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 has to offer. 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, the bus had a stripper pole. However, the highlight of the night 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! It wasn’t planned for them to DJ; they just happened to stop 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 out to visit 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 want to party, well, 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 super 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 have visited 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 would like. 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 to see. To get the most of your experience, find a good spot and check the schedule.
Monday-Friday the fountains go off every 30 minutes between 3PM and 8PM, after 8PM, they go off every 15 minutes. Saturdays and Sundays the fountains go off every 30 minutes starting at noon to 8PM, then 15 minutes after 8PM.
There are two spots that off the best views:
From the strip, you can try and 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 from 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 truly amazing.
Whether you want to do a longer trip and see the Grand Canyon by air or if you want a quick trip around the Strip to see the Vegas glow from up 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. If you have never flown in a helicopter before, it is quite different from a plane. 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
The architecture of Vegas 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 full day just walking from one end of the strip to the other to see amazing gardens, fountains, speakeasies, chandeliers, castles, and even volcanoes.
There are tons of places to grab food, drinks, or just snap a few photos all along the strip.
If you want the best experience, drive into Vegas from the south during sunset. The city lights up as you pass the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” and you start to understand why millions flock to the city each year.
5. Dinner & A Show
There are a lot of different types of “dinners and a show” 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 each and 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, 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 actual canals of Venice.
You have two options of 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 get a view of 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 in length 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 obviously, the neon is brightest during the 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, 866 feet above the ground. Then it spins you in the open air at speeds of up to three Gs. This is not for the faint of heart.
The Big Apple is a bit “easier”, but still a roller coaster nonetheless. The roller coaster is located at Tropicana Ave. and Las Vegas Blvd., set between a replica New York harbor, Statue of Liberty, and several other Manhattan buildings. With a max height of 203 feet and a max speed of 67mph, you are sure to get your thrills!
9. Linq High Roller Obversation Wheel
The High Roller Observation Wheel is positioned on the Linq Promenade, which is 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 of 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, it was Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis bringing the applause to the Oasis, but now you have Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Cirque du Soleil making the crowds go wild.
Personally, I enjoy comedy and music. From what I’ve seen, Spiegel World does it 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, then try their shows out. They are quite similar to the experience of Coco Bongo 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 in their life.
As always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Angie xoxo
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