As Joan Rivers recently said, “The last time I appeared in Las Vegas, they were wearing hoop skirts and Davy Crockett hats. But they say, ‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’ And as far as fashion is concerned, that’s a good thing.” And even our demure first lady, Laura Bush, recently reminded Jay Leno, “Jay, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

So what’s all the hoopla about? After having just returned from my first trip to Sin City with travel guru, Lynn Aldis of Up In Cumming Travel, I was amazed at all there was to do that didn’t involve a casino. Being a virgin gambler, I promptly lost a whopping $40 in the video poker machines at Caesars Palace. It was then that I felt the need to pursue other interests.

Every hotel that we visited on The Strip had its own shopping mall, each one brimming with souvenir items bearing its respective hotel’s name. Naturally, we were compelled to stock up for the kids.

The New York, New York hotel complex had its own outdoor roller coaster, no kiddy ride, mind you, but good, clean fun for the older crowd. And upon entering Paris, guests are treated to a half-scale exact replica of the Eiffel Tower, complete with restaurant and elevator rides to the tippy top. The plaza rooms at Paris provide a picturesque view of the Tower, as well as a front row seat to the “dancing” fountains of the Bellagio hotel. Crowds gather every 15 minutes to watch these fountains elegantly cascade to music that ranges from opera to Elton John to Lee Greenwood. It’s breathtaking.

In town for a good show? You’re in the right place. Widely known already as a Mecca of nighttime entertainment, Las Vegas provides shows that suit virtually every taste. While we were in town, Zumanity was playing to sold-out crowds at New York, New York. We got to see a snippet of a Cirque du Soleil performance that showcased a very agile young lady hoola-hooping while contorting her body every which way. (By the way, she was balancing eight hoops on her waist.) Also in town were Rita Rudner, a regular in Vegas and an award-winning comedienne, along with Celine Dion, who puts on an incredible show in her own coliseum, housed in Caesars Palace. Magicians Lance Burton and David Copperfield are also Vegas favorites. And then there’s, well, “adult” entertainment, too, if that floats your boat. Lynn and I found out -- quite by accident -- that La Femme at the MGM Grand is such a show. Coming attractions in Vegas include Elton John, Faith Hill and Robin Williams. (Wish we could have stayed a bit longer for those acts!)

Contrary to its image, Las Vegas isn’t just glitter and lights. From our hotel, we could see the St. Charleston mountain range that silhouettes the city and provides a gorgeous backdrop. And down the road (or across the desert) a bit is Hoover Dam, one of the world’s engineering wonders, that hosts an in-depth tour of the construction and history of the Dam. It’s been boasted as a “Dam Good Tour.” The Grand Canyon is a can’t-miss natural attraction that can be enjoyed via helicopter, plane, boat or land vehicle. Lynn tells me that the copter tour is simply breathtaking, allowing one to view the Canyon in all its majestic splendor. (Maybe next time I’ll get the nerve to ride in one of those whirly birds.) Typically, these tours also feature a visit to Lake Mead, America’s largest man-made lake. Who’d have thought Las Vegas would appeal to geography buffs?

If you’re into dining, you’re in the right place. It would take you weeks to sample cuisine from just the hotel restaurants alone. Of those eateries we visited, we couldn’t decide whether the menus or the décor were more enticing. The Seahorse Lounge in Caesars Palace features a giant cylindrical fish tank containing hundreds of seahorses. We were in awe, watching these beautiful creatures frolic gracefully around with one another and learned to distinguish the males from the females by the males’ pregnant bellies. (Yes, the daddies have the babies.) We also experienced Wolf Gang Puck Bar and Grill at the MGM Grand, and La Creperie and Le Village Buffet at Paris, where we enjoyed crepes, fondue and other French-inspired delicacies.

Each hotel along The Strip mimics a mini theme park, in that each provides entertainment befitting to the hotel’s ambiance. The Venetian offers real-live gondola rides, while Caesars Palace stages an explosive rendition of the Story of Atlantis in The Forum wing of the hotel. Roman soldiers and Cleopatra-inspired goddesses stroll throughout the Palace, providing photo opps for guests. New York, New York wouldn’t be complete without the Statue of Liberty and the Staten Island Ferry, and Mirage features an erupting volcano when the sun goes down.

Vegas’ newest attraction is the Robert N. Broadbent Las Vegas Monorail, which just opened on July 15th. This exciting, new transportation sensation travels a 4-mile route, stopping at MGM Grand, Bally’s/Paris, Flamingo/Caesars Place, Harrah’s/Imperial, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton, and the Sahara. Projected to carry 20 million riders per year, the monorail is a welcome convenience to both vacationers and business travelers alike.

While Las Vegas has always been considered largely an adult destination, more and more families are planning vacations to this hot spot. There’s just so much more to this city than the glitz of The Strip. Fun family packages are abundant, and for the price of a rental car, you can squeeze in a two-hour trip to L.A. as well.

For more information on Las Vegas and other vacation destinations, please call Lynn, Terri or Robin at Up In Cumming Travel at (770) 781-8400 or (800) 210-2899. Or visit www.upctravel.vacation.com. Happy traveling!