Las Vegas reinventing itself again | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Change is the only constant in Las Vegas.

Now that the economy is picking up, that is especially true in 2012 as a number of new hotels and attractions are opened or in the works, including a mob museum and a cultural arts center.

Here is a list of new Las Vegas attractions:

The Mob Museum • This museum, officially named the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, opened in February inside a former federal courthouse and post office at 300 Stewart Ave. Like its name suggests, it studies organized crime. For information, log on to www.themobmuseum.org.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts • This center opened in March at 241 W. Charleston Blvd. Much like Salt Lake City's Capital Theatre, the center will host touring Broadway shows or individual performers such as Yo Yo Ma, David Sedaris or Lily Tomlin. For information, log on to www.thesmithcenter.com.

The Neon Museum • This museum, which preserves and showcases classic Las Vegas neon signs, is scheduled to open in June or July at 821 Las Vegas Blvd. For information, log on to www.neonmuseum.org.

SkyVue • A gigantic Ferris Wheel-type observation wheel called SkyVue is being built across from Mandalay Bay. It is scheduled to open July 4, 2013, towering 500 feet about the Las Vegas Strip. The ride will feature 32, 24-person climate-controlled gondolas and two high definition LED multi media displays at the center of the wheel, each measuring 50,000 square feet. For information, log on to www.skyvuelasvegas.com.

Caesars Palace • The strip hotel opened its sixth hotel tower, the Octavius, on Jan. 2, to expand to 3,960 rooms. The new 668-room hotel tower offers guests a boutique hotel experience, including a private valet entrance and new in-room technology. For information, log on to www.caesars.com.

Machine Guns Vegas • Ever want to see what it would be like to fire a machine gun? Machine Guns Vegas has opened what it bills as the world's first luxury gun lounge at 3501 Alderbaran Ave. The facility offers guests the chance to shoot a variety of firearms, including machine guns, assault rifles and firearms from World War II. It includes a private VIP lounge and themed packages. For information, log on to www.machinegunsvegas.com.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino • The Hard Rock is offering its guests a different kind of room service. Instead of food, the hotel's Love Jones Boutique offers 24-hour delivery of lingerie, hosiery and adult accessories. For information, log on to www.hardrockhotel.com/#/shop/love-jones/.

The Golden Gate Hotel and Casino • The Golden Gate, founded in 1906 and billing itself as Las Vegas' original casino, is adding a 35,000-square-foot, five-story luxury tower with 16 hotel suites and two penthouses, with a scheduled opening later this year. This is its first major expansion in 50 years. The modernization of the downtown Las Vegas property will include a new lobby displaying artifacts from the hotel's past. For information, log on to www.goldengatecasino.com.

Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel • This downtown Las Vegas property is being renamed the D Las Vegas. The new name will be part of extensive renovations that will include live entertainment, a two-level casino, 638 remodeled rooms and suites, and two high-energy bars along Fremont Street. It is scheduled to reopen this fall. For information, log on to www.theD.com.

wharton@sltrib.com

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