Las Vegas is a safe, progressive US holigay destination that has been working hard to reach out to welcome gay and lesbian guests. A typical GLBT traveler will attend one or more of the high profile shows along the strip.
Hot tickets this year include Cher, Barry Manilow, and Bette Midler. Depending on your idea of fun and your level of taste, you might want to catch gay fave Charo, Donny and Marie, Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity featuring drag emcee Mistress of Seduction and 2Men, Blue Man Group, The Lion King, Thunder from Down Under, or Penn & Teller.
There is plenty of nighttime action in Las Vegas for the gay traveler – inside and outside of the casinos. Krave, located inside Planet Hollywood, is the only gay nightclub on the Strip and attracts a trendy crowd; Saturday is women’s night. Head to the “Fruit Loop,” a cluster of gay bars and clubs one block south of the Hard Rock on Paradise Rd. between Harmon and Tropicana, including Gipsy, Freezone, Piranha and 8 1/2 Ultra Lounge. Most gay clubs in Las Vegas begin to pick up after 11:00 PM. Since there is no “last call” in Vegas, some clubs are open until dawn, while others never close.
The one gay-only hotel in Las Vegas is the Blue Moon Resort. While it is a cab-ride from the strip, and a converted motel, the Blue Moon Resort is the only local accommodation that provides a clothing-optional hot tub and steam room for its guests. There are plenty of gay-friendly hotels on the strip that offer high-end service and quality accommodations. Mandalay Bay, THEhotel, and New York-New York are well-known gay-friendly hotels. Because of its popularity with gay visitors, Mandalay Bay is sometimes referred to as “Mandalay Gay” while the hotel is renowned for its Bathhouse spa.
Las Vegas is home to some of the biggest pools and craziest poolside parties in the world. European-style sunbathing has become trendy here. The Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay is a great place to hang out. On Sundays, don’t miss Luxor’s “Sunkissed” pool party featuring guest DJs.
Popular day trips include Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon.
