Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas. The city of entertainment. The city that never sleeps. Famous for its mega hotels and wild clubs, Vegas is a place where you can buy a $7 or a $777 hamburger and it’s a pure magnet for superstars and their entourages. It’s often called a playground for adults where the philosophy is “the bigger the better”. What’s not to love!?
Let me start by introducing myself. I’m Amanda and I work for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority in Sydney. After landing what is perhaps “the best job in the world”, I’ve been to Vegas 5 times in the last 16 months. So what do I do exactly? Well basically I take people to Vegas and show them a smashing time – Hum-Vs, clubs, pool parties, and tickets to amazing shows partnered with plenty of wining and dining. It’s tough but someone’s gotta do it.
This month Oyster Magazine and Las Vegas have joined forces to give you and a mate an amazing ‘Trip2Vegas’ via Honolulu. As a result, I’ve been asked to create this blog for all you Las Vegas virgins.
So, let’s begin this Las Vegas 101 with a list of my top 10. Enjoy!
1. Pool Parties
Pool parties in Vegas are electric and sexy. During my last visit I made it my mission to attend as many pool parties as possible. All hotels in Vegas have king-sized pools and more importantly some hotels throw rockin’ parties when the summer sun comes up. The Ivy is a paddling pool in comparison! Rent a cabana, buy a litre of vodka-Redbull and get ready to get wet ‘n’wild. For loco pool parties check out TAO beach at Venetian, Rehab on Sundays at the Hard Rock hotel, Ditch Fridays at Palms Pool and Wet Republic at MGM Grand. If you want some R & R pools go to Relax on Mondays at the Hard Rock and Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace. Anyone can go to these parties but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for entry and be 21. Unfortunately, the gender double standard is alive and well in Vegas and girls generally pay much less. A guy I met at Rehab paid USD$150 for entry and to skip the line, I paid $20. Ouch!
2. Clubs
The parties in Vegas are off the hook. If you like them big, brash and crazy with DJ’s spinning and scantily clad dancers then listen up because Vegas is calling. Mega club fans should check out LAX and Cathouse at Luxor, PURE at Caesars Palace, Body English and Wasted Space at Hard Rock, Studio 54 and Tabu at MGM Grand, Ghost Bar and Rain at Palms hotel, Bank at Bellagio, Jet at The Mirage and Rok Vegas at New York New York. Sleeping is overrated.
3. Shows
I’ve seen a lot of musicals and shows around the world but the ones I’ve seen in Vegas trump them all. You’ve got the on-going shows from musical legends like Celine and Elton, mind-blowing Cirque Du Soleil shows which are exclusive to Vegas, sexy burlesque performances, showgirl extravaganzas and avant-garde shows like Blue-Man Group. On top of all that you have a myriad of artists who make Vegas a priority stop on their world-wide tours, think Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, The Killers (of course!), sassy comedian Lisa Lampanelli and ‘our Kylie’ to name a few. My only suggestion is to pre-book and check what shows will be on when you’re in town as they sell-out! To search for show dates and line-ups click here.
4. Hummer and Fremont St
Vegas at night is truly amazing (it is known as the brightest city in the world after all!) and there’s no better way to get around than in a pimped-out Hummer whilst sipping Cristal – it just screams Rock Star. You can rent Hummers for as long or as little as you like. Normally it costs about USD $150+ per hour.
5. Cheeky cocktail bars
I am a sucker for a good view and well-made Amaretto sour. Some cocktail bars have amazing unobstructed views of the Las Vegas Strip. My top picks are MIX at THE Hotel (64th floor), Ghost Bar at Palms and Voodoo Lounge at Rio. All have huge rooftop balconies and indoor lounge areas. Get there around 8 pm so you can get a seat and after about 10 pm the music will start pumping.
6. Tattoo Parlors
Big name and world famous tattoo artists have permanently set up shop in Vegas inside a few of the rockstar casinos. If you’re inked you’ll probably know Hart & Huntington tattoo company located in Palms and Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and Mario Barth’s Starlight Tattoos at Mandalay Bay. A trip to Vegas wouldn’t be complete without a permanent reminder of your debauched exploits!
7. Shopping
Load up the shopping bags - you're in shopping heaven. From bargains to bling, Vegas has it all. As a general observation clothes and electronics are considerably cheaper in the US and the US dollar is worth 80 cents to the Aussie dollar right now - happy days! Factory Outlets are amazing in Vegas and there are three massive outlets within 30 minutes of the Strip. Other fabulous shopping venues that you can’t go past are: The Forum Shop in Caesars Palace, and Grand Canal shoppes at The Venetian, Fashion Show Mall and Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood.
8. Dining
If you’re a foodie like me you’ll love Vegas because it’s a global gourmet mecca. Don’t get me wrong, you can still buy old-school shrimp cocktails and 99c margaritas but you can also splash out and try some culinary delights - Vegas is your oyster. For fine dining try Sushi Samba at Palazzo, TAO at The Venetian, Stack at the Mirage and Social House at Treasure Island. If you’re on a medium budget try Diablos Cantina, La Creperie and Mon Ami Gabi (great people watching location) at Paris Las Vegas and the ice cream delights at Serendipity in Caesars Palace. And last but not least, check out the buffets in Vegas! They range from about USD $7-25, my fave buffets are: The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas, Spice Market at Planet Hollywood and Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas.
9. Thrill rides
Ready to be jarred, jerked, shaken and stirred? Don’t miss the Manhattan Express Rollercoaster at New York New York (the one that wraps around the hotel) and for all you serious adrenalin junkies take a trip to Stratosphere. Imagine thrill rides 100 feet in the air on top of the Stratosphere tower (similar to Sydney’s Centrepoint tower- but taller!) which dangle, catapult, drop and spin you around. You can even get a pass called the ‘Ride till you puke’ pass. No explanation needed.
10. Vegas and beyond 
Booze, bars and babes not enough to get your adrenaline pumping? Then we suggest you take a swing through the desert on Bootleg Canyon’s Flightline flying fox. Using a series of suspended cables and sitting in a paragliding harness, Flightline will have you zipping along at over 80ks and hour while you take in the beautiful, natural views of Boulder City. And lastly, don’t forget one of the natural wonders of the world - the Grand Canyon. Take a bus, heli or plane to the Canyon. You won’t forget it.