A whirlwind 72-hour trip to Las Vegas reveals a city brimming with surprising delights beyond its famous Strip. From outlandish shows and dazzling spectacles to breathtaking natural beauty, Las Vegas offers an unforgettable experience for every type of traveler.
Man, I really like Vegas,” said Elvis about the Nevada bolthole he made his home away from home. And having spent a whirlwind 72 hours in “Sin City” I have to concur with the King. Bright, brash and bathed in neon, Las Vegas assaults the senses, it dazzles and promises visitors a glitzy good time. The famous Las Vegas Strip is the beating heart of this desert oasis, and home to some of the biggest and best-known hotels and casinos.
Outlandish, ostentatious and totally over-the-top, you’ll find a 541ft replica Eiffel Tower in the grounds of the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, gondolas gliding on the Venetian’s “Grand Canal” and a 30-storey pyramid at the Luxor. It’s a lot to take in but I love it. And while Vegas may be synonymous with gambling – though I’m afraid to say this skinflint didn’t spend a single penny on the slot machines – it’s also celebrated for its big name productions with Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Adele all playing residencies in the city. Seeing a show is very much part of the Vegas experience, so we head to the legendary Caesars Palace to watch Absinthe – billed as a “fantastical blend of carnival and spectacle, featuring wild, outlandish acts performed on an intimate circular stage where the audience is as close to the action as you can possibly get”. Critics also say it is “as provocative as it is unforgettable”, and they are not wrong. The party gets started with cocktails and light bites at the Pier 17 Yacht Club speakeasy in the hotel’s Green Fairy Garden. But, as we take our seats in the tent, someone whispers to me, “I wouldn’t want to be sat there”. We’re at the end, three rows from the front and my heart is already in my mouth. Raunchy, rowdy and downright rude, Absinthe is an X-rated, adults-only feast of contemporary circus skills, comedy and burlesque. I literally spend the whole show on the edge of my seat, in no small part due to the daredevil antics of the graceful performers, but mainly the sheer fear of being targeted by host The Gazillionaire who takes no prisoners. So when he asks: “Are you a throuple?” My heart skips many beats and I swear he is talking to me. Thankfully the question was aimed at three men sitting behind who, frankly, quite probably are. We cool off and recover with a sedate stroll down The Strip taking in the undeniably breathtaking Bellagio Fountains. A free music and light show, there are more than 1,000 dancing water jets soaring up to 460ft high into an inky night sky. It is one of many unforgettable “wow” Vegas moments. Next door to the palatial Bellagio stands The Cosmopolitan, and tucked away in a corner of this five-star luxury resort is a fully-functioning traditional barber’s shop. Inside, behind an “unassuming janitor door”, lies a dimly lit, prohibition-style bar furnished with classy couches and boasting an extensive whisky menu. It’s karaoke night, the drinks are flowing and it’s well past my normal bedtime. But I guess that’s the thing about Vegas. The night is always young and you never quite know where or when it will end. Even the most hardened hedonists need to recharge their batteries from time to time, which makes staying slightly off Strip a smart option. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas opened in March 2021 and is a 30-minute walk from the thick of things or a short Uber ride in the soaring 40C heat. My king-sized chamber suite in the resort’s Ruby Tower is a spacious, stylish and air-conditioned haven with a bathtub for two, a dedicated lounge, and a view over the desert pool oasis. The 1,500-room hotel is vast with highlights including a 60,000sq ft casino, a branch of upmarket Japanese favourite Nobu, a 4,600 capacity theatre, and Studio 54-inspired social lounge and bar called The Shag Room. But for me the real showstopper is the sprawling pool complex – it’s the perfect place to unwind before getting glammed up for yet another night on the tiles. We do it in style by hiring waterside cabanas where the Veuve Clicquot chills gently in the fridge and the unrelenting sun shines. Life beyond the Strip Just a 20-minute drive west of the city and you’re in a seemingly parallel universe. Red Rock Canyon is a naturally beautiful, magical maze of sandstone cliffs dating back 190 million years and is the setting for many early Westerns. We take a Pink Jeep Tour on the 13-mile scenic drive through this conservation park marvelling at the sharp red and orange oxidised rocks and embracing the sheer emptiness. Our driver is knowledgeable and regular pit stops allow us to explore the terrain and scale the cliff faces. We see desert tortoises at the visitor centre, historical wall art thought to be 800 years old, and pose beside a Joshua tree – although the mountain goats remain elusive. It’s an unexpected holiday highlight and a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Las Vegas, it transpires, is full of surprise
LAS VEGAS TRAVEL ENTERTAINMENT SHOWS RED ROCK CANYON STRIP LUXURY NIGHTLIFE SURPRISES
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