4 Best Places to Shop in Las Vegas, Nevada

Like many an indoor mall, Las Vegas's first (it opened in 1968) was in danger of becoming a "ghost mall" before new owners began a creative transformation. While some of the bygone anchor stores are now given over to non-retail clients (the old Sears is now a truck-driving school), some time-honored retail chain stores remain and are surrounded with more activity- and entertainment-oriented draws: a Galaxy cineplex with the city's largest indoor movie screen, a SeaQuest Aquarium, and Rex Center, a dinosaur-themed indoor amusement park with arcade games and bumper cars. The Mercado is a separately themed area styled like a street market, with dozens of vendors in small retail kiosks, and a food court with at least 10 south-of-the-border choices. It's worth winding through the Mercado, which has more food-truck style Mexican/Central American offerings.

Every day till midnight, all manner of M&M's merchandise is sold here—a slot machine that dispenses M&M's jackpots is a best seller—and the popular candy may be purchased by the pound. Four air-conditioned levels of colorful, milk-chocolate goodies attract crowds of families with children (and strollers). Those who use the personalized printing machine can create and print custom messages on M&M's, or select from 14 Las Vegas images (the "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign or a deck of cards).  

"Mall" is a bit of a misnomer here, where stores are more like highly evolved interactive marketing concepts. First off, there's M&M'S, the four-story homage to the popular candy, where huge dispensers with every color and type line one wall. More sugar awaits you at the Coca-Cola Store, where the Around the World Tray brings you 14 sparkling and still beverage flavors from around the world. Be sure to get a photo of the 100-foot bottle of Coca-Cola outside. The flagship two-story Lids store has all sorts of team-branded merchandise. Post sugar buzz, you can head to the Hard Rock Cafe to browse the interactive video Rock Wall or buy T-shirts, Las Vegas–branded clothing, and souvenirs. The Showcase Mall's parking structure is right next to the MGM Grand; the best access is from the fifth floor, where a pedestrian bridge crosses into the mall. A less hectic option is to park at any of the surrounding hotels (MGM Grand, NY–NY, Park MGM) and walk here.

Constructed to resemble Main Street America with open-air shopping and dining, this 100-acre complex contains more than 150 shops, including MAC and Sephora cosmetics, H&M, Apple, Saks Off Fifth, and Tommy Bahama. When you tire of shopping (or when the kids do, anyway), there's also a children's play area, a multiplex cinema, and rides on the Town Square train. Lazy Dog lets you bring Fido on the patio, while Yard House brings pub fare. There's also a Brio Italian Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and several other on-site eateries, including a Whole Foods Market. The Stoney's Rockin' Country dance and live-music venue fires up the country tunes Thursday through Saturday.  Need to make a quick stop? Town Square offers curbside parking so you don't have to schlep all the way from one of three parking garages to your shopping destination.