Place to Pick Up the Weekly
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
"You've read Philip K. Dick, of course," assumes the burly student in the gray beret, earring and black-leather shoulder bag, tacitly challenging the backwards-ball-capped, nose-ringed fellow lit lover. "You get all the references?"
Ah, breathe in that bohemian bonhomie, you hipper-than-hip hepcat, you. The fact that you're reading this publication right now is rock-solid certification of your high-cool quotient, and if you picked us up at the Coffee Bean, you've whacked a complete Kerouac on the who's-happenin' meter.
Our readers really nailed this one. The sippin' sanctuary on Maryland Parkway is absolutely alive with that cerebral/artistic vibe, drawing intellectual energy (and business) from UNLV across the street.
Lone students zoned into their computer screens are sprinkled among buzzy tables of academia-flavored conversations, while a love seat flanked by twin chairs surround a chess board in mid-match—all but ignored by two women in an animated discussion, pawns elbowed aside by two casually flung purses.
The clientele downs drinks from a menu stretching from specialty teas, tea lattes and ice-blended concoctions to espresso, hot chocolates and, of course, a variety of coffees, accompanied by massive muffins, biscuits or bagels.
Several patrons also relax on the outdoor patio—next to a rack of the only reading material suitable to this sort of establishment, the very one dancing before your dazzled eyeballs right now. 4550 S. Maryland Parkway., 944-5029; and in the Green Valley Ranch Hotel.
Place for a First Date
Peppermill's Fireside Lounge
The comfortable couch seats are perfect for snuggling up or keeping it casual. The elaborately presented drinks, particularly the fish-bowl-size Scorpion, provide a great excuse for sharing. The TVs playing old videos sprinkled around the lounge are perfect for ice-breaking laughs and getting-to-know-you conversation. Perhaps most importantly, the decor says that you, dear reader, know quality old-school swank when you see it. And who can resist that? 2985 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 735-7635.
Place to People-Watch
Forum Shops at Caesars
If asked, we would have blurted out "McCarran Airport," but you readers may have had the better thought. After all, who passes through the airport and not through the Forum Shops? It's more de rigueur for tourists than seeing Siegfried & ... Heck, it might now be the rigueur! And where's there a better forum for humanity-watching? You've got your full spectrum of foreign photo opportunists, the hippest of the hip from LA, the Iowaist of Iowans (have they never seen a statue talk before—John Kerry spent two weeks in their state!), A-list celebrities dropping more dough than a spastic pizza boy ... There are even people watching people watch people! All this, and unlike McCarran, nobody comes with baggage.
Public Art
McCarran Airport
There's a surprising amount of art snuggled into the nooks and alcoves of this place, which is good, since forced idleness is more bearable if you have something interesting to occupy your eyes. From the colorful Peter Shire sculpture just up from the ticketing counters to the extensive sculptures and murals of the D terminal, props to the airport for the investment in ambience.
Place to Take the Kids
Circus Circus
Winner in the same category last year, and is it any wonder? Beating out Gameworks, Scandia and the Hoover Dam ("Look, kids! Water!"), Circus Circus has it all: midway games, video games, acrobatic games and amusement-ride, uh, games. Inside the Adventuredome are even more diversions, like laser tag, miniature golf and bumper cars, to prepare tykes for their adult lives as commuters. 2880 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 877-224-7287; Adventuredome, 794-3939.
Local Landmark
Stratosphere
Last year's champ defends its crown. Why? No doubt numerous reasons, not the least of which is its status as the city's most reliable compass point. The Patron Saint of Lost Drivers. Imagine how many relationships this needle above the neon haystack has rescued simply by reorienting confused male drivers and eliminating the need for the five most infamous words ever spoken by womankind: "Can't we stop for directions?"
Place to Go on a Saturday Night When You Kinda Want to Go Out but Kinda Don't Want to
Green Valley Ranch
Best to avoid the Saturday crowds and traffic by leaving the Strip to the tourists. Green Valley Ranch's more laid-back vibe still offers all the pleasures of a Saturday night on the town. Fado Irish Pub is a particular favorite for locals looking to down drinks and trade tales. The Dropbar is there, too, for those wanting a more stylized environment. Of course, for those who believe no Saturday night is complete without a club experience, a trip to Whiskey Bar is almost inevitable.
Non-Strip Place to Take Visitors:
Lake Las Vegas
Life on the Mediterranean just a few minutes outside Vegas is a must-see, must-experience bit of luscious absurdity. There's fishing, shore-side shopping and beautiful displays of conscienceless wealth: rolling emerald-green golf courses—yes, more than one!—and an entire Mediterranean village made to look really old, except clean and with slot machines. Best, you can point to the inaccessible hillside mansions and say, "Celine Dion lives right up there!" Visitors will think you're an amazing person living an enviable life. You might, too.
Park
Sunset Park
This park has everything—views of planes landing at McCarran, a funky Easter Island-like statue, plus it abuts Casa de Wayne Newton and Mike Tyson's house. And then there are the great park aspects: fishing, swimming, dog runs, volleyball, tennis, a Frisbee-golf course and a mile-long running track. The track encircles the pond and always abounds with good Spandex-wearing people-watching opportunities. If they're not out in force, look for the Renaissance-styled gamers who meet here, wearing armor and wielding swords. 2601 East Sunset Road.
Thing About Las Vegas, Period
It's 24/7
It's illusory, people! While hotel-casinos are mostly open around the clock, even on the Strip, things like malls and restaurants close at night. Most of what's 24/7 about Vegas—grocery stores, gas stations, diners—is the same as what's always open in any other decent-size city. Yes, we do have more late-night activity than other places, from dance clubs and bars that never close to a decent selection of midnight dining to that car dealership that's inexplicably always open. But until we can go to the dentist at 3 a.m., we won't be satisfied!