The Las Vegas Strip offers quite a few experiences for those of you who don\u2019t gamble or aren\u2019t the nightclub type. Here is a list of ten classic non-gaming experiences hand-picked by the Local Arrangements Committees. Most of us have experienced one or more of these ourselves and can recommend them to even the most discerning sightseer. Some are free, some come at the price of a cocktail, and others have an admission fee, but all will give you a taste of the city\u2019s opulence while minimizing the commercial aspect. <\/i><\/p>\n
Broadway in Las Vegas<\/strong> Bellagio Fountains<\/b><\/a> Bellagio Conservatory<\/b><\/a> Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Art Walks at City Center & Cosmopolitan Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage St. Mark\u2019s Square at the Venetian Gondola Ride at the Venetian<\/b><\/a> The Waterfall Atrium & Gardens of The Palazzo Lake of Dreams show at the Wynn<\/a> Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay<\/b><\/a>
\nFor those RBMS folks who want to enjoy some off-Strip entertainment, check out the Smith Center for the Performing Arts<\/a>\u00a0in downtown Las Vegas. The wildly-popular Book of Mormon<\/a> musical will be playing at the Smith Center during the last week of June. If you\u2019re interested, you\u2019ll want to make reservations soon for this sure to be sold out show. Catch a taxi in front of Bally\u2019s to get to the Smith Center but give yourself at least 30-45 minutes with traffic to get there just in case. You can buy drinks and small bites in the Mezzanine Lounge.<\/p>\n
\nThere\u2019s a reason they were voted #1 on the top ten list of national landmarks. Graceful, beautiful, and magical, the swaying fountains of the Bellagio make even Las Vegas locals misty-eyed. You can stand around the lake or watch across the street for free; a number of restaurants in the Bellagio, Paris and Cosmopolitan provide outstanding views if you feel like springing for a gourmet dinner.<\/p>\n
\nIf you love the sights and smells of an ocean of fresh flowers, take a stroll around the Conservatory to view the amazing gardens which will be themed for summer during the RBMS Pre-Conference. The best part is that they are free, but come early<\/i> to avoid crowds \u2013stop by Jean Phillipe Patisserie around the corner for crepes, coffee and amazing French pastry.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/a>Fine art on the Las Vegas Strip? It\u2019s not an oxymoron! Try the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art which will be hosting the exhibit: Painting Women: Works from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston during RBMS LV. There is an admission charge.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>The City Center development next to the Bellagio features a unique display of public art with works by Henry Moore, Maya Lin, Claes Oldenburg and many others.\u00a0 Enjoy a free evening art walk to avoid June\u2019s high daytime temperatures. The artworks are strategically placed around the center\u2019s architecture and in the hotels. Check out the slideshow of the art and its locations around City Center. <\/a>For an indoor art experience, check out some of the unique art installations at the Cosmopolitan Hotel<\/a> just adjacent to City Center.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/b>Lions and tigers and bears oh my! Well, no bears, but white lions and tigers for sure as well as many other beautiful creatures including a family of bottlenose dolphins. There is a charge for admission but you can enjoy the Mirage\u2019s Aquarium and Atrium<\/a> for free.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>What can we say – all the romance of Venice without the pigeons! Yes, they are faux cobblestones and the sky and clouds are painted on, but there is real gelato, violinists, and living sculptures at regular intervals. Enjoy standing on a bridge and watching the gondolas float by. No charges involved unless you decide to buy gelato or dinner at one of the restaurants surrounding the square.<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019ve always wanted to go on a romantic gondola ride but couldn\u2019t afford a plane ticket to Italy, it\u2019s the next best thing, and a lot less expensive. You\u2019ll enjoy both the interior and exterior of the Venetian as your singing gondolier guides you the throw the hotel\u2019s winding canals. Yes, it\u2019s a little surreal but hey, it\u2019s Las Vegas.\u00a0 Ticket prices vary.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>The Palazzo is the sister property to the Venetian and continues the Italian theme. Enjoy the peaceful waterfall atrium and gardens which will feature summer flowers during RBMS LV. There is an Espressamente Illy nearby to satisfy any espresso cravings. Afterwards, take the very tall escalator upstairs to visit Bauman’s Rare Books.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>A 40-foot waterfall and pine-topped mountain surround the picturesque Lake of Dreams at the Wynn. This is a relatively hidden gem, and can be viewed for the price of a cocktail at the south show terrace. The Wynn and its sister property, Encore, are quite lovely and worth a stroll and a cocktail or coffee.<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re really trying to beat the heat, try visiting the shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay. It\u2019s a little bit further away and you\u2019ll want to take a taxi to Mandalay Bay (do not attempt walking in June\/July!). It\u2019s shady and cool inside, and the aquarium features over 2000 creatures swimming around including sawfish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, jellyfish and a golden crocodile. There is an admission charge.<\/p>\nElevated Experiences<\/h4>\n