霓虹媚景不夜天——拉斯维加斯

　　
　　All the action is centered on one broad avenue that stretches from the southern fringe of the city northward for a dozen miles until it reaches the heart of old downtown. This is Las Vegas Boulevard, commonly known as "the Strip". McCarran International Airport is located adjacent to the southern end of the Strip, and nearly all of the major casinos are lined up along its sides. A drive down Las Vegas Boulevard takes you past the pyramid of Luxury casino, the skyline of New York casino, the Eifel Tower of Paris casino, the great tent of the Circus casino and the lofty tower of the Stratosphere casino. Eventually, it takes you to downtown Vegas and Fremont Street, home of the historic old gambling parlors like Binyons and the Golden Nugget. Just driving down the strip past all these spectacular casino resorts is a fantastic experience. At night, "the strip" comes alive with miles of colored neon and millions of dancing, pulsating lights.
　　
　　Las Vegas Shows
　　拉斯维加斯：歌尽桃花裙底风
　　
　　Those old-style Las Vegas shows
　　传统模式的拉斯维加斯表演
　　When Bugsy Siegel first established his nightclub in Las Vegas over 50 years ago, he tried to draw customers from southern California and the surrounding areas by offering good food, free drinks, glitzy entertainment and legal gambling. The early Las Vegas shows were designed to attract those free spending, gregarious gamblers known as the "high rollers". As the town grew into a city, it became known for its extravagant Las Vegas shows that included famous entertainers, bawdy comedians and beautiful, scantily-clad dancers.
　　
　　
　　About ten years ago, the Las Vegas Casinos decided to become more family oriented. They added amusement parks and fun-filled family activities. They made their shows less risqué and bawdy. A few casinos still offered those old-fashioned Las Vegas shows with topless dancers, and ribald humor, but most of their shows were more family oriented. That attitude persisted until a few years ago. The casinos soon realized that family vacationers spend a lot of time with their children. They do not spend as much time gambling.
　　Today, the Las Vegas entertainment scene is more vibrant and exciting than ever. Most of the family-oriented entertainment is gone and the adult-oriented entertainment has returned. Those old-time, risque, bawdy Las Vegas shows of Bugsy Siegel's era are back. In addition, world-class entertainment extravaganzas are commonplace along the strip.
　　
　　Las Vegas offers at least 50 different big shows every day
　　每天至少50场大型表演
　　On any given day, Las Vegas offers at least 50 different big casino shows, plus hundreds of lesser shows at various smaller casino venues, bars, nightclubs and other theaters around town. On any weekend, at least one major event featuring a famous recording star or world-class entertainer will be held at one of the large casino venues. Here is a partial list of the various shows available in Las Vegas.
　　
　　Big "blockbuster" shows featuring great singing stars, world-famous entertainers or championship boxing matches are held at major venues such as the Grand Garden Arena in the MGM Grand Casino. These big shows are usually held on weekends and may last only a few nights. Ticket prices range from $50 to $150. Advance reservations are necessary.