A Perfect Weekend in Las Vegas (the #1 U.S. Destination)
GotWanderlust
I've been traveling as long as I can remember . . . and loving it!
26 May 2006
based on 27 votes
Las Vegas rises from the Nevada desert like a mirage. Only this mirage really exists--from the constant hum of slot machines to the twinkling lights along the famous Strip.
Ranked the #1 U.S. Destination by TripAdvisor.com, Las Vegas is known for its gambling, non-stop nightlife and adult fun. But it's also a place for families, hard-core shoppers and finicky foodies. It can even be thoroughly enjoyed by those who never set foot in a casino! This city is also a popular destination for saying "I Do." In fact, it's where I tied the knot four years ago.
Are you ready to spend a perfect weekend together in Vegas? Remember, what happens here, stays here. Let's get started . . .
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Las Vegas
- Category: Perfect weekend
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Active/Outdoors, Never been before
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Seniors, Budget travellers , Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Las Vegas, Vegas, Sin City, Casinos, Top Travel Destination, Nevada
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1. JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf
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Ave price:
$226
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We fly into "Sin City" and jump into our rental car and head over to JW Marriott Las Vegas, ranked a "Best Luxury" hotel by TripAdvisor.com's 2005 Travelers' Choice awards. Our plan was to drop off our bags and head right to the Strip, but the hotel is such an oasis--with its Mediterranean architecture, lush gardens and pools with waterfalls--that we find we're making excuses to stay.
"Look at the view of the golf course," you say, as you stand on our private terrace. I can hardly hear you, as I'm getting lost in the massive bathroom, tempted to take a quick soak in the whirlpool tub or a refreshing raindrop shower. But eventually the Strip calls us, and we (somewhat reluctantly) leave our room. |
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| We find a place to park (thankfully, most of the casinos offer free parking in convenient garages) and start walking. The Strip, also known as Las Vegas Boulevard, offers us a great first impression of everything the city has to offer--stores, casinos, restaurants, bars (some topless), and even wedding chapels. Of course, it's also fun to watch the other people walking by, from the very young to the very old, from the elegant to the outlandish. |
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| It's lunchtime and we're both starving so we decide to splurge with a meal at Sterling Brunch. The water on the table is Evian. The champagne in our flutes is Perrier-Jouet. You're feasting on Maine lobster and I'm savoring my macaroni and cheese with truffles! Our only problem is deciding upon which of the tempting desserts to order . . . |
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4. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
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| I want to meet George Clooney and you've always had a thing for Marilyn Monroe, so we walk over to Madame Tussauds Las Vegas to take pictures with our favorite stars. We weren't sure if we'd like it or laugh at it, but the experience was a lot of fun. |
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| Looking to significantly up the adrenaline factor, we say good-bye to George and Marilyn and visit the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, the 1,149-feet Stratosphere Tower. Here, over 100 stories above the ground, we accept the challenge of the three thrill rides: Big Shot, X Scream and Insanity. Let's just say, the names are completely accurate, especially Insanity, where an arm extends out OVER THE EDGE of the Tower and spins us up to three G's. |
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6. Guggenheim and Hermitage Museum
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Vegas is all about extremes, of course, so with our pulses still racing, we decide to calm down at the state-of-the-art Guggenheim Hermitage Museum, located in the Venetian Resort. Here, we get up close and personal with masterworks from the Guggenheim and Hermitage museums.
And, yes, on the way in, we stop and play a few nickel slots at the Venetian Casino. It's Vegas, baby! |
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7. Luv It Frozen Custard
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| In the mood for a guilty pleasure, we hop in the car and get lost a few times as we search for this local favorite. Described as serving up down-home goodness, we're not disappointed. Now THIS is ice cream. |
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8. Forum Shops at Caesars Palace
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| Okay, I haven't shopped in hours and I'm going through withdrawal . . . and the temptation of 160 stores at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace (like Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Kiehl's) is just too great. As we shop, you nudge me when we pass the Breath Oxygen Bar, knowing I might need to stop in if I start to hyperventilate. |
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| Shopping urge satisfied, we see that night has fallen and we quickly walk over to Bellagio to watch the spectacular water show (after we drop off the shopping bags in the car, of course). This dancing water show is elaborate and set to music. We find it absolutely impossible to move. We're mesmerized! |
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| But eventually our stomachs rumble and it's time for dinner. We've heard great things about this tapas restaurant--on the TripAdvisor.com Forum and also on the Food Network Channel. Yum. Quality and quantity. It's a good thing shopping works up an appetite! The sangria is insanely tasty and the fondue is so good, we decide to move our fondue pot out from the back of the bottom cabinet when we return home to try to perfect their recipe. And then the bill comes, and we can't believe how affordable it is! |
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11. Haunted Vegas Tour & Show
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| It's nearly 9:00 and we have a date with a ghost . . . actually, with several ghosts (we hope). For the next two and a half hours, we enjoy a show and a guided ghost tour of Las Vegas' most haunted locations. Our favorite part was walking through the spooky haunted park. And you thought it would be silly! |
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| Ready to see and be seen, we visit Rain, the highly acclaimed nightclub in The Palms Casino Resort. We've heard it's a popular celebrity handout and that famous musicians often drop by for a surprise performance, but we don't see anyone famous . . . but it doesn't detract from our fun (what with all the great drinks and great music). Eventually, the dance floor clears out and we make our way back to the hotel. |
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13. JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf
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Ave price:
$226
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After the excitement of yesterday, we sleep in late and then hit the gym (we both love that the Precor cardio equipment each has a personal flat screen TV). After a quick breakfast at Starbucks--located in the hotel--you head to the on-site golf course for a private lesson and I visit the spa for fitness counseling followed by a relaxing stone massage. We meet a few hours later back in the room to get ready for the rest of the day. |
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14. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
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| We get in the car, make a stop at the grocery store and drive about 15 miles to this 520-acre retreat. Once owned by millionaire Howard Hughes, this couldn't be more different from the Strip. But we wanted a little peace and quite and a nice place to picnic. And this is the place. Do you think Howard buried some of his fortune here? Let's see what we find . . . |
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15. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
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| Before heading back to all the action, we take a gorgeous 13-mile scenic drive through the Red Rock Canyon. We could hike, or mountain bike or even mountain climb, but we're content to soak in the views. And what views. It's gorgeous--from the color of the mountains to all the wildlife. |
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16. The Pasta Shop and Ristorante
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We return to the hotel and get ready for dinner. After a day of peace, we want to visit someplace a bit off the beaten path. And The Pasta Shop and Ristorante fits the bill. This isn't a chain, this is a small place with personality and really, really good food.
Both of our entrees are served with Caesar salad and garlic bread; you enjoy spinach linguini with oil and garlic and I try to keep my composure over the eggplant parmesan. |
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17. Celine Dion - A New Day
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Okay, now we're ready to head back to the Strip. And who better to greet us than Celine Dion?
Whether you're a Celine fan or not, this is the epitome of a Las Vegas Show. We sing along with every song (who knew we knew all the words?!) and scream and shout with all the fans in Celine's own Colosseum. It's a must-do! |
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Ave price:
$408
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We've been good all day and now it's time to be bad so we belly up to the slot machines and card tables for some much-deserved gambling. Did we hit it big? Of course we did!
We head back to the airport and say our good-byes. Thanks, I had fun. And I hope you did, too. |
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Compliment GotWanderlust
