Welcome, CONEXPO/CON-AGG attendees! We know you won’t always be on the convention floor, 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!
Las Vegas Monorail Hot Spots
While you’re in town for the CONEXPO/CON-AGG convention, odds are you’ll have a lot of time available to explore the Las Vegas Strip. One of the best—and most affordable—ways to do that is via the Las Vegas Monorail, which stops at eight resort properties. To help you get the maximum amount of fun out of the Monorail, we’ve assembled a food and beverage tour, complete with recommended restaurants and bars at each property—as well as specific dishes and cocktails.
MGM Grand
Fiamma Trattoria & Bar
Fiamma Trattoria & Bar (Eat) All things Italian find a home here. Fiamma, which means “flame” in Italian, features a fireplace lounge and a book of 700 wines from around the world. Dive into lobster gnocchi or lasagna Bolognese. Recommended dish: Grilled Mediterranean octopus.
Whiskey Down (Drink) Pair a list of 50 whiskies hailing from America, Canada, Ireland and Scotland with blackjack tables and video poker 24 hours a day at Whiskey Down. Quaff rare finds such as the 1960 Scotch whisky The Last Drop or Louis XIII cognac. Recommended drink: Fire in the Hole, made with Grey Goose vodka and Fireball cinnamon whiskey.
Bally’s
BLT Steak (Eat) Head to this steakhouse that also hosts the famous Sterling Brunch on Sundays. Hell’s Kitchen season 15 winner Ariel Malone heads up the kitchen that dishes out Dover sole and a 28-day dry-aged New York strip steak. Recommended dish: Popovers packed with Gruyère.
Indigo Lounge (Drink) Grab a group of friends and go VIP at Indigo Lounge, a nightclub-inspired lounge. Sip a Whisky Smash or Le Palace. Stick around for live entertainment as the night progresses. Recommended drink: the signature Speakeasy.
Paris
Yong Kang Street Dumpling & Noodle House
Yong Kang Street Dumpling & Noodle House (Eat) This Taiwanese-inspired eatery was one of the first restaurants with dim sum carts on the Strip, and features a collection of 20. The pan-Asian menu features congee, roast duck and barbecue pork. Recommended dish: Lobster fried rice.
Napoleon’s Lounge (Drink) Dueling pianos in an old-Vegas setting decked out with red curtains and wood-paneled walls await. Slip the piano
players notes with song requests. Recommended drink: Midnight in Paris with Godiva chocolate liqueur.
Flamingo
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (Eat) Yes, you can order a Cheeseburger in Paradise at this three-level ode to Jimmy Buffett’s incredibly popular hit. Recommended dish: Volcano nachos piled high with cheddar cheese, olives and chili. Make sure to wash them down with souvenir blender cups filled with such things as the tasty Who’s to Blame margarita.
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar (Drink) Right inside the Margaritaville Casino, find this beachy center bar with faux palm trees. A menu of a dozen tequilas, margarita flights and more await. Recommended drink: the Havanas and Bananas with dark rum, Baily’s Irish Cream and creme de banana.
Harrah’s
Oyster Bar at Harrah’s (Eat)
All things seafood are celebrated at this popular hangout, with its 360-degree bar. Order oysters prepared six different ways. Fans love the seafood risotto, while the Bourbon Street jambalaya and Parmesan-crusted halibut are worthy of consideration. Recommended oysters: You really can’t go wrong, but make sure to try barbecue grilled and pico de oysters.
Numb Bar & Frozen Cocktails (Drink) Grab frozen drinks galore at this bar named for the frosty concoctions that may give you brain freeze if you drink too fast. Recommended drink: The Up All Night, an energy drink paired with alcohol, available in souvenir glasses.
The Linq
Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar (Eat) It’s a party paired with American comfort food at the Food Network star’s restaurant. Dip into Vegas fries with spicy buffalo seasoning and blue cheese crumbles or Fireball Whisky Wings. Recommended dish: The Mayor of Flavortown burger topped with pastrami and Swiss cheese.
3535 (Drink) Order one of the 35 infusion concoctions at this bar named for The Linq’s address. Try these cocktails in flights and even as bottle service. Recommended drink: The Mint Oreo martini with Mint Oreo-infused Skyy Vodka and crushed Oreo cookies.
Westgate
Fresco Italiano (Eat)
No passport required to dine at this casual Italian restaurant dressed like a Tuscan-inspired village. Order antipasto from rolling carts dishing table side, then pair pastas and sauces to create your own version of Italian fare, or order classics like chicken rustico. Recommended dish: The bone-in veal chop parmigiano.
International Bar (Drink) Westgate’s casino bar sits in the center of the gaming floor, open 24 hours a day. Lounge seating surrounds the bar, named for Westgate’s former incarnation as the International. Fans love the selection of beers. Recommended drink: 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s Apocalypse IPA.
Katsuya by Starck
SLS
Katsuya by Starck (Eat)
A delicious blend of master sushi chef Katsuya Uechi’s dishes and designer Philippe Starck’s decor. Order specialty dishes such as yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño and baked crab hand rolls. Recommended dish: Spicy albacore sashimi with crispy onion.
Bar Centro (Drink) Head to José Andrés’ bar for speciality cocktails from the Spanish chef. The Med Martinez combines Tanqueray gin, PX sherry, Luxardo Maraschino, sherry vinegar and olive oil. Recommended drink: La Invencible, a blend of Bols Genever, Amontillado sherry, Pedro Ximénez sherry and bitters.
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 Through Feb. 20, the gallery features Town and Country: From Degas to Picasso, featuring painting, prints, drawing and photographs.
Conservatory and Botanical Garden Get lost in a world made of flowers as the display welcomes seasonal displays.
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 classic theme park has two roller coasters and performances by bands, dancers and carolers for the holiday season.
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.
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.
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.
Shark Reef
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 two advanced forensic crime labs.
Topgolf Las Vegas It’s like golf meets dance club while you and your friends enjoy 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.
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 beyond your wildest dreams. 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 above the ground 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 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.
Click here for a list of amazing steaks in Las Vegas.
