Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Hotel: Cosmopolitan Hotel
Las Vegas: Party Capital of the World! OK, so for those who know us, we are not truly party people; however, with some good company, we don’t mind sitting at a lounge and having a drink or two. That’s what makes Vegas perfect for everyone. Las Vegas is not only a place to party, but it is a wonderfully diverse setting offering creative architecture, breath-taking natural terrain, and seemingly endless retail shopping and sight-seeing. Here is a list of several reasons to pack your suitcase and head out for a weekend in Las Vegas.
How awesome is that view from the 52nd floor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel?
10 Fun Things to Do in Vegas
1. Ride the High Roller
View Las Vegas from the world’s tallest and largest observation wheel. Rise 550 feet high above the Strip while taking in the incredible 360 degree views of the city. There are 28 surprisingly spacious cabins each with a capacity to hold 40 passengers. Fortunately, at the time we went, we were able to get a cabin all to ourselves. The ride lasts approximately 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to snap some great photos.
TIP #1: Groupon is offering discounted tickets until January 2, 2018. Click here for the link.
TIP #2: If you know someone who works on the Strip, ask them for tickets. Employees receive 4 free tickets to ride the High Roller. We were lucky enough to meet a friendly Casino employee while in line at the High Roller and he graciously offered us free tickets.
Location: The Linq Hotel & Casino
Price of Admission: $35 dollars per person
Hours of Operation: 11:00 am – 2:00 am 7 days a week
2. Eat at a Buffet
Vegas is famous for its colossal buffets and most major hotels offer one all day long. We opted to try the Wynn Buffet due to its high reviews. The Buffet at Wynn Hotel was recently voted the “Best Buffet” in Las Vegas by the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association. Wynn Hotel also happens to be one of our favorite hotels in Vegas; it is beautifully designed, with an elegant attention to detail.
The Buffet has 15 stations and over 120 dishes from all over the world. So no matter what cuisine you are craving, you can almost guarantee they will have a dish to satisfy your palette.
Location: Wynn Hotel
Buffet Price: Breakfast (Weekdays only): $24.99/Brunch (Saturday/Sunday): $35.99/ Lunch: $27.99/ Dinner (Sunday – Thursday): $42.99/ Dinner (Friday & Saturday): $49.99
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: Breakfast 7:30 – 11 am/Lunch 11 am – 3:30 pm/Dinner 3:30 – 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday: Brunch 7:30 am – 3:30 pm/ Dinner 3:30 pm – 9:30 pm
3. Walk the Strip
The best way to see Vegas is to walk the strip. The Strip is a little over 4 miles long. It is pedestrian-friendly with many shops, restaurants, and free attractions along the way.
Here are a few things to experience along the way:
- Watch the Fountain at the Bellagio Hotel
- Visit the Bellagio Conservatory
- Watch the Volcano Show at Mirage Hotel
- Visit the million-dollar floral carousel display at the Wynn Hotel
Tip #1: Wear comfortable shoes.
Tip #2: Stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion. Vegas is situated in the middle of the desert, so the weather gets extremely hot during the summer months.
4. Visit the Grand Canyon Skywalk
The Grand Canyon. This is the one absolute must-see when taking a trip to Vegas. The Grand Canyon West Rim is approximately 2.5 hours drive from Vegas, and it is well worth the drive.
Location: Grand Canyon West. Hualapai Indian Tribe.
Address: West Rim Trail, Grand Canyon Village, Arizona 86023
Price of Admission: Legacy Gold Pass | $79.00 per person
This package includes your admission and the following:
- Skywalk ticket to walk on the glass bridge
- Official Hualapai visitation certificate
- Photo opportunities with Hualapai tribal members
- Hop-on/hop-off shuttle to all viewpoints, including Hualapai Ranch, Eagle Point, and Guano Point
5. Minus 5 Degrees Ice Bar
This is probably the best way to beat the desert heat while in Vegas. Minus 5 Degrees Ice Bar is a sub-freezing indoor bar with walls, furniture, sculptures, and even drinking glasses all made from ice.
Location: Mandalay Bay Hotel
Price of Admission:
- $19 The Experience
Ice Experience, Parka, Gloves - $39 Two Cocktail Experience (Most Popular)
Ice Experience, 2 Specialty Ice Cocktails, Parka, Gloves
Tip: Groupon is offering a discounted price for 2 until August 27, 2017. Click here for the link.
6. SkyFall Bar and Lounge
If you want the best view of the Vegas Strip, Skyfall is the place to be. It is located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel. The lounge has its own dedicated elevator so getting up to the lounge is quick and easy. While the main attraction of SkyFall is clearly the absolutely stunning view, the lounge also serves a nice array of specialty beverages, cocktails, beers, wine, and appetizers. The price of drinks and appetizers is relatively budget-friendly for Vegas, making the experience that much better. We like to arrive just before dusk to watch as the sun begins to set over Vegas, transforming the desert sky into an almost hypnotic display of red, yellow, orange and blue hovering above the mountain tops.
Location: 64th Floor Delano Hotel
Reservations is not required.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday & Sunday 5:00pm-12:00am // Friday – Saturday 5:00pm-1:30am
7. Watch the Fountain at the Bellagio
The Bellagio Fountain is probably one of the most famous landmarks in Las Vegas. One cannot go to Vegas and miss this spectacular attraction. It’s a free show. It’s marvelous. It moves with the music. You have to go see it for yourself. Enough said!
Fountain Schedule:
- Monday – Friday
- 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm : Every 30 minutes.
- 8 pm – Midnight: Every 15 minutes.
- Saturdays (and Holidays)
- Noon – 8:00 pm : Every 30 minutes.
- 8 pm – Midnight: Every 15 minutes.
- Sundays
- 11:00 am – 7:00 pm : Every 30 minutes.
- 7:00 pm – Midnight: Every 15 minutes.
Here’s a video of the Bellagio Fountain, recorded from our balcony at the Cosmopolitan Hotel:
8. Visit Valley of Fire National Park
Valley of Fire was named for the magnificent 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone. It is located in the Mojave Desert, approximately 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Valley of Fire is the oldest Nevada State Park and was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968. The park is open year-round and has numerous campsites, equipped with shaded tables, grills and drinking fountains.
Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging from just below freezing to 75 degrees. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees, but vary significantly from day to night. So try to plan your trip accordingly during milder temperature months. Most attractions at Valley of Fire require a short hike, so summer temperatures can definitely make dehydration and heat exhaustion a concern. And if you have ever been told that the heat in this part of the country is a “dry heat”, this is a bit misleading. While it may be dry, these are some of the most scorching hot temperatures anywhere in the nation. This heat can certainly pose some health risks, so take precautions and plan accordingly.
Tip#1: Wear light clothing.
Tip #2: Keep hydrated.
Tip #3: Wear comfortable shoes.
Price of Admission: $10 per vehicle.
Location: 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, Nevada
9. Eat at Morimoto Restaurant
One thing Vegas is well-known for is the food scene. There are cuisines featured from all around the world. Numerous celebrity chefs have also established restaurants here. So Vegas is the perfect place to authenticate that mouth-watering dish you saw on television. Sushi is one of our favorite cuisines, so we chose to make reservations at Masaharu Morimoto’s restaurant located in the MGM Grand. The restaurant is only open for dinner, so try to make reservations in order to avoid missing your chance; nonetheless, walk-ins are always welcome!
So, how it did it measure up? The food was fresh, fun, and incredibly delicious; the presentation was absolutely stunning! Morimoto, you are a creative genius!
Location: MGM Grand Hotel
10. Ride the Gondola at the Venetian Hotel
You no longer have to take a trip to Venice to experience a Venice gondola ride; the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas offers indoor and outdoor authentic gondola rides down the Grand Canal. Escape from the bustling environment of Las Vegas and float beneath the Venetian bridges and balconies, alongside cafes and shops, and through the vibrant streets with your singing gondolier.
Location: Venetian Hotel
Gondola Ride Price: Shared (Seats 4): $29.00 per person // Private (For 2): $116.00
Hours of Operation:
Indoor: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm // Friday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 12:00 am
Outdoor: Daily: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
There you have it. There’s tons of reasons to visit Vegas. I would certainly go, with a plan in hand, or on a whim. With Vegas, it just doesn’t matter. You will have fun no matter what.
Hope you enjoyed reading and see you on our next trip!
