las vegas
You might not consider traveling to Las Vegas in your RV, but you should. Dive into the glitz and glamor of the strip, try your hand with Lady Luck, and then retreat to the peace and quiet of your own abode on wheels.
Highlights
Enjoy the fountain show with choreographed music and lights at Bellagio.
Watch the huge volcano erupt every night to the sounds of the Grateful Dead at The Mirage.
Take a gondola ride and enjoy the singing of your gondolier at The Venetian.
BEST TIME TO GO
The spring and fall shoulder seasons are the best time for temperate weather and fewer crowds. Weekdays are also quieter than weekends.
CAMPGROUNDS
Las Vegas RV Resort
3890 S. Nellis Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89121. lasvegasrvresort.com; info@lasvegasrvresort.com; 702-451-8005. $30 to $50. Heated pool, spa, game room.
Don’t forget to forget the kids. This RV resort does not allow whippersnappers under 18, which makes for a quiet and relaxing atmosphere minutes away from the madness of the strip.
A landscaped setting, a nice pool and spa, and 24-hour security make this a favorite among veteran RVers. Need to burn off some calories from too many buffets? Try the well-equipped fitness center. Roads are a little tight for the biggest of rigs, however.
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fountains at Bellagio. |
The Bellagio fountains get most of their water from the artisanal wells located under the city.
LVM Resort
8175 Arville Street, Las Vegas, NV 89139. lvmresort.com; info@lvmresort.com; 866-897-9300. $60 to $100. Heated pool, spa, recreation hall, putting course, tennis courts.
The word resort isn’t thrown about casually at this luxurious RV oasis in the desert. Everything about Las Vegas Motorcoach (LVM) is high end, including the price, which is well worth it.
Relax at the lovely pool or in one of the two whirlpools after a long day at the tables. If you’re a fitness junkie, you can grab a game of tennis or try the fitness center. If you brought your clubs, try the 9-hole lighted putting course. Or just kick back and relax at your manicured site with a good book. The strip can be stressful, but nothing about LVM is, except for the occasional sound of planes overhead.
If you need a break from the casinos, head to the clubhouse for live entertainment or a shared meal with friends.
Nevada Treasure RV Resort
301 W. Leslie Street, Pahrump, NV 89060. nvtreasure.com; frontdesk@nvtreasure.com; 800-429-6665. $40 to $65. Heated pool, spa, horseshoes, recreation hall, game room, activities.
This is a good option for families traveling with kids; just don’t plan on swimming with them in the gorgeous two-level pool after 6 P.M. during adult-only hours.
The entire park is clean and comfortable, and the food at the on-site bar and grill is quite good. The sites are very attractive, and many have gazebos and grills. The sauna, steam room, and hot tub also are excellent. There’s even a bowling alley. The staff is more than willing to help you select a restaurant or secure tickets for a show.
Be sure to grab complementary coffee and a newspaper each morning.
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Famous Las Vegas strip. |
The famous cowboy of Fremont Street, Vegas Vic is the world’s largest mechanical neon sign.
RESTAURANTS
Le Village Buffet
Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. caesars.com/paris-las-vegas; 702-946-7000. 7 A.M. to 10 P.M. $25 to $35. New American.
Le Village offers high-end culinary items and ups the ante with a charming atmosphere. It’s also the only buffet in town to take reservations.
The buffet resembles a French village, with cobblestone streets and Parisian architecture. Food is made to order at the individual stations. Create your own surf and turf with prime rib and snow crab legs, or if you have a sweet tooth, visit the crepe station or try the macaroons and crème brûlée.
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Paris Las Vegas. |
In the 1800s, Las Vegas was just a watering hole on the trail from Santa Fe to Los Angeles.
Le Cirque
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. bellagio.com/restaurants; 877-234-6358. Tuesday to Sunday 5:30 P.M. to 10 P.M. $100 to $200. French American.
The food in Vegas is legendary, and many visitors want to experience at least one meal here they’ll remember forever. Le Cirque is worth the splurge.
The atmosphere is elegant but comfortable and cozy, the service is attentive without being snotty, and the kitchen is happy to adjust for any food allergies.
The main Dégustation Menu changes with the season and often includes foie gras and caviar options, along with a fish and game course. The more affordable Pre-Theatre Menu offers optional sommelier wine pairing. Entire menus are developed for vegetarian and vegan diners. For a real treat, splurge on the Caviar and Truffle Menu.
Make reservations well in advance and then arrive early to enjoy a cocktail at the bar.
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The Luxor. |
Hash House A Go Go
3535 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. hashhouseagogo.com; 702-254-4646. $10 to $30. American.
After a long night of clubbing your way down the strip, head to this 24-hour fun spot for heaping portions of any breakfast favorite you can name.
Those who love savory hashes will be in heaven with roast chicken, meatloaf, and pork tenderloin options, and grilled French toast satisfies the sweet tooth. Good luck picking one thing off the menu.
ATTRACTIONS
Deuce Double-Decker Bus
Las Vegas Strip, NV 89109. rtcsnv.com/transit; 800-228-3911. 2-hour pass $6; 24-hour pass $8.
If this is your first trip to Vegas, snag a seat on the top level of these city-operated double-decker buses to get a bird’s-eye view of the world-famous strip.
The bus goes slowly as it crawls through the traffic, but that’s okay because the people-watching and sightseeing are quite entertaining.
O by Cirque du Soleil
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. cirquedusoleil.com; contact@cirquedusoleil.com; 888-488-7111. Wednesday to Sunday 7 P.M. and 10 P.M. show times. $98 to $170.
With so many amazing shows in Vegas, it can be difficult to choose just one to see. Cirque du Soleil is a perennial favorite of Las Vegas visitors, and nothing else competes with the wow factor of any Cirque show. Its popularity also means it sells out every night, so book your tickets well in advance.
O defies explanation, introducing an aquatic element to the spectacle of music, lights, and nonstop jaw-dropping aerobatic feats.
Splurging on premium seats pays off, but if you want to stick with the base price, you won’t be disappointed. The theater at the Bellagio is small, with no bad seats.
Attractions on the Strip
Las Vegas Information Center, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. lasvegas.com; 877-847-4858. Hours vary by attraction. Price varies by attraction.
Vegas has gone from being a gambler’s mecca to a vacation destination for families, couples, and friends. Even if you have no interest in trying your luck at the slot machines or gaming tables, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the casinos—many of which are designed like mini theme parks.
You can’t miss the fountain show at the Bellagio, a free choreographed light, music, and water display. Visit Paris Las Vegas for an amusing spin on the City of Light, showcasing replicas of the Eiffel Tower and other famous Paris landmarks. Take a jaunt to Italy, and see the street performers at The Venetian—don’t leave without taking a gondola ride in the canal. Finally, take time to smell the roses at the Wynn Conservatory.
ITINERARIES
If you have 1 week …
Upon arrival, take the Deuce bus to see the whole Strip and venture to Fremont Street. Watch O by Cirque du Soleil. See the Bellagio fountain show and take a gondola tour at the Venetian. Let it ride at the Cosmopolitan Casino.
If you have 2 weeks …
All the above, plus visit the City of Light at Paris Las Vegas, watch the volcano erupt at The Mirage, and ride the Big Apple Rollercoaster at New York–New York. Venture off the strip, and play bingo at the Red Rock Casino. Tour the Mob Museum. Take a day trip to the Hoover Dam.
If you have 3 weeks …
All the above, plus wander through the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and take a spin on the High Roller Ferris wheel. Tour the Neon Museum, and indulge your sweet tooth at M&M’s World. Shop the Forum Shops at Caesars. Take a day trip to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.