Las vegas things to do: gaming, shows, museums & more

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT First-timers are gobsmacked by the variety and quality of productions. Just try to spot a mistake in Cirque du Soleil’s half-dozen acrobatic spectacles, including its

top-grossing _O_ water extravaganza or its revamped _The Beatles LOVE_. Headliners have flocked to Vegas for residencies since the age of Elvis Presley, and nowadays these long-running shows

include contemporary pop and country stars such as Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Shania Twain, Keith Urban and Usher as well as timeless performers like Cher, Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie and Rod

Stewart. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, the Park Theater (inside the Park MGM), T-Mobile Arena and Resorts World Theater are among the venues featuring top entertainers. Shows offer

seating areas for the disabled; some have sign-language interpreters. The acoustically impressive $150 million Smith Center for the Performing Arts, near downtown, hosts the local symphony,

touring Broadway shows and other entertainment. MUSEUMS Vegas doesn’t have the Met (yet), but it does have a Smithsonian. Those fascinated by the area’s explosive history will appreciate the

Smithsonian-affiliated National Atomic Testing Museum (62 and older save $4). Fans of _The Godfather_ can take a trip through the history of organized crime in the U.S. at the Mob Museum 

(discounts for those 65 and older). Book a tour of the Neon Museum, a quirky graveyard for more than 200 vintage Vegas signs (with printed handouts for the hard of hearing). Springs

Preserve, near downtown, features 180 acres of botanical gardens, museums, traveling exhibits and trails. Downtown’s Discovery Children’s Museum provides hours of fun and adventure for

little ones. To peruse artistic masterpieces, head to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art or check out the hundreds of public art pieces inside and outside resorts across the Strip. SHOPPING

Shopaholics: Bring an empty suitcase (or two). If you can afford Gucci and Louis Vuitton, head to the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and the Shops at Crystals in CityCenter. Or scour the

moderately priced Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Bargain hunters make a beeline to Las Vegas North Premium Outlets to stock up on Armani, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana and other

designer steals. Fans of TV’s _Pawn Stars_ hit the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop for antiques, silver and collectibles. Stores at the Downtown Container Park feature an array of local vendors

and artisans. SPORTS Both the NFL and the NHL have found lifelong fans in Las Vegas. The 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium houses the Las Vegas Raiders football team, while the Las Vegas Golden

Knights hockey team hits the ice at the T-Mobile Arena. Both arenas offer plenty of wheelchair-accessible seating. Score!