Hotels of Las Vegas

If you have children, you will, at some point, end up at the Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix. Deny it all you want, but you should just give in to that fact now. It will cause more stress only if you resist. Either your own offspring or one of their friends will insist on having a birthday party there, and as a doting parent, you must deny your child nothing. Of course, if you don’t have children, you’re more than welcome to join in the mini-racing experience. Just prepare to step over, around and between the little ones.

Quite frankly, as far as kiddie birthday parties go, Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix has it all. Inexpensive food, picnic-style tables, an extensive arcade, a Super Fun Slide, a mini-roller coaster and three styles of miniature race cars. Go Karts are available as you race against folks who were once your friends until they “accidentally” bumped into you on the track. We must warn you not to get too carried away, as those unassuming teenage staff members are watching your every move and have the capability to “pull the plug” on your car should you get too unruly on the track.

Next up, try the Sprint Karts. Even though the back of each car states “No Bumping,” don’t be surprised if that innocent looking kid cuts you off at a turn or rams into the back of your car. This car race gets pretty cutthroat with quite a few spinouts. One of the safety features of the Sprint Karts is that when one car spins out, all the other cars automatically slow down and stop, if necessary. Once the heroic pit crew gets everyone facing the right way, your car starts up again and you’re ready for some harmless road rage.

If you’re 16 — IDs will be checked — you’re able to run a time trial in the Gran Prix Cars. Basically a race against your own time, and without fear of interference from other drivers, you’re allowed two laps to run the winding track without spinning out or running into the tire bumpers. Good luck with that one.

Overall, the Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix is a child’s dream. Underage driving never has been more appealing.

For more than 50 years the Las Vegas Art Museum has been the Southern Nevada community’s premiere fine art museum. Beginning with a small group of visionary community members who founded the Las Vegas Art League in the 1950s, the museum has grown and transformed into a facility with a dedication to present works by emerging and internationally recognized contemporary artists.

Once located in historic Lorenzi Park, the museum now has an 8,000 square-foot facility that is adjacent to the Sahara West Library, approximately 10 miles from the Las Vegas Strip in the Summerlin community. The Summerlin location is temporary as the LVAM is currently looking to purchase land and build a permanent facility for the museum.

While the current museum space maybe temporary, the LVAM’s dedication to displays top exhibits and expanding it’s contemporary collection is not. Under the leadership of Executive Director Libby Lumpkin (Lumpkin came on board in 2005), the LVAM has focused its efforts, actively seeking accreditation while mounting a series of noteworthy contemporary shows.

Recent exhibits at the museum have included a survey of Southern California Minimalists, including Robert Irwin, Larry Bell, and James Turrell; solo exhibitions by artists Michael Reafsnyder, Martin Mull, and Cindy Wright; a comprehensive survey of Roy Lichtenstein’s prints; an exhibition of models by the architect Frank Gehry; the three-dimensional paintings of Kaz Oshiro and an exhibition curated by art critic Dave Hickey featuring artists who studied with him at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The museum’s current exhibit is “Las Vegas Collects Contemporary” presented by City National Bank. This exhibit features works of contemporary art on loan from Southern Nevada’s most important privately held fine art collections. Artists featured in the show include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Uta Barth, Dan Flavin, Andreas Gursky, Michael Heizer, Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Donald Judd, Jason Martin, Takashi Murakami, Ken Price, David Reed, Gerhard Richter, Ed Ruscha, Venske & Spänle, and Andy Warhol and many others.

“This exhibition provides an opportunity to peek inside the outstanding private collections in Las Vegas,” says Lumpkin. “Contemporary art has become the focus of collecting for many of Las Vegas’s most high-profile citizens, who have been very generous to allow LVAM to borrow works of extremely high quality and importance.”

According to Lumpkin, the exhibition provides an overview that reflects the sophistication of Las Vegas collectors, with works by established masters of contemporary art along with examples of edgier pieces by emerging artists.

“The works on view represent only a tiny fraction of the works available in the collections, many of which are too precious or monumental in size to be transported to LVAM,” says Lumpkin. “This exhibition only hints at the scope of Las Vegas collections, but it is an impressive hint.”

In addition to exhibits, the museum also works in collaboration with the Clark County School District to foster the artistic development of local youths.

A nearby gift shop provides visitors with the opportunity to take home a work of art of their very own.

With emphasis on contemporary art along with its own diverse exhibitions, the Las Vegas Art Museum continues to enrich the Las Vegas community.

Glittering lights. Stunning visual and sound effects. Crowds of people.

Just another night on the Las Vegas Strip, right? Wrong.

Welcome to the Fremont Street Experience located in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas.

This project blends vintage Las Vegas with high tech wonderment, live entertainment and more to create an attraction that rivals the famed Vegas Strip.

Now more people than ever are flocking to this area. In 2006, the experience had 19 million visitors.

“Visitors come to Fremont Street Experience for multiple reasons,” said Jeff Victor, president of the Fremont Street Experience. “We offer free live entertainment, an intimate party atmosphere with a laid back feel and a group of great casinos in close proximity to one another.”

Lighting up the Vegas skies

The most obvious and largest part of the Fremont Street Experience is the Viva Vision canopy and light show. The canopy towers 90 feet above the ground and spans the length of five football fields. Featuring more than 12 million LED modules and 555,000-watt sound system, the light show attracts tourists and locals alike.

The first light show was broadcast in 1995. Nearly a decade later in 2004, $17 million was invested in upgrading the Viva Vision canopy. Significant improvements were made and now it has 10 times higher resolution, resulting in clearer, sharper pictures. It can also display 16.7 million color combinations. The display is so sharp, live video can be broadcast on what is the world’s largest screen.

Viva Vision features shows like “Lucky Vegas,” celebrating the city’s famous icons, “Downtown Divas,” a tribute to a girls’ night out and “Speed, Smoke and Spinning Wheels,” which illustrates the world of fast-paced auto racing.

Psychedelic shows include “The Drop,” a journey through an underwater utopia filled with beautiful sea creatures and “Shag With a Twist,” an animated show that features Southern California artist Josh Agle’s unique artwork combining elements of “Austin Powers,” “The Jetsons,” tiki culture and ’60s imagery.

Visitors can also enjoy the patriotic show, “American Freedom” during Fourth of July.

Released in Spring 2008, “A Tribute to Queen” is  the first Viva Vision show dedicated to one artist. Visitors can listen to “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions” while admiring the stunning graphics above.

Inside the Fremont Street Experience building, a master control room delivers all the magic to the Viva Vision light show. Technicians have only three minutes to load the show on the big screen. They are assisted by eight high-tech computers that intertwine the light, visual and audio systems.

Cameras are mounted on the actual Viva Vision screen and transmit a live video feed to a row of LCD screens inside the control room so technicians can monitor the show.

New Viva Vision shows are created each year and are rotated in and out. The Experience can choose from a library of about 15 shows at any given time.

More than just a light show

While the Viva Vision canopy is an amazing wonder, the Fremont Street Experience is more than just choreographed lights and sounds.

Each year the Experience hosts a number of special events including Race Jam during the NASCAR weekend, the annual Downtown Hoedown during NFR and Las Vegas Bike Fest in September. Live bands perform outside nightly.

“We are constantly creating events and experiences here for both locals and tourists,” said Victor.

Shops on the Fremont Street Experience walk include a spray paint artist creating masterpieces in minutes as well as kiosks selling souvenir items like engraved rice grain jewelry, unique T-shirts, hats and much more.

Visitors can also experience Fremont East, located between Las Vegas Blvd. and Eighth St. Emphasizing the glamour of vintage Las Vegas, Fremont East includes wider sidewalks, more pedestrian-friendly streets, landscaping, lighted gateways as well as four 40-foot-tall neon signs. Located in the heart of downtown, Fremont East sits adjacent to the Experience.

From the free live entertainment and little shops to the spectacular Viva Vision light show, there is something for everyone.

“The Fremont Street Experience and the surrounding casinos offer a very different feel than the Strip,” Victor said. “Guests often use the word ‘real’ when they talk about this environment. The energy of the group is really great. They bring big smiles, curious eyes and lots of laughter.”

For an all-out chocolate experience, visitors must check out the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Cactus Gardens, which also includes an Ethel’s lounge.

Located in Henderson, Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Gardens is quite the adventure. Only 15 minutes away from the Strip, it attracts more than 700,000 tourists a year. Guests get to see chocolates being made, sample gourmet treats and meander through the maze of paths at the Botanical Cactus Gardens at no charge.

“Our chocolate factory and cactus garden provides a non-traditional tourist attraction for visitors to Las Vegas, a good alternative to the standard Las Vegas Strip,” said John Haugh, president of Mars Retail Group.

Picking up a piece of chocolate and popping it in your mouth only takes a second. Preparing the filling, texture and shape of it takes a lot longer. At the Ethel M Chocolate Factory, visitors witness the time and effort it takes to create that perfect morsel.

In fact, this factory has a series of pipes, conveyer belts and tanks that hold 20,000 and 35,000 gallons of chocolate.

“When we are refilling the tanks, we have to latch associates into belts to ensure that they don’t fall into the tanks of chocolate,” Haugh said.

Carol Chng, a visitor from Singapore, has never seen anything like this.

“It’s really interesting to see the process of chocolate,” Chng said. “And they are generous about free tasting.”

After exiting the factory, guests are free to roam around the Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge and sample chocolate. Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge offers eclectic, gourmet chocolate in a trendy, chic atmosphere. Featuring vibrant colored walls, dim lights and contemporary furnishings, Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge is the ideal place to escape the heat, relax and chat with friends while feeding that chocolate craving. In addition to its diverse chocolate collection, gourmet apples, warm fondues and chilled beverages are also available.

In the summer, don’t worry about the sweltering Las Vegas heat. The chocolate factory provides miniature cooler packs to keep purchased goodies from melting.

And you don’t have to feel guilty about eating all those little chocolate bites – you can walk off the calories at the Botanical Cactus Garden. The cactus garden boasts three acres of more than 300 different kinds of plants, including Teddy Bear Cholla, Texas Prickly Pear, Spotted Aloe and other cacti that most people never knew existed.

“I’ve never really seen a garden full of cactus before,” Chng said.

So how did these two different kinds of attractions come together?

“Forrest Mars was passionate about both chocolate and gardening, including cacti,” said Haugh. “The opening of both the factory and the botanical garden was a natural extension of those two passions.”

The cactus garden features a breathtaking display of Christmas lights during the holiday season. Guests can also see caroling, dancing and visits from Santa.

Spanning 31,000 square feet, the rink at the Fiesta Rancho Ice Arena is a rare find in Vegas and sets the bar for on-ice entertainment.

Seating up to 500 people during hockey games and events, the arena is home to a full-size, NHL-regulation ice rink. During free-skate hours, seating is limited, but it won’t matter because you’ll be having so much fun out on the ice practicing your triple axel.

There are four locker rooms with shower facilities and a hockey and figure-skate pro shop for those who know their way around a rink. If you don’t have your own equipment, the arena also provides skate rental.

Lockers are nearby for easy storage of your belongings, and a concession area featuring Subway and TCBY is under construction. There even is a birthday and special events room available.

The rink also is a great place to people watch, as skaters young and old from the expert to the novice hit the ice to test their skills and have some fun.

Las Vegas is famous for its bright lights and, of course, gambling, nightlife and overall accessibility of all things sinful. But, once upon a time, Vegas was also famous for the well-known secret of atomic testing that occurred 65 miles outside of town.

In the 1950s, visitors would travel to downtown Las Vegas to view the mushroom clouds that would rise from the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The site was the nation’s premier nuclear testing facility and operated from 1951 to 1992.

The NTS was established by the United States Department of Energy because military officials knew little about the effects of nuclear weapons. The site was home to atmospheric testing until 1962 when, fearing fall-out dangers, operations were moved underground. A total of 928 announced nuclear tests took place, with 828 of them being underground.

This important part of history is preserved at the Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas. Science can be compelling when presented in the right way, and that’s just what the museum has done with its unique displays and educational resources. The museum was established in order to preserve the legacy of the NTS and to promote public accessibility and general knowledge about the site. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum is located inside the Frank H. Rogers Science and Technology building, which is only a mile from the Las Vegas Strip.

Built to chronicle the atomic age and its impact, the nearly 10,000-square-foot building houses artifacts from the NTS, and records the dramatic and fascinating history through a series of interactive modules, timelines, films and actual equipment and gadgets from the site. Both sides of the story are presented, from experiences of the on-site workers to protestors of the site. It strives to educate, inform and document the impact that nuclear testing had on a global, national and local level.

“The impact it had on Vegas was that it stabilized it as a community, and put it on the map for something other than the downtown Strip,” said Maggie Smith, director of marketing and special events

The tour begins with a two-minute video that is presented on three screens and explains the reasoning for the establishment of the NTS and its involvement in the Cold War, as well as a brief history of the NTS. From there, a succession of galleries continue to bring to life the story of atomic testing with brilliant displays of safety gear, testing devices and a comprehensive list of all operations carried out at the NTS.

The Atomic Age Gallery shows a parallel of world events with pop culture throughout the years, presented side-by-side in interesting timelines, along with television screens showing “signs of the times” videos in order to set the tone of the era. Proving the popularity and dominance of nuclear testing at the time, a case of pop culture icons on display includes Atomic Fireball candy, soda bottles and Kix cereal boxes that once contained an atomic “bomb” ring.

Perhaps the most interactive part of the museum is the Ground Zero Theatre, a bunker replica where visitors view a 10-minute video of an atomic explosion. The multi-sensory experience features thunderous sounds, bursts of hot air and vibrations.

Another short film is shown in the Silo Theater and explains the versatility of the NTS, as well as its many uses, such as the fact that because of the ruggedness of the terrain, NASA astronauts also used the site for training purposes.

In the Stewards of the Land galleries, which are dedicated to the early settlers and displaced Native Americans, light is shed upon the personal aspect and effects. They contain crafts and various objects utilized by the settlers on the land before it was turned into the test site. The personal stories of site workers are also shared on four television screens around the room, surrounded by photos of the people involved at the test site.

High-speed photography and video used to capture the images of bombs and explosions are on display as well, and an interactive computer allows you to scroll through the progress of a bomb in slow-motion, an eerie simulation that proves the incredible power of a nuclear blast. “The amount of photography makes the test site one of the most well documented secrets ever,” Smith said.

The final gallery, Today and Tomorrow, brings the experience full circle with a piece of the Berlin Wall and a beam from the World Trade Center that are on display, proving that in this age of global awareness, this chunk of history has never been more pertinent.

Also located in the museum is the Harry Reid Exhibit Hall, where traveling exhibits are on display. From now until the end of August, Michael Light’s “100 Suns” is featured. Light’s 100 drawings are based on images from the era of atmospheric testing, including some that were previously classified material. Smith describes them as “horrifically beautiful.”

A gift shop is also available and includes interesting souvenirs, as well as books, mouse pads, t-shirts and hats.

Whether you’re a history buff or just want to spend an afternoon buffing up your history, visit the Atomic Testing Museum where science is thought-provoking.

Have you ever dreamt of being a race car driver? Do you have the need for speed? Sahara Hotel and Casino has just what you’re looking for.

Las Vegas Cyber Speedway is the next best thing to the real experience. In fact, with simulators enabling drivers to customize tire pressure, aerodynamic wing angles, horsepower, braking response, transmission torque and suspension, you may forget that it’s a simulation at all.

Located in the NASCAR Cafe, the 35,000-square foot attraction offers visitors the chance to compete with up to seven other drivers in pursuit of the checkered flag.

Drivers can choose between zipping around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or hurtling down the Las Vegas Strip, all realistically depicted on a 20-foot, wraparound screen. The cars are 7/8 the size of authentic stock cars and mounted on hydraulic bases. Both automatic transmission and stick shift are available.

Reaching speeds of 220 mph, racers will issue pit crew instructions while enjoying the sounds of the speedway through a 15-speaker sound system.

Current speeds and placement are displayed throughout the race for onlookers and final results are available once it concludes.

Located on the fifth level of the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino self-parking facility, The Auto Collections is home to a rotating display of more than 300 classic cars including racing cars, muscle cars, touring roadsters and many others.

Vehicles that have been housed at The Auto Collections to date include a 1932 Ford High Boy, a 1961 Cooper Climax 2.5-Litre Formula One Race Car, a 1970 Pontiac GTO also known as “The Judge,” a 1957 Chevrolet Corvette 283/283 Roadster and a 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible.

The Grand Salon displays the elite cars of the collection and most of the vehicles found here are one-of-a-kind. In this part of the exhibit, guests have the opportunity to get an up-close look at rare automobiles like the 1931 Minerva 8 AL Rollston Convertible Sedan, valued at $750,000.

Several of the cars found at The Auto Collections have been previously owned by various celebrities including Johnny Carson, Howard Hughes and Nicholas Cage. There is even a 1942 Lincoln Armored Presidential Limousine which was custom built for Franklin Roosevelt and later used by Harry Truman and a 1953 Cadillac Ghia Concept Car once owned by Rita Hayworth.

Other cars of note in the 125,000-square-foot exhibit are a 1906 Cadillac Type A Touring car (the oldest in the collection), a 1929 Duesenberg built for Howard Hughes and later owned by Wayne Newton (the most expensive car in the collection at $5 million) and a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle with only 80 miles on it and the original window sticker still intact.

Perhaps the best part of The Auto Collections is that all of the cars are available for purchase, but unfortunately price tags reach as high as $5 million.

On average, one car is sold at The Auto Collections each day, meaning the exhibit is constantly changing and you will never see the same collection twice. In addition, with the wealth of limited edition and one-of-a-kind models found here, visitors will have a chance to see at least 50 cars they wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else.

As guests leave The Auto Collections, they can pick up a souvenir or two at the newly-expanded gift shop, which carries everything from books on automobiles to puzzles and calendars.

Amid the neon lights and slot machines, the Flamingo offers a refreshing oasis with its Wildlife Habitat.

Guests will feel as if they have been transported to a tropical island as they take refuge in the habitat, located next to the Flamingo’s pool area.

Full of photo opportunities, the habitat is filled with lush foliage imported from around the world including varieties of pines, palms and magnolia. Visitors can take a stroll on winding walkways alongside streams and waterfalls, or on bridges over lagoons and ponds. Benches scattered throughout the area allow guests the chance to sit back and enjoy the view.

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is home to more than 300 birds, including Impeyn and silver pheasants, Gambel’s quail, a Crown crane, two ibis, swans, ducks and parrots. However, the most notable are likely the Chilean flamingos.

But birds aren’t the only wildlife that can be seen in the habitat; there is an abundance of turtles and koi as well.

Considered Las Vegas’ oldest art gallery, Centaur Art Galleries features fine works from the most prolific artists in history. Showcasing art from the 16th century to modern times, Centaur Art Galleries includes works from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Norman Rockwell, as well as contemporary artists like LeRoy Neiman and Steve Kaufman, to name a few.President and CEO Richard C. Perry opened Centaur Sculpture Galleries and its sister company, Minotaur Fine Art Galleries, in Las Vegas more than 20 years ago. Today, the two galleries have merged to become Centaur Art Galleries inside the Fashion Show Mall.

Highly recognized in the art community of Las Vegas, the prestigious gallery includes a team of experts who work with merchandising, framing, price value researching and several other elements. From paintings to sculptures, the award-winning Centaur Art Galleries proudly carries thousands of works of art from around the world.

“It’s a huge collection of art, and you’re only seeing a portion of what we own,” said Perry. “We collect art for upcoming events three or four years in advance.”

This one-of-a-kind gallery allows customers to actually flip through the different artwork, as well as pick them up and hold them. In addition, Centaur Art Galleries offers a certificate of authenticity for each piece of artwork as well as a five-year exchange privilege for buyers. And since the gallery is located inside a mall, this makes it easy for shoppers to come in and browse through the artwork.

During gallery hours, the educated sales consultants at Centaur Art Galleries are available to offer enrichment as well as answer any questions. They also help people with research, material information and much more relating to the artwork.