I honestly used to loathe the idea of going to Las Vegas before discovering the rich food scene. I still don’t love the vibe of casinos in general, and I don’t think I’ll ever love gambling, but I have grown to enjoy the city for what it is.
If you’re looking to plan a trip to Vegas, read on to discover all my top picks.
Things to Know Before Visiting Las Vegas
Best Time of Year to Visit Vegas
My favourite time to go to Las Vegas is off season from late fall through early spring, when the weather is more conducive to exploring. If you’re after a day-club party atmosphere, though, you’ll find that during the summer months.
Amount of Time in Vegas
One night is usually enough for me – three nights maximum!
Getting Around Vegas
Unless you’re planning to regularly leave The Strip, having a car in Las Vegas is both annoying and expensive. Pretty much everything is walkable, and ridesharing is plentiful.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
Fontainebleu Las Vegas
Following years of infamous anticipation, the Fontainebleau is the newest and most glamorous opening on The Strip.
Wynn Las Vegas
The favourite of most of my friends, there are actually two properties here – The Wynn and Encore. Bothe are super stylish and connected under a single larger building.
Where to Eat in Las Vegas
On The Strip
Javier’s | One of the best Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas tucked just off the main floor of Aria. Don’t sleep on the hand shaken margaritas here.
Sinatra | An ode to the Las Vegas of yesteryear overlooking a very pretty garden, with many Italian-American recipes pulled from the recipe book of Mrs. Sinatra herself.
Delilah | Opulent supper club inspired by a wild fictional tale of a former Vegas showgirl turned proprietress with a strict no-photo policy. The later the reservation here, the better.
Don’s Prime | Old-school inspired steakhouse inside the Fontainebleau reimagined with stunning modern touches, and arguably the best dirty martini in town.
Some more recommendations: Ito, Komodo, Mother Wolf, Mayfair Supper Club, WIng Lei, Eggslut, Miami Slice, Wakuda, Red Plate
Off The Strip
Golden Steer Steakhouse | The best and oldest steakhouse in Las Vegas, once frequented by the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe. Make sure you order the ceasar, which is made tableside, and save room for desert.
Luv-It Frozen Custard | Locals have been lining up at this little window since the early 70s, with over fifty flavours to choose from and cute retro signage to oogle at.
La Mona Rosa | Cute space serving refined Mexican dishes in a rather trendy part of Fremont East, reknowned for their extensive mezcal selection and all-pink brunch.
Casa di Amore | Old school steakhouse with nightly jazz performances and a seasonal tiki lounge out back. They also offer complimentary transportation to and from The Strip with reservations made over the phone.
Umiya Sushi | If you like sushi, this is your spot. They run an all you can eat program with dozens of options and super fresh fish in addition to their extensive regular menu.
Frankensons Pizzeria | Located in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of strip mall, this is the kind of place you leave dreaming about. This spot was made famous by Keith Lee, but stays busy due to the extreme value and hospitality by the owner and his staff.
Some more recommendations: Mr BBQ, La Barbacoa, Lotus of Siam, Doanburi, Cottonwood Station, Kaiseki Yuzu, Maitiki Island BBQ
The Best Clubs in Las Vegas
XS at Encore | Currently the coolest place to be in Vegas – it’s a sprawling venue with both indoor and outdoor areas, gambling tables, pools, and consistently the best lineup of djs.
Marqee at Cosmopolitan | Brought to Vegas by the creators of Tao, this day-to-night venue has the best vibes of all the day clubs in the city.
Omnia at Caesars’ Palace | Also owned by Tao, this massive tri-level club has gorgeous views of the skyline from inside.
The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas
Watch the Bellagio Fountain
Possibly the most iconic part of Las Vegas, The Bellagio Fountain is worth seeing at least once. It is the most technically complex water feature in the world, and is designed in every aspect to wow the senses. The fountain display is best viewed at night, when it runs every fifteen minutes.
Tour the Neon Museum
Often referred to as ‘the graveyard’, The Neon Museum showcases a collection of Las Vegas’ retired neon signs in a space that is a really cool mix of both history and aesthetics. The best time to go, I think, is just before dusk, giving which gives you a chance to appreciate the signage in both day and nighttime conditions.
Some more great semi-cultural places to check out while you’re in town are the Mob Museum, Shark Reef Aquarium, and Pinball Hall of Fame.
See a Show
It’s no secret that Las Vegas has some of the finest entertainment in the entire world. While all shows have some element of spectacle, some are definitely better than others. My hands down top pick is Absinthe, which takes place in a convincingly recreated spiegeltent.
Atomic Saloon Show, also produced by the same company, is a raunchy western themed show that I’d also recommend. If you’re less picky about what you want to see, it’s also worth perusing last minute show tickets for deeply discounted seats.
Visit Botanical Gardens at Bellagio
The Botanical Gardens at Bellagio’s Conservatory are some of the most over the top, beautifully manicured gardens you’ll ever see. It’s free to walk around, and they’re located right near the casino’s entrance, so I totally recommend stopping in even for a quick peek.
Hike Red Rock Canyon
When all the lights and bustle finally get to you, take a trip just thirty minutes outside the city to Red Rock Canyon. There are tons of different hikes to choose from, from mile long discovery trails to back country adventures. The park is especially beautiful in the early springtime, when all of the wildflowers are in bloom.
Local Lingo
Carpet Joint | A casino that caters to high rollers
Croupier | French word for ‘dealer’, often used in games with a French origin like baccarat and roulette.
Eighty-sixed | Getting kicked out of the casino
Spaghetti Bowl | The freeway interchange
Dime | $1000, not to be confused with ten cents
Square | A newer or unsophisticated better, often referring to tourists
A Few More Practical Tips
- Cash is King – atm fees are expensive on The Strip, so be sure to withdraw enough beforehand.
- Leave Tips – it’s considered common courtesy to leave your dealer a token or two when you cash out
- Drinks are free while you’re playing – Encore at Wynn has the best selection overall!
- Befriend the Promoter – they can get you into all the clubs for free, even if you’re a guy.
- Everything costs double on The Strip, especially Starbucks!
