Restaurants

• Yellowtail at the Bellagio is the best Japanese/sushi restaurant I’ve ever eaten. You can request a table near the windows and watch the Bellagio fountains or even step outside onto the balcony. Nice atmosphere, perfect for a romantic evening. Their braised Kobe beef short ribs are simply incredible. Reservations are recommended (702) 693-8865.

• Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas is a good brasserie-style restaurant. Recommend eating on the patio so that you can people-watch on the Strip, plus views of the fountains across the street. The warmed baquette is WONDEFUL and pretty inexpensive. James loves the Steak au Poivre (with brandy peppercorn sauce).

• I’ve heard the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas is a wonderfully unique and romantic experience. I’ve never eaten there, but I’ve heard good things.

• Scarpetta at The Cosmopolitan. A satellite location of celebrity Chef Scott Conant’s (of Food Network fame) Miami Italian restaurant. You can request a table next to a window and watch the Bellagio fountains. Very pricey, very good. Reservations are recommended (702) 698-7960.

• But if you want Italian, go to Spago at the Bellagio. If you want a romantic, memorable, quiet evening, go here. Their spaghetti is very simple but unbelievably delicious. We split the meal and then got a pizza. You can also request a table next to a window and watch the Bellagio fountains, or even head out on the terrace (if there isn't a private party).

• Holsteins at The Cosmopolitan. Great casual burger joint. You can get spiked milkshakes.

• Beijing Noodle No. 9 at Caesars. Delicious, authentic noodles and Chinese food. Great for lunch. Casual. It’s a little pricey for the quantity of food you get, but it’s truly authentic Chinese cuisine.

• Border Grill at Mandalay Bay. Delicious Mexican food. Their guacamole is some of the best I’ve had. So if you’re at the south end of the Strip and want a quick bite or a good margarita, check it out.

• Earl of Sandwich at Planet Hollywood hotel and casino. It’s a chain, but they have very limited locations. Amazing sandwiches. Their holiday sandwich is terrific, as is their Caprese. It’s walk-up and open 24 hours.

• For breakfast/brunch, Sun's Out Buns Out at Resorts World or Eggslut at The Cosmopolitan are both super delicious and known for their breakfast sandwiches. (Both are counter service.)

• Across from Resorts World is The Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, a truly Vegas experience. We ate there for breakfast/brunch, but they are open all day and have a full bar all day. They even snap your picture at the table! Note the $20+ omelettes are HUGE and you could probably split them. They also have lunch and dinner. Call ahead seating available if the wait is over an hour: (702) 735-4177.

• Park MGM features Eataly, an upscale Italian food hall, and we wish we had more time to explore and eat here.

Shopping

• Caesars Forum Shops are a must-visit shopping destination. Lots of high-end stores. You can spend an entire afternoon here.

• The Shops at Crystals has many very high-end stores, and it is worth checking out the architecture and elaborate storefronts.

• The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has a great mix of stores and is very large. Another afternoon of shopping is possible here.

• The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian are OK, but not as good as Caesars, in my opinion.

• Fashion Show Mall is a great mall right on the Strip.

Sight-Seeing

• Take a day and walk the Strip. Go into the major hotel-casinos and check them out. They’re very elaborate and have their own themes.

• Do not miss the conservatory at the Bellagio. Year-round displays of beautiful flowers that change with the seasons.

• If you’re renting a car, you can save time and take your car and drive to some of the farther hotel casinos like Mandalay Bay or Stratosphere. Many casinos have free parking.

• Take an Uber or your rental car to the south end of the Las Vegas strip to see the famous Las Vegas sign. The people there posing and taking pictures there have to have a permit from the city, so they’re legitimate.

• Go to Fremont Street (the old part of Las Vegas) in the evening. Here you will see some of Las Vegas’s most recognizable neon signs and old casinos. The slots at these casinos are loose, and the table games have the best odds, so if you want to gamble and win, these casinos are your best bet. The street is covered by an LED awning that has a show every so often in the evening. It’s unique. I’d recommend taking a taxi since parking can be a pain at Fremont Street. Lots of panhandlers and pickpockets, so be cautious.

• Go to Meow Wolf’s “Omega Mart,” located in the Area15 complex. Omega Mart is an interactive art installation and “choose your own adventure” game/puzzle. No description can do it justice. Plan on a minimum of 3 hours to fully experience the attraction.

• Take a day trip to the Hoover Dam and take one of their tours. If you don’t have time for a tour, just visiting the dam on your own is a great experience.

• The Neon Museum is something I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had a chance to go. They have several signs preserved from old Las Vegas properties. Apparently, the best time to go is before sunset so that you can see the signs in daylight, and then they turn them on at dusk.

Shows

• “O” by Cirque du Soliel at the Bellagio is a phenomenal show (with water). Worth the price of the tickets.

• Many of my friends think that “KA” (at the MGM Grand) is the best Cirque du Soliel show in Las Vegas. I saw it a few trips ago, and it’s amazing. It’s the only Cirque du Soliel show in Las Vegas with a clear storyline. I loved the Asian elements of the story.

Special Experiences

• Make sure you watch the fountains at the Bellagio outside at night. A Las Vegas must!

• Go to Aft Cocktail Deck at The Wynn Las Vegas at nighttime. They do a show every 30 minutes on the waterfall and the lagoon. It’s not advertised. You just need to know about it. This is a must-do, in my opinion.

• A gondola ride at The Venetian is something that many people like to do. I haven’t done it, but I know people who have.

Matthew’s Las Vegas Tips

• Don’t underestimate how long the Strip is. If you decide to walk it and visit the hotels, wear comfortable shoes.

• If you’re renting a car, drive with caution, especially on the Strip. Tourists, cab drivers, and locals are a dangerous mix. So I avoid driving the Strip and take side streets and the expressway when I can.

• When on the Strip, especially at night, use good street smarts. Lots of panhandlers. Many of them use animals to get you to give them money. Also, there are people “snapping” cards at many corners and trying to hand them to you. They’re cards for escort services. It can be a little irritating the first time you encounter them, but you get used to it and just learn to ignore them. They typically won’t say anything to you or give you a card if you’re female.