Things You Need to Check Out in Las Vegas

June 17, 2022 Marsha Mowers

Whether you’ve never been or have been fifty times, there’s always something new to explore in Las Vegas.

One of the city’s biggest draws is the variety of themes you can create for your vacation.  Girls trip? Perfect. Birthday celebration? Equally perfect.  Family trip? It’s got that too.

Canadian Travel News recently travelled to the city for a look at all things new, especially as we emerge from the pandemic, and it did not disappoint.  Here are our insider tips on what to do while you’re there.

Where to Stay – Circa

There are two brand new hotels in Las Vegas that we checked out, one on the strip and one in the old part of Vegas called Fremont Street. Newbies need to know the city is basically in two sections: the strip which features newer style hotels and shops, and Fremont Street which houses hotels that, while renovated, date back to the old heyday of Vegas. 

Fremont Street has admittedly looked a bit dated the last few years, and many tourists didn’t quite catch the older vibe it had to offer. Remember, hotels built back in the 60s didn’t feature the large, expansive entryways and rooms that we’ve become accustomed to inside and out of Vegas.  But that is changing with the brand new, built from the bottom up, Circa Hotel.  (not to be confused with Circus Circus on the strip).

This is a fantastic hotel and worth a stay.  Situated right in the heart of it, it’s modern yet a bit quirky – with names like the “garage Mahal” for parking and the infamous neon Vegas Vickie sign, how can it not be? The rooms are beautiful and very affordable – they are currently averaging about $199/night, though we can expect that to change as it becomes more popular.

They also have what’s called “Stadium Swim” which is a massive rooftop patio with a big screen to watch sports. Circa is also home to the world’s largest sports bar (it blow’s Toronto’s RealSports out of the water).

Cirque Show – Mad Apple

This isn’t your typical Cirque Show.  If you’re expecting an hour and a half of trapeze artists, you won’t get that.  Instead you’ll get endless laughs courtesy of amazing comedians, an MC who is also equally an amazing shadow puppeteer (you’ll see what we mean) mixed in with death-defying stunts.  Really, one of the acts is called The Death Wheel.

This one is restricted to ages 16 and older due to mature content of jokes, but it’s very well worth it.  We’d go see it again.  Tip: go early because the performers mingle with guests on stage at the bar, where you can grab a drink for the show.  So fun.

Eat at a Vegan Restaurant

After our tour of the other brand new hotel Resorts World, which is actually a combination of 3 Hilton Hotels (Hilton, Conrad and Crockford, which is a UK brand), we dined at Crossroads.  It’s one of only two vegan restaurants on the strip. In a smart, almost deceiving technique, it’s a beautiful restaurant that almost mimics a steakhouse with its red curtains and velvet seating, but’s it’s actually 100% vegan. There is no mention of that anywhere however – the menu includes items that feature dishes like calamari (made from mushroom rings), taquitos (made from Impossible Beef) and foie gras that’s actually a form of a delicious chesnut puree. 

The idea of the restaurant is to not “scream vegan” and offer amazing food – and they nailed it.

Flyover Las Vegas

This one is for kids and the kids at heart.  Think IMAX meets an immersion experience.  Guests are strapped into special chairs that move while an immersive screen transports you through an adventure, in our case it was the Wild, Wild West. You’re sprayed with mist, you feel like you’re flying over the western desert landscape as you learn how the wild west came to be … kids and adults will like this one.

Where to Eat

Bobby Flay’s Amalfi – It’s in Caesers Palace, the menu is to die for, the cocktails are perhaps far too drinkable…this one should be on your bucket list and is well worth the spend.  It’s mid-range in pricing for Vegas – mains average about $30, appetizers about $25.  It’s very, very good.

Superfrico – Located in the Cosmopolitan Hotel, this is the old Rose.Rabbit.Lie. The cocktails and food are mouthwatering, get the tableside mozzarella making which is equal parts delicious and entertaining.  Bananas Foster is their most popular desert and we can see why.  We tasted the Penguins Take Manhattan and Here Comes the Sun cocktails and would highly, highly recommend.

Wynn Buffet – Now open for breakfast as well – the only buffet on the strip that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, seven days a week – this is money very well spent.  It’s $45 pp, with an unlimited beverage option for an additional $29. Everything you could possibly want to eat is there – sushi, red velvet waffles, seafood, BBQ, Mexican, Chinese, charcuterie, desserts, ice cream … honestly, you’d be hard pressed to leave hungry.

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