The place to party

Erin Neff

Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000 | 11:10 a.m.

Still looking for something to do this New Year's Eve?

USA Today claims one of the nation's hottest spots to ring in 2001 is in Las Vegas, but surprise, it's miles from the glitz of the Strip.

The Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas ranked fifth in a Dec. 22 USA Today article listing the nation's 10 best places to dance in the new year.

"It's not No. 1?" Mayor Oscar Goodman asked. "Did they know I was going to be there? That would push it right up to No. 1."

The top four places listed in USA Today's travel guide are the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Fairmont in San Francisco, the Hyatt Regency Chicago and the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Even without Goodman's zeal for all things downtown, the Fremont Street Experience has seen a boost in interest this year.

"Even last week our ticket sales were going at a pretty good pace," said Mark Paris, president and chief executive officer of the Fremont Street Experience. "We're already on a pace to break last year's sales."

The party at the Experience features a 3-D light and sound show, fireworks at midnight, party favors and a diverse entertainment lineup of Kool and the Gang, Morris Day and the Time, the Dazz Band and Rain -- A Tribute to the Beatles.

For $30, party-goers gain admission to the five-block-long party under the $77 million light-and-sound show canopy.

"We think this year is going to be our best year," Paris said. "We have great entertainment this year, and people like the fact that they can come to a big party and still feel safe."

At midnight, confetti and fireworks will explode from underneath the 1,400-foot canopy. The fireworks are designed for use indoors and are not expected to cause any problems, Paris said.

Goodman -- who was criticized last year for ringing in 2000 at the Bellagio on the Strip, and thus outside the city's limits -- decided to stay in Las Vegas this year.

"The success of the Fremont Street Experience is as important as anything else we're doing downtown," Goodman said.

Rounding out the top 10 places to dance in the new year are:

Gates for the Fremont Street Experience event open at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at any of the downtown casinos on the Experience, and at the Experience executive office, 425 Fremont St. For information, call 678-5600 or 800-249-3559, or visit the website: www.vegasexperience.com.