Things to see in Las Vegas

An old denizen of the Strip, Caesars Palace possesses more Las Vegas character than its newer neighbours. It sits in a lavish Roman setting, perhaps the historical theme best suited to this city of excess, with Roman columns, grand staircases, manicured shrubbery, imported marble statuary and luxuriant fountains. It has two main casinos, which feature all the regular games, as well as an ‘empire' of slot machines. This is also where you’ll find the Colosseum, an entertainment venue familiar to Elton John and Celine Dion.

Costing an eye-watering US$2 billion to construct, the Venetian isn’t the only Vegas complex to cash in on a European theme, but it is the most entertaining to stroll through. No effort was spared in recreating the city’s own version of Venice, complete with trompe-l’oeil skies, immense oil paintings and plenty of water. Much of the complex features canals, on which gondolas carry visitors up and down. The 10,800-sq-m (120,000-sq-ft) casino, featuring around 2,200 slot machines and 120 table games, sits behind a replica of the Doge's Palace. The complex also has almost 40 bars and restaurants, five pools and a fitness centre.

The city’s newest big attraction is also the world’s largest observation wheel. Standing 168m (550ft) above the ground at its highest point, it’s a full 30m (98ft) taller than the London Eye, to which it bears more than a passing resemblance. Each cabin can hold up to 40 people, and the views from the top are undeniably spectacular, particularly at night.

Dominating the skyline at the northern end of the Strip, Stratosphere Tower rises 350m (1,149ft) above the casino and hotel of the same name. It’s the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, and has the obligatory indoor and outdoor decks with views of the entire city. There is a bar and restaurant at the top, plus several high-altitude adrenaline thrill rides, including a 10-second ‘decelerator descent’ back to ground level via a vertical zip wire.