Ooo, the treacherous Sin City! Getaway in Las Vegas disorients and delights. The minute I set foot on the Strip I was mesmerized by its glitz and glamour and completely forgot about everyday worries of my life. The concept of time, date, or location becomes temporarily irrelevant… well, till it’s time to leave and you realize you have emptied your savings in the past two days. ;) But guess what? What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
Although universally recognized as a gambling mecca (and rightfully so!), casinos are not the only attraction of this dazzling city. You could spend days (and tons of money) here without ever betting a penny. There are plenty of other ways to sin. Las Vegas knows what everyone wants and delivers it in spades. The masterminds behind this multi-billion sophisticated industry do their best to satisfy even the most pretentious visitor. From fine dining to adventurous nights along the Strip, you’re sure to find your perfect indulgence. Here are my top reasons why you should visit Las Vegas even if you are not into gambling.
Indulge in a Mind-blowing Culinary Scene
Name a fantasy of a foodie that couldn’t be satisfied in Las Vegas. Names like Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Joël Robuchon, and Guy Savoy go out and beyond to create thrilling once-in-a-lifetime meals for true gourmands. You should expect the unexpected from the mind-blowing culinary scene in Las Vegas as your taste buds will face temptations they cannot yet imagine. So pack your appetite and let Las Vegas’ restaurants do the rest! Read about our opulent dinners at Guy Savoy and L’Atellier by Joël Robuchon to get a sneak peek into the culinary scene of this dazzling city.
Book a Show or Concert
If you haven’t been to any of the shows in Las Vegas, you haven’t been! The abundance of spectacular production shows that dominate the Las Vegas Strip will blow your mind! My personal favorite is Cirque du Soleil.
On our special night out we booked tickets for Cirque du Soleil’s O, which is a pun on the French word for water, eau. It is set in a custom-built theatre and performed on a moveable stage. Heart-stopping acrobatics, high diving, trapeze artists and clowns make for a truly memorable performance. The costumes alone will leave you in awe.
Another all-time favorite is a Blue Man show. These guys throw amazing stunts and I love how they also engage the audience! In reality, there is something for everyone and the choice is endless. So do your research and book the tickets, you won’t be disappointed!
Browse Luxurious Hotels
Do I even have to point this out? Home to many of the largest hotels on the planet, it is an absolute must to go on “hotel hopping” in Vegas and check out one of the most opulent hotels in the world! Besides, you get a unique chance to “travel the world” by simply walking down one street! It is hard to point out which is the best, as each hotel showcases individually striking décor.
One of my favorites were classics like Venetian, Paris, Caesars (where we actually stayed), and of course, Bellagio.
It is also impossible to miss the famous fountains outside Bellagio.
Watch water dance in in an exquisitely choreographed performance which equals a professional ballet. It was genuinely breathtaking and we kept coming back for more! We watched it several times during the night as well as day time.
Tour Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon
If you feel like you want to escape the glamour of the Strip and change a scene from artificial wonderland to something more natural, head to the Hoover Dam or Grand Canyon.
The world-famous Hoover Dam lies about an hour from Las Vegas. This colossus of concrete – a triumph of engineering – not only provides flood control and generates electricity, but is also a huge tourist attraction. There are guided tours of the dam, a museum that includes a history of the dam and the region, and, of course, the infamous overlook!
One of the world’s most awesome sights, the canyon is 443-km long, 16-km wide, and as deep as 1.6-km in places. Because of the vast differences in elevation between floor and rim, the canyon encompasses a range of desert and mountain habitats. The South Rim, easier to access via road than the North Rim, is a five-hour drive away from Las Vegas. There are many companies that offer day trips and joint helicopter rides to the canyon. I have heard that because of the time involved, you don’t get to spend much time at the canyon, but if you want a quick peek and know you aren’t going to get there another time, this is an (expensive) option.
Sadly, we didn’t have time to make any of the trips, but next time I will make sure we allocate a day to explore Vegas beyond the Strip and go out into the wild!
Dive into the Extreme
Are you in favor of something more thrilling and adrenaline-inducing? Then Stratosphere is for you! This ride atop the Stratosphere Tower whisks as many as 12 riders 160 feet in the air in an astounding 2.5 seconds along the tower’s needle at 45 mph. It happens so fast, it feels as if you might actually shoot right off the top of the Stratosphere — 1,049 feet above Las Vegas.
And no, we didn’t do it! I went shopping instead, which brings me to the next topic…
Pamper Yourself With Some Shopping
If you are a shopaholic like your humble friend over here, Las Vegas will certainly be an appealing place for you. There is everything you need to shop your heart out! Crystals at CityCenter, The Forum Shops at Caesars, The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian/The Palazzo, The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, and many more will make you thinking – “So many shops and so little time” (and probably money, since the prices are high!).
You can look at it this way – the best way to actually leave with what you paid for is to go shopping which obviously is one of your better options in terms of having something to show for your empty wallet. ;)
Wallow In Vibrant Nightlife of The Strip
Pleasure-seeking hedonists unite because the Sin City is waiting! Las Vegas nightlife truly is unrivaled as it is one of the biggest club-centric destinations in the world with a plethora of adult entertainment opportunities and the most sought-after nightclubs. Among endless trendy rooftop clubs, bars and lounges you will certainly find your place to let loose. So pack your party dress and your dancing shoes!
Tip: Girls, do stop and talk to the promoters handing out flyers. Their job is to get as many ladies into the club as possible, so you can easily get free entry with those flyers. Sorry, guys, but you’re out of luck there.
Tip: Now I know I talked a lot about great ways to spend money. HOWEVER! There are PLENTY of options to have a blast in Las Vegas without ever needing to open a wallet!
- I did a little research and came across this VERY interesting site which lists all the FREE activities in town. (http://www.vegas.com/attractions/free-attractions-las-vegas/)
- Foodies may also be interested in this list of the best food tours in Vegas. Enjoy! (http://www.hopper.com/articles/5/the-five-best-food-tours-in-las-vegas )
What are you favorite go-to places in Vegas? Do you have any interesting memories to share?