Weekend in Las Vegas

It's the city of glitz and glam and more neon than a human can fathom, but it's still a rollicking good time. How to pick your spots in Las Vegas? Read on!

Where to stay: The Treasure Island hotel is filled with pirates and booty and more clanking, clinking slot machines than you can shake a stick at. Oh yeah, black jack and roulette and the rest of them are here, too. The property is done is bright tones and rooms are spacious and well laid out. Be sure to visit the hotel's spa, a relaxing break from the raucous games. The Mirage, the Treasure Island's sister property right next door, has a whale of a pool complex, so you might want to consider staying here. The last jewel in hotelier Steve Wynn's Vegas Triple Crown is the new Bellagio hotel, where the art collection alone will take your breath away. Be sure to bring big bucks for the big B. Call (800) 288-7606 for reservations at the Treasure Island or Mirage.

Where to eat: Emeril's Fish House at the MGM Grand Hotel is the Las Vegas outpost of New Orleans's favorite son, chef Emeril Lagasse. Feast on the fish but don't miss out on the fabulous desserts. Another good spots for desserts and much more is Chef Mark Miller's Coyote Café, also at the MGM Grand. At the Bellagio, table number one is Picasso, where chef Julian Serrano (formerly of Masa's in San Francisco) turns out sublime continental cuisine. Buffets are part of the Vegas lexicon, so be sure to indulge at the Rio, where the chow is plentiful, cheap and darn good.

What to do: Las Vegas is more than a gambling emporium these days. That said, you'll probably start off by placing a wager first. Visit some of the town's newer casinos, among them those at the Venetian and the Mandalay Bay. If you need to brush up on your technique, take a gambling class (seriously!) at the Las Vegas Hilton. The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace are the place to shop (and the spot for a Dennis Rodman sighting) while the spas at the Treasure Island or Bellagio are a great place to decompress. The Liberace Museum is filled with treasures from the former showman's illustrious career, and a must stop while here.

There's a lot more to do in Las Vegas but you'll have to read the story to find out!

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