The Place: Las Vegas, Nevada

The Crowd: New money, old money, big money, little money, wish-i-had-money. The majority of the throng is made up of foreign travelers and locals.

Celebrate Christmas: Sin City is pretty much the antithesis of Christmas past: No snow, no ice, no chestnuts roasting anywhere. Instead, they do things their way here: Casino employees don Santa hats and elf costumes, fake ivy adorns the slot machines, and the lights are brighter than ever.

Celebrate New Year's: There's something for everyone on December 31, from '70s lounge singers (who look like they are 70) to high-flying acrobats to flying-high starlets. At Luxor's LAX Nightclub (pictured), you'll find the sisters Hilton—so now you know the place to avoid ($250–$20,000). The Goo Goo Dolls are playing House of Blues in the Mandalay Bay; the MGM Grand Hollywood Theatre hosts David Copperfield; and you can hear the mustachioed crooner Tony Orlando at The Club at Cannery.

Stay in style: Built by Steve Wynn in 1998, the 3,933-room Bellagio represents nouveau Vegas (the hotel is home to two chichi restaurants, Picasso and Le Cirque). The best rooms face the dancing fountains out front.

Luxor
Tel: 702 262 4591

Mandalay Bay
Tel: 877 632 7800

MGM Grand
Tel: 877 880 0880

Cannery Casino & Hotel
Tel: 866 287 4643

Bellagio
Tel: 888 987 6667
Doubles from $799