How to Use Google Local Search for Las Vegas

My favorite mapping service for finding local Las Vegas businesses -- like restaurants, for example -- is Google Maps.

It's fast. Easy to use. And very flexible in terms of how you can search for something.

Best of all, clicking on any of the results displayed along the left side of the screen, or clicking any marker on the map, usually reveals links to the business website, customer reviews, driving directions, and Google's Street View (photos of the location at street level so you know what the building looks like).

The 'more info' link pops up another small screen where you find coupons (if available); links to websites that mention this business; photos & videos that users have uploaded; and so on.

Here's how to do it:

1. Access Google Maps.
2. Type in what you're looking for: restaurants or pizza or steak or vegan or whatever.
   
3. After that in the same box at the same time, type in the location: las vegas or 89109 (the zip code) or las vegas convention center (the name of a major building) or whatever you'd like to try. Google's search is getting quite sophisticated. [For your reference: the zip code for north Las Vegas Blvd. is 89109; south Las Vegas Blvd. is 89119).
4. Click Search.
5. Up to 10 restaurant options appear on the left. A map with corresponding markers appears on the right.
6. Click a marker to read about the restaurant. Some have links to restaurant reviews.
   

I find that averaging 5-7 reviews provides a fairly accurate prediction of what to expect of a restaurant.

UPDATED: May 12, 2009