Las Vegas Mixtape v10: U2 Sphere Takeover, Swap Meet Thrills, and Neon Feast Smarts

Track #3: Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet @Rancho Charleston

Let the rich have the Shops at Crystals on the Strip with its stuffy atmosphere and astronomical prices. Everyone else can head to the cheery, bustling Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet just a few miles away.

Pull into the parking lot any Friday-Sunday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, and you’ll have a choice of 1000 free spots. Instantly take note of the swap meet’s sign that’s fun-lovingly misspelled as “Fantastik” on the cavernous 135,000-square-foot building.

Inside, there are over 600 booths of affordable merchandise, in row after dizzying row, stuffed with everything you need—or, fascinatingly, might not need.

Folks come to this unexpected wonderland (where admission is only $1.00) to look for fast-fashion clothing, hats, cheap jewelry, perfume, “designer” sunglasses, wigs, and luggage. You’ll also see lamps, musical instruments, framed paintings created by local artists, blessed herbal candles, and even a semi-hydro plant shop.

If you’re feeling edgy, perhaps walk over to the booth selling knives, stun guns, and pepper spray. Maybe you’re a fan of stimulating bad taste like I am? Ladies, fork over a few dollars for a pair of drawstring pants with newspaper headlines ridiculously printed on them.

And gents, a T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Guns Don’t Kill People, Dads With Pretty Daughters Do” might speak to some of you.