Aladdin

3667 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Central Strip

Las Vegas.

702-785-5555. Toll-free 877-333-9474

Apropos of the ever-changing world that is Las Vegas, today's Middle Eastern-themed Aladdin will become tomorrow's Planet Hollywood Resort & Hotel. The 2,567-room Aladdin went into bankruptcy, and its new owners plan substantial construction beginning in 2005.

Desert Passage, the 140-store mega mall surrounding Aladdin, replete with eight-story mountain and full-sized freighter anchored alongside a replica of a North African harbor, started remodeling in summer 2004 and will relaunch in October 2005.

Bally's

3645 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Central Strip, Las Vegas.

702-739-4111. Toll-free 800-722-5597.
Shows include Donn Arden's Jubilee, with a Bob Mackie-gowned showgirl extravaganza and spectacular effects such as the sinking of the Titanic. A multimillion-dollar refurbishment added a dramatic entrance from Las Vegas Boulevard, including four 200-ft. people movers, along with light, water and sound displays.

Bellagio

3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Central Strip, Las Vegas.

702-693-7111. Toll-free 888-987-3456

An 8-acre lake provides a choreographed display of fountains, lights and rousing music every half-hour 3-8 pm, and every 15 minutes 8 pm-midnight. For the most spectacular visual effects, see the complex after dark. The Via Bellagio shopping avenue features such famous names as Gucci, Prada,  and Chanel.

Caesars Palace

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.

Central Strip, Las Vegas.

702-731-7110. Toll-free 877-427-7243.

The city's first themed casino, it opened in 1966. Two outstanding additions include the 4,100-seat Colosseum, home to resident performer Celine Dion, along with "part-timers" such as Elton John and Jerry Seinfeld; and the Forum Shops, a series of Roman streetscapes with ever-changing "skies" that move from dawn to dusk to night, filled with haute couture, restaurants, the unusual and the ornate. There are also two free shows within the Forum Shops at the Festival Fountain, and Atlantis, with laser special effects and animatronic Roman characters, plus a new 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium.