Wayne Newton’s “Casa de Shenandoah” Belongs On Your Vegas “Must” List

It’s been a long time coming…and we’re excited to say that it’s worth the wait. Wayne Newton’s lavish Casa de Shenandoah estate is now open to the public. We’re sure that once you visit, you’ll be saying “Danke Schoen”.

Our own Greg Bennett welcomes you to Wayne Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah

We won’t bore you with the legal hiccups and behind-the-scenes drama that have kept the home and grounds of Wayne Newton from becoming a tourist attraction for so long. Our job is to tell you what’s new and exciting in Las Vegas…and the opening of Casa de Shenandoah is indeed worthy of trumpeting to our readers.

The 52-acre estate, a stone’s throw from McCarran International Airport, will have you checking your jaw position at every turn. It’s simultaneously spectacular, gaudy, tasteful, opulent, exciting, relaxing and every superlative you can toss around. You don’t have to be a Wayne Newton fan to be entranced by everything there is to see and do here…a little love of Vegas glitz and history is all it takes.

Your adventure begins at the visitor center, a short bus ride from the grounds themselves. The tastefully-appointed ticket lobby and gift shop lead to a posh viewing room, where a brief film on the history of the ranch is played on an endless loop. From there, buses take guests on a short drive to the property.

Not easily impressed, this writer caught himself verbally gushing “Ooh’s” and “Ah’s” when the grand, gold-accented gates opened (as did fellow VegasBright contributor Greg Bennett, who accompanied me to the media premiere). It was as theatrical as the famous doors to Jurassic Park. As planes soared overhead, our eyes were drawn to Newton’s own private jet, which was painstakingly disassembled and brought here after years of disuse.

Like kids arriving at a theme park, Greg and I hopped off the bus and dashed through the museum to get a close look at the plane. Along the way, we passed military display cases, native American artifacts and congenial tour guides, eager to share their knowledge and answer any questions. But we had no time for that…at least not until we got our pics taken inside the cockpit.

But after the boys got to play with their toys, it was time to become serious journalists and….”Oh, look, the Auto Collection!”.

Being a fan of all things mechanical, Greg ran from car to car, gushing over every make and model. I, on the other hand, took notice of Wayne himself, greeting guests in the center of the room. Celebrities of today’s Vegas and the height of Wayne’s era were lined up, eager to take pictures and offer congratulations. The buzz in the room was electric, but Newton himself seemed cool and comfortable, apparently relishing all the enthusiasm he was witnessing.

Wayne with magician Lance Burton

After a small chat with outrageous 70’s entertainer Sir Monty Rock III, I slipped past actress/songstress Pia Zadora, Absinthe star Melody Sweets and a few Thunder From Down Under gents to get a good look at more memorabilia. Posters, costumes, trophies, awards, plaques…they’re all here, beautifully displayed and close enough to touch (but please don’t).

“Butterfly” Golden Globe winner Pia Zadora, enjoying the unveiling…

From there, we took a stroll outside with Tyson Beckford and actress Jennifer Elise Cox (The Brady Bunch movies), past the artesian well fountains and free-roaming exotic birds to the equine area. This is where Newton’s Arabian horses are kept and cared for. Guests will get the opportunity to see them being exercised in the fields and in a specially-designed exercise pool.

If gorgeous horses aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll enjoy spending time in the exotic animal habitat. Newton’s family of animals includes a capuchin monkey, “Charlie the penguin”, wallabies, peacocks, and swans.

The final stop we made during our visit was at the mansion. Built between 1973 and 1976, Newton’s home reflects his eclectic personal tastes. You’ll see the dining room that has entertained countless celebrities and Presidents, a pool table sitting on a crystal base, Newton’s den and desk, and the outfits Wayne and his wife Kathleen wore when married on the property in 1994.  And of course, lots of memorabilia and artwork.

Visiting the Casa de Shenandoah estate is self-paced. You can walk around at your leisure. Various areas are accessible to guests, depending on the type and level of access you purchase at the Visitor Center. Rates start at $35.00. We recommend the Platinum Tour ($49.00), which gives you access to the mansion and everything described above.

Casa de Shenandoah is open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to casadeshenandoah.com or call 702.776.7491. Casa de Shenandoah is located at 3310 Sunset Road, Las Vegas, NV 89120. The property is non-smoking and handicap-accessible.

[Images: sammasseur]

sammasseur

A fitness buff and Vegas fan. Sam enjoys shows, bargains, and cheap healthy eats.