which provides the chance to race premium supercars (Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin) on a track within the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex that is 20 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. The track has nine challenging turns, which include hairpins, quick S turns and even long sweepers. There are a variety of programs available, but all include a 30 minute briefing on the technical and safety aspects of racing, a spin in a Porsche Cayenne to sample the laps, as well as driving experience in a supercar with an instructor. High-end packages include a video of the drive and a certificate.

Pahrump Valley Winery www.pahrumpwinery.com

Head to the Mojave Desert, which has an upscale restaurant called Symphony’s that serves steak and fish, among other things and can be booked for private groups.

Hyde Lounge at the Bellagio

Hyde is the brainchild of designer Philippe Starck and sbe chairman, Sam Nazarian. Hyde’s is 12,000 square fee in size, overlooks the resort’s fountains and has indoor and outdoor venues. The venue operates as a lounge through 10 pm, eventually evolving into a nightclub.

1 Oak at the Mirage

This is the creation of the light group. The new club has a New York edge to it.

BREAKFAST BUFFET PRICES
ARIA $15.95
BELLAGIO $15.95
CAESARS PALACE $17.95
CIRCUS CIRCUS $11.49
EXCALIBUR $15.00
FLAMINGO $14.99
FREMONT $7.99
GOLDEN NUGGET $10.99
HARRAH’S $14.99
LUXOR $15.00
M RESORT $10.99
MAIN STREET STATION $7.99
MANDALAY BAY $15.99
MGM GRAND $17.25
MIRAGE $15.99
PARIS $15.99
PLANET HOLLYWOOD $14.99
RIO $15.99
RIVIERA $10.99
TERRIBLE’S CASINO $5.99
TI $16.95
WYNN LAS VEGAS $19.95

This glimpse into the life of “Mr. Las Vegas” is just the beginning of what’s new in town. In fact, the city is having something of a renaissance, opening up new restaurants, clubs, and museums, returning Sin City to the ever-changing kaleidoscope it once was.

Less than 10 years ago, Las Vegas was in the middle of a no-holds-barred building boom. But things happen, and Vegas seemed to be put on a giant “hold” for several years. The only major plan that was actually completed was the awe-inspiring City Center, which included the Mandarin Oriental and Aria hotels, as well as Crystals shoppong center.

Now the excitement of City Center has spilled over into the entire city: new restaurants, museums, and clubs have either recently opened or are on target for 2012. So even if you visited Vegas recently, don’t assume it’s still the same. And don’t head to Sin City without checking out this list of the newest and best things to do.

THE BARRYMORE
The Royal Resort’s hidden restaurant, The Barrymore, is the best place to ensconce yourself for an evening of modernized Rat Pack-inflected glamour in Las Vegas. The 1,400-square-foot space is pure, old-school cinematic Vegas, with handmade wallpaper, blue-tufted booths, and a ceiling lined with antique movie reels. You’ll also find funky Rorschach portraits of Vegas stars, and modern twists on Vegas classics like lobster eggs Benedict and octopus salad. Inside the Royal Resort; 99 Convention Center Dr.; (800)634-6118

THE MOB MUSEUM
Opens Valentine’s Day, 2012. It’s the actual former federal courthouse where such landmark hearings as the 1950 Kefauver hearing on organized crime were held. Here, Las Vegas’s former “Happiest Mayor on Earth,” Oscar Goodman, defended real-life wiseguys like Anthony “The Ant” Spilotro (playing himself defending a facsimile of The Ant in the movie Casino). The long-awaited (a decade, to be exact) $42 million museum was created by the same team that designed the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Among its showpieces: part of the bullet-ridden wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, 300 Stewart Ave.

35 STEAKS + MARTINIS

You may think that the last thing Las Vegas needs is another steak house, but inhale one of the Tomahawk Steaks, a 35-day aged, 35-ounce prime steak of Flinststone’s proportions, and you’ll think otherwise. It’s a traditional steak house with a rock ‘n’ roll design: custom chrome-plated chandeliers in the main room, textured silver walls, and chocolate padded columns. Don’t miss the Applewood bacon creamed spinach or the 35 Gimlet (with cucumber essence and Hendrick’s gin). The wine list, appropriately, is stocked with “Wines that Rock,” including labels by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. In the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; 4455 Paradise Rd.; (702) 693-5585

NEVADA STATE MUSEUM