Whether you just need a break or you are doing that one last hurrah before the big day – grab your girlfriends and head to Vegas for a bit of weekend fun. Here are a few fun suggestions for getting out of the hotel – always a good thing to keep in mind which friends you are bringing as well, 5 party girls and 1 museum goer may not all want to do the same things.
Daylife
Shopping
Downtown Container Park (off strip) – made from up-cycled shipping containers, and is home to lots of hip, artsy boutiques, galleries, restaurants, live music and even a play area for kids.
Grand Canal (The Venetian) – The merchandise at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian | The Palazzo is top-notch, and entertainment options, like the gondola ride, abound for those who want to amplify their shopping experience.
Miracle Mile (Planet Hollywood) – The Miracle Mile Shops features a snazzy, futuristic design. From an outdoor 6,000-square-foot LED sign with continuous streaming images to an outdoor sound system, the mall definitely sparks up the Strip. If you want to take a break from walking, hop on one of the machine-operated people movers, which directly lead up to the mall’s north entrance.
The Forum (Caesars Palace) – The Forum Shops has the best selection of shops with brands like Versace, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton to popular favorites Diesel, Guess and Banana Republic and specialty boutiques.
Spas
Bathhouse (THEhotel) – Tucked away in Delano Las Vegas, our elegant BATHHOUSE Spa features steam rooms and saunas, as well as 12 treatment rooms where you can enjoy massages, wraps and facials. We also offer a complete workout facility.
Las Vegas Spa Club (Canyon Ranch) – Located on the fourth floor of The Venetian® and the third floor of The Palazzo®, the expansive 134,000-square-foot Canyon Ranch SpaClub® in Las Vegas features over 150 services and activities that can help you discover the best in you.
Sahra (The Cosmopolitan) – Enter and discover a truly unique experience. A true oasis, Sahra could rise only from the desert. Breathtaking natural walls mirror poetic slot canyons. Veins of silver thread throughout, while silver ceilings mimic nights lit by moon and stars. Long, dramatic hallways lead to experiences no less powerful. Sink into the Space Between, a serenity lounge where falling waters are heard and absolute calm settles in a dramatic, soul-soaring atmosphere.
The Spa & Salon (ARIA) – Aji stone walls, a tranquil water garden and natural light surround you — and the tension in your shoulders quickly evaporates.
Outdoors
The Beach (Mandalay Bay) – This is what being a resortist is all about. Located on 11 lush acres, Mandalay Bay Beach is a world-famous aquatic playground featuring 2,700 tons of real sand, a 1.6 million gallon wave pool and 100 rentable cabanas, day beds, bungalows and personalized villas. Overlooking this expanse, the Beachside Casino offers three indulgent stories of glass-fronted, climate-controlled gaming, private living and luxuriating. Also set among Mandalay Bay Beach is the Toptional™ Moorea Beach Club, with exclusive dipping pools, cushioned chaise lounges, relaxing day beds and a private pavilion.
Lion Habitat Ranch – Lion Habitat Ranch features about 40 lions on an 8.5-acre ranch about 12 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. On the weekends, watch these lions romp, play and rest at their Henderson home.
Vegas Balloon Rides – Soar above Las Vegas on a balloon ride that offers a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Las Vegas valley, including the city, residential and desert areas.
Vegas Mini Baja Chase – Want to add some fast-paced thrills to your trip? Spend the day on a custom-built mini Baja dune buggy racing over the Nellis Dunes. This trip is ideal for those who crave speed, excitement and a whole lot of adrenaline.
Nightlife
Clubs
Light (Mandalay Bay) – A collaboration between The Light Group and Cirque du Soleil, Light is a nightclub in Mandalay Bay that merges cutting-edge creativity with incredible music.
Marquee (The Cosmopolitan) – Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas combines a huge nightclub along with a dayclub during the summer months.
Minus 5° Ice Bar (Mandalay Bay) – minus5° Ice Bar, where everything is made of ice! Come chill with over 80 tons of ice while sipping on refreshing cocktails. This unique, one-of-a-kind ice experience is sure to create some fun and amazing memories for you and your friends.
Tao Nightclub (The Venetian) – Since opening in September 2005, this design-driven dining and entertainment complex in The Venetian has proven to be a hot spot like its sister venue in New York City. The multi-faceted and multi-story “Asian City” houses a restaurant, banquet facilities, lounge, nightclub and beach in 60,000 square-feet. TAO Nightclub is open Thursday – Saturday and features top DJs, creative programming and is a celebrity favorite.
Shows
“O” Cirque Du Soleil (Bellagio) – O by Cirque du Soleil is an whimsical and visually stunning show that transports audiences into a fantastical world of wonderment and awe with the use stunning acrobatics surrounded by air, fire and, most prominently, water.
Michael Jackson”ONE” Cirque Du Soliel (Mandalay Bay) – Combining dance, music and awe-inspiring visuals, Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil brings alive Jackson’s creative genius in a new adventure.
Blue Man Group (Monte Carlo) – The avant-garde Blue Man Group combines theatrics, art, music and science to create an interactive, wild and percussion-driven experience full of humor and energy.
Absinthe (Caesars Palace) – Absinthe is a thrilling showcase of world-class artists who perform amazing feats of strength, balance, danger and unfathomable flexibility.
Foodies
Light Bites
Go Vegan – Go Vegan Cafe has cooked vegan daily specials, appetizers, gluten-free burgers & pancakes, tofu scrambles & omelets, a salad bar, and features the raw juice bar, burgers, pizzas, & wraps.
Inyo Asian Variety Restaurant (Chinatown) – Run, don’t walk to this restaurant that serves Japanese, Korean and Thai fare on small plates for lunch and dinner. Former Blue Ribbon and Little Buddha chef Gregg Fortunato helms the kitchen here. This may become your new favorite restaurant in Chinatown.
Jaleo (The Cosmopolitan) – José Andrés finally brought his divine tapas and paellas to Vegas, but it’s é Bar inside that gets all the buzz. Try to nab one of the eight seats at this exclusive multi-course meal that has foodies buzzing. Otherwise, dine on tapas and be sure to order his paella at Jaleo, inside the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Strip House (Planet Hollywood) – Try the House-Cured Beef Jerky marinated for 36 hours in a dozen ingredients that re-define the traditional roadside snack
Dinner
Bardot Brasserie – Michael Mina’s newest Las Vegas restaurant brings a French bistro. More simply, Mina calls it French comfort food with the roasted bone marrow with bacon marmalade, foie gras en croute and steak frites from chef Joshua Smith.
Carnevino (Palazzo)- Mario Batali’s outpost at the Palazzo dry ages steaks for six to eight months, bringing out the flavors of these pieces of beef you can order by the inch. The pastas and Italian dishes are some of the best in town.
David Clawson (Anthem) – Chef David Clawson aims to “paint the Picasso” of his culinary career at this gem in Anthem. All menu items can be ordered as traditional sized plates or small plates to encourage multiple dishes. Do sit at the 20-seat chef’s counter to watch as your meal is prepared.
Fukuburger (Hawaiian Marketplace) – These Japanese-inspired burgers now have a permanent home in the Hawaiian Marketplace. Try the the namesake Fukuburger aka the “Lucky” burger with an all-beef fuku-patty with American cheese topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, wasabi mayo and driszzled with fuku sauce.