LAS VEGAS ORIENTATION
Las Vegas the land of the lights, glamour, Casinos, and a beautiful landscape. There are many ways to get around Las Vegas and to see the sights that this vigorous city has to offer.
First of all Lets get our bearings straight. I personally know how difficult it can be to orient yourself when you fly into a new city. One reason this can be challenging is because on most close up maps of Las Vegas's strip, North is not at the top of the page. Keep this in mind when you land at the Las Vegas McCarran Airport. MGM grand is South and The Stratosphere is North. The Las Vegas Strip lays in a general North / South Direction.
Surrounded by the Spring Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, it was coincidence that this settlement was named Las Vegas (The Oasis). Don't be alarmed if it seems to be getting dark early. This is your chance to catch a glimps of what the origional settlers saw every evening as the sun sets over the mountain range. The las Vegas sunset provides some of the spectacular show of color above and around the mountain range.
Once the colors of the sun finally come to a rest the colors of the casino lights begin to light up the street in brilliant colors. Las vegas is an electronic marvel as it paints its buildings and billboards with bright washes of light.
BEYOND THE STRIP
There are bright lights, flashy buildings and cars, music and the sounds of the casino surrounding the Las vegas strip. So what else is out there. Lake mead is a beautiful man made wonder and is jut a short trip from the heart of Las Vegas. If you are not renting a car the best way to see the rest of Nevada is with a guided tour. These tours are available Daily as well as Nightly. Wether you are into white water rafting or fine dining aboard a paddle boat, which is floating around lake mead. Las Vegas, Nevada offers something for everyone. I recommend a helicopter night rideto see the lights of las vegas, as well the grand canyon by air tour, which provides a beautiful sight.
If you are wanting to see the entire Las Vegas strip, remember that from the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino to Mandalay Bay Hotel, is well over 5 miles one way. I personally have done the round trip on foot, virtually non stop. I will be the first recommend it, because of the ability to see the grandiose size and all the details that these beautiful Casinos and Hotels have to offer. Be advised it is not for the tender footed, consider packing some shoe inserts before you embark on your trek.
Taxi cabs are located at every hotel of the Las Vegas Strip. Need a cab? All you need to do is walk to the Door man or Taxi stand at the nearest Hotel and they will help you get a taxi. If it is a busy night you may have to wait in a line for a bit, but taxis are abundant so the wait wont be long.
The Las Vegas Monorail. The monorail provides visitors along with Las vegas commuters a quick and easy form of transportation. The Las Vegas Monorail now has 7 strategic stops allowing you to get to virtually any Las Vegas Strip location with ease. The Southern most stop is the MGM Grand Station, going north to Paris / Bally's Station, continuing north to Flamingo / Caesars Palace station, Next on to Harrah's / Imperail Palace Station, Las Vegas Convention center, Las vegas Hilton and the final last stop on the North side of the strip is Sahara Station. So where is the monorail? It is located on the east side of the strip, directly behind the hotels. From Harrah's ( a good central Las Vegas Strip Location) Follow the signs through the casino and hotel to the Harrah's / Imperial Palace Station.
Las Vegas Monorail, Hours 7am - 2am. Trains run approximately 5 minutes apart. The unlimited day pass($10), and unlimited three day pass ($25) are excellent Vegas transportation bargains. Not to mention that they save your feet from so much walking.