This is a collaborative post.
Renowned for being the entertainment capital of the world, when it comes to lavish excess, there’s nowhere else on earth that quite compares to Las Vegas.
Las Vegas – or Sin City as it’s more commonly known – is one of those bucket list destinations that you simply have to visit at least once during your lifetime. While the city itself is relatively small, you’ll find just about every kind of entertainment you can think of of its streets. Everything here is bigger, brighter, bolder, and louder than you’ve ever seen it before.
As there is so much to see and do in Vegas, it would be impossible to do it all in one trip. However, there are some quintessential things that you simply shouldn’t miss out on. Read on to discover just a few of the best things to see and do when visiting Las Vegas.
Spot some architectural delights
Las Vegas may not be the first US city that springs to mind when it comes to architecture and design, but you’d be surprised at just what you can discover here.
The Guardian Angel Cathedral, situated just off the strip, is one such delight. This idiosyncratic place of worship features a stunning Edith Piczek mural and incredible stained glass windows. It also has a pretty fascinating history; the cathedral was built on land donated by none other than Moe Dalitz, Mr Las Vegas himself!
Elsewhere, you’ll find some fantastic examples of mid-20th century design in Hugh Taylor’s Morelli House on East Bridger Avenue; and the spectacular Keep Memory Alive Event Center on West Bonneville Avenue.
Visit a casino
Vegas is, of course, most notably associated with casino gaming. The central strip is jam-packed with casinos, from small gaming joints to lavish resorts like the Bellagio or Caesar’s Palace.
With so many games to choose from, walking into a casino for the first time can be overwhelming. But don’t worry! Getting to grips with the rules and strategies of games beforehand will help you make the most of the experience, as will knowing a bit about the history of each game.
Take blackjack, for example. This is a game that has a long history in the States and learning the history of blackjack, from those early pioneers to its strategic nuances, will help you understand both the rules of the game and how different types of bets have evolved over the years. If you read up on this before you head to Vegas, you’ll be ready to hit the casino as soon as you land.
Watch a show
Las Vegas’ shows are mind-blowing entertainment extravaganzas! When it comes to a live performance, if you can imagine it, you’ll find it in Vegas.
For 2021, some of the megastars due to take residencies in the likes of the Park Theatre and Caesars’ Colosseum Theatre include Morrissey, Santana, Gwen Stefani, Sting and Usher. Legendary magicians Penn and Teller have just returned to the Rio resort; while the one and only David Copperfield is once again setting up base at the MGM Grand.
Adults-only shows like Fantasy at the Luxor, Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian and Absinthe at Caesars offer up more glitz than you can imagine. Meanwhile, all-around entertainment can be found at Life is Beautiful in Downtown Las Vegas this September with its star-studded line-up including Billie Eilish and Green Day.
Check out the local cuisine
With its myriad of Michelin-starred restaurants, street food vendors and local cafes and steakhouses, Sin City is quite the paradise for foodies.
You’ll find the best pizza in town at The Pizzeria on the main Strip, while off-strip, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana will satisfy any late-night cravings you might have. Steakhouses abound downtown and throughout the Strip, with Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres at the Sahara and Prime (Jean-Georges Vongerichten) at the Bellagio serving up genuine Kobe beef to discerning diners. There are also plenty of taco stands, Italian restaurants and breakfast joints such as Peppermill on the Boulevard, to discover and enjoy.
Furthermore, as any dining connoisseurs will tell you, Vegas has a world-class concentration of celebrity chefs in residence. Walk into any of the big-name casino resorts and you’ll find the likes of Nobu Matuhisa at Virgin Hotels, or Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace.
No visit to Las Vegas is complete until you’ve enjoyed all of these experiences. However, for something a little less ordinary to remember your stay by, check out some of the more unique things to do in Las Vegas.
This is a collaborative post.