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There’s one question that people ask me all the time: What are the top things I should do in Vegas?
Vegas is, of course, known for its bustling nightlife, casinos, shows and endless entertainment options. There is so much to do in Vegas that it can be overwhelming to decide where to go and what to see.
As someone who has lived in Vegas for years, I’ve learned a thing or two about where to go, what to do and what to pack. Read on and start planning your Vegas getaway!
For the best dinner on the strip—and a hell of a view—head on over to Scarpetta, an Italian restaurant located on the third level of The Cosmopolitan, overlooking the Bellagio Fountains. Their menu boasts decadent fare like duck and foie gras ravioli as well old classics like spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce and basil.
Dinner at the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay is also amazing and they have the best view of the strip. If you are in town, message me so I can get you on the list!
For the freshest seafood around, visit Estiatorio Milos, located at The Cosmo. This Greek restaurant offers dishes such as the Milos Special, thinly cut and fried zucchini and eggplant with a tzatziki sauce, and grilled octopus with chickpeas.
If you’re looking for New Orleans-style cuisine, look no further than Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian. This restaurant is owned by Emeril Lagasse of Food Network fame, and offers bone-in rib eye steak, a double-cut pork chop and New Orleans barbecue shrimp.
For the best steak in Vegas, you’ve got to go to the Golden Steer Steakhouse on Sahara Ave. The Golden Steer is Las Vegas’ oldest steakhouse, and in addition to serving mouthwatering, juicy steaks, they provide an “old Vegas” experience. Relax in one of their circular booths and enjoy your evening just as Elvis, Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe did years ago.
If fun burgers and shakes are more your style, check out Black Tap at The Venetian or Holsteins at The Cosmo. Black Tap’s signature milkshake is the “CrazyShake,” which comes in unique flavors like cotton candy, pink lollipop, rock candy and the “Sweet n Salty,” a peanut butter shake with M&Ms, peanut butter cups, a sugar daddy, pretzel rod, chocolate-covered pretzel, whipped cream and chocolate and caramel drizzle. Yum!
For the best buffets, visit ARIA or Wynn. ARIA serves delicious meats, a variety of seafood and freshly baked naan. Wynn also offers fresh seafood, prime cuts of meat and a dessert section with enough cookies, cakes, creme brulee and gelato to enjoy to your heart’s content.
Wynn is also the home of the best vegan lunch in Vegas, with vegan breads, pizza, desserts and more.
For Vegan Chinese food, go to Veggie House on Spring Mountain. This all Vegan restaurant serves meatless versions of General Tso’s Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Walnut Shrimp, Crispy Spicy Beef, Crispy Spicy Eggplant and more. Even meat eaters are sure to find dishes they enjoy at Veggie House!
Vegas may be known for its casinos and clubs, but there are actually a lot of awesome outdoorsy things to do.
Go hiking at Red Rock Canyon and take in the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert and its red hills.
Mount Charleston is just 35 miles northwest of Las Vegas and offers camping, hiking, horseback riding and skiing. Plus, if you’re visiting Vegas in the summer, it’s a great way to escape and experience a cool breeze! At 11,918 feet, Mount Charleston is the highest peak of the Spring Mountains, which runs along the west side of Vegas.
Zion National Park in Utah is about two and a half hours from Vegas, and its steep, multi-colored sandstone cliffs and scenic trails along the Virgin River should not be missed. This is a great place to get away from the city and get lost in waterfalls, plants and wildlife.
The Grand Canyon is only about a four-hour drive from Vegas, and if you don’t want to drive yourself, you can take a bus or helicopter tour. If you’ve never seen this natural wonder, you definitely want to fit it into your Vegas trip!
Yes, Las Vegas is a city for the whole family to enjoy!
Take your kids to Discovery Children’s Museum where they can play in the whirlpools in Water World, unleash their imagination at Fantasy Festival or crack a case at Mystery Town.
Get up close and personal with sharks at Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, feed the lions and giraffes at the Lion Habitat Ranch, or cool down in the wave pool at Mandalay Bay Beach!
You had to know this was coming, right? 😉
There are obviously many nightclubs to choose from in Vegas, but here are a few of my favorites:
Party on the top of The Cromwell Hotel at Drai’s, where they always have a variety of hot artists and DJs to dance to and all the bottle service you could need.
Famous DJs and celebrities frequently stop in at TAO Nightclub, which plays an eclectic mix of music to dance to, from hip hop to EDM to top 40. When you need a breather, take in the view of the strip from their terrace.
LAVO, located inside of the Palazzo, is an Italian restaurant and lounge with a pumping dance club upstairs. This is a great place to chill with a drink or get crazy on the dance floor!
Located inside of the MGM Grand Hotel, Hakkassan is the place to dance to world-renowned DJs like Tiesto, Calvin Harris and Steve Aoki. If you love EDM—or you just want to experience the best of Vegas nightlife—don’t miss Hakkassan!
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, swing on the flying trapeze, cruise down a zip line or ride The Big Apple Roller Coaster at New York-New York.
For a more relaxing good time, enjoy a drink with friends and play some golf games at Topgolf or watch a dueling piano bar show at New York-New York.
There are a ton of great shows in Vegas, but here are my favorites:
Relax, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need for your perfect Vegas trip:
Do NOT bring a large purse when going out at night. Instead, carry a small bag like this:
Also, carry your ID, cash and credit card on your “person,” NOT in your purse. (Better to be safe!)
What will you be doing on your Vegas trip? Where have you gone in the past? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Get that Vegas trip on the calendar now. You’ll be glad you did!
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