Las Vegas, baby! City of sin and notorious hedonist playground. If you’re looking for unfiltered debauchery and excess, no doubt Vegas is the best place to be. But this a destination that’s as multifaceted as it is flashy, with a recent surge of hip hotels, nationally acclaimed restaurants, and arty attractions adding a more discerning dose of culture to the Strip and beyond. Here’s where to stay, eat, drink, and do to experience an unexpected side of Las Vegas.
Where to Stay:
Housed within the historic Park MGM resort, the NoMad pulls out all the stops with a vintage-inspired aesthetic that oozes old-world elegance. Each of its 293 boudoir-inspired rooms is beautifully appointed with plush bedding and the spa-like bathrooms are luxurious. World-class amenities include a rooftop pool with stunning views of the city, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a restaurant helmed by award-winning chef Daniel Humm.
Nobu Hotel Las Vegas at Caesars Palace
This distinctive boutique property introduces a serene Japanese influence to the Vegas scene. The wabi-sabi-inspired rooms feature a “stripped down” aesthetic with minimalistic and modern design. Don’t miss a chance to savor some of the best sushi you’ll ever have in your life at chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature restaurant.
Where to Eat:
A carnivore’s dream come true, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés is located inside the legendary Sahara Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The menu includes everything from traditional steaks and chops to tapas-style bites and adventurous dishes like foie gras cotton candy.
With its farm-to-table philosophy and emphasis on local ingredients, Honey Salt in Downtown Summerlin serves up some seriously scrumptious eats with a southern twist. Come for brunch to try the excellent avocado toast with pickled fresno chiles, or dinner for a perfect steak frites with shishito peppers. The cocktails are also something to write home about.
Inside the Wynn, celebrity chef Min Kim reveals the flavors of the Far East with top-notch sushi, sashimi, and modern Japanese specialties surrounded by private Japanese gardens. To enjoy the ultimate outdoor dining experience, request the floating pagoda table at the end of a long dock, directly beneath the waterfall
Also at the Wynn, this lavish supper club inside the ritzy Tower Suites area draws inspiration from Las Vegas’ earliest showrooms in the 1950s with live music, special performances, DJs, and Sunday Night Jazz.
Where to Drink:
Herbs and Rye is a speakeasy-style bar that serves up some of the best rifts on classic cocktails in town. The ambiance is moody and the mixologists are experts at tailoring drinks to your liking.
Located across Las Vegas Boulevard from Hennessey’s Tavern, this intimate speakeasy has a more modern feel to it. The seasonal menu at “D.C.R.” features creative hand-crafted cocktails using homemade bitters and exotic spirits like absinthe.
For a more whimsical experience away from the glitz of the Strip, check out Velveteen Rabbit in the Downtown Arts District. Sisters Pamela and Christina Dylag decked out their tipplers’ lounge with vintage art and furniture—the perfect setting to enjoy libations made from artisanal ingredients like burnt pecan syrup.
With its wood-paneled walls and old-school light fixtures, this Arts District beer hall doubles as a time machine to the Seventies. Come to sample nearly two dozen local and international beers on tap, with 50 more available in bottles and cans.
Rosina
Expect delectable cocktails, crystal chandeliers, and Art Deco flair at this swanky cocktail bar on the Las Vegas Strip.
Where to Gamble:
The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
From classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps to a clutch of slot machines, plus an overall feel that feels swanky to its core, this is one of Las Vegas’s most stylish casinos for gambling.
What to Do:
Since being established in 1998, the 18-block Las Vegas Arts District (a.k.a. 18b) has served as Sin City’s hub of the arts. In addition to hosting an array of galleries, the neighborhood has become home to some of the city’s best vintage shops like Hotflash Designs, eateries like Taverna Costera, and antique stores along Antique Alley.
Just off the Strip, this 200,000-square-foot immersive “bunker” is filled with massive art installations, virtual reality gaming experiences, and eclectic shopping, including a food court.
Soaring 107 feet higher than the London Eye, High Roller NQLas Vegas opened in 2014 as the tallest Ferris wheel in the world—and still holds that title. The thrilling experience, which culminates with captivating 360-degree views 550 feet above the Strip, takes about 20 minutes.
This unique family-friendly shopping center is made entirely of repurposed shipping containers stacked on top of each other, offering a range of boutique shops and restaurants, as well as a kids’ playground and outdoor performance space, a few blocks away from Fremont Street.
Be transported into the clandestine world of organized crime and its far-reaching influence on society through an insider’s perspective on the ongoing power struggle between mob leaders and law enforcement in the United States. Stories are brought to life through multisensory exhibits from those who have witnessed the battle from the front lines of both sides.
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