How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is an electrifying weekend escape-a one-of-a-kind metropolis that won't take you away FROM it all, but rather TO it all. From dazzling live performances and re-creations of cosmopolitan cities like Venice and New York to spectacular hotels and restaurants, a Vegas weekend goes well beyond the strictly gambling getaway the city once staked its reputation on. Here's how to spend the perfect weekend in Las Vegas:

Instructions

1. Try to arrange your accommodations at one of the large and lavish hotels on the Strip, which will put you within an elevator ride of gambling, nightlife and usually stellar entertainment as well. Options are endless, from the Egyptian-themed Luxor to the venerable Caesars Palace to the enormous MGM Grand.

2. Stop by the Bellagio to see the amazing (and free) musical fountain show out front, with thousands of water nozzles sending up huge streams of water lit with dazzling lights that seem to dance to the strains of opera and classical music. The Bellagio also features (at no charge) exotic flowers in the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Gallery of Fine Arts and the mind-boggling Cirque du Soleil "O" performance.

3. Pop in to GameWorks, a state-of-the-art arcade for kids of all ages that goes well beyond the usual fare to include interactive fun ranging from hunting T.Rex to facing major-league heat in a batter's cage. Who says "gaming" in Vegas has to be for grown-ups?

4. Enjoy one of the city's over-the-top live performances, either by Cirque du Soleil (which has shows in several venues in town), the unforgettable Blue Man Group or the medieval knights on horseback performing at the Excalibur.

5. Break away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip by visiting the Clark County Heritage Museum in nearby Henderson for a charming look at the area's past. Although Vegas's gambling roots are the focus, the museum also features exhibits on the region's renowned mineral and mining history and on the Native Americans, settlers and trappers who were once prominent in the area.

6. Make an "escape from the trip" stop in Las Vegas's overlooked downtown area, in particular the Fremont Street Experience, a five-block, open-air pedestrian mall that features frequent live music amid restaurants, food kiosks and spectacular neon signs and light displays.

7. Spend a night barhopping at some of the most amazing taverns and nightspots in the country. The Ghostbar in the Palms-55 floors above the Strip-is a trendy favorite with fabulous views; Body English, in the Hard Rock Hotel, mixes Goth ambience with a decadent dance scene; and the bizarre and boisterous Double Down Saloon on Paradise Road is an alternative to the typical Vegas glitz.

Tips & Warnings

• McCarran International Airport is conveniently located within a mile of the Strip and is served by numerous major airlines.

• Consider setting a strict gambling budget when visiting Vegas-it isn't nicknamed "Lost Wages" by hordes of unfortunate bettors for no reason!