Discover Las Vegas from A to Z

Let’s face it: When planning that Vegas vacation, there’s just too much good stuff to choose from. We get it, which is why we’ve compiled a guide using each letter of the alphabet to get you started. Remember: Pace yourself!

A

Time to let off steam? There’s no better place for that than Adventuredome, Circus Circus’ indoor amusement park. Rock, spin, soar and speed with roller coasters and exciting rides, head to the midway for games galore or take the kids to a 4D show—all under the pink glow of Adventuredome’s rose-hued canopy.

B

Get a real rush as you are whisked through New York-New York on the Big Apple Coaster. After a 180-foot climb and a 76-foot drop, travel around the exterior and through the interior of the resort at up to 67 mph, twisting, dropping another 144 feet, going through a 180-degree spiral and a half-loop maneuver. Whoo-hoo! You must be 54 inches to ride the coaster, but if you aren’t, head down to the arcade, where there’s plenty to do at any height.

C

With its seasonally changing botanical exhibits, the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio is a never-ending wonder. This summer, its theme is Japan Journey: Magic of Kansai, and visitors are treated to a host of displays that honor the Kansai region of Japan. Inside the atrium, you’ll see a three-story pagoda, a depiction of Nachi Falls, an enormous walk-through dragon’s mouth, huge butterflies fluttering overhead and a giant Hello Kitty statue that’s the cutest ever ...

D

The dynamic Mexican restaurant Diablo’s at Luxor is especially well-known for its nachos, a piled-high mound with chorizo, pinto beans and a jalapeño cheese sauce. But ordering Diablo’s fish tacos (grilled or battered) or vixen chicken will satisfy you equally. And, of course, a tasty margarita makes the perfect accompaniment.

E

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse opened his upscale seafood restaurant, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, in MGM Grand 25 years ago, expanding to Las Vegas from New Orleans, and today the venue keeps Lagasse’s Creole cuisine as vibrant as when it was first served. Find goodies like broiled oysters, a seafood boil and Emeril’s barbecued shrimp, served with a rosemary biscuit. Like the food, the cocktails kick it up a notch—try the Fish House bourbon smash for a Mint Julep with some “Bam!” thrown in.

F

Light it up! In downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street Experience features the behemoth overhead attraction known as Viva Vision. The light and music show was upgraded earlier this year, and now features 16.4 million pixels. Numerous videos, with music by artists from Imagine Dragons to Linkin Park, play up to eight times a night, starting at 6 p.m., on what is the largest video screen in the world. Visitors can also head to SlotZilla to try out the zipline that swooshes people from one end to the other, either sitting, or superhero-style. Height, weight and age restrictions apply.

G

Get the experience of drifting through the canals in Venice when you take a ride in the gondolas at The Venetian. Although it’s cool for the kids, it’s also perfect for adults. Not only are the visuals sweet, you’ll hear gondoliers serenading you during the ride down the man-made canals throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes, making the ride just that much more interesting. It’s been named one of the most romantic things to do in Vegas, and we’re sure your sweetheart will agree. Ah, mi amore.

H

If you love the Ferris wheels at county fairs, check out the High Roller. This huge observation wheel (the biggest in the world at 550 feet) makes exactly one rotation every half hour, transporting you high over the Linq Promenade. To enter, just step on to the moving pod, and then take in some of the most spectacular views of the Vegas Valley, including the Strip and mountains. Snap photos to your heart’s content, and try riding it both at night and during the day. Ferris wheel? How mundane.

I

Vegas has returned, and so have its pools. For some serious fun, check out Influence, The Pool at The Linq, a 21-and-over dayclub with many amenities to choose from, including cabanas, a separate above-ground pool (called the Shark Tank), daybeds surrounding both pools, and loungers around the other three (6 feet apart, naturally). Get refreshed at the large bar area!

J

Take your Mexican food experience up a notch—or two—at Javier’s at Aria. In addition to a collection of high-end tequilas, Javier’s boasts a huge menu, using only sustainable seafood and the highest grade of Prime Angus beef.

K

Who doesn’t love Hershey’s Kisses? At Hershey’s Chocolate World at New York-New York, you can find all sorts of different flavors of one of the world’s most beloved candies, along with many other Hershey’s products. Spanning 13,000 square feet, the store features a Statue of Liberty made of almost 800 pounds of Hershey’s chocolate (sorry, you cannot eat it!), as well as 800 Hershey’s chocolates and candies. You can also customize your own chocolate bar

L

For one of the best combinations of food and incomparable views, try a meal at Lago by Julian Serrano. While looking at the Fountains of Bellagio through floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoy Serrano’s novel take on Italian food: small plates. This gives you the ability to try more without filling up quickly. Osso buco, potato gnocchi, tomato braised beef meatballs, bass-ricotta stuffed ravioli ... you can have it all.

M

Anxious to get back to shopping after sheltering in place? Head straight to Miracle Mile Shops, a 1.2-mile-long enclosed mall with more than 160 stores and restaurants. Head to MAC Cosmetics or Sephora for beauty products, and H&M, French Connection, Guess or Desigual for the latest fashions. Or grab a bite at Buffalo Wild Wings, Cabo Wabo Cantina, Lobster ME, Nacho Daddy, or PBR Rock Bar & Grill.

N

It’s a worldwide brand, but nowhere is Nobu more memorable than Caesars Palace. For starters, it’s the only Nobu in the U.S. offering teppan tables. From cold dishes like yellowtail jalapeño to hot dishes like black cod butter lettuce, everything is world class.

O

You may be unaware, but for decades Las Vegas has been perfecting the art of oysters. And you can find amazing options at a variety of venues around the Strip and the valley. Start with The Oyster Bar at a variety of Station Casinos, including Santa Fe, Sunset and Palace Station (expect a long wait at the latter, arguably the best place in town for the mollusk), and continue your journey at The Oyster Bar at Harrah’s or Oyster Bay Seafood & Wine Bar at Miracle Mile Shops.

P

F1 drivers of the future can test their skill levels at Pole Position Raceway, an indoor facility where souped-up electric karts powered by 18 horsepower motors reach speeds of up to 45 mph. As long as you’re at least 48 inches tall, prepare for some serious competition—after getting the hang of the physics in your first race, you’ll be aching to get back out on the course, trying to shave tenths of a second off your previous time. Make sure to bring more than one racer along—racing is always more fun with a group. And if you need a break, there’s an arcade with video games and four-way air hockey.

Q

Qua Spa at Caesars Palace is where luxury meets relaxation with some stellar stand-out offerings. Book a massage like the aromatherapy massage, deep tissue surrender or the Hawaiian lomi lomi massage. For facial care try out Cleopatra’s golden goddess facial or the rejuvenating diamond tip microdermabrasion.

R

For a true Irish pub experience, Rí Rá at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place delivers on all fronts—from the space (an actual bar was constructed in Ireland and shipped to Las Vegas) and the food and drink to even the servers. Enjoy a perfect pour of Guinness while listening to visiting Irish bands performing Thursday through Sunday. If you’re hungry, try some rib-sticking traditional dishes like bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, beef and Guinness stew, cider-glazed pork chops and a proper Irish breakfast.

S

If you haven’t heard about the famous Sadelle’s tower offered at this beautiful eatery at Bellagio, then you’re missing out. The tower includes a variety of fresh-made New York-style bagels, smoked salmon, sablefish, sturgeon, whitefish and salmon salads, tomatoes, cucumbers, capers, and cream cheese.

T

Enjoy four levels of open-air hitting bays as you try out your golf swing at Topgolf Las Vegas. Groups can fit comfortably in the oversized bays complete with sofas and lounge chairs. A menu packed with food and cocktail offerings ensures your group can enjoy spending the whole day here.

U

Uno Mas Street Tacos + Spirits at Sahara Las Vegas makes its tortillas fresh daily. Taco offerings include agave-dipped fried chicken, chipotle and beer-battered cod, braised short-rib and citrus-marinated skirt steak, with other items like al pastor fries, chef’s ceviche and a churro dessert.

V

Ever wanted to skydive but were afraid to actually jump out of an airplane? At Vegas Indoor Skydiving, a 1,000-horsepower motor generates wind speeds up to 120 mph, simulating the free-falling feel of skydiving without ever having to hop out of an aircraft.

W

Even though Vegas is nearly 300 miles from an ocean, that doesn’t stop Water Grill at The Forum Shops at Caesars from having some of the freshest seafood in the city. Indulge in shellfish like mussels, shrimp, lobster and oysters, as well as options like wild Spanish octopus and smoked hamachi nachos.

X

Crank up the umami with the XO Green Beans at Noodles inside Bellagio. Crisp green beans are sautéed in a delicious XO sauce, which is a condiment that resembles a relish, typically made with dried seafoods such as shrimp and scallops, which are then cooked with garlic, onion and chili peppers.

Y

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at The Venetian offers serious country cooking, along with a little comfort to spare. Try some of Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, served with a delectable honey hot sauce, or the creamy shrimp n’ grits. Don’t forget a side of bread and butter fried okra.

Z

Three is the magic number at Zuma inside The Cosmopolitan. That’s because you can dine on authentic Japanese cuisine from its three different kitchens: the main kitchen, the sushi counter and the robota grill. True to the izakaya dining style that inspires the restaurant, dishes are served when ready and are designed to share.

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