Las Vegas offers something for everyone – stag parties, adrenaline seekers, couples needing a break from their kids and even families.
My favourite way to party in the city of sin? With my best girlfriends, of course. On a recent trip to Vegas we let loose and explored the Strip and beyond for five fantastic days.
Boozing and bull riding
Riding a mechanical bull will get you in a lot less trouble than riding a cowboy, so we hit PBR Rock Bar & Grill to check out their mechanical bull. Turns out, none of us were brave enough to ride the bull after we had eaten our way through deliciously huge portions of home cooked style fare and yummy cocktails. Be sure to ride before you order your meal!
The Bull Riding pit at the PBR Rock Bar!
Learn to shake it
Two of our party were brave enough to take an hour long pole dancing class. At Stripper 101, designed specifically groups of girlfriends, instructor Pony explained the business and taught us a chair and pole routine before handing over our souvenir stripper business cards.
Are you ready to party?
I’m not particularly girlie, so I was a little apprehensive about the M•A•C Cosmetics makeovers and blow outs at Original Diva we had planned. I shouldn’t have been worried – the experience was decadent and fun. The uber-stylish M•A•C store features five gorgeous makeup stations lining the front of the store, but two of us were escorted to the private makeup room in the back and walked through a full makeover and smoky eye, bright lip combinations.
At Original Diva we were pampered with blow-outs from friendly and efficient stylists, who took our hair from pretty to va-va-voom in no time. This location is the flagship U.S. location of Australia’s popular full-service salon and market leading, custom-designed hair extensions retailer. I seriously considered booking a blow-out for the next night too, but my party hair lasted into the night and the next day, and I was able to revive it with the instruction my stylist had passed along.
Up all night
Even if it’s been a decade (or more) since you were carded last, a visit to a packed nightclub is a must do in the city that never sleeps. We hit XS Night Club to see David Guetta behind the deck (and on it – XS is part nightclub, part outdoor pool). Every trip to Vegas ends up with us finishing at least one night at the piano bar in New York New York. There are always plenty of polite Canadian men there singing their hearts out to Journey.
Shop ‘til you drop
If you want the best bargain shopping experience, it’s worth it to catch a cab and visit Premium Outlets at the north end of the Strip. On Strip, I definitely prefer Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood over Fashion Show Mall.
Find time to feast
Vegas is a foodie paradise, and we ate our way through the city. If money is no object, make a reservation for decadent dinner at Botero in Encore. This award-winning steakhouse is named in honour of Colombian artist Fernando Botero, and filled with some of his most popular original paintings and sculptures. Chef Mark LoRusso’s menu offers prime steaks, seafood and seasonally inspired dishes, plus an expansive vegan menu.
We spent three hours trying nearly everything on the menu at Buddy V’s Ristorante at the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. In true Italian style we laughed, and talked over each other, hands flying, and shamelessly tasted from each other’s plates. Opened by TLC’s “Cake Boss” star, Buddy Valastro, we loved the casual ambiance, upscale food and the incredibly tasty desserts (we took the famous cream-filled lobster tail pastry to go, and ate it with our hands in the hotel room as a midnight snack).
Visiting Vegas may be considered a rite-of-passage for those turning 21, but I think it’s a must-do even if it’s been nearly two decades since you’ve celebrated being able to legally drink!
