If you are planning a trip to Vegas for the first time (or even second or third time!), you’re undoubtedly excited about exploring a destination that is absolutely packed with attractions and entertainment. And while Vegas did experience a drop-off in inactivity due to the pandemic, it has quickly gotten back to its buzzing ways, with Statista.com reporting that some 32 million people visited in 2021. These people visit for all manner of reasons –– some looking to pamper themselves in spas, some seeking winnings at the slot reels and poker tables, and others hungry for the thrill of live entertainment and nightclubs. The truth of the matter, really, is that there’s almost too much to do in Vegas. That’s all the more reason to plan ahead though, which is why we’ve written up some important considerations for your trip.
Delicious Dining Goes Beyond Celebrity Chef Haunts
The dining scene in Vegas is world-class, though inevitably the celebrity chefs tend to grab the headlines. From Gordon Ramsay to Wolfgang Puck, most of the biggest names in cuisine own and/or operate establishments in Las Vegas. Without a doubt, it’s fun to check these places out (Bazaar Meat by Jose Andrés at the Cosmopolitan would be our pick). But it’s also important to recognize that there are plenty of great restaurants that aren’t run by famous chefs, also.
One example of just such a restaurant that’s popular with locals is the mom-and-pop spot Nora’s Italian Cuisine, located on Flamingo Road west of the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a charming place serving up southern Italian dishes derived from Nora’s family recipes. Another great choice if you feel more like a traditional steak dinner is Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, located on Paradise Rd to the east of the Strip. You won’t find a better classic American steakhouse in town (and be sure to ask them about their signature James Bond table, which opens up to reveal hand-etched wine bottles representing 18 Bond films).
We could go on with restaurant recommendations, but the idea is to look past the celebrity headlines –– because there are lots of great places to explore (usually much more affordable!).
Poker Still Feels Prestigious
Even though slot machines dominate the casino resort gaming floors, and there are tons of different types of games in general, there’s still an almost inexplicable pleasure to sitting down to play poker in Las Vegas; it feels like the quintessential Sin City gaming experience, enjoyed by figures from Frank Sinatra to Phil Hellmuth, and countless others in between. Yes, these poker tables can feel somewhat casual these days (you’re not exactly wearing a tux and sipping a martini), but there’s still at least a vague sense that you’re on the hallowed ground while you play.
As for specific spots to check out, the Bellagio and Aria have some of the most famous poker rooms in Vegas (as well as some of the most competitive). They can be a little bit intimidating, but if you’re in it for the experience you’ll enjoy either one. And if you play within your means and stick to your strategy, you never know when you might come out on top! Then again, if you’re concerned, Excalibur and the Mirage tend to offer more beginner-friendly poker games.
The Sports Scene Is Emerging
These days, there’s plenty of competition to enjoy beyond the casino games as well –– specifically in the form of an emerging sports scene. Most notable, perhaps, is the local pro hockey team. Poker.org’s look at exciting things to do in Las Vegas outlines how “after the poker game folds,” hockey was an afterthought in Sin City just a few years ago. But with the addition of the Las Vegas Golden Knights as the NHL’s newest expansion team, the city has gone wild for the sport, and live games are a blast.
If you’re visiting during the summer or fall though (remember, hockey takes place throughout the winter and into spring) you have other great options as well. The NBA’s Summer League takes place in Vegas, and sees many of the most exciting young basketball players in the world competing, with tickets available on the cheap. As for the fall, Vegas now has its own NFL team too, with the Raiders having relocated to the desert in 2020.
In short, if you enjoy live sports, you have some new and exciting experiences to consider on your trip to Vegas.
There’s A Lot To Do Outside
If you’re not one for the poker tables and live sports don’t grab you (or nothing’s scheduled during your visit), one of the easiest ways to enjoy yourself in town is simply to walk around! The Strip is world-famous for a reason, and there are few places in the U.S. where you can enjoy such a whirlwind of sightseeing in one compact location. For starters, most of the major casinos have their own unique themes, which in turn make for all sorts of bizarre and impressive sights. You’ll pass by replicas of Roman architecture (at Caesars Palace), New York City skyscrapers (at New York-New York), the Eiffel Tower (at Paris Las Vegas), and even Egypt’s Sphinx and Great Pyramid (at The Luxor). And that’s before you even get to the people-watching –– which is, shall we say, interesting.
If you’d rather venture a little farther from the main action, meanwhile, there are great hiking options as well. Vegas may be “in the middle of the desert,” as it’s often described, but it also happens to be close to some beautiful state parks and reserves you can explore at your leisure. Valley of Fire State Park, Red Rock Canyon, and Lake Mead in particular is worth looking into.
You Can Find Fun Off The Strip
With a lot of tourists from younger generations in particular exploring Vegas beyond the Strip, many have discovered the Fremont Street Experience in recent years. This is where a lot of locals go as well to walk around, listen to live music, enjoy some more casual drinking and dining experiences, and enjoy a generally festive atmosphere (complete with musical light shows at certain times of night).
Fremont Street is actually not a new area, but rather one of the city’s more lasting attractions, in a sense. In fact, as a piece on Fremont Street at LasVegasMagazine.com notes, the area was originally opened to “horse and buggy traffic” way back in 1905! But it was in the early 2000s, with the addition of Viva Vision (the multisensory attraction that covers the top of the pedestrian walkway) that Fremont Street began to evolve into what it is now. Today, it’s one of the most enjoyable corners of the city.
Visiting Las Vegas always makes for an exciting, fun-filled trip. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do, considerations like those above might just help you to sort through it all and find your way to some particularly memorable experiences. We hope this has been helpful, and for more travel content, please visit us here at MarineFox.com again!

