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Las Vegas may be seated in the heart of the Desert Southwest, but there are still a few places to pluck apples from trees and choose the biggest pumpkins from right off the vine. Gilcrease Orchard is one of those places. The orchard is only open seasonally, but when it is open, people descend upon it in herds to get their hands on several varieties of apples, leafy greens, peaches, pears, plums and many row crops. Grab a gallon of the orchard’s famous apple cider if you decide to visit!

Bouchon Bakery, with its origins in Yountville, California, and under the aegis of world renowned chef Thomas Keller of the French Laundry, now has three locations—and, lucky enough for Vegas, one of them is on the Strip. The menu is classic French bistro, done extremely well, and with a carefully selected (and extensive) wine list to match. It’s also open for breakfast & brunch.

Due to its prime location and sophisticated design, one thing you’re guaranteed to get when you stay at The Cosmopolitan is a stellar view. Every room has a balcony — a wonderful vantage point for viewing the city’s lights. Though the views are certainly a selling point for The Cosmopolitan, you don’t just check into the average hotel room when you stay here. Rooms are spacious with casual seating, a desk, and an incredibly comfortable bed. Every bathroom has a roomy tiled shower and deep sunken tub — also with a stunning view. To complement the resort’s edgy, avant-garde feel, a number of visually stunning and thought-provoking coffee table books are scattered throughout the room as well. Open since December 2010, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has quickly become a favorite for those visiting from out of town and locals looking to spice up a few hours of their day. In true to Las Vegas fashion, the property has everything you need and those checking into The Cosmopolitan don’t have to leave the property during their stay given the many dining, entertainment, and shopping options on site. But once they walk into their rooms and settle in, they might be tempted just to hunker down in their private oasis.

Cirque du Soleil’s newest show in Las Vegas, Michael Jackson ONE, is part tribute, part acrobatic performance, part dance show and all around outstanding. The show features a number of Michael Jackson’s best known songs, and together they tell the story of his legacy while also doing justice to the Cirque du Soleil component. Highlights of the show include a hologram of the King of Pop sharing the stage with other dancers, a slack line routine and several performers dancing on the walls in lit-up outfits. Though people who are not fans of Michael Jackson have been hesitant to see the show, fans and non-fans alike seem to be impressed with it.

Reservations required—and no wonder. The tours at the Neon Museum sell out months in advance. A walk through the museum’s famous “Boneyard” (where neon goes to die) is fascinating, from motel row to the first integrated casino (one that shut almost as soon as it opened), and the Stardust, with its nuclear testing-inspired font. All of this comes alive thanks to the museum’s famous docents, all art history buffs with loads of family history or other personal anecdotes.

Park on Fremont is a everything that a gastropub and beer garden should be, with a very cool, hipster bar (featuring taxidermy—a must these days), as well as ample space to stretch out underneath cafe lights in the back. It’s like a little piece of Austin, Texas right in the heart of Vegas. Plus, it’s open for brunch on the weekends.

Yeah Baby! The Strip might get all the attention, but if you want the real Vegas the only place to go is Fremont St. With its enclosed light show of a ceiling, freak show of people watching, and rock ‘n’ roll show of live entertainers you could be there for hours. Of course, it has casino or two should you want to make a wager, but my bet is that you’ll be fully occupied just taking it all in.

We had the fabulous opportunity to spend a week at the Venetian and here are my findings. I loved it the minute I got out of the taxi. It has an opulent front entrance, with a massive ceiling adorned with frescoes. Inside you are greeted with more luxury as the lobby is all marble. The front desk is extremely efficient as one would expect from a five star hotel and among best if not the best in Vegas. We got in very late and had no desire to go out to eat so we ordered room service. The menu is extensive and delicious and they offer a lot of healthy choices. The service was a bit slow but the food more than made up for it. Our suite was large and comfortable with two queen beds and a generous sitting area. My only complaint with the Venetian, as with all the casino hotels in Vegas, is that the smell of cigarette smoke is present everywhere in the main lobby and casino and you cannot avoid it as walking to most restaurants requires walking by or through the casino. Apart from that I love it.

Tucked off the casino floor, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art holds its own when it comes to well-established works of art. The gallery is small compared to the massive museums found in the likes of Paris and Washington, DC, but it is more than adequate for its intentions. In the city, few places are as quiet and thoughtful as the BGFA. Partnering with fine art institutes from around the world, the BGFA features a couple rotating exhibits each year. Past exhibits have featured work by Andy Warhol and Monet as well as Fabergé pieces.

One show that you must spend the money to see is Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. A spectacular show with great music, fantastic stunts and gorgeous visuals that represent the evolution of The Beatles and their music while woven into a story of love, loss and life. Be sure to head to the Revolution Lounge before or after the show for a signature cocktail.

I’ve eaten at Yellowtail more times than I can count. It is my absolute favorite food (and it’s extremely close to Bellagio’s north valet, so I can wear my very highest heels). Before you even look at a menu, order the tuna pizza—trust me. Then dig into the tastiest carpaccio starters, delicious crab hand rolls, and a variety of sushi, including one made with Pop Rocks. Akira Back recently opened a second restaurant, Kumi, at Mandalay Bay, so now there are two hot spots to pay homage to my favorite chef in Vegas.

Art isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Vegas unless you’re familiar with the term kitsch. However, Sin City has always looked to please almost every palate and many impressive art exhibitions and theatre are proving to be a worthy alternative to the neon lights of the slots. You may head to old Vegas for a cheap dinner and a show but have you ever thought of dinner and a Picasso? At Picasso in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, you can dine beneath the original paintings by Picasso himself. It’ll certainly cost you at Julian Serrano’s restaurant and you may even feel as though you end up paying for one of the masterpieces upon the wall but the food and service are memorable. Try to get a table near the windows or outside on the patio for a view of the fountains. Can’t afford an entire meal but love Picasso? Head to the bar for a drink.

Fashion Show Mall is one of the largest shopping areas on the Strip, and it’s accessible to everyone, whereas other shopping experiences tend to teeter on the higher end. Certainly there are name brands like Louis Vutton and Tiffany & Co., but there are also several stores that appeal to a wider audience. The two-story Forever 21 is one of the most popular stores, but anchor classics such as Neiman Marcus also draw shoppers. On the weekends, a runway platform is raised and there are fashion shows featuring models wearing clothing from retailers in the mall.

Forget about generic buffets and cheesy nightlife options, or destinations solely located in a region’s tourist zone. Today’s best all-inclusive resorts can be mega but still feel intimate—thanks to fine dining restaurants with a la carte menus and perks like designer fashion shows and top shelf liquor. Our list also highlights some less traditional, boutique picks both on and off the beach, offering eclectic and exclusive all-inclusive adventures.

Fanciful accommodations are the name of the game in Las Vegas, and especially during a weekend for two. Each property has its own brand of prime suites reserved for special occasions. Try the two-story Skylofts at MGM Grand, which boast dramatic views of the Strip, or Bellagio’s Cypress suites, which offer his- (bath with steam shower) and-hers (soaking tub) bath amenities. Some of the most famous are Cosmopolitan’s corner suites with Sub-Zero fridges, balconies, and setting-the-stage dining rooms, The Villas at Mirage, which feature a fireplace and backyard, and Aria’s Sky Suites, which are up to 7,000 square feet.