0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello and welcome to Getaways.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- The show where we go... - ..where you want us to go.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12We're on a mission to check out
0:00:12 > 0:00:14some of your most popular holiday destinations.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24You've been sharing your top travel tips, telling us where to go...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26..and what to do when we get there.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37This week, we are on our way to the man-made desert oasis
0:00:37 > 0:00:38built especially for fun.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Yes, there's a 24-hour party paradise.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45We are going to the fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, baby.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Woo!- Vegas!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52There are charter flights available direct to Las Vegas,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56but the most popular route is combining a stopover in New York
0:00:56 > 0:00:59or Los Angeles, and taking a connecting flight.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05We've opted to fly to LA and take an American-style road trip
0:01:05 > 0:01:08across the desert to Las Vegas.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10The drive takes around four hours,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13but if you have the time then there's plenty to see along the way.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Michael Murray contacted us and said, "If you're going to Vegas
0:01:17 > 0:01:19"try and get off the freeway and do Route 66."
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- You can see what he means.- Exactly.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24It's the most iconic, romantic rock 'n' roll road in America.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- If you have the chance to drive it...- Do.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- Are you getting your kicks yet? - Yes, totally.- On Route 66.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32I feel like Thelma to your Louise.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Let's just keep driving, honey.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43The back road to Vegas takes you through the splendid Mojave Desert.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Don't rush this. Take your time to enjoy it.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49It's strangely beautiful and sizzling hot.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Now, one of the great things about taking a road trip such as this
0:01:53 > 0:01:56is you can take in some genuine Americana.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Behold, the world's tallest thermometer.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02As you can see, it's currently recording a mere 88 degrees.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06But, back in 1913, it recorded a temperature in nearby Death Valley
0:02:06 > 0:02:11of 134 degrees - that's 57 degrees Celsius in our money.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Now, it may not be the Eiffel Tower,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17but can the Eiffel Tower give you any indication of the weather? No.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22If exploring the desert is something you're into,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27then here in Baker you can take a left and head into Death Valley.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30But we're going direct to Vegas before sunset.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48Las Vegas is a unique city that has emerged from the Nevada Desert.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51100 years ago, it was a watering stop
0:02:51 > 0:02:53for wagon trains and the railroad,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56now it's a holiday destination like no other.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Las Vegas is an all-year-round, 24/7 playground for grown-ups.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06The casino doors never close, but we're going to find out
0:03:06 > 0:03:08if there's more to Vegas than just gambling.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15For anyone visiting, the first thing you want to do is take in the Strip,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17the four-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard
0:03:17 > 0:03:21that's home to the city's main hotels, casinos and attractions.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27This is probably where you'll spend most of your time
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and, indeed, most of your money during your stay.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'We're taking a limo ride to explore the Strip,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40'which actually isn't as extravagant as it might seem.'
0:03:44 > 0:03:46That's just all one hotel.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Yeah.- That's all one hotel. - Everything is huge here.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51'Today the Strip's ever-evolving skyline
0:03:51 > 0:03:54'is one of the most iconic in the world,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57'paying tribute to some of the world's most famous landmarks.'
0:04:01 > 0:04:03This is the most historic part of town.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06Some of these buildings are more than five years old!
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Las Vegas welcomes around 42 million visitors a year,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15staying in the city's 150,000 hotel rooms.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19That's right, you heard me, 150,000.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23So it is busy, with constant conferences, sporting events,
0:04:23 > 0:04:27hen and stag dos, and, of course, weddings.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Each casino hotel on the Strip has its own unique theme
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and their own attractions.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Inside the Venetian, there's a distinctly Italian flavour
0:04:35 > 0:04:38where you can experience the sounds and sights of Venice
0:04:38 > 0:04:40on a perfect summer's day.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42This is St Mark's Square, and what's hard to believe,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45I am INSIDE the Venetian hotel.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48All of this has been replicated from the original St Mark's Square
0:04:48 > 0:04:50in Venice. Jenny Elliott from Bangor told us
0:04:50 > 0:04:53we have to take a gondola ride on their working canal.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55I'm off to do that now.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01The Grand Canal passes through an upscale shopping mall -
0:05:01 > 0:05:02yeah, really -
0:05:02 > 0:05:06giving you a chance to eye up some shopping opportunities.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13116 gets you and a partner a 15-minute gondola ride
0:05:13 > 0:05:18along the canal, with your own personal gondolier serenading you.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20HE SINGS
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Looking at the queues, it's clearly very popular.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26HE SINGS
0:05:32 > 0:05:34The whole thing's incredible!
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Vegas is not just for adults.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47There are things for kids to do here as well,
0:05:47 > 0:05:52and deep inside the Mandalay Bay hotel is Shark Reef Aquarium,
0:05:52 > 0:05:55that's home to a range of exotic sea creatures.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56In fact, you can even get in a tank
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and scuba dive with some sharks.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00But not today - I...
0:06:00 > 0:06:01forgot my trunks.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08Even if it wasn't in the basement of a hotel,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12this is a pretty impressive aquarium in its own right,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16with over 2,000 animals including rays, piranha, sharks and jellyfish.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24You can get so close to the fish that you can even touch them.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And, no, there are no piranhas in this tank...
0:06:27 > 0:06:28I hope.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44For the real Vegas experience,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46you'll most likely want to stay on the Strip.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Standard rooms are spacious
0:06:48 > 0:06:52and will set you back around 150 to 200 a night,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54but do shop around for deals.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01We stayed at the Tropicana, on the southern end of the Strip.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04A double room costs from 149 a night.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09However, if during your time in Vegas you hit the jackpot
0:07:09 > 0:07:13and decide to go for an upgrade, you could opt for a high-roller suite.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The Sky Villa at the luxurious Aria
0:07:19 > 0:07:21has panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows
0:07:21 > 0:07:24for incredible views over Las Vegas.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26VIP services include your own private lift
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and 24-hour butler service.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30Nice.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Now, when you think of the history of Las Vegas,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40you immediately think of organised crime.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41And here at the old courthouse,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43they've now converted it into a museum.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52The National Museum of Organised Crime and Law Enforcement -
0:07:52 > 0:07:53aka The Mob Museum -
0:07:53 > 0:07:56deals with America's history of organised crime,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58going back over 100 years.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05The museum opened on the 14th of February 2012,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07on the 83rd anniversary of the notorious
0:08:07 > 0:08:10St Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12And this is the actual wall
0:08:12 > 0:08:15where the St Valentine's Day Massacre took place.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22Once prohibition ended, mobsters from Chicago, New York
0:08:22 > 0:08:26and Boston saw the opportunities Las Vegas had to offer.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Once gambling became legalised in the state of Nevada,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Las Vegas became a huge playground for the mob.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37This oasis in the desert became a gangster's paradise
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and Vegas got its reputation as Sin City.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Las Vegas Airport is right next to the Strip
0:08:50 > 0:08:53and there are regular helicopter tours of the city.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57But I'm heading to Boulder City Airport,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59a 30-minute drive from the Strip,
0:08:59 > 0:09:03to take an aerial tour of one of the wonders of the natural world -
0:09:03 > 0:09:04the Grand Canyon.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12RADIO CHATTER
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Lots of you told us to book your helicopter ride
0:09:15 > 0:09:16for early in the morning,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19when the air is smooth and the light is beautiful.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25Shortly after take-off, crossing the Arizona-Nevada border is Lake Mead,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28the largest reservoir in America.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Wow! That's the Hoover Dam,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33one of the most impressive man-made structures on the planet.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Without that, Las Vegas wouldn't exist.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37And for film fans -
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Superman. The original Superman, remember?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51We're following the route of the Colorado River
0:09:51 > 0:09:55and the scenery becomes very dramatic very quickly.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56And despite his youthful appearance,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59our pilot, Brad, is an excellent guide.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03At its steepest point, the Grand Canyon gets to about a mile deep,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07it's about 5,300 feet. Every sedimentary layer that we see
0:10:07 > 0:10:10represents an era in the Earth's history.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11That's amazing.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15If you can see just this black line that's just below the rim here...
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Yeah.- Can you pick that out? That's from the Jurassic period.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21So, in total, we're looking at nearly two billion years
0:10:21 > 0:10:24of the Earth's history here in the canyon walls.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26You can drive from Las Vegas out to the Grand Canyon
0:10:26 > 0:10:28in about four hours.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31But by helicopter it takes just 20 minutes
0:10:31 > 0:10:35and the only way to see this part of the canyon is from the air
0:10:35 > 0:10:37or by taking a boat along the river.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40It really is one of the last bits of American wilderness.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Yee-ha!
0:10:42 > 0:10:46I mean, what a way to see the Grand Canyon, eh?
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Wow!
0:10:52 > 0:10:53So beautiful.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01If the neon lights of the big city aren't for you
0:11:01 > 0:11:04then Mairead has been on a short break in County Fermanagh.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Self catering is always a good option
0:11:09 > 0:11:11when you're travelling with kids
0:11:11 > 0:11:13so I've brought my son, Daragh, along and we're going to check out
0:11:13 > 0:11:16some of the accommodation options, including glamping,
0:11:16 > 0:11:17on offer here in Fermanagh.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20And we're going to try out some activities on the lakes.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22Yay. What are you looking forward to trying?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Maybe fishing.- Fishing, yeah? Kayaking.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Our first stop is Finn Lough,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30an activity resort on Lower Lough Erne
0:11:30 > 0:11:34right on the Fermanagh-Donegal border.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37There's a range of self-catering lakeside lodges
0:11:37 > 0:11:39that can sleep up to six people.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43But we're venturing into the woods to check out
0:11:43 > 0:11:45these strange-looking domes.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51It might look like aliens have landed on the shores of Lough Erne,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55but these bubble domes are actually luxury bedrooms.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- Ah, this is nice.- The bed's so big.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Each bubble has a separate shower room and bedroom area,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10so you can feel like you're sleeping outdoors
0:12:10 > 0:12:12but with all the comforts of home.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20'Finn Lough has its own little marina.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Checking you. Good? OK, let's go.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23'And Daragh and I are taking advantage
0:12:23 > 0:12:27'of the beautiful conditions to explore Lough Erne.'
0:12:27 > 0:12:30OK, keep it straight.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Yeah, it's straight now.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32'These pedal kayaks are ideal
0:12:32 > 0:12:35for anyone with no experience of the water,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37'and, armed with a chart of the lough,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40'there are plenty of little islands and inlets for us to explore.'
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Look, Mum. Look, that's where we were, Finn Lough Resort,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48and now we're at Goat Island.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- See there?- Yeah.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55So I think we should go and see if we can find any goats.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- OK.- OK.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Now, keep a good eye out for these. - I will.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05I'll keep my good eye out. I've a pair of good eyes, actually.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07As you know.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10'We didn't find any goats and we can't afford to hang around all day,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'because Daragh has a fishing lesson booked.'
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- I'll show you how to cast it. - Yeah.- So...
0:13:16 > 0:13:20bring it back. All right, just give it a try.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Yeah, not too bad for your first try.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Niles is giving Daragh a lesson in the basics,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29but for the more serious fishermen, he can provide the right lures
0:13:29 > 0:13:33and equipment to catch trout, perch, or even pike on the lake.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35A pike would be nice.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Yeah, exactly. Maybe some perch as well.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40Come on.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43I can see one. Oh!
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Just seaweed.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48That's a lot of seaweed.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52So no fish or goats.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Ten minutes west of Finn Lough is another self-catering resort,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Rossharbour, with a variety of accommodation options
0:14:01 > 0:14:02perfect for families.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07You could stay in a wooden pod,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09ideal as a base for a fishing trip...
0:14:11 > 0:14:15..or you could rent this luxury four-bedroom house,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18with en suite bathrooms, that sleeps up to eight people.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25And there's plenty to keep Daragh entertained.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Plus I got to practise my penalties.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33SHE LAUGHS
0:14:35 > 0:14:38So, Daragh, what do you think of our little self-catering break?
0:14:38 > 0:14:42We've got the best few days Ireland has had all year, I think.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- Yeah.- We've been lucky. - 26 degrees.- Yeah, I know.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49So I think we're going to have to come back to Fermanagh.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51It's been lucky for us.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Very lucky. I think every time we come here,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57we have the lucky charm of sunny weather.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Yep. I think so, too.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05We're on a getaway to the entertainment Mecca
0:15:05 > 0:15:06that is Las Vegas.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11So far, we've been touring the Strip in a limo...
0:15:11 > 0:15:14..taking a gondola ride in a hotel...
0:15:14 > 0:15:17..and flying high over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Well, what do you think?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I'm thinking you've taken me to a giant construction site
0:15:28 > 0:15:30and I'm not very happy about it right now.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32You see, I can't fault you on that, you're not wrong.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- But I think you're going to dig this.- Oh, Joe!- Come on!
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Hey, guys, welcome to Dig This. OK?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39What you guys are going to do today,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42you're going to go out there and run those 20-tonne excavators,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- you're going to have the time of your life, OK?- OK.- Come on.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48All right, Walt, I'm a little bit nervous.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51'After a quick safety briefing from our instructor, Walt...'
0:15:51 > 0:15:53I want you to go left...
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'..remarkably, we're let loose on the controls of these excavators.'
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Ooh, I don't like that.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Woo-hoo-hoo!
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- Brilliant. - OK, can you see the bucket?- Yeah.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- No. Where's the bucket? - It's on the end of the arm.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Oh, that thing? Yeah, I see that.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12LAUGHING: "That thing"!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I was looking for a bucket that I clean my floors with.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19OK. Push forward with your left hand a little bit, Joe.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Your other left. Joe!
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Your left hand. Whoa! Whoa, whoa!
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Argh!
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- Stop! What are you doing?- I've got a heavy hand, what can I tell you?
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Our next big task is to move some of these great big tyres.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Might look easy, but believe me,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39there are a LOT of levers and buttons inside this thing.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46Squeeze the tyre.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49You have no idea how satisfying this is, look at it squish.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50- OK.- That's right, a bit more, Joe.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- Am I squeezing? Am I squeezing? - Yeah.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56You're good, Joe.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58OK, I want you to drive down there,
0:16:58 > 0:17:00and you're going to set that on the ground.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08No, no, no!
0:17:08 > 0:17:09What the...?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Go back and get the next tyre.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Look, Mairead, my bucket is laughing at you.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16SHE LAUGHS
0:17:20 > 0:17:24'OK, one more tyre to go and I'm determined to impress Walt.'
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Gently. A little more.- OK.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30- Right there.- OK.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Perfect. Bring it around.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Clean around.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Look at me go!
0:17:37 > 0:17:39That's the way to do it, good job.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Woohoo! OK.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49That was brilliant.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Even though I was really rubbish at it.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53You did great.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56If you're hungry, you can grab a snack
0:17:56 > 0:17:59just about anywhere along the Strip.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01However, Las Vegas is also home
0:18:01 > 0:18:04to some of the best restaurants in the world.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06One of the strip's newest fine-dining experiences
0:18:06 > 0:18:10is in the exclusive Bellagio Hotel.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Harvest by Roy Ellamar is all about
0:18:12 > 0:18:15locally-sourced seasonal ingredients.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16And the man himself, Roy,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19has prepared a selection of dishes for me to try.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24When you think Vegas, you don't automatically think fine dining.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27You know, you sometimes might think it's ribs and burgers
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and fries and that sort of thing.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31So what you're doing here is a little bit different.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Well, that and also the concept is a little bit different.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Bringing the farm-to-table feel to the Strip is different.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42I mean, we're in the Bellagio, it's the nicest hotel on the Strip.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- It's VERY nice.- And so we have to cater to that clientele
0:18:44 > 0:18:48and still provide a luxury product.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Do you think you have to work a little bit harder
0:18:50 > 0:18:53because not only are you running this place,
0:18:53 > 0:18:54but your name is over the door?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- I have to be here every day.- Yeah.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Having your name on the door, that's a big responsibility, you know?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- Yeah.- But it's good. It keeps me going,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04it keeps me motivated and it keeps me hungry for more.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Yeah, well, listen, speaking of hunger -
0:19:06 > 0:19:07- me, I'm hungry now.- Good segue.- Mm.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12While Mairead is going for some fine dining,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I'm going for a Las Vegas classic, the all-you-can-eat buffet.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23In the 1940s, the Las Vegas buffet was designed as a loss-leader
0:19:23 > 0:19:25to attract gamblers to the casinos.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Here at the Wicked Spoon in the Cosmopolitan,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31they've brought the concept right up-to-date.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Just about everything you can imagine on offer,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37from breakfast to dinner and everything in between.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42If maintaining a beach body is important,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44maybe Vegas isn't the place for you.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48This is just some of the array of food here at the Wicked Spoon
0:19:48 > 0:19:52at the Cosmopolitan. And this does not even include the desserts.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54But you know me, I like a challenge.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Come on.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03The Las Vegas Strip is constantly evolving,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05but if you want to get a flavour of old-school Vegas,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07then you need to head downtown,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10and Fremont Street is where old meets new.
0:20:13 > 0:20:1750 years ago, Fremont Street was the beating heart of Las Vegas,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19featuring some iconic neon signs
0:20:19 > 0:20:22that have been Vegas' trademarks ever since.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Today, the street has been transformed
0:20:28 > 0:20:30into a pedestrianised theme park experience.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35It's like being at one big street party,
0:20:35 > 0:20:36Vegas style.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Loads of people recommended we take a trip downtown
0:20:43 > 0:20:46to old Fremont Street, including Tony Miller,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Paul Slaughter and Aidan Walsh, and they all said this place
0:20:49 > 0:20:51has a real vintage Vegas vibe to it,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53it's really relaxed and the best part about it,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55it's much cheaper than the main Strip.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Julia Hyland and Jolene Harbinson said, if you come to Fremont Street,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00you've got to do the zip line.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Now, I'm terrified of heights. Thanks, girls(!)
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- LAUGHING:- Thanks, girls! You'll be grand.- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Walking up this street,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18you can't take your eyes off the illuminated canopy overhead,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21with its constantly changing kaleidoscope of colour.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29But the centrepiece of the Fremont Street Experience is Slotzilla,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32a 12-storey-high slot machine-inspired thrill ride.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Now, Slotzilla has two zip wires, a lower one that you sit on
0:21:41 > 0:21:44and drift sedately along the street and a higher one,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47for adrenaline junkies where you fly up to 40mph,
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Superman-style.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56For some reason, known only to the viewers of this programme,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01I'm taking the higher one, from the tenth floor, 114 feet up.
0:22:03 > 0:22:04If you're from Belfast,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07it's like jumping off the very top of the Albert Clock
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and flying 500 yards down High Street.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Did I mention that I was scared of heights?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21The worst bit is the waiting,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23but once you're trussed up and suspended from the wire,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25there's no real going back...
0:22:25 > 0:22:28In three, two, one...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Argh!
0:22:30 > 0:22:32..so you may as well enjoy the ride.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37HE SINGS SUPERMAN THEME TUNE
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Woo!
0:22:44 > 0:22:45Woo-hoo-hoo!
0:22:49 > 0:22:51This is incredible!
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Oh!
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Yeah!
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Woo-hoo-hoo!
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Hello!
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Whoa!
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Now that was fun.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30When I found out we were coming to Vegas,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33this place was the first that sprung to mind.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36It is top of the list of things I wanted to show you.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Also recommended by Kat Kirk from Belfast,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Julie Stewart from Lisburn and Clodagh Holohan on Twitter.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Ladies and gentlemen, this is The Neon Museum.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56The Neon Museum Boneyard was first created in 1996,
0:23:56 > 0:23:58but officially opened to the public
0:23:58 > 0:24:01here on the site of La Concha Motel in 2012.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05And it's an Aladdin's cave of old signs.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12You can still imagine these beauties lighting up the Las Vegas Strip
0:24:12 > 0:24:14back in their heyday.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17The Boneyard has more than 200 signs
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and I love the way they've just been left to decay naturally
0:24:20 > 0:24:22in the desert sun.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26And each sign tells its own story, like the Stardust sign.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29In 1958, it was the largest sign on the Strip
0:24:29 > 0:24:33and used 11,000 bulbs and 7,000 feet of neon tubing.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Hour-long guided tours are available seven days a week at the Boneyard
0:24:37 > 0:24:40and tour guide Ian Zeitzer is filling me in
0:24:40 > 0:24:43on the history of these neon delights.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45What is it that people kind of resonate with,
0:24:45 > 0:24:46to come to a museum like this?
0:24:46 > 0:24:49I mean, I love it cos I'm a big fan of neon signs, generally.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51But, for people coming here, what is it they love about it?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54You know, it's different for every guest.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Some guests have only seen Vegas in movies, in television shows,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01and they come here and they literally are face-to-face
0:25:01 > 0:25:04with all the images and all the ideas they had in their head
0:25:04 > 0:25:06and what this city was all about.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Every guest that comes in is able to pull something different
0:25:09 > 0:25:11from what we've presented here.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15I'm just wondering, Ian, would you maybe have a giant "J", for example,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18that you're maybe looking rid of? You don't need any more?
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Actually, this is a permanent collection.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23So, unfortunately, nothing's leaving this afternoon.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25It was all going so well, Ian.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- Thank you very much. - Thank you, thank you.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34If you're feeling loved up, Vegas is truly the place to be.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36It's famous for its wedding chapels.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38This particular one, this is where Britney Spears,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Joan Collins and Bruce Willis all got married.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44But I think we can do better.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- Hiya.- Hi, how are you?
0:25:47 > 0:25:49AS ELVIS: Howdy, Priscilla, how are you?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Hey, Elvis. Where are we off to next?
0:25:52 > 0:25:53Well, let me tell you something,
0:25:53 > 0:25:56it's not at the end of Lonely Street, Teddy Bear,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- it's a surprise. - Am I going to like this surprise?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01You're going to love it, you're going to love it, tender.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Olivia from Drogheda recommended getting married in Las Vegas.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06She and her husband did.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Around 80,000 weddings take place every year in Las Vegas.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14And who better to conduct the service but the King himself?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- Look at this place. - Look! Jon Bon Jovi got married here.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Andie MacDowell, the actress. I love her.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Elvis will see you, now.- OK.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27All hail to the King, baby.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Hello, Elvis.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34'Now, I hate to break it to you, Joe, but Elvis Presley died in 1977.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38'Our Elvis isn't really Elvis, he's actually called Brendan Duffy.'
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Elvis, this is a fantastic place you have here.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42- Thank you very much.- I love it.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45So you conduct the wedding services for everyone here?
0:26:45 > 0:26:48If they want. Some people want traditional...
0:26:48 > 0:26:50A minister will do that too and I'll just, you know,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53be part of their ceremony. But if they want Elvis to do
0:26:53 > 0:26:55the whole thing, we marry them and send them on their way.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57- How long have you been doing this? - 21 years.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Which, the other day, I was thinking,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01that's as long as Elvis was famous, 21 years.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03So I've been doing Elvis as long as Elvis did Elvis.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06- Wow.- You look really like him. - Thank you, it's all the surgery.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- It's good.- You've not had any done, though, right?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- No, no. I've just done my hair. - Have you always looked like Elvis?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I guess. When I started to dye my hair black,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15then people started saying, you know...
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Back when it was pink in a Mohawk, I never got...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- You didn't look like Elvis, then, no.- It got no reference then.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21But we go with it now.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Well, seeing as we're here, come on, give us a wee number.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26All right, I'll do one of the most romantic songs we do here.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27Have a seat.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31# Wise men say
0:27:31 > 0:27:37# Only fools rush in
0:27:37 > 0:27:43# But I can't help
0:27:43 > 0:27:48# Falling in love with you. #
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- THEY APPLAUD - Thank you very much.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Yeah!- Thank you very much.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- That's made my day. - That has made this trip.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06You know, I really hoped that Vegas was more about just gambling.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09And it actually is. Now they're pushing more towards experiences
0:28:09 > 0:28:11and fine dining and the shows. It's amazing.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Yeah, I was here ten years ago
0:28:13 > 0:28:15and this experience, for me, is totally different.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17I mean, you can pack your day with fun stuff
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- and avoid the casinos altogether, you know?- Yeah. Totally.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22It's brilliant. It's the kind of city I think everyone should see,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- at least once.- I would agree.
0:28:24 > 0:28:29And remember, Mairead, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31OK, Joe, tell that to the cameraman.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33- Oh, yeah, that guy.- Mm.