Viva Las Vegas: A Non-Gambler’s Guide to Sin City

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Advisor - Holden Brown
Curated By

Holden Brown

  • Arts & Culture

  • City Travel

  • Luxury Travel

  • Food & Wine

  • Las Vegas

  • Entertainment

An aerial view of the Las Vegas skyline lit up at night.
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Where to stay in Las Vegas

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Things to do in Las Vegas

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WALK AROUND THE VEGAS STRIP

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Walk past the Bellagio's reception desks, and you'll find an incredible skylit atrium, featuring vibrant scenes composed of plants, flowers & trees. The show is always a spectacle and changes every season.

Fountains of Bellagio
Is it even a trip to Vegas if you don't see the Bellagio Fountains?? The show runs every thirty minutes in the daytime, and every fifteen minutes at night.

The Forum Shops at Caesars
The shopping mall inside Caesars is a recreation of the streets of Rome! You'll find replicas of famous sculptures like Michelangelo’s David and the Trevi Fountain.

Paris Las Vegas
Take an afternoon stroll through an impressive indoor recreation of the streets of Paris, go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and grab a drink at Vanderpump à Paris (Real Housewives fans iykyk)!

The Venetian Las Vegas
Take a gondola ride inside and walk around St. Mark's Square. It's probably the most stunning hotel interior on the strip (and that's saying a lot). You'll feel like you've been transported to an Italian palazzo.

SEE A SHOW

"O" by Cirque du Soleil
A show that seamlessly combines breathtaking acrobatics, synchronized swimming, and stunning visual effects to create an immersive experience like no other. Any Cirque show is a must see, but this may be the best.

"Mystère" by Cirque du Soleil
Cirque's longest running show for a reason. I was in awe the entire time watching. Mystère features a mixture of acrobatics, dance, elaborate sets & costumes, music, and comedy.

"Absinthe" by Spiegelworld
A hilarious, adults-only cabaret show in Caesar's Palace.

EXPLORE BEYOND THE STRIP

Fremont Street Experience
Visit "Old Vegas", now a sprawling 24-hour mall featuring a huge LED canopy, casino & restaurant access, plus entertainment. Grab a drink at Circa's Legacy Club, a rooftop bar with stunning views of the strip.

The Neon Museum Las Vegas
Popularly know as the Neon Boneyard, this would be a great sunset activity before going out. It's an impressive collection of iconic Vegas signage.

Antique Alley Mall
A great place to find a souvenir and a must-visit for antique lovers! If you are looking for old costumes, vintage clothing, mid-century furniture, or Vegas memorabilia this is the spot.

AREA15
A large entertainment hub, home to Lost Spirits Distillery and Meow Wolf: Omega Mart. Book tickets in advance for any of the shows or experiences. Afterwards, grab a meal in Chinatown and a drink at The Golden Tiki.

Places to eat & drink in Las Vegas

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Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge
A MUST! This is a Great way to start off your trip. It boasts an insanely cool and kitschy neon interior, classic tiki drinks and cheap eats. Go to the connected Fireside Lounge aft er for a drink by the flaming reflection pool.

Velveteen Rabbit
A cool Arts District bar offering craft cocktails & beer amid an eclectic, vintage decor, an outdoor patio and occasional live music.

Golden Steer Steakhouse Las Vegas
A historic restaurant where the Rat Pack and Elvis used to dine. You will not regret ordering the table-side Caesar or Bananas Foster. Make a reservation and call ahead to request a booth!

Legacy Club
A chic rooftop bar on the 60th floor of the Circa hotel. Definitely go if you’re in the Fremont area. They have fire pits outside and an amazing view of the strip.

Bouchon at The Venetian
A beautiful spot for brunch on the 10th floor of the Venetian, which overlooks their garden pool. Also, an excellent choice for after dinner dessert and coffee.

Bar Parasol
A beautiful bar in the Wynn. Grab a table outside! The have a really cool free show on the water called The Lake of Dreams that runs every fifteen min.

Delilah
A glam venue in the Wynn Las Vegas hotel, featuring upscale dining & eclectic, 1950s-inspired decor.

The Golden Tiki
My favorite bar in Vegas. Drinks are amazing and the decor is over the top. A must for any tiki lover.

Vesta Coffee Roasters
A stylish, airy cafe featuring house-roasted espresso drinks & cafe eats. A great first stop before walking around the Arts District.

PublicUs
THE breakfast spot in Vegas with farm-to-table sandwiches, pastries, and excellent coffee.

Need to know

GENERAL TIPS

  • The Vegas Strip is LONG, requiring over an hour of walking from end to end. Wear comfortable shoes and plan your route in advance, focusing on central highlights like Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris, and The Venetian. Grab a frozen daiquiri from Fat Tuesday to drink while walking around.

  • Make all of your dining reservations at least 3 weeks in advance. The popular spots book up quickly.

  • Remember to take lots of breaks and stay hydrated! Most people do the opposite of pacing themselves on a Vegas trip, but trust me, you will thank yourself later. I like to spend at least one day at the pool or spa.

Advisor - Holden Brown

Travel Advisor

Holden Brown

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Las Vegas. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Dolapo Owolabi's guide, Kid-Friendly Escape to Las Vegas.