Las Vegas is a great place to spend a long weekend. In the past 15 years we have been to Vegas close to a dozen times. However, we are not gamblers. I honestly don’t believe I have totaled $100 in spending’s on gambling in all the times we have been there. I don’t claim to have the city figured out, but I have found several things that we really enjoy and find ourselves repeating on return visits.
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
There is a huge variety of accommodations in Vegas. From super high-end suites to budget friendly options a couple blocks off the strip. Our first couple of visits we were more focused on a ‘good value’ when searching for a hotel and ended up at the Luxor. I’m sure there are some nice suites in the hotel, but the bulk of the accommodations are basic. Not sub-par, but basic. Which, when you consider how little time is actually spent in the room in the city that never sleeps, it isn’t a bad option.
This past year we have migrated towards the north end of the strip, staying at the Palazzo and the Wynn. We have been quite happy with these hotels, as they fulfill most of our needs, meaning we don’t have to go off the hotel/casino property all that much. We do still venture out to make it to some of our favorite restaurants and activities, but these hotels have proven to be very convenient for how we like to spend our time in Vegas.
The price is comparable between the Wynn and the Palazzo, as are the rooms and casinos. We haven’t spent much time in the shopping area of the Wynn, but that is because we are familiar with the Canal Shops of the Palazzo/Venetian, so we chose to go to those instead since they are right next door. Our experience with the Wynn this past weekend was extremely positive in regard to the staff. Every person we encountered was extremely pleasant and helpful. Not that they are not this way at the Palazzo, but it was over the top at the Wynn. We also thought the smoke smell walking through the casino floor to get to the elevators to our room was impressively minimal.
The Palazzo
Guest Room at the Palazzo
Entry Foyer at the Wynn
When comparing the pools, I would give an advantage to the Palazzo, as it has 10 pools shared between it and the Venetian. That’s right, 10! But even with that it can be really crowded and finding an open lounge chair can prove difficult. The Wynn has two large pools, plus a smaller pool for European-style bathing… I commented as we first walked into the pool area that I felt like we were entering the Secret Garden. It is a beautifully manicured space with a strong aroma of fresh flowers. I also appreciated the high number of lounge chairs provided. We only spent a short time one morning at the pool before it got busy, so I’m not sure how far the lounge chairs stretched, but there were a lot of them. Another note, the water temperature of the pools at the Palazzo are on the cooler side versus the Wynn where they are bathwater warm.
A new hotel that we may try in the future would be the Cosmopolitan. It is located further south, more in the heart of the action, but boasts similar luxuries to the Wynn and the Palazzo. I would also consider the W, as we have stayed at a W hotel in Bangkok and were impressed with the accommodations.
Where to Eat in Las Vegas
If I could only recommend one restaurant in Las Vegas it would be Grimaldi’s. However, this is coming from a brick oven pizza connoisseur. We haven’t branched out beyond the pizza for the main course, but we have enjoyed the bruschetta, Cesar salad and caprese salads as appetizers and they were all delicious. I highly recommend the Margarita pizza.
Photo Courtesy of Eater Las Vegas
My next recommendation is The Capital Grille. We just ate here on this past trip and WOW, it was amazing. It was not cheap, but it was amazing. Dale says it was the best steak he has ever eaten! And all of it was amazing – the French onion soup, the lump crab cocktail, the truffle fries, the lobster mac n cheese and of course the steaks. Dale ordered a ribeye and I ordered a New York strip. It was the thickest New York strip I have ever seen. I also ordered the Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato and it was also amazing. I like sweet wines and this one is perfect, the best I have ever had! This restaurant is definitely a splurge, but one that was so worth it!
My third restaurant recommendation is the Sugar Factory. This restaurant is known for it’s sweet concoctions, but it also has a diverse food menu. We have had breakfast there on several occasions and have always been happy with the quality. The setting is also nice, as there is an outside patio area that is perfect for breakfast, before the midday heat hits. You get people watching and good food.
We ate at a tiny little corner joint called Strip Burgers this past trip after the Supercross race. There are only maybe 10 bar top tables and then the bar that you can sit it and it is all open air. The service and food were quick, and the quality and price were spot on. It isn’t a place that you necessarily plan around going, but if you are looking for a late-night bite it hits the spot.
A few other establishments worth mentioning include Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. You can’t really go wrong there – the menu items and quality are rather consistent from one location to the next. Also, Taco’s and Tequila, the Mexican restaurant in the center of the Luxor. Specifically, the filet mignon tacos. And for an experience, try the Heart Attack Grille on Fremont Street. This joint boasts GIANT calorie-laden burgers and the choice of singing karaoke or being publicly spanked if you don’t finish your burger. It’s a scene that is not for everyone, but a good time for the more adventuresome at heart.
What Shows to See in Las Vegas
This is a harder topic to make recommendations for, as people’s preferences and sense of humor are so different. I can recommend going to a Tix 4 Tonight booth/location to purchase tickets at a discounted rate. There will be some shows that are not sold through this venue, as that particular show doesn’t often have open seats come show time, but most are available.
It hasn’t been until the past couple of years that we have started going to some of the shows. My very favorite is Cirque Du Soleil’s Mystere at Treasure Island. We took our kids to see Mystere this past June and it was an incredible experience. I think I could go see that show every time we go to Vegas and never get tired of it. The incredible talent on display, the action that is taking place in every direction you look and the vivid costumes put you on the verge of sensory overload, but in the most positive way possible. If you ever have the opportunity to see this show, don’t miss it.
Another Cirque Du Soleil show we have enjoyed is Zumanity. This is one that includes partial nudity and sexual content/overtures, but it is tastefully done, and like Mystere, is filled with breathtaking, talented acts.
For Magic shows we have seen Chris Angel’s Mind Freak, the David Copperfield show and Pen & Teller. My recommendation of the three would be Pen & Teller. I was under impressed with Chris Angel and David Copperfield’s lack of content. I felt that both shows were filled with a lot of fluff, but little awe-inspiring magic.
Then there is Blue Man Group. These guys have been around forever. I saw them for the first time fifteen years ago. They are talented and entertaining still. This is a family friendly option that will leave you feeling like you got your money’s worth and were well entertained for the evening.
Where to Shop in Las Vegas
The Fashion Show Mall – this mall is huge and filled with stores that range from bargain and discount shops to high-end designer monikers. Something for everyone, a short walk from the Palazzo and the Wynn and indoors to beat the Las Vegas heat.
The Canal Shops – Between the Palazzo and the Venetian are the Canal Shops, which include many of the same stores that can be found in the Fashion Show Mall, as well as some more niche type shops. There are also many restaurants and sweet shops to be found here.
Las Vegas North Premium Outlets – This outlet mall is about a 15 minute drive from the strip and offers a wide variety of shopping, much like would be found at most outlet malls. It is an outdoor mall that boasts a good atmosphere and a clean shopping experience.
How to Get Around Las Vegas
Renting a car used to be how we got around Vegas. Car rentals are reasonable priced and city is easily navigable. However, we have recently started relying on Uber/Lyft more and more. This option works well because you don’t have to worry about finding where the parking garage is at your destination and paying that fee. There are so many Uber and Lyft drivers in Vegas that the wait time for a ride is never more than five minutes. There are plenty of taxis as well, which is always my last choice. Like most cities, the taxi drivers are rather rude and scary drivers. And then of course there is the option to walk. The sight-seeing and people watching is top notch on the strip. You can walk a couple of miles taking it all in and not even realize you put the miles in. It is a great option after a big meal!
Waiting for Our Uber
Other Las Vegas Activities
Hotel Pools/Spas – Spending time at the pool doesn’t cost money and is a good time. Another place for some great people watching. If you are a spa connoisseur I would imagine you would be hard pressed to find better ones that what are offered in Las Vegas.
Escape Room – When we took our kids out last summer we visited an Escape Room. It was a fun family-friendly activity that we did in the middle of the day at the peak of the heat. We beat the heat and had fun playing detectives and trying to find our way out of the room. It was challenging!
CSI Experience – A crime scene/scenario is laid out for you to work through the clues and figure out ‘who done it.’ This was a little dry for our taste, but another family-friendly option.
Kayaking/Hoover Dam – Willow Harbor is located about an hour and fifteen minutes outside of Las Vegas, fifteen minutes past Hoover Dam. There are tours offered by private companies that will take you on a guided tour of a stretch of the Colorado river. The companies will pick you up and deliver you back to your hotel and provide snacks on the trip for around $180/person. Trip Advisor reviews are all extremely positive on this experience. We aren’t much for guided tours though, so we chose to rent kayaks directly from the marina for $45/person and make the trip on our own. The location is between two dams so there is very little current. We paddled both ways and got a good workout doing so. It was beautiful and scenic – a nice change from the commotion of the strip.
Stratosphere Rides & Sky Jump – There are three roller coaster type rides at the top of the stratosphere, as well as the Sky Jump where you jump off the top of the Stratosphere and free fall until reaching a point that the brakes are put on on the cable you are attached to, landing you safely back on the ground… These are not my cup of tea, but Dale and my daring babes enjoy them!
Zipline & Fremont Street – Fremont Street is ‘old town’ Las Vegas where there is a canopy of lights that spans over the road. You will find some great street performers and a Zipline here.
New York, New York Coaster – If you like the idea of the Stratosphere rides you would also like the roller coaster at New York, New York. I have been on this coaster and thought it was fun. Scary, but fun.
That wraps it up for my recommendations on how to spend a weekend in Vegas. No gambling or clubbing recommendations, but lots of other fun activities!
I hope you have a great week. If you enjoy travel posts you might enjoy reading about our trip to Thailand.
