Senior Highlights....

IF YOU'RE GAME, LAS VEGAS

AND LAUGHLIN BECKON SENIORS

Southern Nevada's Las Vegas and Laughlin operate around the clock, offering the ultimate in gaming, entertainment, and gambling. A visit (or return) to these sister cities is always a good bet.

Las Vegas, built on a reputation of gambling, glitz, and superstars, is evolving into a one-stop multi-dimensional resort destination. As Las Vegas rushes headling toward the 21st century, new resorts, renovations, and attractions will ensure the city's position as one of the world's ultimate vacation destinations. The addition of MGM Grand, the Hard Rock Hotel, Luxor, Grand Slam Canyon, and Bally's Monorail are just a hint of Las Vegas's future.

Several new megaresorts, designed with the same imagination and ambition that propelled Las Vegas to the top of the gaming resort pinnacle, are in various stages of development. The Stratosphere Tower Hotel-Casino, with a tower soaring 1,149 above the famed Las Vegas Strip, opens this spring. The New York-New York Hotel & Casino will add 2,100 rooms and a New York "experience" later this year. Down the street, Mirage Resorts is developing Bellagio on the shores of a 15-acre man-made lake and, with Circus Circus, building the 3,000-room Monte Carlo adjacent to it.

Even as new theme properties reveal exciting entertainment venues for tomorrow, some existing resorts are expanding their recreational options. Caesars Palace is building an elaborate, multi-chambered dining and magical wonderland to open later this year. At the Las Vegas Hilton in late-1996, Vulcans, Romulans, and Klingons will join forces in an entertainment venture called, "Star Trek: The Experience."

In addition, the $70 million Fremont Street Experience opened to rave reviews late last year. The rejuvenated area uses landscaping and paths to encourage visitors to stroll through this unique outdoor venue. Overhead looms a 90-foot-high space frame and lights that come to life nightly in a computer-driven show of sound and music. Street performers entertain as patrons sample treats from sidewalk cafes and browse among wares offered on festive pushcarts and kiosks.

Of course, Las Vegas also offers dining from budget buffets to world-class restaurants, serious shopping, casinos at every corner, a huge entertainment schedule, and many museums and other activities. A bit further afield, visitors can enjoy outings to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston Peak, and even the Grand Canyon. You can even head just 90 miles south down to Laughlin for the day, but you'll want to stay longer.

Laughlin, a "little Las Vegas" on the Nevada shore of the Colorado River, continues to draw lots of repeat and new visitors who like the smaller scale and great location. The resort city attracts some 5 million visitors annually in search of sun and fun in opulent surroundings, where the price is right 24 hours a day.

Gaming resorts lining the river are the heartbeat of Laughlin--a desert oasis with big-time entertainment, low-stakes gambling, and first-class accommodations. Each of the resorts have distinctive styles, decors, and themes, making each trip to Laughlin unique.

Fun gambling, pioneer developers, affordable accommodations, and inexpensive dining have contributed to the explosive growth of Laughlin. Customers challenge Lady Luck on thousands of slot machines and hundreds of live table games. Poker rooms, race and sports books, and keno lounges line the hundreds of thousands of square feet of casino space. Some progressive slot machines are even linked to International Gaming Technology's (IGT) statewide network and pay seven-figure jackpots under names such as Nevada Nickels, Quartermania, and Megabucks.

Inexpensive first-class rooms lure repeat seniors to the river-front community. While rates routinely fluctuate between $25 and $75, depending on availability and the day of the week, resorts accosionally launch competitive campaigns in their quest for customers. One those occasions, the cost of a room has been known to drop to $18 or even $9 a night. Although seniors passing through Laughlin may find vacancies, it's wise to make room reservations two to three weeks in advance when possible.

Inexpensive dining is another facet of Laughlin that attracts economy-minded vacationers. Following the lead of pioneer Las Vegas, pros who initiated buffet dining on a grand scale, nearly every Laughlin resort offers all-you-can-eat buffets. Buffet breakfast generally costs less than $3, a buffet lunch less than $4, and a buffet dinner less than 5 bucks.

Specialty buffets, such as the Riverside Resort's seafood feast on Friday or the champagne buffet on Saturdays and Sundays, may cost slightly more. These special buffets are a feature at many resorts. Several hotel/casinos also operate gourmet restaurants for the discriminating palate.

Showrooms, lounges, and cabarets fill Laughlin resorts with music and son. Willie Nelson is a regular at the Riverside Resort. The American Superstars keep the showroom lively in the Flamingo Hilton Laughlin. Strolling mariachis in Harrah's Del Rio complement the resort's old Spanish atmosphere.

Outdoor attractions near Laughline include Lake Mohave, an angler's delight. The Colorado River also provides unlimited boating and recreational potential. Nearby Katherine Mine, Chloride, and Oatman give inquisitive travelers a glimpse of the wild, wild west, with feral burros, staged shootouts, and shows. Golf and tennis are also nearby.

Casino resorts are all located within a mile of each other on casino row and include: The Colorado Belle Hotel/Casino; Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort Hotel and Casino; The Edgewater Hotel & Casino; Flamingo Hilton; Gold River Gambling Hall and Resort; Golden Nugget; Harrah's Laughline; Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall; The Ramada Express; and The Regency Casino.

For further information about Las Vegas, contact your local travel agent. For Laughlin, call (800) 4 LAUGHLIN or contact your local travel agent.