Christmas in Vegas

Christmas is almost upon us, so that can only mean one thing: Sin City! Because nothing says the holidays like gambling, showgirls and free-flowing booze.

Actually, today’s Vegas is a lot more family friendly than it used to be. Top-tier restaurants, stage shows and shopping are just some of the things Vegas has to offer (in addition to the sin, of course).

And the Strip, which is already lit up like Clark Griswold’s house the other 364 days of the year, really pulls out all the stops around the holidays. So if you’re planning on taking a trip to Vegas this holiday season, consider some of these festive things to do.

What’s Open?

Vegas is a pretty 24/7 kind of town. Most casinos never close, not matter what hour of day, and that includes Christmas. There will be plenty to keep you busy if the rabid excitement of waiting for Christmas morning keeps you from falling asleep on Christmas Eve (just like when you were a kid, but now with gambling!). However, while the casinos are always willing to take your money, some restaurants and live shows are on reduced schedules and might close on Christmas Day, so make sure to call ahead. 

Holiday Cactus Garden

Vegas is already a well-lit city, but around holiday time, they really bust out the bulbs. Of course, being Las Vegas, they don’t just trim the trees; they decorate the cacti as well. Ethel M Chocolates has converted a three-acre cactus garden into a holiday spectacle featuring more than half of a million lights. And on the weekends, school choirs will be on hand to serenade with Christmas carols.

Bellagio’s Christmas Tree

New York has Rockefeller Center, D.C. has the Capitol, but in Vegas, the tree to see is at the Bellagio. A 42-foot white fir towers over the hotel and casino’s botanical garden, adorned with 1,700 ornaments and 13,500 lights. On display until Jan. 2, the Bellagio’s tree is a sight not to be missed. And if the tree isn’t enough, check out the animatronics holiday panorama, featuring ice skating penguins.

Winter in Venice

Featuring the largest skating rink on the Strip, the Winter in Venice festival at the Venetian Hotel and Casino offers you the chance to take a twirl, or a spill on the ice, depending on your level of experience. In addition to ice skating, the festival, which runs through Jan. 8, also features Christmas lights, warm apple cider and light shows. 

Comme Ca Restaurant

Vegas has no shortage of restaurants, but if you want a refined take on a traditional Christmas dinner, check out Comme Ca, which will be offering a $49 three-course menu on Christmas Day. Featuring goose, Christmas ham, and roasted pumpkin, this menu is sure to hit all the right holiday flavors. And to cap off the evening, Comma Ca is hosting a “study of eggnog,” where diners will be able to delve into that most misunderstood of holiday drinks.

Adam Verwymeren is a Networx - http://www.networx.com - writer. Get home & garden ideas like this - http://www.networx.com/article/christmas-in-vegas - on Networx.