Las Vegas travel guide,Do

Gamble

Opportunities to gamble are found in most places in the Las Vegas metro area, even at McCarran airport and small supermarkets. However, please be advised that it is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age. Even if you are at least 21 years old, you are required to bring to the casino a valid ID that shows your current age or complete date of birth (e.g. driver's licence, passport) as proof of your age. Photocopies of valid IDs are usually not considered valid. In-house security makes rounds of inspections to check compliance. If you are under age or without a valid ID to prove your age and found gambling or loitering in a gaming area, hotel staff will ask you to leave, and could ask the metro police to issue you a citation. Moreover, underage gamblers cannot collect any jackpot; such bets are void and the casino will at best return your wager before kicking you out. There is a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and metro police are comfortable transporting violators to a juvenile center.

If you are going to gamble in Las Vegas, it would behoove you to learn and study the games before you arrive. Gambling pros suggest playing the games with the lowest house advantage, such as craps (dice) with full odds, and blackjack (if you are a skilled player), but tables where a blackjack pays only 6:5 or even money instead of the traditional 3:2 give the house a big advantage, and should be avoided. Bets which have the highest house advantage include slot machines, roulette, and some craps bets (hardways and propositions). If a game is unfamiliar to you, do not hesitate to ask the dealer advice on how to play. Most will be happy to explain the game to you, and even slow down the dealing, especially if you arrive during the daytime at a table that is not crowded.

To facilitate gambling in machine-based games, you can use a pre-paid card to make wagers and collect winnings. Obtain one of these from the counter, insert the card into the gambling machine you choose to play and the machine will deduct your wagers as well as add your winings to it. You can go to another cash dispensing machine to redeem your winnings as well as reload the value. Most casinos offer ATMs and over-the-counter cash\-advance facilities but beware about the charges set by your bank and the machine operator or establishment on collecting credit card cash advances.

One reason to gamble -- aside from the hope of winning money -- is that, by doing so, you could receive complimentary ("comp") rooms, meals, and even airfare depending on your play. Most casinos issue free "player cards." It is generally to your advantage to show or insert your player card every time you play a table game or slot machine. At the end of your trip, you can ask the hotel if you are eligible for any comps, you might be pleasantly surprised. And if you arrive at the casino prepared to lay out $1000 or more, don't be bashful: ask the pit boss to be "rated" for comps before or while you begin playing. Separate from comps, many hotels offer discount packages for travelers who book a Sunday-Thursday night arrival. Most of these packages offer gambling coupons or a matching play -- see the Sleep section for details.

In the 90's many casinos took their Poker rooms out and replaced them with slot machines, recently Poker has made a comeback and more and more casinos offer it. Texas Hold'em can be found at almost all Las Vegas poker rooms along with 7-card stud, Omaha and others. Not all casinos have a poker room, so call the casino or ask a gaming floor attendant. Casinos with non-smoking poker rooms include:

• Wynn
• Bellagio
• The Palms
• Mandalay Bay
• MGM Grand
• Mirage

Get Married

Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. To get married, first go to the County Clerk's Office and apply for a marriage license. Both parties must have valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The cost is $55 per couple. The Las Vegas Wedding Bureau is open from 9AM-midnight seven days a week, including holidays. No blood test or waiting period is required.

Once you have a marriage license, the wedding ceremony can be performed by any priest, minister, or justice of the peace authorized to perform weddings with in the Las Vegas area. Numerous wedding chapels are located around the Wedding Bureau and on the Strip. You can choose an elaborate theme wedding - such as an Elvis impersonator as officiant - or a simple ceremony and reception celebration.

Most major hotels and Vegas Wedding Chapel offer wedding packages for those who wish to plan a larger wedding ceremony. But don't let a lack of planning stop your nuptials; all Vegas wedding chapels can perform immediate weddings with no prior appointment. Although, it is recommended to make a reservation for your Weddding. If you make a reservation most chapels will provide courtesy limousine transportation from your hotel to the chapel and back. Lastly, making a reservation decreases the likelihood of having to wait.

Remember your wedding is a special event and want the best regardless of how much you plan to spend. You can receive a quality service at very affordable prices in Las Vegas. It is advised to check with the Las Vegas Better Business Bureau before making any arrangements. You may check the local BBB reports online at http://www.vegasbbb.org.

Mountain Activities

• Rock Climbing

The natural attractions of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon.

Would you believe that Las Vegas has some of the best climbing in America? Red Rock Canyon [47] is located on the western edge of the Las Vegas city limits and features hundreds of traditional/gear and sport routes. Climbing is possible year around though spring and fall tend to be most comfortable. There are a couple of guide books that detail the routes. Though the area does not receive much precipitation, it is worth remember that if the sandstone becomes wet (from rain or snow) it becomes brittle and you'd be wise to avoid it for at least two day before checking if it dried out.

There is also a scenic drive through Red Rock canyon, which will take you about 30 minutes to complete, though there are opportunities to park up and get out of the car. Entry is a couple of dollars per car and includes access to the visitor centre.

• Dayhiking and Backpacking - North of Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains have five peaks over 11,000' which is Bristlecone Pine County. At 11,918 ft (3,362 m), Mt. Charleston reaches the treeless alpine zone and is Nevada's fourth highest peak. The geology is mainly limestone which soaks up rainfall and snowmelt up high and releases it in lower canyons. Carry plenty of water for hikes along the crest. Expect snow at higher elevations October through May or June.

• Skiing - The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort in the Spring Mountains is reached by State Highway 156, 45 minutes from Las Vegas. Brian Head Resort in southern Utah offers more vertical feet but is about a three hour drive via I-15.

Tennis

Las Vegas is a great place for tennis fans. Not only do many of the hotels offer excellent courts but public courts abound as well. Vegas is also home to many amateur tournaments, UNLV tournaments, as well as The Tennis Channel Open [48].

Other activities

• Ride a gondola (inside or outside for $15/person for 4 minutes) and visit St. Mark's Square at The Venetian
• Ride the Manhattan Express at New-York New-York.
• The Stratosphere has a lot of fun stuff to do in the top, you can see the whole city from there. A trip to the top costs about $10, with rides costing extra.
• Visit the Wynn and play golf! Note: The Wynn golf course is for hotel guests only
• Indoor sky diving at Fly-a-way 200 Convention Center Drive +1 877 545-8093 [49] $50 and up
• Shoot a machine gun at The Gun Store 2900 E Tropicana Ave 9am–6:30pm 7 days. +1 702 454-1110 [50] $25–$40 Photo ID required.
• Front Sight, 1 Front Sight Road, Pahrump, NV, +1 702 897-9107, [51]. Learn to handle any firearm like a professional.