5.1: Things to do on the Strip 5.2: Promotions and coupon books 5.3: Downtown Las Vegas 5.4: Other attractions nearby 5.5: Sightseeing tours 5.6: Side trip to Laughlin

Ethel M's ...a popular tourist attraction

5.4 Other attractions in the area

If you are driving between Los Angeles and Las Vegas you might want to consider riding the Desperado roller coaster at Buffalo Bills Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada ...Located just off I-15 about 40 miles south of Las Vegas.

Roller Coaster - Buffao Bills

The Desperado is one of the tallest (at 210-feet), steepest (first drop is 225 feet at a 55-degree angle) and fastest (at nearly 80 miles per hour) and longest (more than a mile) steel roller coasters in the world. Ride costs $7. Tel. (702) 679-RIDE or (800) FUN-STOP.

is located about a 15 minute drive from the Strip in Henderson, Nevada. Free self-guided walking tour of world class candy making takes about a half hour and includes free samples. Trivia: The “M” stands for Mars. The founder of Mars candy created Ethel M Chocolates and named it in honor of his mother. After the tour, visitors can stroll through the 2½-acre botanical cactus gardens located outside the factory where more than 350 varieties of cactus are displayed. Open: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Located corner of Sunset and Mountain Vista. Tel. (702) 433-2500.

Ron Lee's World of Clowns and Tour is located at 330 Carousel Pkwy in Henderson, Nevada, just 20 minutes east of the Las Vegas Strip. The 30-minute tour is free and self-guided. You can see the entire collectible clown scupture manufacturing process from start to finish as you stroll down the 300-ft. hallway.

The facility includes the manufacture of all Ron Lee sculptures, a beautiful “Ron Lee Gallery,” and a museum of clown and circus memorabilia. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tel. (702) 434-1700 or (800) 829-3928 (Toll Free). Call if you need directions.

World of Clowns

The Sunset Stampede is a free laser light and water show held every evening at

, a 25,000 square foot live forest within an atrium.

Sam's Town - Las Vegas

A howling animatronic wolf atop the cliff begins the eight minute show which take place at 2, 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Fountains shoot eight stories into the air and the waters dance in the lights to a symphonic orchestra. Sam's Town also has a 18-screen state of the art movie complex, 56 bowling lanes, a dance hall and bingo.

Located six miles (15 minutes) from the Strip, Sam’s Town is where the locals go to gamble. (They have single deck $5 minimum blackjack.) Rooms at their 650 room hotel are low priced ...as low as $35 weekdays. To get there, take the free shuttles from the Strip and downtown to Sam’s Town. Tel. (702) 456-7777 or 1-800-634-6371.

The Azure is a free underwater fantasy show at the

featuring world-class (olympic caliber) synchronized swimming. It takes place in a 117,000 gallon salt water aquarium among breathtaking live coral and thousands of marine fish.

Show times are hourly from 5 to 11 p.m. weekdays (except Tuesday when it is closed.) There are also afternoon shows on the weekend. There are several different show themes, each 5 to 10 minutes long. The Silverton has 300 oversize budget priced rooms ...weekdays as low as $50.

Located south of the Strip

Show times are hourly from 5 to 11 p.m. weekdays (except Tuesday when it is closed.) There are also afternoon shows on the weekend. There are several different show themes, each 5 to 10 minutes long. The Silverton has 300 oversize budget priced rooms ...weekdays as low as $50. The property is located at 3333 Blue Diamond Road near I-15, just 2 miles south of the Las Vegas Strip. (Free transportation to the Strip.) Modeled after an Old West mining town, the Silverton also has an award-winning 400-space RV park. Tel. (702) 263-7777 or (866) 668-6688 (toll free.) The Silverton has hard-to-find single and double deck blackjack.