Las Vegas, in Nevada’s Mojave Desert, is a resort city famed for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other entertainment options. There is one word that describes Vegas well: color. This is a city of color and light. I’m not sure why they call Paris “the City of Light”, Vegas is THE city of light and you can see the blazing light from miles in the distance. I remember driving into Vegas at night and seeing this glow as bright as the sun from at least 50 miles away and knew this beacon of light could only be, Las Vegas.
Even if you don’t gamble this is a must see. The hotels are luxurious and very reasonable for 5 start hotels. Vegas has also become a foodie mecca. Some of the top chefs in the world have opened restaurants here. Gone are the days of tacky Vegas with bad food – yes you can still go to All you can eat buffets with crap food, but for the traveler that likes quality you will find a lot of good food and drink. And great shows! It’s a perfect weekend getaway for a nice dinner and show, and leisurely relaxation at your hotel pool.
Its main street and focal point is the Strip, just over 4 miles long. This boulevard is home to themed hotels with elaborate displays such as fountains synchronized to music as well as replicas of an Egyptian pyramid, the Venetian Grand Canal, and the Eiffel Tower.
There is an abundance of attractions in Vegas. I think Fremont Street and the Bellagio Fountain show on the strip are some of the most spectacular free attractions.
Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment district in historic downtown Vegas. The centerpiece of Fremont Street Experience is Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen. The Viva Vision screen is 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and is suspended 90 feet above the pedestrian mall below. The screen has 12.5 million LED lights and a 550,000-watt sound system. Viva Vision features free light shows, free, every night of the week. Fremont Street Experience also has an extensive schedule of live concerts and entertainment on three stages.
Located outside the Bellagio hotel–casino at the intersection of Flamingo Road and the Vegas Strip, the Fountains of Bellagio are a spectacular display of water, music and light.
The Shows
Vegas has many wonderful shows. People don’t go just to gamble anymore. They go for the great restaurants and performances. The shows are always changing, but some key staples have been there for a long time: Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, Penn & Teller, Celine Dion etc. Go to Vegas.com to see what is playing.
Where to Stay?
My choice is the Bellagio Hotel. It is a luxury hotel with great restaurants, perfect location and Chihuly glass in the lobby on the ceiling. But there are a a lot of great options in Vegas.
On a previous trip I stayed at the Monte Carlo, now known as Park MGM, which is less expensive and also very nice.
Wynn Las Vegas is also a great hotel. Vegas is always changing and creating better and better hotels and attractions.
Vegas also has great shopping. There are many high end stores in the city, and outlet malls close by. The Fashion Show mall is at one end of the strip.
And of course, almost every hotel has a casino. In my opinion, the slots are a waste of money. Odds are very slim that you will win. Best odds are with Blackjack or Poker (with Poker you are not playing against the house but with other players). If you do play, set a limit and don’t go over no matter what. Casino’s are geared to lure you in and make you spend all of your money. That’s how they stay in business. Don’t let them trap you.
Where to Eat?
Las Vegas has an abundance of excellent restaurants ranging from Michelin star, to big buffet, to hole in the wall. One of the best Pad Thai dishes I ever had was at Noodles in the Bellagio hotel. Great authentic Asian food designed by Executive Chef Patrick Lee and reasonably priced.
There are several high end restaurants to try if your budget can accommodate it. For more details on each go to Vegas.com:
Joël Robuchon and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand
France’s “Chef of the Century” Joël Robuchon serves fine French cuisine at his two restaurants at MGM Grand. Joël Robuchon is the more formal venue. It is also the only Las Vegas restaurant to receive three Michelin stars.
Picasso at Bellagio
At Picasso you can enjoy French and Spanish cuisine surrounded by works from the legendary artist. The views of the Bellagio Fountains and the Strip are beautiful from the outdoor patio. Executive chef Julian Serrano ‘s menu has earned the AAA Five Diamond Award 13 times.
Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace
This restaurant boasts a Forbes Travel Five Star Award, AAA Five Diamond award, two Michelin stars, the Wine Spectator Grand Award and inclusion on the Gayot.com Top 40 Restaurants in America list, just to name a few honors. The restaurant is designed to emulate the menu of Savoy’s Paris restaurant. It’s the only place in the U.S. you can taste Savoy’s food, including his famous artichoke and black truffle soup.
Sage at Aria
This restaurant has a sophisticated atmosphere and amazing contemporary American cuisine from acclaimed chef Shawn McClain. He combines farm-to-table produce, artisanal meats and sustainable seafood to make your meal memorable.
Twist at Mandarin Oriental
Twist is the only place in the U.S. where you can experience the cuisine of three Michelin Star-chef Pierre Gagnaire. This fine dining restaurant, located off the 23rd floor hotel lobby at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, features a stunning view of the Las Vegas Strip through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas
If you’re looking for a good steak, look no further than celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at Paris.
Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
There are many companies that offer day trips by bus or helicopter to the west part of the Grand Canyon. If you are in Vegas and have never been to the Canyon, this is a must see. The company we chose was Maverick Tours. I picked this company because it has the top safety record of any tourism-based aviation company in the world, they have new quiet ECO-Star helicopters, and their helicopters feature wrap around glass and theatre seating for good visibility. Everyone has a good view. By the way, the pilot is pointing to Lake Mead. We also flew over Hoover Dam.
For more information on the Grand Canyon please go to my Grand Canyon blog.
