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Venturing into Vegas: put a twist on your visit by checking out these extraordinary attractions.

Pool & Spa News November 1, 2004 | Lester, Margot Carmichael Ever since the first commercial airliner touched down at the Las Vegas airport in 1926, out-of-towners have been flocking to the desert oasis for fun and games. But don’t spend all your time in the casinos. There are plenty of fun attractions (even some free ones!) on the Strip and nearby that you don’t want to miss. Here are just a few possibilities:

The Bellagio Fountains The Scoop: A truly amazing spectacle of choreographed water and light, the Bellagio Fountains draw large crowds day and night. Set on a 9-acre replica of Lake Como, the attraction features 1,200 individual fountains, 5,500 computerized underwater lights and choreography by Emmy winner Kenny Ortega. There is no charge, but crowds amass quickly at night, so arrive early to stake out a good location.

Location: Bellagio Hotel Hours: Monday-Friday, 3-7 p.m., every 30 minutes; 7 p.m.-midnight, every 15 minutes. Saturday-Sunday, noon-midnight.

Tickets: Free Fun Fact: The project, created by WET Design, appears in many movies and TV commercials, and is the focus of an upcoming book.

18th Annual Downtown Hoedown The Scoop: Don’t miss this old-fashioned Western stomp that kicks off” the National Finals Rodeo. It promises more lights and music than usual (as if that were possible).

Venue: The Fremont Street Experience (Downtown Las Vegas) Show times: Thursday, Dec. 2; Times vary.

Tickets: Free Elvis-a-Rama The Scoop: More than a museum, Elvis-a-Rama features album art, personal effects and other items sure to delight fans of the King, such as a letter written to a former girlfriend denying he was romantically involved with Priscilla Beaulieu. (Oops.) Location: 3401 S. Industrial Rd.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tickets: Adults, $9.95, Nevada residents, seniors and students, $7.95. A one-hour concert costs $14.95. Admission to the museum and the concert is $22.

Fun Fact: You can even catch a glimpse of Elvis’ American Express card!

First Fridays The Scoop: Take a break from the casino for a little culture. Check out Las Vegas’ finest local artistic talent during this free cultural block party and open house. website fremont street experience

Venue: Various locations within the Downtown Arts District Show time: Friday, Dec. 3, 6-10 p.m.

The Fremont Street Experience The Scoop: Four blocks of stages and venues under an electronic canopy. Local musicians and entertainers provide a nonstop onslaught of visual and aura[ stimulation. The Downtown Las Vegas’ overhead light show was recently updated and expanded, with six times as many lights, providing TV-like definition. It is worth experiencing at least once.

Location: On Fremont Street, from Main Street to Las Vegas Boulevard Tickets: Free Fun Fact: FSE is home to the world’s largest electric sign and more than 550,000 watts of concert-quality sound.

Hawaiian Marketplace The Scoop: Get a taste of the islands at Las Vegas’ first themed retail and entertainment venue. The $175 million project features restaurants and shops, but the real draws are the Polynesian-themed attractions such as hula dancers, fire/knife throwers, animatronic shows and a climate-controlled atrium.

Location: 3743 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Fun Fact: Bonus points if you sing “Blue Hawaii” as an homage to the King.

M&M’s World The Scoop: Nirvana for chocolate lovers, this is the only store in the world dedicated Venturing Into Vegas continued from page 100 to M&M’s brand chocolate candies. Learn about the history of M&M’s and your favorite color character while you shop for candies and souvenirs. No tickets or reservations are necessary.

Location: The Showcase Mall, 3785 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-midnight.

The Mirage Volcano The Scoop: If you want less choreography and more raw drama, head over to The Mirage to catch the “eruption.” Smoke, fire and water that looks like molten lava await you every night. There’s no charge to view the eruption.

Hours: Every 15 minutes from dark until Midnight Fun Fact: Want to continue walking on the wild side? Visit one of the wildlife habitats on The Mirage grounds.

The Stratosphere Tower The Scoop: Talk about feeling on top of the world. Visitors to the 1,149-foot Stratosphere Tower can take in panoramic views and sky-high amusement park rides from the tallest free-standing observation tower in the country. And you can eat up there, too.

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday-Saturday until 2 a.m.

Tickets: Tower admission, $9; Tower Audio Tour, $4; Big Shut and X Scream rides, $8; High Roller, $4.

Fun Fact: Not advised for the faint of heart. The elevator itself is a thrill ride, jetting passengers 100 stories in less than 30 seconds.

For the ladies There’s more to Vegas than gambling and shows, particularly for the ladies. We’ve compiled a list of activities and attractions specifically designed to appeal to the fairer sex. Enjoy!

Looking for a little pampering?

We asked the folks at Spafinder.com for their favorite local spas for a minivacation. They offered up two great options:

* Desert Wind Therapeutics provides great packages starting as low as $70 (with a free lunch included in packages that extend more than four hours), as well as one-on-one Pilates classes, deep-tissue massage and full body alignment. Located just 3 1/2 miles east of the Las Vegas Strip in the Flamingo Lakes Business Center, Desert Wind also offers packages for men and couples. 2860 E. Flamingo Rd., (702) 278-9771.

* Microspa, approximately 10 miles off the Strip, is a favorite of locals, including Andre Agassi. Weekly specials are offered Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and include a one-hour stress therapy facial and a one-hour massage for just 595. The spa also offers acne facial treatments, waxing and prenatal massages, Also popular: post-operative massages said to help scars heal faster. 3655 Durango Dr., (702) 876-5647.

Not to your liking? Search for other spas at www.spafinder.com, Now you’re cooking All those casino buffets got you a little intimidated? Hone your culinary skills with a quick class at the Creative Cooking School. 7385 W. Sahara, between Rainbow and Buffalo. (702) 562-3900, or www.creotivecookingschool.com.

* That’s Entertainment–Holiday Party Secrets Wednesday, Dec. 1; 6-9 p.m. Tuition: $99.

Chef Anthony Sinsay will be teaching simple techniques that professional chefs use to create successful parties. He’ll show you how to wow your guests with elegant hors d’oeuvres and fancy appetizers.

* 30-Minute Gourmet Meals Thursday, Dec. 2; 6-9 p.m. Tuition: $99.

Who has time to cook a delicious and stylish meal? You do! Chef Stephen Gillanders teaches several dishes that taste as if they have taken a great deal of time and effort to prepare–but don’t.

* The Basics–Sauteing and Braising Saturday, Dec. 4; 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Tuition: $99 Discover the wonderful world of sauteing and braising with Chef Anthony Sinsay. Learn how braising on the stovetop or in the oven can turn inexpensive cuts of meat into tender, richly flavored meals.

Shop till you drop Get away from the Strip for a day of shopping in The District at Green Valley Ranch, a Northeastern styled, pedestrian-friendly, main street shopping district. The District features 49 high-end shops and restaurants. Retailers include Ann Taylor Loft, Aveda, Bluestone Gallery, Brighton Collectibles, Chico’s; Coldwater Creek, DaMincci Jewelers, J.Jill, Jos A Bank Clothiers, Mel Fisher’s Treasurest Sharper Image, Talbots, and Williams-Sonoma. Restaurants and specialty food shops include D’Mustard, Elephant Bar, Ethel M. Chocolates, Kennedy Tavern, Panera Bread, RE Chang’s and Tacone. 1-215 Beltway.

It’s ladies night Girls just want to have fun, especially in Vegas. We’ve found two promising options for ladies who want to live a little!

* Plush Lounge & Lagoon Hit the plushest new club off the Strip. The nightclub has several exotic lounges, multiple bars and three spacious outdoor patios. Gather the gals for Ladies’ Night on Fridays, and enjoy your drinks amid ponds and waterfalls in a lush, botanical setting. Fridays, 5 p.m.-4 a.m. 221 N. Rampart Blvd., inside Rampart Casino, (702) 869-2335.

* Chippendales Enough with the showgirls! Bring on the showGUYS. The Rio plays host to an all-new Chippendales show, chock-full of handsome, hot hunks. “Chippendales: The Show” is designed specifically for women and showcases 12 male dancers “who delight the audience with a series of disarmingly sexy yet tasteful routines,” according to the Web site. It’s the perfect blend of music, dance and “sensual the atrics” Nightly at 10 p.m., except Tuesdays (dark) and Thursdays (8 p.m.): $35 $45, plus tax. 3700 W. Flamingo Rd., inside Club Rio, (888) 746-7784.

Playing the slots A survey of 100,000 adults conducted in 2002 by Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., found that 81 percent of women visiting casinos play the slot machines. Every casino has slot machines, so why not get a group of gals together, stake out a row of slots and try your hand? Pick up a “one-card,” which allows you to play slots at Bally’s, Caesars Palace, the Flamingo, Las Vegas Hilton and Paris Las Vegas–and combine your winnings into one “account” so you don’t have to stay in one place to rake in the dough. One caution: Point requirements differ from property to property, so check the deal at each casino you visit. in our site fremont street experience

Something a little more cultured The University of Nevada-Las Vegas houses the Nevada Women’s Archives, a collection that documents women’s history in southern Nevada. The archives include materials relating to women’s activities in political, social, cultural, religious, commercial and economic life. The exhibit includes legal papers, business and personal correspondence, family memorabilia, and family photo albums. Lied Library, 4505 Maryland Parkway, (702) 895-2241.

Afternoon tee Head over to the Las Vegas Golf School for women only golf lessons based on principles used by a famed golfing legend at the Ken Venturi Golf Academy. Lessons range from half-day ($229/person) and full-day sessions ($389/person) to three-day extravaganzas ($1,029/person). Instruction is in groups, but never more than four students to one professional, ensuring that you’ll get individualized instruction Two locations: Badlands Resort and Las Vegas National, (800) 543-7084.–M.C.L Bon voyage These attractions are slightly off the beaten path, but worth the drive.

Hoover Dam The Scoop: Once the largest dam of its kind, the Hoover Dam is still an awesome structure. The best way to see it is by taking The Discovery Tour, a self-paced trek around and through the dam. Guides provide presentations at various locations.

Location: 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas at the Nevada-Arizona border.

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving Day) Tickets: Adults ages 17-61, $10: seniors 62+, $8; juniors aged 7-16, 55; military and dependents, $8; children 6 and under, free. Ticket sales end half an hour before closing. Parking, $5.

Fun Facts: The dam is 726.4 feet from foundation rock to the roadway on the crest of the dam. To see it all, arrive by 3 p.m.

The Nevada Southern Railway The Scoop: Take a train trip into the past in restored Pullman coaches dating back to 1911. The 7-mite round-trip adventure gives you a taste of what the Las Vegas area was like before the glitz and glam. For the holidays, you won’t want to miss the Santa Train!

Location: Nevada Southern Railway Station in Boulder City Hours: Dec. 4-5, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m.

Tickets: Adults, 57; seniors 65+, $6; children under 12, $5; infants, free. –M.C.L.

Lester, Margot Carmichael