Viva Las Vegas! The City of Sin needs no introduction from me. Las Vegas’ reputation for fun, parties, debauchery, excessive consumption, ritz, glamor, and poor choices precedes it. My first experience in Vegas was for none other than my 21st Birthday almost two years ago and I’m now wrapping up my third trip to this iconic place, which qualifies me to offer an opinion on some of the main components of a Las Vegas vacation.
I was drawn to my latest trip to Vegas to watch the Formula 1 Grand Prix race, the organization’s first high speed motor race down Las Vegas’ strip. 10 months in the making (to the anger and frustration of Vegas locals, I must add), the race was a 3.85 mile loop down the Vegas strip and throughout the city.
The race featured world-class competitors known in the F1 world, including current world champion Max Verstappen, who secured his third win in a row at this heart-pumping race. The novelty of the location of this event felt electrifying and the event was the talk of the town, a a big deal for a city that isn’t easily impressed. Our group each purchased $330 tickets to watch the practice sessions on Day 1 of the races. We watched less than 10 thrilling minutes of the practice which was then majorly delayed due to damage from an unsecured manhole cover. The whole situation with refunds for this practice remains a “charlie foxtrot” as my mom likes to say.
Regardless of your reason for visiting Vegas (in my opinion I don’t think you need a reason), there are many elements to consider for your trip in a city of chaos and fun. Even if you’ve been to Vegas before, things are constantly changing and there are a dizzying amount of activities, restaurants, hotels, and casinos. I don’t consider myself a Vegas expert, just a connoisseur of Vegas ambiance, so here are my suggestions of where to eat, stay, and play in Sin City:
Where to Stay
I have personally stayed at these hotels and resorts and each offers a different experience in terms of pricing, location, and amenities to cater to various preferences and budgets. Here are my suggestions:
Positioned centrally on the Strip, The Linq is a mid-range hotel and casino known for its High Roller observation wheel. It offers modern rooms, a casino, multiple dining options, bars, and entertainment venues. The hotel is reasonably priced, with room rates typically starting around $50 to $100 per night, depending on the season and room type and it’s in a great location, centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip.
Located on the Strip, this hotel offers contemporary accommodations and a slightly upscale experience. It features a casino, multiple dining options, including restaurants by renowned chefs, and entertainment venues like the Park Theater. Room rates at Park MGM generally start around $100 to $150 per night and may vary based on room type and demand. What’s fantastic about this hotel is that it has a monorail that will easily shuttle you to the Aria’s Crystal Shopping Mall and the Bellagio. This may not seem like a huge deal, but the walking you do in Vegas is unmatched. All the hotels are an optical illusion as well and when it seems like the next hotel over on the strip is super close, it turns into a 20 minute walk between hotels.
Boulder Station Hotel and Casino
Situated off the Strip, Boulder Station is a more budget-friendly option. It offers a casino, various dining choices, a movie theater, bowling alley, and kid-friendly activities. Room rates here are often more affordable, starting around $30 to $80 per night, depending on room type and season.
This resort is located a short distance from the Strip via their free shuttle service and offers a more relaxed, tropical-themed experience. It features condo-style accommodations with kitchenettes or full kitchens, a large pool area with a lazy river and sand beach, a fitness center, and on-site dining options. Room rates typically start around $100 to $200 per night and can vary based on room size and season. It’s also conveniently located close to the airport.
What to Do
Explore the iconic Las Vegas Strip
Walk along the iconic Las Vegas Strip to experience the dazzling lights, themed hotels, bustling casinos, and vibrant entertainment that define the city’s essence. The people-watching in Las Vegas is unmatched. I’d recommend grabbing a drink in a casino to watch the hustle and bustle of visitors or head to Beer Park on the strip to look out at the passerbyers and their shenanigans.
Fremont Street
The original Las Vegas mobster strip, Fremont street, should not be missed. The Fremont Street Experience has a canopy of LED lights with live music, street performers, and a vibrant atmosphere, plus cheaper prices than the strip! There are plenty of street performers if you’re interested in grabbing an iconic photo with them for your Instagram, but know they will be expecting a tip.
Gamble small bills
I would be remiss to not mention casinos in my blog about Vegas. I love the atmosphere of casinos but I hate throwing money away. Luckily, many casinos have low minimums on some machines and tables, so you can have fun gambling without breaking the bank. The Cromwell Casino is one of my all time favorites and they have $3 Black Jack video machines. The OYO is also a great spot for low minimum machines, and they have $1 blackjack minimums.
Omega Mart
Step into the immersive, surreal world of Omega Mart, an art installation and interactive experience that blurs the lines between art and commerce. I recommend buying the play card for $3 and working with your team to complete the mission within the building. Omega Mart is trippy and fun, and I recommend going in with a clean slate without watching any spoiler videos.
Get a Massage
The amount of walking you’ll do on your trip to Las Vegas cannot be overstated. There’s a certain magic to getting a relaxing massage on one of the last days of your trip. It helps your body reset and recover from the damage that Vegas walking and partying can cause. As a budget traveler, I search Groupon and find an affordable option off of the strip. As a good rule of thumb, anything off the strip is going to be more affordable, but if you can treat yourself to on-strip prices, then more power to you!
Where to indulge
Fine Dining
Before I ever had the chance to eat at Nobu, its reputation preceded it. Nobu is seen everywhere from celebrity Instagrams to rap songs and for good reason. I was able to try this Japanese-style restaurant in Caesars Palace which served up some of the most fresh and delicious seafood I’ve ever had.
The staff recommends ordering several small plates for the table to share, an ode to the traditional Japanese family style meal. Our party tried a smattering of their sushi rolls and nigiri, along with their changes-daily ceviche and a spring roll. We decided to go all in by trying their desserts: a flight of assorted mochi and some kind of indulgent dulce de leche cake, that may have been the best dessert I’ve ever tasted.
Reservations are definitely required and upscale-casual attire is strongly recommended. Also be prepared to spend some money but know it will be worth it! 🤑
If you’re a food show junkie like me, you’ve probably heard of celebrity Chef David Chang. Chang is the mastermind behind Momofuku, a casual-style fine dining restaurant that shouldn’t be missed.
Located at The Cosmopolitan, Momofuku showcases innovative and eclectic Asian-inspired cuisine, featuring dishes that creatively blend flavors and textures. The pork bao buns are heavenly and the rich savory meat and bao just melts in your mouth. Momofuku is also known for their ramen, which has an umami broth that must take days to develop.
While the cuisine of Momofuku is elevated fine-dining, the feel of the restaurant is casual and welcoming. The back dining room overlooks the Vegas strip and we coincidentally had reservations at the same time of day two of Formula 1 practice, where we could watch the cars zoom down on the strip below.
A reservation is required for Momofuku, but reasonable casual wear is permitted.
The Bacchanal Buffet, located at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, is renowned for its expansive selection and culinary diversity. This buffet is the ultimate Vegas experience, and even though it will put you out around $80/person, it’s an experience that epitomizes Vegas.
Your 90 minute dining period will grant you access to over 500 different items, but not your typical buffet selections. I’m talking crab legs, slow-cooked prime rib, a ceviche bar, Korean fried chicken, all the desserts you can eat and so much more. The Bacchanal is a must-try experience for your next Vegas trip.
Situated at The Shops at Crystals, Mastro’s Ocean Club specializes in premium steaks and seafood while offering an elegant ambiance and top-notch service. The venue itself feels like a treehouse and the hospitality of this place is true Vegas style but be prepared for your credit card to take a hit.
Casual Eats
Without fail, I have eaten at Tekka Bar on every trip I’ve taken to Las Vegas. A sushi and sashimi bar within The Cosmopolitan, Tekka Bar serves up fresh and expertly prepared seafood delicacies in a sleek and modern setting.
You simply grab whatever stool is available at the bar and order however many sushi rolls you can eat. I recommend 4-6 handrolls per person, and even though you’ll be stuffed, the varying textures and flavors of the freshly constructed rolls will keep you chowing down. This is a perfect spot to grab some lunch or a snack while exploring the strip.
Found at Paris Las Vegas, Mon Ami Gabi is a classic French bistro known for its charming sidewalk patio, serving up French fare like steak frites and escargot with a view of the Strip. Brunch at Mon Ami Gabi is fabulous, but their dinner may be even better. They served us French bread with a french-style carrots salad and I enjoyed their French Onion Soup as an entree. Reservations are needed in advance, and I’d recommend requesting to sit outside on the patio overlooking the strip to enjoy the chaotic people watching that is unique to Vegas.
A vibrant Italian marketplace located at Park MGM, Eataly features various restaurants, food counters, and shops offering high-quality Italian dishes, ingredients, and products. It’s a nice spot for a quick dinner before heading out on the town.
I knew I had to try Milk Bar after seeing Season 4 Episode 1 of Chef’s Table, featuring the iconic Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar and pastry genius. Milk Bar is a dessert lover’s paradise, famous for its inventive sweets like the iconic “Cereal Milk” ice cream and whimsical baked goods. Try the cereal milk ice cream. Just try it.
If you need some greasy chow to soak up your booze during a night of gambling and debauchery, Casino Royale hosts a hidden concession stand offering footlong hot dogs for $3.49, nachos, and soft drinks. There are other offerings in this food court at various grab and go spots, and this is the closest you’re probably going to find for an affordable, fast bite to eat on the strip.
The Minus5° Ice Experience feels like the epitome of a Vegas-style experience. This bar provides an icy setting where guests can enjoy drinks in glasses made entirely of ice. Oh and everything else in the bar is also made of ice: the tables, walls, seats and even the bar that they serve you over. You’ll pay for an entry, which includes a parka and gloves to keep you warm and then the drinks served keep your insides warm 😉. It’s a great spot to escape from the desert heat on a warm day or as a fun pregame spot before going out on the town.
Where to Dance The Night Away
It is no secret that Las Vegas is the city of parties and debauchery and clubbing in Las Vegas can get expensive very quickly. In the past, I have paid $16 for one Michelob Ultra, $24 for one shot of well vodka, $13 for a bottle of water, and I had a friend accidentally order a $40 bottle of regular Fiji water at a day club. And you guessed it, they aren’t going to tell you how much drinks are until after you’ve ordered.
Luckily, I do have a few suggestions for how to cut costs on a night out on the town. Vegas is a hub for mainstream musical artists and DJs and there will always be some popular performers at clubs that are brought in every week. Paying the cover just to gain entry to see popular performers like Steve Aoki, Marshmallow, Martin Garrix, or Lil Jon can run you anywhere from $50-$120 JUST TO GET IN (and that doesn’t even cover your $25 cocktail at the bar 🥲).
The wonderful thing is that club promoters exist to get people inside clubs and get a commission for getting people to go to clubs. Club promoters can offer you free entry to clubs (where the venue is hoping you’ll buy lots of drinks to make up for not paying a cover fee). But the easiest way and my preferred way to guarantee free entry to a club is to head over to my favorite website for this kind of thing called No Cover Nightclubs. You can check out their event calendar for night clubs and day clubs/pool parties where you can see which musical artists are performing in a week, and where they are. Here is how to get on the guest list:
- Visit the event calendar and select the day you’re wanting to go out on the town.
- Select the artist you’re wanting to see.
- If there is a free guest list, you can click “free guest list”. If there isn’t a free guest list option, the website can still offer you discounted tickets if you’re wanting to go.
- Fill out the form and be sure to select the correct date on the form. You’ll also need an accurate number of how many people will be attending your party. The clubs are usually more flexible when there are more women or equal numbers of women to men in your group.
- Be sure to read the instructions in your confirmation email. Sometimes clubs require you to show up by a certain time to get into the venue or you will have to pay to get in. But you should also know that if a venue says to arrive by 11pm, then the performer probably will not be starting until 1:30 am or later, but there will be other music to dance to and enjoy in the meantime.
- Head to your venue at the appropriate time. Women often are offered free drink tickets or unlimited bar access for a certain amount of time, depending on the venue. This is a great way to save money on expensive bar drinks. I’d also recommend grabbing some beers from any bodega on the strip on the way to the clubs, since Vegas doesn’t prevent open containers.
- Enjoy and be safe! Always stick with your group and never ever go out alone. Also remember to drink plenty of water!
Every time my Vegas trips wrap up, it feels bittersweet. I always leave Sin City with some incredible stories and memories but my body and wallet are always ready for a rest. Vegas truly is a city where every moment pulses with excitement and possibility, which keeps me coming back. Until next time, Viva Las Vegas!
Traveling With Lola 
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