The Vegas Strip is a wonder precisely because the casinos can be one giant, over-the-top, tacky theme park. You can paddle gondolas at The Venetian, ride up the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, watch Greek gods battle at Caesars, admire Warhols at the Bellagio, train dolphins at Mandalay Bay, ride a roller coaster at New York, New York – and that’s just the beginning.
Las Vegas,
A beautiful new performing arts venue in art deco style with a design scheme inspired by the Hoover Dam. The home of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the Nevada Ballet Theater. The rich and varied program offers dance, jazz, cabaret, symphonies, and Broadway shows.
361 Symphony Park Ave.
Las Vegas, 89106
+1-800-326-6868
If you don’t know your Texas Hold‘em from your Omaha High, take a free poker class at Mandalay Bay (Mondays - Thursdays at 2 p.m.). Cheat sheet: "splashing" has nothing to do with water and a "brush" has nothing to do with hair. When in Rome...
Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89119
+1-702-632-7790
When the neon lights get to be too much, head to the Mojave desert for some nature counterprogramming. Fly over Red Mountain on a zipline. There are four runs in all, covering 1.5 miles. You’ll drop 450 feet in the first 15 seconds, but you’ll have plenty of time to take in the incredible views of Las Vegas valley, Lake Mead, Eldorado Valley, and The Strip you left behind
1512 Industrial Rd.
Boulder City, 89005
+1-702-293-6885
On the first Friday night of every month, galleries stay open late, artists show their works, food trucks serve it up, and more than a dozen bands perform. The action is concentrated downtown in the Arts District and Fremont East.
1025 S 1st St
Las Vegas, Nevada
+1-702-635-5149
This is how civilians should engage with guns: in a contolled, safe, and more than a little ludicrous environment. Go to indulge your action figure fantasies or, per their themed packages, your Mob, Femme Fatale, World War II, Seal Team IV, and Gamers dreams. Then go back to your regular life.
3501 Aldebaran Ave.
Las Vegas, 89102
+1-800-757-4668
Learn how to walk, shimmy, dance, pose, and keep the false eyelashes on like a Vegas showgirl at X Burlesque University – and bring a whole new meaning to your visit to “The Strip.” Classes are offered daily in the afternoon, in time to show off your new moves in the evenings.
Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89109
+1-702-777-2782
An incredible mafia-themed museum housed in a former courthouse and post office building. On display is an amazing collection of memorabilia and interactive exhibits: wiretaps, letters from jail, weapons, even John Gotti's white suit and matching white shoes.
300 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, 89101
+1-702-229-2734
The Neapolitan Pizza craze is at its best at this authentic Italian neighborhood joint in Henderson, just South of the airport, a location that comes in handy since they import flour, tomatoes, prosciutto, and cheese from Italy. The menu is filled with classic pies, but they’ll let you add toppings.
140 Green Valley Pkwy.
Henderson, 89012
+1-702-901-4877
The Chinatown newcomer serves Japanese noodle soups in special broth made with pork bones and imported soy sauce and cooked for 12 hours. The menu lists four ramens and twice as many toppings. The cuisine and the small dining room are totally authentic, and the prices couldn’t be more affordable.
5030 Spring Mountain Rd., Suite 6
Las Vegas, 89146
+1-702-367-4600
Since the French wonderchef (who collects Michelin stars like some girls collect shoes) closed his NYC location, this sleek, red-and-black Vegas outpost is the only place you can taste his cuisine without a passport. Sit at the bar: it’s the best way to experience the delicate and impeccable plates prepared before you. (For a fancier experience, Joël Robuchon is right next door.)
MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89109
+1-702-891-7358
A new hidden gem serving breakfast and lunch in the first floor of an old apartment building downtown. Chef Natalie Young is developing a following for her variations of American comfort food classics like grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, shrimp and grits, and iceberg wedge.
707 Carson Ave.
Las Vegas, 89101
+1-702-367-7111
A cute coffeehouse and record shop in the Emergency Arts Center downtown. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu heavy on sandwiches and wraps, salads, baguette pizzas, and more than 20 seasonal beers.
520 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, 89101
+1-702-385-2328
Located off The Strip in a very what-are-we-doing-here strip mall, don’t let the very unassuming looks fool you: many foodies consider this the best Thai restaurant in the country. Must order dishes include Khao Soi (curry noodles) and Sai Oua (spicy sausage). And do make reservations: this place is hardly a secret.
953 E. Sahara Ave., #A5
Las Vegas, 89104
+1-702-538-6135
An authentic Italian seafood palace run by esteemed chef Paul Bartolotta, whose nightly conversations with his purveyors at fish markets in Italy results in a menu of fish rarely served in the United States. The room is grand and elegant, and the tables to book are the outdoor cabanas around the lagoon.
Wynn, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89109
+1-877-321-9966
It’s not a traditional recipe, transforming the world’s best-known sushi restaurant into The Strip’s spanking-new hotel-within-a-hotel. But the ingredients are right: a refined and elegant Japanese aesthetic (calligraphy artwork, teak bathroom fittings, hot tea upon welcome) in an intimate space (181 rooms and 18 suites with garden and Strip views). Best of all, guests get priority seating at Nobu restaurant.
Caesars Palace, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas , 89109
+1-800-727-4923
The names of the suites – Erotic, Barbie, Kingpin, Crib – says it all. When you’re in Vegas to party, you’re doing it at the Palms. The hotel is undergoing a head-to-toe renovation, resulting in rooms that are both sleek and user-friendly. (Making them a great place to recover from a wild night.)
4321 W. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas , 89103
+1-702-932-7777
It’s luxurious and understated, especially when compared to its flashy sister hotel, The Venetian. But it’s not fussy and attracts a younger clientele than similarly swank hotels on the Strip. Of special note: Carnevino restaurant, LAVO nightclub, and Canyon Ranch spa.
3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas , 89109
+1-702-607-7777
The new hotel for the revitalized Fremont East district. And we like the look of the new Vegas: it’s intimate (only 64 rooms), high on style (bold colors, cool patterns, glam furniture), impressively affordable, and located in a lively, cool, artsy neighborhood.
600 E. Freemont St.
Las Vegas , 89101
+1-800-634-6703
No surface is left untouched at the groundbreaking Wynn and its sister hotel, Encore, from the overflowing gardens and elaborate textiles to the Murano glass chandeliers. It’s the sophisticated, fashiony hotel of choice.
3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89109
+1-702-770-7171
The newest luxury hotel on The Strip notable for its fun scene, striking design, and stylish rooms, many of which have terraces overlooking the Bellagio’s dancing fountains. The many impressive restaurants, spas, shops, and bars are located in a multi-level central area that links the East and West towers.
3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89109
+1-702-698-7000
Downtown’s coolest new boutique is an anchor of Zappo’s founder Tony Hsieh’s Downtown project for redevelopment. Located in a former check-cashing shop (owner Sarah Nisperos left the old sign), this place is as much about hanging out as it is about shopping for basics, vintage, and emerging designer styles.
515 E. Fremont St.
Las Vegas, 89101
+1-702-685-7741
Bally and Balenciaga, Gucci and Pucci, Hermes and H.Stern, Stella and Marni and Kiki: the glittery shopping center is a who’s who of European and high-end designer fashions.
3720 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, 89158
+1-702-590-9299
The hot pink entrance of the antiques warehouse is a giveaway that the past is alive in vibrant and fabulous Vegas style. 1950s kitchenettes, big glass ashtrays, telephone tables, casino memorabilia – you never know what you’ll (re)discover. Bonus points for the fair prices, excellent service, and well organized inventory.
1131 S. Main St.
Las Vegas, 89104
+1-702-384-2700
A family-owned boutique specializing in vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories for women and men. The prices are affordable (dresses retail for less than $100) and the pieces are quirky (vintage spark plug tie clip).
220 E. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, 89104
+1-702-776-7766
Shop alongside the great chefs of Las Vegas in a tiny shop by the airport. Owner and purveyor Brett Ottolenghi specializes in finding hard-to-source ingredients from around the world, like Argan oil, edible gold, Japanese wagyu, and Iberico hams.
2275 E. Sunset Rd.
Las Vegas, 89119
+1-702-436-4252
The used bookstore off The Strip in Trader Joe’s plaza may not seem like much, but it houses an exceptional collection of cookbooks, as well as first editions of all genres. Helpful owner Myrna Donato, a passionate bibliophile, has been collecting for more than 60 years.
2101 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite 14.
Las Vegas, 89102
+1-702-648-9303