Accessibility
If you live near an airport, it should be a relatively easy (and most likely direct) flight.
When we went
September 2013, just for a weekend. Flew in after work on Friday and arrived for a late dinner, flew back on Sunday afternoon.
Again June 2019, flew in Sunday evening and left late Wednesday night. Nikki was there for a conference and Mike wandered the strip.
What we did
This is from our weekend itinerary.
On our first night there, after a dinner somewhere in the Venetian Hotel, we decided to try out gambling. We promptly blew $500 in about 10 minutes on the roulette table. We were done with gambling. Luckily, Vegas has so much more to offer.
The weekend we were there happened to correspond with one of the biggest boxing matches of the year. Floyd Mayweather against some guy from Mexico on Mexican independence day. Several things happened as a result. 1) Every “baller” in America with a private jet flew to Vegas for the fight. 2) Every proud Mexican citizen from a 500 mile radius showed up in Sin City. and 3) Reservations were available at 9pm at the world famous Joel Robuchon in the MGM Grand. There is no getting around it, that dinner was expensive. Like, really really expensive. Like, how could you possibly spend that much money on food expensive. But…..it was good. Really really good. We both agreed that it was a surefire candidate for best meal we’ve ever eaten. Most economical? Not even close. But absolutely one of the best.
If you go to Vegas, and you win the slots, go to Joel Robuchon for dinner. Better yet, take the money you would otherwise lose gambling and eat there instead.
But if you can’t get a reservation, or if the price tag is a little too insane, try to at least check out Bouchon Bakery for brunch instead. Their fries are, supposedly, cooked in duck fat. Mmmmmm.
St. Marks Square at The Venetian
On Saturday afternoon we took a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon. Nikki always wanted to see it and Mike hates hiking. This was a happy median. 45 minute scenic flight out, land IN the Grand Canyon for 40 minutes, 45 minute flight back.
View of the Vegas skyline
Flying over Lake Mead and the Hoover Damn.
Watching the sun set in the Grand Caynon.
To see the Grand Canyon you could drive 8 hours from civilization. Or you could take a 45 minutes helicopter flight and be home in time for a $50 all you can eat seafood buffet for dinner.
Sights
The Strip is probably the first thing you’ll see. It’s worth one evening just wandering from hotel to hotel admiring the different themes and decor. Be aware that The Strip is longer than you realize. Even between just a few hotels might be a 30 minutes walk. And it can be very hot.
Helicopter rides to the Grand Canyon are fun instagram-able experiences that will send you home much lighter in the wallet.
The small but delightful Neon Museum just north of Fremont Street is worth a stop. It’s like a junkyard/graveyard/monument to the old iconic neon signs that were once so intertwined with the identity and image of Las Vegas. Now they sit in a dusty lot in the shadow of newer modern casinos.
Accommodations
The Venetian. Great food options. Great shopping. And canal rides!
The Bellagio is another great option. Like much of the strip it has good restaurants, beautiful pools, and is exquisitely decorated.
Restaurants
Lotus of Siam is a few minutes off the strip. It is one of the mostly highly regarded Thai restaurants in the country. “They” say you should only order off the northern Thai portion of the menu. We did. And we were not disappointed!
Joel Robuchon; in the MGM Grand. One of the most expensive meals we’ve ever had. But it was very good. The chocolate sphere desert was memorable to say the least.
Yellowtail has great sushi in a modern and airy setting in the Bellagio over looking the “lake”. The prices match the ambiance.
We went to Cabo Wabo, the premier offering from noted chef Sammy Hagar, because it was across the street from the Bellagio. We had shrimp ceviche and fish tacos that were very good. The view from the patio is excellent.
Bouchon Bakery; in the Venetian Hotel. The duck fat french fries are famous for a good reason.
We’ve had buffets at both Le Village Buffet at the Paris and the Bellagio. Both are good, what you would expect from a quality Las Vegas buffet.
Block 16 Urban Food Hall in the Cosmopolitan Hotel is a good choice for lunch. You’ll find a variety of outposts of well known restaurants like District donuts from New Orleans, Pok Pok wings from Portland and Hattie B’s hot chicken from Nashville.
Sadelle’s in the Bellagio is yet another well known spot in NYC (that we were previously unfamiliar with) mostly famous for its brunch.
Steakhouses are a dime a dozen in Las Vegas but we had a great meal at STRIPSTEAK in Mandalay Bay. Instead of bread you get an assortment of very tasty (and classy) french fries with equally fancy dipping sauces. Why are they so tasty? They are cooked in duck fat. Thanks Bouchon.
If you find yourself in the Arts District we both loved the coffee at Vesta Coffee Roasters. They had a good selection of pour overs and a short but tasty food menu. We had the avocado toast.
Casa Don Juan, also in the Arts District, is a good option for Mexican. It seemed popular with locals.