Las Vegas | Travel | Accommodation | Tours

Las Vegas | Things To Do

THINGS TO DO:

GAMBLE:

Opportunities to gamble are found in most places in the Las Vegas metro area, even at McCarran airport and small supermarkets. However, please be advised that it is state law that all gamblers must be at least 21 years of age. Even if you are at least 21 years old, you are required to bring to the casino a valid ID that shows your current age or complete date of birth (e.g. driver's licence, passport) as proof of your age. Photocopies of valid IDs are usually not considered valid. In-house security makes rounds of inspections to check compliance. If you are under age or without a valid ID to prove your age and found in the gambling premises, hotel staff will ask you to leave, and could ask the metro police to issue you a citation. Moreover, underage gamblers cannot collect any jackpot; such bets are void and the casino will at best return your wager before asking you to leave the premises. There is a curfew for anyone under the age of 18 and metro police are comfortable transporting violators to a juvenile center.
If you are going to gamble in Las Vegas, it would behoove you to learn and study the games before you arrive. Gambling pros suggest playing the games with the lowest house advantage, such as craps (dice) with full odds, and blackjack (if you are a skilled player), but tables where a blackjack pays only 6:5 or even money instead of the traditional 3:2 give the house a big advantage, and should be avoided. Bets which have the highest house advantage include slot machines, roulette, and some craps bets (hardways and propositions). If a game is unfamiliar to you, do not hesitate to ask the dealer advice on how to play. Most will be happy to explain the game to you, and even slow down the dealing, especially if you arrive during the daytime at a table that is not crowded.
To facilitate gambling in machine-based games, you can use a pre-paid card to make wagers and collect winnings. Obtain one of these from the counter, insert the card into the gambling machine you choose to play and the machine will deduct your wagers as well as add your winings to it. You can go to another cash dispensing machine to redeem your winnings as well as reload the value. Most casinos offer ATMs and over-the-counter cash\-advance facilities but beware about the charges set by your bank and the machine operator or establishment on collecting credit card cash advances.
One reason to gamble -- aside from the hope of winning money -- is that, by doing so, you could receive complimentary ("comp") rooms, meals, and even airfare depending on your play. Most casinos issue free "player cards." It is generally to your advantage to show or insert your player card every time you play a table game or slot machine. At the end of your trip, you can ask the hotel if you are eligible for any comps, you might be pleasantly surprised. And if you arrive at the casino prepared to lay out $1000 or more, don't be bashful: ask the pit boss to be "rated" for comps before or while you begin playing. Separate from comps, many hotels offer discount packages for travelers who book a Sunday-Thursday night arrival. Most of these packages offer gambling coupons or a matching play -- see the Sleep section for details.
In the 90's many casinos took their Poker rooms out and replaced them with slot machines, recently Poker has made a comeback and more and more casinos offer it. Texas Hold'em can be found at almost all Las Vegas poker rooms along with 7-card stud, Omaha and others. Not all casinos have a poker room, so call the casino or ask a gaming floor attendant. Casinos with non-smoking poker rooms include:
Wynn
Bellagio
The Palms
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand
Mirage

GET MARRIED:

Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world. To get married, first go to the County Clerk's Office and apply for a marriage license. Both parties must have valid ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The cost is $55 per couple. The Las Vegas Wedding Bureau is open from 9AM-midnight seven days a week, including holidays. No blood test or waiting period is required.
Once you have a marriage license, the wedding ceremony can be performed by any priest, minister, or justice of the peace authorized to perform weddings with in the Las Vegas area. Numerous wedding chapels are located around the Wedding Bureau and on the Strip. You can choose an elaborate theme wedding - such as an Elvis impersonator as officiant - or a simple ceremony and reception celebration.
Most major hotels and Vegas Wedding Chapel offer wedding packages for those who wish to plan a larger wedding ceremony. But don't let a lack of planning stop your nuptials; all Vegas wedding chapels can perform immediate weddings with no prior appointment, although it is recommended to make a reservation for your wedding. If you make a reservation most chapels will provide courtesy limousine transportation from your hotel to the chapel and back. Lastly, making a reservation decreases the likelihood of having to wait.
Remember your wedding is a special event and want the best regardless of how much you plan to spend. You can receive a quality service at very affordable prices in Las Vegas. It is advised to check with the Las Vegas Better Business Bureau before making any arrangements

MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES:

Rock Climbing
Would you believe that Las Vegas has some of the best climbing in America? Red Rock Canyon is located on the western edge of the Las Vegas city limits and features hundreds of traditional/gear and sport routes. Climbing is possible year-round, though Spring and Fall tend to be most comfortable. There are a couple of guide books that detail the routes. Though the area does not receive much precipitation, it is worth remember that if the sandstone becomes wet (from rain or snow) it becomes brittle and you'd be wise to avoid it for at least two day before checking if it dried out. There is also a scenic drive through Red Rock canyon, which will take you about 30 minutes to complete, though there are opportunities to park up and get out of the car. Entry is five dollars per car unless you have a National Park pass and includes access to the visitor centre.
Dayhiking and Backpacking - North of Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains have five peaks over 11,000' which is Bristlecone Pine County. At 11,918 ft (3,362 m), Mt. Charleston reaches the treeless alpine zone and is Nevada's fourth highest peak. The geology is mainly limestone which soaks up rainfall and snowmelt up high and releases it in lower canyons. Carry plenty of water for hikes along the crest. Expect snow at higher elevations October through May or June.
Skiing - The Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort in the Spring Mountains is reached by State Highway 156, 45 minutes from Las Vegas. Brian Head Resort in southern Utah offers more vertical feet but is about a three hour drive via I-15.
Mountain Biking - Bootleg Canyon in nearby Boulder City provides excellent technical cross-country and downhill trails, 30 minutes south of "The Strip" by Highway 93. Blue Diamond just south of Red Rock Canyon is the location of less technical riding, but with amazing views.

TENNIS:
Las Vegas is a great place for tennis fans. Not only do many of the hotels offer excellent courts but public courts abound as well. Vegas is also home to many amateur tournaments, UNLV tournaments, as well as The Tennis Channel Open.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Ride a gondola (inside or outside for $15/person for 4 minutes) and visit St. Mark's Square at The Venetian
Ride the Manhattan Express at New-York New-York.
The Stratosphere has a lot of fun stuff to do in the top, you can see the whole city from there. A trip to the top costs about $10, with rides costing extra.
Visit the Wynn and play golf! Note: The Wynn golf course is for hotel guests only
Indoor sky diving at Fly-a-way 200 Convention Center Drive +1 877 545-8093 $50 and up
Shoot a machine gun at The Gun Store 2900 E Tropicana Ave 9am–6:30pm 7 days. +1 702 454-1110 $25–$40 Photo ID required.

THINGS TO BUY:
Many of the larger casinos now include high-end shopping areas with designer stores. Additionally, Las Vegas is a hub for outlet malls, with numerous offerings scattered throughout the area.

Fashion Show Mall. A mall located on the Strip. Forum Shops (in Caesars). A huge high-end shopping area that also offers free animatronics shows at Fountain of the Gods and Atlantis located at either end of the mall.
Grand Canal Shoppes (in the Venetian). Another massive shopping area that features the tacky objets d'art shop featured in Martin Bashir's interview with Michael Jackson.
Las Vegas Outlet Center (a few miles south of Mandalay Bay). 120 outlet stores in an indoor setting complete with two food courts.
Las Vegas Premium Outlets. At the gateway of Downtown - 120 designer and name-brand outlets including Coach, Lacoste, Polo Ralph Lauren and more.

THINGS TO EAT:
Las Vegas has a tremendous variety of eating/dining experiences available. It is famous for its buffets in particular.

BUFFETS:
The most famous buffets in Las Vegas are at the Rio, Bellagio, Paris and Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin), though the newly opened Wynn buffet is becoming more and more of a favorite with tourists and locals alike. The best buffets typically run about $30 a person for a weekend dinner. Lunch is your best value at most buffets when they are around half price, breakfasts are cheapest and often have a great spread too. Do not forget that tipping your buffet waiter 10-15% is customary. You can leave cash on the table at the end of your meal or tip the cashier at the counter on a credit card.

The Buffet, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd South (Wynn Las Vegas), ☎ +1-702-770-7100 . Short line; 16 cooking stations of extraordinary, and sometimes exotic, international foods, especially noted for sushi. Seating in the elegant complex is divided into several comfortable rooms with tile, marble, or carpeted floors.
The Buffet, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South (Bellagio), ☎ +1-702-693-7111 . The Bellagio has arguably the best buffet on the strip, with the dinner menu including pre-split crab legs, venison, Kobe beef, and wild boar - all in a windowless, ambiance-free setting that departs from the Bellagio’s usually posh environment. Lines may be long, especially on weekends. Prices vary by meal and day of week, with the breakfast buffet running about $15, while the weekend dinner buffet costs upwards of $30.
Le Village Buffet, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South, located in Paris Las Vegas, 702-946-7000 . Featuring dishes from five French provinces, the Village Buffet offers exquisite classic French foods, some made to order, and seasonal specialties under a faux sky in a village-like setting. Patrons may, for example, choose to sit in a town square or French country home.
Spice Market, 3400 South Las Vegas Blvd (Planet Hollywood), ☎ +1-702-785-5555 . The casino changed names, but the buffet is the same. All styles of food including good seafood. Line moves fast.
Village Seafood Buffet, 3700 W Flamingo Rd (Rio), ☎ +1-702-777-7777 . Open from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday. This buffet is one of the better buffets in Las Vegas, with an extensive seafood collection (as well as other items). Lines can be long. Note that the Rio also offers the "Carnivale World Buffet", which is cheaper but does not offer a total seafood oriented buffet, but features a changing variety of dishes featuring seafood . $34.99 per person (dinner only).

RESTAURANTS ON THE STRIP:

AJ's Steakhouse (Hard Rock Hotel). Order a martini and a Filet Mignon—medium rare—and hoist one for ‘ol Blue Eyes!
Carnaval Court Bar and Grill (Harrah's).
Craftsteak (MGM Grand), ☎ +1-702-891-7318 . Considered to be one of the best steak houses in America, avg $95/per person.
Cypress Street Marketplace (Caesars Palace). Interesting and good for the family, it has every cuisine and is mostly cheap.
Kahunaville (Treasure Island).
Mesa Grill (Caesars Palace), ☎ 877-346-4642 .
The Range Steakhouse (Harrah's).
Mr. Lucky's 24-7 (Hard Rock Hotel). Sandwiches, salads, and sundaes are popular at the rock and roll diner, but nothing compares with the people watching!
Nobu (Hard Rock Hotel). A staple for Las Vegas sushi lovers, newcomers will discover a fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with latin spices and flavors.
Roman Court (Caesars Palace). Good food as well as good icy drinks.
Shang-hai Lily (Mandalay Bay). Gourmet Chinese and an incredible fine dining experience.
Tao (Venetian), ☎ +1-702-388-8338 (fax: +1-702-388-8308). Open Sunday - Thursday from 5:00 PM until 12:00 AM, and Friday - Saturday from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. A beautifully decorated Asian restaurant that doubles as a nightclub, this eatery offers very good food at moderately high prices. A dinner for two with drinks will cost between $60 and $100.
Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill (Harrah's). American cuisine that includes steaks, burgers, sandwiches, and even dishes like meatloaf and fried catfish. During the evening the restaurant features live country music bands, and occasionally Toby Keith himself will drop in for a surprise performance.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (Flamingo). A fun tropical-themed restaurant featuring dishes named after many of Jimmy Buffett's songs (for example: the Cheeseburger in Paradise).
Top of the World (Stratosphere), ☎ 702-380-7711 . A revolving gourmet restaurant more than 800 feet above the strip at the top of the Stratosphere Tower.

RESTAURANTS OFF THE STRIP:

Antonio's Italian Ristorante (Rio).
Bahama Breeze, 375 Hughes Center Drive. Serves great tropical food. Large portions with a great atmosphere. Famous for their Jerk Chicken Pasta, Cinnamon Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and wide variety of hand-crafted tropical drinks such as the Bahamarita. This is a great place to get away and relax from the crowds on people on the strip.
Buzio's Seafood Restaurant (Rio).
Ellis Island Casino Restaurant (Located one block east of Bally's at the intersection of Flamingo and Koval). The $4.95 steak special is consistently voted the best deal in Las Vegas. It's not on the menu, so ask for it specifically. If steak is not your thing the restaurant has plenty of other selections at cheap prices. In addition, Ellis Island has barbecue every night from 4-10 pm. Ellis Island also brews its own beer, and serves them in the casino bar in 20 oz. glasses for a buck.
ENVY, The Steakhouse, 3400 Paradise Road (Located in the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel). ENVY is the proud winner of the 2005 Las Vegas Life Magazine Epicurean Award “Best New Restaurant – Off the Strip,” as well as the 2005 and 2006 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Inspired by Chef Richard Chamberlain, the distinctive ENVY menu includes premium quality, fresh ingredients from select purveyors around the country, featured in innovative dishes that redefine traditional steakhouse cuisine. Enjoy the highest quality Kobe filet, prime rib roast, Black Angus filet and prime bone-in rib eye. The walk-in wine cellar features 1,500 bottles of wine.

DRINKING:

BARS:
In Las Vegas, free drinks are offered to all players, even those playing 5-cent slot machines. It is customary to tip the cocktail waitress at least $1 per drink (unless you like going thirsty).

Cleopatra's Barge, (at Caesars Palace).
Nefertiti's Lounge, (at the Luxor). They specialize in 36-inch Sphinx margaritas and glasses made in the shape of mummy cases (they make nice vases after the fact).
Pink Taco, (at the Hard Rock). Pink Taco serves up the very best of Mexico with atmosphere, tequila, buckets of beer and of course, tasty Mexican food!
Venus Lounge, (at the Venetian). Pricey but enjoyable for a couple of quick cocktails.
Double Down Saloon, 4640 Paradise Road, 791-5775. A bit out of the way but plenty of atmosphere and out of the casinos if that's your thing.
Nine Fine Irishmen, (in the New York, New York casino). This pub was actually constructed in Ireland and then shipped to Las Vegas. A great Irish band plays most nights starting around 9:00, the crowd is always energetic, and the Guinness and Bass flow easily. A pint runs about $6.
The Bunkhouse, (Downtown). Cheap downtown bar. Located one block from the USA Hostel. Friendly with travelers and frequented often by the staff and guests of the nearby hostel.
The Centrifuge, ("at MGM Grand"). Circular shaped bar/lounge; every hour the bar staff dances on the bartop or lounge tables.

NIGHTCLUBS:
Nightlife in Las Vegas is never hard to find, with a club or lounge in nearly every hotel and casino. Most clubs remain open until 4am, with various after-hour clubs available for the truly hard-core partiers. Drink prices can range anywhere from $4 - $8 for a domestic bottle of beer, $8 - $10 for well drinks, and $200 or more for a bottle of alcohol. Clubs are always busy on weekends, and may also be packed during weekdays at places that have Service Industry Night (SIN), usually Tuesday through Thursday when locals working in the service industry have their night off.

The top clubs will charge a cover of $15 or more. Exceptions include those who have reserved a table, ladies, and sometimes locals. Expect to wait in a line, depending on the night, anywhere from ten minutes up to a couple of hours. A general rule of thumb is to get there early (before 10pm), and while the club may be emptier the line will be shorter and you may avoid paying cover. Be aware that tables in Vegas often come with a bottle purchase; unless you keep buying bottles from the hostess they will ask you to vacate the table so that someone else can occupy the table. The dress code varies by club and bar. The general rule of thumb is most of the time women know what to wear when they are going out, and men should avoid wearing tennis shoes, tank tops, hats, t-shirts, and blue jeans.

3121, 3700 W Flamingo Rd (inside Rio Hotel), ☎ +1 702 777-7776 . Originally Club Rio, the number one dance club for over nine years. The Rio recently announced a deal with Prince for him to play on Friday and Saturdays. With other headliners and Prince's new favorites during the rest of the week. The club is huge with over 30,000 sq feet of super clubbing of course in all purple. It is named after Prince's new album with the name coming from the number 3121 as an address at a Los Angeles home where the performer used to give private concerts. Another explanation is that the four digits add up to seven and have a spiritual significance. Either way the club is hot and the place to be if you like Prince, like the color purple, or like the funk.
Coyote Ugly, (New York New York). Monday - Sunday: after 8pm All - $10.
Empire Ballroom, 3765 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (on Las Vegas Blvd. behind the Walgreen's next to MGM Grand). Tuesday, Thursday Friday - Sunday, 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. General admission: $20.
Foundation Room, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in Mandalay Bay at the top of the hotel). Mondays only, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Locals: $10. non-locals: $30.
ICE, 200 E. Harmon Ave., (on the corner or Harmon and Koval). Home of Spike TV's "The Club" the best in Electronic Music! Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, 10:30 p.m. until the party ends. General admission: $20.
Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce, 3930 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in Mandalay Bay right outside the shops). General Admission: $20 (Sun., Mon., Wed., Thurs.). Front of the line: $40 (Fri., Sat.).
Mix, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in Mandalay Bay at the top of the hotel). Beginning at 10 p.m., Sunday - Thursday, $20. Friday - Saturday, $25. Locals are free.
RA, 3900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in the Luxor). Wednesday - Thursday: Men - $20, Women - $10. Friday - Saturday: Men - $30, Women - $20.
Rum Jungle, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in Mandalay Bay). General admission (Sunday - Thursday): $20. General admission (Friday - Saturday, Monday): $25.
Studio 54, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in the MGM Grand). Wednesday & Thursday: $30. Tuesday, Friday, & Saturday: $40.
TAO Las Vegas, (Venetian). TAO Nightclub is a 10,000 square foot nightclub located in Tao at the Venetian. There is an outside terrace with Strip views, 3 bars, two main rooms playing a variety of hip hop, house and rock. Wednesday - Saturday, 10:30 p.m. until Close.
Teatro Euro Bar, 3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd., (in the MGM Grand). Tuesday - Saturday, 9 p.m. - approximately 4 a.m.

ULTRA-LOUNGES:
An ultra lounge is a mix between lounge and a night club.

Ghostbar, (Palms). Located on the hotel's roof, features a section of floor that is made of thick glass with nothing beneath it -- the glass is the only thing between your feet and the ground 55 stories below.
I-Bar, (Rio)
Pure, (Caesars Palace) One of the most exclusive clubs in Vegas, be prepared for huge queues unless you are an attractive woman or a wealthy man. Inside there is a 14,000 square foot open air terrace, the Pussycat Doll Lounge and the ultra exclusive (and expensive!) VIP Red Room, frequented by many celebrities,
Tabu, (MGM Grand)
Voodoo Lounge, (Rio)
OPM, (Caesars Palace). Located in the Forum Mall, Caesars Palace, OPM is one of the worlds premier RnB clubs. Located above a restaurant, Budda statues, black decor and red mood lighting, gives it a slightly underground feel. Two rooms play RnB/Hip Hop and Dancehall. Regularly frequented by celebrities,
Tangerine, (Treasure Island). has possibly one of the best views of the strip from inside a nightclub, overlooking a huge lake and pirate ship! As the name suggests the decor is orange and the clientle rich and/or beautiful.