MGM Grand Las Vegas: One of the largest hotels in the world, the 5,000-room MGM Grand is so Vegas. You may love your room so much, you'll actually look forward to resting between your adventures. But due to the fact that each Vegas casino is its own self-enclosed world, it's imperative you choose the right one if you hit the jackpot with your lodging, you can spend most of your time inside the comfy/climate-controlled world of your temporary home and save time and money walking on the crowded Strip or trying to hail a cab. SLEEP: Where to Sleep for a Few Hours (or Just Take a Shower)Ĭasino/hotels in Vegas are for dancing, drinking, gambling, eating, shopping, swimming, and spa-ing sleeping is an after-thought. (MORE: Read up on Las Vegas's Food University ) (3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South, more info) Must eats: wagyu steak, beignet shrimp, charred eggplant buns, and DIY spicy tuna. Yusho at Monte Carlo: This Japanese small plates restaurant is much-loved in Chicago and their Vegas outpost is just as phenomenal. Beat your hangover here, and then walk over to the nearby Container Park, which is filled with cool stores, eateries, and barber shops. The food here is excellent, especially the hearty breakfasts and strong coffee.
(506 East Fremont Street, more info )ĮAT: This downtown restaurant is a favorite of the hipsters, but they don't just come for the scene. The restaurant even offers partially-shaded outdoor patio that stays somewhat cool in the summer months. The healthy selection of Bloody Marys makes up for that, so stop by for a hair-of-the-dog brunch. The decor is clever and the servers attractive, which makes up for the food being a bit pedestrian. Park at Fremont : This trendy greasy spoon is where to find hipsters and artists in the middle of the downtown scene, right where Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard converge, and where the lively East Fremont Street district begins. (3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South, more info ) Chef David Myers' rich and delectable French fare is on the menu, like roasted bone marrow and oxtail jam, but there's also slightly lighter plates like smoked salmon rillettes and trout amandine. (3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, more info )Ĭomme Ca at The Cosmopolitan : The sweeping views of the Strip are almost as good as the food at this Vegas outpost of the West Hollywood institution. Eat like a pig before Celine's show and you'll still feel light as a feather. The black cod with miso is a must, but the revolving sushi wheel (come with a big party) has to be experienced to be described accurately. Nobu Restaurant and Lounge at the Nobu Hotel in Caesars Palace : This 11,200 square foot house of worship (religion: sushi) is from legendary chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and is the centerpiece of the new Nobu hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Caesars Palace. (3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South, more info) Might as well go with the $89 tasting menu while you're at it. Chef Shawn McClain's artisanal American cuisine features strip steak with indulgent beef marrow, a heavenly Iberico pork loin, and, for somewhat lighter eaters, an Oro King Salmon with eggplant pureee.
Sage at ARIA (pictured): This restaurant is cavernous, but in a good way it's large and somehow intimate and romantic at the same time. Budget some bucks for at least one dinner (or brunch) out you'd be doing yourself a disservice otherwise. Sure, there's low-end fare available for the budget-conscious traveler, but that's no fun in a place like this. Las Vegas's restaurant scene is as sizzling as the summer weather. (MORE: Planning a romantic Vegas vacation) The entire city probably has more spas than Istanbul (we didn't count) and more ways to pamper yourself than Beverly Hills can offer.
Speaking of downtown, there's lots of fun bubbling in the oldest part of this new city, with a youthful arts scene and hipster bars. Lesbian parties and gay clubs dot the city, including the largest gay nightclub in the world, Krave Massive. The city is an oasis of high-minded cuisine, with a growing cultural scene that offers art and theater. The casinos roll out the red carpet for gay visitors, not just with advertising and marketing materials, but with LGBT pool parties, musicals, and design flourishes that only a gay can love (kidding, kind of). But while the giant neon cowboys, silicone showgirls, and quickie weddings can still be found, Vegas is much more inviting to the LGBT traveler.