Santa Fe Station

THE VIBE: : Tucked along Rancho Drive just off the U.S. 95, known locally as Rancho Drive just off the U.S. 95, Santa Fe Station is one of Las Vegas’ neighborhood casinos. It may be about a 25-minute drive from the Strip and downtown, but a stay here also puts you in the vicinity of such breathtaking natural attractions as Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston. WHAT WE LOVE: : If you were hoping to escape the culinary temptations of the Strip, you’re probably out of luck. Santa Fe Station boasts delicious restaurants. Serving top-notch cuts of meat, The Charcoal Room is one of the city’s steakhouses. Cabo Mexican Restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine, while the 24-hour Grand Café prepares breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks imaginable in between. There’s also a buffet with numerous live-action cooking stations.  There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself at Santa Fe Station — and not just the kind that involve staying in your room watching TV. In addition to an outdoor swimming pool with a hot tub, you can see a movie at the 16-screen multiplex, pretend you know how to do that spin move the pros do on one of the 60 lanes in the state-of-the-art bowling center or catch a show in the 510-seat Chrome Showroom. WHAT WE LOVE: : A resort to escape from everyday life (for an affordable price), Santa Fe Station also allows you to experience Vegas’ gaming scene and be close to recreational opportunities at the same time. INSIDER TIP:: Sit back and relax in a plush booth at the 4949 Lounge and if you’re not allowed in because you’re a child, you can still participate in activities of all kinds in the professionally supervised Kids Quest facility.