13* THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LAS VEGAS

1. THE SUBURB OF SUMMERLIN ROCKS HARD

About 10 miles west of the city core in master-planned Summerlin, the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa gets style points with the under-30 crowd for its low-concept, curvilinear architecture, minimalist pools and decks and its nightclub, Cherry, which was sired by Rande Gerber of L.A.’s Skybar. Plus, it’s minutes from a sure hangover cure: a hike in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Rooms start at $199; 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas; (866) 767-7773; www.redrocklasvegas.com

2. THE VIEW FROM THE THRONE

The restroom stalls at Mix Lounge, a richly upholstered space by French designer Patrick Jouin, share the same floor-to-ceiling windows and great view as the rest of the bar on the 64th floor of THEhotel in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino; 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (702) 632-9500; www. thehotelatmandalaybay.com

3. JUST TWO WORDS: HOOVER DAM

A sobering fact: The American Southwest as we know it owes its existence to the Hoover Dam. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Vegas, and any hotel concierge will book a bus tour for visitors who’ve flown to town and want to pay homage to one of the 20th century’s greatest engineering feats.

4. THE ORIGINAL SHRIMP SUNDAE

The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino serves its savory sundae of itty-bitty shrimp in a tulip glass, with red sauce and a lemon wedge, the way it first did in 1959, and for only 99 cents in the Shrimp Bar & Deli; 1 Fremont St.; (702) 385-1906; www.goldengatecasino.net

5. A WATSU POOL PARTY FOR TWO

People who know pampering gush about the luxurious Spa Bellagio. Its three-hour Couples Reflection experience includes a long “tandem soak” in a watsu pool, a facial and an Indian Head Massage. What’s watsu? The term comes from shiatsu and water. 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; (702) 693-7472.

6. THE ‘60S VIBE IS STILL ALIVE

The Golden Steer Steak House hypes its past as a Rat Pack hangout with its dark, clubby decor and bow-tied waiters; 308 W. Sahara Ave.; (702) 384-4470; www.goldensteerlv.com. The Center Stage restaurant in the Plaza Hotel and Casino also works; 1 S. Main St.; (702) 386-2110; www.plazahotelcasino.com

7. THE XXL WATER FEATURE

Wynn Las Vegas’ Lake of Dreams, a 3-acre spectacle backed by a faux mountain, exemplifies the city’s JumboTron-esque aesthetic. At night, its 70-foot waterfall becomes a screen for images; 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South; (702) 770-7000.

8. LONELYHEARTS LOST & FOUND

Digital cameras are the No. 1 item guests inadvertently leave behind, hotel managers say. (Imagine a screening of the images contained therein.) But an online search with the keyword “Vegas” also recently turned up this posting: “Looking for the girl who went to VEGAS by herself 8/23/06.”

9. LA CONCHA

REPRIEVE

Preservationists swooped in at the last minute to rescue the conch shell-inspired lobby of the defunct La Concha motel, one of the few remaining hotel landmarks on the Strip. They plan to resurrect it as the visitors center of the Neon Museum. Completed in 1961, the lobby is still intact at 2955 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

10. GULFSTREAMS GO HERE

In July, Clark County unveiled a new terminal and runways at its Henderson Executive Airport. Designed to handle private jet traffic, the $30-million facility includes private dressing rooms and showers.

11. AROUND HERE, THIS HOUSE DRINK RATES A PG

Ass Juice, at the Double Down Saloon, takes the prize for the best house drink with the least genteel name. Its exact ingredients are proprietary, but imbibers (bachelor partyers, we’re guessing) describe it as a “fruity” concoction; 4640 Paradise Road; (702) 791-5775; www.doubledownsaloon.com

12. SO MANY WAYS TO DO REAL DAMAGE

After purging the contents of their wallets in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Body English, a club with a $2,000 martini (bejeweled swizzle stick included) on the menu, VIPs can check into the 5,000-square-foot, $10,000-a-night (if you’re a paying customer) Penthouse suite, which is equipped with a bowling lane and antique Italian mirrors; 4455 Paradise Road; (800) 473-7625.

13. SERVING IT UP FOR ANDRE’S KIDS

Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children, the annual fundraiser at the MGM Grand that since 1995 has raised more than $60 million for Vegas kids, pulls in headliners (Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Ray Romano, etc.) who not only entertain the crowd but also overbid on auction items. The event, held last month, was a sellout as usual; www.agassifoundation.org