What are the five best things to do with kids in Las Vegas?
Though Las Vegas is known for bawdy adult entertainment, there are a surprising amount of attractions designed for the whole family. Leave the swanky restaurants and gambling for an adults-only night and take your kids on some G-rated thrill rides, an aquarium and more.
1. The Stratosphere. At the north end of the Strip, the top of Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower offers thrill rides you can’t find anywhere else in Las Vegas. With three depth-defying rides to pick from (our personal favorite is Insanity, the Ride, which involves a mechanical arm extending over the edge of the Stratosphere tower and spinning at a force of three Gs), the kids will have plenty to get them revved up. For those less inclined to hang 1,000 feet above the cement, visit the observation deck instead. As the tallest free-standing observation tower in the U.S., it offers quite a view of the Strip.
2. The Adventuredome. If the kids haven’t had enough of the thrill rides, they’re sure to be sated by the Adventuredome in Circus Circus. America’s largest indoor theme park, including the world’s only indoor double-loop roller coaster, lets you escape the desert heat while the kiddies enjoy the rides. Circus Circus also offers free circus performances daily under the big top, and little ones are invited onstage to learn a trick or two of their own.
3. The Mirage. Snatch up the family and head south to the Mirage. Though you may have to pass through the dinging casino, it’s worth it to catch a glimpse of the enormous, 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium behind the front desk in the lobby. Then make your way outside to Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat to get face-to-face with lions, white tigers, leopards and bottlenose dolphins. Trainers are on hand to answer questions and show off a litter of white tiger cubs.
4. Spago. When you and your entourage have worked up an appetite, Spago at the Forum Shops at Caesars (right next door to the Mirage) is a good bet for the whole family. The food is exceptional and the family-friendly atmosphere means the eye-rolls when a drink spills or a fork is dropped will be at a minimum. Plus, Spago has a children’s menu with all the favorites, including grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Meanwhile, you can nosh on crisp calamari and lamb chorizo pizza with goat cheese.
5. Mac King Comedy Show. Cross Las Vegas Boulevard and enter Harrah’s Las Vegas in time for the Mac King Comedy Show. As one of the only daytime magic shows in Vegas, Mac King’s routine provides the perfect mid-afternoon respite. Quirky jokes and visual tricks are Mac King’s specialty, though his ridiculous plaid suits run a close second.
-
1 day agoXania Woodman answered the question:
Where is the best Las Vegas shopping?
I shop like a guy. Seriously. I know my sizes, I know exactly what gaps I need to fill in my wardrobe, I know my budget and I know my stores: For day-to-day and work-wear, it's Old Navy; for clubbing, it's H&M; for swanky soirees and restaurant openings, it's White House | Black Market; and for everything that goes on my feet, be it a pair of tall, sexy boots or casual sandals, it's Clarks. So I do all of my shopping at Town Square. The outdoor mall rambles across a huge campus just south of Mandalay Bay, complete with kid zones and green spaces. Here, you'll also find a giant AMC Theatres, restaurants a-plenty (I recommend Double Helix Wine & Whiskey Lounge, Yard House and Meatball Spot), a country nightclub (Stoney's Rockin' Country) and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, where I take so many meetings and do so much of my writing and editing that I call it my "other office." Much of Las Vegas' exciting activities happen indoors, so it's refreshing to stroll down Town Square's charming-even-though-they're-faux neighborhood streets, even if it's just to buy a new pair of sandals or a cute cardigan. Now, if only they had a Goorin Bros. Hat Shop ... -
2 days agoXania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best things to do in Las Vegas?
Turning 21—it only happens once. And like a cat waiting to pounce on catnip, Las Vegas is happy to usher you, your friend, your niece, nephew or child into adulthood the best way it knows how: by showering the newly-legal with all manner of boozy goodies. At the popular German/Bavarian beer hall and restaurant, Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, the birthday boy or girl's first legal liter of brew is on the haus. But Tao Group has taken that most personal of holidays 20 steps further with the creation of its 21st Birthday Club.
Beginning June 1, 2013, guests booking a 21st birthday party will receive: complimentary admission and a round of shots for the person of honor and their friends; a custom birthday Evite created by Tao Group for posting on social media sites; a photo snapped on the Tao Nightclub red carpet; a "Happy Birthday" tweet from @TaoLasVegas; an “I Turned 21 @TaoLasVegas” T-shirt; a complimentary appetizer platter in the Tao Lounge; a complimentary dessert platter with a dinner reservation at Tao Asian Bistro or 20 percent off dinner reservations after 10:30 p.m.; a buy-two-get-one-free bottle special with a VIP table reservation in Tao Nightclub; a message on the LED screen in the nightclub; and a DJ shout-out to the club. In all, it looks to be the greatest night you'll never remember. -
3 days agoSusan Stapleton answered the question:
What are the best restaurants in Las Vegas?
Picking out the best restaurants in Vegas is like choosing a favorite child — impossible. But for the sake of argument, here are three that will never disappoint.
For fresh seafood flown in daily from the Mediterranean, try Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at Wynn Las Vegas. The star of chef Paul Bartolotta’s menu is his langoustines, sourced from an obscure island not found on any map off the coast of Italy. Even the boxes that bring the exquisite seafood are removed of any identifying marks to keep the location top secret.
French chef Guy Savoy’s only restaurant in the United States sits on the second floor of Caesars Palace. The newest innovation at Restaurant Guy Savoy? The Krug Room, a private dining room for up to six people serving up to 13 courses paired with Krug Champagnes. The artichoke and black truffle soup is a must-order here.
Head to Aria for Shawn McClain’s Sage and its ever-changing New American fare. Aside from mixologists behind the bar who can pair drinks with dishes and an absinthe cart, the foie gras custard brûlée has quickly become the dish to try here. Find blood orange, cocoa nibs and salted brioche in this savory combination. -
On May 18Xania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in Las Vegas?
I didn't go to Allegro in Wynn for dessert. In fact, I rarely go anywhere just for dessert. I'm more of a cheese plate kinda girl. (For that, try Vintner Grill in Summerlin.) But after the most tender, flavorful osso bucco d'agnello with house-made pappardelle I've had outside Italy, chef Enzo Febbraro prevailed, and out came the sweets. His cassata Siciliana is not of the sponge variety I recall so fondly from my trip to Sicily; the base is a raspberry gelato, topped with meringue sorbet and frozen nougat, which is refreshingly different, but simply not my style. However, I have a soft spot for rum-soaked desserts: Tortuga rum cake, baba au rhum ... Oh, yes. And Febbraro's baba au rhum is quite the specimen—tender sponge drenched in rum, swimming in a pool of crème anglaise and topped with dense, real whipped cream and brandied cherries. Does it seem to be looking at you? Yes. But I bet you'll blink first.
-
On May 18Xania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in Las Vegas?
I didn't go to Allegro in Wynn for dessert. In fact, I rarely go anywhere just for dessert. I'm more of a cheese plate kinda girl. (For that, try Vintner Grill in Summerlin.) But after the most tender, flavorful osso bucco d'agnello with house-made pappardelle I've had outside Italy, chef Enzo Febbraro prevailed, and out came the sweets. His cassata Siciliana is not of the sponge variety I recall so fondly from my trip to Sicily; the base is a raspberry gelato, topped with meringue sorbet and frozen nougat, which is refreshingly different, but simply not my style. However, I have a soft spot for rum-soaked desserts: Tortuga rum cake, baba au rhum ... Oh, yes. And Febbraro's baba au rhum is quite the specimen—tender sponge drenched in rum, swimming in a pool of crème anglaise and topped with dense, real whipped cream and brandied cherries. Does it seem to be looking at you? Yes. But I bet you'll blink first.
-
On May 18Xania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in Las Vegas?
I didn't go to Allegro in Wynn for dessert. In fact, I rarely go anywhere just for dessert. I'm more of a cheese plate kinda girl. (For that, try Vintner Grill in Summerlin.) But after the most tender, flavorful osso bucco d'agnello with house-made pappardelle I've had outside Italy, chef Enzo Febbraro prevailed, and out came the sweets. His cassata Siciliana is not of the sponge variety I recall so fondly from my trip to Sicily; the base is a raspberry gelato, topped with meringue sorbet and frozen nougat, which is refreshingly different, but simply not my style. However, I have a soft spot for rum-soaked desserts: Tortuga rum cake, baba au rhum ... Oh, yes. And Febbraro's baba au rhum is quite the specimen—tender sponge drenched in rum, swimming in a pool of crème anglaise and topped with dense, real whipped cream and brandied cherries. Does it seem to be looking at you? Yes. But I bet you'll blink first.
-
On May 18Xania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best places for dessert in Las Vegas?
I didn't go to Allegro in Wynn for dessert. In fact, I rarely go anywhere just for dessert. I'm more of a cheese plate kinda girl. (For that, try Vintner Grill in Summerlin.) But after the most tender, flavorful osso bucco d'agnello with house-made pappardelle I've had outside Italy, chef Enzo Febbraro prevailed, and out came the sweets. His cassata Siciliana is not of the sponge variety I recall so fondly from my trip to Sicily; the base is a raspberry gelato, topped with meringue sorbet and frozen nougat, which is refreshingly different, but simply not my style. However, I have a soft spot for rum-soaked desserts: Tortuga rum cake, baba au rhum ... Oh, yes. And Febbraro's baba au rhum is quite the specimen—tender sponge drenched in rum, swimming in a pool of Crème anglaise and topped with dense, real whipped cream and brandied cherries. Does it seem to be looking at you? Yes. But I bet you'll blink first.
-
On May 16Xania Woodman answered the question:
What are the best hotels in Las Vegas?
The "best" hotel in Las Vegas is the one that best suits your individual needs. So if you have an idea of what you're coming here to accomplish or experience, you have a far greater chance of finding a hotel (or resort, or boutique hotel) that is the perfect fit! For example, if you're attending a conference or convention, the host hotel will almost always be the most convenient—remember: Nothing is as close as it appears! Of course, this might not always be the most cost-effective option. So, look nearby. What is the closest hotel to the host property?
If entertainment is key, resorts such as Wynn Las Vegas, Caesars Palace and the Venetian host some of the greatest live stage shows on the Strip. For proximity to shopping, Treasure Island and Trump are a stone's throw from Fashion Show Mall. For a gambling-free experience, the Forbes Travel Guide 2013 Five-Star winner Mandarin Oriental is a haven for those craving views, exquisite dining at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire and luxurious amenities without the gaming and smoke. And for their sheer concentration of nightlife and daylife opportunities, Wynn and Encore (XS, Tryst, Surrender, Encore Beach Club), MGM Grand (Hakkasan, Wet Republic) and Bellagio (The Bank, Hyde, Lily) put you in the heart of the party action.
But my personal choice for the all-around “best” hotel is the Cosmopolitan. It, too, has hot nightlife (Marquee), concerts by the Boulevard pool and in the soon-to-be-remade Chelsea, some of the finest mixology bars in the city (Vesper, Chandelier, Bond, Neapolitan) and such diverse dining (Comme Ça, Jaleo, Blue Ribbon Sushi, the “secret” pizzeria). Many of the hotel rooms are blessed with balconies offering that iconic mid-Strip view and soaking tubs. If the kitchenette were only stocked, I would never leave! -
On May 16Laura Janelle Downey answered the question:
What are the best places to spot celebrities in Las Vegas?
There are a couple of tried-and-true places that one can always spot a celebrity when in Las Vegas. The first place is when you’re partying the night away at Tao Nightclub inside the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. The club always brings in celebrities to either host events such as Kim Kardashian, or you’ll find big-name guests such as Paris Hilton celebrating a birthday inside the Asian-inspired hot spot. You can also catch celebs dining at restaurants throughout the city. For instance, Coco from Ice Loves Coco dines at Koi inside of Planet Hollywood, which makes sense because the blonde bombshell headlines Peepshow at the hotel — plus, she won’t have to go far after dinner to get onstage. Sin City is prime for tons of star-spotting — it’s totally fair game. -
On May 15Laura Janelle Downey answered the question:
What are the best places to see a play in Las Vegas?
When you’re in Las Vegas, it’s a must to head downtown and catch a play at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art performing arts center hosts a Broadway Las Vegas series where during the 2013 season, guests can see shows such as Billy Elliot the Musical (during a limited run in May) and Catch Me If You Can (during a limited run in June). And also in June, Green Day’s American Idiot will run for six days as a season special. Although I’ve had seats in the box tier as well as the orchestra, I encourage people to purchase tickets in the gold circle section of the orchestra — it gives you a great view and makes you feel like you’re a part of the entire experience. But before the show begins, don’t forget to stop by one of the bars to snag a souvenir Smith Center sippy cup filled with a beverage of your choice — I always order the white wine! -
On May 15Laura Janelle Downey answered the question:
What are the best places to see a play in Las Vegas?
When you’re in Las Vegas, it’s a must to head downtown and catch a play at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The state-of-the-art performing arts center hosts a Broadway Las Vegas series where during the 2013 season, guests can see shows such as Billy Elliot the Musical (during a limited run in May) and Catch Me If You Can (during a limited run in June). And also in June, Green Day’s American Idiot will run for six days as a season special. Although I’ve had seats in the box tier as well as the orchestra, I encourage people to purchase tickets in the gold circle section of the orchestra — it gives you a great view and makes you feel like you’re a part of the entire experience. But before the show begins, don’t forget to stop by one of the bars to snag a souvenir Smith Center sippy cup filled with a beverage of your choice — I always order the white wine! -
On May 14Susan Stapleton answered the question:
Where is the best shopping in Las Vegas?
The boutiques of Las Vegas read like a walk down Fifth Avenue, Rodeo Drive and the Miracle Mile combined. Shoppers can find everything from the high-end boutiques such as Lanvin and Tom Ford to the second largest H&M and a Forever 21 department store right in Vegas.
Head to Crystals for the most chi-chi shopping in Vegas. Here find Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada and Versace along with the only Tom Ford and Lanvin stores in Las Vegas. Harry Winston, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. all add some sparkle.
At the Forum Shops at Caesars, high-end meets moderately priced. Look for Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin nestled next to a massive H&M and Intermix. Designer names such as Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Valentino can all be found here.
Over at Fashion Show mall, the big department stores rule. Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and a huge Forever 21 can be found here. Staples such as Express, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and French Connection give shoppers a wide variety of places to visit. -
On May 14Susan Stapleton answered the question:
What are the best attractions in Las Vegas?
They call Las Vegas the Entertainment Capital of the World for a reason. You can have fun without spending a cent with these free attractions.
Head over to the Fountains at the Bellagio in front of the resort for dancing waters, music and a show that changes all the time. The choreographed fountains dance to opera, classical and standard music with a little light show thrown in at night. You can see this breathtaking treat every half hour from 3 to 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and every half hour from noon to 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.
Then step inside the Bellagio to see the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, an indoor garden of exotic plants and flowers on display for 24 hours, 365 days a year. Plants, flowers and trees arranged by more than 140 horticulturists show off the best of the season in intricate detail. Look for gazebos, ponds, bridges, jumping fountains and more. Take a leisurely stroll to discover the treasures within and maybe find inspiration for a garden of your own. The display changes to reflect the holidays, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and fall.
Head to Downtown Las Vegas to the five-block Fremont Street Experience to find the pedestrian promenade with its free concerts and canopy with light and sound shows. Nearly a dozen free concerts, parties and special events take place every month at the First and Third Street stages. Viva Vision shows above on the canopy feature 2 million lights and 550,000 watts of sound and special effects. Shows begin at dusk and run on the hour until midnight. -
On May 13Laura Janelle Downey answered the question:
What are the best bakeries in Las Vegas?
One of the best bakeries in Las Vegas is family-owned Freed’s Bakery on Eastern Avenue. The establishment specializes in creating custom cakes for any occasion including birthday, anniversary, bachelor/bachelorette, retirement and more. When I lived in Las Vegas, I went to Freed’s to create a birthday cake for me and it was spectacular. I just told them that I’m a basketball player and that I love vanilla and strawberries. They created a cake for me in the shape and color of an NBA-size basketball. It was fun, creative, tasty and perfect for my party in the two-bedroom suite at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Summerlin.