5 Days & 50 Ways to Enjoy Las Vegas: Day One

Greetings from Las Vegas! I am exhausted from a long hard day of vacation researching. The sightseeing, the eatery sampling, the hanging out with countless relaxed and friendly people on holiday. It has been a challenge, but it was all worth it because I have for you my first list of 10 ways to enjoy Las Vegas, which I like to call "The Jet Lag Edition". 

So, without further ado, here are the 10 great ways to enjoy this desert gem:

1. Check out the new and amazing Aria Resort & Casino.

         
    

Hole. Lee. Cow.

  Iobst Travel is the  greatest travel agency on the planet. They arranged for me to stay at the Aria, here at CityCenter on the Strip. My room has an incredible view of the city and the mountains in the background that is stunning whether you look out the wall of windows during the day or night. My deluxe room is stylish, well appointed with a touch-pad control screen that works the lights, curtains, music, tv, thermostat and more right from your beside, and all that can be set to your preferences all day long. The room also comes with (ladies, wait for it...wait for it...) a soaking tub in the over-sized bathroom. Even if you aren't staying at Aria, it's a great place to walk around and take in all the unique sculpture that can be found all over the resort. They make cruising Aria's large selection of restaurants, shops and casino games a real adventure. 

2. Don't miss the biggest mid-air desert boat collision you'll ever see.

This is actually a fascinating sculpture by artist Nancy Rubin called "Big Edge". From far away, I think it looks like a flower. Get within 100 feet of it, however, and it's clear that this sculpture is made up of various canoes, rowboats and kayaks.

3. Buffet restaurant manager spills the beans and tells us how to get  the most out of your buffet experience. 

 Dree House, manager at Aria's The Buffet restaurant and expert buffet-ologist, offers these great tips for all-you-can-eat diners:

• The best time to go to a buffet is often about 11:30 in the morning. This tends to be between rushes for many buffets.
• Survey all the stations and know what's available before you start filling a plate. That way you can make sure you don't miss anything and organize your plan of attack.
• Take your desserts first. It's a pity to miss dessert because you ate too much beforehand or ran out of time, especially at a place like The Buffet, where the sweet endings are delicious. Besides, you're on vacation, if you want to eat your brownies and cheesecake first, why not?

 

4. Get your sidewalk vendor fix at the Hawaiian Marketplace. 

When you need a break from walking around stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Tiffany's, here's a total change of pace. I think this is supposed to be Vegas's version of a Honolulu's International Marketplace, only with a lot less Hawaiian and more bargain-huntery feel to it. (FULL DISCLOSURE: Although I've never been to Honolulu's International Marketplace, I have been to quite a few flea markets in my time. Just trust me on this one.) Part indoor, part outdoor, the Hawaiian Marketplace has lots of bargains on souvenirs, jewelery, clothes, sunglasses and the like, and when I was there on Monday, they had live music for everyone  browsing and a few small ethnic eateries to try, too.

 

5. Take a stroll through Bellagio's magic garden and feel a bit like Alice walking through Wonderland.

 

Even by Vegas standards, this resort lobby is dazzling. There are colorful glass flower sculptures and chandeliers on the 18-foot ceilings as you walk in, then just past that is the beautiful The Conservatory & Botanical Gardens’ pathways that blend art and flowers into fantastical designs that change throughout the year. Right now there's a giant garden theme with enormous flowers and bug sculptures and hot air balloons floating above.

6. Eat noodles with the goldfish at Caesar's Palace. 

Beijing Noodle #9 restaurant is located in the iconic Caesar's Palace, and not only do they make their noodles right before your eyes, but their dramatic entrance flanked by gigantic fish tanks allow you to enjoy the authentic taste of Northern Chinese cuisine with hundreds of goldfish floating around you. This casual noodle shop is a new addition of Caesar's and offers soups, dim sum, handmade noodles and rice dishes and chef's specialties. 

 
7. Get out of the city for a few hours and take a Grand Canyon helicopter or plane tour.

It's the Grand Canyon, people! Even if you can't get enough of the bright lights and city fun you came to Vegas for, you should consider taking an excursion out to see this American natural treasure. Depending on your tour package, you can even check out the new Skywalk, a see-thru walkway 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon basin. Several companies offer helicopter and airplane tours of the Canyon and many make it easy to fit into your vacation schedule by offering van service to and from your hotel and some even offer boxed meals to enjoy while you walk around the Canyon. Here's a list of companies that offer these tours from the Las Vegas Convention & Visitor's Authority, but it's a good idea to talk to your travel agent or hotel concierge to help select the right tour for you.

8. You can take your dog with you.

Taking the family pet along on vacation is a growing trend, and there are a few hotels and resorts that will cater to guests with dogs and cats. Las Vegas is no exception. There is usually a fee and some restrictions, so be sure to check. USA Today has a great article on pet-friendly hotels in Las Vegas. I was personally impressed with the Westin Casuarina Hotel, Casino and Spa, which not only allows pets, but gives pet-owning guests a food bowl, mat and "Dog in Room" sign during their stay. They also have a grassy area on the grounds where pets are welcome to stretch their legs, and...well, ya know.

 

9. Tear up the track at Pole Position Raceway.

ATTENTION SPEED DEMONS: Channel your inner Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at this premier indoor motorsports track in Las Vegas. Pole Position features a 1/4 mile European style track and state-of-the-art electric race karts at it's 60,000 square foot facility that also features arcade games, billiards and world-class memorabilia.

 

10. For the fastest transportation between locations, avoid the city bus.

 Iobst Travel's owner Julia Horn recommends not relying solely on Las Vegas's city bus system to get around town, or if you are pressed for time. "It's great that they have the buses, but for tourists who want to bounce around and see the sites, it's much faster and easier to grab a cab, hire a limousine or take a shuttle services provided by a lot of the attractions and hotels," says Julia. Personally, my experience with Bell Transportation from the airport to Aria was excellent, so I am giving them this little shout out:

Thanks, guys!

 

STAY TUNED FOR TOMORROW'S REPORT, INCLUDING MY VISIT TO "PAWN STARS" LOCATION AND THE "VIVA ELVIS" CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW REVIEW.

(Yes, I still love my job.)

 

Margo Trott is a freelance writer whose  Ladies’ Home Journal humor blog “Ha, Ha, Ha...No, Seriously” has won her no journalistic accolades whatsoever. But she got to go to Vegas on this assignment, so she's learning to get over it.

Comments

[Beth U.]

Totally jealous about the fab hotel. Sounds wonderful!! Noodle restaurant also sounds like fun. Who knew you could have so much fun in Vegas without gambling (...or did you??).

[Margo Trott]

Unless you are including my fashion sense, I would have to say, no I did not gamble yet, Beth U. If you do include that, well then, you could say I have put all my chips down on a long shot red ensemble (circa 2004)for tonight's "Viva Elvis" show.

[Liselotte Karlström]

Sounds like you have a fantastic time, but please explain for a unexperienced swede, what is a soaking tub?

[Margo Trott]

Hi, Liselotte!

A soaking tub is a deep bathtub with slanted, rounded sides that make for great bubble bath lounging. It's not recommended for those who do not like to relax, chill and procrastinate, however. Luckily, I have no such problems.