by James W. Coates

Created on: July 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 12, 2009

Las Vegas's famed strip delivers on all the burlesque, the grotesque and hedonism that has come to define its tarty reputation.

Over the years, "Sin City" has had more facelifts than Cher (who now alternates with Bette Midler for nightly performances at Caesar's Palace). The city now fancies itself a family-friendly resort town complete with kid-friendly attractions and hotels. But at its heart, Las Vegas remains a gambler's oasis, a party town built on glitz and glamour that aims to please everyone's guilty pleasure.

Locating a casino in this town is like finding a haystack on a needle. It's impossible to walk two steps in Las Vegas without stumbling upon a black jack table, slot machine or roulette wheel aimed at making you distant acquaintances with your cash.

For thrills outside the casinos, try some of Las Vegas's amusement park-style rides - you won't lose your shirt, but you may lose your lunch. For the ultra nervy, zip to the tip of the Stratosphere Tower, over 110 floors up, and strap into one of three blood curdling rides that hurl the brave into the air above the tower. If not an adrenaline junkie, go anyway for the amazing views from the observation deck.

Closer to the ground, enjoy a $12 gelato at the Forum Shops in Caesar's Palace or for the same price, soil your shorts while braving the Manhattan Rollercoaster snaking around New York, New York. Sample a "patisserie" in Paris along the Boulevard or slip away an afternoon in a romantic gondola ride down the Grand Canal at the Venetian.

For a cute pit stop that won't melt in your hands, head over to the M&M store - four floors of everything devoted to the candy-coated chocolates. Bring the kids, or just rent one, and stay for the 3D short adventure movie.

For animal love, head over to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat - just remember it costs $15 to enter regardless of the time you arrive. For free shows claim a spot along the wharf in front of Treasure Island for its Sirens of Treasure Island show beginning at 7 every night, or catch the choreographed dancing water fountains in front of the Bellagio every half hour starting at three.

When lunchtime rolls around, take a chance at New York, New York's food court eateries. Mimicking the midtown atmosphere of Manhattan, dozens of shops sell everything from Big Apple burgers to salads and pizza. For more upscale evening dining, dress up and discover Wynn Las Vegas, the epicentre of Las Vegas class. Enjoy a full course meal then watch Le Reve, a production staged on a million-gallon pool.

For more shows, take your pick of Las Vegas's unique Cirque du Soleil performances, from the incredible acrobatics and mind-bending stage of Ka to the sex-based cabaret of Zumanity. Leaving Las Vegas without seeing at least one show is a loss you can't afford.

Hotel rates on the strip go from pricey to super pricy. To save money for the slot machines, consider staying in a name resort such as the Luxor or Bellagio during weekdays and then moving to cheaper lodgings such as Circus Circus or USA Hostels Las Vegas for the weekend.

Once the surrealism hangover of Las Vegas subsides, its simply fun to discover that in a five-minute walk, you can visit New York's Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge yet have dinner at the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris across the street.

Whatever your motivation for visiting the Las Vegas Strip, check your inhibitions at the door and enjoy one heck of a ride.

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