Sin City, aka Las Vegas, is one of the most unique places in the world. Where else can you have brunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant, play roulette before lunch, party at a pool while Chainsmokers DJ in the background, feast at an all-you-can-eat buffet, watch a Cirque du Soleil show, and then dance the night away in one of the top-rated clubs in the world all in one day?
I’ve been to Vegas enough to know I will never truly see everything Vegas offers. Vegas is constantly evolving based on tourists’ wants and needs. Every time I visit, I discover more and more of Vegas.
One of my favorite “Vegas Stories” was when I visited during college. Layton and I were a few years into our relationship and traveled to Vegas with another couple for the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament. During one of the nights, we did a “club crawl” with a party bus. To say the least, things got out of hand, and the bus had a stripper pole. However, the night’s highlight was when the party bus dropped us off at our final spot, the Chateau Rooftop at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Las Vegas. Once we got to the club, we immediately recognized the song, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back). Turns out, The Backstreet Boys were DJ’ing the club! They weren’t planning to DJ; they just stopped by the club and wanted to play their hits. These things only happen in Vegas.
Once the COVID-19 vaccine was released, Visit Las Vegas invited me to the Oasis in the Desert. I stayed at The Venetian for a long weekend and had a blast! Vegas can be anything to anyone. If you want to relax, there are plenty of spas to pamper you. If you want to explore the desert, try a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. If you’re going to the party, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Here are my top 10 things to do in Las Vegas!
1. Ice Bar
It may look cheesy and touristy, but the Minus 5 Ice Bar has been a blast every time I’ve done it. Las Vegas is in the desert. It gets super hot outside. Not only is the ice bar cold but the ice decorations and atmosphere make for a great backdrop for some killer photos.
The bars open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 11 p.m. I visit during the day and at night, both are a lot of fun. In general, guests spend about 30 or 45 minutes, but you can stay as long as you want. There are three locations in Vegas: Mandalay Bay, the Venetian, and The Linq Promenade. All of them sell similar packages that include warm coats, gloves, hats, and drinks (if you are drinking and of age).
2. Bellagio Fountain
Whether you were introduced to the Bellagio fountain through the final scene in Ocean’s 11, Bruno Mars’s “24K Magic” music video, or just Instagram, it is an amazing site. Find a good spot and check the schedule to get the most out of your experience.
Monday through Friday, the fountains go off every 30 minutes between 3 PM and 8 PM; after 8 PM, they go off every 15 minutes. On Saturdays and Sundays, the fountains go off every 30 minutes, from noon to 8 PM, then 15 minutes after 8PM.
Two spots offer the best views:
From the strip, you can try to get a spot along the main walkway of Las Vegas Boulevard, the red circle on the right of this screenshot. If, instead, you want to approach the hotel and casino side, the left red circle is a good option right in front of the entrance to the Bellagio.
Both offer great views where you can hear the music, see the lights, and even get a bit of spray from the fountains on you!
3. Helicopter Ride
The clear desert skies make for fantastic arenas for aerial activities! While there are places to skydive, bungee jump, and even jet pack (if just by water), the helicopter rides are amazing.
Whether you want to make a longer trip and see the Grand Canyon by air or a quick trip around the Strip to see the Vegas glow from above, a private helicopter ride is a fantastic opportunity for adventure.
I did my trip around the Strip with Papillon. Fast, easy, and, of course, safe, the time in the helicopter was amazing. It is quite different from a plane if you have never flown in a helicopter. It moves side-to-side, dips, leans, and can turn 360 degrees in one location. It is the closest thing to floating in mid-air.
4. Explore The Strip
Vegas’s architecture is unmatched in the modern world. Recreations of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, Great Pyramid, Roman Forum, Bellagio’s Italian lake vibes, and various landmarks from Venice’s Piazza San Marco are matched by the modern design of the Cosmopolitan, Aria, Mirage, and the Strat.
You can, and I have spent a whole day just walking from one end of the strip to the other to see amazing gardens, fountains, speakeasies, chandeliers, castles, and even volcanoes.
All along the strip, there are many places to grab food and drinks or snap a few photos.
If you want the best experience, drive into Vegas from the south during sunset. As you pass the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas,” the city lights up, and you understand why millions flock to the town yearly.
5. Dinner & A Show
There are many different types of “dinners and a shows” in Vegas. At a certain level, eating on the strip and people-watching could be considered dinner and a show. However, there are dedicated restaurants that put on a show every night.
The Mayfair Supper Club is one of those restaurants. Located at the Bellagio, the Mayfair is a throwback to the era of live entertainment, glitz and glamour wardrobes, and delicious food. Reservations are nearly always required, and the later you stay, the wilder it gets. On Sundays, the club focuses on Jazz music for a full change of pace.
Of course, if you want to go for a bit more “fun” over “swanky”, Drag Brunch at Senor Frogs near Treasure Island Casino and hotel is a fun way to start your day!
6. Ride the gondolas at the Venetian
If you want a little taste of Italy in Nevada, the Venetian Casino & Hotel is your answer. When riding on a gondola at the Venetian, if you close your eyes, you can imagine yourself along the canals of Venice.
You have two options for gondola rides at the Venetian: indoor or outdoor. Both offer a beautiful atmosphere. If it is too windy, stormy, or rainy, they do not operate the outside rides, so the indoor rides are a “safer” itinerary investment. However, you can only view Vegas’ version of Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, and St Mark’s Campanile from the outside rides. Both rides are roughly 15 to 20 minutes long and incorporate a song here and there and maybe a violin if you are lucky!
7. The Neon Museum
“Old” Vegas has a new home. The Neon Museum is a nonprofit saving the history of Vegas’ neon signs in a beautiful open-air museum. These signs are reminiscent of the “Rat Pack” era of Vegas. Make reservations a few days ahead of time. Tours are given during the day, but the neon is the brightest at night.
I probably don’t have to say it, but if you want some truly unique photos of Vegas, The Neon Museum is a must-visit.
8. Ride a Roller Coaster
There are two solid roller coasters on the strip in Vegas: Insanity at the Strat and The Big Apple at New York, New York.
Insanity is the more adventurous of the two. It has a huge metal arm holding you out 64 feet over the edge of the hotel and 866 feet above the ground. Then, it spins you in the open air at up to three Gs. This is not for the faint of heart.
The Big Apple is a bit “easier” but still a roller coaster. It is located at Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd., set between a replica New York harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and several other Manhattan buildings. With a maximum height of 203 feet and a maximum speed of 67 mph, you will surely get your thrills!
9. Linq High Roller Obversation Wheel
The High Roller Observation Wheel is located on the Linq Promenade, a walkway that extends from the Las Vegas Strip to the Flamingo. It features restaurants, bars, and shops. The High Roller is located on the north end of the Strip and offers views of Las Vegas from 520 feet in the air. It opened in March 2014 and has been spinning ever since.
Fun fact: it is currently the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.
The ride takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll have the opportunity to grab some food and drinks right before the ride! Once at the top, you have a great view of Vegas, and all the hustle and bustle of the crowds seem to fade away.
10. Las Vegas Show
Vegas and entertainment go hand in hand. Originally, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis brought the applause to the Oasis, but now Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Cirque du Soleil are making the crowds go wild.
I enjoy comedy and music. I’ve seen that Spiegel World does its best with its three shows. Absinthe at Ceasar’s Palace is the most famous of the three shows, but don’t knock Atomic or Opium either! If you like sexy, funny comedy, try their shows. They are quite similar to Coco Bongo’s experience in Cancun!
These are my favorite things to do in Vegas. However, Vegas has a little something for everyone. It truly is a one-of-a-kind place that everyone must visit at least once.
As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Angie xoxo
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