By Mick Bailey
Traveling from L A to Vegas, people picture in their mind gambling, exotic shows, premier golf, fantastic restaurants and wild nightlife. Many also are coming for the world class shopping. There are over a dozen major shopping malls in Las Vegas. Ivana Trump could max out her credit cards here. In addition, every resort has its own shopping venue for their guests. Here are four top shopping malls in Las Vegas to visit (and one surprise shopping experience).

Fashion Show: The Fashion Show mall is located in the heart of the strip, Treasure Island Resort is to the south, Trump Towers to the north and it faces The Wynn and The Palazzo across Las Vegas Boulevard. The Fashion Show has three levels and stimulating architecture. There is something for everyone regardless of taste. The anchors are Macy’s, Dillard’s, Forever 21 and Neiman Marcus.  This is a very large mall so budget a lot of time to shop. Take a break, have a cup of coffee and people watch. Be sure to check out the schedule for live runway fashion shows and enjoy.

Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood: Part of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the mall is in the heart of Sin City. It is horseshoe shaped with the ends exiting onto the Vegas Strip and the casino and the Theatre of The Performing Arts on the interior. Miracle Mile is popular for the younger shoppers: the Gap is the largest store in the mall. This is a destination for “cool” places to eat just as much as shopping. Places we recommend are Cabo Wabo Cantina, La Salsa Cantina, Cheeseburger Las Vegas and Blondies Sports Bar and Grille. If the ladies are worried about calories they can burn a few off before lunch on a pole at Stripper 101 (seriously; this is Vegas after all).

Forum Shops at Caesars Palace: Beyond the expected Roman architecture, the mall is visually spectacular. One end of the mall starts in Caesars Casino and the other end is on the Vegas Strip. The arched ceiling is decorated as a night sky, but surprisingly after you spend an hour in the stores you realize that the night sky has turned to daytime. Forum Shops is great for the sophisticated shopper. Here find Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Luis Vuitton and Gucci. Make sure to visit the three level food court facing the strip where you travel up and down on unique curved escalators that wrap around beautiful roman sculptures.

Crystals at City Center:  This mall is located on the strip and is part of the last great resort built in Las Vegas; City Center. Shopping at Crystals in not for the weak of heart. To quote their website shoppers will “enjoy the interactive atmosphere set within an abstract 21st century park”. Inside and out the architecture is ultra modern. No Wal-Marts here; there are only stores that go by names like Prada, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Yves Saint Laurent. After a long day of shopping you can enjoy fine dining at Wolfgang Puck’s.

Gold and Silver Pawn Shop: Home of History Channel’s hit show “Pawn Stars”. Here you can find Rick, Cory, the Old Man and even Chumlee. I would have to put Gold and Silver Pawn Shop at the top of the list of most unique places to shop. If you are a fan of the show you should make a trip to see the boys. Go in your garage and find an unusual item, take it to the store and who knows…..you may end up negotiating with Rick and Chumlee on the History Channel.