EXCLUSIVE | Las Vegas: Where to See & Do Part Three

SHOPPING
Most people don't come to Las Vegas to shop, but there has to be a place for the big winners to outfit themselves properly. The quite beautiful Fashion Show Mall (3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-784-7000) is the largest mall in town, with retailers such as Neiman-Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, plus a whole slew of glamorous clothiers -- A&F, Diesel, Guess, Hollister, Paul Frank, Zara and many more. Behind the mall, drop by the D?j? vu Love Boutique (3275 Industrial Blvd.; 702-731-5655), which stocks sexy dance threads, lingerie, fetish gear, exotic jewelry, and erotic gifts and cars.

An oh-so-Vegas shopping experience is the Forum Shops at Caesars (702-893-4800) -- think ancient Rome in plastic beneath a trompe l'oeil sky, with stores from DKNY to Ted Baker to Versace to Louis Vuitton. Another great option is the chic Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel (702-414-4500), offering distinctive stores such as Tolstoys (writing instruments) and Jimmy Choo (the shoemaker-to-the-stars' shop). What makes this mall so unique is the canal, complete with gondola rides.

Las Vegas Premium Outlets (865 S. Grand Central Pkwy.; 702-474-7500) is an excellent array of discounted higher end retailers (Burberry, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, French Connection, and Michael Kors to name a few), all within an easy $20 cab ride from the Strip. Further afield, the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas is an upscale outlet center in Primm, Nev., on Interstate 15 at the California border 35 miles from the Las Vegas Strip; highlights include Kenneth Cole, Guess, Escada, and more than 100 others.

The Gamblers General Store (800 S. Main St.; 702-382-9903 or 800-322-2447) is the place if you're looking to take home a roulette wheel or craps table. Serge's Showgirl Wigs (953 E. Sahara Ave.; 702-732-1015 or 800-947-9447) is the largest human-hair wig and synthetic hairpiece retailer in the country. Get Booked (4640 Paradise Rd.; 702-737-7780) is Las Vegas' LGBT bookstore and gift shop, located in the Triangle (by Gipsy, The Buffalo, Suede and FreeZone).

WORKING OUT
Most Strip hotels have facilities or arrangements for golfing, swimming, tennis, jogging and working out. Generally, it's the newer and snazzier casino resorts (Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Caesars) that have the top fitness facilities. Open 24 hours, the Las Vegas Athletic Club (2655 S. Maryland Pkwy.; 702-734-5822; $15 for a day, $35 for a week) is the gay-popular local gym and has several locations across town. The one listed is the most gay-popular. Gold's Gym (4720 W. Sahara Ave.; 702-877-6966; $15 for a day, $35 for a week) caters to serious bodybuilders and also has several locations around town; it, too, is open 24 hours.

Mount Charleston (U.S. 95 north to Mount Charleston exit) is a 12,000-foot mountain providing an easy escape from the summer heat, or even decent ski slopes during winter months at Lee Canyon. It's a perfect place to spend the day hiking and only an hour from Las Vegas. Good rock climbing can be done at Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (W. Charleston Blvd., 15 miles west of Las Vegas; 702-363-1921), home to spectacular sunset views.

A DAY AT THE SPA
Las Vegas is all about excess, and so the city's latest megatrend -- spectacular full-service spas, which are found at nearly all the major casino resorts in town -- come as a welcome relief. Here are a few of the most sybaritic spa experiences around town. All are open to day visitors, although many offer discounts or packages to overnight guests.

One of the Strip's finest facilities, the plush and award-winning 65,000-square-foot Spa & Salon at Bellagio (702-693-7111 or 888-987-6667) offers a sumptuous array of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, including the Stone Massage and Signature Stone Facial, two of its most unique and popular.

The MGM Grand Spa (702-891-3077 or 877-880-0880) offers a fabulous treatment called the "Morning After," a caffeine-infused head-to-toe massage session ($75).

The chic, 20,000-square-foot Palms Spa (Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd; 702-942-6937) offers an astounding array of treatments, classes, and amenities; consider the nectarine-basil body scrub or 80-minute cranial sacral massage.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Related Articles:
Las Vegas: Intro
Las Vegas: Where to Stay
Las Vegas: What to Eat
Las Vegas: Where to Play/Meet
Las Vegas: Resources