Las Vegas, Nevada

Things to Do in Las Vegas

• • Bellagio Fountain –
    The fountains are stunning and a must see on any trip to Vegas.  There are more than a thousand fountains at the Bellagio dancing to music ranging from Pavarotti to Sinatra. Free show times are: Mon. through Fri. 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. every half hour; 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. every 15 minutes. Sat. through Sun. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. every half hour; 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. every 15 minutes.
  • Shows –
    Acrobats, divas, magicians, jokers, showgirls and puppets!  There are so many shows in Las Vegas that you can’t possibly take them all in, but there’s not a doubt you will find something that will blow you away. One of our favorites for families of all ages is Cirque Du Soleil, other include: Legends, Magic Shows and The Beatles.
  • Designer Dinner-
    If money is no concern, go to Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars for the best, most inventive, full-on ridiculous Parisian meal in America. If you want steak and big red wine, there are lots of options: SW Steakhouse at the Wynn;  If you’re going out with a date, try San Francisco chef Michael Mina’s Nobhill, also at the MGM, or Aureole at Mandalay Bay (ask for a table in the back by the courtyard).
  • Breakfast Buffets –
    You can’t do Vegas without doing a buffet and the breakfast buffet at the Wynn is one of the best with something for everyone.  Also check out the buffets at the Flamingo and Paris resorts.
  • Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay –
    One of the largest exhibits of its kind, The Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay houses more than 1,200 species of aquatic life including sharks, exotic fish and more.
  • Clubs –
    Before dinner, get a drink somewhere with a view: Try the Mix Lounge or the Foundation Room at the House of Blues, both in the Mandalay Bay; or in the Palms there’s Moon and the Playboy Club.
  • Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides–
    There are more than enough thrill rides to make anyone’s heart beat faster in Vegas. The newest ride at the Stratosphere, SkyJump, has you jumping off the tower, “skydiving” 108 stories to the ground.   There’s no parachute, you travel along zip lines which have a braking system.  The only downside is the price — $100 per jump and the minimum age is 14.  Also, check out New York New York and the Manhattan Express. At two minutes and 45 seconds, it’s easily the longest-lasting ride in Las Vegas. Top speed is 67 mph and the biggest drop is 144 feet, but what keeps everyone coming back for more is the insane 540-degree spiral, not to mention the fact that it takes place over a replica of New York Harbor.
  • Pool Parties –
    Las Vegas is the place to be for Pool parties. What would a Vegas afternoon be without its shimmering azure pools?  It’s part of the Vegas mystique – a classic venue for seeing, being seen and a pre-night-out siesta.  Don’t miss out on the poolside party scene, with Rehab at the Hard Rock, Ditch Fridays at the Palms and many more.
  • Spas-
    Nearly every resort has one of these magical places where you can experience the very best treatments from around the world.  Canyon Ranch SpaClub at the Venetian and Palazzo is the largest spa in town, offering more than 80 treatment rooms.  For a fantastic experience for him, try The Art of Shaving, a distinctly masculine enclave in Mandalay Place, men can treat themselves to the incredible 45-minute Royal Shave.  You recline in a classic leather seat in a room replete with dark wood tones and cool jazz sounds—it’s a scene that is inherently relaxing and cultured.
  • Freemont Street Experience-
    Enjoy jaw-dropping, free light shows on the world’s largest video screen, all amidst the electric atmosphere of the Fremont Street experience’s pedestrian promenade.  The people-watching is free, too!
  • Las Vegas Wedding-
    Who doesn’t love the idea of getting hitched in Vegas? Well it doesn’t always have to be a spur of the moment decision like waking up with a diamond on your finger. Plan a magical wedding by reading our Weddings Las Vegas- Getting Married in Las Vegas, Nevada article, then check out some great venues like Cili Weddings, Chapel of the Flowers, or  Ace of Hearts Wedding Chapel.

Restaurants

1. Mon Ami Gabi
2. Mizumi, Wynn 
3. The Pepper Mill, on the Strip 
4. Heart Attack Grill, Downtown 
5. Prime Steakhouse, Bellagio 
6. Serendipity
7. Margaritaville, Flamingo 
8. House of Blues, Mandalay Bay
9. Hugo’s Cellar
10. Joe’s Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab

What To Pack

Variety is the spice of life and Anything goes in Las Vegas. Packing a little bit of everything will work best. It’s a good idea to bring more than one pair of shoes, something ultra chic and something comfortable. Generally, people do a lot more walking than they anticipated they would. No hotel on the Vegas Strip is as close as it looks. Bring sandals for pool-side and a lot of travelers suggest bringing a hat too to block out some sun on those bright days. Clubs enforce a strict dress code so make sure to avoid these: hats, ripped jeans, shorts, jerseys and muscle shirts.  For more packing tips, watch our Sundance Vacations Packing Tips video.

Transport

The nearest Airport — LAS — is the McCarran International Airport.  Cabs, double-decker buses, motor scooters, rental cars and the Las Vegas monorail are all options.  Heck, you might even flag down a rickshaw, well, maybe not a rickshaw, but all you need to know, geographically, is this: Everything radiates from the Strip. For more help with transportation, check out this page on the Las Vegas website.  The Airport Shuttle is the most economical way to get to your hotel. Shuttles can cost less than $10 for Strip/Downtown destinations, check with your hotel for schedules.  Free parking is abundant, virtually every major hotel offers free valet parking, but don’t forget to tip!  Public Transportation fares vary by time and location, from $6 for two hours on the Strip and $3 for two hours off of it. Buses on the Strip run 24/7.  The Las Vegas Monorail travels from Sahara Ave to the MGM Grand seven days per week from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m, Monday.  Tuesday through Thursday they run, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Visit their website for location stops and ticket prices.  For tips on saving money with a rental car, check out this article on the Sundance Vacations Travel Blog: “10 Tips for Saving Money on Rental Cars”

Special Events

• January- Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
• February- Chinese New Year
• March- NASCAR Race, Monster Jam World Finals, St. Patrick’s Day Parade
• April- World Series of Poker, City of Light Jazz Festival
• May- Stars, cars & Guitars Motorhead Festival
• June- International Truck Show
• July- Fourth of July Fireworks
• August- Def Con X Underground
• September- Blue Sky International Film Festival
• October- Downtown Oktoberfest, Mr. Olympia and Fitness Olympia Competitions, Fetish and Fantasy Halloween Ball
• November- Las Vegas Odyssey, Penzoil World of Outlaws
• December- National Finals Rodeo, New Year’s Eve on the Strip

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Properties

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Las Vegas Destinations

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Fun Facts!

1. When Paul Anka first played Vegas he was too young to be allowed in the casino.
2. Bugsy Siegel named his casino the Flamingo after the long legs of his showgirl girlfriend.
3. In Nevada it is mandatory that video slot machines pay a minimum of 75 percent on average.
4. Vegas Vic, the enormous neon cowboy that towers over Fremont Street, is the world’s largest mechanical neon sign.
5. Howard Hughes stayed at the Desert Inn for so long that he was asked to leave. He bought the hotel instead.
6. More than 41 million people visit Las Vegas each year.
7. Seventeen of the 20 biggest hotels in the US are in Las Vegas.
8. 60,000 pounds of shrimps are consumed in Las Vegas every day, almost as much as in the whole United States.
9. At least 150 couples each day make their way to Las Vegas so that they can get married.  All that you need is to be over 16 years old, have valid identification and a Social Security Number. Then there are the $50 fees for the license and finding a wedding chapel, which most work round the clock.   The nearby city of Reno will give you an equally quick divorce if things do not work out.