LAS VEGAS — Here are just a few of the options open to those hitting Glitter Gulch for Clean ’11 in June. It’s impossible to list everything, but this should give showgoers a taste of what lies beyond the show floor that can help blend business and pleasure.
For more ideas on what to see and where to go during your stay, visit Night+Day Guides, Epicurious and the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, which shared some of the recommendations that follow. For travel information, please see our April 19 article, Neon Nights.ATTRACTIONS
• Atomic Testing Museum. Have a blast at this educational attraction highlighting the nuclear testing once performed within view of Las Vegas. 755 E. Flamingo Road, 702-794-5150.
• Auto Collection at Imperial Palace. More than 350 classic cars on display, every one available for purchase. Imperial Palace, 702-731-3311.
• Bellagio Fountains. Every half-hour, 1,000 spouts sync with Sinatra and other Vegas faves. Bellagio, 702-693-7223.
• Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Vegas’ first international art venue offers traveling exhibitions from around the world. Bellagio, 702-693-7223.
• CBS Television City Research Center. Give your opinions on network shows before they hit the airwaves. MGM Grand, 702-891-7925.
• Elvis-A-Rama. $4 million worth of The King’s personal belongings, including several signature jumpsuits. 3401 Industrial Road, 702-309-7200.
• Flamingo Wildlife Habitat. Free zoo with flamingos, penguins and more. Flamingo, 702-733-3111.
• Fremont Street Experience. Free light-and-sound show under downtown Vegas’ $70 million canopy.
• Guggenheim Hermitage. An art museum from two of the world’s biggest names in art museums. Venetian, 702-414-1000.
• Las Vegas Mob Experience. The Trop’s homage to casinos before corporate ownership features authentic artifacts and interactive exhibits. Tropicana, 702-739-2222.
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Drive or ride in a real racecar, 15 minutes from the Strip. 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 702-644-4444.
• Madame Tussaud’s. More than 100 wax figures of celebrities such as Vegas glitterati Wayne Newton. Venetian, 702-862-7800.
• Mandalay Bay Shark Reef. Walk-throuh aquarium of the endangered and unusual. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7777.
• Neon Museum. Open-air museum created to preserve the most vital pieces of Las Vegas history. 821 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-477-7751.
• Pinball Hall of Fame. More than 140 playable classic pinball machines and arcade games. 1610 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-597-2627.
• Strat-O-Fair. Three thrill rides that begin 100 stories above the ground. Stratosphere, 702-380-7777.DINING
• Andre’s French Restaurant. Chef Andre Rochat led Las Vegas to haute cuisine in the 1980s, and the city has never looked back. $$$, Monte Carlo, 702-798-7151.
• Aria. Farm-to-table fare from Chicago’s Shawn McClain includes foie gras crème brulée. $$$$, Aria Resort, 702-590-7757.
• B&B Ristorante. Mario Batali’s kitchen Crocs mark the entrance, but inside this pasta-and-parm paradise, elegance reigns. $$$, Venetian, 702-266-9977.
• Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare. Fresh fish flown from the Mediterranean, cooked to order before your eyes. $$$, Wynn Las Vegas, 702-248-DINE.
• Botero. A sexy steakhouse jut off the pool deck attracts serious foodies and stylish clubbers. $$$$, Encore Las Vegas, 702-770-5310.
• Bradley Ogden. The best burger in Vegas attracts a sophisticated mix of business travelers and slot jockeys. $$, Caesars Palace, 877-346-4642.
• Burger Bar. If it can be served in patty, it will be plated to order at Hubert Keller’s Restaurant. $-$$$, Mandalay Bay, 702-632-9364.
• Delmonico Steakhouse. Classic steakhouse with Emeril’s influences. $$$, Venetian, 702-414-3737.
• Doña Maria Tamales. Authentic in every way, this local favorite serves up four signature tamales, combination platters and frosty margaritas. $, 910 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-656-1600.
• Firefly. A border-bending take on tapas near the Convention Center. $$, 3900 Paradise Road, 702-369-3971.
• FIX. Cocktails and comfort foods such as mac-‘n’-cheese and donuts reimagined as culinary delights. $$$, Bellagio, 702-693-8300.
• Golden Steer. Old-school steakhouse hasn’t changed since the Rat Pack ordered their dirty Martinis and filets there. $$, 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702-384-4470.
• Guy Savoy. An intimate repro of the Michelin Three-Star restaurant in Paris. Magnifique! $$$$$, Caesars Palace, 877-346-4642.
• Joël Robuchon/L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. The Chef of The Century’s haute and slightly-more-casual offerings feature incredible culinary standards. $$$$$ and $$$$, MGM Grand, 702-891-7925.
• Rao’s. An offshoot of the impossibly popular New York joint, Rao’s serves up meatballs and pasta at reasonable prices. $$, Caesars Palace, 877-346-4642.
• Rosemary’s. An off-Strip gem revered by locals for its innovative grill creations and Southern flair. $$, 8125 W. Sahara Ave., 702-869-2251.
• Stripsteak. Michael Mina poaches and grills to carnivorous perfection at this sensory-overload steakhouse. $$$, Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7414.
• Le Provençal. Bouillabaisse and other favorites from the sun-kissed South of France. $$, Paris Las Vegas, 702-967-7999.
• Mix. This restaurant location atop THEhotel at Mandalay Bay offers dazzling views; Alain Ducasse’s whimsical Southern fusion satisfies. $$$, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, 702-632-9500.
• Nora’s Wine Bar & Osteria. Famiglia-style fave features rustic Italian dishes made for sharing. $, 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., 702-940-6672.
• Mr. Lucky’s 24/7. American diner food with that rock-’n’-roll vibe, all night long. $, Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
• Shaboo. Masa Takayama’s expensive Japanese hotpots feature superpremium ingredients. $$$$$, Aria Las Vegas, 702-650-7565.
• Stack. A fun-loving steakhouse with exceptional small plates. $$$, Mirage, 702-791-7111.
• Twist. The blingiest restaurant on the Strip offers decadent deconstructed dishes like potato ice cream with caviar. Mandarin Oriental, $$$$$, 702-590-8888.
• Verandah. Italian garden spot makes for a perfect power lunch. $$$, Four Seasons, 702-632-5000.GOLF
• Badlands. Johnny Miller and Chi Chi Rodriguez’ 27-holer, named one of Nevada’s Top 10. 702-242-4653.
• Bali Hai. Island-style course, conveniently located at the south end of the Strip. 702-856-1000.
• Bear’s Best. A course featuring replicas of Jack Nicklaus’ finest 18 holes in the world. 702-732-3119.
• Legacy Golf Club. An Arthur Hills-designed facility with a hometown Las Vegas theme. 702-732-3119.
• Painted Desert. The city’s first golf course to employ native desert vegetation. 702-382-4653.
• Wynn Las Vegas. World-class golf just off the Strip, with rolling hills and water traps. 866-770-7108.SHOPPING
• Las Vegas Outlet Center. More than 100 name brands at low prices. South Strip.
Via Bellagio. Fashion and jewelry from Gucci, Hermès, Prada, Chanel and more. Bellagio.
• Bettie Page Clothing. Boutique of polka dots, platforms and fishnets. Planet Hollywood, 702-636-1100.
• Fashion Show Mall. Anchored by Neiman’s, Saks and more, the mall stages runway shows. Mid-Strip.
• The Forum Shops. Hundreds of upscale boutiques with Roman statues that come to life. Caesars Palace.
• Grand Canal Shoppes. Indoor mall features 70 luxury boutiques and gondola rides. Venetian.
• The Gun Store. Every firearm from AK-47 to Walther PPK is available in this try-before-you-buy emporium. 2900 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-454-1110.
• Miracle Mile Shops. A 475,000-sq.-ft. mall with an indoor rainstorm. Planet Hollywood.
• Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati. Hit it big and drive home with one of these Italian beauties. Wynn Las Vegas, 888-689-9526.
• Gambler’s General Store. Slots, tables, chips, cards, signs and other quintessential Vegas souvenirs. 800 S. Main St., 702-382-9903.
• Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. Home of the History Channel hit Pawn Stars. 713 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702-385-7912.
• Rocket Fizz. Retro candy shop with the world’s largest selection of bottled sodas. 5130 S. Fort Apache Road, 702-889-4292.SHOWS
• Blue Man Group. Percussive performance art in a custom-built theater. Venetian, 702-414-9000.
• David Copperfield. Legendary illusionist astonishes and engages. MGM Grand, 702-531-3826.
• Criss Angel: Believe. Mind-blowing illusions from the rocker’s magician. Luxor, 702-262-4444.
• Celine Dion. The diva makes a return engagement. Caesars Palace, 800-838-8155.
• Donny & Marie. Family-friendly variety show incorporating dancing, wholesome humor and song. Flamingo, 702-492-3960.
• Jersey Boys. Musical about the rise of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Palazzo, 702-414-9000.
• Jubilee! Multimillion-dollar show featuring scantily-clad showgirls and the sinking of the Titanic. Bally’s, 702-967-4567.
• KÀ. Cirque du Soleil adventure follows the travails of twins separated in the Far East. MGM Grand, 702-531-3826.
• Le rÈve. A fantastical water ballet held in the round. Wynn Las Vegas, 702-770-9966.
• The Lion King. Disney’s spectacular journey through the life of a young lion, Simba. Mandalay Bay, 702-492-3960.
• LOVE. Cirque du Soleil’s psychedelic journey through the ’60s with The Beatles. Mirage, 702-792-7777.
• Barry Manilow. The ’70s hitmaker performs live in the intimate, 1,500-seat Theatre des Arts. Paris Las Vegas, 800-745-3000.
• Mystére. Cirque du Soleil’s long-running show features 70 performers. Treasure Island, 702-894-7722.
• O. Aquatic masterpiece from the Cirque du Soleil stable. Bellagio, 702-693-7722.
Penn & Teller. Magic’s bad boys reveal their secrets with carnival-barker flair. Rio, 702-777-7777.
• Tony & Tina’s Wedding. Nuptials amuse with bickering and big hair. Planet Hollywood, 702-636-1100.
• Zumanity. Cirque du Soleil’s raunchiest highlights animal urges. New York-New York, 866-606-7111.
See our article, Neon Lights, for information on travel and lodging.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Dave Davis at [email protected].