Words by Carlie Tucker
Las Vegas draws travellers from all of the world with the promise of unadulterated fun. It doesn't matter if you're in town for 24 hours or two weeks, your time will be packed with experiences that can't be found anywhere else. In the 'Entertainment Capital of the World', your options for fun are only limited by your own imagination.
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Where To Eat
As a city dedicated to excess, it probably comes as no surprise that Las Vegas offers up an incredibly diverse range of restaurants, diners and eateries. And while there is more than a fair share of over-the-top buffets, there's also an equally impressive fine dining scene that has drawn some of the top chefs in the world. Whether you want to eat your way from one end of the spectrum to the other, or you're happy to munch somewhere in between, here are the top spots to eat in Las Vegas.
Breakfast
Any hotel on the Strip will likely offer a quality start to the day given they all offer up restaurants and buffets aplenty. Speaking of the latter, the Wynn offers up the best breakfast buffet in the city in an Alice and Wonderland-esque dining area. Though, it's definitely worth going off Strip to kick the day off. The BabyStacks consistently ranks at the top of many locals' lists, serving up their famous red velvet pancakes (complete with chocolate crumbles and cream cheese syrup).
Lunch
After a hefty breakfast, you may be in the mood for something a bit lighter. You can't go wrong with Sushi Roku in Caesars Palace. Not only does this moody lunch spot offer incredible views of the Strip, there's also a satisfying list of lunch specials to choose from. For something a bit different that also serves up amazing views, head to the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel and Casino. French-inspired favourites are on the menu, prepared by acclaimed chef J. Joho.
Dinner
Finish your time in the city of excess by going all out at Hash House A Go Go. Billed as 'twisted farm food', this restaurant offers up classic American diner dishes on a jumbo scale. Think buttermilk biscuits bigger than your face and their famous one pound (2.2 kilogram) stuffed burgers. Alternatively, Beauty & Essex on the Strip is decidedly more down to earth on the portion front. Headed up by Chris Santos, this menu does everything from fresh poke salads to Oven Braised Chicken Meatballs.
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Where To Stay
Most travellers head straight for the Strip when looking for accommodation in Las Vegas, but it's worth looking off the Strip for better deals. For example, book a room at the Hyatt Place Las Vegas through your FCBT Travel Manager and you'll receive complimentary WiFi, breakfast and airport shuttle services with your stay. This SmartSTAY hotel also happens to be a mere six minutes from the Strip, which means you're never far from the action.
Designed to make your time on the road more convenient and comfortable, this business traveller-friendly hotel offers up three different room configurations to choose from. All have been newly renovated to offer fresh, modern interiors with Hyatt Grand beds, granite ensuites and a signature Cozy Corner sitting area. There are also connectivity panels to easily keep your devices topped up.
Beyond the comfort of the room, guests are treated to a number of additional services that can definitely come in handy. This includes the Odds & Ends and Kitchen Skillet. The former lets you buy, borrow or use free of charge all those little items you may have forgotten. The latter provides early starters with hot and cold breakfast items from 6am at no extra charge!
Where To Play
Kick your day of sightseeing off at the Strip. The crowds will be minimal, which makes it easier to get around to all of the unique hotels. Try your luck at any one of the casinos, or head to the likes of the Venetian for some of the city's best shopping. Window shop along the cobblestone paths or drift along the canals in an authentic Italian gondola.
Once you've had your fill of the Strip, it's worth getting away from the mega resorts to explore some of the city's other unique offerings. This includes a swathe of completely unique museums. Head to the Downtown area to kill an hour or two at the Mob Museum or take a guided tour through Vegas of old at the Neon Museum. The former tells the tale of organised crime in the US from both sides of the law, while the latter showcases some of the most unique neon signs to ever grace Sin City.
As the evening approaches, it's worth heading to Fremont Street for a little night time fun. Perhaps the second most famous street in the city, this pedestrian only area offers up impersonators and casinos galore. Just don't forget to look up for the illuminated light show across the canopy that covers the street. And, if you're a bit of a thrill seeker, there's a zipline experience that will see you soaring over the crowds.
Speaking of thrills, if you want to up the adrenaline ante, there's no better place than the Stratosphere. Not only is this hotel and casino the tallest freestanding observation tower in the US, it features four hair-raising thrill rides at the top. This includes the Sky Jump (a controlled 'freefall' over the side of the tower), Big Shot (amusement ride that blasts you 160 feet straight up), Insanity (a claw-like ride that dangles you over the edge of the tower, spinning you around as you look straight down) and the X-Scream (a car that catapults you over the edge of tower before snapping you back to the tower for another go).
There's no finer finish to a day in Vegas than standing at the front of the Bellagio Fountains. Watch in awe as powerful jets of water shoot into the air in a choreographed music, water and light show. The fountains go off every half an hour from 3 to 8pm and every 15 minutes from 8pm to 12am.
