Las Vegas

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art: This superb collection includes works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, and Matisse. Accessible commentary via headphones.

Bonnie Springs Old Nevada: Once a stopover on the old Spanish trail, Bonnie Springs Ranch features a petting zoo, riding stables, a miniature railroad and a motel. Next door Old Nevada, film site of “Bonanza” episodes, is a re-created old west town with saloon, museums, gift shops, staged gunfights and hangings in the streets.

Circus Circus offers continuous circus acts, carnival games and kiddie rides. The Adventure Dome is a spectacular, roller coaster, water flume rides, animated dinosaurs and special effects theater.

The “City of Entertainment”. MGM Grand’s salute to showbiz features Studio Walk, a dining and shopping “sound stage” and star-studded events at the Grand Garden Arena.

Clark County Museum. Exhibits on settler and cowboy life, Indian artifacts and nuclear testing. Features reconstructed turn-of-the-century buildings and railroad cars.

Clark County Wetlands Park Nature Preserve. An oasis of ponds, vegetation and interpretive areas.

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Thte 4,000-seat, state-of-the-art theater offers big-name shows.

The Gardens at the Springs Preserve. A fascinating array of desert-loving plants inhabits several themed gardens. A major expansion is ongoing. Free, self-guided tour.

Desperado. Fasten your seat belts for the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, at Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino, Primm.

Dolphin Habitat. See dolphins at play from above and below water level at the Mirage Hotel aquarium. Educational fun for all ages.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Cactus Garden. See chocolates being made and tour a magnificent cactus collection. Free tours.

Fremont Street Experience. Canopied street is ablaze with 2.1 million lights each evening. The colorful Neonopolis adds shops, movies and dining.

Grand Canyon Tours. Bus, plane and helicopter excursions to Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon depart from Las Vegas.

Guggenheim Hermitage Museum. With two great collections to draw from, this gallery boasts numerous masterpieces.

Houdini Museum. Dedicated to the magician and the man.

Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum. S. Nevada aviation history.

Imperial Palace Auto Collection. Over 200 antique and famous cars and special interest vehicles. At the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino.

King Tut’s Tomb & Museum at the Luxor. Feast your eyes on these beautifully crafted reproductions of Egyptian artifacts.

Lake Mead Cruises. Relax with a scenic cruise on Lake Mead on a 250-passenger, paddlewheel boat. The Desert princess departs from Lake Mead Marina and offers meals and evening dancing.

Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix. Family Fun Center includes tracks for ages four to adult, Kiddie Karts to “Naskarts”.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway. World-class racing at this 20-track, 1,500-acre motorsports complex. Enthusiasts with varying levels of expertise may study with the pros.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Displays of dinosaurs (animated and skeletal) and sharks. Also has bird, bug and bat rooms.

Liberace Museum. Memorabilia and extravaganza. See “Mr. Showmanship’s” famously lavish pianos, cars, costumes and jewelry.

Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. One of the best and largest children’s museums in the country. Over 100 hands-on, interactive displays that will interest kids of all ages in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Lost City Museum. Pueblo Indian artifacts, Paiute basketry and weapons. Located near the Valley of Fire.

Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History. Exhibits and live displays of local desert wildlife and vegetation. Also features an art gallery and Indian artifacts. Located on UNLV campus.

Nevada State Museum & Historical Society. Features displays on the history, archeology and ecology of Southern Nevada.

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park. Remnants of the city’s oldest structure; built by the first Mormon settlers in 1855.

Planetarium. At the Community College of S. Nevada.

Ron Lee’s World of Clowns. Tour the clown factory and museum; ride an authentic Chance Carousel.

The Secret Garden. Located at the Mirage, this jungle of exotic beasts, including white lions and tigers, is designed to raise public awareness of endangered animals.

Showcase. Non-gaming entertainment complex is home to eight cinemas, a celebrity sports café, game center, cola and candy outlets.

S. Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park. See lions, tigers, apes, exotic birds and reptiles. Also features a children’s petting zoo.

Star Trek: The Experience. Located at the Las Vegas Hilton and a must for trekkies. Complete, interactive entertainment includes a “voyage” to the galaxies.

Stratosphere Tower. This amazing 1,149-foot tower features the world’s highest thrill rides, indoor and outdoor observation decks and shopping.