Hidden gems: Las Vegas
Away from the casinos, nightclubs and grandiose hotels, there are several other sides to Las Vegas and no shortage of activities, as Benjamin Coren discovers
FlightLinez Bootleg Canyon
Nearby Boulder City was established as a home for the workers of Hoover Dam. Today visitors can explore its historical district. Bootleg Canyon, located just outside town, is a great spot to take in the views and whizz through the air on a FlightLinez zip line tour. Book out a morning and reach speeds of up to 60mph through the arid mountains. The whole experience lasts around three hours, with some hiking. flightlinezbootleg.com
Vegas Glass Kayaks
Forty minutes outside of Las Vegas, take a guided tour of The Black Canyon in a glass-bottom kayak. Vegas Glass Kayaks offer the chance to explore the river, see the region’s unique wildlife or just enjoy the calm, picturesque canyon. From novices to experienced paddlers, anyone can take the tour. There is a tremendous amount of history and visitors can explore the Emerald Cave, view ancient petroglyphs or visit the site where the gauger used to measure water levels pre-Hoover Dam. vegasglasskayaks.com
Grand Canyon tours
No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon. A natural wonder of the world, there are plenty of viewing options: visit by car, light airplane or helicopter. Both Sundance Helicopters and Maverick Aviation offer air tours to the canyon. I took a morning tour with Sundance Helicopters, flying to the Grand Canyon, landing in its basin for a spot of breakfast before a flight back and a quick air tour of the glittering strip. Various packages are available to different parts of the canyon. sundancehelicopters.com
Neon Museum
You’ll need to book in advance to get a spot on this popular tour, which takes you round a collection of old neon signs which once graced downtown Las Vegas and The Strip. The non-profit Neon Museum collects and preserves the iconic signs and its outdoor exhibition space, known as the Neon Boneyard, is home to a growing number of restored pieces. Discover the history behind the growth of Las Vegas and hear some great stories on its glamorous past from very knowledgeable guides. neonmuseum.org
Lip Smacking Foodie Tours
I’d recommend kicking off your visit with one of these. Available both Downtown and on The Strip, you’ll sample at least five of Vegas’ best restaurants and receive an introduction to the city. Pictured is a quadruple dessert from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s Cucina, which included fried Italian donut with caramel sauce and tiramisu with espresso-soaked chiffon and mascarpone cream. Agents can earn 12% commission on bookings made with Lip Smacking Foodie Tours. vegasfoodietour.com
Art from the heart
Many of the city’s major hotels have seasonal art installations.
The Bellagio is a good starting point since it has its own gallery and rotating displays in its conservatory. Head downtown and see the wall murals gracing the hotels and public buildings, all commissioned as part of the area’s regeneration. Follow Interstate 15 south out of town to see Seven Magic Mountains, a colourful public sculpture in the desert, on display until May 2018.
Spa treatments
There are plenty of opportunities to relax, rejuvenate and escape from the busy streets and bright lights. I enjoyed a treatment at the Canyon Ranch spa club located in The Venetian Hotel and The Palazzo on the Las Vegas strip. The spa offers a vast variety of treatments and there are relaxation rooms alongside scented showers, ice rooms, steam rooms and saunas. canyonranch.com
Shop ‘til you drop
There are plenty of places to indulge in retail therapy in Las Vegas. The Grand Canal
Shoppes in The Venetian Hotel have plenty of designer outlets, as does The Shops at Crystals. Miracle Mile Shops is actually over a mile long and has over 170 stores. Simon Malls’ Las Vegas North Premium Outlets features 175 designer and namebrand stores and offers massive daily discounts for shoppers.
Take in a show
The line-up of shows in Las Vegas is constantly changing and it seems almost every hotel has a theatre. Cirque du Soleil currently has six shows in various residencies. You can book tickets online or from the hotels’ box offices. Currently showing is Mystére, O, Zumanity, KÀ, The Beatles LOVE and Michael Jackson ONE. Major music acts are also attracted to Las Vegas, with the new T-Mobile Arena a popular venue. cirquedusoleil.com
The High Roller
Take to the sky on the world’s tallest Ferris wheel, the High Roller, which soars 550 feet above Sin City and provides excellent views of the Las
Vegas Valley and The Strip.
Stop at the bar before you board or, better still, upgrade your ride and purchase a Happy Half Hour ticket which includes an in-cabin open bar and obliging bartender for the ride. Alternatively, enjoy a morning yoga experience on the High Roller. caesars.com/linq/high-roller