Dreamy VIVA LAS VEGAS
Bright Light city gonna set my soul, gonna set my soul on fire… Viva Las Vegas!
(And if you didn’t sing that line, go back and try again!) Elvis was pretty spot on when he sang about the gambling and the neon back in 1964. Often referred to as the Disneyland for Adults, the town has grown to encompass word class shows, incredible hotels, enough dining options to last a lifetime and a party atmosphere like no other. Perfect for a weekend break (but less crowded if you can visit during the week!) let us share with you our top Things to Do in Las Vegas, plus Where to stay, What to eat and Day trip ideas!
VIVA LAS VEGAS! A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE BEST THINGS TO SEE, DO & EAT, PLUS WHERE TO STAY IN SIN CITY
Las Vegas is a wonderful, magical place, filled with lollypops and rainbows and unicorns. And by that I, of course, mean free beer, rampant gambling, and excessive casinos.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LAS VEGAS
EXPLORE THE CASINOS ON FOOT
One of the best free things to do in Las Vegas is just walk around the casinos, taking in the grandeur, and pondering how much money was piled in to create the mega structures. The southern end in particular is great if you love themed casinos. The Luxor is of course built with a giant pyramid and Sphinx replica out the front. (The pyramid itself cost $323 million in 1993!)
Next door is the Excalibur, which is admittedly more impressive from the outside than the inside (like the Luxor), as it has been fashioned into a cartoony, medieval, multi-turreted castle. Inside it is pretty well worn so you are best spending your hard earned time inside the nicer casinos and enjoying this one from the outside.
And next door again is the New York NY Casino. I love the colour of the “NY Skyline” and the cheers screams emanating from the roller coaster as it zooms overhead. Inside, grab a slice of New York style pizza if you need a snack, or better yet, if you’re not from the east coast, grab a burger and a shake at Shake Shack, New York’s most famous burger joint.
ENJOY VEGAS’ BEST VIEW OF THE STRIP
Being right in the center of the strip, the view is rewarding in both directions. Flashing LEDs light up the desert and every 10 minutes you can look down and watch the regular fountain show at the Bellagio. If you thought it was spectacular from the ground, wait until you see it from the air.
SEE A SHOW
Vegas is packed full of shows with endless variety. At last count, there were 8 different Cirque du Soleil shows(!). But if incredible acrobatics and circus stunts are not your thing, try the illusions of David Copperfield.Maybe you’re into music. Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and Human Nature all have regular shows. And Calvin Harris plays every Saturday night at Omnia night club in Caesars.
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
Catch a cab out to the Fremont Street Experience, otherwise known as Downtown Las Vegas. Downtown can often get left behind on short trips but I think it’s a must see. Fremont Street is a long, covered pedestrian mall with live entertainment filling the airwaves, a zipline overhead and casinos on every side. It hosts some of Las Vegas’ more historic casinos like the Golden Nugget and Binions, and the decorations are less LED, and more flashing bulbs, much like the Vegas of old.
*INSIDER TIP* The Fremont Street Light Show is free and displayed on the roof of the mall every hour on the hour between 6pm-1am. Paying homage to Old-time Vegas, the entire show lasts around 6 minutes and is best viewed by lying on the floor. Don’t be shy – just lie down and enjoy! – You’ll be surprised how many people join you. And even if they don’t, at least you won’t get a stiff neck from craning up!
YEARN FOR THE OLDEN DAY AT THE LAS VEGAS NEON MUSEUM
The Las Vegas Neon Museum is a time capsule of Las Vegas history. It’s an outdoor museum jam-packed full of vintage, retired, mostly dilapidated signs from historic motels and casinos that have since either been demolished or significantly upgraded.
Most are from the golden age of the 1950’s and 1960’s, but some are even older. They are in the process of restoring a few of them to their former glory – but most are stored as a reminder of days gone by. A very interesting afternoon for anyone interested in Vegas history. Make sure to book ahead!
RELIVE THE MOB DAYS AT THE MOB MUSEUM
Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the Mob Museum will teach you all about some of the most famous gangsters in history including Al Capone, John Gotti and Bugsy Siegel. (And how they were caught!) There’s even a Tommy Gun and the opportunity to take part in FBI weapons training!
LEARN TO PLAY CRAPS
I know I said at the top that there’s so much more to Vegas than gambling, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you came to Vegas and ignored it completely. Personally, I love blackjack and Texas Hold’em poker, and I think most people are vaguely familiar with the games. But the game that eludes most people is craps.
Craps is the one with the dice and the deep table with all the numbers where people call out “snake eyes!” and “come on lucky 7!”. I’ve learnt to play craps on 2 of the 4 times I’ve been to Vegas, and to be honest, I still forget how to play. But I had fun playing it. I suggest finding a cheap table to learn on, where other players aren’t taking the game too seriously, and the dealers are happy enough to teach you. The cheapest tables are at the Luxor, the Flamingo, the Linq, Circus Circus, and Hooters.
.
RIDE THE THRILL RIDES AT THE TOP OF THE STRATOSPHERE
Get your scream on with these Thrill Rides located 350m (1149ft) in the air at the top of the Stratosphere. There are 3 rides at the top: Insanity, X Scream and The Big Shot. You’ll be spun around, shot into the sky and dropped off the edge of the building. Pick one, or do them all – it all depends how brave you are! And whilst you’re up there – take in a 360º view across Vegas, and see where Vegas ends and the desert begins. (This looks very cool lit up at night!)
HIT UP THE GUN STORE
I find the whole gun culture in the USA both baffling and intriguing. Here in Las Vegas – and I’m sure this exists in other parts of the country too, but you can go to Gun Store, pick out any number/type of gun (inc. machine guns!), purchase a certain number of rounds and head off into the firing area and shoot it. This may seem perfectly normal to some, but it was a whole new world to me! As you can see from to image too – you also get to pick your target, with difficulty going up with hostage scenario images for those who want to improve their accuracy! If your curious about guns, this is the place to go. It’s safe, supervised and they completely understand if your new/terrified!
DAY TRIP TO RED ROCK CANYON
After a few intense days in Vegas you might feel like you to escape for a day. A Red Rock Canyon Day Tour provides that escape by taking you to a completely different world.
Dramatic boulders rise from the earth in a variety of reds and browns. The Visitors Center starts at the beginning of a ring road which offers around 20 different hikes through canyons and up peaks with spectacular views of the Nevada desert.
.
SEE A FREE SHOW
If you can’t splash the cash for a theater show, make a list of all the free shows and hop between them. They might be a bit tackier, but you’ll stay entertained. Caesars has the Fall of Atlantis in the Forum Shops; there are regular circus shows at Circus Circus; and Treasure Island and the Mirage both have free shows in the evening. The Mirage is a light and fire show on a volcano, and the Treasure Island show is a pirate-themed stunt show. And if you don’t want to Casino hop you can always..
.
WATCH THE DANCING FOUNTAINS AT THE BELLAGIO
More than a thousand fountains at the Bellagio dance to music ranging from Pavarotti to Sinatra on every day of the week! Mon-Fri shows are every half an hour between 3pm-8pm then every 15 minutes to midnight. And on the weekend 12pm-8pm every half an hour and 8pm-midnight every 15 minutes. Gather round the railing for an up close and personal experience , or grab a table at the corner of the Planet Hollywood complex across the road and watch this mesmerizing free show.
.
TAKE A GONDOLA RIDE AT THE VENETIAN
The Venetian is one of the best designed Casinos on the Strip. You’ll want to take your time in here because the interior is seriously stunning. It’s unbelievable how realistic the sky-painted roof looks. Combine this with the intricate detail given to the “streets” through the mall and the canals through the complex and you actually start to wonder if you are actually in Venice. Poke your head in some shops then be serenaded in a gondola as you float around the Casino.
.
VISIT LINQ AND RIDE THE HIGHEST OBSERVATION WHEEL IN THE WORLD
Linq is the open air entertainment complex by Caesar’s Entertainment, the centerpiece of which is the Linq High Roller – the tallest observation wheel in the world. One 30 minute revolution will give you a fantastic view over the Las Vegas Skyline and can be timed to your choice – although Sunset usually has the best light for incredible photographs. Add in a Happy Hour option and you will score yourself an in-pod bartender to serve you drinks throughout your revolution.
.
GET YOUR PHOTO TAKEN @ THE WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS SIGN!
Located on the Las Vegas Strip just south of Russell Road and the Mandalay Bay Casino (about 15 mins walk), this historic sign has famously read, “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada” since 1959. It’s the most iconic piece of neon signage in America, and is a must visit when in Vegas. There is also 12 bay car park just off to the side, so it has never been easier to hop out of the car and get a picture of this piece of Vegas history. And if you don’t fancy a walk back, you can catch an uber/lytf back down the strip.
EAT UNTIL YOU EXPLODE
There are so many places to eat in Las Vegas; you might not know that many famous chefs setup shop in Vegas like Julian Serrano in the Bellagio, or Gordon Ramsey in Planet Hollywood. Ramsey’s BurGR is actually my favourite place to eat in Vegas and I’ve eaten there on my last 2 visits. BurGR is a gourmet burger restaurant created by Gordon Ramsay. The burgers are simple but unbelievably delicious and to make things even better, they have an extensive craft beer range on tap too.
Other favourites include Holsteins Shakes and buns in the Cosmopolitan, Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris, Pizza Rock near Downtown Las Vegas, and Lago by Julian Serrano.
No city tries to keep up with the Joneses as much as Las Vegas casinos try and outdo their competition. You just have to look at the skyline to see the replicas of the pyramids, the New York City skyline and a one-third scale model of the Eiffel Tower to understand that. But that’s all part of its charm. It’s a place like nowhere else on earth and it is impossible to be sucked in to the magic. My only advice is to just lean in to it and enjoy yourself.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS
LUXURY HOTELS ($200+ PER NIGHT)
-BELLAGIO (5*) -> $300 p/n
-WALDORF ASTORIA (5*) -> $219 p/n
-ARIA RESORT & CASINO (5*) -> $263 p/n
-CAESARS PALACE (4*) -> $145 p/n
-THE MIRAGE (4*) -> $164 p/n
-NEW YORK NEW YORK (4*) -> $180 p/n
-THE LUXOR (3*) -> $49 p/n
-CIRCUS CIRCUS (3*) -> $40 p/n
-STRATOSPHERE (3*) -> $51 p/n
DAY TRIPS FROM LAS VEGAS
IF YOU HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME AND CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF LAS VEGAS AND WANT TO EXPLORE MORE OF NEVADA, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE GREAT TOURS TO EXPLORE THE SURROUNDING AREA. I MENTIONED VEGAS WAS A DISNEYLAND FOR ADULTS, RIGHT?!
- You can’t go to Vegas without visiting the Grand Canyon. There are helicopter trips with champagne and canyon landings or bus trips highlighting the West Rim with extras like a boat ride through the canyon or admission to the Skywalk.
- Yet another way to get up high in Las Vegas is a Hot Air Balloon Ride. Soar above the Strip and nearby Red Rock Canyon for an hour before landing for a light picnic with Champagne.
- Dune Buggies in the Desert? Heck yes! Spend 30 mins bouncing around the 15 mile track in what was named by Rolling Stone as Vegas’ Best Near-Death Experience!
- If you’ve ticked off Helicopter, Limo and Hot Air Balloon, why not add a Hummer Tour of the Hoover Dam to your list? Cruise past Boulder City, Lake Mead and the Black Canyon as you learn about the Dam via the H2’s on-board entertainment system.
- Explore the Hidden Valley on an ATV: Rumble through Hidden Valley National Monument past lava beds to viewpoint overlooks on this 2 hour ATV adventure.
- There are some great National Parks just outside State Lines which make for great day trips from Las Vegas. Zion National Park is 2.5 hours away and Bryce National Park, 4 hour.
- Death Valley National Park borders California and Nevada and makes for one of the most memorable day tours from Las Vegas. Visit the Ubehebe Crater, learn about the history of Death Valley at the Furnace Creek Ranch, then travel to Badwater and the Rhyolite Ghost Town. Breakfast, Lunch, Guide and round trip transport is included.
ESSENTIAL LAS VEGAS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
HOW TO GET TO LAS VEGAS
- Las Vegas has it’s own airport making it easy to access from anywhere in the world. Cheap flights operate daily and most places in the USA are no more than a few hours flight. For those that prefer to drive, Los Angeles is around a 4 hour drive away; Phoenix is approx 5 hours & San Fransisco and Albuquerque are between 8-10 hours drive.
- If arriving by plane, the airport shuttle is the most economical way to get to your hotel and costs around $15 per person round trip for hotels on the strip.
HOW TO GET AROUND LAS VEGAS
- Walking is definitely the best way to explore, and it’s known as the ‘Strip’ for a reason. A stroll along one of America’s most famous roads will allow you to experience the sheer size of the hotels and casinos – with the option to wander in an take a look round each to take a break from the desert heat.
- If walking isn’t feasible for whatever reason, monorails runs from Sahara Ave to the MGM Grand 7 days per week from 7 a.m. – 12 a.m (extended hours at weekends) and buses run along the strip 24/7. Bus far is $6 for 2 hours on the strip; $3 for 2 hours off.
- Or to have the ultimate Las Vegas experience – you’ll want to hire a limo and be driven down the strip like they do in the movies! For as little as $50 a hour you get a limo, photographer and as many stops as you like!
WHEN TO VISIT LAS VEGAS (CLIMATE + HIGH/LOW SEASONS)
- The best time to visit Las Vegas is in the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, when temperatures are mild(er) at between 20-32ºC. Summer temperatures can rise as high as 41ºC(106F) and winter temperatures rarely fall below 14ºC(58F)
- Las Vegas is always busy – but is particularly so during winter and the holiday season (December – January) or if there are any large events/fights being held at the MGM Grand.
- As Vegas is home to many conventions throughout the year, it is best to check the conventions calendar to see which hotels may likely be booked out at any given time, or of delaying your trip by a week could result in better prices.
- Regardless of when you plan to visit, try to make it a midweek stay. Las Vegas is a popular weekend destination throughout the year and hotel prices and crowds will be more manageable (in most cases) during the week.
Traveller's Spot 