Dining With A View

As we keep noting, the Strip at night is a dazzling sight, which is why hotel rooms with Strip views come at such a premium. Regardless of whether you were able to get the proverbial room with a view, consider dining at the chic Eiffel Tower Restaurant, in Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (tel. 702/948-6937; www.eiffeltowerrestaurant.com; daily 11:30am-2:30pm and Sun-Thurs 5-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm), located on the 11th floor of said Mid-Strip hotel. Or choose the Stratosphere's Top of the World, in Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (tel. 702/380-7711; www.topoftheworldlv.com; daily 11am-2:45pm and Sun-Thurs 5:30-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-11pm), which is almost at the top of the North Strip's Stratosphere Tower, the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. Both offer fantastic views. The latter even revolves 360 degrees, while the former also looks down on the Bellagio fountains. Both, however, also match sky-high views with sky-high prices, and, unfortunately, neither has food worth the price. Go for a special night out, or see if you can get away with just ordering appetizers and dessert (which are both superior to the entrees anyway). You can also just have a drink at their respective bars, though each is set back far enough from the windows that drinkers have less-optimal views than diners.