Nevada (Las Vegas)
Trip Summary
One of the things that makes Vegas a great vacation destination is that it is a fun place to visit any time of the year. It is also one of the few places my husband and I have returned to for a vacation (usually, we prefer to go somewhere new, but I’ve been here 5 times so far, so let that tell you what fun this place can be!). Each trip has been fun and memorable, so for this post, I will review all the places/restaurants/shows we experienced to make it a more all-inclusive review (and if you have extra tips, let me know, because I am sure I’ll be back eventually!).
Vegas can totally be a budget destination if you make it one, and one of the reasons for this are the cheaper hotels on the Strip and the cheap transportation options.
All of casinos are within walking distance to the main sights / restaurants / shows (though, wear comfortable shoes as the Strip is about 4.2 miles long). If you prefer to take public transportation, there are several free trams as well as a monorail (not free but a lot cheaper than taking an Uber) that you can read about here. These will allow you to navigate up and down the strip, but if you are short on time or need to get to somewhere off the Strip, Ubers are always a good option, too (though, note that there are specific Uber pick-up areas at certain destinations now–the Uber app will give you directions, and these places will all have signs). Though, a note on Uber–go ahead and skip it when getting a ride from the airport to your hotel as the Uber area is absolute mayhem and the prices for a taxi are not much more (getting an Uber back to the airport is totally fine, though!).
The hotel we’ve stayed at most often is the Luxor. It is one of the cheapest hotels on the Strip (though it is at the very bottom of the Strip which means a lot of walking if you want to see all the other casinos) and though it is starting to show its age, it has mostly good reviews.
We’ve stayed in both the tower and the pyramid rooms, and both have great views. The price can vary widely depending on which day you stay (and if there is an event in town), so if you can move around your travel days, it’s worth it–our night in the Pyramid Premium Corner King Suite on a weekday was actually cheaper than our night in one of the smaller tower rooms on a weekend.
There are a lot of restaurants in the Luxor, too, and most have good food. For example, Diablo’s Cantina has excellent tacos and quesadillas (though, their portions are on the smaller side, and service is hit or miss). Public House is also a centrally located spot to enjoy some food and watch a sports game–though, go during Happy Hour as the food and drinks are more reasonably priced then.
My husband and I first stayed at the hotel a long time ago and then again more recently, and I will say that the hotel is starting to show some wear and tear. The air conditioning is loud and struggles in the rooms, and the elevators are rickety and often have trouble reading room cards. The gym is small and gets stuffy easily, and the grounds seem dirtier and more run down than than they used to be.
All in all, the rates are still great for the location, and if you ask for one of the renovated rooms, you’d still get a good deal for the value. It still loses points for me, though, because of the renovations needed for the rest of the rooms, the very small and stuffy gym, and the expensive food options.
Luxor Hotel and Casino: B-
Luckily, we have stayed in some of the nicer casinos on the Strip, too. For a quick anniversary trip, we stayed at Caesars Palace. We chose this casino, because we found it especially beautiful when we toured the casinos during our previous visit, it had great reviews, and was centrally located on the Strip.
We booked a Julius Deluxe Room, and it was beautifully clean, spacious, and comfortable. Check-in was also easy, and the staff very warm and welcoming.
Its grounds are gorgeous and are worth the stay alone. Beautiful statues and gleaming pillars are everywhere, and it’s hard to walk even a few steps without wanting to take a picture of something.
It also has many restaurant options (though, many of these are fairly fancy), a beautiful pool, and is well-lit so that everything shines in its full elegance at all hours of the day.
The only downside I can think of is that the perfume they use in the lobby is overwhelmingly strong. Just checking in gave my husband and I a headache, so we never gambled in the casino itself–we just used the casino for our room.
Overall, though, the hotel is lovely. They just need to lessen the strong perfume in the lobby!
Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino: A-
One more hotel that I will recommend is the iconic Bellagio. This place is famous for its fountain show and beautiful grounds, so when my husband and I went back for our most recent trip, we decided to splurge on a Fountain View room. And what a view it was! The show is amazing to watch at night, and there is a switch on the wall that you can turn on, and it will activate the music that is playing outside so that you get the full experience. Usually, before we went to bed at night, we snuggled up in our bathrobes and sat together on the couch and just watched the fountain show while drinking champaign–it was so lovely!
But the hotel is more than just a fountain show! They have gorgeous (and spacious!) rooms with comfortable beds, plentiful amenities, and excellent staff. The bathroom is especially nice with an enormous shower, marble interior, and did I say plentiful amenities? I was very impressed as it came with not only your standard shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, but also shaving kits, a loofah, mouthwash, a toothbrush, and lotions–it all felt so luxurious.
The location is also right in the middle of the Strip, so it is very accessible to all the restaurants and shows you might want to see. Thinking back, I’m not sure if I would have changed anything about our hotel stay, so you know it was worth the splurge! Highly recommend.
Bellagio Hotel and Casino: A
Now, we all know that people don’t go to Vegas to stay at the hotels. You are only in your hotel room for a short time–the rest of the stay, you are out exploring the city and enjoying all it has to offer. One of my favorite parts about the city are the shows! The entertainment in this city is phenomenal, so let me share with you my absolute favorite parts of every trip to Vegas!
You know that Cirque du Soleil is synonymous with Vegas, and that is for a good reason. My first Cirque du Soleil show was Mystere at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, and I remember being so mesmerized by every act and just how fantastically talented the entire ensemble was from the dancing and acrobatics to the costumes to the set design. I used to work in theatre, so I fully appreciate all the effort that goes into a phenomenal show like this!
One of the acts that I still remember years later was a strength display that two men performed while on a rotating platform. The sheer power required to perform that routine and to do it so slowly and with such ease was just mind-boggling. I think the entire audience was open-mouthed by the time the two finished their set–it was truly incredible!
The story was also one that was easier to follow (sometimes, there is just so much going on in Cirque du Soleil shows that you just don’t know where to focus or how to follow along, but this one was unique in that the storyline was easier to connect to and follow). This is a show that is truly worth watching if you get a chance to see it in Vegas!
Cirque du Soleil Mystere: A+
Another truly impressive Cirque du Soleil show is O at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. My husband and I had tried to see this show on our first visit, but it was sold out, so we made sure to book tickets far enough in advance so that we could see it the next time we were in Vegas. And it was worth the wait! This show is performed completely in a large pool, so a lot of synchronized swimming and diving is included with the already impressive Cirque du Soleil acrobatics.
This show was also awe-inspiring because of the timing of the swimmers’ and divers’ motions as they jumped and swam in perfect synchronicity. The uniqueness of the stage also allows for this show to stand out from the other Cirque du Soleil shows in its style of dance and be truly impressive in an entirely new way.
Cirque du Soleil O: A
Once you have seen Mystere and O, it is hard to see other shows and not compare them to the magnificence of those two. During one trip to Vegas, my husband and I went to one of the discount booths located on the Strip to see what might be available. Cirque du Soleil’s One was on a break, so we decided to see Cirque du Soleil’s Love at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.
It is a good show and has excellent music (if you are a Beatles fan, it will be an exceptionally good experience). The visuals of this show are stunning, and the stunts include everything from roller skating to acrobatic performances to an incredibly stunning aerial silks dance one couple performed.
Love also used their stage the most, I think, and during one amazing act of the show, a bed sheet completely engulfed the entire stage as a bed floated above the audience. The lighting is what made it most impressive because so much could be reflected off of the fabric, and the entire time, I remember thinking of the stage manager and how many cues he/she would have to be calling while so much happened on stage (again, I think about and appreciate this kind of stuff after working in theatre when I was young!). At the end of that act, I wanted to see what kind of genius could pull off something like that on stage–it was truly impressive, and that person deserved to take a special bow at the end of the show!
All that being said, this show differed a lot from the others I’ve seen in that it was much slower paced. It is by all means still a sensory and visually stunning show, but I felt a lot of the energy that I saw in Mystere and O lacking in this one. Some of the scenes, too, had so much going on where multiple groups were doing different acts on multiple areas of the stage that it was difficult to know what to focus on in order to follow the narrative. However, that could just be me–I tend to like structure and focus, so just because it lost points for me in that area doesn’t mean you wouldn’t enjoy. It was still a lovely show.
Cirque du Soleil’s Love: B+
During my latest trip to Vegas–a girls trip with my sister–I was determined to finish out the Cirque du Soleil shows and see all the remaining ones I hadn’t seen yet. So before I arrived, I bought tickets to the remaining ones, and since my sister had never been to Vegas or seen any of the Cirque shows, I was so excited to show her what amazing performances they were!
And amazing is an understatement! We saw Michael Jackson: One on our first night, and it was every bit as incredible as the others with its impressive acrobatics, dancing, and stage work. One thing I liked especially about this show was how much they used the ceiling to hoist performers and hang them down so they danced and twirled above you. The lighting was also incredible and added so much to the music, one standout scene incorporating the lighting on the performers’ clothes to coincide with the music. So amazing!
I liked this one even better than Love, so if you have a chance to see it, do! It was worth every penny to go!
Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson: One: A-
The other Cirque du Soleil show that I saw with my sister was Ka. This was a show that my husband had seen and he said that the stage work was quite incredible and the show was almost like watching a drama in addition to a performance–and he was right!
That stage did things I had never seen a stage do before! The scenes in which it transformed from a sandy landscape to a wall to a boat to a moving platform were amazing, and I just watched open-mouthed as the actors flipped around on it and did their performances all while everything around them was moving.
The story, costumes, lighting, and sound were also incredible, and even tamer scenes like a performer “swimming” through water was just awe-inspiring as the light and sound worked so well to bring a story to life. Bravo!
I know that this show gets mixed reviews because it is so different than the others, but it is an excellent show nonetheless. It is not as high-energy and acrobat-heavy as some of the others, but it makes up for this in other ways! A worthy show to see in Vegas!
Cirque du Soleil’s Ka: A-
Of course, there is more to see in Vegas than just the Cirque du Soleil shows. One of the newer shows that opened in Vegas (that I would argue is close to on par with the Cirque du Soleil shows) is Awakening. This show is at the Wynn and has a circle stage (so every seat is a good one!). This show just wowed us–and I mean, wowed us–because everything from the set to the costumes to the props to the lights were absolutely incredible.
Every act was amazing, and just when I thought the show had reached its pinnacle, the stage would transform or actors would slide in from the ceiling or a flipping WHALE started floating around on stage. Seriously, the show defied physics, and it was a stunning production from beginning to end.
The seats are also set up so that each has its own speaker system so not only did you get a top production in terms of visuals, you got all the senses involved in a mind-blowing production. Totally worth the ticket price and then some, so be sure to put this show at the top of your list!
Awakening: A+
If you want to see one of the classic standouts in Vegas, I would recommend Absinthe. This show is fun, because it is in a tent, and the audience is seated in a circle around the stage.
The show is aimed for adults as there is language and sexual content, but if that stuff doesn’t bother you, then it is a really fun show. You see all sorts of acrobatic tricks from someone balancing on a stack of wooden chairs to high flying ropes acts to a couple spinning and flying on roller skates. The performers are often hoisted into the air, so even if you had seats in the back, you would still be able to see the whole show very well.
This brings me to my main recommendation–don’t get the front row seats! Not only does the host make fun of everyone in these seats (a big reason why I didn’t take pictures during the show–I didn’t want to draw attention to myself and get picked on, ha!), the first few rows also get wet, and for most of the show, you are looking straight up to see the performers in action (so your neck can start to hurt after a while). So definitely sit a few rows back at least–the ticket prices are much more reasonable, you don’t have to strain your neck as much, and you will see the show just as well.
All in all, though, it was an excellent show, and a Vegas classic that you have to see while you are there! The talent is amazing, the set is fun, and the show is very entertaining. Highly recommend!
Absinthe: A-
Of course, Vegas is known for its debauchery, so if you are wanting to see one of the male revue shows, Thunder from Down Under is probably going to be your best bet. I had been wanting to see this show forever since a traveling group came to my family’s hotel while we were in Crete. I was an adult at the time, but to preface this, I grew up in a very religious household. As soon as my mom saw that a male revue show was there, we were all whisked to our hotel room and had to shut the blinds while the music blared and the women screamed downstairs. I wanted so badly to see what I was missing, so when I saw that the show was in Vegas, I knew the time had come to see what it was all about!
However, when I went on a girls trip with my sister, she didn’t want to see it, so I was determined to see it by my damn SELF if I had to next time I was in town. But luckily, on this most recent trip, I didn’t have to go all by my lonesome as my husband said, well, okay, I’ll go with you. He was such a trooper, and even the dancers appreciated him as most of them came by our table and gave him fist bumps!
The show itself is fun and had guests of all ages there (the older ladies actually attract a lot of attention as all of them got danced on/flirted with by the dancers), and it was just as fun watching the interactions as it was seeing the show! The acts range from group dances to interactions with the audience, and while it is not a high caliber show by any means, in all of its cheesiness, it’s still a lot of fun.
Thunder from Down Under: A-
Granted, not all Vegas shows are adult-oriented, so if you bring your family and want something more kid-friendly, the Blue Man Group at the Luxor is a good choice. It was always a show that my husband and I had seen advertisements for, but we just never had the extra time to see it. However, after buying tickets for Thunder from Down Under, I got an offer for $100 off the total ticket price for another show in Vegas. We had an afternoon free, and Blue Man Group was one of the only shows that had an afternoon performance, so we booked it for a total of $10 a person. What a steal! To make it even better, when we sat down in our seats, the usher grabbed us and upgraded our seats to ones closer to the stage!
The show itself is an interesting one–made up of mimes, comedy acts, and drum numbers. The show is very loud, and the ushers encourage the use of earplugs (they even handed out ear protection to little kids to protect their ears), so I would recommend bringing earplugs if you have them! Some of the acts are a little silly, and I could see why some people complain about the show as these acts go on a bit too long (I’m mostly referring to the eating scenes in which they consume copious amounts of marshmallows or cereal). However, for getting a steep discount on tickets, it was still an entertaining production, and we did enjoy the drum bits.
So if you can get these tickets at a steep discount like we did or if you have little kids (the show is honestly more geared toward them anyway), then I would recommend it. Otherwise, you might want to prioritize one of the other shows on the Strip.
Blue Man Group: B+
If you find yourself exploring and want an off-the-Strip experience that includes a rum tasting, I would highly recommend the Lost Spirits Distillery and Circus Show. They have two shows–their main one and now a new one called the Seance Show. My husband and I went to the regular show and tasting, and it was such a unique experience!
Right when you go in, you walk through a big mouth of a door and wander through dark passageways into a series of rooms that have a new performer every few minutes. The performances ranged from comedy to acrobatics to singing to belly dancing to hula hoop twirling. The caliber was actually quite good–especially for the acrobatics performers–and it was a neat experience to stand so close to the stage and see the performance just feet away!
Also, there are so many performances that it seems impossible to see them all! My husband and I stayed in some of the rooms and watched one performer after the next come on the stage a few times before moving onto the next room, and there were never any repeats. The rum is good, too, and you get four tastings, and they range from smoky to sweet rums. When the show wrapped up, there were still performers we hadn’t seen, so it would even be worth a repeat trip just to get to full experience!
It was really an incredible show and such a neat concept with cool sets, talented performers, and good drinks. I know that some people complain because you have to stand for most of the show (the rooms are small, and only two had chairs), so just wear comfortable shoes, and you should be set! The rooms are also quite dark (to create the mood), but this makes for blurry pictures–which is why I don’t have many of the acrobats here, sadly–so be sure to have your camera/phone settings already changed to accommodate the low light, and this will help. It’s a great way to get off the Strip a bit and explore what else Vegas has to offer. Worth a visit for sure!
Lost Spirits Distillery and Circus Show: A
One more off-the Strip recommendation is not necessarily a show, but an experience. And that is the Sphere. It is really cool to see its changing graphics from the outside, but the real experience is inside. You can either see a concert or the Postcard from Earth–a nature/earth documentary, and my husband and I decided to see Postcard from Earth.
I keep saying experience, because that is what it is–from the pre-show hour of seeing various robots in action, advanced technology, and exhibits to the actual theater where you see the production. Seats can vary wildly in price (and while they say there is not a bad seat in the house, that is not true as some in the 200-level section are quite obstructed by the upper seats), so my husband and I decided to spring for the middle-ground seats higher up. This actually ended up being a good choice, because they weren’t in the most expensive section yet you still got a good view of the screen. I will say, though, that if you are nervous of heights, it is a very high distance up, and the aisles are extremely narrow (so be careful not to lose your balance!).
The show itself is incredible, and my favorite sections were probably the second fifteen/twenty minutes or so when the documentary was just focused on the wonders of the natural world. So many shots of whales, sharks, elephants, giraffes, and even bugs were mesmerizing in their clarity and vibrancy. The scenes really make you in awe of nature and how beautiful it can be.
Then the show takes a turn and focuses on the rate of human destruction and how much we are polluting earth which is sad (yet true), and here, the shots turned to scenes of filth, destruction, and desperation. What was so beautiful became ugly, and this ugliness was magnified on the screen. So while it is an important message, this took over the majority of the show, and I found myself missing the splendor of the first bit of the show–after all, wild animals flourishing in their habitat are far more interesting to watch than crowded cities, abandoned mines, and polluted water. This part of the show wasn’t as interesting, so if you go, just be sure to fully enjoy the first part!
In any case, though, the truth is ugly, and sometimes, people have to see it on a big screen to have it register (or at least, that is the hope here), so I understand the motive behind it. It made the show less magnificent and more sad, though (which is why I have a split rating here–one for the venue and one for the show). The Sphere itself is enormous and is worth whatever you end up seeing there. It is such an experience to fully look up and down and side to side with the screen encompassing your entire visual field, so definitely go!
Sphere: A / Postcard from Earth: B+
If visuals are your thing, but you want a more Instagram-friendly experience, I would recommend the Arte Museum. This had just opened on our most recent trip, so we went, and it was one of my favorite stops of the whole trip! It is an immersive art experience, and every room has its own theme from waterfalls to a beach to various light shows. It is really quite incredible, and my husband and I took our time in each room, because each was so beautiful and had so much to offer.
One of the rooms toward the end has a revolving visual experience so that you get a taste of everything–from famous art (and you see one on Van Gough, too) to nature scenes to a card show to an eclipse. There is so much more, too, but the usher recommend just hanging out in the room and watching each exhibit as it passed, and that is exactly what we did! There are no benches in the room, unfortunately, so we just sat down on the floor in a corner (as some other people did) and just took it all in.
You can easily do this in some of the other rooms, too, like the beach room, and this was a particular favorite with guests. Another favorite is the room in which you can color pictures of various animals, scan them in, and have them appear live in the exhibit! I wasn’t expecting it to be so much fun, but it was cool to see your creation on the screen, walking around and interacting with the others in the exhibit.
Last, but not least, is the tea bar at the end! You have to purchase extra tickets for this, but it is a fun experience as well. You can order a specific beverage (their milk teas are actually very good!) and when they bring it out to you, the lights overhead follow your cup on the table. It makes all sorts of fun designs (beautiful, too!), so if you want the extra, I would recommend it. Did I say the drinks were delicious, too?
So all-in-all, a must visit, especially if you have never been to an immersive art experience. It was an amazing first-time at one of these things!
Arte Museum: A+
Are you ready for one more thing for the “to do” list? This one is worth it, I promise! It is Meow Wolf Omega Mart, and while there are a few Meow Wolf locations across the country, my husband and I had never been to one, so we decided to try it on this most recent trip to Vegas! So many words to describe this experience–trippy, weird, amazing, wild, cool, and so many more! This location starts as a strange super market with all sorts of weirdly-labeled foods and then there are several portals that you can go into to see a whole new world beyond the aisle/freezer/tree/whichever portal you chose to see the other side!
You could honestly spend the whole day here as there are not only dozens of rooms and passageways to explore, but there are opportunities to conduct scavenger hunts along the way and collect clues to get to your final destination. A lot of fun!
Even though we spent a few hours there, we still didn’t see everything, so you know there was a lot to explore! So many puzzles, games, and clues, too, and my husband got the idea to start playing pranks on people. In one room, he said that you had to do a certain number of jumping jacks, and it would make the room do something cool, and what do you know, he had the whole room doing jumping jacks…for no reason, ha! In another room, he said that if you sang, the room would change if you hit a certain pitch, and he had people singing…and then people started realizing he was messing with them! As we were heading out, a lady recognized him and yelled out, “Watch out, he’s trouble!” Ha!
And just when you think you have found everything, there’s a cool little bar area tucked away where you can order fun drinks, so I highly recommend stopping by there before you leave! You can take the long way there through the maze of rooms or you can just walk in and take a turn through the main supermarket area. The atmosphere is fun, the bartenders are friendly, and the drinks are delicious!
So if you want a fun day for the whole family, I highly recommend checking this place out–especially if you like strange, off-the-wall type of things. It’s a fun spot!
Meow Wolf Omega Mart: A
The High Roller which is the big Ferris wheel you see on the Strip is fun to see as well. The tickets are pricy, but they do offer a military discount, so on my trip to Vegas with my sister, we decided to take a midnight ride! Having never been on an observation wheel of this size, I was impressed by how smooth it was (and the cars are quite big, so even if you are nervous of heights, there are benches in the center where you don’t have to get as close to the windows). There is also a monitor that shows how high you are and when you are at the pinnacle, so that is fun to see as well.
The views of Vegas are especially impressive at night, so if you go on it, do it at night! The lights are amazing, and it is a great way to see the whole city from above!
High Roller: A
Walking around and seeing the casinos is also fun (and free), and you can spend a whole day doing just that.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens is always impressive, and the Forum shops at Caesars and the Grand Canal Shoppes are nice to walk around in and explore. There is also a wildlife conservatory at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
These places are especially fun to visit during a holiday, because everything is so nicely decorated for the occasion.
We have visited during different times in the year, and each time, all the decorations were different and so nicely done.
If you get a chance to venture off the Strip, Old Vegas/Fremont Street is a lot of fun and has a lot of nostalgic sites with the older Vegas signs (and an impressive overhead display of lights). You can also zipline there, watch street performers, and enjoy some cheaper eats/drinks.
A funny story about the street performers…there was a group of Chippendale dancers taking pictures with people, and they were in their typical costumes without their shirts, and one of them comes up to me and offers his elbow. I look at him confused, like what am I supposed to do with your elbow? Thinking he was trying to be friendly but just super germ-conscious because of Covid, I gave him an elbow bump and that is when he looked at ME confused. So he did it again, and I’m like what the heck, and elbow bump him again, and that’s when he started laughing. “I am trying to escort you to the photo booth, ma’am.” He was offering me his arm like a gentleman, and oh, my god, I just wanted to die. What a goob I can be! Needless to say, when my husband and I saw a similar group at the Excalibur from the Thunder from Down Under show, we asked to take a picture with them and the “elbow bump” to recreate the embarrassing moment, and they happily obliged! Ha!
So you never know what is going to happen in Old Vegas! You can make some memories, embarrass yourself, have a great time, or all of the above, haha. It is definitely a spot to check out (daytime or early night time is best for safety), and nearby, you have the Mob Museum, the Neon Museum (the night tours sell out fast!), and Area 15. If you decide to grab a snack while you are there, don’t miss the famous Evel Pie! With all sorts of pizza slices at the ready (and outdoor seating for people watching), it’s a great spot to eat a cheaper meal and enjoy the sights!
Evel Pie: A
Across the street is another famous place, Sorry Not Sorry Creamery,however, after hearing such great things about the place and its sweet, buttery ice cream, it was a big disappointment. Granted they had plenty of interesting and unique flavors, so I ended up getting a flight so that I could try multiple kinds, but each seemed like they were kept in temperatures much too cold as each flavor had more chunks of ice in it than actual ice cream. I would have originally thought it would be a mistake for one flavor, but every flavor was icy and bland, so it was quadruple sadness! So definitely skip that place and spend your money at Evel Pie–that was much better.
Sorry Not Sorry Creamery: C
So enough about the cheaper things of Vegas…you know that you can go on the opposite side of the spectrum, too. Go big or go home, right? Well, in Vegas, you can do that–whether it be on gambling, helicopter rides, limo rides, or…you guessed it, strip clubs! Strip clubs are very popular here as you know it is a big bachelor / bachelorette destination, and my husband and I have gone on a few occasions. Vegas laws are a bit unique in that they do not offer nude shows in places that sell alcohol (unless these places were grandfathered in before that law was passed), however, the non-nude places are actually better than the nude clubs. However, let me warn you that Vegas strip clubs are INTENSE…like you are swarmed as soon as you get in the door and are constantly asked for a dance/private room, so it is very overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. These girls hustle and are not afraid to be pushy, so if you are looking for a relaxing night out, Vegas clubs are NOT it (at one place, we even witnessed people getting kicked out for not tipping the dancers on the stage, and that was after they paid the cover charge). So if you go, prepared to spend money and heaps of it. Of course, don’t let that scare you away. If you go in with the right mindset and are prepared to make quick decisions and connect really well with a girl or two, then it can still be really fun, but bring your cash and be prepared to pay absolutely absurd prices. Just think of it as a once in a lifetime experience, and that will make the experience better, and who knows, you may have a night you won’t forget! Just be safe, watch your drinks, and only bring what you are willing to spend, and that will ensure a good time!
Of course, you can still have a lot of fun in Vegas and keep things more family-friendly. For example all ages enjoy FOOD and Vegas is a hotspot for it! On the strip are also some excellent restaurants. The buffets are expensive, so be sure to be very hungry when you go (Bacchanal is the most famous–and most expensive–but the ones at Wicked Spoon and at the Aria are also good and worth checking out). We also enjoyed meals at Nacho Daddy, Ambra Italia Restaurant, Yard House, Dirt Dog, Guy Fieri’s Kitchen and Bar, Burger Bar, Gonzalaz Y Gonzalaz, and Holsteins.
There are also the typical West Coast favorites like In-N-Out (though, if you are staying on the Strip, go to the one by the Linq–the one on Dean Martin Drive is difficult to get to because of the limited and confusing pedestrian routes across the interstate).
My sister and I are major foodies, so on my most recent trip with her, I was determined to try out some of the more famous Vegas food–even if it was more expensive, and we found some amazing places!
Let me start with one of my top dining experiences EVER…and that is at Hakkasan. This is a high-end Asian restaurant in MGM, and my sister and I saw signs everywhere for this place. So we made reservations one night and went! And what a night! Even still, if you mention the place to either my sister and I, we will SWOON when we tell you how good the place was!
From the flower-lined entrance to the impeccable service (the entire restaurant seems to share duties as we had a number of different people take our orders, clear plates, and refill our drinks), the amazing food, and the ambiance, the meal was incredible! My sister and I shared a lot so that we could try as many things as we could, and we fell in love with everything. We split the Drunken Wonton and the Chicken Potstickers as appetizers, then split the General Tsao Chicken, Singaporean Fried Rice, and Hakka Noodle for our meal, and let me say that it was one of the best culinary experiences of our lives!
The food was seriously so good that we had a hard time sharing, but every bite was like a taste of heaven–so many flavors and spices! When I got home from the trip, I raved about the place so much that my husband said he wanted to try it out next time we were in Vegas. So it was one of our first dinner reservations, and it did not disappoint! At first, my husband was skeptical, thinking, is this place really as good as you say? And it was! He was a total convert, and the dishes we tried were just a swoon-worthy!
The place is expensive, but when you share everything, it isn’t as bad as you might think, but oh, my goodness, it is worth every penny you spend!
The fanciness of the place even extends to the bathroom, because it has its own attendant with all sorts of soaps, lotions, and mints to offer you. You felt like royalty!
So high marks for this place! The best meal I’ve had in Vegas by far!
Hakkasan Restaurant: A+
If dim sum is more your style, there is a popular place called Din Tai Fung that I would highly recommend! I had been wanting to try this place for a while–their dumplings looked delicious, and they had all sorts of flavors! They also book up very quickly, so after making a reservation, my husband and I made this our very first stop after landing in Vegas!
The service is excellent (and the waitstaff all share duties so that you never have to wait to make your order, get refills, or pay for your meal), the atmosphere is beautiful, and the food….the food is delicious! My husband and I ordered a bunch of things to share–the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao (a favorite!), Kurobuta Pork Buns, Chicken Spicy Wontons (a favorite!), and Truffle and Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao. We wanted to try the Chocolate and Mochi Xiao Long Bao (get this with a side of cream!), but we were just too full, sadly. I think in hindsight, I would have gotten just the Kurobuta Pork Xiao Long Bao, TWO orders of the Chicken Spicy Wontons (they were SO good), and then the Chocolate and Mochi Xiao Long Bao, but honestly, everything was so delicious!
It was a very busy place, so reservations are a must, and it’s worth it! SO good! Highly recommend!
Din Tai Fung: A+
Of course, can you have fancy Asian cuisine without trying sushi? My husband is a big sushi fan (and I have recently been, too), and we knew there were a lot of fancy places in Vegas. We really wanted to try Mizumi, but their opening hours weren’t going to work with our show schedule, so we decided to try Nobu as it was a bit closer to our show, and we would be able to time things better. You hear about Nobu all the time as it is a famous celebrity spot and the food is world-renown, so even though it was going to be super expensive, we decided to just try a few things.
The restaurant is beautiful, and reservations book out far in advance (but you can sit at the bar without a reservation–you just have to get there right when they open, and even then, there is a long line). We were able to get a spot this way, and decided to order Waygu tacos and two sushi rolls. A note about the tacos–originally, we were going to try the Wagyu steak at $55 an ounce, but then the server said that there was a 4-ounce minimum. Wanting to try some sushi, too, without emptying our wallet completely, we opted for the cheaper Wagyu tacos (there is only a two minimum, so we could each try one). And these were gloriously tasty, super tender, and extremely flavorful. I was sad that the two bites for each taco didn’t last very long, but what two bites they were! At the end of our trip, my husband commented that it was the single favorite food item of the whole trip, and he wasn’t wrong!
We also tried two sushi rolls, and those were delicious as well. You know you are at an authentic place when the rolls are simple and do not have the fancy toppings and extras of a lot of sushi chains–they just focus on the main ingredients. As a result, the rolls aren’t very filling, but they do taste good and you can taste the freshness of the sushi and the care that went into making the rolls.
So while it wasn’t a lot of food for $80+ before taxes and tip, it was good, and we enjoyed our meal. I think that if you are not wanting a filling meal and you don’t care to spend upwards of several hundred dollars per person, then it would be a good choice. Being more conservative with our money, we wanted to just try a few things for the experience, so it ended up being good for that as well.
Nobu: A
Another fancier place that is popular is Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. I knew that the place was renown for their Beef Wellington and Sticky Toffee Pudding, so after ramping up my appetite by walking all over Vegas, I came in good and hungry! While reservations are recommended, it was just me during this occasion, and they had plenty of seating at the bar where you didn’t have to wait.
So I ordered what it was famous for, and having never had Beef Wellington, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. One thing that took me by surprise was that you can’t pick how you want the steak cooked–there is just one setting, and that is medium rare (though, it comes out looking more rare than medium rare). I am typically a medium/medium plus kind of gal, but I wanted to try the place out, so I was like okay, I’ll try it out for the experience!
And it was good. The meat was tender, the crust nice and flaky, and the sauce a good compliment to the meal. Honestly, Beef Wellington tastes a bit plain when compared to your typical steak on the grill, so that was a little disappointing (especially given the price), but it was still a good meal.
For dessert, I tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding, and that was good as well. The bread was a tad dry, and I wished they had more syrup to moisten it more, but even still, it was a good way to finish off the meal.
So it gets points for the meal and the service, though loses some for the expense and the food being a tad bland/dry. I feel that you can get a much better meal for cheaper in Vegas, but hey, I had to try it!
Gordan Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen: B+
While Gordon Ramsay has several restaurants in Vegas, you don’t have to commit yourself to a fancy meal at each one. For example, my husband and I wanted a good, gourmet burger, so we decided to try Gordon Ramsay Burger. We didn’t need a reservation (though, reservations are a good idea if you don’t want to wait in line), and we were seated quickly before getting our drinks (however, be careful, not all prices are listed, and my husband was absolutely gobsmacked at the price of one domestic beer). We each ordered a burger and decided to split some fries (which was a good choice as the fries are plentiful and more than enough for two people).
Here is where things started to go a bit downhill, because the service just seemed to stop at that point, and even though our burgers were switched (mine was cooked the way my husband ordered his, and vice versa, yet we ordered different burgers so couldn’t switch). Also, none of the sides or sauces we ordered came out, and after waiting for quite a while, we tried to flag someone down, but by the time we finally got someone to notice, we just decided to pay and leave.
So, kinda disappointing, especially for the price, but I am sure that if you come on a better-staffed day, you might get a better experience. For us, though, I think we’ll try a different place in town next time we want a burger.
Gordon Ramsay’s Burger: B-
Of course, while you are in Vegas, you can’t forget about breakfast! One of the most important meals, and a must for recovering from the night before/fueling up for the next day! Time and time again, I heard that the Pepper Club was a must-visit, but with it being closer to downtown (therefore a necessary Uber ride as it was too far to walk/take the tram), I had never gone…until this most recent trip! And it was worth the wait!
From their famous French toast with Ube whipped cream to their sparkling mimosas, it looked like quite the spot, and it was! We decided on the bottomless mimosas (a good choice!), and I got the French toast while my husband got the chicken and waffles. Both were swoon-worthy and one of the best meals of the trip!
The service was also excellent and while the mimosas were small, we never had an empty glass as the waiter was constantly bringing new ones. The food was so delicious, too, and we found ourselves enjoying every single bite even after we were full! A definite must stop when you are in Vegas!
The Pepper Club: A+
A place not to be confused with The Pepper Club is the similarly named, Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge. Famous for their food, drinks, and retro vibe, the place was busy, but I was able to find a spot at the bar. I had heard about the famous “Scorpion drink,” so I figured I would try that out, and oh, my goodness! At 64 ounces, it is a massive drink, and as soon as the waitress brought it out, I suddenly had a ton of friends at the bar wanting the start a conversation and take pictures of the huge cocktail! It was hilarious!
The drink is actually good, too! It is strong, but you don’t taste a lot of the alcohol because there are other sweet mixes included, and this made for a good, strong blend to get you ready to tackle the town! I only got a side dish to help absorb some of the alcohol, not a full meal, but all the food that came out of the kitchen looked good!
So for its lovely (and large) drink, good food, ambiance, and service, it gets a good score! It is pricier than you would expect, though, but nonetheless, still worth a visit!
Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge: A-
Speaking of drinks, there is another spot you have to try! This one is at the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan. This drink is actually not even on their menu, but they are famous for it, because it does something no other drink does! It quite literally electrocutes your mouth! The drink is called the Verbena Cocktail, and when I was visiting with my sister, one of her friends who was also in town, had tried the drink before and wanted to take us to experience the same thing!
And what an experience! I had read about it and was perplexed as the descriptions said that it would make my mouth “numb” or feel like a “sparkler” in my mouth–and those descriptions are pretty close to the truth! There is a plant that you eat first before you sip the cocktail, and that is what causes the reaction in your mouth. It felt weird chewing on it and it was like chewing a young dandelion plant before it had sprouted, but then the sparks came. You have to chew equally on both sides of your mouth to make the sensation equal, and it is the weirdest thing!
In hindsight, I wish we took a video of us trying it, but it was hilarious watching my sister’s friend staring at me the whole time I was chewing this thing, watching for my reaction at this plant sending jolts of electricity through my tongue, ha! The drink itself was good, too, but the plant is what gives the drink its name (and famous reaction).
So while I don’t think I would order the drink again (unless I was with a newbie who was trying it for the first time!), it was still a fun experience! The service was also excellent, and the place seemed like they had a lot of drink options (on and off the menu)!
Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan: A-
However, there were some surprises along the way, too! When my sister and I saw Ka, we wanted to eat a snack beforehand at a place nearby, so we found Rí Rá Irish Pub and just so happened to come by during Happy Hour!
It was the perfect place to grab a quick bite as my sister found a cider that she absolutely adored, and I was able to try a flight of their Guinness beers (I mean, you have to at an Irish place!). Their appetizers were half off, so we split the Avocado Toast, Baked Goat Cheese, and Traditional Potato Cakes. Everything was so good!
The service was also good, and believe it or not, it was also our cheapest meal in Vegas! Getting there at Happy Hour is key, and we had such a good time trying out everything. All the things we tried were delicious and very filling!
So I highly recommend this surprise favorite!
Rí Rá Irish Pub: A
Another favorite was the famous Hash House a Go Go! My sister and I wanted to hit up this place for breakfast before our flights left, so we made sure to get there right when they opened! They don’t take reservations, hence the need to get there early, but even so, the place was packed when we got there!
Everything looked delicious, so we ordered our drinks, and appetizer of bacon, and a hash meal each! The hashes come in a skillet and have all sorts of goodies including hash browns, cheese, eggs, and a biscuit (they do not allow substitutions), and even though the entrees and drinks are very expensive for what you get, they are filling, too, as they come in large portions.
The meal was delicious, and we had no complaints! The waiter was also fast and friendly, so it was a nice last meal in Vegas! For its food and service, it gets great marks, though loses a little because of the high prices.
Hash House a Go Go: A-
Oh, and another favorite…Sayulitas! This place is right next to the Strip (and on the way to the airport), so on this latest trip, my husband and I stopped for a big meal before our flight, and oh, my goodness! I had seen their huge burritos on TikTok and all their unusual ingredient combinations, so I knew we had to try it!
We ended up splitting one as the burritos were so big, and even split, the meal was so filling! And so good! And reasonable in price! Honestly, the ingredients were fresh and delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was lovely. They even have a whole assortment of sauces that you can serve yourself, so that makes for an extra bonus when enjoying one of the best burritos of your life! It was so good that my husband said that we would be stopping by again for sure next time we were in Vegas! Big thumbs up!
Sayulitas: A+
Oh, but we are not done yet! Oh, no, no, no. I know you have to be thinking, what, but there is so much already! But there’s more! Granted, Vegas has a lot of city stuff to do–but it is close to so many nature spots to check out, too!
When my sister and I visited, she wanted to explore outside the city a bit, so we did! We booked the Half-Day Emerald Cove Kayak Tour with River Dawgs, and they were absolutely fantastic. They picked us up from the Strip (they let you pick which hotel is closest to you on the Strip, and that becomes your meeting point) and were very communicative all throughout the trip. From confirming our reservation to telling us what to bring to confirming our pickup to answering questions, they were excellent and were happy to help ensure that you had a wonderful time! They even called me the day before the trip and mentioned that the wind was going to be troublesome that day, so they asked if we could head out earlier in the morning–which was totally fine as that would give us more time to enjoy Vegas later that day!
The guide picked us up and the other passengers, and we set off to Willow Beach! It is about an hour’s drive away, but the van was comfortable, and our guide, Preston, was friendly and jovial. When we arrived at the beach, we put on our life jackets, got into our assigned kayaks, and the adventure began!
The day started out chilly, especially since we were starting the tour earlier than expected, but soon, the sun came out, and it was glorious! The scenery is breathtaking, and as we passed by landmarks, Preston explained what they were and the history behind them. We saw everything from rock formations to mountain goats to an old mine train track (including a pulley system over the water where people transported things–and themselves–over the river). It was very cool!
When we reached the main destination–Emerald Cove–Preston had us all take turns paddling backwards into the cave so that we could all see out from the inside. The spot is famous for its emerald water, and you can see it best on a very bright, sunny day. After taking some pictures, he let us paddle about before we regrouped on the shore for a quick lunch break before heading back.
The lunch break spot was actually quite pretty and after we all grabbed a drink and a snack, we hiked up to the top of the cliff where we could see the water and the surrounding cliffs better. What a sight! So beautiful and Preston was so helpful in taking pictures, showing us the local plants, and pointing out more views on the horizon.
The trip back was a bit more difficult because that is when the wind picked up, and they were not kidding about the wind being “troublesome” that day! Holy gracious! No only were you paddling hard against the wind, the wind would push you backwards! You could even see the wind gusts in the distance coming over the water, so you had a minute to duck down, but make sure that your boat doesn’t go sideways–otherwise you will tip over! That almost happened to me, because the wind would catch our kayak paddles in the air and use it as a sail, so the kayak would turn, and then you had to scramble to right it before you tipped.
It was honestly exhausting, and I was starting to wonder if we were going to make it back as the wind was just picking up speed the closer we got to the beach. But then, the final shoreline came into view, and my sister and I dug deep and gave it our absolute all to paddle back, screaming when the wind pummeled us, and laughing when we managed to not fall over. When we got to the shoreline, our arms felt like they were noodles, but we made it!
The drive back was quick, and Preston continued being his jovial self, so I highly recommend the tour! It was a great day trip from Vegas and was the perfect outing!
River Dogz Half Day Emerald Cove Kayak Tour: A
Oh, did you think I was done? Ha, not yet! We had our biggest adventure yet to come! Since forever, Antelope Canyon has been on my bucket-list, so my sister and I booked the Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Small Group Tour with Coexist West Coast. It was an expensive tour, but for an all day trip to see multiple places like Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon, we figured it would be worth it, so we saved this for our last full day in Vegas before we flew back. Originally, it looked like the tour was going to be canceled, because I got a message from the company that there were not enough people booked on the tour. We couldn’t reschedule, so we were fully prepared for the trip to be a wash and for us to find something else to do last-minute….but then I got a message that the tour was still on! It would be a small group (only four other people besides my sister and I), but we would still go! And this is the best way to go–the small groups make the very long van drives not so bad because you can stretch out and not be so cramped–I think if we had a full tour, it wouldn’t have been near as fun.
The day started bright and early as we met our driver, Kurt, and his van outside our hotel and then picked up the other guests before we began our long drive. The drive is broken up by several rest stops and a lunch break, so the drive didn’t seem as bad as we had feared. The rest areas that the driver stops at are nice, too, and Kurt was personable and happy to answer questions as we drove by popular sights.
Our first sightseeing stop was Lake Powell, and that is beautiful. The water was down, but Kurt was happy to stop at several places here–both at the main vantage point where you could take pictures and just off a bridge where you could see everything up close. Very cool!
The next stop was Horseshoe Bend, and here, he stopped in the parking lot and waited while you hiked out to Horseshoe Bend and back. The hike isn’t too far, and you have plenty of time to see everything. The views are gorgeous, and there are all sorts of areas where you can take pictures and enjoy the sights.
You do have to be very careful, though, as the drop-offs are quite dangerous and if you don’t stay in the designated areas, you do risk falling and severely injuring yourself (if not worse). Some of the other tourists were going way past the boundaries and hanging off cliffs for some pictures, and my sister and I just watched open-mouthed at some of them–like are you trying to die? So make good choices, and you’ll be safe and enjoy the sights!
Last but not least, we went to the place we had all been waiting for…Antelope Canyon! It is on a Navajo reservation, so after we arrived at the tour place, we registered for our tickets and watched a rain dance show from the self-proclaimed “Lord of the Rings.”
After the show, we were matched with a guide, and she led us down the steps to the canyon below. Here is where you felt like you entered another world, because it is so gorgeous in the canyon just looking above.
There are so many little nooks and crannies that the guide tells you about, too, and she was wonderful in showing us neat picture spots, the angles to take these pictures, and even the settings to use on your phone! It was very helpful and led to some amazing shots!
It was absolutely everything I had hoped it would be and more, so if you have a chance to see this place, go! We took our Antelope Canyon tour with Dixie Tours (this tour company is actually right next to a neighboring tour company–run by the owner’s brother, so it is amusing that there is so much competition here, but you know that with such fierce competition, the service has to be good, and it was!). We had an excellent guide, and the canyon was gorgeous.
Soon enough, it was time for the long drive home, so taking advantage of the roomy van with so few people, my sister and I caught up, looked through pictures, and relaxed on the way back. Our hotel drop-off was timely (though, almost too much so as Kurt sped like a madman the whole day, even illegally passing people around curves and during a snowstorm when the road was iced over–the changes in weather is crazy as with such a long distance, you experience sun, rain, snow, then all of it again!–but the reckless driving is where the tour loses points for me). Everything else was great.
Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Small Group Tour: A-
Okay, now, I’m done, ha! But as you can see, there is SO much to do in (and out) of Vegas! Las Vegas is really a city that never sleeps, so when you go, be sure to use every day (and night) to the fullest! See everything! Do everything! Eat everything! Drink everything! You can always sleep when you get home (or that’s what I tell myself), so go explore some casinos, go see some shows, and enjoy Vegas to the fullest! It really is a great city to visit.
Favorite Experiences
I have loved all my experiences in Vegas, but I don’t think anything will top watching Mystere. That was my first Cirque du Soleil show, and there is nothing like that first Cirque du Soleil experience–everything is so big and grand and amazing that it is just so hard to top afterwards.
Hakkasan was probably the best dining experience, and the kayaking adventure and the trip to see Antelope Canyon were both fantastic moments as well. So many favorites!
What I Wish I Knew
I don’t think there is a lot that I would do differently, though I do wish that seating charts were more accurate on ticket sales websites. When we bought tickets to O, we thought we bought tickets to a middle seat, and it looked like there was an entire seating section in front of us, but in actuality, we were only two rows from the front, and that is too close to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show. You need to see the whole stage to best appreciate it, so when you buy tickets, buy some that are a little farther back (this is true for shows like Absinthe, too!), and that way, you can see all the action better.
I know I want to see more shows–Cirque du Soleil has a new one called Mad Apple now. Opium and some of the magic shows are popular shows that I think would be fun to see as well. Vegas is all about shows for me–I save up and spend money on those rather than gambling. There is no shortage of performances and entertainment, and shows are constantly rotating in and out which makes Vegas such a cool place to visit.
There are also so many more places to eat! I wished I was more hungry (and I even worked hard to make myself hungrier in walking everywhere!), but definitely take advantage of the dining in Vegas. I still have so many places on my list to try like Mon Ami Gabe, Lotus of Siam, Esther’s Kitchen, Momofuku, Bouchon, Mizumi, Bazaar Meat, Zepolla Cafe, Vanilla Rice’s Hibachi House, Taqueria Lacasas, 303inthecut, and Happy Lemon. Some of these are fancy places while others are food trucks, but as you can see, there is so much! So much deliciousness still to try next time I go back!
The good thing about Vegas, too, is that it can be whatever vacation you make it. It’s possible to make it budget-friendly with coupons you can find here and here along with the free stuff and cheaper hotels. There are also several Walgreens on the Strip as well as an ABC store, so if you want to stock up on drinks/snacks/essentials, those are good places within walking distance to do so.
Regardless of whether you make it a cheap or expensive vacation, read forums and get involved in Facebook groups devoted to Vegas! There are so many travelers who love Vegas and have awesome advice about visiting the city, so check out the travel forum here along with Everything Las Vegas, Love Las Vegas, Talk Las Vegas, and We Love Las Vegas Facebook groups. Those group members are far more experienced than I am and could give you some great tips!
Whatever you do, be safe, have fun, and take lots of pictures! Las Vegas will always give you a time to remember and if you get the chance to visit, definitely go!
I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:
TikTok: @touristyteacher
Instagram: @touristyteacher
Facebook: @touristyteacher
Happy travels!
