Las Vegas Deals Some of Its Fun Away From Tables

The newest hotel-attraction in Las Vegas is also the easiest to spot. The Stratosphere, which opened April 30, towers over everything on the Strip and is topped off with the Let It Ride High Roller and Big Shot thrill rides, which cling to the exterior. If drinks and dining are more your speed, the cocktail lounge and (slowly) revolving restaurant are tucked safely inside. There are indoor and outdoor observation decks (acrophobes beware) and three wedding chapels in the 100-story-plus tower. Each evening, a laser light show up and down the tower is visible throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

The novelty of Stratosphere might make it hard to top, but Las Vegas is in a constant state of building and renovation. Also set to open this year are the monumental New York, New York--with and indoor-outdoor roller coaster--and the Monte Carlo.

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Blue Oyster Cult, Jefferson Starship, Steppenwolf, the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Don Earl and the Boogieman Band are scheduled to perform at KKLZ-FM’s (96.3) annual Junefest, June 1 at Silver Bowl Park (on Boulder Highway and Russell Road, 10 minutes from the Strip). $19.96 at the gate; 12 and younger free.

Summer is the peak season for many of the family-oriented attractions around town. MGM Grand and Circus Circus have theme parks with water rides to help beat the heat, along with other rides, games and attractions. MGM’s Grand Adventures is an outdoor facility reminiscent of a movie set, where one minute you’re on a New York street, then turn a corner and you’re in Paris. The new Skyscreamer free-fall ride will open in June. All-day pass is $15; children $10.

Circus Circus’ Grand Slam Canyon, which includes a twisting corkscrew of a roller coaster, is on five acres, completely enclosed and air-conditioned. Games and rides are for all ages. An all-day pass is $13.95, or $9.95 for those shorter than 3 feet, 6 inches.

The Wet ‘n’ Wild water park on the Strip opened this month and runs through Sept. 29. ($21.95 for general admission; ages 3 to 9, $15.95; $3 off after 3 p.m.).

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The Oscar de la Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez boxing match at Caesar’s Palace, scheduled June 7, has inspired other hotels to plan events to coincide with the fight. The MGM Grand has a slate of Latino performers, headlined by Antonio Muniz, on June 8. Tito Puente is scheduled at the Sahara on June 6 and 7, and Jose Jose will be in concert June 7 at the Joint, in the Hard Rock Hotel.

The Palace Station is building a temporary outdoor amphitheater for its summer attractions, which include Eddie Money on June 20 and the Commodores on June 21.

The Fremont Experience is drawing more visitors to downtown Las Vegas. Fremont Street is open to foot traffic only these days, and a nightly light-and-sound show on a canopy that covers the street gets necks craning on the hour after dark. Special events planned this summer include a Fourth of July celebration and Mexican Independence Day festivities (Sept. 13).

The Luxor Las Vegas is in the middle of a $240-million expansion project. Its regular attractions are open, including the Egyptian-themed trilogy of special effects rides. A new ride, similar to Disneyland’s Pirates of the Carribean, is planned.

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All event sites are located on or near the Las Vegas Strip, except where noted.

HEADLINERS

May 27-June 2: Soupy Sales, Riviera.

May 27-June 5: Penn & Teller, Bally’s.

May 28-June 2: Neville Brothers, Desert Inn.

May 29: Joan Osborne, Hard Rock Hotel.

May 30: Robert Cray Band, Hard Rock.

May 30-June 2: Travis Tritt, Caesars Palace.

May 31: Seven Mary Three, with Poe and Ammonia, Hard Rock.

* Lou Rawls, Las Vegas Hilton.

June 4-16: Gallagher, Sands.

June 6: Adam Sandler, Hard Rock.

June 6-11: Kenny Rogers, Mirage.

June 6-8: Tito Puente, Sahara.

June 6-19: Louie Anderson, Bally’s.

June 7: Jose Jose, Hard Rock.

* Julio Cesar Chavez/Oscar de la Hoya WBC Super Lightweight Boxing Championship, Caesars.

June 7-8: Pauly Shore’s Coconut Time Tour, Riviera.

June 7-9: Ray Charles, Caesars.

June 8: Marco Antonio Muniz, Pedro Fernandez, and Lupita D’Alessio, MGM.

June 14: Fugees, Hard Rock.

June 14-15: Peabo Bryson, Melissa Manchester, Tropicana.

June 18-30: John Pinette, Sands.

June 20: Eddie Money, the Cruise, Palace Station.

June 20-26: Anne Murray, Bally’s.

June 21: Alison Krauss and Union Station, Hard Rock.

* Patti LaBelle, Aladdin.

* Monkees, Las Vegas Hilton.

June 22: Chuck Mangione, Palace Station.

June 24: Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra, Hard Rock.

June 27-30: Howie Mandel, Caesars.

June 27-July 3: Paul Anka, Bally’s.

June 28: Al Green, Hard Rock.

June 31: Alanis Morissette, Aladdin.

July 1-14: Rita Rudner, Sands.

July 3-7: Huey Lewis & the News, Caesars.

July 5: Sammy Kershaw, Jo-dee Messina, Boulder Station.

July 5-17: Barbara Mandrell, Bally’s.

July 6: Drew Carey, Riviera.

July 11-14: Johnny Mathis, Caesars.

July 12: Dave Mason, Boulder Station.

* Michael Franks, Boney James, Las Vegas Hilton.

July 12-13: Roseanne, Hard Rock.

July 15-28: Neil Sedaka, Sands.

July 16-28: Gallagher, Sands.

July 18-21: Natalie Cole, Caesars.

July 18-23: Bill Cosby, Mirage.

July 19-24 and 26-31: Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Bally’s.

July 24-29: Julio Iglesias, Caesars.

July 26: Johnny Cash and the June Carter Family, Las Vegas Hilton.

July 27: Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Palace Station.

July 30-Aug. 4: Bobby Collins, Sands.

July 31-Aug. 4: Smokey Robinson, Desert Inn.

Aug. 1-7: Penn & Teller, Bally’s.

Aug. 2: Kathy Mattea, Boulder Station.

Aug. 2: Gloria Estefan, MGM Grand.

Aug. 6-18: Jeff Dunham, Sands.

Aug. 8: Jimmy Cliff, Hard Rock.

Aug. 8-21: George Carlin, Bally’s.

Aug. 16: 20 Years of Disco, featuring KC and the Sunshine Band, Rose Royce, Thelma Houston, Peaches & Herb, Las Vegas Hilton.

Aug. 16-18: Golden Boys of Bandstand, Desert Inn.

Aug. 20-25: Dennis Miller, Desert Inn.

Aug. 22-27: Barry Manilow, Mirage.

Aug. 28-Sept. 1: Ray Charles, Tony D’Andrea, Caesars.

Sept. 1: Allman Bros., Hard Rock.

Sept. 3-18: George Wallace, Sands.