A millennial local’s guide to Las Vegas for out of towners

Vegas is known for being a fun vacation spot, and this local’s guide to Las Vegas will make sure you get the most out of your stay. I lived in Las Vegas for seven years. That’s plenty of time to get to know the lay of the land. I know the fun places to go and the not-so-fun places to avoid.

Before you get that itinerary filled up, listen to the wise words of an experienced Las Vegas local. From where to rent that Aston Martin and where to drive it so you feel like a real baller when you pull into valet parking to what bars to make an appearance at and the swankiest spots for dining. (Also, does your insurance cover rental cars? Because it should.)

Family activities

The city of Las Vegas has worked really hard to become a more family-friendly place. The strip might not be the place for the kids at 3 a.m., but at 3 p.m. they’ll have a blast.

The first stop for the kids is definitely Circus Circus. That place is built for kids to have a safe and fun time. It is quite literally a circus; it has a huge arcade and a ton of other things to wear your kids out.

A place to take your smaller children off the strip is the Discovery Children’s museum. The exhibits change all the time, and the little ones will surely love it.

There are a few larger arcades and go-cart race tracks dotted across the city, and they are all a blast. Top Golf on the strip is a fun family activity or a great place to bring a date. Most of the shows in Vegas are safe to bring the kids, but you should still check ahead just to be sure.

If you’re looking for something more outdoorsy and in nature, Red Rock Canyon is the place to go. It’s got everything from hikes with scenic views to rock climbing. Some hikes are available also for more experienced hikers.

Food

Getting a restaurant in Vegas with your name on it is the dream of many chefs. Because of that, the food in Vegas restaurants is top tier. If you want to eat at one of those famous chefs’ restaurants, you might want to get reservations or you may not get a seat.

There are also a ton of off-strip restaurants that you may want to check out as well such as Pho Kim Long. Quite a few sushi restaurants in Vegas even feature an all-you-can-eat menu.

The possibilities are endless with Vegas restaurants. You name a type of food and it’s there. Vegan? Try Vegenation. Hawaiian barbecue? Maui Rose on Sahara is good and has generous portions. Italian? Nora’s is so good my Italian aunt doesn’t complain about it (this is the biggest compliment she gives other people’s Italian cooking). After all this food you’re going to eat in Vegas, you may also want to look into some healthy snack ideas.

Gambling

Let’s be real: This is probably why you’re going to Vegas. If it’s not the reason, it’s likely in the top three. There are a ton of people who will tell you their “secret to hitting it big.” The internet is full of tips and tricks to make money gambling. Let me stop you right now.

Don’t expect to win. Don’t go in with an attitude of being able to beat the system. The house always wins. That saying is still around for a reason. The state of Nevada does not have a sales tax because of it.

Sheldon Adelson is one of the richest people on the face of the planet because of it. Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world because of it. Casinos can afford to give free rooms and complimentary meals to thousands of people because of it.

All over every casino, there are pamphlets titled “When the Fun Stops” (It’s a gambling addiction pamphlet) because the house always wins. The best attitude is to consider money gambled as money spent playing a game, and if you win, even better.

Gambling addiction is real and very serious. It’s better to be uncomfortable reading this paragraph than to be uncomfortable dealing with the consequences of losing all your trip money on the first day.

Have fun. Gambling is fun. Winning a jackpot and spending that jackpot on debauchery is super fun. But, as is the case in all things, moderation is key here. You can have a blast when you visit Las Vegas. So please, practice moderation.

Nightclubs

The nightlife is a favorite part of Vegas. A good club adventure, whether it’s a night out with the boys or bringing a date, is always a good time. Most nightclubs in Las Vegas are a blast, but you could have a good time or a great time depending on what type of vibe you’re looking for.

Sapphire is the largest club in town (and possibly the world). The cover charge is US$100 just to get in the door. And it’s a place famous dancers often stop at on tour. So you may see someone famous you follow on Instagram on the stage.

If you’re not looking to spend US$100 on a cover charge, there are plenty of other clubs in town and they’re all fun.

Try Spearmint Rhino or Deja Vu. The Palomino and Chicas Bonitas have more ethnic dancers. All these places are fun and worth your time if you have the coin.

Bars and lounges

There are too many of these in Vegas to count. Drais is the best known of all of these. There is a famous rapper, singer or DJ – or all three – there every weekend. Vegas also has plenty of day clubs at pools (I would recommend not getting in the water at these pools).

You have to go to the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan at least once. It’s my favorite place in the whole city to enjoy a nice drink. There are more bars and lounges than anything in Vegas (except maybe slot machines).

But if you want to take in the sights instead of sitting down, head to one of the many places to get a frozen drink the size of a small child and enjoy all the strip has to offer while you walk down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. Hopefully this guide to Las Vegas gives you a few ideas on where to get started.

This article was contributed by Marquis Ealy. Marquis is an entrepreneur in the independent media space and writes and researches for Autoinsuranceez.com

Have a story to share? Get in touch at contributors@themilsource.com