Las Vegas is a city that truly never sleeps, a 24 hour a day extravaganza of lights, entertainment and hedonism. Las Vegas is the gaming capital of the United States. You will find over thirty massive casinos throughout the city all offering slots, table games and other clever money grabbers. You can place a bet on just about anything here from NFL games to who will win American Idol. Like I said, just about anything! Poker is one of the most popular games throughout North America and Las Vegas casinos are home to some of the best poker rooms around including Ballys, the Bellagio and the Wynn Casino. The city hosts National Poker Tour and World Poker Tour events as well as many others. Not quite sure how to play? No problem. Many casinos including the Las Vegas Hilton, the Golden Nugget and Planet Hollywood Casino host gaming classes to teach the rules and the tricks of the trade. Las Vegas is also known for its big name acts and shows. They run the gamut from acts such as the Blue Man Group to music sensations like Cher. Just some of the many other notable Vegas performers have included Penn and Teller, Cirque de Soleil, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow and of course Wayne Newton. There is also a never-ending list of tribute shows. Looking for something a little different? Star Trek fans will be delighted to explore the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. And for the truly fearless, take a trip to the Stratosphere Tower, the tallest freestanding observation deck in the US, ride the coaster at the top or take the plunge on the bungee jumping attraction.

Las Vegas wasn’t always known for its fabulous dining and fantastic shopping. It used to be known as the best place for a 99 cent shrimp cocktail, cheap casino buffets and tacky souvenirs. Not anymore! Celebrity chefs from around the world have set up shop in Las Vegas. Some of the best places to try are Wolfgang Puck’s, Spago’s at Ceasars, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand, Todd English’s Olives at Bellagio or Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Throughout the city you will be delighted with the vast array of culinary creations available. Then there is the shopping. The best way to sum it up is…FANTASTIC. Many of the casinos have designer boutiques, trendy shops and souvenir stores right in the hotel. Places like the Wynn are blessed with designer goods from Hermes, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Manolo Blahnik. While facilities such as Caesars and the Venetian have strip malls with brand names such as the Gap, Banana Republic, Victoria Secrets and Nike. Outside the strip, the fashion outlets of Las Vegas are full of designer merchandise offered at great discount prices… and seriously, who doesn’t love a good bargain? Save your money for the slots.

Thinking of going to the chapel? Las Vegas is one of the wedding capitals of the world. Want to enhance your wedding memories by having your ceremony performed by Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe or at a drive thru window? These choices aren’t for everyone but each year thousands of couples come here to tie the knot. Theme weddings are a popular choice with a varied array of intriguing options to choose from like Camelot, Victorian, Rock n’ Roll, Gangster or a personal favourite, Intergalactic. Many of the major hotels have wedding facilities as well and can offer pretty extravagant packages. Believe it or not many celebrities have chosen Las Vegas to exchange their vows, including Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Ray Cyrus. To sum it all up, in this city of indulgence, anything is possible and it will definitely be a vacation to remember. US Dollars, divided into 100 cents. There is an extensive network of ATMs at which almost all Canadian cards are valid. The other recommended option is to take US Dollar Travellers’ Cheques. These can be used as good as cash in most establishments. All major credit cards are also accepted. Located in the middle of a desert, Las Vegas summers are hot and dry and can sometimes reach temperatures upwards of 35˚C. Winters generally remain mild with an average high of 16˚C. 110vAC, 60Hz - the same plugs as Canada. Consulate General of Canada, Los Angeles
Consular district: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico
Address: 550 South Hope Street, 9th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071-2327
Tel.: (213) 346-2700
Emergency toll-free to Ottawa: 1-888-949-9993
Fax: (213) 620-8827 GMT-8 (GMT-7 from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November).
California is in the Pacific Time Zone, with the same time as Vancouver. It is one hour behind Calgary and three hours behind Toronto and Montréal.