Las Vegas Things to Do

The Best Pool Parties in Las Vegas

Viator — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:40:26 +0000

Dive in! - Photo courtesy of YoTuT via Flickr

Pool parties are iconic Vegas. There’s little else that speaks to the lifestyle of this desert city of sin than cooling off with a drink in your hand, sunglasses on your face, and a DJ spinning out the year’s greatest tunes poolside. If you’re looking for a howling good time, a place to see and be seen by the world’s beautiful people, or a place just to wash the previous night away with a cocktail in your hand, a Las Vegas Pool Party is the best way to do it. Here are some of my favorite ones.

Rehab (inside the Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Rd) is known to be a spring-break style pool party blown full tilt. It’s busy, loud, crowded, and there’s enough booze to float your liver down to Emerald Isle. If you revel in this sort of all-out blow-out, then this is definitely your scene. Expect crowds and head on over to the Hard Rock to catch all the action.

Encore Beach Club (3121 Las Vegas Blvd South) is a little well less-known than Rehab, and prides itself on attracting a more discerning clientele. EBC (as it’s lovingly referred to) tends to attract a classier, one or two years older crowd. Think of Encore as a slightly more upscale version of Rehab’s four-star bacchanalian blow-out, but a party that still knows how to have a good time, just pays less for security. Known for their house music and excellent drinks, the Encore Beach Club always tops the list for good times.

Marquee Day Club (3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South) is another good bet for a pool party to write home about. Here, the rooftop view is hardly beatable, the drinks aren’t overly sweet, and the house music blazes. But enough of those secondary interests. You’re here to party, right? Well the Marquee Day Club has got that in spades. A close second to the scene at the EBC, if you tire of all the people, the Marquee Day Club tends to the same clientele and is the smallest venue of the big-name pool parties.

-Hudson

The Best Pool Parties in Las Vegas from Las Vegas Things to Do

Las Vegas’ Unusual Museums

Viator — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:57:51 +0000

Las Vegas

The list of Las Vegas oddities is long indeed: drive-through wedding chapels, an unnatural amount of Elvis sightings, a pyramid, an Eiffel Tower, rivers amidst shopping malls, a mob history – these eccentricities of the city are part of what make it exciting. And as a visitor, you can get a good taste of what it is to be a part of this excitement at one of the many unusual yet distinct Las Vegas museums.

The Neon Museum: It only stands to reason that the Neon Museum should be located in Las Vegas. If, while driving along that bedazzling strip, you ever gazed upward at all the flashing lights and neon and wondered what happened to all the old great signs of yesteryear, well, they’ve found a home just down the road in the Neon Museum. Often referred to by its loving nick-name, the Neon Boneyard, this is where all the great signs of Las Vegas old have come to die. Here there are over 150 donated and rescued signs that make something of a flashbulb funhouse for visitors. Often the site of photo shoots, one really must see this open-aired museum oddity of flashing lights in order to appreciate it. It’s open 24 hours a day, over on 810 North Las Vegas Boulevard.

The Pinball Hall of Fame: Remember when your dad took you to the arcade and showed you his best on the old pinball machine? Relive those days of glory down at 1610 E. Tropicana Ave. These great mechanical contraptions are considered by many to be the precursor to modern video games and are nothing short of remarkable when considering all the various engineering components involved. Long-standing as one of the American public’s favorite circus, arcade, and random truck-stop diner attraction, at the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas you can stroll down lane upon lane of historic, unique, and famous pinball games of old. There are easily over a hundred pinball games all gathered here and restored to their original condition. A hit for both the young and old, you might say.

The Mob Museum: Ever wonder how Las Vegas got its start? We’ve all heard the rumors and most of us have seen the movies, but the true story of how Las Vegas got its start is much more interesting. Check out all the facts in Las Vegas’ own Mob Museum. Head down to 300 Stewart Ave to see what all the fuss is about.

-Hudson

Las Vegas’ Unusual Museums from Las Vegas Things to Do

Where to Find the Best Views in Las Vegas

Viator — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:22:23 +0000

The Strip

When it comes to Vegas, it’s all about the glamour and glitz. Known for the strip and its thousands of flashbulbs, the sparkling neon, the twirling signs and architecturally fantastic hotels, Las Vegas is truly a spectacle to behold. But when it comes to doing just that – beholding the spectacle that is Las Vegas, where’s the best place to do it? Where can you look out over all the grandeur of this glittering dessert jewel and see it all?

Well, the Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck is probably pretty close to being on the top of this list. Routinely voted the best view of Las Vegas, the 869 foot observation deck towers above all of Las Vegas and offers viewers a breath-taking vantage point of all of Las Vegas and even the arid desert beyond it. And if that’s not enough, the Stratosphere Tower also boasts a rollercoaster which dangles you precariously over the busy streets below. Exciting? Quite.

The Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay will rival the Stratosphere, however, due to its proximity to the strip. Here, high atop the 64th floor balcony, you can look down upon the Bellagio and Luxor as if you’re right on top of them. Unfortunately, at this spectacular hang-out, there is a cover charge, and the Mix doesn’t open until 5pm daily. Local females, however, get in for free.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris (the hotel), is often reported as one of the best views in Las Vegas, and though high up, it doesn’t tower above much other then the fountains at the Bellagio hotel. This, in itself, however, is well worth the experience. Here, you’re 460 feet above the strip and all of life’s passing parade is down below you. Jostle for a good view, and take a picture well-worth remembering. This is Vegas, after all.

-Hudson

Where to Find the Best Views in Las Vegas from Las Vegas Things to Do

Deluxe Grand Canyon West Rim Airplane Tour

Viator — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:55:12 +0000

Talk about juxtaposition─the journey by plane from the staggering artificiality of the Las Vegas Strip to the jaw-dropping spectacle of the Grand Canyon is one transition that underlines the vivid allure that each has to offer in its own unique way.

Air tours of the Canyon‘s west rim make it possible to take in the astonishing vistas like a true VIP. The flight alone is worth the ticket price, allowing passengers to gape at country that has been sacred to the Hualapai Indian tribe for time out of mind.

Upon arrival, those untroubled by a fear of heights (as it happens, very little of this itinerary is likely to be appealing to those thusly afflicted) can venture out onto the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a glass-bottomed, horseshoe shaped cantilever bridge that extends out more than 4,000 feet above the canyon floor. Before returning, you’ll visit a Native American village and examine traditional dwellings, goods, and ceremonial practices before proceeding to Guano Point overlooking the canyon for a delicious Haulipai BBQ lunch.

The highlight of the trip comes in the form of flight aboard a premier ECO-Star helicopter that whisks the willing below the canyon rim and down to an exclusive landing sight on a remote bluff just 300 feet above the Colorado River (note: those prone to motion sickness should consider thinking twice about this last option, though it’s perfectly safe).

Morning and afternoon departure flights are available, with a variety of pricing options depending on your interest in the available activities. The tour takes approximately six hours from start to finish.

-Viator Travel Team

Deluxe Grand Canyon West Rim Airplane Tour from Las Vegas Things to Do

Hop-on Hop-off Tours in Las Vegas

Viator — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:03:32 +0000

Your ride is here!

There’s no doubt about it: there’s plenty to do in Las Vegas. So much so that all the sights and sounds can distract you and get a bit confusing. What’s the difference between the old strip and the new strip? What’s the Golden Nugget and where did Frank Sinatra sing again? Is there still a Sahara? Where did we park? If you’re new to Las Vegas, I recommend taking the trouble out of your stay and checking out a Hop-on Hop-off Tour.

All will become clear to you high atop these iconic double-decker buses. Live and engaging commentary highlights all the long history of Las Vegas, its mob origins, its corporate buy-outs and the gambling halls of fame. On sunny days, little can beat a funny tour guide and seeing all that Vegas has to offer (and without all the wear and tear on your feet!).

The Hop-on Hop-off tour buses have two routes and 13 convenient sightseeing stops along the way in order to allow you the best access to all of Las Vegas’ star attractions. Buses come every thirty minutes, so you can rest assured that you won’t be in want of one for long (plus, their double-decker size helps to see them coming and going for a few hundred yards).

The tours offer unlimited riding for one or two consecutive days, and stop at the most interesting and convenient downtown Las Vegas attractions, including the Atomic Testing Museum, Bally’s Las Vegas, Circus Circus, the Fabulous Las Vegas Welcome Sign, the Golden Nugget, and many more. For additional information on ticket pricing and bus routes, head on over to Viator’s Las Vegas Hop-on Hop-off Tour page and see all that there is on offer.

-Hudson

Hop-on Hop-off Tours in Las Vegas from Las Vegas Things to Do

Top Museums in Las Vegas

Viator — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:37:17 +0000

Take a break from the bright lights

While the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip entices tourists from far and wide to try their hand with lady luck, there is actually a lot more to do and see in Vegas than its colorful television campaigns would give it credit for. The varied and diverse array of museums available stands out as one avenue of tourism often overlooked.

Let’s not forget that Las Vegas is a bustling city, the largest in Nevada in fact, and so it is here that you’ll find so many of Nevada’s cultural landmarks. Art exhibits, artifacts, native demonstrations – all these and more await you should you chose to indulge yourself in a little Nevada history. A brief rundown of Las Vegas’ top museums is as follows:

The art exhibit at the Bellagio: You don’t have to stray far to get a little culture. You don’t have to stray at all, in fact: the Bellagio has an in-house fine art collection that rivals many multi-million dollar international art museums.

Mob Museum: This museum just off Highway 95 is perhaps the newest addition to the list and details the intricacies of the mob’s extensive influence in Las Vegas’ history. It is a current highlight of the town.

The Atomic Testing Museum: Located on 755 E. Flamingo Road, this one provides multiple viewpoints of the Nevada Nuclear Test Site and its impact on the world. A highly interactive experience, learn here about the deadliest weapon in man’s history.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum: This private non-profit museum is well-loved for its large selection of dinosaurs and large land mammals. Kids and adults go to 900 North Las Vegas Boulevard to explore it on a daily basis.

And many more, including the Hoover Dam Museum, the Clark County Museum, the LIED Discovery Children’s Museum, and others. With so many options, consider the Las Vegas Strip second fiddle.

-Hudson

Top Museums in Las Vegas from Las Vegas Things to Do

Romance in Las Vegas

Viator — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:01:21 +0000

The King knows a thing or two about romance

Found yourself in Las Vegas for a couples’ retreat? Don’t know where to turn? Fear not. The City of Sin need not be all wild late-night revelry. You’ll soon find that Vegas is not really interested in decadence (though its nickname does suggest otherwise). What Las Vegas is really interested in is accommodation, and if you’re a love-struck couple looking to get away, no place can accommodate like Las Vegas.

Romantic rooms

First, consider where you’re going to be staying. There are plenty of options in Vegas, from the fabulously extravagant to the bare-bones strictest budget. The Bellagio has the market on upper chic. With fountains galore and a staff which is accustomed to cater to its guests every whim, it’s definitely a nice choice. Alternatively, the Eiffel Tower offers a romantic view of the same Bellagio fountains and costs a fraction of their room fees.

Drinks with a view

And while views are being discussed, it is always nice to take your loved one to a special spot to watch the sunset, the lights of Las Vegas come alive as darkness sets, and to sip cocktails at your leisure. Aside from the views inside at the Eiffel Tower, the Stratosphere Tower’s observation deck has, perhaps, the best views of all of the Vegas strip. The Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay would be a close third. Restaurants with added nice views include Prime and Jasmine in Bellagio, Mix at THEhotel, or Moon high atop the Palms.

Romantic things to do

Other romantic highlights include riding gondolas down the river running through the Venetian, taking in a show (either “LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil or “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular” are always favorites), or eating your hearts out (pun intended) at one of Vegas’ many fine restaurants. And if you really want to take your romance to the next level, there’s always plenty of wedding chapels available for the eager lovebirds who just can’t wait – Elvis for the kitsch crowd, the Bellagio for the elegant, even drive-through for the speedy. After all, it’s Vegas. It will accommodate.

-Hudson

Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s Las Vegas tours and things to do, Las Vegas attractions, and Las Vegas travel recommendations, or book a private tour guide in Las Vegas for a customized tour! Searching on your phone? Bookmark our “O” Cirque du Soleil mobile page for quick and easy access on the go.

Romance in Las Vegas from Las Vegas Things to Do

El Dorado Canyon and Gold Mine Trip

Viator — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:44:42 +0000

One of the most beautiful sites in Nevada and best national parks in the country, El Dorado Canyon is a rock climber and hikers dream. Complete with scenic places to have a picnic, fish or just stroll, you will never forget the towering mountains of this natural wonderment, and on this spanning tour it gets the more better, as you do it on a state of the art ATV.

Drive the fully automatic 4WD ATV, and zoom through multicolored rock formations as you approach the mighty Colorado River on your way from Las Vegas. Then its off for a guided tour of the famous and historic Techatticcup gold mines, where prospectors over a hundred years ago worked one of the most dangerous professions in the world as they would uproot gleaming and valuable gold. When you reach Old West Town it is time for wonderful picnic lunch under a covered exhibition area to the sound of the roaring natural springs nearby.

This tour is all-inclusive, with professionals ready to teach you how to use your ATV, with helmets, goggles and all the protective gear provided, not to mention pick-up and drop your hotel in Las Vegas. The tour last approximately 6 hours, and depending on the season will depart at either 7:00am or 9:00am.

There really is nothing more exciting than driving a tough terrain vehicle over the rocky dirt path blanketed by the blue open-skies, the mighty river to one side and the majestic mountains to the other.

- Viator Travel Team

El Dorado Canyon and Gold Mine Trip from Las Vegas Things to Do

Justin and Jenny’s Grand Canyon Tour

Viator — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:32:51 +0000

Karen, Jenny and I in front of the aircraft

Jenny and I had been in Las Vegas for 3 days already, and had done the whole tourist thing. We had wandered the strip for days, visited the casinos, the restaurants, the hotels. We were exhausted, and felt like we had the entire Vegas experience. There was one thing left for us to do, and it was our Grand Canyon Day Trip.

We were looking forward to this tour the entire trip. Even though we were running on 4-5 hours of sleep a night, we were up before our alarms even went off. We received a courtesy call from the driver Buddy, with a friendly reminder to meet at the front of the hotel at 11am. He was early to pick us up, and we were off to the airport!

The hangar that we arrived at was extremely cool! There were displays set up with all kinds of flight memorabilia, everything from the Aces of the World Wars, to helmets and badges from real pilots. While waiting for our pilot, there was a lot for us to do. A Billiards table, a Dart board, couches and magazines, we felt right at home.

Our pilot Karen greeted us, and made sure all of the passengers were comfortable and gave us all of the safety information. I was a little nervous, as I’ve never been on a small plane before, but she dispelled that very quickly! We also had a few guests on board that didn’t speak a single word of English, and she handled them very professionally. She switched their headsets over to Spanish so that they could understand everything just as the rest of us did!

Strapped into the plane and ready to go!

Every seat was a window seat, and we each had our own virtual tour guide. We were supplied with a set of headphones and a remote. At certain points during the trip, Karen would signal us to push a number on our remote that corresponded with what we were flying over.

After a short trip, we landed at a small airport at the edge of the canyon. We had amazing views of it as we landed, it was much larger than either of us expected. In the terminal, we were given vouchers for the bus ride between the viewpoints, and one for lunch also. We received a briefing from Karen of the two locations we would go to see, and what time we should be back. We loved the freedom we were given on the tour! We could spend as much time at either viewpoint, and simply had to return on time for the flight back.

The bus followed a winding road along the edge of the canyon. It was a spectacular view! Jenny and I jumped up and switched seats so that we could look out the window down into the canyon. We approached Eagle Point, our first viewpoint, and home of the Skywalk!

The first thing that struck us was the freedom of the canyon. No railings, no off-limits ropes, and all the time we want to explore. We walked right to the cliff edge and sat down and dangled our feet! The next thing that surprised me was the amount of wildlife! This is no desolate desert. There is life everywhere! Scurrying around the edge of the canyon were tons of chipmunks and birds, running in and out of the small bushes and cacti.

Eventually we pulled ourselves away so that we could go find some lunch. We hopped back on the bus and headed for Guano Point.

There was a café at Guano point that took really good care of us. We were greeted by a staff member who came out of the building to greet us with a big grin on his face, and welcomed us in for lunch. He was extremely friendly, and really went above expectations in interacting with his guests! I honestly wasn’t expecting much for lunch, seeing as it was the middle of the desert… then was very surprised to be served BBQ pork, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes with gravy, and green beans. It was a fantastic lunch! The seating area pushed it to the next level. There were picnic benches set up around the café, some of them extending right to the edge of the cliff. We chose the closest one to the Canyon edge, and sat and watched the birds land and take off from bushes growing down the canyon.

Hoover Dam

We put our hiking faces on and headed away from the café to climb up some rocks to the highest point we could find. We stopped for some pictures, and really had no idea how high up we were, until we started to see helicopters fly by… underneath us! They were flying through the canyon, and put everything in perspective. The sheer scale was just unbelievable. There is nothing in the world like it.

We checked our watches, and reluctantly headed back to the bus. It was time to take off and head back to lights and sounds of Las Vegas. The sun was beginning to set just as we took off from the runway. I watched the shadow of the aircraft slip over the dirt and boulders until it disappeared into the canyon. We said our goodbyes to Eagle and Guano point, as we watch the landmarks disappear from the air one after the other.

Our tour changed the pace of our trip for just one day. We forgot about the neon lights, the LCD screens, the thousands of people, and even the Superbowl that was playing on every screen in the city that day. I will never be able to tell stories of my trip to Las Vegas without talking about the experiences we had at the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been to a place where “freedom” was really so free. Thank you for the tour, from Jenny and I. We will never forget it!

- Justin Martell

Justin and Jenny’s Grand Canyon Tour from Las Vegas Things to Do

[CONTEST] Win 2 tickets to a Top Gun and Air Combat Experience!

Viator — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:25:34 +0000

Enter to win 2 tickets for the ultimate Las Vegas adrenaline rush! Fly like a fighter pilot and learn basic fighter maneuvering skills on our Top Gun and Air Combat Experience–you’ll twist and turn through the air on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

About the Tour

Win 2 tickets for a Top Gun and Air Combat Experience!

The winner of this contest will receive two tickets to the “Top Gun Experience” option.

First you’ll have a 30-minute briefing in aerobatics and maneuvering with your pilot.Then you’ll begin your Top Gun flight! Fly with an actual fighter pilot and learn the art of basic fighter maneuvering. You’ll fly in the most advanced aerobatic airplane in the world, the Extra 330LC. With a certified flight instructor in back, you’re taught aerial combat skills and you’ll do basic maneuvering and aerobatics including loops, rolls, stalls and spins before ending with advanced aerobatics like snaps rolls, hammerheads and tumbling.

How to Enter

To enter to win two tickets to a Top Gun and Air Combat Experience, visit our Las Vegas Facebook page and select the “Las Vegas Giveaway” tab. Tell us in 10 words or fewer “Why you want to go on this tour” and hit the “submit” button to be entered into the contest. (Note: You must “Like” our fan page in order to vote.)

The contest closes on March 23, 2012 – so hurry!

- Viator Travel Team

Terms & Conditions: Our staff will pick the entry that we think best answers the question above. We are giving away 2 free tickets for a Top Gun and Air Combat Experience (Top Gun Experience option). Tickets must be used in 2012. Airfare, taxes and any other expenses not specifically listed above are not included. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be sold or redeemed for any cash value.

[CONTEST] Win 2 tickets to a Top Gun and Air Combat Experience! from Las Vegas Things to Do