The ever changing metropolis of fun and luxury is going through one of its biggest facelifts. New food and entertainment options are at the forefront of its latest offerings. The city is now home to more celebrity chefs in one row than anywhere else in the world. Paired with spectacle-driven entertainment and sights, it has become a haven for thrill-seeking tourists.
What to do
Taller than the London Eye or the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest ferris wheel takes you 550 feet above Las Vegas for a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling city and the famous strip that looks nothing like anywhere else in the world. The High Roller is situated at the end of the LINQ’s Promenade, so you can take in the boardwalk filled with bars and restaurants before heading up for the vistas. While daylight views are breathtaking, they’re even better at night with the strip’s light show on display. Bonus: Some of the giant ride’s cars have their own bar and mixologist, so reserve accordingly.
Where to eat and drink
Small is the new big. Casinos are ditching size for boutique designs with their approach to bars. Several new gin, whisky and classic cocktail bars have opened recently, creating the perfect scenario for an old-fashioned bar crawl. Start at Juniper Cocktail Lounge, a dimly-lit cocktail emporium with a garden pavilion vibe. Juniper pours classic and modern interpretations based on your liquor of choice. If you like gin, there’s also the Dorsey where the gin list impresses. The Palazzo Hotel’s Rosina may be hard to get into, but the sparkling cocktails are some of the best on the strip.
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis’s eponymous restaurant, Giada is a hot destination for brunch from the modern Italian menu. Large, retracting windows give diners an overhead view of the bustling strip. Lotus of Siam is another must-try. After two decades as one of America’s best-regarded Thai restaurants, Lotus of Siam keeps ticking. The cab ride from the strip is worth it for traditional regional Thai cuisine with one of the best riesling cellars in the country.
Where to stay
The Monte Carlo hotel has left the strip and been replaced by the Park MGM, a super-resort that aims to create a neighbourhood experience. Inside, everything feels a little cozier than the rest of the strip, starting with the new Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar, which borrows from French country house vibes. It’s steps from the new Park Theater and the T-Mobile arena.
