VEGAS, baby!
ELLEN MACKENZIE EXPLORES LAS VEGAS’ ARTY SIDE
The first thing I see when I hop off the plane on my debut trip to Las Vegas is a line of dazzling slot machines, right there at the airport gate.
It’s not much of a surprise for the city dubbed the gambling capital of the United States, but what is surprising is that I didn’t end up touching a single slot machine or poker table on my visit!
While it’s known for gambling, there’s so much more to this city, and I make it my mission to explore a different side of Vegas during my five-night holiday. Art galleries, museums, shows and fantastic food are just some of the things on my itinerary.
First up, the amount of art sprinkled around the city is fantastic – and you hardly need to leave the hotels to enjoy it! Inside the famous Bellagio, you’ll find a small gallery that costs $23 per person and when I visited they had a great collection of Japanese art from the Joˉmon Period.
(Trivia: In Oceans 11, which was filmed on site, Julia Roberts plays the Bellagio’s art curator!)
I’m staying at the NoMad and there’s incredible art all around the complex. It’s a boutique hotel and a nice escape from the bustle of The Strip while still being close to everything. It’s also part of the Park MGM hotel site and they offer free art tours in which you can get up close and personal with the many masterpieces on display in the area.
Later, hidden in the depths of the Louis Vuitton store at the Shops at Crystals mall, I find James Turrell’s Akhob exhibition. (Don’t worry, you don’t have
to be shopping at the store to see this lighting masterpiece. In fact, it’s free, but you’ll need to book a few months in advance due to its popularity.)
Another highlight is the
Neon Museum. Only in Vegas can you find an outdoor museum comprised entirely of old street signs.
Between adventures, it’s easy to fill in time enjoying delightful meals. I start my gastronomic exploration with a comfy and casual meal at Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano. It’s located in The Venetian hotel complex, meaning you can have a cruise around the faux canals on your way to dinner. The pesto pasta is heavenly.
I’m ready to declare it the best pasta of my trip – until I visit the NoMad restaurant the following night. The prices are a little higher here, but their truffle pasta is divine.
This is the perfect spot if you have something special to celebrate.
For breakfast, nothing beats a classic American all-you-can-eat buffet. The Wicked Spoon is located in The Cosmopolitan hotel complex, and the number of options knocks my socks off.
While my days are full of shopping and visits to galleries and museums, the evenings are the perfect time to see some shows and embrace the wild entertainment on offer.
On the final night of my trip, I get to experience the jaw-dropping show Absinthe. It’s located in a tent out in front of the famous Caesar’s Palace. It’s a risqué and somewhat controversial show that fuses circus and burlesque.
A word of advice though: you might want to avoid booking seats in the front row!