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Vegas Q&A: What's The Best Of The Rest?
UPDATED: 10:24 am CST January 10, 2006
Question: I loved your best-of lists for hotels, restaurants and shows, but what about stuff like casinos and nightclubs and all of the other things that Vegas has to offer?Janet in Reno, Nev.Answer: OK, Janet. Here you go:2005 Vegas4Visitors Awards: Best of the RestBest Attraction
Atomic Testing Museum -- This place goes beyond museum to become a fascinating, almost-living testament to the good, the bad and the ugly that was the Nevada Test Site, an above-ground nuclear testing facility just 60 miles from Las Vegas. Interactive exhibits, video, photos, artifacts and much, much more make this a must-see.Best Casino
Bally's -- It's not the fanciest or biggest or most lively, but the casino at Bally's has a simple, easily navigable layout, all of the latest (and many of your older favorite) slot machines, video poker, plenty of table games, and an incredibly friendly staff. What more could you want? Okay, how about this: I have won more money in the Bally's casino than in any other in town. It may not mean much to you, but this is my list.Best Nightclub
Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce -- Nightclub is probably not the exact, best word for the place, but there's something groovy, funky and fun about this tiny sliver of a joint that features comely lasses strutting their stuff in the best burlesque in town. Who cares that there isn't a dance floor -- the great beats and fab drinks will make you want to boogie wherever there's an open bit of carpeting.Best Shopping Experience
MonteLago Village -- Note that I called this the best shopping "experience," not necessarily the best shopping. There are a limited number of stores and most of what they sell is on the expensive side, but there's something undeniably lovely about wandering through the cobblestone streets of this faux Italian village, maybe with a gelato in hand, as you gaze at the beautiful lake and maybe, just maybe, find yourself that perfect thing you were looking for in one of the boutiques.Best Spa
The Bathhouse at THEhotel -- I'm not much of a spa person, but the Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel is almost enough to make me become one. The stunning space, evocatively designed with dramatic alcoves, soaring ceilings, and intimate lighting, makes you want to relax even before you get to the massages and treatments.Best Recreation
Lake Las Vegas -- Golf, hiking, boating, swimming, fly-fishing, star-gazing, kayaking, and mountain-biking are just the beginning of the offerings at Lake Las Vegas, a nature-lover's paradise. With the exception of Lake Mead, there is no other single place in the Las Vegas area that offers this much, and you get the added bonus of fewer people and much more to do after you've had that hike (like eat, drink, gamble and sleep).
Atomic Testing Museum -- This place goes beyond museum to become a fascinating, almost-living testament to the good, the bad and the ugly that was the Nevada Test Site, an above-ground nuclear testing facility just 60 miles from Las Vegas. Interactive exhibits, video, photos, artifacts and much, much more make this a must-see.Best Casino
Bally's -- It's not the fanciest or biggest or most lively, but the casino at Bally's has a simple, easily navigable layout, all of the latest (and many of your older favorite) slot machines, video poker, plenty of table games, and an incredibly friendly staff. What more could you want? Okay, how about this: I have won more money in the Bally's casino than in any other in town. It may not mean much to you, but this is my list.Best Nightclub
Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce -- Nightclub is probably not the exact, best word for the place, but there's something groovy, funky and fun about this tiny sliver of a joint that features comely lasses strutting their stuff in the best burlesque in town. Who cares that there isn't a dance floor -- the great beats and fab drinks will make you want to boogie wherever there's an open bit of carpeting.Best Shopping Experience
MonteLago Village -- Note that I called this the best shopping "experience," not necessarily the best shopping. There are a limited number of stores and most of what they sell is on the expensive side, but there's something undeniably lovely about wandering through the cobblestone streets of this faux Italian village, maybe with a gelato in hand, as you gaze at the beautiful lake and maybe, just maybe, find yourself that perfect thing you were looking for in one of the boutiques.Best Spa
The Bathhouse at THEhotel -- I'm not much of a spa person, but the Bathhouse Spa at THEhotel is almost enough to make me become one. The stunning space, evocatively designed with dramatic alcoves, soaring ceilings, and intimate lighting, makes you want to relax even before you get to the massages and treatments.Best Recreation
Lake Las Vegas -- Golf, hiking, boating, swimming, fly-fishing, star-gazing, kayaking, and mountain-biking are just the beginning of the offerings at Lake Las Vegas, a nature-lover's paradise. With the exception of Lake Mead, there is no other single place in the Las Vegas area that offers this much, and you get the added bonus of fewer people and much more to do after you've had that hike (like eat, drink, gamble and sleep).
The Full Story
- South Coast Casino Opens To Crowds
- Stardust To Close In 2006
- Vegas Q&A: What's The Best Of The Rest?
In Next Week's Column
Next week: The latest from Las Vegas.Plus, don't forget to send your questions about Las Vegas. I've got room for more, so send them in today!Click here to go to the main page of Vegas4Visitors.com and see all of the fantastic resources Vegas4Visitors has to offer you when planning your next trip to Las Vegas.Rick Garman is the head writer for Vegas4Visitors
