10 MUST VISIT Places in Vegas From a Local’s Perspective

When you live in Vegas, you always have friends from out of town visiting or tourists asking you where the best places are to eat, see, shop, etc. We love our town and are thrilled to offer our opinion on the “can’t miss” experiences! Not many people outside of Vegas realize there’s a wealth of culture and community outside of The Strip and its dazzling lights. While the casinos have plenty to offer and definitely should be on your itinerary when visiting, I want to offer up some fun things to see whether you’re here to shop ‘til you drop, experience nature’s glory, or party like a local. So take it from a team who’s proud to call Vegas home and schedule one of these events into your trip, you’ll be glad you did and you can always thank us later J

IF YOU WANT TO SPEND THE DAY LIKE A LOCAL

Downtown Container Park- A new mixed use space located Downtown that offers 32 LOCAL startups, small businesses, and eateries. Whether you want to find a truly unique piece you won’t find anywhere else or play in the massive treehouse (yes, adults can slide down the 33’ slide too!), you can spend the day mixin’ and minglin’ with the local folks. Afterwards, make sure to check out the bands playing on the stage and grab a drink at one of the bars! *Keep the party going and check out the other too-cool-for-school bars in the East Fremont district*

The Neon Museum-We love discovering the crazy history of our fair city and even better if it includes lots of cool lights and crazy art! This museum promises to not be a snoozefest (my goodness, we’ve had enough lights to power a small country!) and makes for some awesome impromptu photo shoots.

IF YOU WANT TO SHOP LIKE THERE’S NO TOMORROW

Fashion Show Mall- It’s the biggest mall in Vegas and offers a great mix of high end boutiques like Louis Vuitton and Bally’s to street trend staples like Topshop, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21. There’s also a full sized runway in the middle of the mall where they put on daily fashion shows and events. Truly a must visit for any fashionista!

Downtown Las Vegas Premium Outlets- My oh my, you better have an extra suitcase ready when you come here. This outdoor outlet features some of the hottest brands at crazy discounted prices. Hit up stores like American Apparel, DVF, Burberry, Nike, and Coach and shop without the guilt!

IF YOU WANT TO PARTAY LIKE IT’S 1999

Cosmopolitan/Marquee- While locals usually stay off the Strip unless they work there or have friends in town, the Cosmopolitan stands out as a place to see and be seen for locals and tourists alike. The decidedly hip and young décor lends itself to partying the night away and chattin’ it up with some hotties. The mega-club Marquee guarantees to keep you dancing until the wee hours of the night with world renowned dj’s and 4 different themed rooms that will surely have something everyone will enjoy. *Make sure to check out the lounge-esque “Library” room and play a game of pool while sipping your Sazerac, you fancy pants you*

Britney Spears “A Piece of Me”- This show takes “screaming like a schoolgirl” to a whole new level. Get ready to relive the awesome 90’s and early 2000’s and belt out your fav Britney tunes at this intimate show. If you’re a baller, make sure you snag one of the VIP tables (complete with bottle service) up front and get some up close Brit Brit time! *squeeeeel*

IF YOU WANT A BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP TO YOUR PHOTOS

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens- The Bellagio gardens feature several breathtaking exhibits a year which boast grand scale scenes done almost entirely IN FLOWERS. For example, during Chinese New Year, they had life-sized sculptures of Chinese children dressed in traditional outfits done completely in different flowers! It’s incredibly gorgeous and makes for some serious photo ops!

Red Rock Canyon- Vegas is surrounded by mountains and one of the most strikingly beautiful is Red Rock. Come here to hike, have a relaxing picnic, and soak in the amazing scenery.

IF YOU WANT TO EAT UNTIL YOUR PANTS EXPLODE

Bacchanal Buffet- Seriously, wear your stretchy pants for this one! This buffet boast over 500 DELICIOUS food offerings daily and a dessert bar to die over. Whether you’re in the mood for oxtail fries, tamales, or mochi ice cream, this buffet has everything and you’ll be so stuffed you might even have to take a nap afterwards, so schedule appropriately ;)

Chinatown- If you ever wanted to visit China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam but never had the disposable income to jet set, you have to take a trip here and eat like you’re touring Asia! Some of the best local eateries are housed here which employ chefs that win awards like no one’s business. If you’re visiting soon and want some personal recommendations, leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to tell you some of our favorite places! *Click on the hyperlink for a great list of restaurants by local journalist Brock Radke*