Las Vegas Activities Overview

Video compliments of the Travel Channel

Las Vegas is a city of epic personality. Where else can you be serenaded by Bette Midler, bet on blackjack, shop at Manolo Blahnik, ride a roller coaster through New York New York, stand in awe of the artwork at the Arts Factory, gawk at the, er, "art" at the Liberace Museum, dine at the hands of Bobby Flay, and then get hitched on a dime by an Elvis impersonator?

Sure, the casinos draw millions of visitors to the desert each year, but the fun doesn't stop at the roulette wheel. This constantly transforming locale has shifted from a dusty cowboy pit stop to a mob-fueled gambling haven to a more family-friendly vacation spot, when many of the old casinos were replaced by more well-rounded (if no less loud and garish) attractions in the 90s. Soon, the hotels began getting more and more luxe, celebrity chefs started opening restaurants here—and actually caring about the kind of food that was being served—and many of the swankiest shops opened their doors. Just when you thought Vegas didn't have another makeover in it.

But fret not; it hasn't lost all its kitsch. High art, history and hysterically tacky memorabilia are all raised to the level of museum-worthy in this city that never found a neon light it didn't like. Kill an easy afternoon at the Atomic Testing Museum (fun), the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (fancy), or the Las Vegas Natural History Museum (furry). Looking to power shop rather than ponder collections? Sin City can wear out even the most seasoned shopper with its elaborate, designer-studded malls, well-stocked outlets and high-end antique spots. And while Vegas is known for its married-on-a-whim moments (à la Britney), the city has become a magnet in recent years for couples looking to tie the knot and have some fun in the process, with elaborate, casino-hosted shindigs—now that's one wedding invite we wouldn't grumble over.