Enter an underwater world at Shark Reef.

Located in the hot, dry Mojave Desert and hundreds of miles from the Pacific Ocean, one might not expect Las Vegas to be home to a variety of marine life, including sharks, dolphins and sting rays. Luckily, Las Vegas has always made the unconventional into a reality. Today, millions of gallons of blue seawater fill several aquarium attractions to provide visitors an up-close view of the world’s most fascinating marine animal species.

A favorite for our family is the Shark Reef, located inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, it is North America’s only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. Filled with over 1.6 million gallons of seawater, Shark Reef’s aquariums are home to more than 2,000 sea animals, including several species of sharks, along with saw fish, giant rays, endangered sea turtles, piranha, jelly fish and the rare golden crocodiles.

A popular exhibit, especially for young children, is the petting pool where visitors can touch the wet, velvety skin of sting rays as they glide by in shallow water. A washing station is conveniently located adjacent to the pool to clean the hands of curious kids.

Shark Reef's sting ray petting pool is a big hit.

Glowing jelly fish float calmly at Shark Reef.

Shark Reef is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. General admission is $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children age five to 12. Children under four years old are free. Packages are a great buy and come with photos and souvenirs for the whole family or dinner at Mandalay Bay’s Bayside Buffet. Tickets may be purchased online or at the main entrance to Shark Reef.

Another great close encounter with marine life is at The Mirage where Siegfried & Roy’s 2.5-million-gallon Dolphin Habitat is home to a pod of Atlantic bottle nose dolphins. The habitat consists of four connected pools containing an artificial coral reef system and sandy bottom. Opened in 1991 with the purpose of educating the public about marine mammals and their environment, the habitat offers visitors the opportunity to see natural behaviors of dolphins.

Huf n Puff (mom) and new calf at The Mirage Dolphin Habitat.

Visitors are also invited to make their vacation an unforgettable experience by taking part in the Dolphin Trainer for a Day program. Participants get to work side-by-side with dolphin trainers as they participate in daily activities with the dolphins, including playing, training and feeding them. Participants must be at least 13 years old. However, participants 13 to 15 years old require an adult in the program to accompany them, either as a participant or an observer.

For general admission, group VIP and Dolphin Training for a Day prices, call     (702) 792-7889     .

For families on a budget, there are several other aquariums to visit at no cost. At The Mirage, wander over to the main lobby and see the enormous aquarium filled with a variety of fish and sharks of all sizes. Inside The Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, an aquarium filled with tropical fish is located across from the Cheesecake Factory. It provides an excellent view while waiting to be seated for dinner.

The recently remodeled Silverton Lodge & Casino is also home to several colorful salt and fresh-water aquariums, all of which are free to the public. The main 117,000 gallon aquarium contains an artificial reef and more than 4,000 tropical fish from all over the world, three species of stingrays and three species of sharks. The octagonal aquarium offers premier viewing on all sides.

The adjacent Mermaid Lounge features two colorfully lit 500-gallon jellyfish aquariums and the nearby entrance to the Bass Pro Shop features an 18,000 gallon water feature stocked with over 100 Koi fish. Inside the large Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts there are additional freshwater aquariums, including a 4,000 gallon representation of a spring fed Nevada stream stocked with trout and a 20,000 gallon Nevada lake display stocked with channel catfish, huge carp and bass.

With so many aquarium attractions in Las Vegas, ocean lovers can experience the beauty of exotic marine life while also enjoying the excitement of Las Vegas. You’ll forget you’re in the desert.

Photos by Jason Roth and The Mirage.

Experience the exhilaration as America’s aerial power takes center stage at Aviation Nation in Las Vegas. Presented by the U.S. Air Force and sponsors each November at Nellis Air Force Base, the two-day event is considered one of North America’s largest and most spectacular air shows. 

This year’s event takes place Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9. General admission is free making it an affordable and fun-filled event for a Veteran’s Day weekend family getaway.

The theme for Aviation Nation 2008 is “U.S. Air Force of the 21st Century – Air, Space and Cyberspace.” Some of the nation’s top civilian air performers as well as several military air warbirds and demonstration teams will participate, including the world-famous, Las Vegas-based Thunderbirds.

The event will also celebrate the history of American aviation and salute the recent accomplishments of America’s military in operations around the globe through air demonstrations and ground displays.

Las Vegas visitors and locals will have the opportunity to get up close to some of the world’s most remarkable flying machines spanning from the WWII era to today. More than 100 military and civilian aircraft are expected to be showcased, including the Air Force’s new supersonic stealth fighter, the F-22A Raptor, the MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15 Eagle, and the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force, the B-1B Lancer.

The gates open at 9 a.m. each day. For the aerial demonstrations, visitors are welcome to bring a folding lawn chair or blanket into the event. With the roar of supersonic aircraft, hearing protection is recommended for children and others with sensitive ears. As with any outdoor event, sunscreen and hats are also encouraged as Las Vegas experiences intense sunshine even during the cooler autumn months.

Parking at the nearby Las Vegas Motor Speedway is free with shuttle service provided to and from the event gate for a donation of $3.00 per person or $1.00 per child under the age of 10. Visitors without vehicles are encouraged to check with their hotel for complimentary or paid shuttle service to the event. Taxi service is also available as an option.

Photos courtesy of Chris Evans/7s.

Beyond the neon and glitz of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip lie numerous opportunities for families to discover Southern Nevada’s colorful and often overlooked natural landscape. From flourishing desert meadows to red, rusty cliffs to pine tree-covered mountain peaks, just a short drive from The Strip visitors can experience hours of exploration and fun.

Located in the middle of the city and built on the site of the birthplace of Las Vegas, visitors can start their adventures at the 180-acre Springs Preserve, offering a glimpse at the region’s geology, desert plant-life and numerous animal species that call Southern Nevada home. Children are amazed by the wild jackrabbits, lizards, insects and desert tortoises on display at the Origen Experience. For those not afraid of getting a little wet, a popular exhibit is the flash flood simulator where visitors experience the exhilarating rush of water that results from the summer rains in the area deserts, canyons and mountains. 

The Springs Preserve also features nearly two miles of picturesque walking trails and lush gardens. Bottled water is recommended for exploration during the hot summer months. A visit to the Springs Preserve is also not complete without lunch at the Café by Wolfgang Puck. Pick a spot on the terrace and enjoy a view of the gardens and the nearby Las Vegas Strip. General Admission prices range from $6.95 to $18.95 and annual family passes are a great bargain for frequent visits.

A 25-minute drive west from the Las Vegas Strip is the 197,000-acre Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Once the bottom of a vast ocean, millions of years of exposure and oxidation have created a breath-taking canyon of red and orange. A 13-mile, one-way scenic drive through the canyon provides many picture-taking opportunities. For adventurous families, nearly 20 trails offer easy, moderate or strenuous hikes into the canyon where wild burros and other animals roam and ancient petroglyphs await discovery. Designated picnic and camping areas are also available.  Maps and information on seasonal trail conditions can be found at the Visitor’s Center near the entrance to the canyon. Like the Springs Preserve, bottled water is recommended for exploration during the hot summer months. Entry into Red Rock Canyon is $5.00 per vehicle with annual passes available for purchase.

Rising high above the Las Vegas Valley to the northwest, Mt. Charleston offers visitors a dramatic change in climate and scenery. The highest peak of the Spring Mountains Range in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mt. Charleston’s temperatures are typically 20 to 30 °F lower than in Las Vegas, making it a popular place for visitors to escape the heat of the desert floor. Mountain biking, hiking, picnicking and camping are popular summertime activities atop the mountain, as is enjoying the spectacular views. Winter transforms the mountain into a snow-covered playground for sledding and snow play. The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort features 11 trails for beginners, intermediate and skilled winter sports enthusiasts. Ski and snowboarding lessons are available for both adults and children. Equipment rental, restaurants and bars are all onsite.

For accommodations on the mountain, the Mt. Charleston Lodge features 23 comfortably furnished log cabins nestled along a mountain ridge. The Mt. Charleston Hotel features 62 charming bedrooms, with a choice of mini-suites, king suites and a Presidential suite. Early booking is recommended for the holiday season.

Photos: Red Rock Canyon by Superfish/Springs Preserve by Jason Roth

Ahhh, Las Vegas. How shall I describe thee? Shall I liken thee to a summer day? Or to an old lover you still can’t shake your feelings for? Are you like any other city, but more so? Or are you but a mirage, a fata morgana? Certainly you are not Like a Virgin. But I can say this: you are a destination for which opinions vary widely. Some people love you. Many people hate you. Few have mixed feelings. But even among those who love you, it often  comes with a time limit, or recommended dosage (avg recommended dosage: two days).

On my most recent trip – six guys celebrating a 40th birthday – we dutifully adhered to the two day rule. But for two days, we really did rule.  We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel where the pool scene is like Spring Break for the 30+ set. We dined at Nobu where we discovered a small amount of Kobe Beef can cost $190. And in what is probably the smartest idea our 40-year old friend ever had, we got a private rooftop table at Pure atop Caesar’s Palace Hotel. Truly if there is a heaven worthy of two days time, it was this.

The thought of staying for the Hard Rock’s Rehab party on Sunday was tempting, but like Amy Winehouse, we said “No, No, No“. Low on money, lacking in sleep, and ready for spring break to be over, we happily headed home on Sunday.

I heard a metaphor that is my new favorite: Vegas is like Cotton Candy. The first few bites make you say, “wow, this is great”. By about the third bite, you start to think that your teeth will rot off and by bite five (if you get that far) your stomach is upset. So stop after two bites.

What is your maximum Vegas time limit? And what is your favorite Vegas metaphor?

Photo courtesy of basic sounds.