Las Vegas Travel Guide for Adventure and Simplicity
Make the most of your time in Las Vegas, Nevada with this simple travel guide based on our adventures.
One of our favorite places to visit is Las Vegas, Nevada. We go every year and always have a great time.
Phil loves to Gamble and Kelsey loves a good night on the town so it's a great fit for both. If you haven't been, its time to book a trip to Sin City.
Contents
Where to Stay
Aria Hotel and Casino
By far our favorite Las Vegas hotel is Aria. It is a newer hotel and the pricing is about the middle of the road for Las Vegas strip hotels.
The casino itself is great with a lot of tables and plenty of slot machines. There are also a lot of delicious restaurants and bars to check out.
All of the rooms are nice and set up about the same. We stayed in the deluxe king room and everything was perfect. The room is very spacious and has a giant bed plus extra seating. The bathroom has a giant shower and tub which is awesome.
The two coolest features are the curtains that open automatically and the tablet in the room that lets you control everything.
There is also a spa that is more than worth the money to get in. Each locker room has 3 hot tubs of varying temps, eucalyptus steam room, and cedar sauna. It's the perfect place to pamper yourself and rewind after a long night in Vegas.
Where to Eat
Herringbone
Our favorite sit down restaurant is Herringbone in Aria. As with any restaurant in Las Vegas it is best to make a reservation. The layout is amazing because they have actual tables but they also have lounge areas you can sit at as well.
The drinks are unique and the food is delicious. There are a lot of choices that let you pick small bites or you can stick with a bigger meal. It is a little pricey but so worth it.
We spilled our drink while there and their service was spectacular. The manager came right over and was nothing but kind. He gave us a new one and told us to enjoy our night.
Hotel Buffets
A majority of the hotels have buffets, especially those part of the MGM grand hotels. Our favorite is the buffet at Aria as it seems to not only have the best choices but the best quality as well.
We have an app for MGM grand hotels which lets you play free slot games and earn real rewards. We then use the rewards towards some free buffets as that seems to be the best bang for our buck. Here are all of the buffets we have gone to.
| Buffet | Price ($-$$$) | Our food rating (1-3) | Our overall rating (1-3) |
| Mirage | $$ | 3 | 3 |
| Bellagio | $$$ | 3 | 2 |
| Luxor | $ | 1 | 1 |
| Excalibur | $ | 1 | 1 |
| Aria | $$ | 3 | 3 |
| MGM Grand | $$ | 2 | 2 |
| Mandalay Bay | $ | 2 | 2 |
What to Do
Gamble
Of course, if you are in Vegas the main thing to do is gamble. Any hotel on the strip is a good idea but the prices change depending on where you go. Even in one casino, there is a variety of price ranges so just make sure to keep looking until you find something more in your price range.
The rumor about getting free drinks while in Vegas is true! The only catch is it depends on how often the sever comes around. Just make sure to tip your server.
Slots
If you are not a big gambler but at least want to give it a try while in Vegas then slots are a good place to start. "Penny" slots are a common go-to but don't be fooled by the 1cent sign as most have a 30cent minimum buy. 30 cents is still pretty cheap though.
We try to find the slot machines with card games on them like "jacks or better" or "deuces wild". Typically there are machines with 5 cents to 25 cents buy-ins and it takes a little bit more skill than just clicking a button.
If you are only gambling for the free drinks then your best bet is to find a slot machine at a bar. You typically have to put in a $20 bill and be playing the whole time you are sitting down. Since the bartender is right there you get drinks faster without spending as much money.
Tables
This included card games, roulette, and craps. Typically when you hear of people "winning big" in Vegas it's at one of the tables.
The main thing about tables is that you typically need a certain amount of knowledge about each game. Most of the time you can find a nice dealer who will walk you through the process. If the thought of talking to a dealer freaks you out, most Vegas casinos now have electronic versions of the table games.
Sport Book
Sports gambling is mainly legal in Nevada so going to Vegas might be your best chance. Even if you aren't going to bet on a game you should at least check out the sportsbook in the casinos.
It's more TVs then anyone could ever need. For sports fanatics its heaven. Each one is a little different but we like the ones with plenty of couches.
Pools
If you are in the desert then you may as well enjoy a cool down in a pool. The cool thing about pools in Vegas is the variety you can find.
Some pools are on rooftops, some are topless, some are for relaxing and some are for partying. Pool parties are a staple of Las Vegas but you may need a ticket and they are often packed.
Our favorite pool is at the mirage but it gets crowded very quickly. They have padded chairs to rent all day in their private oasis area that is worth the price. It has its own pool and a server. You can also rent a cabana if that better fits your needs.
Red Rock Canyon
If you need a little touch with mother nature then heading to Red Rock Canyon is a great idea. You will either need a car or you can find several tour companies. When we go to Red Rock Canyon we like hiking but there are also camping and hot springs.
We would recommend making an entirely separate trip to enjoy Red Rock. A majority of our friends like going for a quick day hike after a night of partying in Vegas but we prefer having more time.
Travel with simplicity for the ultimate adventure. Use our simple travel guide to explore like us and get the most out of your vacation.
Our travel vibe blends discovery and leisure. When we travel we enjoy our downtime but also make sure to experience each destination.
We hope our travel guide for Las Vegas, Nevada will inspire you and help you plan your next trip. It really is the city that never sleeps and is a great vacation spot. Happy Adventuring!
