Las Vegas has long been a popular destination for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
If you are planning a vacation trip that combines partying with friends and family, Las Vegas remains a winning choice with its wide variety of restaurants, attractions and resorts.
For those who haven’t visited since domestic travel restrictions were lifted, the Vegas Smart program outlines what visitors can expect on their next visit to this glamorous destination. The most important piece of information is that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask in public places including bars, restaurants, casinos and entertainment venues. Mask requirements are also required in transit, including airports, buses, taxis, limousines, and ridesharing.
While some venues are still short of capacity, Las Vegas visitors will find their favorite restaurants and activities back in business. However, it is best to book entertainment and restaurant reservations in advance of arrival as travel demand has returned and Vegas venues are seeing an increase in traffic.
When planning your next vacation, read on to discover some of the latest and greatest that Sin City has to offer.
Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse in Flamingo Las Vegas
courtesy Caesars Entertainment
New food and drink options
Do you fancy a classic steakhouse experience? Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo Las Vegas is the new go-to place for romantic dinners and group get-togethers alike.
This swanky new venue has been funded with $ 10 million and is a dream to transport guests into a golden era. The name is of course an allusion to the business partners Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and Meyer Lansky, who founded the first resort-style hotel on the Strip in 1946. Since then, the flamingo has been a cultural icon and visitors to the restaurant will immediately feel this retro style with the secret speakeasy-style entrance through a bakery with a false facade.
Once inside, the old-school decor impresses as diners pass the dry-aged meat cooler, while the menu soon takes center stage with an incredible raw food bar, limitless steak options, giant seafood towers, and sizzling sides. As you can imagine, the cocktail menu is decisive, with a large selection of classics, although the wine list should not be missing when celebrating with friends or family.
For larger gatherings there are three special private dining rooms with their own artistic design and outstanding service. These spaces are charming and can be as calm or lively as your group likes. For a smaller celebration, the main dining area offers spacious round niches and long banquet tables as well as intimate rooms for romantic evenings.
Celebrate in style at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse with a chilled tower of seafood that your whole group can share, delightful starters like the heirloom beet and pumpkin salad and delicious starters like first-class dry and wet-aged steaks, lamb chops and seared scallops. Then finish with a layered chocolate and banana cake or vanilla crème brûlée.
Do you want to be close to the famous fountain show? Las Vegas’ culinary darling, Le Cirque at Bellagio, has reopened under the direction of Executive Chef Dameon Evers. Bars under his management have already been awarded a Michelin star and a James Beard Award, so that the guests can expect an inventive menu in addition to the warm ambience. Enjoy caviar or lobster salad as you browse a wine list with more than 900 international selections.
If your family outing calls for a budget-conscious version of a celebrity chef’s meal, check out Bobby’s Burgers at the Forum Food Hall at Caesars Palace. This fast food restaurant offers Flays take on the classic burger with a satisfying cracking of potato chips with processed cheese and a tangy patty. Do you need a meatless option? Opt for Bobby’s Veggie Burger with grilled mushrooms, chickpeas, quinoa, lettuce and tomato. After the successful debut at Caesars, guests will soon find more Bobby’s Burgers at Harrah’s Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.
Would you like to try and enjoy a variety of restaurants? Join Lip Smacking Foodie Tours for a culinary night on the town. Skip the waiting list and be treated like a VIP during the latest tour expansion that focuses on gourmet canapés at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The 2.5-hour evening tour takes guests to three restaurants serving typical dishes at each venue, followed by dessert at the final stop.
Group dinner in a private cabana at The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas
Lori A. May
New entertainment and activities
The entertainment in Las Vegas is back and seemingly bigger and better than ever with new concert performances and classic headlining acts galore.
For a limited time, visit the Usher Las Vegas Residency at Caesars Palace. For classic Vegas entertainment, head to Donny Osmond at Harrah’s showroom, where he plays popular hits and engages the audience with a bit of storytelling. Or add some magic to your night with a visit to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, where Penn & Teller keep audiences busy with illusions and humor.
The Cirque du Soleil family favorites are back to their regular gigs, while those looking for pool parties and DJ nightlife can enjoy two new additions to the Strip at Resorts World Las Vegas, which is home to the Ayu Dayclub and Zouk Nightclub .
Are you traveling as a couple and would you like to experience something unusual? Try the new original burlesque-style show, Rated Red, at AREA15 or the sexy adult-only interactive show Opium at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Resorts World Las Vegas
Lori A. May
New properties and renovations
There’s no shortage of stunning Vegas accommodations, from romantic guest rooms to spacious suites for families.
The refresh project at Nobu Hotel Caesars Palace reveals a completely new vision with redesigned rooms and suites and even renewed public areas. The complete redesign will be completed by the end of the year, but guests will already notice the more modern, homely feel of the venue. Think quartzite coffee tables, abstract floral floors, and eye-catching dining tables.
For the largest entry-level guest rooms on the Strip, head to The Venetian, where a multi-million dollar pool deck renovation provides two acres of aquatic relaxation and socializing. Ten cabanas have been completely remodeled and are ideal additions for private group celebrations and family celebrations.
Or party at the newest hotel on the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas, for a luxury vacation at one of three on-site hotels: Conrad, Hilton and Crockfords. The pool complex at Resorts World is now the largest on the Strip with seven pool experiences to choose from, while the resort also offers 40+ food and drink options.
For the latest hotel deals in town, visit the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to read about discounts, package deals, and other specials.
