Welcome, MAGIC attendees! We know you won’t always be enjoying the latest in furnishing trends at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so we’ve compiled a resource to help you make the most of your downtime while you're in town—time-saving tips, the best places to eat (and recommended dishes for each) and much more. Enjoy!
Attractions
Bally’s
Real Bodies at Bally’s A fascinating display of preserved human bodies shows what makes us tick, divided into sections like Rhythm, Move, Think, Love and Beginnings. A place for serious introspection.
Bellagio
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Check out the current exhibit running through Sept. 30: I Am the Greatest: Muhammad Ali. Browse unseen footage, photographs and personal artifacts of the famed boxer and cultural icon.
Conservatory and Botanical Garden Get lost in a world made of flowers. The current exhibit, Tour of Italy, boasts 57,000 flowers that make up the scenic European display along with 560 shrubs, 52 trees and thousands of ivy.
Fountains of Bellagio Watch the water dance to music throughout the day and pretend you are in any number of movies that have showcased it, most notably Ocean’s Eleven.
Circus Circus
Adventuredome Boasting 5 acres of indoor fun, this theme park has roller coasters, kid-friendly rides, 4-D theater, laser tag, bumper cars and more.
Carnival Midway and Circus Acts Perhaps there is no more fun way to spend a few hours than by watching clowns and playing old-school games while trying to win prizes.
Flamingo
Wildlife Habitat This free attraction transports you to exotic worlds. Check out flamingos, ringed teal ducks, sacred ibis, swans, turtles, pelicans and many more spread across the lush 15-acre grounds.
Golden Nugget
Shark Tank Tour Marine biologists lead expeditions at the 200,000-gallon shark tank. It’ll be shark week every week as you learn more about these unique creatures and get a behind-the-scenes look.
The Linq
Auto Collections Not only do you get to see antique, famous and historic cars, but you can actually buy them. There are more than $100 million worth of spectacular machines on display here.
The Linq Promenade
High Roller The world’s highest observation wheel—550 feet tall—allows tourists to relax in spacious domes as they get some of the best views in the city. You can even ride a pod with a fully stocked bar for a memorable happy hour!
Luxor
Bodies ... The Exhibition An exploration of all aspects of the human body. Through a process called plastination, bodies are displayed in various states of activity, from simple movements to sports.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition History buffs will love this comprehensive, multiroom tour with artifacts, pictures and even a huge piece of the ship.
Mandalay Bay
Shark Reef Aquarium Yes, it has sharks, but there’s much more. Exotic and rare fish, lush scenery and even the opportunity to touch stingrays.
MGM Grand
CSI: The Experience Who are you? If the answer is someone who has the ability to catch a killer, use your crime-solving skills in forensic crime labs.
Topgolf Las Vegas It’s like golf meets dance club with food, drinks and live music. Even folks who aren’t golf fans will find plenty to enjoy here.
The Mirage
The Mirage Volcano This free attraction erupts on Las Vegas Boulevard nightly, giving tourists and locals an impressive neon cascade of “lava”—water illuminated with multicolored lights—and an exciting soundtrack.
Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat Options include Trainer for a Day, Painting with the Dolphins and Yoga with the Dolphins. You also can see tigers, lions and leopards, but sorry—no yoga available with them.
New York New York
The Big Apple Roller Coaster Want to do a loop-the-loop and see a replica of the Statue of Liberty? This coaster, which actually goes through the hotel and around the exterior, is a thrill ride with an awesome view of the Strip.
Paris
Eiffel Tower Experience The Observation Deck of the Eiffel Tower is 46 stories up and offers a 360-degree view of the city—perfect to share with that special someone. It’s also a great place to catch one of the Bellagio fountain shows.
Hexx Chocolate Tasting and Tour This shop offers you the chance to see cacao beans turned into chocolate, try single-origin chocolate and satisfy your sweet tooth. And the 24-hour Hexx restaurant features the chocolates in many of its desserts.
Rio
KISS by Monster Mini Golf Rock ’n’ roll all night and party every day while sharpening your putting skills in an environment inspired by America’s favorite costumed band.
VooDoo Zipline Start at the VooDoo Lounge 50 stories up and end 800 feet away at the Ipanema Tower. Then you get to do it all again—but backwards.
Stratosphere
Insanity, Big Shot and X Scream Three rides, all more than 1,000 feet up in the air. Swing out over the side on Insanity, shoot to the top of Stratosphere on Big Shot and teeter-totter over the edge on X Scream.
Observation Decks At 1,149 feet high, this is the highest free-standing observation tower in the country. Views of all directions of the city will leave you mesmerized.
Skyjump Las Vegas Free fall from 829 feet in the air at over 40 mph in the current world record holder for highest controlled descent. Day, night or sunset jumps will give you the rush you’ve been craving.
Treasure Island
Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. For those who don’t know their comic books, that stands for Scientific Training And Tactical Intelligence Operative Network. Download the app on your iPhone, go deep into the Marvel Universe and come out a S.T.A.T.I.O.N. agent.
The Venetian
Gondola Rides Get your Italian on in these romantic boats as you ride through tunnels and canals inside the mall. Your gondolier will serenade you the entire trip.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas See your favorite stars—sort of. Actors, singers, athletes and politicians all get the famous Madame Tussauds treatment in this museum featuring wax life-size replicas of celebrities. Get your camera out and make like a paparazzi!
Streetmosphere Living statues take things up a notch from Venice Beach, here at St. Marks Square. Artiste del Arte, a band of roving trained musicians, play beautiful music to unsuspecting shoppers.
Fine Dining
Aria
Blossom Choose your own adventure from the 100-plus dishes at this Chinese eatery, everything from kung pao chicken to geoduck two ways. Recommended dish: Peking duck
Bally’s
BLT Steak Indulge in all the trappings of the traditional steakhouse: dry-aged beef, seafood platters, wedge salads and five preparations of potatoes. Recommended dish: Peanut butter chocolate mousse
Bellagio
Harvest by Roy Ellamar Sustainable, seasonal, regional ingredients are the stars. Don’t miss the roving snack wagon serving tasty nibbles of whatever’s fresh. Recommended dish: Roasted octopus
Caesars Palace
Restaurant Guy Savoy For French fine dining, it hardly gets better. Try a tasting and let the kitchen prepare you the meal of a lifetime. Recommended dish: Artichoke and black truffle soup
Circus Circus
The Steak House Serving dry-aged steaks for more than 30 years. If you long for vintage Vegas, you’ll find it alive and well here. Recommended dish: New York strip
Flamingo
Center Cut Steakhouse Want meat? Flamingo’s steakhouse is happy to oblige, with a menu of classic cuts rounded out by accompaniments like jumbo lump crab and stuffed potatoes. Recommended dish: Three-onion soup
Four Seasons Hotel
Veranda Enjoy homemade pastas and Italian specialties on the poolside patio at this airy eatery, known for its weekend brunch spreads, with a diet-demolishing buffet. Recommended dish: Fresh donuts
Gold Coast
Cornerstone A steakhouse meal that won’t blow your budget. Don’t miss the whiskey library’s impressive lineup, including the restaurant’s own blend of Crown Royal. Recommended dish: Cedar-planked salmon
Harrah’s
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Steak comes with sizzle at this American favorite, which serves its cuts on 500-degree plates. Start with crab cakes before getting down to beefy business. Recommended dish: Filet
Luxor
Tender Steak & Seafood A twist on the traditional steakhouse. Not feeling beefy? Consider the bison ribeye or scallops with bacon and quinoa. Recommended dish: Game tasting trio
Mandalay Bay
Aureole Charlie Palmer’s gem exemplifies modern American cooking, with presentations that pull from international influences. Recommended dish: 4x seared bone-in ribeye
MGM Grand
Joel Robuchon Dinner inside the Michelin-starred “mansion” is one to remember, thanks to the sumptuous space, the impressive wine list, the decadent dishes and truly epic bread cart. Recommended dish: The 16-course menu degustation
The Mirage
Fin Modern Chinese gets a stylish setting at Fin, where take out standards are amplified with fresh ingredients and from-scratch sauces. Recommended dish: Mongolian beef
New York-New York
Gallagher’s Steakhouse White tablecloths and red meat, that’s the vibe at this outpost of this N.Y. institution, which specializes in prime beef dry-aged on the premises. Recommended dish: Dry-aged New York strip
The Orleans
Alder & Birch Start with cocktails at this modern take on the steakhouse, then pick and choose sides and starters to build a perfect meal around expertly cooked beef. Recommended dish: Lobster mac
The Palazzo
Lavo Come for the pasta, stay for the party at this Stripside restaurant, where the menu hews toward Italian classics. Recommended dish: The meatball with whipped ricotta
Palms
N9NE Steakhouse Keep an eye out for stars at this celebrity favorite, known for its happy hour and cooking that has a tendency to create regulars from the first visit. Recommended dish: Tomahawk ribeye
Paris
Eiffel Tower Restaurant Some of the Strip’s best views are from this 11th-floor dining room, where Chef Joho delivers fine French fare like foie gras torchon and butter-poached scallops. Recommended dish: Eiffel Tower soufflé
Plaza
Oscar’s The tagline is “beef, booze and broads,” and Oscar’s, named for former Mayor Oscar Goodman, has the first two covered. Start with a gin martini, then explore the varied menu. Recommended dish: Johnny Quinn’s crab cake
The Shoppes at Mandalay Place
RM Seafood The ocean is the star at Rick Moonen’s sustainable seafood spot, where dishes like charred octopus put the water’s bounty on display. Recommended dish: 16 ice cream challenge
SLS Las Vegas
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés Choosing is the hard part at this SLS “meaterie,” where carnivores are beckoned by a bevy of earthly delights. Recommended dish: Suckling pig
Stratosphere
Top of the World Dinner tastes better at 800 feet. Come for the view, but stay for the excellent continental cooking, like lobster thermidor or duck confit with pommes Anna. Recommended dish: Lobster bisque
Tropicana
Bacio Italian Cuisine Transport yourself to a neighborhood trattoria inside Bacio, which means kiss in Italian, where the crowd-pleasing menu is full of familiar plates. Recommended dish: Seafood linguine
The Venetian
Yardbird Southern Table & Bar Consider it Southern cooking with soul and an edge. That means fried green tomato BLTs and deviled eggs with trout roe—creative comfort food. Recommended dish: Chicken ’n’ watermelon ’n’ waffles
Westgate Las Vegas
Edge Steakhouse It’s worth venturing off-Strip for this under-the-radar restaurant where serious steaks are offered alongside more exciting fare and the wine list has earned awards. Recommended dish: Beef Wellington
Bars
Vista Cocktail Lounge at Caesars Palace This lounge’s technological wonders—LED views of everything from Manhattan’s cityscape to nighttime over the city of Shanghai—are almost as good as its handcrafted cocktails.
Carnaval Court at Harrah’s It’s always a wild time at this outdoor spot that has some of the best flair bartenders in the city. Blackjack tables and live bands add to the excitement.
Minus5 Ice Bar at Mandalay Bay Can’t stand the heat? Step inside this bar made completely of ice. Sip cocktails in ice glasses while donning a parka or faux-fur coat while kicking back in freezing temps.
Level Up at MGM Grand Drinking and gaming collide at this adults-only interactive playground. Try out the world’s largest Pac-Man or Golfstream, an indoor laser golf course, or try your hand at beer pong, life-size Jenga, foosball and more.
The Dorsey at The Venetian Swank, sexy and superb cocktails make up one of the Strip’s newest lounges. The cocktail menu here features some of the best recipes in the city and the low lighting, plush seating and old-school hip-hop sounds make this spot a must-try.
Gilley’s at Treasure Island There’s the bull-riding, beautiful Gilley’s Girls complete with chaps and cowboy hats, line dancing and barbecue. The Stripside country bar is a slice of wild, down-home fun.
Downtown Cocktail Room After you are inside, you’ll experience some of the best cocktail creations in the entire city, and the downtempo beats by live DJs help set the mood for this longtime favorite downtown bar where the hip locals flock.
Atomic Liquors Combine a bit of nostalgia and Vegas history with some of the latest trends in cocktail mixology at one of the city’s first-ever freestanding bars in the culturally revived downtown area.
Happy Hours
107 SkyLounge at Stratosphere Three daily happy hours: 4-7 p.m. get half-priced apps like lollipop chicken wings and 2-for-1 cocktails. Then it’s half-priced apps from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. and 2-for-1 cocktails 1-4 a.m.
Cadillac Bar at Golden Nugget Daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m. with domestic ($3) and import ($4) draft beers, wines by the glass ($5) and margaritas—on the rocks, frozen and fruit-flavored—for $4.
Coyote Ugly at New York-New York Join the daily happy hour from 6-9 p.m. with $5 beers, $6 house spirits and 2-for-1 Jell-O shots. There’s also free line-dancing lessons from 7-8 p.m. Tues.-Wed.
Freedom Beat at Downtown Grand Two happy hours: 2-5 p.m. & 2-5 a.m. Half-off appetizers, $7.50 steak and eggs and half-off draft beer and cocktails.
Blondie’s at Miracle Mile Shops It’s all-you-can-drink well cocktails and domestic drafts for $20 from 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Mon.-Fri.
Click here for a list of great places to pair dining and nightlife.