Unexpected Ways to Play in LAS VEGAS

BY: JOSIE JOY SALDAT

Vegas has become one of the top cities in the world to flee to for play. From bachelorette and bachelor parties, family gatherings, trips with friends or solo excursions - Vegas is filled with visitors from all over the world and of all ages. The city is a bustling hub of excitement. Upon arrival you can feel the energy of Vegas from the lights that fill the strip to the sounds and attractions! After visiting Vegas for the first time, I noticed that there are some hidden gems and unique ways to experience the city of play. Whether through five-star dining, jaw-dropping shows, speak-easy cocktail lounges or immersive attractions, there are endless ways to spark the senses. Below are some of the attractions and dining experiences that you should add to the list for your next venture to Vegas.

FlyOver Las Vegas

If you crave adventure, the ultimate family-friendly flying experience, FlyOver has opened its doors on the Las Vegas Strip. Situated next to the iconic Hard Rock Café, FlyOver transports you off the busy strip and into their world of natural wonders. You can feel that a journey is about to begin as you enter the long corridor lined with lights and abstract nature-inspired moving graphics set to mesmerizing atmospheric sounds. Before each showing, the pre-show sets the tone with a short film giving a quick glance into the history of the land and the people who inhabit it.

Seated on a platform where your feet dangle in the air and surrounded by a spherical screen reaching 52.5-feet wide, this immersive ride shows high definition 4K footage of famous as well as remote landscapes from around the globe. You experience a sensation of soaring as the platform dips, shifts and turns all while special effects of mist, scent and wind bring you further into the adventure.

My favorite ride was: Riding the Windborne Call of the Canadian Rockies as it was an emotional experience being a Canadian, and seeing home from a new perspective. Other rides currently offered are: Wonders of the American West and Legendary Iceland.

Adding to the flight experience, FlyOver offers an in-house cocktail bar called The Lost Cactus. This is where you can sip on flight-themed cocktails such as my pick - The Prickly Pear Margarita. Inspired by the desert cactus, this drink is a refreshing blend of sweet and sour making it the perfect pre or postflight thirst quencher.

Prickly Pear ingredients: Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Prickly Pear Syrup, Sweet & Sour Mix

Neon Sign Museum

The moment you arrive and enter the lobby situated in the original La Concha hotel you are entering the most exciting artistic history lesson in Vegas. The Neon Sign Museum is an entire destination dedicated to preserving one of the oldest and most well-known art forms in the city – neon signage. I would recommend this stop to any traveler as it was a fascinating way to learn more about the city through signage from shows and companies over the past century. When you have had too much daytime sunshine, or need a break from the bustle of the strip this is a playful way to still enjoy the evening. The outdoor forty-five minute walk is guided by a museum interpreter with numerous stories of the signs and their contribution molding Vegas into the city it is today. Make sure you bring layers to keep warm when the desert temperatures drop for this evening experience.

Mad Apple Cirque du Soleil

With their long standing and welldeserved reputation, Cirque du Soleil does not fail to impress with their seamless blend of humor and talent in their Mad Apple show. Premiering their in-house show inside New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas May 2022, the show holds its very own unique identity while staying true to the Cirque trademark we all know and love. Inspired by the noises, colors and magic of New York, the show is a concoction of acrobatics, dance, comedy and music for two hours of high-energy and interactive play. If you are looking for a sip or snack while you enjoy the show, venture up onto the stage pre-show as it doubles as a bar decorated with an apple shaped disco ball and mini replica of the Empire State Building.

Eats

Proper Eats

Inside the Aria Resort & Casino you will find an elevated food hall experience called Proper Eats. Here you can expect to ignite your taste buds through curated global cuisine outlets within a 24,000 sq. ft. space. Simplified menus with exciting offerings include everything from crispy eggplant bao buns from Laughing Buddha, to Seoul chicken sandwiches from Food Network star, Judy Joo’s creation Seoul Bird.

A must-try is Pizzaoki, Steve Aoki’s New York-style pizzas where each creation on the menu is named after one of the Grammy-nominated artist’s song titles. Various topper options are offered as well as crusts, including a cauliflower one! If you seek mouthfuls of flavor, visit Shalom Y’all where they focus on high-quality ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine.

Step through a hidden entrance from Easy’s Donuts to find their Speak Easy cabaret lounge. Here you can find a moody atmosphere with live music and artistic cocktails. Mixologist, Eric Hobbie is behind the inventive sips that delight the eyes and palate. Venture to the woods with their gin matcha and honey show-stopper cocktail, “Shroomin”, presented in mushroom shaped glasses on a smoking moss wood platter. Emerge into the sea with their “Heart of the Ocean” served in a glass seashell on white sand and shells with tastes of

Casamigos tequila, orgeat, lime, blueberry and black sea salt.

EATALY Vegas

Located inside the grand Park MGM hotel, Eataly is a destination on its own. The space was inspired by open outdoor seating in Italy. As you enter the court the aromas of fresh bread, pastries and pizza fill the air. With two sit-down restaurants, three bars, a dozen counters and an expansive marketplace, Eataly can host and accommodate all ages and all group sizes making it a versatile place to dine on the strip. Play with food as you watch chefs, bakers, butchers, pasta and pizza makers all create your dish before your eyes after you pick your ingredients. A must-try is the Polenta Fritta’s - crispy polenta fries that burst with flavor and delicate crunch.

NoMad Library

Inspired by the iconic library in New York, NoMad is a theatrical yet intimate dining destination. Dine in a replica of a two-story library where you can enjoy elevated dishes while surrounded by approximately 25,000 books! Chandeliers and a wooden spiral staircase add to the ambience as you relish in their menu featuring everything from seafood to steaks all in a casual yet elegant experience. Spark a fire by ordering the Baked Alaska - a sponge cake and ice cream dessert with meringue coating which the servers will light up right at your table.