Las Vegas is the place you have been dying to experience since the day you turned 21. You finally have a legal ID, a long weekend and decide to see what the buzz is all about.
It is truly a Disneyworld for adults in the best way possible. Want to take a gondola ride though a building? No problem. What about see the Vegas strip from a giant Ferris wheel? Yep, Vegas has that, too. Want to win a million dollars? That is also a possibility.
Vegas has some of the best attractions, food and entertainment you can imagine, but what if you only have a few days to experience the madness?
Here is what you should check out:
Nightclubs
Image Source: gossipdavid.com
Las Vegas has some of the most insane, over-the-top clubs in the country. XS, Marquee, Omnia and Hakkasan are some of my favorites, but there is normally a great club in most every casino. Each one is decorated with elaborate lights, wall coverings and unique art. The sound systems are ridiculously loud, and the DJs are some of the best in the world.
Once you pay the cover, normally around 30 dollars, you will seriously regret ever paying 20-dollar cover at your college bar. The best way to plan which clubs you want to visit for the weekend is to look at the online event calendars, which show all of the upcoming DJs for the month. Every weekend there is a chance that Calvin Harris, The Chainsmokers, Tiesto or Steve Aoki will show up to perform, so it is important to check the venues.
Travel tip: Do not plan on buying drinks inside. Your options are bottle service for over 500 dollars, or 15-dollar drinks. Also if a famous DJ is performing, plan on showing up early to wait in line, or showing up late right before they start. At Omnia, Krewella didn’t perform until 2:30 a.m.
The High Roller
Image Source: vitalvegas.com
This is one of the easiest ways to see the Vegas strip from above if you don’t have time to take a helicopter ride. You can easily walk over to the Linq Casino complex, which is in the middle of the strip, in between your daily or nightly activities.
The High Roller is the world’s largest observation wheel, yes, larger than the London Eye. During the slow-paced 30-minute ride, the enclosed Ferris wheel gives you an absolutely incredible view of the Bellagio fountains, casino lights and parts of the desert. Tickets are $26.95 during the day, $36.95 at night.
Travel Tip: I recommend going at night to avoid the crowds, and to see all of the lights in their full glory. You can also purchase happy hour tickets for an additional price to enjoy a full open bar during your ride.
The Bellagio
Image Source: vegasvetsaver.com
One of the most famous, classic casinos on the strip thanks to Ocean’s 11, The Bellagio is a must-see casino if you can only visit a few. Right when you enter the large revolving doors a gigantic gold horse statue greets you followed by magnificent glass-blown flowers above. This is the picture you see everyone taking in The Bellagio, the glass-blown flowers by artist Chihuly are world famous.
Make sure to check out the Bellagio live gardens that change with each season, the dripping chocolate fountain and the incredible fountains out front. The fountains are coordinated to music and go off every 15 to 30 minutes.
Travel Tip: The HYDE bar offers a great view of the fountains, and turns into a rocking club at night. Also check out the gambling in Bellagio, it is one of the best places to watch and play blackjack, poker, craps and more.
Cirque du Soleil
Image Source: www.eseats.com
Going to a show is a great way to relax after a long night out. It can also be a fun way to entertain yourself before going to a club later. KA, O, Zumanity, Michael Jackson’s ONE and The Beatles LOVE are some of the many you can watch in Las Vegas. I have seen KA and O, and they were both absolutely worth the money. O is a show completely revolving around a giant pool that is also the stage; the performers jump in and out, completely defying your imagination. KA is the one I would recommend though, because of the high-action thrilling martial arts and revolving stage that performers seem to fall off of into an abyss. There are many other options, and I hope to see more in the future.
Travel Tip: Buy your tickets in advance so you can get good seats. The prices don’t change drastically, but this way you can pick the best seat option.
Buffets
The food selections in Las Vegas are out-of-this-world delicious. How could you ever choose where to eat when everywhere you turn is a different five-star selection, dessert café or restaurant owned by a celebrity chef? My suggestion is to check out the buffets.
The buffets cost anywhere from 25-50 dollars, and you get to try all types of food. The Cosmopolitan, MGM and the Bellagio all have some of the best buffets out there. I have been to several, but my absolute favorite is the Bellagio. For 40 dollars, you get to eat Caviar, sushi, prime rib and Kobe beef just to name a few selections. You also get salads, soups and about 25 different dessert selections including crème brulee, chocolate mousse and many others.
Travel tip: At a fancy restaurant, you would spend way more than 40 dollars. Try out a buffet to get all types of food cravings satisfied. If it is a weekend, show up early or late to beat the crowds.
