Top Ten Things to Do in Las Vegas
I visited Las Vegas for the first time only two months ago. Since then, I can't seem to stay away. And I don't even gamble! Well, I gamble just a bit...the occasional slot machine, maybe, certainly not the real games of chance such as baccarat, craps and poker. What really took me aback about Las Vegas is that it's a lot more than casinomania. No longer populated by blue-rinsed ladies from Peoria and gentlemen with pinkie rings who answer to "Vito," Las Vegas has fashioned itself into an all-around tourist destination.
These days, the town buzzes with high-tech conventioneers (Comdex, the world's largest trade show, visits twice a year), weekending couples and families out for a little fun in the desert sun. So what else can you do in Las Vegas other than play blackjack or poker till dawn? Plenty. The following is my top ten list of things to do, in no particular order. Try it out on your next visit. I think you'll agree that this list is a winner.
Wynn Las Vegas
At Wynn Las Vegas you will vicariously experience luxury at prices that certainly are not cheap, but on weekdays for most of the year are surprisingly affordable for an experience such as this. High points: Rooms: don’t hesitate to stay in the standard room, which is plenty large at 640 sq. ft., and is appointed with luxury amenities, offers full TV and movies (unlike many hotels that skimp in this area since they want you on the casino floor), a large bathroom, and for our money, the world’s most comfortable bed; Staff: the staff has been well trained to answer your every question; Entertainment: Always an innovator, Mr. Wynn booked La Reve. Though it is not a The Cirque du Soleil production, La Reve was created by Franco Dragone (Cirque’s creator) and is receiving rave reviews; Restaurants: at Wynn the restaurant chef is on premises (with one exception) so you will enjoy Wing Lei, Bartolotta, Alex, Red 8, Okada, SW Steakhouse and Daniel Boulud. 3131 Las Vegas Blvd. South Las Vegas, NV 89109; Tel: (702) 770-7000; Toll Free: (877) 321-WYNN. (contributed by Monty & Sara Preiser)
The Pool at the Mirage Hotel
When you walk into the lobby of the Mirage Hotel, located in the heart of the Strip, you immediately step into an atrium which is akin to a tropical rainforest. Trees, waterfalls, exotic birds -- they're all here. Continue through the casino and head out back to the gorgeous pool area, the Mirage's outdoor oasis. Trust me, you've never seen so many palm trees in the middle of the desert. The pool itself is huge, a meandering ribbon of blue that zigs and zags through the lush foliage. The sound of a rushing waterfall at one end of the pool is invigorating. A second waterfall further back is more subdued. During busy periods, the pool area has 1,200 chaises available to guests. Service here is tops, from the cabana boys to the cheerful cocktail waitresses wrapped in sexy little sarongs. Water aerobics classes are offered daily at noon and 2:30 p.m., and this is no ordinary water ballet for seniors. Pool manager Denise McArdel leads intrepid sun worshipers through a non-stop 45-minute workout that will work off every last trace of that breakfast buffet. The more leisurely inclined can take advantage of a nifty bench that runs along the inner perimeter of the pool to read the latest Danielle Steel in cool (and wet) comfort. Kids of all ages can kill a few hours on the rock 'em, sock 'em water slide. Chances are awfully good that you're going to catch a sunny day in Las Vegas, so with some heavy-duty sunblock and a wide-brimmed hat, you're in great shape to take advantage of the prettiest, most enjoyable pool in town. One thing to keep in mind: this pool is available to guests of the Mirage only. That's not a bad thing, because it's a great place to stay.
The Spa at the Treasure Island Hotel
Although this is Las Vegas, the Spa at the Treasure Island is considerably better than the spas at many luxury resorts which are in the spa business. From the minute you enter the reception area, done in soothing beige hues, you know you're in for a treat. Choose from the extensive array of services (full salon facility, facials, body treatments, massage) and then waltz on through the state-of-the-art exercise room to the inner sanctum of the spa. Here an attendant greets you and sets you up with a fluffy robe and floppy rubber slippers. Slink into a wingback chair, prop your feet up on the large ottoman and wait for your therapist to summon you. While you wait, you can snack on fresh fruit, nibble on pretzels or slurp a smoothie from the juice bar. Waiting around is such a pleasure, you might forget why you're here: pampering. Enjoy your manicure or massage, then pick up the latest issue of Vogue and leisurely work your way through the sauna, steam and whirlpool. Finish off with an invigorating shower, than head over to the dressing area where every conceivable lotion and potion awaits you. With just a wee bit of effort, you'll emerge looking, and feeling, like Cinderella. A similar array of services is available for gents who'd rather go for that Prince Charming look. Once again, guests of the Treasure Island get first dibs at the Spa, so you might want to spend the night. The Salon and Spa at Treasure Island offers spa packages.
The Liberace Museum
I'm not kidding. This is the best $12.50 you will spend
in Las Vegas. I'll have to admit that my recollection of the great pianist was
pretty hazy. Well, it all came back to me in a hurry once I walked through the
door. Set among three small buildings a short cab ride from the Strip, the Liberace
Museum is a Liberace lovefest and a fitting tribute to the pianist and showman.
It's all here: the rhinestone-studded, fur-draped costumes; the mind-boggling
jewelry, including a small token of affection from Queen Elizabeth II; the pianos
and cars, among them a 1934 Mercedes Excalibur covered in Austrian rhinestones;
and oodles of photos, press clippings and memorabilia which tell the story of
the man who helped put Las Vegas on the map. You'll walk in the door thinking
this is high camp, but you'll most assuredly leave an admiring fan. The Liberace
Museum, 1775 E. Tropicana, Las Vegas. Open Tues-Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays
from Noon to 4 p.m. Closed Mondays.
.
Gaming Classes at the Las Vegas Hilton
I notice in Las Vegas they always refer to gambling classes as "gaming classes." Is this to make it all sound...nicer? I'm not sure, but I'm glad these classes are available, because I certainly don't know all the ins and outs of pai gow poker. Even if I only plan on watching, it's still nice to know what's going on. Most of the casinos in town offer gaming classes five days a week, a quick thirty-minute primer on roulette, craps, mini-baccarat, pai gow poker or blackjack, and the classes are usually free.
Dinner at Emeril's
Las Vegas hasn't often been thought of as a gastronome's delight. I'm betting that it soon will be, thanks to the likes of Emeril's. There isn't a lot of home-grown talent on the local dining scene just yet, but that's okay, because Las Vegas can afford to import. Chef Emeril Lagasse opened his first restaurant, Emeril's, in New Orleans' warehouse district and opened a second, NOLA, in that fabled city's French Quarter. He's now brought his very own "new New Orleans" brand of cookery to Las Vegas, and the news couldn't be better. This restaurant is arguably the best table in Las Vegas, a town which now boasts the likes of Spago and the Coyote Cafe. The sleek and elegant dining room gives way to a meal which is a marriage of traditional cajun and Creole cookery joined with today's lighter hand and kickier flavors. The result is food which is immensely pleasing to both the eye and the palate. A few suggestions to whet the appetite: how about starting with a homemade savory lobster cheesecake, an appetizer which is sliced and served with a Creole-spiced tomato-tarragon coulis? Continue with the warm wilted spinach salad, which comes with a warm andouille sausage dressing, sliced red onions and Louisiana Chicory Farms goat cheese. Emeril's is a fish house, so you might want to try the potato-crusted farm raised bass, which is served with a Louisiana lump crabmeat and wild mushroom relish. If you can handle it, order the banana cream pie for dessert. The service, food and atmosphere at Emeril's make for a memorable evening. Emeril's at the MGM Grand Hotel is open for lunch and dinner seven days.
Dessert at the Coyote Cafe
It may seem like a bit of a stretch to have dessert at the Coyote Cafe after you've had dinner at Emeril's, but trust me, it can be done. The answer is timing. Fortunately, the Coyote Cafe stays open late (well past midnight), which gives you ample time to work off your dinner at the MGM's casino and then return for a late-night treat. The Coyote Cafe is the baby of chef Mark Miller, who opened his first location in Santa Fe. Numerous cookbooks later, he's brought his unique brand of southwestern fare to Las Vegas. The food is good, indeed. The desserts, however, are irresistible. You can feast on a canela cheesecake with bourbon caramel sauce and candied pecans or a silky-smooth lemon tart with fresh seasonal berries. Chocoholics will enjoy the chocolate-kahlua flan with a savory ancho-peanut brittle. The undisputed king of desserts, however, is the Venezuelan chocolate spoonbread, a dense, moist chocolate square drizzled with vanilla Anglaise and topped with creamy vanilla ice cream. Bow to the sugar gods, and Mark Miller. Coyote Cafe at the MGM Grand Hotel is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days.
Flip It
No, this isn't tiddly winks. It's tiddly's slick and mischievous evil twin. And aren't evil twins always irresistible? You'll find Flip It in many Las Vegas casinos. It's a big machine, kind of an oversized slot machine. There's a large piece of glass in front, and behind the glass are trays filled with gold-colored dollar coins. The trays are bursting with coins, and the coins appear as if they're ready to spill over at any moment. So here's the drill: you pop your own dollar coin into the machine, it does a somersault in the air and, with any kind of luck, lands at just the right spot on one of these trays so as to knock a few, hopefully a lot, of coins off and into your piggybank. Sound simple enough? Try it for yourself. If you're like most people, you'll be amazed at how stubborn these coins can be. They just don't want to fall! And like the rest of us, you're going to keep on trying because you are sooo close. Flip It is part carnival game, part gaming game -- in other words, you can win or lose a lot of money here. But more than likely, you'll find the action irresistible. Flip It can be found at most of the larger Las Vegas Hotels.
Stratosphere Tower
Why do the words "only in Las Vegas" come to mind when I think of the Stratosphere Tower? I'll tell you why. This newest addition to the Las Vegas Strip is the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S.A. The view from the top is spectacular -- you'll see all the hotels on the Strip, the suburban sprawl which is the new Las Vegas and even Mt. Charleston in the distance, a snow-covered peak which is over 11,000 feet high. But that wasn't enough for the Stratosphere folks. They also added a rollercoaster at the top, the world's highest rollercoaster, and if that doesn't prove to be enough of a thrill ride, you can try the Big Shot, a reverse bungee jump which will shoot you 160 feet into the air at 45 m.p.h. and then send you zooming back down. If you survive all of this, there's also a bar and restaurant at the top where you can order yourself a stiff drink. Lots of Stratosouvenirs for sale at the top, too. Hey, this isn't just a tower, it's an event. Stratosphere Tower is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
The Strip
It's officially known as Las Vegas Boulevard, but in reality it's a strip of glitz and glam of unrivaled proportions. To say it's over the top might be an understatement. The Strip is the main drag of gambling U.S.A. and home to most of the top hotels and casinos. A stroll down the Strip at night is a blaze of blinking lights and a sea of humanity making its way to that winning slot machine. Nighttime is also the most comfortable time of day to be outdoors in the Las Vegas heat zone, so take your stroll under the stars and bask in the glow. A couple of choice stops are at the Mirage for its signature volcano, which erupts every fifteen minutes in good weather, and at the Treasure Island for the epic pirate battle. The battle takes place every 90 minutes starting at 4 p.m. and although it's a brief showdown, it's a helluva fight. The best of the Strip is on Las Vegas Boulevard between Sahara and Tropicana Avenues.
Okay, I admit it, Las Vegas is too big for a top ten. So here's two more!
Casinos
You didn't think I'd forget, did you? There are a lot of good new reasons
to come to Las Vegas, but there's still a pretty good old reason. The opportunity
to gamble is at every turn, and what reasonable person could resist? There truly
is something for everyone in the casinos of Las Vegas. Slot machines start as
low as a nickel, and big hitters can always try their luck at craps or pai gow
poker. While it's fun to win (certainly not to lose), it's also fun to watch.
The casino crowd these days is a cross-section of America, maybe the world, and
everyone seems to be having a good time. My favorite casinos, probably because
they're newer, brighter and less intimidating, are at the MGM Grand, Monte Carlo,
Treasure Island and the Mirage. Bring your quarters, a sense of humor and get
ready to have some fun. Oh, and good luck! Casinos in Las Vegas are open 24 hours
a day and too numerous to mention.
Bellagio Hotel
The Bellagio Hotel & Resort, the Italian-flavored resort-casino is at 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South (888-987-6667), is on the infamous Strip. Dining is accelerated to a crescendo at Bellagio's thirteen restaurants, which run the gamut from gourmet dining to easy informal meals. For gourmet dining you can experience haute cuisine at Le Cirque, or at its sister restaurant, Osteria Del Circo. Chef Julian Serrano left his perch at the four-star Masa's restaurant in San Francisco to open Picasso in Bellagio, probably the most beautiful restaurant in Las Vegas. MICHAEL MINA is a clone of one of San Francisco's best restaurants, and is a seafood venue with a distinct blend of California and Mediterranean ingredients. Prime Steakhouse, which is overseen by Manhattan's Jean-George Vongerichten, features the chef's signature dishes such as crab mango salad with cumin crackers; an assembled tomato accented with basil oil; and entrees such as the house prime steaks that come with a variety of sauces from béarnaise to tamarind, or seven different mustards. For Asian meals, seek out either Jasmine, Shintaro or Noodles restaurants. (contributed by GraceAnn Walden)
Win a free cookbook!
Get Sally's monthly eNewsletter.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.