Many visitors to Las Vegas would rather spend all or part of their vacation day in a shop-ping mall than a casino. Las Vegas has responded to that wish. On the Strip alone the shop-per has many varied options, and more still when considering other malls and shopping centers. Outlets also abound. For example, towards downtown one finds Las Vegas Premium Outlets; at the southern end of the Strip stands the Las Vegas Outlet Center; and even at the border with California one can shop at Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas. Naturally, Downtown Las Vegas has arranged for shopping excitement as part of the renewal around the Fremont Street area and the Fremont Street Experience. If that is not enough, Las Vegas also has many other shopping districts and shopping areas that mainly attract the local crowd.

Bonanza Gift Store

Self-proclaimed as the world’s largest gift shop, the Bonanza Gift and Souvenir Shops can be found at the corner of the Strip and Sahara Avenue, at the northern end. The specialty is Las Vegas logo merchandise, but there are what seems like acres of novelties and other items. For example, a popular item is a motion-activated parrot doll that swears at passers-by. Though 180 degrees away from the elegance and taste of the Forum Shoppes or the Grand Canal, this superstore of kitsch is a “must do” place for that perfect souvenir of Las Vegas to take back home for the boss.

Boulevard Mall

Boulevard Mall is nearby at the corner of Desert Inn Road and South Maryland Parkway. Just take Desert Inn Road east from the Strip. It’s a few blocks past the crossing with Paradise Road, on the right. (The address is 3528 South Maryland Parkway). There are 140 different shops and restaurants. Many well-known designers and labels are represented here. Out of town visitors can access special offers and discounts with a “Premier Passport,” which can be obtained at the customer service center.

Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas

In Primm, Nevada, just on the border with California on I-15, the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas offers over 100 outlet stores with name brand merchandise at discounted prices. Examples of the brands and stores (an incomplete sample to be sure) found in this shopping megaplex are: Aeropostale, Ann Taylor, Anne Klein, Bally, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Burberry, Coach, G by Guess, GAP, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, Maidenform, Nautica, Neiman Marcus, NIKE, Nine West, Old Navy, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok, Timberland, Tommy Bahama Bungalow, Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, Williams-Sonoma, and Zale’s.

Fashion Show Mall

The Fashion Show Mall shopping extravaganza boasts being one of the largest shopping centers in the country. There are six “anchor” department stores: Macy’s, Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s Home, and Sax Fifth Avenue. The shopper will find a total of more than 250 establishments in this mall, including 34 restaurants and other sorts of eateries or drinkeries, and stores like Apple, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, J. Crew, Borders, Guess, Brighton, Coach, Body Shop, Sharper Image, Lacoste, Bally of Switzerland, Border’s, Bath & Body Works, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Brookstone, Fila, Nine West, Build-a-Bear, Tommy Bahama, Frederick’s of Hollywood, and Ann Taylor. The mall is on the corner of Spring Mountain Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South, with the entrance on Spring Mountain Road. The double-decker Deuce Bus stops right at that intersection.

Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian

Shopping at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian is a little like taking a trip to Italy. There are cobblestone walkways and Venetian façades on the buildings. There is a gondola ride, complete with singing gondolier. In addition, the area offers fine dining opportunities. Shoppes stay open until 11 at night, midnight on weekends. Ambulatory performers in costume circulate during the day and put on mini-shows for the crowds. The array of shops and boutiques tells the shopper that this is a first-class locale. One can expect to see the famous designer names here, as well as the ultimate in gifts, art for sale, and luxury foods. The shopper will find about 100 shop, carts and boutiques at the Grand Canal.

Las Vegas Outlet Center

Las Vegas Outlet Center is operated by Chelsea Premium Outlets, the same company that owns and runs the Premium Outlets north of the Strip. This center is located at 7400 Las Vegas Boulevard South, below McCarran International Airport. It is right off the Blue Diamond exit of I-15. The 130 outlet stores offer many well-known brands (like Adidas, Bose and Coach, to pick three at random), in many different categories. Visitors find house wares and home furnishings, women’s shoes, fashion and accessories, men’s fashion, sportswear, children’s clothes and toys, jewelry, perfumes and cosmetics, luggage, gifts, electronics and specialty items.

Las Vegas Premium Outlets

Las Vegas Premium Outlets is off I-15 just as you leave downtown, but before arriving at the Strip. 875 South Grand Cen-tral Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89106 This mall has 435,000 square feet of shopping. The outdoor mall is laid out to recreate the feeling of being in a small village. Over 120 outlet stores offer discounts on branded merchandise, including Banana Republic, Bose, Crabtree & Evelyn, Coach, Armani, Ann Taylor, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren, Guess, Bass, Eddie Bauer and Levis. There is a food court, including lots of sweet choices, and lots of free parking.

Meadows Mall

Meadows Mall is at 4300 Meadows Lane. To get there, take US 95 north to South Valley View Road and head south at Exit 78. Turn right into the center. Alternatively, take Sahara Road west to South Valley View road and head north. Meadows Mall has a J.C. Penny, Dillard’s, Macy’s and Sears. Over 140 specialty stores and restaurants are at Meadows mall, meandering in two levels through the large complex, offering home furnishings, ap-parel, movies, sports and gifts.

Miracle Mile

The Shops in Desert Passage used to be the name of a large shopping area linked to the Aladdin Hotel and Resort. Now that property is being branded and operated by Planet Hollywood. The shopping area has been refurbished (at a 50 million price tag) and renamed “The Miracle Mile.” In truth, the retail space extends for a mile and a half and includes 170 stores, 34 restaurants, and live entertainment venues. Many of the most recognizable names in fashion are represented here, as well as electronics, house wares and other categories. The shopping area has also added a number of retailers described as “funky,” presumably implying that they are curious, offbeat and up-to-the-minute, fashion-wise. The web site address chosen by the mall operators is “canyouhandlethismuchshopping.com.”

Neonopolis

Neonopolis has three Levels of 4 sections each, offering home furnishings, apparel, movies, restaurants, specialty shops, art and gifts. It’s at 450 Fremont Street, on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Fremont Street. From the Strip, go north to Carson, turn left, then right on 4th street. This area is part of a 10-year downtown renewal program, and abuts the Fremont Street Experience. Lots of evening entertainment, in addition to the cinemas can be found here.

Showcase Mall

Right by the MGM Grand, the Showcase Mall has the only first-run movie theater on the Strip. For kids and adults, Gameworks has built an elaborate installation of electronic fun and challenges. There is a 75-foot rock climbing wall. Both Ethel M’s chocolate and M&M’s World have shops (and entertainment) here. There is a restaurant (La Salsa) and a food court. Adidas maintains a 20,000 square foot “performance center” at the Showcase Mall. Coca-Cola, Houdini, the Grand Canyon Experience (gifts) and many other retailers offer shopping, fun and entertainment to visitors. Parking is available for $3.

The District

The District shopping Mecca is at Green Valley Ranch, Station Casinos’ entrant in the new urban lifestyle approach to resort planning. It is located in Henderson, just a few minutes south and east of the Strip. (Take I-215 from the Strip or I-15 east for 5 miles to Green Valley Parkway exit south, Right on Paseo Verde and right onto Carnegie.) This mini-urban location mixes retail, restaurants, offices and lofts. “Main Street” has over 40 shops, stores, boutiques and eateries. Shoppers can browse down the cobblestone walks and enjoy the parks. Many of the stores are unique for Las Vegas, including Anthropologie, Coldwater Creek and REI. Recognizable anchor tenants include Williams-Sonoma, The Sharper Image and the Pottery Barn. Boutiques like Jos. A. Banks (men’s clothing), Roni Josef Design, White House/Black Market and J. Jill (women’s apparel) are present here. The District is relaxed, inviting shoppers to take their time and pop into a bar or restaurant for a meal or refreshment.

The Forum Shops at Caesars

The Forum Shops at Caesars was a pioneer in the department of shopping-as-a-destination-resort activity. There are more than 160 shops and boutiques of famous designer fashion and name-brand merchandise. There are 13 restaurants and gourmet food shops. This is a sampling of the shops at Caesars: Louis Vuitton, Bvlgari, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Christian Dior, Valentino, Gucci, Fendi, and Harry Winston. Nearby, also at Caesars Palace, is the Appian Way, a second group of shops and boutiques. There is a circular escalator in the Forum Shops, and a heroic reproduction of Michelan-gelo’s David at the Appian Way.