While gambling is probably the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions Las Vegas, the city offers a wealth of other activities that don't get as much attention but certainly merit a closer look. AP9 TodaysEscapes offers a few ideas on how to make your Vegas vacation pay off without rolling any dice or cozying up to a one-armed bandit:

-- Make a show of it. So many popular stars perform in Las Vegas that the term "Vegas headliner" is almost an entertainment genre in its own right. Whatever your taste in entertainment, you'll find something to tickle your fancy practically every day of the year. From Elton John and Celine Dion to David Copperfield and Barry Manilow, from Blue Man Group to Penn & Teller and a whole lot more, the stars really do come out to shine in Vegas.

-- Dine like royalty. Las Vegas has become host to a slew of top restaurants and chefs in recent years, from name-brand eateries like Spago, Gallagher's Steakhouse and Planet Hollywood to name-brand chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Joel Robuchon and Jean Georges. Whether you want five-star French cuisine or a quick, casual bite before heading out on your next adventure, you're never far from a mouth-watering meal in Las Vegas.

-- Shop 'til you drop. As return visitors know, the casinos aren't the only places where you can drop serious coin, but the shops in Vegas have the added benefit of offering patrons a guaranteed return on their investments. And what an array of options -- from the Fashion Show mall to the Forum Shops at Caesars, from the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian to Desert Passage at the Aladdin Las Vegas and much, much more, serious shoppers will likely run out of time before they run out of choices.

-- Explore the sights. Las Vegas may be a city built in the middle of a desert, but it's surrounded by a dazzling array of visual wonders that are easily accessible on a day trip. Take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, marvel at the engineering feat of the Hoover Dam, picnic in the Valley of Fire, enjoy a cool dip in the waters of Lake Mead, or simply enjoy a tour of all the sights and sounds of the Las Vegas Strip. And if golf is on your wish list, be sure to pack your clubs -- there are 20 world-class golf courses to choose from.

-- Paint the town red. Let's face it: "Las Vegas" and "nightlife" are virtually synonymous -- and the possibilities are almost endless, notes AP9 Todays Escapes. Whether you prefer the more famous venues, like Studio 54, Tao, Jet and House of Blues, or you'd rather discover an under-the-radar nightclub on your own, you'll need to schedule multiple trips to hit all the hot spots that Vegas offers.

There's one thing everyone can agree on: No one ever left Las Vegas complaining of boredom. In fact, with so many exciting things to see and do, it's a wonder that anyone ever leaves at all, reports AP9 TodaysEscapes.

About AP9 Todays Escapes
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