There are so many destinations I want to travel to, so most of them I know I'll only see once. Some destinations, however, make it to my repeat list. Las Vegas is one of those. I love Vegas!
One of the best things about Vegas is that it caters to everyone. Families, couples, singles, friends, children, adults and seniors...Vegas has something for you. I've talked to people who have visited Vegas and loved it, while experiencing it a whole different way from myself.
I'll be talking specifically about places on Las Vegas Blvd., otherwise known as "the Strip." This is where you'll find most of the casinos, hotels, attractions and restaurants. You don't have to go anywhere else; it's so easy.
These are a few of my personal picks.
One of the best things about Vegas is that it caters to everyone. Families, couples, singles, friends, children, adults and seniors...Vegas has something for you. I've talked to people who have visited Vegas and loved it, while experiencing it a whole different way from myself.
I'll be talking specifically about places on Las Vegas Blvd., otherwise known as "the Strip." This is where you'll find most of the casinos, hotels, attractions and restaurants. You don't have to go anywhere else; it's so easy.
These are a few of my personal picks.
Casinos
This is of course what Las Vegas is most popular for. Casinos are everywhere! It's a gamblers paradise.
You cannot avoid walking by a slot machine, so it's worth a mention. Yet, it's the thing I partake in the least while visiting Vegas. It's hard to not feel the urge to slip a coin into a machine, especially with the sounds of the jackpots and the spinning wheels. So every now and again, I will do that while passing by one. Who knows, you may get lucky.
Grand Canal Shoppes
One thing that I love about the Las Vegas Blvd. or "the Strip" is that each hotel is an attraction. You could quite easily spend days just walking through each resort and seeing the attractions within. One of my favorites is The Grand Canal Shoppes, located in The Venetian Hotel & Casino and The Palazzo. These 2 properties are five-diamond luxury hotels that operate as one.
The mall features upscale stores and world-class restaurants. It was designed to resemble Venice, with cobblestone walkways and a sky ceiling that makes you feel like you're outside. It's most authentic feature is the Grand Canal, found within a replica of the famous St. Mark's Square, complete with gondola rides and singing gondoliers. See pricing and hours here.
Bellagio Hotel & Casino
Also on the Strip, you'll find another five-diamond luxury hotel and casino, The Bellagio. I'd like to mention three places to visit throughout it's complex.
- Fountains of Bellagio
One of the top free attractions in Vegas is found at the Bellagio's lake, which spans 8 acres.
Everyday, the Bellagio puts on a fountain show which is synchronized to music. The show can be seen from multiple places on the Strip, at multiple times throughout the day and night. See dates and times here. Want a more exclusive view? The Bellagio offers rooms and suites with a view of the fountain and multiple restaurants with an awesome vantage point.
Everyday, the Bellagio puts on a fountain show which is synchronized to music. The show can be seen from multiple places on the Strip, at multiple times throughout the day and night. See dates and times here. Want a more exclusive view? The Bellagio offers rooms and suites with a view of the fountain and multiple restaurants with an awesome vantage point.
- Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
Next to the lobby of the Bellagio, you'll find the Conservatory & Botanical Garden.
The Garden spans 14,000 square feet and has multiple seasonal themes. My most recent visit was in November, so the picture above features the Harvest Show. It's really beautiful and definitely worth walking through; especially because it leads to my next pick.
- Jean Philippe Patisserie
After you tour the Conservatory & Botanical Garden, you'll find walkways that lead to many things, including the Jean Philippe Patisserie.
This is home to the world's largest chocolate fountain. There's a whole other upper section to it that I didn't capture in the photo. Next to the fountain is the pastry shop, where you can purchase chocolates, candies, pastries and more. A second shop can be found in the Aria Resort & Casino.
Las Vegas Shows
No matter what kind of entertainment you're into, you'll find it in Las Vegas. Vegas is known for it's broad variety of daily and nightly shows that take places throughout the strip. So far I've attended:- Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel & Casino - a famous comedic magician duo that have been performing in Vegas since 1993. They're known as some of the most famous magicians of all time. Something cool about their show is they reveal some secrets of their tricks to the audience.
- MJ Live at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower - I'm a big Michael Jackson fan and I really enjoyed this show. His biggest hits are featured and the main star looks, sings and dances just like MJ. I was expecting it to be a bit cheesy, but it was very authentic and well worth it.
- Matt Franco - Magic Reinvented Nightly at the Linq Hotel & Casino - I had watched Matt win America's Got Talent, so I thought it would be cool to go see his show. I enjoyed it; his magic is new and innovative. I also liked that it was a smaller theater, which felt more personal.
- Boyz II Men at the Mirage Hotel & Casino - I'm a mid 80's baby, so I grew up listening to Boyz II Men. I'd never seen them live, so since they were performing at the time I was in Vegas, I took the opportunity to see them. It was like a time warp back to the 90's. They sang their famous hits and they sounded just like they did back then.
- Terry Fator at the Mirage Hotel & Casino - Terry is another contestant who I watched win America's Got Talent. His show is very entertaining and he's been very successful in Vegas. Terry uses his amazing ventriloquist skills to put on a show with comedy, singing and celebrity impressions.
- Celine Dion at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace - I saved my favorite show, to date, for last. I LOVE CELINE DION! Seriously, It's been a dream of mine to see Celine live from as long as I can remember. I think she's an amazing singer and I love all her songs. Her show was the only one I booked prior to arriving in Vegas, because not attending was not an option. I'll tell you how I booked the other ones shortly.
Celine's show was everything I hoped for and more. It was obvious why it get's such good ratings, even by people who weren't originally fans of her music. I watched in awe, thinking how is it possible that she sounds even better in person than on the CDs? Yes I still use CDs and I have all of hers. Celine put on such an entertaining show that I would definitely see it again.
- ***TIP*** How to save on show tickets - I use Tix 4 Tonight to purchase my Vegas show tickets. They offer discounted tickets on shows, sometimes up to half off. They do this by selling the unsold inventory for that day. They also sell discounts to attractions and restaurants, including the popular Las Vegas buffets. Try to get there early, before they open. There are multiple locations on the Strip and the booths open at 10:00 AM. People start lining up early to guarantee access to the best tickets and seats. A half an hour before opening time has worked for me.
The High Roller
Take a walk down the Linq Promenade and at the end you'll find the High Roller. You can't miss it; it's the tallest observation wheel in the world. However, there are two wheels currently in construction that are projected to surpass it; the New York Wheel and the Ain Dubai.
At 550 ft. high, it takes about a half an hour to complete the ride. There are 28 glass pods with a capacity of 40 people in each.
I went during the daytime and luckily it wasn't busy, so they gave me my own pod. The High Roller opens at 11:30 a.m to 2 a.m everyday. I was able to purchase discounted tickets from Tix 4 Tonight that morning.
Such a nice view! You can see the Strip and the surrounding mountains.
Food Picks
There are so many restaurants on the strip, that it's hard to choose. Here are a few of my recommendations:
- The Buffet at Bellagio - Vegas is popular for it's grand buffets. You'll find one in almost every hotel. The Bellagio hosts one of the best. The food was so good and there was a very wide selection. I enjoyed everything I tried.
- Grimaldi's - You might have seen me mention Grimaldi's in my "In Pursuit of Pizza" post. If you did, you know I love pizza and I seek out top rated pizzerias wherever I travel. Grimaldi's is one of my favorites. You'll find them in two places on the Strip; in Fashion Show Mall and the Palazzo.
- Yard House - I recommend visiting Yard House before or after The High Roller because it's located on the Linq Promenade. They're known for the wide variety of beer they serve, but the food is also very good. I recommend the truffle fries as a side order; they were so good!
- Hash House A Go Go - I recommend Hash House to everyone that asks me for a restaurant recommendation in Vegas.
You'll find it in the Linq Hotel & Casino. The plates are huge, the food is very good, and the drinks are fun.
My recommendation: The friend chicken and waffles - so good!
My drink recommendation: Spiked kiwi watermelon lemonade - yummy!
So are you ready to go to Vegas?? I'm definitely ready to go back again!
These were just a few of my personal picks. There's so much to do and see, that this just scratches the surface.
Viva Las Vegas!!
That food looks amazing!
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