How to see Vegas in the blink of an eye
If you’ve only got a day to spend in Sin City, here’s what to do, see, eat and drink
LAS VEGAS— In a city centred on captivating audiences, the entertainment options appear endless. But what do you see and do if you’re limited to a six-hour stay?
This snappy schedule will give you a quick but quenching taste of Sin City.
4:30-5 p.m.: The High Roller Happy Half Hour Standing proud at nearly 168 metres, the High Roller holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s tallest observation wheel.
With 360-degree views of Las Vegas and the surrounding Spring Mountains, it’s the perfect place to kick off your quick tour.
Opt for the Happy Half Hour ticket upgrade for $37 (U.S.), which gives you access to an open bar (and an accommodating bartender) for the length of one full turn around the wheel.
5:30-6:30 p.m.: Burgers at Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar From the High Roller, take a gentle stroll along the new, colourful LINQ Promenade and wind your way to the host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ new Vegas restaurant.
Kitted out in modern Mexicana decor (some of the design elements were even taken from Fieri’s own tattoos) and equipped with a hopping, open-style kitchen, the food is a delicious mashup of flavours. The Bahn Mi Tacos mix Mexican with Vietnamese (and it works), while the Macaroni ’n’ Cheese Cheeseburger is a once-in-a-lifetime (because that’s all your arteries can handle) flavour sensation.
Tip: Since time is at a premium, make use of the Las Vegas Monorail, which takes you to the back door of nearly every major casino along the Strip for $5 per trip.
7-9 p.m.: See Cirque du Soleil’s KÀ The moment you walk into KÀ’s permanent theatre at the MGM Grand, the magic begins.
Every light shade, balcony railing and walkway has been designed to help tell the story — the integration between the 80 international performers and the environment is seamless.
The 360-degree rotating stage creates a platform for mind-blowing acrobats and martial-arts sparring that tell an adventure story loosely based on Chinese folklore. Integrating puppetry, capoeira, archery and live music, it’s an experience not to be missed.
9:15 p.m.: Walk the Strip Riding high from the high-flying Cirque performance, keep the excitement going with an open-air stroll northward towards Caesars Palace. The Strip really comes to life when the sun sets — blinking signs blaze, fountains put on light shows, and the people-watching rises to epic proportions.
It’s also nice to get out of the oxygen-pumping casinos for a bit and remind yourself you’re actually smack dab in the middle of the Nevada desert.
9:45-10:30 p.m.: Drink a margarita at Mesa Grill Celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s popular Mesa Grill offers more than delicious contemporary southwest-inspired fare — the margarita menu is just as impressive and inspired.
Saddle up to the gorgeous 28-seat bar (which also serves dinner without the need for reservations) and order a signature Southwestern cocktail made with 100-per-cent blue agave tequila. (The prickly pear margarita is particularly delicious.) Emma Yardley’s trip was sponsored by Travel-Nevada, Caesars Entertainment and Cirque du Soleil, which didn’t review or approve this story.