Attendees of NAFCU's 47th AnnualConference and Solutions Expo already know there's plenty ofopportunity for adventure in the city also known as Lost Wages.

The popular saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,”suggests secrets are safe in Sin City.

But some of the best kept secrets in Vegas are definitely worthsharing. Searching for clandestine tips along The Strip,CU Times found numerous hidden gems. Here's alook.

Secret Recipe forSuccess

Baker Buddy Valastro and his family, made famous by TLCshow Cake Boss, recently opened a new store inthe Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian.

That means NAFCU Annual Conference attendees won't have to gofar to get a taste; the new bakery is adjacent to Buddy V'srestaurant, which opened last year.

The original Carlo's Bakery, founded in 1910 in Hoboken, N.J.,has been showcased as the setting for TLC's Next GreatBaker. The Valastro family helped spearhead the recent customcake craze sweeping the country, according to a press release.

“We've been working for a long time to make this happen, this isa great town and I can't wait to get everybody in here,” Valastrosaid during the new bakery's grand opening.

Cryptic Clues from OldMobsters

The Mob Museum, also known as the National Museum of OrganizedCrime and Law Enforcement, recently unveiled two new displaysfeaturing rare gambling artifacts from mobsters such as BugsySiegel, including items such as antique casino chips, gamingdevices and photographs.

If the unique items in the displays could talk, they'd probablyhave plenty of juicy gossip.

This iconic sign welcomes visitors to old-school Las Vegas andthe good times ahead.

The first display, located on the museum's second floor,features memorabilia from the 1946 opening of Bugsy Siegel'sFlamingo Hotel. The second display, located on the third floor,presents artifacts from legendary illegal gambling halls around theU.S.

The Mob Museum is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday throughThursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,

Friday and Saturday. More information is available online atwww.themobmuseum.org.

One Way Money Disappears in Vegas

Mac King's name might not be as recognizable as DavidCopperfield or Siegfried & Roy, but the comedic magician whoheadlines at Harrah's Las Vegas has one of the longest-runningshows in town and has entertained more than 1 million fans,according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

At first glance, his retro plaid suit and bowl cut may foolaudiences, but King has been dubbed a “god” by fellow illusionistsPenn & Teller, a “genius” by Playboy Magazine and has beencalled one of the city's best kept secrets and entertainmentbargains by several national publications.

“I'm honored to be considered a 'best kept secret,' and a 'cheapthrill,' but would actually prefer to be 'very well known' and'priceless,' King joked during an interview with CUTimes.

For almost 15 years, the Kentucky native has hosted The Mac KingComedy Magic Show at Harrah's Las Vegas.

The 75-minute show features family-friendly humor,sleight-of-hand gimmicks and visual gags involving goldfish, a rainponcho and other unique props.

“My act has never been your typical Vegas extravaganza,” Kingexplained. “My show is more about my personality, which is magical,to say the least.”

Before disappearing, the master of invisible cloak-and-daggerespionage confessed a few furtive facts about one of his favoriteillusions.

“Without giving too much away, it involves an unsuspecting manfrom the audience and his money, and it's kind of the cornerstoneto my act,” he said.

Curtains rise at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for The Mac King Comedy MagicShow at Harrah's. More at www.mackingshow.com.

Buddy Valastro of Next Great Baker has opened a new store in TheVenetian on The Strip.

New Fame Peddling Old Stuff

PAWN SHOP LIVE!, a comedic multimedia salute to the popularPawn Stars reality show, recently debuted at the RivieraHotel & Casino's Starlite Theatre.

The live show, based on the World Famous Gold & Silver PawnShop on Las Vegas Boulevard, is fully endorsed by the TV show'sstars, a press release said.

Shop owner Rick Harrison stated in a press release that the keyto his family's success as reality stars, and in life, is theability to laugh at themselves.

PAWN SHOP LIVE! features video clips of the reality show stars,a comedic puppet, Vegas showgirls and special guests, the releasesaid. It revs up at 4:30 p.m. daily (except Friday) at the Riviera.More at www.pawnshopshow.com.

Historic Area's Facelift Funded byFeet

Fremont Street, which dates back to 1905 when Vegas was founded,had slipped off the tourism radar.

But the historic downtown area has undergone a recent facelift,thanks to a $350 million downtown rejuvenation, funded, in part, byZappos founder Tony Hsieh.

The Vegas resident, who launched his shoe mecca in nearbyHenderson, Nev., decided to take a gamble by developing an urbanoasis to lure techies and creative types.

Others have also invested. In 2007, the Las Vegas RedevelopmentAgency and Fremont East property and business owners committed $5.5million to develop Fremont East Entertainment District, which isnow filled with iconic neon signs, small clubs, local restaurantsand live music, according to the city's website.

One of the area's popular attractions is the Fremont StreetExperience. The pedestrian mall is covered by a giant canopy withstate-of-the art audio, video and lighting that offers freepower-packed shows once an hour in the evenings, according to itswebsite.

More at www.vegasexperience.com.