The Perfect Long Weekend in Las Vegas

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.

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.

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.

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.

Though the city isn’t normally considered a go-to hot spot for history buffs, Las Vegas’ past is steeped in organized crime; without it, the city would be a very different place than it is today. Throughout the years, money has been exchanged through the hands of a number of interesting characters with colorful personalities, and the Mob Museum, located in downtown Las Vegas, examines all components of this chapter in the history books. The museum is well organized, helping people walk through the convoluted relationships and stories of organized crime that have shaped (and continue to shape) Las Vegas specifically and various parts of the world in general. Hundreds of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and regular events held at the Mob Museum make for an interesting afternoon. Give yourself at least a few hours to fully appreciate this museum.

Even spa skeptics can’t refuse Vegas’s five-star saunas, Roman baths, beautiful treatment rooms, and world renowned therapies. Hard Rock hotel’s Reliquary Spa has a mixed-sex hammam, so twosomes can steam together before heading into their joint acupuncture-inspired treatment. And the couples experience at Qua is a dream: The facilities are first rate—including Roman baths and a snow room—and you can precisely tailor the package to your partner’s desires. Hand-holding is encouraged, and there is a warm room for you to relax in together before re-entering Caesars Palace.

You can drop your dollar bills on the poker table, or you can take them to the Pinball Hall of Fame, where Las Vegas visitors of all ages can enjoy playing classic arcade games (namely pinball machines). Encompassing 10,000 square feet, the Pinball Hall of Fame is a collection of hundreds of pinball games ranging from the 1950s up to the current day. Vintage games cost $.25 to play while newer ones cost $.50. This isn’t a ticket spitting venue, however. There are no prizes for he who accumulates the most points. Instead, the whole point of this attraction is simply to appreciate the history, story and art of the pinball machine while enjoying time with multiple generations of the family. In addition to playing the games, take time to read the placards displayed on several of the machines, which explain the historical background of each game.

I have the pleasure of hiking in the beautiful Redrock Canyon area north of Las Vegas at least twice a year, but I have always been limited to the summer months for these treks. However, last winter, I had the chance to see the Mojave in winter. The cold blustery breeze, dancing off the snow topped Mt. Charleston, offered a chance to appreciate the early morning summer hikes, that much more. With the windchill, the temperature in this high desert ran between 18-23 degrees celsius. This is rarely experienced by the locals, as the winters are spend inside casinos and homes in the Las Vegas valley.