Welcome to the Entertainment Capital of the world!
We have lived in Las Vegas over a decade and would like to help you have the best time possible on your visit.
Casinos
The first thing that comes to mind when you think Las Vegas is naturally, the world class casinos. Here is some information we hope will help.
Players club cards are valid nationally, so if for example you have a Caesars Rewards card, bring it with you. The most common ones you will find will be the M-Life Rewards card from MGM, Caesar’s Rewards card, My Rewards Boarding Pass from Station Casinos, and B-Connected from Boyd Casinos. Click the links to find out which casinos are which.
Where to hang out
Las Vegas Strip
Las Vegas Boulevard
The Las Vegas Strip begins on the southern end at the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. The first hotel and casino is officially the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. It continues all the way northward up the Boulevard six miles to The STRAT.
Each casino will have a slew of amazing restaurants, ranging from food court style quick eats all the way up to the absolute finest of fine dining. Some restaurants and bars have dress codes, and most restaurants take reservations, while most bars do not have a cover charge unless there is an event like a band playing. Nightclubs will all almost exclusively have dress codes and cover charges or some kind of drink minimum.
Most casinos charge an hourly parking fee for the use of their parking lot or garage. Not all though, because unless something has changed very recently, parking is free both at The Venetian and The Sahara. Every casino will have a taxi pick up and drop off location, as well as a Rideshare pick up and drop off location for things like Uber and Lyft.
There are more shows than you could possibly imagine. Just two we can recommend if you have the time are Penn & Teller at the Rio and The Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur.
Aside from that there are museums like Madame Tussaud’s and The Titanic Exhibit. You can also get the best view of the city on The High Roller, or have your mind blown at one of the several Peter Lik Galleries.
If you venture past the pedestrian area, you don’t really need to wander much further past The Container Park, but do go down to the container park. They have a metallic grasshopper that shoots fire. You’ll want to make sure you see it
Downtown
Fremont Street
The older part of the city, Fremont Street is where you will find some of the older casinos, such as The Golden Gate Casino, The Golden Nugget, and The El Cortez. There are several newer casinos too, they’re just smaller than what you would traditionally see on the Las Vegas Strip. On the plus side, the bulk of the area is closed to cars and much closer together so it is much easier to hop around.
Much like the Las Vegas Strip, the casinos here charge per hour to Park. However, much like the Las Vegas Strip, every casino will have a Taxi pick up and drop off, as well as a Rideshare pick up and drop off.
There are some interesting spots to check out while you’re walking around outside of the normal gambling. If you’re a fan of Pawn Stars, you may recognize The Toy Shack while you’re down there. If you just cant decide on which bar is where you should whet your whistle, swing into The Griffin for the best, least Vegas style spot in Vegas.
There are usually live bands playing for free while you’re wandering around at night too. If you’re lucky maybe you’ll catch Spandex Nation.
Shopping
If you like to shop, and let’s be honest, we all do to some extent, there is nary a place on earth that will have as much to offer as Las Vegas.
There are several malls on the Strip itself, and I won’t bore you with those, Google them yourself. Here’s some additional information that you may find useful though
Outdoor and Outlet Malls
Just south of the casinos on The Strip, Town Square is worth popping over to. At the very least they have a Guitar Center with a Platinum Room.
Las Vegas Premium Outlets South
As the name suggests, these outlets are both premium and south of the north outlets. They are also south of The Strip and not too far from the wedding venue. Unlike their counterparts, these are indoors.
Las Vegas Premium Outlets North
North of The Strip, just off I-15, you can find the North Premium Outlets. These are outdoors, and have different Outlet stores than the South Outlets. They also have a fantastic stuffed churro stand.
A bit of a hike for those staying downtown, but this is a newer outdoor mall in Summerlin. Saturday mornings they have a great farmers market. There’s also a Dave & Busters here if you’re into that.
Area 15
We would be completely remiss without adding a special shoutout to Area 15.
Area 15 is an Entertainment and Events District just off The Strip, behind the Fashion Show Mall just on the other side of I-15. Here is just a taste of some of the things in store for you should you make the trip. There may even be an Alex Grey exhibit within another exhibit here.
Interactive Art Exhibit
We wont spoil this one for you. This is one of the coolest, if not the coolest art exhibit we have ever been to. If somehow you do get bored in this place, they have indoor playground slides built for adults in the back.
Candy & Soda Shop
Think of any type of candy on earth, think of candy you have never had but would love to see, chances are Rocket Fizz has it. They also have quite the crazy selection of sodas from around the world. Have you ever had Spicy Australian Ginger Beer? Because we have, from Rocket Fizz.
Restaurant & Bar
The Beast by Todd English has all of your bar food favorites: burgers, wings, pizzas, Korean corn dogs… wait, what? Yes, Korean corn dogs, and much like the wings, they bring them out to you on skewers jammed into a log. Also their radio is stuck on grunge circa 1992-1996.
Distillery Tour & Tasting
We did this tour in January. This place makes some of the highest quality, highest proof liquor that we have ever had in our lives. We found out what is required to be considered “Navy Rum” while here, while drinking some Navy Rum. Do not go here on an empty stomach. Do, however, make a point to buy one of the signature cocktails. The décor and theme are like something out of another time and place.
Hannah Harrison & Justin Freund 