3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas is a long way from Coney Island, but New York-New York's Coney Island Emporium recalls a more innocent era, conjuring memories of bygone delights, right down to the spicy aromas emanating from Nathan's Famous Frankfurter and Soft Drink Stand. For those who are not nostalgic, however, New York-New York delivers plenty of newfangled thrills, including high-tech virtual-reality games and interactive driving simulators. To say nothing of the stomach-churning Manhattan Express roller coaster. (Except, perhaps, "Eeeeeeek!") Finishing second: the granddaddy of Strip arcades, Circus Circus.
Our Pick: CIRCUS CIRCUS
2880 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Way back when, when Las Vegas was for the Rat Pack and their followers, kids had nothing to do but stand at the edge of the casino and wonder why Mommy and Daddy seemed to be having so much fun pulling the handles on those weird-looking machines. Then Circus Circus opened and showed how much fun games -- not gaming -- could be, with an assortment of carnival pastimes that never seem to lose their lure for the young. Or the young-at-heart. And that includes us.
