Grand Canal Shoppes

Grand Canal Shoppes, inside The Venetian Resort at 3377 S Las Vegas Boulevard on the Center Strip of Las Vegas, Nevada, is an indoor mall themed on Venice that spans both The Venetian and the adjoining Palazzo. Its defining feature is a re-created canal running under a painted sky, where singing gondoliers pilot gondolas past shopfronts. A St. Mark's Square-style plaza hosts street performers and roving entertainers, giving the mall more of a themed-attraction feel than a typical retail centre. The stores combine mid-range and luxury brands, including fashion, jewellery, beauty, accessories and specialty gifts, and the merchandise is genuine brand retail rather than low-cost souvenirs, although a few gift and novelty shops sell Venice-flavoured keepsakes. Prices range from moderate to high, with the upper-tier boutiques priced at the luxury level. As in most US malls, prices are fixed and bargaining is not accepted, and cards are accepted throughout. Nevada sales tax is added at purchase, and the United States has no general tourist tax-refund scheme. The atmosphere is lively and photogenic, with a steady flow of hotel guests and sightseers, and it is busiest on weekend afternoons and evenings. Gondola rides are a paid extra, priced per person with options for a ride in the indoor canal, and visitors who do not wish to ride can still watch from the walkway for free. The mall has numerous restaurants, cafes and dessert counters along the canal, from casual quick bites to full-service dining, so meals are easy to combine with shopping. The Grand Canal Shoppes link directly to The Venetian and Palazzo casino floors and convention areas, and a covered walkway makes it convenient to reach on foot from nearby Strip resorts, as well as by bus or ride-share. The indoor setting provides air-conditioned shelter from the Mojave Desert heat, which makes it a useful stop during summer afternoons. Store hours can differ by brand, and weekend hours extend until midnight.