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Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas!
Bright light city gonna set my soul
Why
The glitz, the glamour, the neon lights. The Strip, the shows, the shopping. It's a spectacular adult play land and it's fun, fun, fun! It's also one of the few big US destinations with top notch hotels for under $200/ night.
The Why, When & How to visit...
When
Any month other than Summer months maintain comfortable highs, however can be cooler when the sun's not out. Being in a desert, there's minimal rain year-round, dry heat, and 30-40 degree (F) swings. If seeking pool season, target April through October, although some pools may be open year-round to check.
How
The LAS Vegas airport is conveniently located a short distance from the Strip. Ubers are available to get around, but in my experience weren't as plentiful as cabs. There are trams running up and down both sides of the Strip connecting various hotels and a monorail that also connects to the convention center.
Where
to stay...
Each Vegas hotel has its own theme with lots of fun ones to choose from. So whether you want to be transported to Rome (Caesars Palace), Venice (The Venetian), or Lake Como (Bellagio); Paris (Paris), or Egypt (Luxor); a pirate ship (Treasurer Island) or floral wonderland (Wynn), Vegas hotels have you covered. I've stayed in or visited most of the Las Vegas Strip hotels and these are the ones I return to:
1) Park MGM - Park MGM is one of the newer hotels on the Strip resurrected from the former Monte Carlo. It has a fresh, clean look and feel equipped with several great restaurants & bars, massive outdoor pool areas, an Eataly, and music venues. It's located on the Strip across from the T-Mobile Arena. It is a bit further south on the Strip, but connected via a free tram to Aria, Crystals mall, and Bellagio making it quick and easy to reach the center of the Strip. It's part of the MGM group for reward accumulation and is also one of the few smoke-free hotels in Las Vegas. It also has a NoMad hotel imbedded within the hotel with additional amenities and slightly nicer rooms. Park MGM has become my go-to Las Vegas Strip hotel for all these reasons and its reasonable, competitive price-point. Pictures and more details with the ability to book is accessible here.
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2) The Cosmopolitan - The Cosmopolitan was my go-to for many years for its central location and easy access to the Strip. The rooms are spacious and well designed with thoughtful features. There are two pools and many great restaurants for all price points and times of day. The casino also feels much more manageable and easy to get from one end of the hotel to the other. The Cosmopolitan is maybe best known for its multi-level Chandelier Bar, which is a sight to see and enjoy with a glass of champagne in hand. Pictures and more details with the ability to book is accessible here.
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3) Virgin Hotel Las Vegas - Normally, I would not recommend staying at a hotel in Las Vegas off the Strip. However, the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas makes me strongly reconsider. After completing a complete renovation of the former Hard Rock Hotel, the Virgin Hotel opened in early 2021. I checked it out shortly after opening and was very pleased with what I saw. The Virgin Hotel lures you in with its beautifully engaging entrance.
Unlike other Las Vegas hotels that can be a bit overwhelming and hit you with the casino right away, the Virgin Hotel welcomes you with a gorgeous bar at their signature Common Club that's conveniently open 24/7. The bar also serves as the entrance for the behind-the-scenes Shag Room with a cozy chic aesthetic that even Austin Powers would approve of. The hotel also has its fair share of restaurant options, pools, beach club, music venues, and spa with indoor pool giving Moroccan vibes. Rooms offer the Virgin Hotel signature stylish and spacious chambers or suites. The price is also more competitive to reflect its off the Strip location. So if you're looking to escape the Strip or don't mind a quick ride over (it is walkable, but wouldn't recommend), check out the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. Pictures and more details with the ability to book is accessible here.
What
Do
to...
In addition to enjoying time at the casinos, restaurants & bars, pools, shops, and on the Strip, these are my top recommendations of what to do in the Last Vegas area:
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1) See a Show - A trip to Las Vegas doesn't feel complete without seeing a Las Vegas show. Whether it be magic, comedy, singing, dancing, Vegas has it all. Vegas is popular for its Cirque du Soleil acrobatic shows like The Beatles LOVE, O, Michael Jackson The ONE, KA, and Mystere, there's lots to choose from here.
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2) Neon Museum - The Neon Museum is my favorite off-the Strip activity. It's an outdoor museum of Las Vegas neon signs from the 1930s to the present. It's a 15 minute drive from the Strip close to downtown Las Vegas and a great, unique experience and photo opportunity to enjoy day or night when the signs are lit up.
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3) Seven Magic Mountains & Hoover Dam - The Seven Magic Mountains are quite a sight to see. It's an art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone of 7 towers of bright, colorful stacked boulders standing over 30 feet high in the middle of the Mojave desert. It was installed in 2016 and originally scheduled to only be in-place for two years, but remained due to strong interest. It's very Instagramable, but for good reason of being unique and inspiring. Seven Magic Mountains is located about a 30 minute drive south of the Strip. There are a few tour companies that go there and often stop at the Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas sign on the way for a quick photo opportunity.
The tour featured here also goes to the Hoover Dam for a 5 hour half day tour starting at 8am in the morning. I actually wasn't keen on seeing the Hoover Dam, but was convinced to and am really glad I did. It's an incredible site to see of this massive dam built in the early 1930s across the Colorado River at the border of Nevada and Arizona. It's located a 45 minute drive southwest of the Strip. The tour of both will make your morning feel very accomplished and you'll be back in time for a late lunch before the day really gets started.
Eat
At a buffet. Vegas is known for its buffets to get to try a little bit of a lot and as much shrimp and shellfish as your heart desires. The buffet at Caesar's and Wynn are two of the top. Aside from buffets, Mon ami Gabi in the Paris hotel with an outdoor terrace on the Strip and Mayfair Supper Club in the Bellagio with evening shows are two of my favorite dining experiences in town.
Drink
Perhaps a Cosmopolitan at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Or go all-in on one of those frozen yard stick drinks while walking down the Strip, but may regret it the next day. I suggest champagne to match the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.
*If of legal drinking age.
Wear
Vegas Chic
Watch
Last Vegas
by Jon Turteltaub
Listen
"Viva Las Vegas"
by Elvis Presley
Gift
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