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9 Great Places to Shop in Las Vegas — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

With flagship designer stores as well as bargain-filled outlets, Las Vegas is a world-class shopping destination sure to fulfill every shopaholic’s desire. And for the shopping-averse tag-alongs, many of the top malls feature remarkable sights and sounds. While virtually every casino has a shop stocked with souvenirs, local experts think these spots are not to be missed.

The Shops at Crystals

You can hop on a complimentary tram from the Bellagio Las Vegas, Vdara Hotel & Spa, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino or Aria Resort & Casino to arrive at The Shops at Crystals, a collection of high-end stores located at the heart of the Strip. “Crystals is the Rodeo Drive of Las Vegas,” says Nancy Nitsche, chief concierge at the Aria. The architectural masterpiece — worth seeing for its design alone — is anchored by more than 15 supersized luxury shops, including a 14,000-square-foot Louis Vuitton, plus Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford, Prada, Céline, Fendi and Tiffany & Co. “It’s not just another store at Crystals,” Nitsche says.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Las Vegas.]

Even if you don’t buy anything, you can partake in some indulgent window-shopping and grab a celebrity chef-inspired bite at Cucina by Wolfgang Puck or Todd English P.U.B.

The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace

Cobbled walkways and faux blue skies welcome you to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, where you can peruse a 60,000-square-foot H&M, the luxury lingerie of Agent Provocateur and more. Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace concierge Margarita Martinez advises not to miss the free Fall of Atlantis fountain show, whose special effects and animatronic figures recount the myth of the fictional island. If you arrive by car, there are two convenient valet options.

Grand Canal Shoppes

With more than 800,000 square feet, the Grand Canal Shoppes makes several local experts’ short list for high-end shopping. The Venetian Las Vegas‘ famed canals lace their way through more than 160 signature stores, including Las Vegas’ only Barneys New York, making the Grand Canal Shoppes perhaps the only place in the world outside Venice where you can window-shop by gondola.

Fashion Show

” Fashion Show has something for everyone,” says Carol Styles, concierge at The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo Las Vegas. Its location on the Strip makes it easily accessible from anywhere on Las Vegas Boulevard, and there’s also ample parking. It has department stores like Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. For the youthful set, Topshop, Free People and Forever 21 serve up trendy fashions, and several restaurants offer a respite from shopping with wonderful views of the Strip. If you’re lucky, you may catch one of the New York-style runway shows that take place on the weekends on a catwalk near Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

[Read: Best Things To Do in Las Vegas.]

Miracle Mile Shops

As the name suggests, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino offers more than a mile of spending options. Kelly Messina, senior director of leisure sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, says, “Las Vegas often gets unique stores,” such as House of CB, a London boutique popular among stars such as J-Lo, Gigi Hadid and the Kardashians. If you’re looking to buy something to wear clubbing, Messina says the shop’s dresses are perfect.

Las Vegas North and South Premium Outlets

The city offers two outlet options. The Las Vegas North Premium Outlets is located downtown near Fremont Street and provides an outdoor shopping experience. You could start with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and then browse the selection at its 175 designer and name-brand outlet stores, including Diesel, Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th and Tory Burch. “You can get things that are off-season or that were made specifically for the outlets,” says Melinda Sheckells, editor-in-chief of Vegas Seven, a weekly Las Vegas lifestyle magazine. “They have every major store on the Strip, so that is always great if you’re hunting for bargains.”

[Read: 5 Unique Las Vegas Tours.]

The indoor Las Vegas South Premium Outlets, located on Las Vegas Boulevard south of the Mandalay Bay Casino, Aquarium and Beach, offers an equally impressive selection of more than 145 stores. Although the options include notable brands such as Michael Kors and Vera Bradley, its overall selection is a little less luxurious compared with that of its sister outlet mall to the north.

Town Square

For groceries, coffee and a playground for the little one, Town Square, a 100-acre outdoor shopping mall located just south of the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, covers it all. Whole Foods has a location here alongside a bevy of favorites, such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria’s Secret. There are also several restaurants and a movie theater.

“My personal favorite place to shop is Town Square,” says Doug Ward, former chief concierge at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Delano Las Vegas. “I like it because it is a great outdoor shopping experience with a great variety of shops.” There’s a complimentary shopping shuttle to and from several destinations on the Las Vegas Strip.

Broadacres Marketplace

“If you want to shop for a pair of silver alligator boots while drinking a michelada, Broadacres Marketplace is the place for you, and it doubles as a cultural day trip,” says Andrew Kiraly, editor of Desert Companion, a southern Nevada lifestyle magazine.

Featuring a swap meet, food vendors and Tejano music, Broadacres Marketplace is located north of downtown. It’s only open on the weekends and Friday nights, so visiting will take a little planning. Be sure to bring cash to cover the admission fee ($1.50 on Saturday, and $2 on Friday and Sunday) and to stock up on everything from toys to Tide detergent. And, don’t forget to save room for some carne asada fries.

To experience more of what Las Vegas has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

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The 8 Best Shopping Destinations in the USA

The 10 Best Luxury Destinations in the USA

9 Great Places to Shop in Las Vegas — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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