How to do Vegas for People Who Don’t Do Vegas

How to do Vegas for People Who Don’t Do Vegas

We know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas but what if you’re the type that wants to remember everything? Maybe you’re the kind of person that wants an unforgettable itinerary instead of one to forget. It’s a common misconception that things to do in Las Vegas are usually reduced to buffets and casinos (and other gambles…). In fact, there’s a side to Las Vegas attractions that might make you a regular in no time.

 

Swim the Pools of the Strip

Encore Beach Club
Photo by: Almc1217 (Own work) under license CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Things to do in Vegas include a lot of options to pamper you like an A-lister. We know Lady Luck isn’t for everyone but poolside scenes rarely disappoint. A variety of designer visions against the desert backdrop will transform your outlook. Take advantage of some the most luxuriant pools in America at your pick of 5-star resorts. Most hotel pools don’t require you to be a guest. Simply get a day pass for a lounger or a cabana and indulge in some well-deserved R&R.

 


Head Back to Nature

Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas
Photo by flickr/Bureau of Land Management under license CC BY 2.0

Maybe a few heady days of indulgence will have you feeling like you need the cathartic effects of Mother Nature. Drive 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip for the pleasures of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area: almost 200,000 acres of unique geologic formations, wildlife, hiking trails, horseback riding and picnic areas and more. The Mojave Desert landscape is positively ethereal so bring your camera to snap shots that people won’t believe are from your “Vegas trip.”

 


Get Eco-artsy

The Smith Center Las Vegas
Published with permission, photo by: Geri Kodey/The Smith Center

Fancy yourself an eco-traveler? Visit a building. Green enthusiasts and architecture buffs will appreciate a visit to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the only arts center in the nation to earn Gold LEED certification. LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, awards best-in-class, sustainable architecture. These buildings manage resources more effectively, provide healthier environs for occupants and use clean energy. The gorgeous, Neo-Art Deco building is worth a visit for this reason alone but it also offers a variety of entertainment whether your taste is Broadway productions or Lyle Lovett acoustic, cabaret and more.

 


Indulge Your Inner Foodie

CarneVino_4161
Published with permission, photo by: Kelly Campbell

Las Vegas restaurants expend righteous resources to attract some of the best chefs in the world. Don’t miss out on the latest trends in gastronomy and mixology to satisfy your palate with strange and unique dishes, or even just some amazing interpretations on a classic, like pancakes. Start with a breakfast of red velvet pancakes. You’re welcome. A few pool laps later, you know what’s going to hit the right spot? Oxtail croquets. Hiking the long trail? By the time you get back downtown, you’ll be primed for Mario Batali’s world-famous, 240-day aged Riserva ribeye. If you need one last hurrah, then grab a nightcap of liquid nitrogen cocktails. Your pillow will never feel softer.

So you see, while Las Vegas is best known for certain indulgences, it’s a city that lets you define decadence however you wish. Enjoy!