Vegas Icons by Susan Miles

Las Vegas has always been a star magnet. From the original “Rat Pack”, of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin, to current performers such as Tom Jones, Tim McGraw and Celine Dion, Las Vegas is as well known for its star-studded spectacles as it is for its monumental casinos.

Movie making also brings the big names to town. The recent “Oceans franchise” ensures the likes of Clooney, Pit and Damon make repeat visits to Las Vegas to continue the history of movie making that Las Vegas is famous for.

So where do you go in Las Vegas if you are in the mood for a little stargazing? You can always buy a ticket to one of the many live performances on offer. However for some guaranteed (and budget-conscious) star spotting, put on your make believe cap and pay a visit to Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

Located at the Venetian Casino, visitors to the Las Vegas version of the London icon are welcomed to get up close and personal with some of the stars that have made this 24 hour city famous.

The Wedding Room
Las Vegas has always been the capital of the quick and convenient wedding. But don’t worry if you arrive “groomless”, Madame Tussaud’s conveniently provides slip-on gowns and veils, a chapel and a perpetually smiling “George Clooney” groom, the original Dr Dreamy, to play out your wedding day fantasies. Madame Tussaud’s completes the experience by providing convenient “fill in the blanks” marriage certificates to mark the occasion.

Entertainment Legends – Past & Present
Like the fantasy wedding, the Madame Tussaud’s displays are positioned to allow visitors to get interactive with their favorite stars. You can don a black Stetson hat and find your country music soul with Tim McGraw or grab a set of drum sticks and jump on stage with the “Blue Man Group”. A current Las Vegas performance draw card, the Blue Man show is part performance art, part drumming spectacle and part slapstick comedy all tied together with pulsating rhythms and the most creative use of toilet paper in a live performance you will ever see.

Elvis is of course in the house, as too are the crooners, Crosby and Martin, along with current performers such as Bono, Madonna and Elton. You are going to want to make sure you have lots of film or plenty memory on your camera to capture your fantasy encounter with these life-like superstars.

Get Up Close and Personal with your politician
Traversing the gap from action star to action governor, Californian visitors can be spotted taking the opportunity to have “chat” with their Governor, the formidable Arnold Schwarzenegger. I on the other hand couldn’t resist the opportunity to stand at the Presidential podium with the current incumbent and play out my favorite scene from the movie “Love Actually”.

The Sad Room
The attention to detail and life like appearances of the models can be a little over-whelming, especially when coming face to face with some of histories tragic heroes.

In one particular room stands the tall and proud Martin Luther King Jr, just across the way from a youthful smiling President Kennedy and an elegant Mrs Kennedy, with the forever beautiful Princess of Wales nearby.
Out of this world heroes
Madame Tussaud’s also captures the spirit of adventure in wax. What better way to finish your visit to this unique museum, than a visit to the moon with Armstrong and Aldrin by your side.