Sin City for straight-arrows
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Can non-sinners -- people who don't drink, gamble or go to topless shows -- find happiness in Sin City?

It's a question Brigham Young University football fans, who will be traveling to Las Vegas next weekend to watch the Cougars play in the Las Vegas Bowl, might ask, especially since Vegas has returned to a more adult-oriented destination after experimenting with family-friendly venues in the '90s.

The answer? A resounding yes.

Las Vegas offers a number of excellent museums, including Fort Mormon State Park, numerous free activities, great dining, good golf courses, thrill rides and outdoor adventures that don't involve any of the seven deadly sins.

What's more, with the economy in recession, discounted room rates are more available. According to the Las Vegas Advisor, one hotel is offering $14 room rates with many under $40 and some of the higher-end Strip properties under $80 before Christmas.

While some attractions -- thrill rides, high-end buffets and restaurants, and big time shows such as Donny and Marie at the Flamingo -- can be pricey, there are inexpensive options as well.

We went to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas 2009, and various Web sites to discover the best free and family-oriented attractions that BYU fans might want to sample in addition to football.

Museums

Fort Mormon State Park » Located just out of downtown at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Washington Avenue, this state park celebrates the arrival of a group of Mormon missionaries who became the first non-native settlers in Las Vegas in 1855 when they build an adobe fort along Las Vegas Creek. The park includes a remnant of the original fort with interpretive displays and a visitor center with exhibits on the history of the site. The park is open Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Info: www.parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm.

Las Vegas Art Museum » Special exhibits and visual arts at 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Open Tuesday -Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Info: www.lasvegasartmuseum.org.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum » This private, non-profit institution covers dinosaurs, marine life, Africa, wildlife and hands-on galleries, as well as a number of interactive exhibits and educational programs. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 900 N. Las Vegas Blvd. Info: www.lvnhm.org.

Atomic Testing Museum » Unique to Las Vegas, this unusual museum portrays world history through the story of the Nevada Test Site, with first-person narratives, iconic artifacts, environmental re-creations, theatrical devices and interactive elements for personal exploration. It is located at 755 E. Flamingo Road. Info: www.atomictestingmuseum.org.

The Neon Museum » Under the mission of collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting neon signs associated with Las Vegas, this is somewhat of a work in progress. Some of the restored signs can be viewed in the downtown area and there is also a "boneyard" of old signs open by appointment only. It provides a mapped walking tour. Info: www.neonmuseum.org.

The Liberace Museum »Dedicated to the life of one of Las Vegas' iconic entertainers, this museum occupies two buildings separated by a parking area. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 4 p.m., at the Liberace Plaza, 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. Info: www.liberace.org.

Free entertainment

The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at Bellagio » Displays flowers, plants and trees and is open in the big hotel on the Strip 24 hours a day. Info: www.bellagio.com/amenities.

Wynn Las Vegas » The Lake of Dreams, a 3-acre secluded lake surrounded by lush forest, features a free show each night. Info: www.wynnlasvegas.com.

Circus Circus » The big-top themed casino offers free circus acts daily. Info: www.circuscircus.com/las_vegas_entertainment.

Flamingo Las Vegas » A flock of Chilean flamingos populates the Wildlife Habitat area along with swans, ducks, koi and turtles. Info: www.flamingolasvegas.com.

Fountains of Bellagio » The fountains in front of the hotel on The Strip offer a blend of water, music and light. Info: www.bellagio.com/amenities.

Fremont Street Experience » Viva Vision, billed as the biggest big screen on the planet, is in the midst of the old downtown popularly known as Glitter Gulch. With more than 12.5 million lights and 550,000 watts of sound, the venue features a variety of different shows each night. Info: www.vegasexperience.com.

Lion Habitat » Located near the MGM Grand casino, this glass-walled habitat contains African lions and cubs brought from a nearby 8.5-acre ranch. Info: www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment.

Show in the Sky » Rio's Masquerade Village hosts this show of talented performers dancing to edgy music as fantasy floats glide over the crowd. Info: www.riolasvegas.com.

Sirens of TI » Located on the Strip in front of the Treasure Island Resort, the show features sirens battling a band of renegade pirates. Info: www.treasureisland.com.

The Volcano at The Mirage » This iconic Vegas attraction has recently been rebuilt and now features a soundtrack from Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Indian tabla musician Zakir Hussain. Info: www.mirage.com/attractions.

Family-friendly activities

Donny and Marie at the Flamingo » The popular Utah natives' show on the Strip was recently extended for two more years. Donny and Marie is a 90-minute variety show with eight dancers and a nine-piece orchestra that incorporates singing, dancing and comedy. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday with ticket prices ranging from $90 to $255, plus tax and fees. Info: www.flamingolasvegas.com.

The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil » Beatles fans will enjoy the combination of classic Beatles song interpreted in performances by a cast of 60 international artists. Tickets range from $99 to $150. Performances are Thursday-Monday at 7 and 10 p.m. at The Mirage. Info: www.cirquedusoleil.com.

Non-Topless Jubilee » See a classic Las Vegas show with chorus girls who are not topless. The show is Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with tickets ranging from $50 to $110. Recommended for 12 and up.

Shark Reef Aquarium » Located at Mandalay Bay, this attraction bills itself as North America's only predator-based aquarium. Admission is $16.95, $10.95 for kids 4 to 12, free for kids under four.

Stratosphere Tower » Located on the north end of The Strip, the rides at the top of the 1,149-foot tall tower are guaranteed to scare. Ride the Big Shot for $13, the X-Scream for $12 or Insanity: The Ride for $12.

Manhattan Express » Located at New York, New York, this roller coaster has 144-foot drop a two minute and 45 second ride and hits speeds of 67 miles per hour while providing some nice views of The Strip. Tickets are $14.

Desperado » Located 40 miles south of Las Vegas in Primm, this is one of North America's tallest and fastest roller coasters. The ride hits speeds of 80 miles an hour and features a 225-foot drop. Check in advance before driving out there, though, because high winds often close the ride. Tickets are $10.

Adventuredome » Located in a five-acre, enclosed glass dome behind Circus Circus, this amusement park features a fun indoor roller coaster and log flume ride as well as a number of kid-oriented kids rides. All day passes are $24.95, $14.95 for kids.

Dining

Buffets:

Carnival World Buffet at Rio » This huge buffet features more than 300 dishes prepared fresh daily, some of in in view of diners, and more than 70 varieties of pies, cakes and desserts made from scratch. Hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $15 to $25.

Village Seafood Buffet at Rio » If you like seafood, this is the place. Lobster, snow crab legs, shrimp, fresh shucked oysters and sushi are all on the menu, featured in dishes from the Mediterranean, the Pacific Rim, the Baja region, and North and South America. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 3:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost is $25 to $40.

The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas » This feast features 16 live cooking stations. The weekend champagne brunch Saturday and Sunday, between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., is offers all sorts of egg dishes and carving stations. At $23.95 -- without the champagne -- it's a splurge.

Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas » This themed buffet showcases France's five provinces with each station themed for a particular province and boasting a facade that resembles the region's architecture. Tickets are $15 to $25. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. daily for breakfast, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for lunch; 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for champagne brunch; and 3:30 to 10 p.m. daily for dinner.

Restaurants:

Alex » This French-themed restaurant at the Wynn Resort has won nearly every top dining award. Not only is the food wonderful but the restaurant itself is elegant in every way, making for a major-league splurge.

Joel Robuchon » Now if you really want to splurge, this award winning French restaurant at the MGM Grand is the place. Try the $250 per person six-course tasting menu, the $385 16-course tasting menu, or the $500 seven-course white truffle tasting menu.

Bargains:

Golden Gate Hotel and Casino » The oldest hotel in Las Vegas features a classic $1.99 shrimp cocktail.

Market Street Cafe » Located at the California Hotel and Casino, this classic Vegas 24-hour diner has lots of great specials including steak and shrimp for $7.95.

Outlet shopping

Las Vegas Premium Outlets » This outlet center -- www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets -- at 75 S. Grand Central Parkway features 150 different stores including many name brands.

Las Vegas Outlet » The 130 stores here including many top companies, two food courts and an indoor carousel, is located on the southern end of the Strip at 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South. Expect to save 25 to 65 percent. Info: same Web site as above.

Discount ticket outlets

Tickets2Nite » Located behind the giant Coke bottle at 3785 Las Vegas Blvd., this outlet opens at noon and, according to about.com, sells half-price tickets to shows that have stock available that night.

Tix4Tonight » This same-day, half-price outlet is next to the Harley Davidson Cafe in Fashion Show Mall and also opens at noon, according to about.com.

Outdoors

Valley of Fire State Park » Located 55 miles from Las Vegas, this small state park features some beautiful red rock sandstone formations, excellent hiking and good camping.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area » Located a short drive from Las Vegas, Lake Mead is a huge water playground with boating, hiking and nice views. Consider touring the Hoover Dam as well.

Golf » While there are courses in Las Vegas, some of the best deals and courses can be found in border towns of Mesquite to the north near the Utah border (www.visitmesquite.com/mtourism/attractions/golf.jsp) or Primm to the south on the California border (www.primmvalleyresorts.com/golf.html).

Las Vegas can be fun without the seven deadly sins.
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