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Get a dose of classic, kitschy charm in Las Vegas
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(ARA) - It's hard to forget the images of Vegas back when it was in its first heyday - the Rat Pack, glamorous girls, lots of flashing lights and neon and a more-is-more aesthetic were the themes. Today, Vegas is as popular a destination as ever, but it's got a slightly different attitude.
The new Las Vegas hotels that have sprung up over the last decades have mostly moved away from glitz and focused more on elegance. A lot of them don't even look like casinos - the gambling sometimes seems like an afterthought. That's not to say that they're not great, with tons of fun shopping, great entertainment options and dining options that can satisfy even the most demanding foodies, but they aren't old Vegas.
If classic Vegas is what you're after, you're in luck. You just need to narrow your trip-planning focus. The bonus is that you can actually save some money by sticking to old-school spots in Sin City. And with the number of Las Vegas cheap flights available on travel Web sites like Travelocity.com, you can cut costs on your trip from beginning to end, without sacrificing fun.
To immerse yourself in the golden age of Vegas, don't miss these sites and attractions:
The Liberace Museum
"Mr. Showmanship" lived up to his nickname in every detail of his life, and the evidence of that is on display here. The famed entertainer's pianos are on display, from the mirrored ones to precious specimens, like a Pleyel that Chopin himself played. In addition, you can get a glimpse of that famous mirrored Rolls Royce and more rhinestone-encrusted and furred and feathered stage clothes than you can shake a stick at. Be sure to schedule your visit so that you can go on a tour led by one of the museum's enthusiastic guides.
The Neon Museum and Boneyard
The iconic signs that once lit up the streets of Vegas have not been safe from the wrecking ball and the march of time (and commerce). Fortunately, some caring souls have given them a new home at the Neon Museum and its boneyard - a sort of sculpture park of signs that have been salvaged over the years. The Neon Museum's Freemont Street Gallery consists of 10 refurbished signs that you can visit on a self-guided walking tour. To see the non-refurbished signs in the boneyard, you have to make an advance reservation - no exceptions, no day-of reservations - but it's well worth the effort, because it's a one-of-a-kind experience.
Wayne Newton
One of the major reasons that people go to Vegas, aside from gambling, is to "see a show" - big-name entertainers are a part of the landscape here. And you can still see the man most associated with Vegas doing his thing at the Tropicana. Newton is celebrating 50 years on the Strip with his show "Once Before I Go," in which he takes audiences through his life in entertainment, from the time he was a 15-year-old kid all the way up to today. The Tropicana has been in Las Vegas just two years longer than Newton, and while it's undergone a lot of transformations over the years, it's still a crucial part of the Las Vegas scenery.
Retro Hotels
Many of the most iconic Las Vegas hotels have undergone some changes that make them almost unrecognizable, but you can still find some spots where history feels alive (in a good way). Check out the El Cortez, the longest continually-operating hotel and casino in Vegas. It was built in the 1940s and still retains much of its original character. Plus, there is some great casino action to be had here, without forking over too much cash.
Another classic, the Fremont, is located, unsurprisingly, on Fremont Street, under the glittering canopy of lights that is just about as dazzling as the flashing red lights that decorate the exterior of this downtown Vegas fixture. It opened in the mid-1950s and was the location for a number of scenes in the movie "Swingers." If you've got your heart set on the Strip, though, check in at the Flamingo, which, while much changed since its start, holds the distinction of being the longest-operating hotel and casino on the Strip. The original "Oceans Eleven" was filmed here, as was "Viva Las Vegas." It still has plenty of gauche, bright pink personality that recalls the good old days.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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