OK, we all know that the main reason we go to Vegas is for the gambling, hoping to hit "the big one."

For some, the second most important reason for going to Vegas is the food. The never-ending buffets and Mainland-only restaurants. But for those who know me from my Midlife Crisis blog, you know that I love to shop — always searching for the great deals on clothes, shoes, colognes and more.

A required stop is the Las Vegas Premium Outlets just outside downtown Las Vegas. It's an outdoor mall with tons of outlet stores. That's the keyword: outlet. From Ann Taylor to the Disney Store to True Religion to Harry & David. And there is a Starbucks for when your shopping batteries begin to run low.

Here's a tip. Go to www.premiumoutlets.com and sign up for the VIP Club. Then go to the Las Vegas Premium Outlets site and print out the VIP Coupon Book Voucher (listed along with other Exclusive Online Coupons that you can also print). When you get to the mall, present the coupon book voucher at the management office by the south side parking garage, and you'll be presented with a pamphlet-style coupon book to use at many of the stores. Plus, if you're there on a Tuesday, certain stores offer senior discounts for those 50 and older. Yes, I qualify.

You can do the same for the Las Vegas Outlet Center — not to be confused with the Las Vegas Premium Outlets — too. The Las Vegas Outlet Center is the old Belz outlet mall just south of McCarran airport.

With the names of the two malls so similar, we refer to them as "the Downtown mall" and "Belz mall."

By the way, the VIP Coupon book and Tuesday senior discount also work at Waikele Premium Outlets.

Other non-outlet malls we sometimes visit are: Meadows Mall, Boulevard Mall and Fashion Show Mall. Although Fashion Show Mall is right on the Strip, don't let it fool you. There are good deals to be found there, too.

One of the newer shopping venues is Town Square on Las Vegas Boulevard directly across from McCarran airport. I don't consider Town Square a mall because it's set up like a town — with outdoor cafes and side streets and even a town center. It's a nice place to walk off the pounds gained at the buffets.

If you park on the side streets, like in any town, you'll have to feed the meters. But all around the outskirts of the town is free parking. There is even a parking structure on the south end if you don't want to leave your car in the blazing summer heat.

Oh, and I mustn't forget the Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas mall in Primm, Nev., about 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Shopping at Primm is an adventure. Well, getting there certainly is. That deserves its own column.

Rodney Lee works in The Advertiser technology department and also writes the Midlife Crisis blog. Follow Midlife Crisis and Vegas, baby! at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/blogs.