Hey you! If you’re in Vegas, you’ll find there’s a lot to accomplish—yes, it takes some planning to make relaxing even more effective, but it’s well worth the effort. In Las Vegas Magazine’s ongoing "Day Planner" series, we give you a suggested itinerary to help make the most of your Vegas trip. In this installment, check out the options if you’re staying near Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard South. A few tips: Switch things up by subbing in a new restaurant or attraction, if your first choice is booked. Walking shoes are essential—allow 15 or 20 minutes between destinations; and getting those reservations in early is a must. (Some venues are not open or offer limited hours and menus on weekdays.)
8 a.m.: Good morning! Run a comb through your hair or add a little eyeliner and get yourself over to Aria Patisserie and Pastries, where the concoctions of chocolate, sugar and all things good are ready to greet you and are displayed all around the airy stop. Get a hearty omelet, a creamy yogurt parfait or indulge yourself with a fragrant crepe.
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Amble through Aria and look at the artwork. The Aria Fine Art Collection is located all over the resort and City Center, with sculpture, paintings and large installations. On the Aria website, you’ll find a guide to the pieces. While you are here, do a little gambling, too. The machines are a little less populated during the morning hours. Make your way over to The Shops at Crystals to take in a floating wooden staircase—an amazing artwork. Hermès, Alice & Olivia, Dior and Cartier are just a few of the incredible boutiques here.
1-2:30 p.m.: Head to your lunch at Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood Resort, and work up an appetite on the way over. The famous chef’s burger joint offers an array of dishes, and burgers are just the start—find kettle chip nachos with beef short rib, a fish and crisps burger and the Forest burger, with Tremor cheese, forest mushrooms and duck bacon. This is definitely the place for your first beer or cocktail.
2:30-7 p.m.: Time for a nap! Chill out in your hotel room, or leave your partner and mosey to the casino floor for a little gambling and another drink. If you feel up to it, hike to Eataly at Park MGM, where you’ll find an Italian marketplace with tons of cool things to take home.
7-8:30 p.m.: With so many great options, it’s hard to narrow down your dinner choice, but a reservation at Catch at Aria will not disappoint. Catch’s fabulous beflowered entry is a perfect place for a selfie before you nosh on inventive sushi rolls, sashimi, the delights of a seafood tower or an amazing crispy cauliflower that is so tasty it will have you reconsidering that whole vegan thing.
9-11 p.m.: Depending on how you like your nightlife, you’ll walk on over to the rustic PBR Rock Bar & Grill at Miracle Mile Shops for mules, mojitos or fishbowl cocktails; or to Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails at The Cosmopolitan for inventive drinks with thought-provoking names, like the Danger, which features Suntory Toki Japanese whisky and Cointreau.
Does your pillow call? With such a busy day, we can’t blame you for heading to bed.
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