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There was a time, not too long ago, when the only thing green about Vegas was the Emerald City-themed MGM Grand. Now, however, the city is going through a green renaissance (of sorts), with hotels, restaurants, and destinations becoming a bit more environmentally aware. Come late 2009, Vegas even hopes to become home to the largest LEED-certified project in the U.S., the 76-acre MGM Mirage CityCenter Las Vegas. Sin City may not be the greenest place on Earth (check out TreeHugger's Las Vegas archive to learn more), but you can leave a lighter footprint the next time you visit. Here's how.
- Ride the Las Vegas Monorail or the Double-decker Bus
Go from hotel to hotel to the Las Vegas Convention Center on the Las Vegas Monorail. Nearly four miles long, the rail is the perfect way to hop around the Strip without a car or braving the 100-plus degree heat. Eliminating the need for rental cars, the Monorail is estimated to save up to 135 tons of carbon emissions per year. Unfortunately, it costs $5 a ticket. For added value, purchase the six-ride Party Pack for $20.
Cheaper at $2 a ticket (or $5 for 24 hours) is the double-decker bus service, the Deuce. A handy route planner makes plotting out your trip easy. Plug in your starting address (or even the name of your hotel) and your destination and the planner delivers all the details you need.
Conventions often offer their own bus service from the hotel to the center. Check in with your concierge or convention contact for more information. - Stay at the Green Palazzo Hotel
CityCenter is not the only Vegas hotel aiming to attract eco-friendly guests: The recently built Palazzo is also rallying for LEED certification. Low-flow showerheads, energy-efficient windows, and walls and in-room CFLs installed here consume less water and energy. - Discover Nature at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Escape the call of the casinos and venture outdoors to the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Built on the springs that attracted Vegas's first settlers, the Preserve is a Mecca for eco-friendly practices in the Southwest. Not only does it teach connectedness with nature through education and green building techniques, it brings in luminaries such as William McDonough to give talks about sustainability. - Grab Organic Lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Spring Café
While at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, catch lunch at Wolfgang Pucks Spring Café, which features organic and regional ingredients with a view of both the Preserve to one side and the Las Vegas Strip to the other, putting you squarely between the built and natural environment. - It's a Desert: Be Water-conscious
A city in the middle of the desert is, well, hot -- and not exactly plentiful in water. So, one of the most eco-conscious things you can do while visiting Las Vegas is to be water conscious. The population boom is making water resources ever more scarce in this area of the world. Travel with a reusable water bottle so you don't have to buy packaged water, and take simple measures such as turning off the water while you brush your teeth. - Shop for Eco Clothing at Buffalo Exchange
For sustainable style, perhaps the only thing better than organic threads is pre-used designer gear. Buffalo Exchange combines a thrift store with all the expensive designer labels you find in the Vegas shopping areas. - Eat Organic Raw and Vegan Fare at Go Raw Café
Not into raw food? You'll still find something to sink your teeth in at Go Raw Café. At its two locations, Go Raw serves up mostly organic and vegan raw fare -- making it a great antidote to the classic Vegas buffet. - Book a Green Car Service or Rent a Hybrid
Cabs are racking up more and more miles in and around Las Vegas: Luckily, more hybrids are popping up. Ask your concierge for help hailing a green chariot from companies such as Lucky Cab Company, which has a fleet of Priuses. If you must have your own car, EV Rental Cars has hybrids. - Dine at Canyon Ranch for Grass-fed Organic Meat
Canyon Ranch resorts and spas are known far and wide for their luxurious health and wellness outposts. At the Canyon Ranch Café in Vegas (serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner and located inside the Venetian hotel), you can grab some spa-chic organic food. Seasonal fruits and vegetables combine with grass-fed, organic meats to keep you well nourished while navigating the Strip. - Discover Delicious Vegan Donuts at Ronald's Donuts
In typical Vegas fashion, once folks have their first batch of Ronald's Donuts, they become a bit obsessed. Among the shop's selections is an impressive array of tasty vegan doughnuts. Who knew?
Like this? Check out more of Planet Green's Green City Guides.
