video poker machines, give a couple bucks to the change person; for dealers at table games, either tip them a few chips when you leave or place a bet for them when you're winning; it's common to tip the keno writers/runners a few bucks if you play for an extended period of time; drinks are free at casinos, but you should give the waitress or bartender a tip for each drink. Whenever in doubt, leave a few dollars to anyone who provides a service to you.

Sun & Heat: It is very easy to burn in a desert climate even when you don't notice the heat, so bring along a hat and sunscreen, especially in summer.

Smoking: New non-smoking laws are in effect for the entire State of Nevada. There's no smoking in hotel corridors and elevator banks. You are allowed to smoke in designated smoking guest rooms and in areas of casinos where food is not served.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority: 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, phone 1-877-VISITLV (847-4858)