Viva Las Vegas: My Top 5

Gary’s in Vegas for a couple of days on a business trip, and it’s forcing me to reflect on my experiences in the city that never sleeps. In the beginning, I was fond of Vegas. It’s an exciting city with mega hotels, great restaurants, first-class shows and shopping. There’s so much to see and do. It’s easy to understand the attraction.

The problem is that while I was working in PR, I traveled to Vegas frequently — way too frequently. In fact, it felt like I was out there every other month for a few years. The old saying that “familiarity breeds contempt” holds true. I got so sick of Vegas that I still dread going there today.

However, for those of you who haven’t been there so many times that you’ve lost count, there are some fun things to see and do. With that in mind, here are my top 5 things to do in Vegas:

1. Cirque du Soliel. It doesn’t matter which show you watch, they are all fabulous and well worth the high price tag. The only one you may want to steer away from is the adult show (Zumanity) at the New York, New York resort and casino.
2. Blue Man Group. I was not a fan of the Blue Man Group until I got free tickets to their show in Vegas. After that, my opinion changed. It was one of the most entertaining shows I’ve seen in Vegas. I took Gary the last time we were there together, and I will probably go back in the future.
3. The Bellagio. The Bellagio is a fabulous resort and casino. If you want to watch the fountain show, you can cross the street and eat dinner outside at the Paris hotel while you’re having dinner. It doesn’t sound that appealing, but trust me, it’s a cool show. You can also get a great view of the show from inside the Bellagio. The Fontana lounge has a balcony overlooking the “lake”. They usually have decent bands playing in the lounge also. It’s a good place to hang out with friends. I like the casino at the Bellagio too. It’s more classy than many of the resorts on the strip.
4. Caesars Palace. What’s a trip to Vegas without a romp through Caesar’s Palace? They have some of the best shops (the Roman Forum) and restaurants (Spago). The pool area is amazing also. If you happen to stay at Vegas, it’s fun to check out the older rooms. Unlike the new towers, these rooms give you the feel of the Vegas of old. They have round beds with mirrors above. There’s also a round spa tub in the middle of the room so you can watch tv while you’re relaxing in the tub (not that I’ve ever done that).
5. New York, New York Roller Coaster. Okay, I’m not a huge fan of roller coasters, so I haven’t gone to the Stratosphere. If you really love amusement rides, go there instead. If you just want to have a fun little ride, then go to the New York.

There are so many things to do in Vegas that it’s tough to narrow it down to only five areas. I have a long list of other recommendations I could make, but then it wouldn’t be a “Top 5” blog. So, if you want more suggestions, send me a note.

I’d be happy to provide hotel, dinner and other entertainment recommendations if you’re planning a trip in the future.