Las Vegas is famous for extravagant entertainment offerings – if it sounds anything but ordinary, you can probably do or find it here. It is most popular however as a gambling destination, and though it is the place for serious high rollers, anyone can also have fun with the many slot machines scattered all over the city.

What if casinos and clubs are not your thing, perhaps you have not even the slightest idea how to make a slot machine work 🙋‍ Don’t discount Vegas just yet. There’s actually some pretty cool stuff you can do here that does not involve a spinning wheel or a rolling dice.

Firstly, getting into McCarran International Airport is quite a sight. It’s not everyday you get to fly over a vast land of nothingness.

We stayed at MGM Grand and Excalibur hotels at the South end of the Strip. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference whether you stay at the North or South end since pretty much everything is within walking distance from each other. Though I notice more activities are happening closer to the latter. Otherwise, Uber is cheap. 

If you just wanted to try the restaurants or do some shopping and do not have intentions to play at the casino, I suggest you choose a non-gaming hotel. The rooms at MGM are big, well-appointed, and surprisingly affordable compared to other hotels in the same area. However like most gaming hotels, you will have to walk into a maze of smoky casino floor before you get into the hotel towers. Stock up on bottled water as well before coming back to your hotel as it can be 3x more expensive at the casino/hotel shops.

At night is when Vegas really comes to life. Where else is it possible to be in New York, Hollywood, and Paris in one night?

The fountain show at Bellagio is a must see! It’s really beautiful to watch and absolutely free. The show runs every 15 minutes from 8:00 pm to midnight and features different songs each time which varies from classical to Broadway to pop. I think I stayed here for an hour just admiring this spectacular display of dancing water.

Not sure if they are supposed to be a Queen’s Guard of some sort or a character from Star Wars. Anyway, it seems like Halloween here is a year-round thing.

Shopping in Las Vegas is not a bad idea either. The Shops at Crystals, the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood are sure to satisfy any  shopaholic’s cravings.

If the shops at the Strip are likely to put a strain to your checking account, consider heading out to the North Premium Outlets at Downtown. It is only a 10-minute ride from MGM Grand. With more than a hundred of designer and top-brands outlet stores, you’re bound to get your retail fix here and very possibly with a great discount too. I came here on a weekday afternoon and there wasn’t really a lot of people. This is probably the only place I’m popping a visit to next time I’m in Vegas.

xoxo