Located about 25 minutes east of The Strip off Lake Mead Drive, MonteLago Village is designed to resemble a quaint Italian seaside town, complete with cobblestone streets, village squares, and a small marina. Take some time to appreciate what the architects and builders have done here… long, rambling, clay-tiled rooflines, jutting balconies and recessed terraces, trickling fountains, intricate stone and woodwork, and a light-washed, candy-colored paint scheme complete the faithful recreations of everything from Italianate villas to a rock walled church.

Each of the buildings was designed with a specific retail purpose in mind. For instance they intended certain spaces to be clothing stores so they built them with dressing rooms. Others were intended to be bakeries so they included the ovens. Unlike most shopping facilities that are “one-size-fits-all” and then converted to their eventual use, the shops and restaurants that make up MonteLago village were destined to be there long before an actual tenant was selected.

There are a variety of moderate to high end boutiques plus restaurants, cafes, and pubs to keep you entertained and your credit card maxed out.

But the real draw, as far as we’re concerned, has less to do with the actual things to do here and more about the overall experience. You’ve been up half the night gambling and drinking, seeing show after show, running from tigers to volcanoes, and you really could just use a break couldn’t you? Come here and take a stroll through the village and along pathways through gardens that line Lake Las Vegas. Even though it was microwave oven hot the day we visited, we didn’t mind the heat because the atmosphere of the whole place is so darned charming.

To get to MonteLago Village and Casino, take Interstate 15 (the freeway right next to the Strip) south to the 215 east (as if you’re going to the airport). That will meander through the southern reaches of Las Vegas and eventually turn into Lake Mead Drive. Go another 6 miles or so and look for the signs pointing to Lake Las Vegas.