Rudy Maxa’s World: Las Vegas Top Eight Hot List
Posted on July 25, 2008
Rudy Maxa is a contributing editor with National Geographic Traveler magazine and one of America’s premier consumer travel broadcasters on public radio and television. You may know him as “The Savvy Traveler” on public radio’s business show, “Marketplace.”
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Best Non-Gambling Activity in Vegas: Take a hike in the Red Rock Canyon, about a 25-minute drive off the Strip, straight west out Charleston Blvd. (Rte. 159). Pack water and sun protection. Directions & info: 702-363-1923.
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Best Bistro: Bouchon in The Venetian. If you can’t get a reservation at The French Laundry in the Napa Valley, try Thomas Keller’s version of a bistro in Vegas. It’s all good. Reservations: 702-414-6200.
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Second-Best Non-Gambling Activity in Vegas: Can there be any better way to spend 90 minutes than seeing the bejeweled capes and pianos once owned by the one, the only Liberace? You won’t feel badly checking out his outrageous cars and the world’s largest rhinestone (at 50 pounds) if you remember your entrance fee benefits the late showman’s charitable foundation. 1775 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-798-5595.
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Best celebrity-chef French restaurants: Restaurant Guy Savoy (877-346-4642) at Caesar’s Palace and Joël Robuchon (702-891-7925) and his adjacent, informal eatery, L’Atelier (702-891-7358), both at the MGM Grand. The tab at Guy Savoy and Joël Robuchon can head north of $400 per person—and worth every penny of that—but L’ Atelier is fun and terrific at about a quarter of that per diner.
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Best Haircut: From Sal Jeppi at Caesar’s Palace. Figure on $100+ for an unforgettable clip, shave, and lots of hot towel treatments while Frank croons on the stereo. Book early at 702-731-7210.
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Wildest Pool Scenes: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the 20-something hard bodies visiting from Los Angeles—get there early on Sunday for the biggest party. For a more sedate setting, it’s the adult-only Moorea Beach Club at the Mandalay Bay with opium beds, cocktails, and butler service. Topless sunbathing permitted.
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Best Quickie, Drive-In Wedding Spot: Little Chapel of the West, (4617 Las Vegas Blvd., 702-739-7971). Richard Gere and Cindy Crawford, Mickey Rooney, Dudley Moore, Betty Grable and Harry James . . . all got hitched here. For about $200, you can have the works, including a garter. Open 8 a.m. ‘til midnight. Renewal of vows a house specialty.
- Best Impressionist: Danny Gans at the Mirage. When he’s not thanking God for his talents, Gans is a doppelganger for dozens of celebs, dead and alive. Tickets, $100 + tax; 702-792-7777.
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