Curator’s statement
Las Vegas is a place that I have visited several times a year for the last 30 years. It’s the excitement of possibly going home richer than I left that draws me in every time. However, if gambling is not your thing, there are so many different activities to do on and off the Las Vegas Strip for every type of traveler—young and old.
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Things to do in Las Vegas
The Sphere Arena
Bingo: If you think that spelling out the word BINGO is just for the elderly, think again. There are a few fun bingo rooms located within casinos where you can win massive jackpots and participate in big-money payout tournaments. My favorite places to play and win are at Palace Station, Plaza, and South Point casinos.
Fly over Vegas: Ready to soar? This flight ride combines thrill-seeking with famous landmarks. Remember to hold on tight!
The High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ Observation Wheel: Located at The LINQ, take this giant capsule Ferris wheel ride to get the best bird’s eye view of all of Vegas. You can even purchase the unlimited all-you-can-drink bar ticket for a more unique experience in the sky.
Pools: If you visit Vegas in the summertime, visiting one of the hotel pools to cool off is a must. My favorite is the MGM Grand pool because of the lazy river. Definitely make your way downtown to Circa Hotel & Casino Stadium Swim, which is a multi-level stadium with multiple pools, bars, sitting areas, private cabanas for rent, and giant TVs for watching your favorite sports programming.
The Sphere: Visit one of Vegas’s newest attraction arenas, where you can have engaging conversations with AI robots, see your favorite artists in concert, or watch their featured immersive film Postcard From Earth on a 160,000 square-foot video screen.
Caesar Forum Shops: If you like to get your shopping on, visit this massive indoor shopping mall. You might even catch the Fall of Atlantis fire and water show. It’s also a great place to try out some of Vegas’s most popular eateries.
Walk the Vegas Strip: This popular activity doesn’t cost you anything. Spend a few hours walking up and down the Las Vegas Strip and people-watch, catch a bite to eat, slip into a casino and try your luck, or watch street performers.
Shows: Vegas is known for a variety of shows for all ages. It’s a great place to fly into town to see your favorite musical artist or check out a Cirque du Soleil production, variety show, or magic act. Some of my favorite ones to see include Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil; Purple Reign: Prince Tribute Show; Shin Lim Magic Show; Penn & Teller Magic; the Michael Jackson Tribute Show; and late-night comedy acts.
Spend the day in Summerlin: This suburb of Vegas is a short 20-minute drive from the Strip. Summerlin is a family-oriented community where you can do outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing. My favorite thing to do is to tour million-dollar model homes in newly built gated communities and get architectural and modern design ideas for my own home.
Places to eat & drink in Las Vegas
Chicken and waffles from Hash House a Go Go
Hash House A Go Go: Serves farm-fresh food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My go-to breakfast meal is the generously portioned sized chicken and waffles.
EllaEm’s Soul Food: This family-owned Black restaurant is located 15 minutes north of Vegas. My favorite dishes include the fried catfish, oxtails, fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and peach cobbler.
Ellis Island BBQ: Located inside this family-owned casino one block off the Strip, this hidden spot will exceed your culinary expectations. They serve generous-sized portions of BBQ chicken, ribs, beans, and corn on the cob, and the prices are very reasonable. You’ll definitely need a doggie bag!
Blueberry Hill Family Restaurant: This family-owned restaurant is located a few miles from the Strip. They are famous for serving over-sized breakfast portions like pancakes, waffles, and French toast.
Need to know
Spring and fall are great times to visit because the weather is mild. Downtown Vegas hotels are a lot cheaper to stay at—the table game minimums are lower than the strip casinos, and the slot machines are a lot looser. Driving down the Vegas Strip is a popular pastime, but it is very congested, so you may want to walk it instead.
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Simone Whittington
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