You can't miss this 30-storey pyramid fronted by a 10-storey high crouching sphinx. Inside is the world's biggest atrium, which is topped off by a beacon of light so strong it can be seen by astronauts. For a taste of Egyptian history, the King Tut Museum features exquisite reproductions of ancient artifacts.

The King may have left the building, but his impersonators and the largest private collection of his memorabilia are still very much in the house. It's gaudy, cheesy and over-the-top, but so was the man himself.

You'd think a museum devoted to 'The King' would be simply too much, but acolytes can't help falling in love with this place. There are 2000 personal items that once belonged to that big hunk o' love, for which the museum's fanatical owner paid a whopping $5 million. On display are such nifty collectibles as Presley's army uniform, a scintillating love letter to a girlfriend, even some of his cars. Curation isn't high on the list here; it's a random assortment and the museum may not leave you all shook up. It's worth the price of admission only for the 15-minute impersonator show, which takes place several times daily in a spooky cabaret-style venue. You'll see crowds here for the afternoon tribute shows, with multiple Kings in full regalia.

This casino hotel was the first of the ridiculously theatrical palaces that define modern Las Vegas. A fake volcano erupts hourly after dusk, with flames rising out of orange-coloured water and a deep rumble threatening to break windows.

When the Mirage opened in 1989, then-owner Steve Wynn boasted that his goal was to create a property 'so overriding in its nature that it would be a reason in and of itself for visitors to come to Las Vegas'. This $630-million resort could claim to be such a place.

Its tropical setting, replete with a huge rainforest atrium under a 100ft conservatory dome filled with jungle foliage, meandering streams and soothing cascades, captures the imagination. Woven into this waterscape are scores of bromeliads enveloped in sunlight and fed by a computerized misting system. Tropical scents waft through the registration area, which features an awesome 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium filled with pufferfish, tangs and pygmy sharks.

You can't really say you've been to Vegas without dropping in to this shrine, built to honour one of the city's true patron saints. The museum is crammed with Lib's outrageous sequined capes, rhinestone jewellery, flashy cars and fabulous candelabra.

Known and loved throughout the world as 'Mr Showmanship', Liberace was honoured during his lifetime with two Emmy Awards, six gold records and two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Following his death in 1987, just months after his final performances at New York's Radio City Music Hall, the late great entertainer was posthumously honoured with the creation of this outrageously cheesy off-Strip museum.

Liberace's favourite stage pianos - a rhinestone-encrusted Baldwin and a concert grand covered in mirrors - are not to be missed. Among the rare pianos on display are a hand-painted Pleyel on which Chopin played and a Chickering grand once owned by Gershwin. The lineup of Liberace's cars includes a hand-painted red, white and blue Rolls-Royce convertible, a Rolls-Royce clad entirely in mirror tiles, and a roadster covered in Austrian rhinestones.

Many visitors are enamored by Liberace's wardrobe and jewellery. Elaborately feathered capes, sequined suits and million-dollar furs are as funny as they are frightening in their oddity.

Time your visit to join one of the free guided tours led by passionate, but self-censorious Liberace fans ('Red Hatters'). Call ahead for schedules.

The Bellagio's lobby features an 18ft ceiling adorned with 2000 hand-blown glass flowers in vibrant colors. The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art showcases temporary exhibits by fantastic artists, and the massive artificial lake in front of this glam palace comes alive nightly with more than 1000 choreographed water jets.

One of the city's few veggie spots. It serves fresh Mediterranean fare such as baked eggplant with fresh garlic, baba ganoush, tabouleh and hummus. The adjacent Hookah Lounge is a tranquil place to chill with a water pipe and fig-flavoured cocktail.

What did Canter's bring over the state line from its landmark LA delicatessen? You guessed it: the infamously gruff service. Wave goodbye to all considerations of politeness then steal one of the seats at the stainless-steel counter or a mod booth for authentic deli fare that's as good as it gets.

How post-perestroika: a headless Lenin invites you to join your comrades for a vodka-heavy tipple in this postmodern Russian restaurant. There's a solid ice bar, a decent menu with a heavy leaning towards caviar, a huge selection of frozen vodkas and infusions - and loaner sable fur coats for when you step into the vodka locker to peruse the top shelf drops.

Houdini's, next to the baccarat area in the Monte Carlo Hotel, offers a dark and comfy respite from the clamour and glamour. Piano jazz, magic tricks and other entertainment may take place here, but even if they don't, this luxe lounge is still ideal for a soothing drink and tête-à-tête.

A speakeasy vibe pervades this sexy, but petite bi-level club. Ignore the crazy bachelorette antics and feast your eyes instead on the smoking-hot traditional burlesque acts backed up by a brassy three-piece jazz band. Acts appear on stage every 90 minutes, starting before midnight.

Capitalising on Rat Pack nostalgia, the Greek Isles tries to return the old Sands hotel's Copa Room to what it was in the 60s. The show faithfully replicates the gang's routines, with the same songs, politically incorrect jokes and some embarrassing behaviour by Marilyn Monroe.

Ol' Blue Eyes may not be convincing, but you'll fall in love with Dino and the fantastic live big band. If only the crowd had more young hipsters and fewer cranky senior citizens, it'd be aces.