Maybe you’ve hit it big on the slots and now the world’s your oyster — or maybe this is your first time to Vegas and you’ve decided to make this a weekend to remember. Las Vegas is home to an endless number of possibilities, but with so many things to do and such little time, where do you start? Of course return trips mean adding to your bucket list, but this guide is a great way to start.
Check in
If you’re keeping a low profile, check out the Vdara Hotel and Spa, a non-smoking property with no casino. The Vdara plays little sister to the Aria Resort and Casino, a two-minute walk away to all the action. High roller tip: When you do finally decide to sleep, you can actually escape the noise and smoke if you stay at the Vdara.
Take a selfie
You’ve won the money and your outfit is more than Instagram-worthy so all you need now is at least one PG-rated souvenir from this epic trip to share. And that’s where the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign comes in. Because when it comes to the rest of your photos, it’s always good to remember when it comes to Las Vegas, “What happens here, stays here.” #whhsh
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen
Grab a limo to Caesars Palace where a seat at the VIP table of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen awaits and let the talented chefs behind the trademark red and blue kitchens wow you with their gastronomic masterpieces. High roller tip: order the Smoke on the Boulevard cocktail for a show-stopping moment.
You’ll want to hit Black Tap at the Venetian for a bite before the evening really ramps up. High roller tip: order the Greg Norman burger made with wagyu beef and finish off with one of their famous CrazyShakes topped with everything from cotton candy to Fruity Pebbles to a slab of cake.
While you’re at the Venetian, stop by the Dorsey for a cocktail — but not just any cocktail. High rollers will want to order the $2,000 Forbidden Love, served with gold leaf on top and a side of caviar, toast points and a variety of toppings. High roller tip: if you’re with a group grab seats in the front in what looks like a gilded bird cage.
Lunch at Lago by Julian Serrano
Enjoy chef Serrano’s menu of creative, signature flavors while enjoying a gorgeous view of the Bellagio fountains. High roller tip: Lago is where the rich ladies of Las Vegas lunch.
The $250,000 experience at Hyde Nightclub in the Bellagio
This bucket list evening includes the best seats in the house, a 30-litre bottle of Midas Ace of Spades Champagne and a closed gold box with a red button inside. And when you hit that button, you unleash 4,500 lights and 1,200 nozzles of the famous Bellagio fountains. Meanwhile, your table also lights up letting everyone know who the high roller in the room really is.
Head out to Boulder City Airport for a Grand Canyon West Rim tour aboard a Papillon helicopter. The tour includes a breathtaking flight over the Grand Canyon before stopping at the top for lunch at Sa’Nyu Wa restaurant operated by the Hualapai First Nation. For the brave at heart, an ultimate bucket list moment is completing a circuit on the glass-bottomed Sky Walk.
Behind the scenes tour of Beatles Love
A VIP tour of this Cirque du Soleil show at the Mirage includes an opportunity to meet several of the “Nowhere” men from the cast. Then order a 32-ounce themed cocktail to enjoy while you sing along to your favourite Fab Four tunes and watch the astounding acrobatics of the cast.
Cook with a celebrity chef at Jaleo
Learn how to make paella at Jaleo, a José Andrés restaurant at the Cosmopolitan. Our hands-on experience ended with a multi-course dinner and wine — lots of wine.
Head to old Downtown Las Vegas for a cocktail at Atomic Liquors, the oldest freestanding bar in Sin City. This local haunt is also famous as a favourite hangout for celebrities famous back in the day, including the Rat Pack, Barbara Streisand, the Smothers Brothers, Clint Eastwood and other notable characters. Streisand even noted in her book that she was a regular, stopping in on every trip to shoot pool and chat with her friend Stella.
SlotZilla is a 12-story slot machine-inspired zip line featuring Las Vegas icons, including over-sized dice, a martini glass, pink flamingo, coins, video reels, a giant arm and two showgirls. The zip line travels above Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas.
Happy Hour on the High Roller
Enjoy cocktails at 550-feet in the air as this giant observation wheel offers spectacular 360-degree views of the Strip and Las Vegas Valley. The High Roller is the largest observation wheel in the world.
Top off your weekend at OMNIA in Caesars Palace. This 75,000 square-foot nightclub opened in 2015 with resident DJ Calvin Harris. OMNIA boasts the main club, a balcony level, Heart of OMNIA, a lounge and outdoor terrace. The club is famous for its innovative use of technology, which creates an “immersive, sensory and celebratory experience.”
@sthomas10
