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Titanic


Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Description

If you loved the 1997 movie "Titanic," then the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor will blow you away. 
Featuring more than 300 artifacts, as well as breathtaking replicas from the famous ship, the Titanic exhibit truly brings history to life. 
The exhibit features 20 never-before-seen artifacts including gaming chips, passenger papers and even decorative sections from Titanic's famous Grand Staircase. In addition, there are many personal pieces within the exhibit. 
One of the most heartfelt elements of the exhibit is the personal stories of the passengers. During the tour, the exhibit's staff shares personal tales from the passengers. Some stories have a tragic, yet romantic ending. For instance, some wives chose to stay behind with their husbands instead of climbing onto the lifeboats. 
"I think seeing all the personal effects from all the people that perished was very touching," said Noelle Dunn, a visitor from Jacksonville, Fla. 
At the beginning of the exhibit, patrons receive a boarding pass of an actual passenger on Titanic. On the back of each boarding pass is the age and the itinerary of that person. At the end of the tour, patrons find out if he or she survived the Titanic by finding the name on the wall memorial. 
The exhibit also includes passenger quotes. One of the most poignant sayings came from Jack Thayer, a first-class passenger: "There was no moon and I never seen the stars shine brighter," he said. "It was the kind of night that made one feel glad to be alive." 
Amazing artifacts 

In addition to the passengers' stories, other fascinating details include their belongings. 
From a diamond and sapphire ring to a platinum pendant with diamonds, some of the most beautiful pieces recovered from the Titanic are sparkling jewelry. The jewels were conserved -- not restored -- and many of the dazzling gems managed to keep their original luster. 
Aside from jewelry, plenty of the Titanic passengers brought their own china and silverware. Each cup, plate, pitcher and bowl has its own interesting, distinct look.
One of the exhibit's unique pieces discovered is the au gratin plates set, stacked neatly in rows. The au gratin dishes were found lined up inside of a wooden crate that had deteriorated over time -- an image that is recreated in the exhibition. 
Other artifacts include ship tools, postcards, currency, a pipe, a spittoon and playing cards. 
The Big Piece 
While the tiny pieces leave behind a lasting impression, The Big Piece -- a huge piece of the ship's hull -- definitely stands out. 
This piece is currently the largest Titanic artifact ever retrieved. The Big Piece weighs an astounding 15 tons and measures more than 26 feet long. Bringing it inside was a 48-hour process, involving cranes and a special team of people. It's considered the crown jewel of the collection.
Riveting replicas 
In addition to the artifacts, the exhibit also features amazing replicas from the Titanic. One of these includes the staircase replica. Most remember the staircase scene in "Titanic" with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Seeing the staircase in person brings the Titanic to life. 
The staircase is where first-class passengers met, mingled and admired each other's outfits. The intricately-detailed staircase replica includes iron, bronze and even the stained glass dome. Visitors have the option of having their picture taken and purchasing it at the end of the tour. 
Other noteworthy replicas include the promenade deck (which features the sounds of waves crashing and a starry sky) as well as an iceberg, which guests are more than welcome to touch. Since the iceberg was specifically created for the exhibit, it contains its own cooling system to prevent it from melting. 
Make sure to stop and take a look at the third-class and the finely decorated first-class sleeping quarters. Adorned with burgundy colors, elegant décor and mahogany accents, the first-class suite was considered more luxurious than any hotel room on land in its time. 
Great for the entire family 
From young to old, visitors of all ages will enjoy this exhibit. There is also gift shop for those who want to take a piece of Titanic home with them. Visitors can purchase everything from T-shirts, stuffed animals, captain hats for kids, cups, key chains and much more. 
Titanic's overall experience gives guests a better perspective and appreciation of what happened on that fateful night. It allows visitors to remember the story of Titanic, especially the heroism of the crew and the passengers that were lost that night.

Streetmosphere


Streetmosphere at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Description

If you haven't ever actually traveled to Italy or sat through an opera, Streetmosphere inside Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes certainly comes close. 
Take a break from shopping and get a taste of festive entertainment, both free and open to the public. From opera singers and entertainers like stilt walkers, dancers and "living statues," Streetmosphere whisks you to the heart of Italy. 
Located in St. Mark's Square (in front of the Pandora store), "Carnevale di Venezia" plays throughout the day. If you arrive a few minutes early, you can buy gelato or coffee right by the stage. You'll also be guaranteed a good seat. The production is about 15 minutes long and includes Italian folk music and opera numbers. We guarantee you'll recognize a few of them, even though they're not in English. You can, however, sing along to the popular song, "That's Amore!" You'll definitely be belting out the chorus sometime after the show.
During "Carnevale di Venezia," the costumed performers also interact with the audience. For gals with their boyfriends, one of them may pull your sweetie up for a waltz. Kids can have fun interacting with the jugglers on stilts. After the show, you'll have a a chance to take a picture with the colorful troupe. Their elaborate costumes represent the Italian Renaissance period. "Carnevale di Venezia" also takes place next door, in front of Barney's New York at The Shoppes at the Palazzo. 
See the "Living Statues" throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes, specifically in St. Mark's Square and in front of Ann Taylor. For a moment, you'll think these are actual statues. Painted and dressed all one color, they stand completely still and for a long time, too. You can't make them laugh or react to you, either. Trust us, we tried.  
If you're here early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you're in for an extra treat. A parade of gondoliers march through the shoppes' cobblestone walkways, starting from the food court and stopping in St. Mark's Square.

Stratosphere Tower


Stratosphere Tower observation deck Description

Since its opening in 1996, the 1,149-foot-tall Stratosphere Tower has captured the attention of celebrities and tourists alike. Set at an astounding 869 feet high with a 360-view of the city, the Stratosphere's outdoor observation deck is the tallest of its kind in the country.
"It has such a rock star view," said Michael Gilmartin, vice president of public relations at the Stratosphere hotel and casino. "It's off the beaten path and well worth the experience."
The deck is so high up that you can see helicopters at eye level. But even riding in one of the helicopters can't compare to the thrill of the Stratosphere rides, which overlook the Strip from the top of the tower.
"These rides are probably the most intense in the world," Gilmartin said. "I guarantee if your shoes fell off, you're not going to find them!"
While Las Vegas is the ultimate party destination, there are quite a few people who visit exclusively for the thrill rides. The Stratosphere offers three out-of-this world rides sure to get you screaming.
These rides include the Big Shot, the world's highest thrill ride, at an astounding 112 stories high. Next is Insanity, which makes riders feel like they're floating 900 feet above the ground. And for those who loved riding on the teeter totters during recess, the X Scream definitely gives this popular playground favorite a kick.
"X Scream is basically a teeter totter over the edge," Gilmartin said. "There's no other ride like it in the world."
If these rides seem too intense, there's no need to miss out on all the fun. Visitors can still watch their adventurous friends on the rides from the 857-foot high indoor deck.
"It's a multi-faceted attraction," said Gilmartin. "The easiest way to sum it up is that there's something for all ages.
"I think there are a lot of things to compete with when you come here," Gilmartin continued. "Our challenge is getting people down here. But once they get down here, I think they're really impressed."
Gilmartin said the best time to come out to the deck is near sunset. Guests can admire the rainbow of colors in the sky followed by the lights illuminating the city just minutes after.
For a romantic evening with a view, guests can also wine and dine at the Top of the World restaurant. This restaurant features a moving floor which takes a complete hour to rotate a full 360 degrees. After dinner, guests can relax in the intimate setting of Romance Lounge.

Springs Preserve


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special events
Desert Survivors: Discover the toughest Mojave animal around during this live animal show, featuring a desert night snake, desert tortoise, kangaroo rat, California kingsnake, desert tarantula, gopher snake, chuckwalla, desert iguana, Western banded gecko, pocket gopher, banded Gila monster, desert hairy scorpion, vinegaroon and desert banded centipede. Shows take place twice daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. through September 2 in the Big Springs Theater.  
Rainforest Adventure: Experience a multi-sensory expedition of the world's tropical rainforests daily June 2 through September 8, 2013 with hands-on exhibits such as a 9-foot kapok tree, a gorilla's nest and even a weaving loom.
Bet on the Farm: Every Thursday, shop a sustainable farmer's market from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m inside the Desert Living Center. The market includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, fresh eggs, honey, nuts, dates and locally roasted coffee, to name a few. Access is free.
Animals behind-the-scenes: Every Saturday and Sunday at noon inside the Origen museum, visitors can get up-close and personal with lizards, bugs and snakes with zoologists in the animal care area. Cost is $5 with paid general admission.

Springs Preserve Description


With the glittering lights and 24-hour action on the Las Vegas Strip, it’s easy to forget that the city is actually a hotbed of historical significance. It's also hard to imagine that the dry desert was once home to natural springs and abundant water.
Welcome to the Springs Preserve, the birthplace of fabulous Las Vegas. The 180-acre cultural and historic attraction sits on the site of those former springs, offering state-of-the-art exhibits, galleries, hiking trails, live animal shows and botanical gardens that teach visitors about the city’s rich heritage -- while also getting them to think about its future. The 70,000-square-foot Nevada State Museum is also located on the property.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Springs Preserve is run by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, the agency that manages the city's water and promotes conservation. From recreation to education, the entire family will enjoy this respite from the hustle and bustle of the Strip.
Origen Experience
Education about the past is a key component of the Springs Preserve and visitors can expand their knowledge at the Origen Experience. The museum teaches visitors about the springs' early inhabitants with three galleries, a traveling exhibit, theater, live animals, art projects and much more.
The Natural Mojave Gallery features interactive exhibits that explore the geological history of the Mojave Desert and the formation of the valley and springs. Kids can play with fossils, see how desert animals adapted and learn about erosion. A live-action flash flood demonstrates the danger of flooding in the valley as 5,000 gallons of recycled water comes crashing down every 20 minutes. 
Guests will encounter a myriad of wildlife that calls the desert home with an exhibit of live animals including Gila monsters, lizards, bats, snakes, leopard frogs, desert cottontail rabbits, desert tortoises, spiders, a gray fox and more. All the animals are native to the Mojave and many are bred on site at the Springs Preserve.
The People of the Springs Gallery includes 33 exhibits focusing on the city's cultural history and development. Visitors can tour reconstructions of Native American dwellings complete with native plants, walk through a multimedia recreation of the 1905 Las Vegas land auction and view actual news footage from the construction of Hoover Dam. The arrival of the railroad, which put Las Vegas on the map, is marked with an explorable train car. 
With today's challenge to find more water, several exhibits focus on water conservation, including one which shows the efficiency of local water conservation efforts. Despite a growth in population over the past 10 years, the city's water usage has decreased significantly.
Desert Living Center
The Desert Living Center is a complex of five buildings and 43 exhibits including a sustainability gallery, classroom and conference space. Exhibits, events and activities at the center demonstrate the benefits of recycling, conservation and alternative energy.
Here, visitors can see a model that shows the path water travels to reach residences and businesses, a "tower of trash" represents the amount of trash an average family accumulates in one month and a theater inside a real garbage truck wallpapered with recycled materials shows a film about trash and recycling. Guests can also play sustainable video games and view the exposed engine of a hybrid car to see how it works.
A model kitchen, bathroom, living room and laundry room demonstrates how you can save energy, water and money while keeping your home functional and attractive. The sustainable home utilizes energy-efficient appliances and features like bamboo flooring, cork tiles and low VOC paint. In the backyard, there is a cutaway of a drip irrigation system to help demonstrate sustainable landscaping.
Botanical Gardens
The award-winning Gardens at the Springs Preserve is a great place to take a relaxing, outdoor stroll while learning about desert vegetation. The 8-acre garden area -- which is particularly vibrant in the spring -- features a wide range of desert landscapes and showcases native and non-native plant life with interpretive stations and hands-on activities.
The garden contains more than 1,200 species of native and desert-adapted plants and more than 400 trees and plants, including herbs, vegetables, roses, cactus, palms and more. The garden also includes spaces for instruction on irrigation, gardening and landscaping.
The Trails
For those who enjoy hiking or biking, 3.65 miles of trails wind through the picturesque Springs Preserve and take visitors through both a cultural and environmental history of the Las Vegas valley. The trails lead to the Preserve's cienega, a desert wetland that serves as a home for hundreds of native plants, birds and animal species including peregrine falcons, snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons. A reconstructed cauldron pool depicts the natural springs that once existed beneath the valley. You will also see the original spring mound, which provided the city's main water source.
A historical, narrated train can carry up to 48 people on a 20-minute journey along the 2.2-mile Exploration Loop Trail. Rides are $5 for visitors who purchase admission. Railroad cottages representing the early settlement of Las Vegas are being restored on site and will eventually be part of the train route. Bike rentals are available on weekends and school holidays for $8 per hour.
Time to eat
The Springs Café isn't your ordinary dining experience. Operated by the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the restaurant offers healthy and delicious food choices, including a variety of vegetarian options. Guests can dine indoors or enjoy expansive views of the Strip and the Las Vegas valley from the patio.
Time to play
While the Springs Preserve offers numerous chances for kids to learn, it also offers them a place to play. A playground built to resemble a desert canyon with oversized wildlife replicas of a peregrine falcon, a wooly mammoth skeleton and a 50-foot snake are a favorite among the younger set.
Another area for children, dubbed the Nature Exchange, allows kids to find natural items and trade them in to learn more about them. Collectors gain points that can be used for trading for other items.
Other highlights at the Springs Preserve include an 1,800-seat outdoor amphitheater, a research library and a gift shop that offers unique books, toys and collectibles. Regular educational programming at the Springs Preserve includes classes on arts and crafts, cooking, cultural studies and sustainable living.
-- Review by Aleza Freeman & Kristine McKenzie

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