The three miles known as the Las Vegas Strip is an amazing place. 24/7 gambling, resort excess, ultrahigh-end shopping, fine dining and routine pampering. It’s actually more than three miles if you dip into the casinos and malls to check it all out. Even more if you’re staying at one of the ultra-cool hotels. On the Strip alone, there are approximately 38 large hotels, and most of these include at least 1,000 rooms. Beyond that, many have over 2,000 rooms, and few have over 5,000 rooms. Unimaginable in most cities. All have lounges and restaurants, and most have shops - often exclusive and unique to Las Vegas. All of this means there is never a shortage for things to do.

And not everything here has to cost a lot of money. Many things are still actually free. We strolled to find a few on an early August afternoon. Parking at Caeser’s Palace garage, we strolled the Forum Shops, which host a ton of upper scales shops, galleries and fine restaurants. With hundreds of stores, restaurants and attractions, there’s plenty to keep you busy for an afternoon. If you like window shopping, this is the place to be. The Forum Shops features more than 160 boutiques and shops as well as 13 restaurants and specialty food shops, including Bvlgari , Gianni Versace, Cucci, Boss Hugo, FAO Schwarz, Guess and Banana Republic. Both Christian Lassen and Peter Max have art galleries there, and the Galleria di Sorrento is a great place to see the artworks of Bill Mack, Frederick Hart, Henry Asencio, Dr. Seuss and many others.

There are great statues and fountains for the viewing with plenty of areas to relax and enjoy people watching or beautifully airbrushed clouded skies above.

A gold statue of legendary magicians Sigfried and Roy sits outside the Mirage. Inside the Mirage is Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.

As a designer, I like signs - especially in Vegas. Signs do things here. Neon, lights, moving things - you name it. The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino sign is contemporary upgrade from the previous skull and crossed swords design that adorned the Strip for years.

While Treasure Island, abandoned its pirate theme for a more contemporary resort in efforts to focus more on adults, they kept the ships and the free performance that goes with it.

In 2003, the “Buccaneer Bay” was changed to “Sirens’ Cove”.

The ships were redesigned and upgraded.

This live, free show is designed to appeal more to adults by including singing, dancing, audio-visual effects, bare chested pirates and attractive women in the large outdoor production.

The Sirens of TI® begins with a 17th century clash between a group of beautiful, tempting sirens and a band of renegade pirates. With their mesmerizing and powerful song the Sirens lure the pirates to their cove, stir up a tempest strong enough to sink a ship, and transform Sirens’ Cove into a 21st century party. Experience music, dance, excitement and seduction - nightly at 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. in Sirens’ Cove at the front entrance of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.

Just past the ships, beautiful sculture adorn the entrance of the T.I. - to the left…

…and the right, just overhead as you enter the casino.

Just north of T.I is Fashion Mall, a large upper scale shopping mall.

Across the street, the sign outside Wynn Las Vegas raises and lowers, reveling a cool graphics with each pass.

Inside, The Wynn is about as elegant as anyone could hope for. This is the only casino in town with an indoor Ferrari / Maserati dealer. There is however a Lamborghini dealer inside the Palazzo. Both will allow you access to view these beautiful cars up close for a $10 entrance fee.

Both offer poker for a bit more.

The new Palazzo is just south of the Wynn and is a beautiful addition to the strip.

It’s attached to the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino with its amazing shops and gondola canals. This is a view from just outside the Venetian walking back to the Strip.

The Venetian is also home to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, an interactive “must feel” attraction providing you with a unique opportunity to create personal memories with some of the world’s biggest icons including the hottest stars of today, controversial politicians, record-breaking athletes and simply put, legends. above, Nicolas Cage take time for a quick pic with A.D.

A short walk south down the Strip is Harrah’s…

…featuring a very festive statue as part of their marque above the entrance.

All this beauty in a couple hours of strolling with a camera. No money spent, although there are always plenty of possibilities for a great time and lots to see with shows and shops everywhere.

Not enough for you. Stay tuned, because this town is growing… big time. MGM, for example, has its $9.2 billion CityCenter development under way here. This project boasts seven high-rise buildings on 76 acres, projected to be completed late next year. CityCenter is to be a densely organized “city within a city” with a casino, luxury hotel properties, numerous luxury retailers and about 2,650 condominium residences.

Proud as can be. A Statue of Liberty replica stands outside New York, New York.

Fun Facts:*

• When Paul Anka first played Vegas he was too young to be allowed in the casino.
• Bugsy Siegel named his casino the Flamingo after the long legs of his showgirl girlfriend.
• In Nevada it is mandatory that video slot machines pay a minimum of 75 percent on average.
• Vegas Vic, the enormous neon cowboy that towers over Fremont Street, is the world’s largest mechanical neon sign.
• Howard Hughes stayed at the Desert Inn for so long that he was asked to leave. He bought the hotel.
• Camels were used as pack animals in Nevada as late as 1870.
• Over 39.2 million people visit Las Vegas each year.
• 17 of the 20 biggest hotels in the U.S. are in Las Vegas.

*source: Official Las Vegas Tourism Web Site. Click here for more.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk down the world famous Las Vegas Strip? Now is your chance to take a virtual stroll down Las Vegas Boulevard, one of the most exciting streets in the world. Start at the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign and continue down the entire length of theStrip with complete 360 degree panoramic views. Be sure to stop at some of the newest hotels including Bellagio, Paris, Mandalay Bay and The Venetian. Click here to visit Las Vegas 360.com

Cheers from Las Vegas.

We do a lot of posts here on cars and Cars and Coffee, but this is our first on just coffee - or rather the “art of coffee”. We found this creative video on YouTube. Enjoy.

If you like that, track back to the videos of art and food below. Redneck Art made with BBQ Ribs - Speed Painting.

If all this makes you hungry, check out the Zabamobile below.

As for us, we’re thinking coffee. Ciao.