Espresso Boarding: Las Vegas, Nevada
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Las Vegas, Nevada:
Skydiving, Spas, and Dancing Water
Modern Vegas is fun, luxurious, and can even be healthy. Where else can you ride an ATV in the desert in the morning and spa your heart out all afternoon?
You can choose your ideal itinerary based on your desire for Adventure, Culture, or Relaxation. These itineraries are handy to bookmark - a blister or torn muscle may convert your Adventure plans into Relaxation plans. Let’s get started.
- Cris
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| You Can Fly | Hiking and Flying | Paddle, Paddle, Zoom, Zoom | Get Dirty and Escape |
ADVENTURE!
Day 1: You Can Fly
Prove You Can Fly
We’re in Vegas, right? Let’s get that adrenaline pumping! Head to the Strat Tower and take a ride to the top of the Tower. At 1,149 feet tall, it is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Afraid of heights? Then you’ll want to get back to ground quickly. Take the SkyJump - a heart-pounding, scream-inducing, open-air leap from 829 feet above the neon Strip that holds a Guinness World Record as the highest ‘commercial decelerator descent facility’. You’ll zoom toward the landing pad at speeds topping 40 mph while the crowds below gasp and applaud your bravado. Maybe wait to eat Breakfast until after the jump 😅
The Kids Can Fly Too
Settle your stomach because it’s time to prove that you can fly. Do the kids think they can fly? Bring them with you. Indoor Skydiving is so safe that they host children’s parties (but you can brag about how terrifying it was when you get home). Yes, wearing a SuperMan or SuperWoman outfit is completely acceptable.
Everything Glows
Has the sun finally gone down? Head to AREA15 for a uniquely Vegas experience of technology, glow-in-the-dark, dancing, games, and music. This is all ages so watch your language. Please, do not just choose the free entry pass. Be an adult and get the experience pass - it’s SO worth it to play all games and access every single immersive adventure.
Day 2: Hiking and Flying
Hike In The Mojave Desert
The Red Rock Canyon is a stunningly beautiful place to reset your mind and move those muscles. This is the dessert and so be thoughtful about climate. Is it July? Be prepared for crushing heat and drink lots of water. I confess to hiking part of the canyons in July, back tracking, and picking up the car to tour by car. The hike is lovely in January. Horses and bicycles can both be rented onsite. The Red Rock Casino is a great place to refuel the car when you leave for the day.
Zipline, Superhero-Style
If the sun has gone down, and you are still upright, then it’s time to shower off the dirt and head to Fremont Street for SlotZilla Zipline. This famous Vegas attraction has you ziplining over a crowd from one end of Fremont Street to the other. Please, I beg you, do not eat dinner and then ZipLine. You will be famous as tourists take selfies with you in the sky behind them. This is important: you can ride this thrill in two ways. 1) ZipLine, where you sit up (no one does this) or 2) ZoomLine, where you lie flat and fly like a superhero (everyone does this).
Day 3: Paddle, Paddle, Zoom, Zoom
Sunrise Kayaking on Lake Mead
Get up early (leave by 4 am) and head to watch the sunrise over Lake Mead at the Hoover Dam from a kayak on the lake. You can launch your own or rent one. Be super extra careful to read the daily fire conditions upon arrival. Please don’t be one of those idiots who carelessly starts a fire that burns 100,000’s of acres. This area is important to most of Arizona and Southern California as one of the main sources of water and so following local guidelines while on the lake is important.
Race The Car Of Your Dreams
Now that you are awake, let’s get your heart pounding with fun at SpeedVegas. Do you love the purring sound of a turbo charged V8 engine? You will grin like a little kid while playing here. You can rent a supercar for a few laps or book an entire day adventure and forget to breathe while racing the car of your dreams. Octane addicts who finish the day course report being so tired in the evening that they fall asleep while sitting up and waiting for dinner. Maybe don’t schedule this evening to hit the dance clubs.
Smash It
Or…did you get you a burst of energy once you got back into Vegas? Great! It’s time to smash something. You came to Vegas to blow off a little steam, right? Sin City Smash is where you smash plates with baseball bats, throw axes (at nonliving targets), and throw paint around to create your own canvas. It’s difficult not to take photos of Grandma getting her rage on while she smashes a computer but put the phones away.
Day 4: Get Dirty and Escape
Create A Sandstorm
Take an ATV into the Mojave Dessert and stir up some sand! Oh my goodness - that looks like so much fun! Why do we only spend 1 to 1.5 hours in the desert? Because it’s really hot and the tour guides don’t want medical emergencies from people they picked up in Vegas (who “might” already be dehydrated). You can always come back and ride again on your next trip. Lots of people will also have a little fun shooting or offroading through the desert while they are here. These activities should only be enjoyed with a tour group or local company. You are in the desert. There are lots of hazards that you don’t normally think about - the companies will watch your back. Bring eye drops.
Save Your Last Nerve
Did you bring your family and/or friends on this trip? Did at least one of them wear down your last nerve? This is Vegas - punish them in an Escape Room. While Escape Rooms get a bad name from Corporate Team Building activities, this one is in Vegas and so it goes to a whole new level. You may be equally proud and sad when your group escapes and the fun is over. Or…you could get stuck there because that person still won’t get along with the others 😀
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor and Indoor Art | Frankie, Sammie, and Whitey | Clean water for a hot wedding | Fresh Air and Fine Art |
CULTURE!
Day 1: Outdoor and Indoor Art
The Neon Museum
When did you KNOW you were in Vegas? When you saw the desert? Nah. It was when you saw ALL of the neon signs along the Strip. Explore the history of Vegas through those signs at The Neon Museum. This place is so cool that it is moving to a larger space in 2025 because they currently 1) can only display 1/3 of their collection and 2) have to turn people away due to current capacity limitations. They are open 3 - 11pm and buying tickets in advance online is recommended due to those capacity constraints.
Las Vegas Arts District
The Las Vegas Arts District is an unexpected joy that is overlooked by traditional tourists. The opportunity to interact directly with dozens of artists, photographers, architects, and galleries under one roof has become a cultural touchstone for art lovers in Las Vegas. They even have a neat Gallery to Go art vending machine to pick up a small souvenir.
Artist In Residence (Live Music)
Vegas is arguably the US home for music. Sure, you could argue that New Orleans, Nashville, and Biloxi are worthy contenders, but Vegas attracts the biggest names in music. Why? Touring (I hear) is brutal. Never sleeping in your own bed, not being sure of what city you are in. (Yes, that describes some of the tourists in Vegas but only for a few days and then they are back home). When you are an Artist In Residence at one of the Vegas Hotels or The Sphere then you go home at night and still have packed audiences at every show. Many of these shows are sold out months in advance.
Tip: Make friends with your hotel Concierge. That person (for a discreet $20 tip) will magically find tickets for you. Is it the hottest show in town? That tip may go up to a few hundred dollars. The network of Concierge in Vegas know where all of the unsold seats are located (including for dinner reservations). No show is ever truly ‘sold out’ because the hotels hold onto seats for A-Listers who pop in and want to see the show. There are even Professional Concierges who work exclusively with “people they know.” I can hook you up with one of the best if you drop me a line at support@thezenly.com (and no, we don’t get a kickback). Check here for the current Artists In Residence calendar.
Day 2: Frankie, Sammie, and Whitey
The Mob Museum
Do you dig Al Capone, The Valentine’s Day Massacre, Rudy Giuliani, Whitey Bulgar, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.? Come check out The Mob Museum. Does crime pay? Who is a criminal? What is a crime? You will find yourself remembering stories told by your parents of the music greats - Sammy Davis Jr, Frank Sinatra, etc - and wondering if they may have left out the spicy parts of the stories. This museum tells the spicy parts. This is Vegas so you can even book a wedding here. Ha! The exhibit on Prohibition is particularly entertaining given that hotels now hand you a drink upon arrival.
The Tuscany Suites & Casino – Piazza Lounge
This elegant Piazza Lounge in the The Tuscany Suites & Casino offers a cozy atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy live performances of The Rat Pack is Back. Imagine yourself living in the time of Frank Sinatra, filling in details from the Mob Museum that morning. Watch out for the martini’s - they are enormous and strong!
Fremont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience is loud, overwhelming, filled with cigarette smoke, and kinda slummy and yet! Truly, it’s difficult to visit Vegas without seeing this at least once because it’s also the original Vegas. Seeing the decadence and grit of Old Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience makes it easy to understand just how upscale and refined we experience the current Vegas. Come here at night by Uber because parking is nonexistent and leave your purse at home - pickpockets love the tourists who are looking up at the sky show, out at the live music, and down on their phone to see if their selfie turned out. You will be greeted by armed guards at the entrance who will check your bag. They are looking for guns and explosives, not drugs. They really don’t care if you are in an altered state unless you are armed. This is no joke - security remains a top priority since the 2017 shooting. Walk through the casinos to see how people gambled - and still do - at casinos without spas, sparking water, or filtered air.
Day 3: Clean water for a hot wedding
Hoover Dam Tour
The Hoover Dam Tour is fascinating to see the level of engineering applied to re-routing rivers in order to contain precious drinking water. As you walk along the top of the Dam, you can compete with your friends to see who remembers the most movies in which the Dam blew up. As water rights, and access, become bigger issues, this tour will offer some perspective on what people are fighting over.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Admire the rotating collection at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art and enjoy the chilly air conditioning. Then go on a self-guided tour of each hotel lobby along the Strip. As hotels compete on who can offer the most luxury, their lobbies are becoming works of Art. Bellagio, for example, features hand-blown Murano glass sculptures in the lobby. This is where you learn how to navigate Vegas. Each hotel is connected to one another above ground so you can walk from hotel lobby to hotel lobby without going outside in the scorching heat. Does that mean that you go outside to cross the road? Nope. You either take the monorail or go down one level to the shopping and eating extravaganza beneath Vegas.
Wedding Chapels
Now that you have learned to navigate Vegas without getting cooked in the desert heat, it’s time to watch a different sort of heat. The stories are true - Vegas has many Wedding Chapels and they are busy! Getting married in Vegas is such a popular activity that TripAdvisor keeps track of the most popular chapels! I don’t gamble in Vegas but I have been known to lay down a $20 over whether the Bride will remember the Groom’s name during the ceremony.
Day 4: Fresh Air and Fine Art
Springs Preserve
Springs Preserve is dedicated to the natural history of Las Vegas and its indigenous people. Explore the exhibits about the desert environment, sustainable living, and the history of the native tribes who first inhabited the area. Halloween and Dia de Muertos are very big events which can sell out months in advance.
The Smith Center
It’s fun to walk through the outdoor sculpture garden of The Smith Center. Check out the 47 cast bronze bells in The Smith Center’s 17-story tower. They have run a total of 127,750 times since 2012 – literally turning the building into a musical instrument.
Relaxation
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freezes, Flowers, and Fun | Leisurely Drive, Spa, and Magic Mountains | Spa Day and Dancing Water | Lounge At The Pool |
Day 1: Freezes, Flowers, and Fun
Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace
The Arctic Ice Room at The Qua Baths & Spa in Caesars Palace has a near cult-like following. The idea is that alternating heat and cold improves circulation, decreases inflammation, and clears the mind. After enjoying a detoxifying hot sauna with aromatic herbal steam, you step into the crisp refreshing air of the Arctic Ice room. This is Vegas so it’s completely acceptable to wager a bet with your friend on who will bail out of the Arctic Room first 😃 First one to bail pays for dinner, just don’t get freezer burn while trying to win dinner.
The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
The Mojave Desert can reach temperatures above 100F for weeks and so Bellagio brought their Conservatory and Botanical Gardens inside. The displays are changed 5 times each year and are rarely (never?) repeated and so each visit is unique. This is the first stop in a relaxing tour of the hotel lobbies, where they compete for your attention and dollars through extravagant displays. The entire experience is air conditioned and free, although older hotels that place the casino near the lobby will smell of cigarette smoke.
High Roller Observation Wheel
Soar 550 feet above the center of the Las Vegas Strip on the largest observation wheel in North America. With sweeping 360-degree views, the wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one revolution and features 28 spacious cabins to make you comfy. While the ride opens at noon, people in the know time their ride for sunset and watch the blazing red and orange sky light up the desert. It’s beautiful and relaxing. You definitely want to order your tickets online in advance or it will be sold out for sunset.
Day 2: Leisurely Drive, Spa, and Dancing Water
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
While there are many hiking trails available, a relaxing vacationer chooses the 13-mile scenic drive. There are good places to pull over and take photos before jumping back into the air conditioned car. The Park Service does a great job at minimizing crowds by using a timed entry ticket system. Reservations are required October 1 to May 31 but recommended all year.
The Spa at Red Rock Resort
The Spa at Red Rock Resort is a temple to health and healing. They are pioneers in evidence-based approaches to nutrition and health and provide personalized menus and plans to some of the biggest celebrities in the world. It’s rumored that Bollywood stars come here for the latest guidance on how to stay beautiful, fit, and happy without feeling starved. Each spa treatment includes unlimited access to the Relaxation Lounge, Steam Room, Hot Therapeutic Whirlpool, Swedish Dry Sauna, Cold Plunge Pool, Spa Pool, and Fitness Center. In my opinion, that Relaxation Room alone is worth the price of admission.
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains art installation in the desert was originally supposed to run for 1-2 years but has been so popular that people are donating money to keep this free art installation running indefinitely. It’s popularity is due to the peaceful ambience at sunset, when the colors within the art complement the colors of the sunset, encouraging us to contemplate what the heck we are working so hard for? Why don’t we pause more often to enjoy the sunset? The long-term availability of this beautiful experience will depend upon our ability as visitors to clean up after ourselves. It was closed for a few weeks to clean the trash left behind by thoughtless people.
Day 3: Spa Day!
Canyon Ranch Spa
When was the last time you took time just for you? This is my favorite spa in the entire world to disconnect, relax, and heal. There are multiple Himalayan salt rooms in which the walls extract toxins from your breath and skin, simply by lounging quietly. There is also a rock climbing gym, cardio, personal consultants for delicious recipes and healthcare professionals trained in integrative medicine (this means that going to the spa is prescribed as part of a healthy lifestyle). Bring a bathing suit and spend the entire day here. This is why you came to Vegas.
Bellagio Fountains
The fountains “dance” and light up to the beat of music with a full show often including several songs. It’s far more entertaining than I have described. It’s so entertaining that large crowds gather and bring with them the noise and chaos that might ruin your beautiful spa mood. Non-smokers should book a table at the The Mayfair Supper Club while smokers (and people who tolerate it) have the option of a table at Lago by Julian Serrano. Both restaurants have superb food, drinks, and ambience. Tip: reserve your table at the same time as you book your hotel and flights because window seats are legitimately difficult to find on short notice.
Day 4: Lounge At The Pool
Mandalay Bay Beach
Mandalay Bay Beach is an 11-acre aquatic playground that includes a wave pool, lazy river, lagoon, and (of course) a pool. Basking in the desert sun with occasional trips around the lazy river to cool off is nearly a meditative experience. It is strongly recommended to reserve your preferred seating or your group will be split among various areas, without the level of desired sun or shade. If you’re looking for a more exclusive, adult atmosphere then we recommend the Moorea Beach Club where bathing tops are optional and large, private suites and villas are available for rent. Need to justify renting a villa for the pool? It’s important to take care of your skin.
$$$: Fine Dining, Elite Access
é by José Andrés: This hidden gem offers a unique, intimate dining experience with only a few seats available per night, serving avant-garde Spanish cuisine. It’s not just a meal; it’s a culinary show where every dish is meticulously crafted and presented.
Joel Robuchon: As Las Vegas' only 3-Michelin-star restaurant, it offers a world-class French dining experience with impeccable service and luxurious dishes. It is fussy and pretentious and a great way to impress someone on a second date.
Mizumi: Enjoy a tranquil yet decadent Japanese meal while surrounded by a serene Japanese garden with koi ponds and a 90-foot waterfall visible through floor-to-ceiling windows.
$$: A Splurge That You Will Share On Instagram
The Black Sheep: A contemporary Vietnamese-American fusion spot with delicious food and you don’t need to put on high heels.
Lotus of Siam: Traditionally, there have been two locations for these restaurants. A fancy version - this is the one you want - in the Flamingo Hotel and a non-fancy version in a strip mall. This is the best Thai food I have eaten in the US. Hands down, I would eat here for every meal for at least a few months. That tells you that even the fancy Concierge may not be able to find an open table for you so use the free online booking tool. If your trip is several months out, and the online portal claims that all tables are booked, call the Concierge immediately to begin a hunt. Be flexible on dates and times. Be generous when tipping the Concierge.
Jaleo by José Andrés: The centerpiece of this tapas restaurant is the Paella Grill, an open-fire wood grill specially designed to cook paellas in the authentic Spanish way and one of only three in the world. Tapas are fun because you can try many different meals in small portions and stop when you are full. The level of difficulty in ‘cleaning your plate’ is your choice and you have no excuse to walk away hungry.
Tacos El Gordo: Tijuana-style tacos are soft, with toppings placed on top. These are not the crunchy shell tacos you may have historically eaten.
Evel Pie: Evel Pie is an homage to EVEL KNIEVEL’S attempt to jump the Caesars Palace fountains, which remains the single biggest spectacle ever to occur in Las Vegas. This pizza place, located within the Fremont Street Experience, is loud and entertaining. The pizza is good as well. Let the Bartender know if you want to try the Reaper contest and get your pizza for free.
Aloha Kitchen: This is a cheap way to feed your family Hawaiian food and is even on Door Dash.
$: I’m Hungry And I Just Want Food
Personally, I get downright hangry when I am feeling relaxed and hungry and learn that food will not be available for at least 4 hours. Several times, I waited on hold for over 2 hours to order room service. That was just to place the order. These days, I book 1-2 meal reservations for special places and then forage for food using one of the following methods:
Grocery store: We drive into Vegas and so it’s easy to drive to a grocery store and pick up energy drinks, coffee, snacks, and entire meals. You will save a significant sum of money and can eat when you are hungry. If you NEED coffee in the morning, then I recommend this approach. It’s not uncommon to wait in line for an hour to get a cup of coffee in the lobby. Don’t have a car? Most hotels will let you use their shuttle for free if you are very nice to the Concierge. Tell them you need to pick up medicine.
CVS: The CVS next to Caesar’s Palace Resort is enormous and includes a large selection of fresh salads, sandwiches, fruit and other staples. You can even get cereal and milk here. You may be laughing now….but chances are good you will end up in the grocery aisles 😃 Pack reusable utensils and a set of plastic dishes if you intend to stay in town for a few days and want to eat. If not, you will regret the line at White Castle.
Food delivery: If you aren’t looking for high-end food from exclusive restaurants, you can usually get a pizza or Chinese food from Grub Hub or Door Dash. The food will arrive in 1-3 hours and be cold but at least it’s food. Demand for food delivery can be really high (no pun intended) on the weekend around 10pm so you’re better off heading out to forage from the closest place you can find.
Go underground: Moderately priced restaurants and expensive shops are located beneath the strip. All of the hotels have escalators down to that level. It is a fun experience to shop and people watch. Patience will be required but with a bit of luck, you may find a table at one of the restaurants. Many of the restaurants have Grab and Go stations that get replenished as quickly as possible.
Hungry?
$$$: Luxury and Comfort
The Waldorf Astoria is an oasis of calm in the middle of the Strip.
Pro: 100% Smoke Free! That resort fee gives you free use of the house car (and driver), access to the private pool, fitness classes and more.
Con: This is not the hotel you stay in for bachelorette parties or raunchy parties. This hotel caters to people who crave quiet and clean air.
The Palazzo Resort is the upscale half of The Venetian, offering floor-to-ceiling windows and incredible views of the city.
Pro: Huge amount of space, including a private dining table.
Con: They offer both Smoking and Nonsmoking rooms. The ‘nonsmoking’ label should be taken lightly because I swear that they were pumping cigarette smoke into my nonsmoking Suite. It was horrible. If I could tolerate cigarettes then this would have been fabulous.
The Four Seasons Hotel is a nonsmoking, non-gaming hotel that provides a quieter, more intimate luxury experience on the south end of the Strip. It’s perfect if you want the Las Vegas experience without the chaos. I recommend the Sunrise View Panoramic Suite. You only live once.
Pro: Luxury in every detail, including clean air and absolute quiet in the rooms.
Con: It’s located a bit further down the Strip than the other options in this category, adding 5-10 minutes of walking. To put this in perspective, some of the larger hotels in Vegas take 15 minutes to get from your room to breakfast.
$$: Comfort For Families
The Park MGM is one of the few hotels that offers a casino and is also completely nonsmoking.
Pro: Entirely non-smoking with a contemporary feel.
Con: Rooms can be small compared to other hotels in the price range.
The Linq Hotel is a hip, mid-range option with both smoking and nonsmoking rooms
Pro: Wide range of room types including cabanas, penthouses (yes, plural) and even bunk beds.
Con: Rooms can be small, and the hotel has more of a party vibe, which might not be for everyone.
The Orleans Hotel & Casino offers good value for the price and is located off the Strip but provides a shuttle service to the heart of Las Vegas. They offer both smoking and nonsmoking rooms.
Pro: Cheaper without sacrificing space.
Con: You need to take a shuttle to see anything in Vegas
$: Clean and Safe
The Ellis Island Hotel offers a great value just off the Strip with affordable prices and clean rooms.
Pro: Close to the Strip (about a 10-minute walk) but much cheaper than most Strip hotels.
Con: The property is older, so don’t expect luxury amenities.
The D Las Vegas is a great option if you want to be close to the Fremont Street Experience.
Pro: This is where you stay for bachelorette parties near Fremont Street.
Con: Noisy, drunken parties - but that’s why you chose this hotel.
Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly known as Bally’s) is located in the center of the Strip and is devoted to gambling.
Pro: You gamble? They love you. This is the cheapest option in the center of the Strip.
Con: The ‘renovation’ in 2022 consisted mostly of new carpet in the casino. The hotel is mid-to-low-end but a great deal if you just need a place to shower and store your luggage.
The Arts Factory
The Arts Factory is is a hub for local artists, making it a great spot to pick up truly unique, handmade goods. You’ll find everything from original paintings to quirky sculptures, handmade jewelry, and custom prints.
Chocolate
SWEET SIN LV: Check out the beautiful menu! Ponder the one-of-a-kind chocolate fountain that winds across the ceiling while you devour a donut.
Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier: With a constantly updated menu, you will find options such as the Valentine’s Day Collection of exotic heart-shaped bonbons inspired by precious gemstones like ruby, white opal and sapphire for the perfect romantic gesture. These chocolates are served in the most exclusive hotels of the world so take an extra box of chocolate home with you (and hide it for later). This is their retail factory shop and you won’t find better prices or customization elsewhere.
Astor Chocolate: Come here (daily) for decadent desserts that melt-in-your-mouth. They take chocolate very seriously and were the first chocolatier to import pure Belgian chocolate to the US and yet offer fun packaging if you need gifts. Or just something fun a few hours later.
Dandelion Chocolate: This bean-to-bar chocolate maker is renowned for its small-batch chocolate. Purists will sport a silly grin over the single-origin chocolates that have only two ingredients.
Meow Wolf's Omega Mart
Meow Wolf is an immersive art installation located inside AREA15, and its on-site store, Omega Mart, offers one of the most unusual shopping experiences in Las Vegas. The shop itself is part of the larger art exhibit and sells quirky, mind-bending products that blend surrealism with souvenirs.
Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
Did you wonder if I have lost my mind? Possibly but this pawn shop might be familiar to you from the show Pawn Stars. Stories abound of finding silver bars, championship rings, Cartier necklaces, and more at steep discounts. Need a little cash to keep the game going? Have an extra Championship ring? Pawn it over. The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop is a very interesting look at what people will sell quickly to keep ‘winning’ at the blackjack table.
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