| Vegas is naturally associated with gambling. Then | | | | tome on Ancient Greek oenology or brush up on the |
| came the inexpensive food, in order to get people to | | | | latest information available on glass-blowing |
| stay near the casinos to... gamble. Later came shows | | | | techniques in British Columbia. Located at Mandalay |
| to attract people to the casinos to, well, gamble. But | | | | Bay, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd, be sure to stop into |
| Vegas has evolved. Fine restaurants, shows solely for | | | | the Chocolate Swan and indulge. Then slip over to |
| the sake of entertainment and - finally - great | | | | Giorgio Caffé & Ristorante. Life is uncertain, |
| shopping has arrived. Today, the Las Vegas visitor will | | | | eat dessert first. |
| find more choices than any amount of plastic could | | | | The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian is another |
| cover. The shops offer everything from | | | | themed shopping area with a wide variety of choices. |
| run-of-the-mill clothing to fine chocolate to exotic | | | | Movado watch company offers fine timepieces not |
| cars, all done Vegas-style, of course. | | | | far from the elegant clothing at Ann Taylor's. As the |
| Several of the hotel/casinos have become shopping | | | | street performers entertain you, walk along the canal |
| meccas as well. One of the largest is the 175,000 | | | | and listen the gentle sloshing of the gondolas |
| square foot, tri-level complex at Caesars. The Forum | | | | transporting visitors along a half-mile journey. Take a |
| Shops at Caesars Palace are located at 3500 S. Las | | | | ride yourself, then step off and do some window |
| Vegas Blvd ('The Strip') and provide over 100 shops | | | | shopping. Enjoy the simulated St. Mark's Square while |
| to choose from. Versace, the famed clothing | | | | you peruse the Venetian glass figurines, such as the |
| designer, sells clothing but has added a Home | | | | exquisite hand-blown dolphins from Ripa de Monti. Go |
| Collection shop full of rugs, dishware and other items | | | | next door to Il Prato and pick out a delightful |
| for your own royal abode. The equally famed jewelry | | | | costume mask for the next royal ball. Select some |
| design company, Harry Winston, has a shop at The | | | | fine stationary to make out invitations and get a |
| Forums. Between the pair, your plastic is sure to get | | | | personalized wax seal so the guests will know |
| dented, but save some for The Cheesecake Factory. | | | | immediately from whom it came. Speaking of wax, |
| After all that shopping you deserve dessert. The | | | | be sure to check out the Madame Tussaud's while |
| 100,000 square foot shopping area at Mandalay Place | | | | you're there. |
| may not be the town's largest, but it is second to | | | | For sheer size and number of stores, try the Desert |
| none. There are over 40 shops that offer everything | | | | Passage complex at the Aladdin. With 475,000 square |
| from golf accessories to doggie spa products. | | | | feet of retail space, and over 130 stores, you're |
| The latter, Lush Puppy, is a dog's best friend. Stuffed | | | | bound to find something to please. While you're |
| full of beds, sweaters and dog toys, your best friend | | | | there, check out the full-sized freighter anchored |
| can even get a fortune cookie made just for him or | | | | next to a North African dock. Casablanca never |
| her. After you've eased your conscience by spoiling | | | | looked so intriguing. Stick around for dinner and go to |
| Rex, spoil yourself at 55 Degrees Wine & Design. An | | | | the excellent New Orleans restaurant, Commander's |
| array of tablet PCs allow even the most | | | | Palace. Crawfish to crawl for. Las Vegas has a dozen |
| technophobic to easily select from a huge selection | | | | other shopping centers and hundreds of independent |
| of fine vintages. Sally up to the wine bar and try out | | | | shops scattered over Fremont Street, The Strip and |
| a few. Improve your knowledge of wine, or any | | | | elsewhere. You'll have to come several times just to |
| number of subjects, by visiting The Reading Room. | | | | pick your favorites. Take that afternoon plane and |
| This bookstore has a selection of books not generally | | | | zoom in for a fun weekend where the shopping is no |
| found in any other retail store. You can pick up a | | | | gamble. |