Las Vegas shows the love in honor of Father’s Day
Fathers frequently get a raw deal on the day supposedly reserved in their honor. But not
in Vegas, baby. Here, we love dad, and we’ve got a ton of things for him to see and do that
are right up his alley, from golf and guns to buffets and shows. Just don’t ask him to
help pay for any of it. He hates that.
IT’s Showtime!
So you say there’s no way Dad would like a stage show? We beg to differ. Try on some of these for size: Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ (MGM Grand, 702.531.2000) features a story line filled with martial arts and warring factions. The Beatles LOVE (The Mirage, 702.792.7777) bends a little more toward the circus, but is backed with concert-quality Beatles music. Other great options include Defending the Caveman (Harrah’s, 702.369.5111), where a man finally does all the talking, and Jersey Boys (Paris, 702.777.7776), where a stark stage set gives the production a masculine feel. Laughter is always the best medicine in Vegas, where comedy clubs reign and stars like Brad Garrett, Rodney Carrington and Bill Engvall show up every couple of months.
Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer
DAD’S GOTTA EAT
A lot of restaurants around town are throwing together special menus in honor of the big guy, and here are a few ideas to get your started. Meat, meat, meat—ain’t it sweet? Take a trip to MGM Grand’s buffet (877.880.0880) where your papa can pile on endless burgundy short ribs, rainbow trout, osso buco and petite steaks. Tender Steak & Seafood (Luxor, 702.262.4778) has a three-course prix fixe menu stacked with Kobe beef offerings or New Zealand ribeye. At Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer (Excalibur, 702.597.7818) partake in the Father’s Day brunch, where chicken-fried steak and steak and eggs are on the menu. At T&T (Luxor, 702.262.5225), for $25 per person, a three-course brunch awaits with highlights like carne asada steak. Over at El Segundo Sol (Fashion Show, 702.258.1211) tableside guacamole, ceviche, and taco platters are standouts. Or do Dad’s Day the French way at Mon Ami Gabi (Paris, 702.944.4224), where duck confit, ham and cheese crêpes and its famous steak frites will fill the happy belly. To whet Dad’s whistle, stop by Gilley’s (Treasure Island, 702.894.7111) for a drink that epitomizes the father-son relationship. When Jacob Beam handed over the family whiskey business to his son David in 1820, the Jim Beam bourbon legacy was born. Gilley’s Kentucky Highball is mixed with CT spiced bourbon (cinnamon-, vanilla bean- and allspice-infused Jim Beam) and topped with Fever-Tree ginger ale. And for a $20 deal for Dad, stop by Rhumbar (The Mirage, 702.792.7615) for a specialty cocktail and house-selected cigar.
Exotics Racing
BLOW OFF SOME STEAM, DAD
Is Dad tired of driving the family car everywhere? Does he secretly yearn to get out on the road and channel his inner Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson? Exotics Racing (702.405.7223) can put him behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche on a 1.1-mile track near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Five miles is the standard, but add-ons are available at a reduced rate. World Class Driving (702.789.0578) gets you in the driver’s seat with guided round-trip tours to the Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon in luxury sports cars. If his taste is firearms, The Gun Store (702.454.1110), Discount Firearms (702.567.1158) and Machine Guns Vegas (702.476.9228) all offer packages to test out any number of automatic weapons in an indoor range, from Tommy guns to the MP5. We know it’s not exactly traditional, but spas offer treatments just for the guys, too, everything from massage to pedicures (some dads swear they’re the best thing invented since the riding lawn mower). Qua Baths & Spa (Caesars Palace, 866.782.0655), in particular, boasts treatments geared specifically toward men, including full-on barber services. And what dad doesn’t like to hit the links? Vegas has some of the best courses around. The Wildhorse Golf Club (702.434.9000), once owned by Howard Hughes, features a challenging course, redesigned in 2004, and is an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, which means there’s plenty of wildlife to look at. Other great courses are Rees Jones-designed Cascata (702.294.2000) and Rio Secco (702.777.2400), and the Revere Golf Club (877.273.8373), with mountain and city views.
