On a recent FAM trip, TravelPulse Canada had the opportunity to check out some of Las Vegas’ best places to eat, drink, and make merry, including some Las Vegas history. So below, we’ll tell you where to go, in a good way…

A Blast From The Past:

The Neon Sign Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing old, iconic Las Vegas signs, many of which are on display in their outdoor “boneyard.” Even during the day, it was amazing to walk amongst the giant signs that once belonged to hotels and casinos like Binion’s Horseshoe or Stardust (note: only seven of the signs light up with another three being restored. On the guided tour, we learned that Las Vegas was referred to as the “Mississippi of the West” because of segregation, and was known for “Atomic Tourism” because people would come to Las Vegas to watch the mushroom clouds from the atomic tests taking place in the distance while having a rooftop drink at one of the hotels. There was even a Miss Atomic Bomb pageant.

An Amazing Meal:

For breakfast or brunch, MOzen Bistro in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, serves Asian and American classics, including protein shakes and an amazing Potato Rösti Croque Madame - Country ham, gruyere cheese, and a sunny side-up egg on potato hash. For those looking to get away from the strip, take a drive (or Uber) to Honey Salt restaurant, about a 30 minutes drive west of the heart of the strip, for a fresh farm-to-table menu, plus homemade desserts, hand-crafted cocktails, and a wonderful selection of beers and wines, in a down-to-earth atmosphere. Once there, other options include nearby hiking, high-end shopping, and slots that are more heavily favoured towards the player than the main casinos on the strip. But my favourite meal, possibly of all time, was our dinner at Nobu restaurant (apparently the first to offer teppanyaki in the US) in Caesars Palace. Everything was amazingly tender and delicately flavoured, yet with the occasional bit of kick. Robert De Niro is a huge fan and was instrumental in bringing Nobu first to New York, and now around the world, including Las Vegas. The Black Cod Miso is apparently his go to.

Aquatic Fun…In The Desert?!?:

“You can do as much or as little yoga as you want, and take as many pictures as you want,” said our instructor at “dolphin yoga” at the Mirage hotel. In a variety of poses, we watched through large windows in the viewing area as the dolphins played with each other. It was impossible not to grin and loosen up. Later that day, we did some frolicking ourselves at the Sunday Flamingo Hotel GO Pool Party, enjoying a VIP cabana, vodka sodas, and loud dance music.

Adult Humour:

“If you’re offended by words like f#&k or s*@t you’re probably at the wrong f#$king show,” declared the master of ceremony at Absinthe. The production mercilessly pokes fun at every political affiliation, race, and sexual orientation, generating tons of laughs. In between are amazing acrobatic and vaudeville performances. What makes the latter particularly special is the small size of the theatre in the round, making it up close and personal.

An Amazing View (and a drink):

Enjoy a glass of champagne before taking to the air for a helicopter tour of Las Vegas’ renowned strip, or enjoy happy hour in one of the giant Ferris wheel pods (complete with a bar) on the High Roller (you barely even realize you’re moving) at The LINQ Hotel. Or simply chill at the Mandalay Bay Foundation Room (it feels like stepping into a luxurious Asian-infused den) or the modern Skyfall Lounge (no connection to 007), located on the 64th floor of the Delano Hotel at the Mandalay Bay, offering panoramic views and desert sunsets and where they’ve made it their mission to promote upscale cocktail culture in Vegas.

For more information, visit the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority website.