Rising out of the sand of the Mojave Desert is a fantastical oasis, one of neon and bling, entertainment and indulgence; a city of sin where gambling and extravagant nightlife are king. It’s a place where world class restaurants and designer shops are found practically around every corner. Year after year its mystique drew me in and a little over a year ago the flashing lights of Las Vegas finally wrangled me, changing my temporary visits to permanent.
So, what is there to do in the city that really never sleeps? Here are a few secrets from an insider on the nocturnal goings on from sun down to sun up.
Dining
Vegas is known for casinos, but it’s also home to a plethora of exquisite restaurants with a slew of celebrity chefs playing the field. There’s absolutely no shortage of Food Network hosts and “Top Chef” challengers. There’s only one question: How do you choose? Here’s some help on narrowing down the best option for you.
Let’s start with casual – Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 in the MGM Grand. I went to the grand opening a few months ago and gorged myself. I must have tried everything on the menu and let me tell you, it was all delicious! They serve brunch, lunch and dinner and of course there’s a Happy Hour. Keep in mind a burger will run almost $20, but the caramelized onions, mushrooms, and truffle aioli on the 1842 Burger is worth it. Then there’s the beer—it is a pub after all. There are 40 domestic and international brews from craft lagers and hearty IPA’s to rich stouts and refreshing ciders. Pub 1842 isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a beer lover’s paradise.
How about fine dining? I’ve eaten a lot of great food in Vegas and rarely try the same place twice, except NOBU. World renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa has successfully expanded traditional Japanese cuisine and infused it with flavors from the West and South America. Bear in mind it may take you a few months to pay off the bill, but even after that, you’ll still go back. Personally, I fell in love with the yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño appetizer ($24). I’ve eaten at the first location in the Hard Rock, but hear that the new second location in Caesar’s Palace is fantastic, too.
If you aren’t a foodie, there are numerous places that are less expensive and are a lot of fun like Señor Frog’s at Treasure Island, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill at Harrah’s, or the famous West Coast In-N-Out burger joint a few blocks from the strip.
Entertainment
Las Vegas continues to be a leading tourist destination because it’s always re-inventing itself. There is so much more to do here than gambling, like seeing the phenomenal shows. Perhaps the most famous one is Cirque du Soleil. Their shows are filled with stimulating music, colors, and offbeat circus stunts, which translates to an international circus vibe that is forever unexpected and over the top.
If you love “diva” music or are with a group of women “Véronic Voices” is adorable. At Bally’s, one lone woman, Véronic DiCaire, imitates 50 female singers. In old Vegas there’s also the “Scintas” at the D featuring a pair of brothers who do comedic “old time” impersonations and songs, joined by a beautiful woman, Janien Valentine, who has a powerful voice. (*You can find a deal on some of these smaller shows by Googling: “half price Vegas shows.”)
You can also learn a thing or two at some pretty cool museums. There is the Mob Museum downtown, the Bodies Exhibit at the Luxor, and the Neon Museum north of the Strip, nicknamed the Neon Boneyard because it’s the final resting place for Las Vegas signs.
Cocktails with Views
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spot for a nightcap, or an energy infused lounge to begin it, there are several hot spots where great photo ops will accompany your drinks. On the Strip find City Center and visit the Mandarin Oriental. Once inside this elegant yet hip hotel, take the elevator to the 23rd floor where you’ll find the Mandarin Bar. There are floor to ceiling windows where the view will knock your socks off.
The Palms is a bit off the strip, but that’s what makes its Ghost Bar and Moon so cool. They each have spectacular views of the Strip and turn into a nightclub with DJ’s spinning house beats, so don’t be afraid to wear those new five inch heels or bust out a fresh shirt and tie. If you want something not quite so fancy that still delivers a breathtaking view, head to VooDoo at the Rio.
The neon lights along Las Vegas Boulevard paint a beautiful backdrop but so do the world famous Bellagio fountains. Hyde is an exclusive club that hosts plenty of celebrities, but from 5-10 p.m. you can be the VIP, enjoying a cocktail with a front row view of the water show before the nightclub opens.
Clubs
There are so many clubs in Las Vegas and honestly, they’re all good. If you’re a large party and don’t mind shelling out a little, book a table. This gives you a “home base,” where you can find your friends, get a drink without standing in line, and have some security while keeping away from “unwanted visitors.” Keep in mind that tables with bottle service are ridiculously expensive. I had a pair of friends (just two) come to town and drop nearly $3,000 on an outdoor table at Marquis at the Cosmopolitan. Keep in mind, however, we were drinking top-shelf champagne and made quite a few friends that night.
I’ve also sat in the Encore’s VIP. It’s beautiful in the summer because you can walk out and see the pools at the Encore Beach Club. Tao at the Venetian is hot! The electronic beats keep the large dance floor filled while a hip-hop grove keeps the smaller room nearby thumping.
If you’re looking to club on the cheap (and who isn’t?) fear not—it’s possible! If you’re with a group of girls, you can almost always “talk your way in”. Keep your eyes out for promoters. They get paid when you enter the club, so they will usually walk you to the font of the line. Girls usually get in for free while guys pay a discounted price. Nobody wants to wait in line for two hours and THEN pay $50 just to get inside.
Budget Friendly Entertainment
Most tourists head for the Strip because that’s what they think Vegas is, but what if I told you there’s an equally fun and even cooler area? “Old Vegas” is known as The Fremont Street Experience. It’s about five miles north of the Wynn Hotel (one of the northernmost hotels on the Strip). It’s truly like stepping into a time warp. An otherwise dark neighborhood is illuminated by the red, green, and gold lights. Five blocks are closed to car traffic and lined with 25 places to buy alcohol, from the old school casinos to mini-markets.
Street performers try to grab your attention by singing, dancing, and doing magic tricks. You’ll see everyone from Elvis Presley to a half-naked cowboy to a Transformer ready to snap a photo with you. There are also free shows on the world’s largest LED screen. These light shows are choreographed to the music of some of the all-time greats like the Beatles and the Doors. Then of course there are casinos. Perhaps you’ve heard of classics like the Golden Nugget–that’s on Fremont Street. Gamblers take note because you’re guaranteed to find a $5 table in old Vegas at all times. Some of the casinos on Fremont still have slot machines that dump out real coins instead of simply printing out a ticket.
Fremont Street is a hoot. It’s entertaining enough that my friends and I still go down there every few weeks, even after being here for more than a year.
Farewell
No matter what you choose, you’ll leave Vegas excited for the next time. It’s a place to let loose, see a fabulous show and if you’re really lucky–win a fortune. There’s a reason a city in the middle of the desert continues to be one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations year after year. It’s an escape and who doesn’t need that?
The area code for Las Vegas is 702.
Where to Stay: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino – This hotel in old Vegas is an original and is where the Rat Pack used to hang out. It’s more affordable than a Strip venue and has surprisingly nice renovated rooms and suites. One Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101; (702) 385-1906; www.goldengatecasino.com Palms Casino Resort – It’s a little off the strip, but that means there are spectacular views of the neon lights, and you generally get a little more bang for your buck. The recently renovated suites are hip and spacious. It gets four diamonds from AAA/CAA. 4321 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103; (702) 942-7777; www.palms.com Venetian Resort Hotel Casino – At the heart of the Las Vegas strip, it’s very luxurious but not too expensive. That being said—it’s probably my favorite. The rooms and suites are huge. 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109; (866) 659-9643; www.venetian.com Where to Eat: Michael Mina’s Pub 1842 – Inside MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd South Las Vegas, NV 89117; (702) 891-3922; www.mgmgrand.com NOBU – Inside Hard Rock 4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89168; (702) 693-5090; www.noburestaurants.com Peppermill – A timeless spot that’s sure to cure a hangover. The best part about this place is their Bloody Marys. The portions are large and the decorations highlight colorful and classic Vegas. 2985 Las Vegas Blvd; (702) 735-4177; www.peppermilllasvegas.com Park on Fremont – This hipster restaurant with a funky décor has seating both inside and outside. Although moderately priced, it’s very good and has a list of interesting cocktails and Bloody Marys. If you go, be sure to ask what’s behind the wall in the back. 509 Fremont St., Las Vegas, 89101; (702) 834-3160; www.parkonfremont.com Pink Taco – This Mexican restaurant inside the Hard Rock has a California vibe with good food and a Happy Hour from 3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday! 4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89169; (702) 693-5525; www.pinktaco.com What to See and Do: These are two key activities just beyond the Strip: Red Rock Canyon–This is a beautiful area about 40 minutes from downtown Vegas for hiking and biking. There is a Visitors Center where you can get a map of the many trails with different degrees of difficulty. You can drive or bike around the 13-mile scenic drive. Call or look online for directions. (702) 515-5367; www.redrockcanyonlv.org Hoover Dam – Just 30 miles southeast of Vegas, many tourists visit the Hoover Dam just for the spectacular views of this amazing man-made structure. The water at Lake Meade defines the oasis of Las Vegas and you can swim, boat and fish here. (702) 494-2517; www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/
Photo Courtesy of Golden Gate Hotel & Casino[/caption]