My Insider’s Travel Guide to Las Vegas: Maximizing Fun, Relaxation & Loyalty Perks with MGM

Vegas is synonymous with world-class entertainment, and I always build my trips around seeing a few iconic performances:

• “O” by Cirque du Soleil (Bellagio): An ethereal, water-based masterpiece. This is my all-time favorite Vegas show!

• Michael Jackson ONE (Mandalay Bay): High-energy, nostalgic, and unforgettable. ONE allowed me to relive my childhood, singing along with my favorite MJ tunes.

• Blue Man Group (Luxor): Quirky, interactive fun with great music. This was an overall good time. We laughed a lot and were fully entertained.

• Penn & Teller (Rio): Mind-bending magic with humor and wit. I did not love this show, but my husband did. In fact, he wants to go back. I found it a little predictable, slapstick, and not very engaging.

These shows are all unique and worth seeing—if you can, book them early to lock in the best seats.

Beyond the Strip, I also love mixing in a few adventures and cultural stops:

• Zip-lining on Fremont Street: A quick thrill soaring over the neon lights of old Vegas.

• The Neon Boneyard (Neon Museum): A colorful and fascinating glimpse at Vegas history through its retired neon signs. I recommend this to EVERY client. I loved hearing the stories of old Vegas, the mob, and tying it all together with the neon (and in many cases argon) signs.

• Day trip to Hoover Dam: About 45 minutes from the Strip and well worth the drive for the views and engineering marvel. WOW! We hadn't ventured far off the Strip before, and it was insane to realize how this "big city" is really in the middle of a a desert—a real desert. The drive was a nice contrast to the craziness that the Strip can be.

• Strolling the Bellagio Conservatory, the Venetian’s canals, and the Forum Shops at Caesars: Perfect for leisurely afternoons filled with beauty and shopping.

One of the best ways to enjoy Las Vegas is by leveraging loyalty credits and staying within the MGM Resorts family. I’ve stayed at several of their iconic properties, each with its own personality and perks:

• ARIA Resort & Casino: Sleek and modern, ARIA offers a sense of luxury right in the heart of the Strip. My favorite feature is the peaceful adults-only pool—well staffed and perfect for a quiet escape from the buzz. That said, our customer service experience here was disappointing for a luxury property. We booked a king room for our anniversary but were placed in a room with two queens and offered no effort to correct or compensate for the error.

• Excalibur: A fun, budget-friendly choice with a surprisingly great pool complex (including an adults-only pool, which is always a win in my book). We haven’t brought our kids to Las Vegas yet, but if we ever do, this would be a property I’d consider. It has a more casual, laid-back vibe, making it perfect for relaxed pool days.

• MGM Grand: Known for its sprawling pool complex and lazy river, this property has a lively and energetic atmosphere that puts you right in the heart of the action. We had an overall good stay here—just a few minor hiccups, but MGM was quick to make things right, which I appreciated.

• Mandalay Bay: Famous for its beach-like pool with a wave machine and standout poolside service. This property is very family-friendly. During our stay, it felt like every kid in Vegas was at the pool! Once we moved away from the busy wave pool and lazy river area, though, it felt like a mini tropical escape on the Strip.

• Luxor: Known for its iconic pyramid shape and rich history, Luxor is fun to see, though the pool here is my least favorite—smaller and less impressive than other MGM properties.

Exploring different MGM properties has made me appreciate how much your hotel choice can shape your Vegas experience. Whether you want high-end luxury, lively energy, or a laid-back escape by the pool, there’s a resort that fits the vibe you’re looking for. And by staying within a brand portfolio, you can take advantage of loyalty rewards that make every stay even more worthwhile.