Travel Scene - Las Vegas - Mirage Hotel

Having just returned from a trip to Las Vegas, I decided to write my first post about that decadent city. Well, not so much the city, everyone is familiar with Las Vegas, but about one of my favorite hotels there, the Mirage.

I love the exterior of the Mirage so much because of the beautiful, cascading waterfalls that stretch forever along the front of the hotel. In summer, when it's 116 degrees outside and you could easily roast a chicken on your head, standing there just watching the cool water flow over the rugged rock somehow works to make the debilitating heat a little more bearable. Close your eyes and listen. It's certainly no Niagara Falls, but it is wonderful.

Take a step inside the front door of the Mirage and the first thing you're likely to notice (after the air conditioning, of course,) is a lush and verdant indoor rainforest. There are even more waterfalls, but also meandering lagoons, a forest of rich tropical flora, including bird of paradise, palms, hundreds of fresh orchids and other plants that elegantly grace the walkway all the way to the casino floor.

If you're checking into the Mirage, you'll be captivated by the hotels famed 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, home to angelfish, puffers and tangs that swim gracefully around bright coral and that conjures up images of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. You'll spy sharks, stingray and eels swimming without a care in the world alongside over 1,000 other exotic sea creatures brought in from oceans as close as Hawaii's Pacific and as far away as the Red Sea; and all of this is located smack-dab behind the front desk.

It's no secret that this is the place on the strip to visit if you're traveling with children. Even if you aren't and you just want to take a break from gambling, shows and stuffing yourself silly at buffets, be sure and stop in here for a few hours one afternoon.

As you enter, the first experience to be had is with the eight Atlantic bottlenose dolphins frolicking in one of 3 sparkling pools. The dolphins live in a 2.5 million gallon oasis of palm trees and lush foliage designed to replicate their natural environment. You'll find their trainers always nearby feeding them and gently persuading them to perform various behavioral tasks such as jumping, tail walking, fin clapping and waving at bystanders.

Beyond the dolphin pools, you arrive at the entrance to the SecretGarden, where you can get your picture taken in front of a green screen and later select images of tigers, lions or dolphins to stand side by side with you in your souvenir photograph.

As you enter the SecretGarden itself, what you'll find is areas of lush manicured grass, more elegant palms, dazzling flowers, crystal-clear waterfalls and shimmering pools. What you'll hear is the laughter of children and the ooohhhs and aaahhhhs of adults as each go about discovering the wonders around them. Oh, and an occasional roar from one of the many resident lions, tigers and bears (okay, there are no bears) you'll find just hanging out on this magnificent 15-acre refuge.

Seriously, in addition to Bengal tigers you'll marvel over the white tigers with ice-blue eyes and the regal white lions. You'll also find black panther and a family of leopards, including a gorgeous snow leopard. All are rare, exotic breeds on the endangered list. You'll be truly mesmerized as you watch these powerful creatures stroll around with complete authority.

You'll find your experience here awe-inspiring as you watch the animals in each area preside over their own natural environments. Feel free to explore and discover these truly majestic creatures at your leisure. A really unique experience for the entire family, the SecretGarden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage is a encounter that shouldn't be missed.