Las Vegas: Filled with Fun

Located in the sandy deserts of southern Nevada, Las Vegas is home to almost 650,000 people. However, it started off as a relatively small community with ties to organized crime. In the mid-20th century, mobsters built casinos such as the Flamingo and the Sahara. Celebrities at the time had a large presence in Vegas. Elvis Presley, who performed over 500 shows in the city, and Frank Sinatra, who sang his first ever live album at the Sands hotel, are two examples. Since the early days, Vegas has been known for gambling, nightlife and all forms of entertainment. In short, Las Vegas has it all for PestWorld attendees.

ATTRACTIONS. The High Roller gives guests one of the best bird’s eye views of Las Vegas. Sitting 550 feet in the sky, guests can see a 360° perspective of the strip while being on the world’s tallest observation wheel. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. For guests who are 21 and older, a “happy half hour” is available with an open bar and bartender.

For those who are looking for a more thrilling time, the SkyJump located on the 108th floor of the Stratosphere hotel is for you. Guests experience a “controlled free fall” from 855 feet above the strip. This is done using a vertical zipline, which allows jumpers to go up to 40 miles per hour before slowing down to make a controlled landing. Friends and family have the option to watch jumpers from a nearby viewing area. In more than a decade, there have been more than 200,000 jumps.

Downtown Las Vegas’ Fremont Street Experience offers another high intensity adventure: Slotzilla. One part of the attraction is the Zip-Zilla zipline, which is 77 feet high and glides guests in a seated position down a length of 850 feet. The more rousing Super-Hero Zoom Zoomline has guests fly “superhero-style” on their stomachs 114 feet in the air for 1,700 feet. Photo packages and rentable GoPro helmets are available to capture the memory.

The Mob Museum provides a more educational experience by showcasing the history of the mob. Exhibits showcase the early history of organized crime and Prohibition, the mob’s “greatest hits” and a historic courtroom. Those over the age of 13 can participate in a firearm training simulator in which guests engage in digital and in-person roleplaying scenes revolving around de-escalation and use-of-force situations. Another attraction within the Mob Museum is the crime lab for guests who are age 11 and older. Educators guide guests through multimedia forensic-related tasks such as DNA and fingerprint analysis. Also, guests over 21 have the opportunity to visit the speakeasy and distillery. Cocktails inspired by the Prohibition era and moonshine are sold at the speakeasy along with sharable snacks. Meanwhile, the distillery tour teaches participants about the history of Prohibition and its drinking culture while engaging in a spirit taste session.

Animal lovers can visit the Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium to observe piranhas, sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles and a Komodo dragon. There are several animal encounters available such as feeding stingrays, sharks or sea turtles. These programs last 45 minutes to one hour and photos are taken of the experience. Another hands-on experience is the dive with sharks program, which allows divers to swim with more than 30 sand tiger, sandbar and white tip reef sharks. Afterwards, divers get a video of their diving adventure. A different kind of interactive event is the undersea explorer VR theater, which is a 3D virtual reality tour of the ocean. Guests virtually “swim” with sharks and whales while learning more about them in the process.

There are free attractions on the strip and in downtown Las Vegas. Now that Nevada’s COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, Fremont Street’s live music program will commence again. These free concerts consist of multiple genres of live music being played across three different stages. Another free event in the area is the Viva Vision light show, which displays a light and sound show using 12.5 million LED lamps. Another Las Vegas spectacle is the fountains of Bellagio. Sit back and watch the water show that occurs every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the day and time. Every presentation is unique, which allows viewers to watch again and again.

FOOD. Everything is big in Vegas, including buffets. The Bacchanal Buffet located in Caesars Palace is over 25,000 square feet with 15 daily chef specials and nine kitchens. They serve American cuisine, seafood, sushi, Mediterranean and dim sum, along with many other dishes, so there is something for everyone to try.

The Peppermill has a large variety of hearty dishes with oversized portions to try while in an interesting and dynamic environment. Eat breakfast 24 hours a day in pink, purple and blue lighting in the fireside lounge. Lunch and dinner specials are different types of soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, steaks and other American food.

Downtown Las Vegas also has many restaurants to try. Park on Fremont is a bar and restaurant with cozy yet eclectic décor. It is considered to be “a park in the heart of the city.” During brunch guests can enjoy signature cocktails such as the Trophy Wife, which is a mixture of spiced rum, fresh tropical juices and bitters. Burgers, sandwiches and sharable appetizers are served for lunch and dinner. Another downtown bar and restaurant is Nacho Daddy, which is home to the scorpion shot. This tequila shot is great for PCT readers because it comes with an actual scorpion and a lime wedge. The menu has an abundance of Mexican cuisine such as tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and, of course, nachos.

Other popular Mexican restaurants are located near the Las Vegas strip. Canonita, in the Palazzo hotel, sells more than 50 types of authentic tequilas. Inside there is a walk-up street taqueria which resembles those in Mexico City. The menu features different types of Mexican street food and house-made margaritas. Meanwhile, El Dorado Cantina serves authentic Mexican cuisine 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a reservation required. Discounted margaritas are sold all day and night on margarita Mondays.

Italian dining can be found at Amalfi by Bobby Flay within Caesars Palace. For dinner, guests can enjoy a variety of pasta, seafood, chicken and steak. Beer, wine and signature cocktails can be served with each meal. A main component of the restaurant is the fish and seafood display where an experienced fishmonger answers questions about the seafood.

The Golden Steer is one of the most notable steakhouses in Las Vegas. It is the oldest steakhouse in Vegas with former regulars such as Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali. The inside décor has a classy and vintage aesthetic to recreate the ambiance of “old Las Vegas.” Guests can reserve private dining rooms for more intimate gatherings or large events. The steak is USDA Prime Aged.

Those interested in trying Asian cuisine can visit restaurants in Chinatown such as the Chubby Cattle which serves Chinese hot pot. Guests dip meat, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms and noodles into broth at the center of the table to cook. Meanwhile, those who are interested in Thai food can head to Weera Thai which serves Thai street food. Happy hour is offered everyday between 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. in which sake and specialty cocktails such as the lychee martini are available at discounted prices.

NIGHTLIFE. Las Vegas is a city famous for its nightlife, but it can be hard to figure out where to start. After all, not all casinos are created equal. The Race & Sports Book within Caesars Palace is the place for an optimal sports betting experience. Guests sit in front of a giant 143-foot LED screen with directional sound to watch the game and place their bets. Poker players can visit the Bellagio to gamble at one of the 40 tables or the two high-limit areas. Amenities in the poker room include 24-hour table service dining, safe deposit boxes, 42-inch plasma TV screens, and complimentary beverage service. Likewise, the Golden Nugget hosts a variety of table games like blackjack, craps and roulette for seasoned gamblers. Yet, the MGM Grand is one of the largest casinos on the strip with an abundant selection of slots.

Bars are also plentiful in Las Vegas. The Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan provides a unique drinking experience because of its giant chandelier and three lounges, all differing in levels of energy intensity. Signature cocktails are served such as the Alice in Wonderland-inspired “We’re All Mad Here,” which appears blue at first but changes colors when mixed and comes with an edible tag. Those who are looking for a kitschier experience can head to Frankie’s Tiki Room. Guests can enjoy tropical rum-filled tiki drinks, 24 hours a day. A different kind of sweet drink can be savored at the Chocolate Bar in New York New York. Situated near Hershey’s Chocolate World, this bar serves cocktails inspired by desserts.

Vegas is also known for its alluring nightclubs. The VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub at Caesars Palace has award-winning bartenders. Guests can drink specialty cocktails like the Witch Doctor, which is a jumbo rum cocktail with dry ice. Every night, guests can party on the outdoor patio beneath the stars with a live DJ. Another choice is the TAO at the Venetian. This nightclub often has three bars, a dance floor and an outside terrace overlooking the strip. Famous DJs and celebrities like Drake and Rihanna have been known to visit TAO.

The author is PCT’s editorial intern.