First stop, the Grand Canal Shoppes.  This is actually one of the smaller shopping areas and is known for its gondola rides in the middle of the shopping complex.  The shops here are catered more for the high-end side of things.  So, if you're looking to shop for high-end goods, this is a good spot to look around.  I just enjoy the water running through the middle of everything and the random performers who walk around.  Makes me feel like I'm in Venice. 

After we walked around the Grand canal shoppes we walked outside to check out the Volcano at the Mirage.  This attraction has been around for awhile now and for the most part, everyone has seen the show already.  It's not much compared to some of the new attractions available now, but it's a nice photo opportunity for those who haven't seen it yet.  The 54-foot volcano erupts every 15 minutes from 6pm-midnight shooting smoke and fire 100 feet above the water.  But, we were there in the morning.  So, we didn't see anything.  Still a sight to behold and one of the few attractions that has been around the Vegas strip for awhile.

The next shopping area we decided to browse is the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace.  Caesar's has been around for awhile as well, but they've done a phenomenal job of reinventing themselves and keeping their hotel hip and exciting through the years.  If you've ever stayed here you know that there are several different wings.  One, which is a lot older with cheaper and not-so-nice rooms.  But, the rest of their "wings" are as nice and fancy as everyone else on the strip. 

One of the things that they've done to keep up with all the changes around them is to create the Forum Shops.  This huge shopping complex can keep most people busy for an entire day. 

Within the Forum Shops is one of the best free attractions in Las Vegas, the Fall of Atlantis fountain show.  This regular looking fountain comes to life during showtimes with animatronic figures that fight for control over the mythical island of Atlantis.  It was a promo for the Imax 3D motion simulator ride that was billed as the IMAX 3D motion simulator attraction in the world located right next to it.  I have heard from some friends of mine that it may have closed down.  I've never been on the actual ride itself (and rarely even walk over to the ticket counter), so I don't know if it is or not.  But, the free show still happens Sunday-Thursday from 10am-11pm and Fri-Sat from 10am-midnight.  If you're walking around anyways, definitely check it out.  You'll see when the show is about to begin by the large crowds that gather around there. 

You can also marvel at the salt water aquarium that comprises the show's platform.  If you're lucky, you'll see the divers feeding the tropical puffers, flounders, sharks, and other types of fish.  I hear that they feed them everyday at 1:15pm and 5:15pm.  There's also a tour of the aquarium's facilities from Monday-Friday at 3:15pm.  With so many things to do, the Forum Shops are definitely my favorite place to shop, walk around, people watch, and just relax with family.  We grabbed a quick lunch and headed off to the next shopping plaza.

Before heading over to the Miracle Mile Shopping Area, there is one attraction that has now become the most famous free attraction on the Strip.  The Fountains of Bellagio are a spectacle that must not be missed.  If you're in Vegas, and you haven't seen it yet, go.  Stand outside.  Wait.  And, marvel at the beauty of the fountains of Bellagio.  If you've seen Ocean's 11, you'll see what I mean (the scene at the end right after the hyst where everyone is standing outside the Bellagio).  The shows are constantly being changed with new music so you'll almost never see/hear the same show twice.  At least I don't think I have.  Regardless, every time I see the show, I'm amazed at what these fountains can do and how much time/effort went into making sure everything works perfectly and that the movement of the waters flows with the harmony of the song itself.  It's simply a spectacular show that's not to be missed.

Now that we've seen the most famous and best free attraction in Vegas we can move on to the last shopping plaza before dinner.  At this point we've got plenty of bags of stuff and we're all getting pretty tired.  But we were excited to see the new Miracle Mile Shopping Plaza.  This used to be the old Aladdin Dessert Passage but with the passing of the Aladdin hotel, this complex has now been changed as well.  The shopping complex was pretty nice and we even saw a few small vendors there selling things that we hadn't seen anywhere else.  Although they have some of the same high-end shops, there were also plenty of everyday type stores for clothing, shoes, accessories, and other goodies.  No more traveling troupes like they used to have in the Desert Passage though... oh well.

We were running a tad bit behind schedule but we still got to TI before the 5:30pm showing of their Sirens show, another free attraction that is seen outside the hotel.  Just to sidetrack things a bit, I have no idea why Treasure Island decided to change its name to TI and its logo to a cartoon-like logo.  Treasure Island isn't exactly difficult to say or write.  I suppose TI is a lot shorter.  But if you're trying to make it more hip and trendy by shortening the name, you need a logo to match that.  They changed the logo to something that children might like but definitely does not appeal to the older demographic that they were hoping to.  The young adult audience, that I'm a part of, also wouldn't be attracted to the cartoonish new look/feel.  So, I really don't understand their rationale for what they did... but they did it.  They're now TI.  And, TI still has a free show called the Sirens outside their hotel daily (unless weather conditions are poor) at 5:30pm, 7:00pm, 8:30pm, and 10:00pm.

And now, onto the show.  It's as entertaining as always.  Good versus evil battle it out.  Plenty of pirates and beautiful looking people jumping from ship to ship and fighting one another.  Overall, I found it very entertaining and a fun way to pass some time on the Vegas strip.

My pictures of the show weren't that great.  I think this is far more representative of why some people watch the show.

If you come to Vegas you gotta try at least one of the many high-profile seafood buffets.  Wynn is one of the newer ones and one of my favorites.  So, we went there for dinner.  There's a long line during the dinner hours so make sure to get there earlier.  Dinner  costs about $45/person, so it's not cheap.  But you can eat to your hearts content.  I suggest trying their lamb chops.  mmmm!

One other thing to check out while you're at the Wynn hotel (and this really only applies to guys) is the bathroom.  Ok... you might be thinking to yourself... what's the big deal?  Well, go to the Wynn's bathroom and walk up to a urinal.  You'll notice that they all have a "splashback protector".  Try it out if you get the chance, I found it fascinating.  Definitely a step in the right direction for urinal technology.  Way to go Wynn!