Lifestyle: The Shopaholic
Those who think they've seen all shopping has to offer haven't been to Vegas lately. Here you can shop along a canal, in Paris and even among the Roman gods.
Q: Shopping is my main agenda. Where should I stay to be closest to all the shops?
A: For your convenience, many of the shops just happen to have hotel-casinos attached. You might try Crystals in CityCenter, which is walking distance from Aria , Vdara and Mandarin Oriental, Caesars Palace , which is attached to the Forum Shops , Planet Hollywood , which is attached to Miracle Mile Shops , Wynn Las Vegas , which is attached to Wynn Esplanade, Encore Esplanade , which is attached to Encore or the Venetian , which is home to the Grand Canal Shoppes . Only steps away from the Grand Canal Shoppes, you can browse through the trendy boutiques (including the city's first Barneys
New York) at The Shoppes at the Palazzo. Paris offers Le Boulevard shops and head to Via Bellagio at the Bellagio if you want to visit some upscale places. Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay offers some unique shops and restaurants, and if you're staying at Green Valley Ranch , be sure to check out the wonderful stores at The District . Treasure Island is right across the street from that mall you gals find so wonderful, the Fashion Show .
Q: Where can I see celebrities/people watch while I shop?
A: If there's one place people consistently say is good for people -- and celebrity -- watching, it's at the Forum Shops . If you see one of the stores close its doors in the middle of the day, it's probably because a celeb is browsing inside. You're also likely to bump into the rich and/or famous at Grand Canal Shoppes or at the Fashion Show mall . Since Barneys New York is a favorite among many celebrities, you may want to make a trip to The Shoppes at the Palazzo . There's a good chance you'll spot your favorite celeb thumbing through one of the clothing racks.
Q: I'm here on a budget. Where can I find the best bargains?
A: You'll find bargains galore at Las Vegas Outlet Center . Outlets include the Off 5th Saks 5th Avenue, Nine West, Coach and hundreds more. Make sure to stop by Designer Fashion Clearance (DFC), featuring brands by the world's top designers at clearance prices. If you're up for a trip out to Primm (shuttles leave daily from the MGM Grand and Planet Hollywood), you'll find unbelievable deals at the Fashion Outlets . If you happen to be in downtown Vegas, stop in at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets , an outdoor shopping center with more than 150 stores to choose from.
Q: I'd like to do some sightseeing while I shop. What would you suggest?
A: First up, see your favorite famous figures immortalized in wax at Madame Tussauds . While at the Venetian, take in the sights the easy way -- take a ride on a Venetian gondola . If you really like the idea of the gondolas and shopping, then you should definitely check out MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas. Enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone walkways while visiting a variety of cutesy boutique shops and restaurants. The gondola dock is adjacent to the village, so this makes for a perfect ending to your shopping trip.
If you're craving something sweet, stop on the first floor for some sweet treats at M&M World located at the Showcase Mall. Here, you'll find a rainbow wall of chocolate. Amazing!
As you're strolling over to Fashion Show , stop at Treasure Island and watch the Sirens of TI do battle on their pirate ships.
If you're heading over to Crystals inside CityCenter, make sure to check out the water features inside the mall and outside of Aria's porte-cochère.
Even if you're heading off the Strip out to Red Rock Canyon for some sightseeing, you still can take the time to shop. Head over to Boca Park on Charleston Boulevard and Fort Apache Road, where you'll find some boutique shops and American Apparel.
Finally, no trip at the Forum Shops would be complete without taking in the fountain show .
Q: Are there any shops in town that offer entertainment that the entire family can enjoy?
A: Certainly! Located just a couple of miles south of Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard, Town Square offers a myriad of shops, restaurants and a state-of-the-art movie theater. The little ones can romp around at the children's park, which features a hedge maze, tree house, a merry-go-round and much more. Adults can unwind at restaurant/bars like Yard House or Blue Martini . The Town Square park also holds concerts and special events open to the public.
Q: I don't want to shop at all the stores I can find back at home. Where can I find some funky, unusual things that are unique to Vegas?
A: Well, Vegas has no shortage of cool, interesting shops. In what other city can you find showgirl outfits and a store that carries nothing but feathers? Check out our page on weird, wacky and wonderful shops.
