Las Vegas 5 Things to do in Vegas

by chris
April 2, 2013
in Bars & Clubs, Destinations, Las Vegas, Restaurants, USA
4

Las Vegas
5 Things to do in Vegas

No you haven’t suddenly skipped to the Venice section, this is the opulent entrance to The Venetian

‘What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas’ or so the old adage goes. And there it will stay too! However here is TheStyleTraveller’s edit of the 5 must visit (day and night) attractions when in Sin City for the weekend….

The View of Las Vegas at Night is incredible – this is the view from The Mandalay Bay Hotel

1) Dayclub and Pool Party at XS at Encore
Don’t leave Vegas without partying at a day/beach club. XS at The Encore Hotel is TheStyleTraveller’s club of choice. Encore and Wynn are without a doubt the two most spectacular hotel properties on the strip. If you’re into partying its worth spending a little extra to stay here if only to beat the club queues. Lounge in the pool side cabanas in the late afternoon (large fees apply to all seated areas and day beds) and party on into the early hours of the morning at the indoor club, while International DJ’s spin the tunes. What to wear? For girls wear a bikini (in case you fancy an impromptu dip) under your body con Alaia dress, accesorized with Jimmy choo wedges and sparkling clutch bag. XS is the name of the game. Alternatively try out Tryst at The Wynn, a more chilled out club with beautiful views over the lake and waterfall.

Sheer XS! image supplied by The Encore

The giant Buddah at Tao

2) Dinner at Tao

Situated in the exuberant Venetian Hotel, this Asian fusion restaurant is the perfect pre-partying dinner venue. Sistered with the famous New York celeb hang out, Tao Vegas has seen many an a-lister walk through its hallowed doors. Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, Beyonce, Britney & Justin to name a few. Best thing on the menu? Lobster wantons and the five spice short ribs. Or just order a cocktail at the bar and indulge in celeb spotting, whilst being watched over by the ornate giant buddah which presides over the room.

Me and the girls in VIP at The Marquee

3) Nightclub – Marquee at The Cosmopolitan Hotel

If you’re going to do Vegas in style I whole heartedly recommend getting a table at the Marquee club. Not only do you get to queue jump, but you also get a waitress, busboy and security guard to boot. Why a security guard I hear you say? When you’re in VIP and everyone wants to be your friend (aka scrounge your drink) having a personal body guard who parts the crowds, removes riff raff! and escorts you to the toilets, suddenly makes sense! You can’t help but feel like a celebrity for the night. The music? Popular R&B, hip hop and house. It’s expensive, but if there’s a group of you to share the cost, get the alist package!

4) Neon Boneyard

The neon boneyard is a non profit making organisation where all the disused neon hoardings and enormous signs of casinos gone by, go to rest. It’s located in the slightly edgier end of town, near Downtown and Freemont Street, where Vegas casino culture originated. Best time to go for photographers? The midday sun is ideal. Or the last tour of the day at around 4pm is the coolest time. Driving through Downtown also gives an interesting insight into the seedier life of Vegas, less glitz, smoke and mirrors, more fear and loathing.

5) Helicopter ride.
There’s the flight over the Grand Canyon or the view of the Las Vegas Strip by night, either way it’s utterly spectacular, people with a fear of flying or heights need not apply!

Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel

Vegas on a budget
From pumping oxygen and fake day light into the casinos, providing free food and cheap alcohol, so you stay awake, there’s no doubt about it, Vegas wants your money!

The best cheap or free activities to indulge in are:
1) Take a walk down the strip, it’s long and goes from uptown to Downtown, but simply taking a walk and people watching is one of the best activities you can take part in. Check out the facades of the spectacular Paris, Venetian and Luxor Hotels.
2) The Bellagio Hotel water fountains are a sight to behold, for the best views, have brunch at Cafe Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Hotel, ask for a table on the terrace.
3) Take a gondola ride in the grand canal at The Venetian. (this one’s not free but it’s fun).
4) Get a weiner at the famous American Hot Dog shop Pinks and don’t leave vegas without trying an In and Out Burger.

Oh and finally…..

5) Don’t forget to take a classic holiday snap on the bonnet of a police car…