GO TO VEGAS

Whoever said, “You can’t buy happiness, but you can go to Vegas and that’s kind of the same thing,” knew a thing or two.  People’s thoughts and opinions on Las Vegas swing like a wild pendulum.  For me, Vegas is a chameleon.  It can change into anything you want it to be depending on your mood.

My trips have always left me feeling a tiger or two short of a Hangover good time.  And that’s okay.  There was a time in my life when the wild side of Sin City would have appealed to me.  As I get older, I make Vegas what I need it to be.  Do I need inspiration for new recipes?  Go to Vegas and visit some of the best restaurants per capita in the world.  Do I need to shop?  Go to Vegas and visit everything from outlet malls to high end boutiques.  Do I need to relax?  Go to Vegas get your spa on.  Whether you sit by a pool or people watch along The Strip, make your trip what you want it to be.

ABOUT LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas sits in the Las Vegas Valley in Clark County, Nevada.  The city was named to represent the Spanish word for the meadows as it was an important supply point in route to Los Angeles.  In the early 20^th Century, fresh water was piped into the area. Vegas became a water stop for railroads and expanded once other rail lines joined in the area.

In 1930, the appropriation bill for the Boulder Dam, now known as the Hoover Dam, was signed.  Construction on the dam began in 1931 and population in the area boomed.  Gambling was legalized shortly thereafter.  In the years to come, the city grew.  Thanks to gangsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, the city morphed into an entertainment mecca.  By the 1950s, over 8 million visitors migrated to Las Vegas each year pumping vast amounts of monies into the casinos.  Big-named entertainers began residencies and the hotel/casino/entertainment blueprint was made.

From the 1970s on, the city grew rapidly.  The Rat-Pack and Mafia generations dwindled out and the mega-resort generation began in the late 1980s with the opening of The Mirage and later Excalibur, MGM Grand, Luxor, and Treasure Island.  Today, the mega-resorts stand along Las Vegas Boulevard lit up with LED lights and glamour.  Deceptively walkable, the Las Vegas Strip has a little something for everyone whether it be low-key indulgence or over the top themes.

LAS VEGAS CLIMATE

I remember taking one, exactly one, trip to Las Vegas in August.  It was in 2020, right after Las Vegas reopened from the pandemic closures.  My flight landed in the early evening and it was still over 100 degrees.  During the high summer months, temperatures can easily reach 110 degrees and beyond.  While the humidity is low, the sun is high in the sky and the heat can be suffocating.  If you decide to go to during the summer months, be mindful of any health conditions that can be exacerbated by the heat and drink lots and lots of water to stay hydrated.

Winter in Las Vegas is mild.  Minor snowfall accumulations have occurred but are very rare.  The mountains surrounding the Las Vegas Valley usually have snow on the peaks and it’s a beautiful sight to see against the colorful desert mountains.

In my opinion, spring and fall are the best times to go to Vegas.  Pools typically open sometime between mid to late March and will stay open through October provided the weather remains warm.  

WHERE TO STAY

You can make Vegas anything you want it to be for the right price. Do you feel like reenacting your medieval fantasy of pillaging and plundering villages?  Then Excalibur may be the right hotel for you to stay.  Have you always wanted wooden peg, eye patch, and to round out a hard “R” when you speak, then Treasure Island is probably your best bet.  Have you ever wanted to stay in an Egyptian pyramid or to a stylized theme of New York City?  Then I know just the resorts for you.

Seriously, there’s a little bit of everything for every budget.  And I’m going to let everyone in on a little secret…once you get past the themes, most rooms are the same within a certain degree of fanciness.  

When I’m trying to decide where I want to stay, there are few questions I have to ask myself:

1. Where?  The majority of the resorts and things to do will be on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.  But ask an even more deep-dive question – where on the strip do you want to stay?  Proximity is important.  There are also some wonderful places off-strip such as Durango, Circa, Red Rock, and Green Valley Ranch which may meet your needs.

2. Price?  While I love a great room with a big soaking tub, that may not be in everyone’s budget.  I would research nightly prices (and include resort fees!), the best rates for the best days, and consider how much time you will actually spend in the room and how important some of these things are to you.

3. Activities.  If the Tournament of Kings is the reason you are coming to Vegas?  Well, good for you.  But does that mean you have to stay at Excalibur?  Nope.  You can access any resort and amenities (for a price) so do not think that if you’re most excited about the Eifel Tower that you have to stay at Paris.

4. Be Practical.  Vegas may be a common occurrence.  I am lucky enough to go there once, if not twice, a year.  For some, Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.  Regardless of budget, identify your expectations and budget as your plan your trip.  Vegas is expensive, y’all.  The worst thing you can do is get to LV unprepared for the costs, resort fees, food, activities.  Plan and be practical about what you want from your trip so that can exceed those expectations with the very best trip possible.

LAS VEGAS FOOD

I could dedicate an entire website to just the restaurants in Las Vegas. In fact, I think the Vegas food scene will earn its own section because there are some great places I’ve been and a bunch I still want to try.  These are some of my favorites that are so good that the next time I go they will still be on my list.

Mon Ami Gabi.  Located in Paris, this restaurant  is such a great place to enjoy The Strip.  Patio seating outside will give you direct views of the Bellagio fountain and you can watch waves of tourists and entertainment.  Even for the view, I would not send you here unless the food was spectacular.  Mon Ami Gabi boasts a delightful French menu that has never disappointed.  Reservations are suggested – especially if you want one of the coveted seats on the patio.

Amalfi.  Amalfi is the new-ish restaurant from celebrity chef, Bobby Flay.  The restaurant is a homage to time spent on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.  Nestled in Caesars near another of Bobby’s restaurants, Brasserie B, the entire establishment was an unexpected delight.  The menu has a few Italian standards but the real standouts are the seafood dishes.  Order the octopus.  Trust me.

Jaléo.  Chef Jose Andres has several excellent restaurants in Vegas.  You cannot go wrong with any concept.  If your budget allows the glamourous fair of é or Bazaar Meat, then I encourage you to go.  China Poblano is an affordable option and has a unique menu fusing Mexican and Chinese cuisines.  But Jaleo is like a comfortable blanket for me when I go to Vegas and I stop in every time at The Cosmopolitan.  The Spanish restaurant is OG in my eyes and the most authentic to Chef Andres’ Spanish roots.  Go for the pan de cristal con tomate (tomato bread) and stay for the rest.  I love tomato bread so much that I tell on of my dearest friends that I love her more than tomato bread.  And that’s love.

Bouchon.  You have to know where you’re going to get to Bouchon.  Located in the Venetian up an elevator and down a hall, Thomas Keller’s white table cloth restaurant sparkles in the early morning sunlight filtering in from the vast windows surrounding the space.  Impeccable service.  Flakey pastries. And probably the best chicken and waffle dish I’ve ever tried.  So good that the Poulet et Gaufres with sauce Chasseur made me search for and master copycat recipes.

Lotus of Siam.  This is an off-Strip restaurant that is iconic for its vast Thai menu.  With locations at both Red Rock Canyon and on Flamingo, the food is so good it is often a first top for visitors in the city.

Casa di Amore.  Another off-Strip local favorite.  Moody Italian vibes mixed with some of the best Italian food I’ve ever eaten.  If you get a chance to go, or want a place on your way to the airport, Give Casa di Amore a visit.

VEGAS TRANSPORTATION

Harry Reid International Airport is a short distance from the Vegas Strip.  Depending on traffic and what part of The Strip you stay, you can be at your resort within 15-30 minutes.  There are taxis but I suggest rideshares as the best way to get to and from the airport.  Prices do vary by time of day and events.  Wait times are also variables.  I made the mistake of flying in on a Friday night at 9:00 p.m.  Wow.  That took me a while to get my Uber. Lesson learned.  Here are my transportation tips:

1. Plan your flights to maximize your time.  I tend to fly in early so I can enjoy the entirety of the day.  From Nashville, I gain two hours so a 6:00 a.m. flight lands me in Vegas at 8:00 a.m. with enough time to do an early check-in or bag drop so I can enjoy my day.  I also find it easier to get in/out of the airport in the mornings when there are less people.

2. Plan your rideshare.  When you depart the plane, take a quick peak at the wait times for rides.  If you see the wait time is over thirty minutes and you have no luggage at the bag claim, then you may want to go ahead and lock in your ride as you move through the airport.  If I am picking up checked baggage, I estimate my wait time while I wait.  The rideshare area is organized chaos with barriers and numbered slots.  Do not walk up to the front of the line if your Uber/Lyft is not there.  Trust me.  I’ve been fussed at and am saving you the hassle.

3. Do you need a rental car?  Short answer is no.  If you plan to stay on The Strip or even do a trip downtown to the Freemont Street Experience, then rideshares and taxis will be fine.  Parking in Vegas is expensive and you have better things to spend your money on.  The caveat to that is if you plan to travel outside Las Vegas city limits to enjoy the beautiful surrounding areas.  While you can take buses and customized tours, you may want to explore at your own rate.  At that point, a vehicle in Vegas makes perfect sense.  Just be safe and make good choices on the road.

4. Follow the rules of the road.  Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, there are a lot of people clamored together to do the exact same thing as you – have a good time.  The number one rule is no jaywalking.  There are walking bridges and crosswalks for a reason.  Follow the rules and yield to pedestrians.

5. There are free trams that run between MGM properties.  There is one line that connects Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur.  The other line runs between Park MGM and Bellagio with stops at Crystal Shops at Aria/Vdara and then to Bellagio.  There is also the Monorail system that currently runs along the back eastern side of the properties from MGM Grand all the way to the Sahara.  Tickets for the Las Vegas Monorail can be purchased online at lvmonorail.com. 

WHAT TO DO IN VEGAS?

It’s hard to not find something to do in Vegas.  There are free things like the Bellagio Fountain and Conservatory.  There are shows in the Caesars Forum shopping mall.  Heck, you can walk down the street and let your eyes get full of the people and characters standing around.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Go to a show.  Ever heard of Cirque du Soleil?  You will after a trip to Vegas because their shows are everywhere.  And I’m not saying that because it’s a bad thing.  The beauty and athleticism of the performers is worth the price of admission.  If epic grandeur is not your thing, then go to a show like Absinthe or Atomic Saloon for the bawdy and the laughs.  

Go to a concert.  Vegas has many residencies.  Performers like Carrie Underwood, The Eagles, Bruno Mars, Donny Osmond and even the Backstreet Boys are there for your enjoyment.  It’s a good idea to check the calendars of the performers so that you can plan your trip around showtimes and appearances.

Go to The Sphere.  Yes.  It’s a giant LED ball lighting up the Vegas skyline.  But its more.  The interior entrance halls have robots and state of the art electronics.  And the shows?  Yes.  All I can say is yes and definitely go.

Go to a museum.  This is my plan for the next time I go.  I’ve never been to the Mob Museum or the Neon Museum and I’m almost ashamed to admit that.  Learn about the fascinating history of Las Vegas while you are there.

Go downtown.  Even if it is just once, go downtown and walk the Freemont Street Experience.  It’s old Vegas at its best.  Also, the hidden gem of Circa is downtown.  Beautiful property and the bar at the top has an observation deck where you can see all of The Strip.

Eat a really good meal.  I’m a foodie.  I’m obsessed and love to eat new and interesting thing.  Whether it is the Waygu at Gordon Ramsey Paris or trying the Bacchanal Buffet for the first time, find a reason to splurge – no matter your budget.

Gamble.  Well, it is Vegas and it would be awfully silly to travel all the way to Sin City without tempting lady luck.  Here is the secret about gambling.  THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS.  It does.  If you are gambling because you want to drink for free, then just buy your drink because it’s the only sure thing you will spend your money in a Vegas casino.  Yes, there are winners.  Jackpots are won.  You could be the lucky winner.  All of these things do happen but it happens with such outrageous odds that the risks outweigh the rewards.  Am I discouraging you from gambling?  Absolutely not.  Am I asking that you gamble responsibly, yes I am.  Set a budget, be realistic, stay within your boundaries.  Do not ever gamble anything that you cannot stand to lose.  If you follow that rule, then let the odds forever be in your favor, friends.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

There are thousands, upon thousands of events, attractions, activities, and restaurants to keep you entertained.  The takeaway is to have a plan, have a budget, and have the very best time possible.  Drop us a message in the comment section if you have suggestions of things to do in Vegas or any tips for first time travelers.