Nevada's playground for the stars has lost none of its gaudy, yesteryear shine.
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When you read about Las Vegas, it is usually regarding the phenomenal levels of investment and development taking place there. Yet the city has managed to retain some of its swinging Sinatra-era charm, and there is definite vintage Vegas left if you know where to look. Here's how to get nostalgic in Las Vegas.
Downtown resurgence
Fremont Street or "Downtown" is what The Strip was all about until the enormous resorts Las Vegas is known for today were built further up Las Vegas Boulevard. When strolling through hotels such as the Golden Nugget (1946) and Four Queens (1966), past one-cent slot machines and all-you-can-eat buffets, imagine Las Vegas as it was pre-mega resort and casinos.
Neon graveyard
Nothing screams "you're in Las Vegas" more than flashing neon. Vegas Vic, the enormous neon cowboy who towers over Fremont St, is the world's largest mechanical neon sign. Not all the old neon is still flashing though, and you can see some of the classic neon signs dating back to the 1940s at the Las Vegas Neon Museum.
Sensational showgirls
The statuesque showgirl is an icon of Las Vegas. Jubilee at Bally's Las Vegas is a classic showgirl production and is one of the longest running shows on The Strip. More than 100 dancers wear not much more than plumes of ostrich feathers, Swarovski crystals and headpieces that can weigh up to 9 kilograms.
The Rat Pack is back
No one made Las Vegas swing more than Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack buddies. Sinatra and the boys gave the city what it desperately needed - a glamorous movie star image that put it on the map - along with the darker mafia connections. Catch the tribute show to Sinatra and his cronies at the Greek Isles Hotel-Casino.
Liberace museum
There was no place more fitting for the King of Over-the-top to reside than Las Vegas.
Many of Liberace's dazzling treasures are housed in the Liberace Museum.
View his custom-made exotic cars including the hand-painted red, white and blue "Stars and Stripes" Rolls-Royce convertible and a Roadster covered in Austrian rhinestones. There is a lot of Mr Showmanship's lavish jewellery including a white and yellow gold piano-shaped ring with 260 individually-set diamonds.
- AAP
