5.1 Things to do on the strip ...or close by

Needless to say, Las Vegas resorts – and especially the casinos – need their 130,000 hotel rooms filled up and gamblers playing at their slot machines, gaming tables and sports book. As a result, every hotel has ongoing room specials and free or low cost attractions to pull in the public.

You can find the room deals at the hotel’s web site. Usually the room promotions offer lower pricing during certain slower periods ...or combination money-saving deals involving free food and shows. They hardly ever apply to people purchasing vacation packages offered by the airlines or other vacation providers.

Here is a list of the major ongoing attractions on or near the Strip.

Free and low cost center strip attractions

Antique Auto Collection at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. The over 200 antique, classic and special-interest automobiles on display make up the world’s largest privately owned collection. Admission is around $6.95 ($3.00 for children and seniors) but there are many coupon special offers. Some are even handed out in front of the hotel. This website offers free admission coupons. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-794-3174.)

Pirate Battle in the lagoon in front of Treasure Island (TI) Hotel - Casino every hour and a half Monday to Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Show times are subject to change.) The seductive Sirens of TI battle a band of renegade pirates at Siren’s Cove. Held four times a night in the lagoon in front of the main entrance, the 18-minute romp matches two life-size pirate ships — one crewed by males, the other females — in a battle of the sexes. The musical features swordplay, song, dance, pyrotechnics and high-diving acrobatics. It ends with the pirate’s ship ("The Bull") actually being sunk by the Siren’s ship ("The Song.") Hint: The best place to watch it is from the Battle Bar accessible by going through the front doors and taking an immediate right. This free show was recently updated to adult audiences. Arrive early for a good viewing spot. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-894-7444.)

Volcano in the center of a lagoon in front of the Mirage Hotel & Casino erupts every 15 minutes from dusk to midnight daily (weather permitting.) The exploding 54 foot volcano spews smoke and fire 100-feet above the lagoon ...its red and orange lava cascading down the slopes. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-791-7111)

Rare white tiger zoo-like habitat is located near the Mirage entrance. In recent visits, however, we have only seen one tiger and little else. A large 20,000 gallon shark and exotic fish aquarium can be found behind the Mirage’s hotel registration desk. And there is an beautifully landscaped Tropical Rainforest in the center of the Mirage main floor under a 100-foot high dome. All are free. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-739-2222.)

Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage Hotel - Casino features royal white tigers, lions ...and bottle-nosed dolphins in a 2-million gallon 22-foot deep tank. Includes a narrated guided tour and you wander around afterwards. Located in the Pool Area of the Mirage Hotel. One admission ($12) includes both attractions. Children under 10 are free when accompanied by an adult. Open during daylight hours. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-791-7111.)

The magnificent Dancing Waters Fountain Show in front of the Bellagio Hotel is choreographed to music and lights. Performed over an 8 acre man-made lake, water jets spanning more than 1,000 feet launch water as high as 240 feet in the air to music ranging from Pavarotti to Sinatra. The water ballet seems to wave and dance exactly on beat to the music. Perhaps the best free attraction in Las Vegas. Showtimes: Mon.–Fri. 3:00–7:00 p.m. every ½ hour; 7:00 p.m. to midnight every 15 minutes. On Sat. & Sun. the show starts at 12 Noon. The shows are subject to cancellation due to high winds. - (Center Strip, Tel. 702-693-7871.)

Surround yourself with nature’s beauty! The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio Hotel is a definite must see! Its 13,500 square foot display is changed with each season and major holiday. The Conservatory has a 50-foot glass domed ceiling which provides natural sunlight to row upon row of beautifully displayed exotic plants, flowers and trees. It takes a staff of over 100 designers and horticulturalists to prepare and maintain the gardens. (Center Strip, Tel. (702) 693-7111.)

And while you are there, look at the "Fioro di Como" floral glass sculpture on the Bellagio lobby ceiling by artist Dale Chihuly. It consists of more than 2,000 individually blown glass flowers. Both the gardens and the sculpture are near the Bellagio Hotel registration area. Free admission. Hint: Be sure to have your camera with you! (Center Strip.)

The Fountain Festival and the Lost City of Atlantis show at the Caesars Palace Forum Shops has statues coming to life. These shows feature lifelike animatronics characters, lasers, fire, steam and a 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. Shows start at 10 a.m. daily and runs every hour on the hour. Free. (Center strip, Tel. 702-893-4800).

Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Flamingos, penguins, ducks, swans, pheasants, quail, turtles, Koi and goldfish in an authentic environment. Located in a 15-acre park area behind the Flamingo Hilton Resort. You can watch the wildlife as you dine at Flamingo’s buffet. Open 24 hours. Free. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-733-3111.)

Gondola Ride at The Venetian Hotel - Casino. Be serenaded by a singing gondolier transporting tourists up and down the indoor canal. Float beneath bridges, beside cafes, under balconies and through Venice. Located in the St. Mark's Square portion of the Grand Canal Shoppes, the gondola ride operates daily 10 a.m.-11:00 p.m. ...Friday-Saturday until midnight. Indoor Ride: Adults - $15.00 Children - $7.50. (Center strip, Tel. 702-414-4500.)

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at The Venetian Hotel - Casino - Take your picture with more than 100 celebrities past and present including Britney Spears, Muhammad Ali, Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Princess Diana, Elvis Presley, Madonna, Tom Jones, John Wayne ..even Abraham, Lincoln and George Washington. Located on the moving walkway between The Venetian and the Strip. Tel. (702) 862-7800. Open: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $20.95 general admission; $14.95 for seniors. $4 off and 2-for-1 coupons can be found here. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-862-7800.)

Guggenheim Hermitage Museum at The Venetian Hotel - Casino features various extraordinary art and sculpture exhibits from the Guggenheim and Hermitage museums. Current exhibit is listed here. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tel. (702) 414-2440. Cost: $15 adults; $12 seniors. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-414-2440)

Eiffel Tower Experience at the Paris Las Vegas is a 50-story elevator ride to the observation deck 460 feet above the ground. The one-half scale Eiffel Tower is an exact reproduction of the famous Paris landmark. The Eiffel Tower Restaurant, located on the 11th floor, offers the most romantic dining setting in Las Vegas. (Hint: Ask for a table near the window so you can see the Bellagio water ballet across the street.) A professional guide is available to answer questions. Open: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m., weather permitting. (Center Strip, Tel. 702-946-7000.)

Free and low cost south strip attractions

The African Lion Habitat at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. View African lions and cubs in a ($9 million) landscaped setting seen through a glass-walled walkway tunnel. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Free. (South Strip, Tel. 702-891-7777.)

M&M's World in the Showcase Mall next to the MGM Hotel & Casino is a neat 28,000 square-foot four story interactive shopping complex featuring all sorts of M&M candies and merchandise ..also a chocolate tour and a free 3-D movie, "I Lost My ‘M’ in Vegas." Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Friday & Saturday until midnight.) Check out their website. Well worth a visit and it is free! (South Strip, Tel. 1-800-651-2437)

A fire-breathing Dragon Battles Merlin the Magican in the Excalibur Hotel & Casino’s castle moat every hour from dusk to midnight (weather permitting.) Inside you’ll find jugglers and musicians. One of the few kid’s-oriented attractions left. Free. (South Strip, Tel. 702-597-7777)

King Tuts Tomb and Museum at the Luxor Hotel and Casino is a 15 minute, self guided, audio tour. Exhibited are replicas of ancient Egyptian artifacts and tomb of Egypt's most famous ruler, King Tutankhamun. The reproductions of each of the rooms are exact and contain hundreds of treasures reproduced by artisans with the same gold leaf, linens, precious pigments and tools as used 3,500-years ago. The exhibit is the only authentic reproduction of the actual discovery by Howard Carter in 1922. Hours: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily (until 1 a.m. Fri-Sat.) Cost: $5 (South Strip, Tel. 702-262-4555.)

IMAX Theatre at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Features exciting high-tech movies shown on a 7-story tall screen and 30,000 watts of sound. Information on current presentations are ">shown here and here. Call 1-800-557-7428 for showtimes. Ticket price: $9.95 (South Strip, Tel. 702-262-4000.)

"In Search of the Obelisk" at the Luxor Hotel and Casino is a motion simulator that takes riders on an action-packed chase by an expedition crew against evil lurking forces. The IMAX adventure takes place within a huge wrap around screen. Riders begin by being transported to a secret subterranean pyramid beneath the Luxor when the elevator cable suddenly breaks.... Reboot (a ride to Mainframe City that exists in a computer) and Dracula's Haunted Castle (a bloodcurdling trip through secret passageways at break-neck speeds) are two other simulator rides at the Luxor. More information is here. Cost: $7.50. (South Strip, Tel. (702) 262-4555.)

The Bird Show at Tropicana Hotel’s "Tropics lounge." features Tiana Carroll" at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. See a wide variety of birds talk, ride a scooter and display human characteristics. Friday through Wednesday (dark Thursday). Free. (South Strip, Tel. (702) 739-2411.)

Air Play Variety Stage Show at the Tropicana features acrobats, dancers, jugglers, singers, contortionists and other talented performers. Show changes periodically. Six free (20 minute) shows daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. on the main casino floor. More info here. Free. (South Strip, Tel. 702-739-2222.)

Casino Legends Hall of Fame at the Tropicana Resort and Casino has the largest collection of Nevada gaming memorabilia. Most of the hundreds of casinos represented no longer exist. Cost is usually $6.95 ...a dollar less for seniors. (But here is even a better deal: A free admission coupon for you to print out. Hours: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily. (South Strip, Tel. 702-739-2222)

Manhattan Express Roller Coaster outside of the New York-New York Hotel and Casino twists, loops, dives and winds through a replica of the New York skyline. Reaches a height of over 200 feet...with drops of nearly 150 feet and speeds up to nearly 70 MPH. Cost: Pricey ...$12 for a 90 second ride so check the tourist magazines for discount coupons. Re-rides: $6. (South Strip, Tel. 1-888-696-9887.)

One and a half million gallon Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino contains nearly 100 species of undersea aquatic life including sharks. An undersea tunnel lets you walk under the aquarium! Open: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ($15.95, children $9.95. (South Strip, Tel. 702-632-7580.)

Free and low cost North Strip & Downtown attractions

All North Strip attractions are accessible via the Sahara monorail station.

World Class Circus Acts at Circus Circus Hotel, Casino and Theme Park. Aerialists, high-wire walkers, trapeze artists and clown shows are featured twice an hour 11 a.m.-midnight daily on the Midway Stage at Circus Circus. Free. (North Strip, Tel. 702-734-0410.)

The Circus-Circus Adventuredome is a five-acre enclosed, climate controlled theme park with many midway rides and carnival-like attractions ...including an indoor roller coaster. One of the few things still left for kids. Rides cost $4-$6 each. An all day pass is priced at $13.95 for chidren; Adults $21.95. Check out this site for more information. (North Strip, Tel: 702-734-0410)

Guinness World Records Museum (One half block North of the Circus-Circus Hotel) exhibits unusual feats and collections, astonishing facts and bizarre and wacky world records. Cost: $6.50 adults, $5.50 seniors, $4.50 or children. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Based on the Guinness Book of Records, the self guided tour takes about a half an hour. Two-for-one tickets (or $2.00 off a single admission) coupon can be found here. (North Strip, Tel. 702-792-0640.)

Speed-The-Ride Roller Coaster at the Sahara Hotel and Casino is a state-of-the-art fast roller coaster launched from inside the NASCAR Cafe entertainment complex. Accelerates from 35 mph to its fastest speed, 70 mph in just 2 seconds. At the end of the ride, Speed reverses its course. Cost: $10.00 for a single ride. A single coaster ride costs $10.00. (North Strip, Tel. 702-737-2750.)

Cyber Race Car Speedway at the Sahara Hotel and Casino is modeled after NASCAR racing at the nearby Las Vegas Speedway. Mounted on hydraulic bases, the almost full size race cars provide a realistic simulated race car driving experience. Drivers can even customize various stock car simulator features ...including tire pressure, aerodynamic wing angles, horsepower, braking response, transmission torque, and suspension. A replica of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is projected on a large wrap around screen. The virtual-reality ride lasts about 8 minutes. Open: Noon - 9:00 p.m. (Friday - Saturday until 10:00 p.m.) Cost is $10.00 for one Cyber Speedway Ride. Re-rides: $ 6.00. (North Strip, Tel. 702-737-2750.)

Observation Deck at the Stratosphere Hotel - Casino is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States and more than twice as tall as any other structure in Las Vegas. At 1,149 feet, its also the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Four high-speed double-deck elevators whisk you to the top of the tower at 1,800 feet per minute. The Stratosphere marks the end of the Strip and the beginning of Downtown. Tower admission: $9 for adults; $3 discount for seniors and children. The revolving Top of the World Restaurant and Lounge circle the Strip every 20 minutes. Hint: Bring your binoculars. (North Strip, Tel. (702-380-7777.)

The Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere Tower launches you up into space at 45 MPH. Sixteen riders (four in a row, around a 160-foot mast) experience 4G's as they reach the very top, and feel negative G's on the way down. Cost: $8. plus admission to the tower. (North Strip, Tel. 702-380-7777.)

High Roller Coaster at the Stratosphere Tower is the world’s highest roller coaster. At 909 feet above the ground, the High Roller rockets around the tower pod on 840 feet of track banking sharply at 32-degree angles, traveling approximately 32 miles per hour. Cost: $4. plus admission to the tower. Hint: The Manhattan Express at New York-New York is the best roller coaster in Las Vegas. (North Strip, Tel. 702-380-7777.)

"Star Trek: The Experience" at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel and Casino. Live actors combine with a 3-D motion simulator ride to battle aliens in space. This interactive adventure is based on the voyage of the futuristic television series, Star Trek. Check out this website. (North Strip, Tel. 702-732-5111.)

The downtown area is accessible by taking the (No. 301 or 302) C.A.T. strip bus from anywhere on the strip.

The Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas is a pedestrian promenade in downtown Las Vegas. A four block computerized canopy lights up downtown with more than 2 million lights and half-a-million watts of sound. Shows from dusk daily to midnight. - Downtown Las Vegas. (Tel. 702-678-5777.) Their website is here. More on this later.

Free or small cost attractions just off the strip

The "Masquerade Show in the Sky" at the Rio Hotel & Casino (just off the strip) features five Mardi Gras floats that parade on tracks around the casino ceiling. Performers in elaborate costumes throw beads to gamblers on the floor. Parade gets under way on the hour every other hour on the hour from 2 p.m.-midnight daily (except Wednesdays.) Free (unless you want to ride and throw beads from a float, $9.95). (West of Strip, Tel. 702-252-7777.)

Elvis-A-Rama is a $5 million exhibit of everything Elvis ...including an Elvis impersonator who sings a few hits. Located on Industrial, across the freeway from the Strip. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $14.95, under 12 free with adult. $4.00 price off coupon is located here. 3401 S. Industrial Rd.; (702) 309-7200. Check out this website. Call: (702) 309-7200 for free shuttle service from the strip.

The Liberace Museum at 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. features "Mr. Showmanship's" jewelry, stage wardrobe, rare antiques, candlelabras, memorabilia and his piano and custom car collection. The 1978 Guinness Book of World Records identified Liberace as the world's highest paid musician. Additional info here. Hours: 10 a.m -5 p.m. (Sunday: 1-5 p.m.) Admission: Adults $12.50, seniors $8.50. Free shuttle and $2.00 off coupon can be found here. And here is a 2-for-1 coupon. Call 702-798 5595 or 702-335-3530 for pickup info.) The Museum is a not a for profit business and all proceeds go to support the Liberace Scholarship Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts. (Located in a strip mall about 2-½ miles east of the South Strip.)

Want a tattoo? The Las Vegas Review Journal (newspaper) picked "Diversity Tattoo" (2310 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, 89104 - (702) 382-8820) and "Hart & Huntington Tattoo" (located inside the Palms Hotel/Casino, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd. - Telephone: (702) 942-7777) in their Best of Las Vegas 2005 Awards list as the "Best Place to Get Body Art." At Hart & Huntingtons DJs spin music while you get needled. (They even have a female tattoo artist in case "she" wants a butterfly on her lower abdomen or cheek.)

"Go Karting" is also available in Las Vegas. Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix - 1401 N. Rainbow Road - Telephone: 702-259-7000 - must be 4 foot 6 inches tall. Open year round; 7 days a week. XPlex Las Vegas is located at the south end of the strip. (Closed: Monday.) Telephone: (702) 260-6355 or (888) 612-KART.