A day in Las Vegas
(Want to download the full guide to your Smartphone? Download it from GuidePal City Guides.)See & Do
The Arts Factory
Las Vegas
A renovated warehouse with hip galleries in the Arts District
Word to the wise: The best times to go are Preview Thursdays (first Thursday of the month, from 6pm -10pm) when artists mingle with patrons; and First Fridays, during the neighborhood-wide monthly party.
Filled with galleries, yoga studios and the offices of designers, architects and jewelers, the Arts Factory is the spiritual center and hub of Vegas's vibrant Arts District. With unfinished ceilings, exposed pipes and brick walls, the 50-year-old warehouse has managed to keep its original factory feel.Spread out over two floors, there's always something interesting to see. In the galleries, ever-changing exhibits feature a variety of media, from photography, fine art and sculpture. There's even a store where you can buy graffiti supplies, should you decide you need to leave your own artistic mark on the city.
Open Hours: Daily: 9am - 6pm (later on special event nights) Address: 101 to 107 East Charleston Blvd Phone: +1 702 676 1111 The Arts Factory's webpage
See & Do
Grand Canyon
Behold America’s ultimate, and most majestic, natural wonder
Word to the wise: Rent a car for the five hour drive across Arizona, but plan the trip during the day to help you better navigate the narrow and twisting roads.
Noteworthy for: The oldest rocks at the Grand Canyon are nearly two billion years old.
The nearly 450 kilometer-long canyon is best seen from your car at any of the overlooks along the South Rim. The North Rim, however, is a great option for the sizzling hot summers since it's atop the lofty Kaibab Plateau.
If you’re keen for a more adventurous look at the canyon’s striking geologic strata, you can hike it, ride a mule down it or take a several-day river trip through it. You can also book a pricier helicopter tour that swoops over the mouth of the canyon.
Fee: Per vehicle: USD 25, Pedestrian/Bicyclist: USD 12
Fee covers 7 day access to South & North Rims
Price sample: South Rim three hour mule trip: USD 118.50
Open Hours: South Rim: All year, 24 hours daily
North Rim: mid May – mid Oct
Address: 402 kilometers due east from Las Vegas, in Arizona
Phone: +1 928 638 7888
Grand Canyon`s webpage
See & Do
O at Bellagio
A Cirque du Soleil extravaganza that's like a beautiful (and very wet) Fellini movie
Noteworthy for: O has grossed over one billion dollars since its opening in 1998.
Surreal, mesmerizing and mind-blowing in scale, beauty and talent, O might be the most exciting show on the Strip. Making a pun on the word 'eau' (French for water), the title presents the aquatic theme, and also, no doubt, the shape of your mouth as you watch in disbelief as over 70 fearless swimmers, divers and aerialists perform feats of derring do in and above a 5.7 million liter pool.Sinewy contortionists bend their bodies into impossible shapes in the air and fish-like swimmers glide in perfect sync to soaring musical compositions. And the crystal clear acoustics, thanks to the USD 70 million custom-made theater and the multiple, cutting-edge speakers built into each seat, ensure you don't miss a beat.
Price sample: USD 93.50-155 Age: Under 5 not permitted/Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult Open Hours: Performances, Wed-Sun: 7.30pm, 10pm Address: 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South Phone: +1 702 693 7722 O at Bellagio`s webpage
Shopping
Flockflockflock
Unique vintage clothing at great prices at a cool Downtown spot
Word to the wise: The owner of this tiny shop has the eye of a high fashion stylist, which comes in handy when you are trying things on. Seek her advice.
This itsy bitsy boutique at Emergency Arts (a hip Downtown coffeehouse and gallery) has fantastic vintage finds. Whether you're looking for parachute pants from the 1980s, a sexy wrap from the 1970s or a cute Betty Paige number from the 1950s, chances are, you'll find a nifty thrifty to your liking. If not, check out owner Jennifer Hunt's own unique line featuring funky dresses made out of cellophane, tissue paper, gift wrapping and garland.
Open Hours: Tue-Fri: 12noon - 5pm
Sat: 12noon - 3pm
Address: 520 Fremont Street
Flockflockflock's webpage
Shopping
Fruition
A boutique mixing high-end vintage styles with trendy streetwear
Noteworthy for: This store put itself on the map by supplying singers like Katy Perry, Kanye West, M.I.A and Lupe Fiasco with eye-catching, one-of-a-kind (and pricey) vintage pieces.
Fruition is as famous for their clothing as they are for the cool style of its owners, Chris Julian and Samantha Alonso. Clearly possessing a gift for putting unlikely ensembles together, the couple has earned the respect of some of the most trend-conscious popstars.In their hyper-colorful shop, patrons are encouraged to mix and match uber-cool vintage and archival pieces - from 1970s Dior track suits, Pucci dresses, Chanel scarves, and rare deadstock trainers - with separates from newer brands like Stussy, Jeremy Scott, Henrik Vibskov and Dr Romanelli.
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am - 7pm Address: 4139 S. Maryland Pkwy Phone: +1 702 796 4139 Fruition's webpage
Restaurants
Lotus of Siam
Foodie-approved, reasonably-priced Thai food just off the Strip
Popular plate: The nua sao renu is sliced charbroiled beef served on a bed of sliced cabbage, topped with homemade tamarind sauce and fried dry chili.
Tipple of choice: Lotus of Siam has a giant wine list, and over 35 pages are devoted to Rieslings.
Among the diners are in-the-know locals and foodie visitors who spend their days sniffing out the best joints in the cities they visit. Ask your server which Riesling goes best with what, since the list is far too dense to get through unless you're an expert.
Price sample: Specials: USD 8.95-22.95
Open Hours: Mon-Thu: 11.30am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 9.30pm
Fri: 11.30am - 1pm, 5.30 - 10pm
Sat-Sun: 5.30 - 10pm
Address: 953 E Sahara Avenue
Phone: +1 702 735 3033
Lotus of Siam's webpage
Restaurants
Casa Don Juan
Fun family-owned Mexican in the Arts District
Popular plate: The pollo en mole with rice, beans and tortillas comes with perfectly spiced sauce.
Cheap delicious tacos, burritos and enchiladas, accompanied by strong house margaritas blended with Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, makes this family-run Mexican stop a winner. They even make their own crispy corn tortilla chips and tomato salsa every day.Totally unpretentious and unlike anything on the Strip, the atmosphere is warm, and owners Raul and Maria welcome you like long-lost cousins. No wonder the artists and art lovers from the neighboring galleries love to hang out here, especially after the First Friday street parties.
Price sample: Burrito: USD 6-8
Entrees: USD 9-17
Open Hours: Mon-Thu: 7am - 10pm
Fri-Sun: 7am - 11pm
First Fridays: 7am - 12midnight
Address: 1204 South Main St
Phone: +1 702 384 8070
Casa Don Juan's webpage
Restaurants
SW Steakhouse at Wynn
Elegant dining with a built-in water show
Popular plate: Their signature chile-rubbed double rib eye (meant for two) is served with decadent black truffle creamed corn.
Competing with the succulent Nebraskan corn-fed, prime-aged, hand-cut steaks and chops for top draw are the fresh seafood dishes (pan roasted sea scallops, seared Hawaiian big eye tuna).
Price sample: Main course: USD 32-46
Steaks, Chops and Double Cuts: USD 52-120
Open Hours: Daily: 5.30pm - 10pm
Address: 3131 Las Vegas Blvd South
Phone: +1 702 248 3463
SW´s webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Double Down Saloon
Smoke, gamble, drink bacon martinis at a Vegas institution 24/7
Tipple of choice: Where else are you going to get a bacon martini other than at the place that invented it? (They call it 'ass juice'.)
Dark, smokey, covered in weird psychedelic murals and full of punks, rockers and anyone else who proudly count themselves as being on the fringe, Double Down is one of the best bars in the city.Coming here from the glitzy Epcot-like Strip, is truly a head-spinner. Open 24 hours, this Vegas institution is rough and tumble and if you don't like it, someone will probably tell you to leave anyway. Live bands play weekend nights.
Price sample: Average drink: USD 5
Age: 21
Open Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Address: 4640 Paradise Rd
Phone: +1 702 791 5775
Double Down's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Vanguard Lounge
Small Downtown lounge with DJs and craft cocktails
Tipple of choice: The refreshing and somewhat bitter Lost in Idaho combines berry-infused vodka, cherry syrup, cucumber-kiwi juice and seltzer, and is garnished with candied cherries.
This new addition to the growing hipster bar scene along Downtown's Fremont opened September 2010, and its arrival was so highly anticipated that the mayor turned out for its ribbon-cutting ceremony. With a wide-open garage door facade, the bar is totally exposed to the street, a rare feature for a Vegas bar. And ever since this street has become a bar-crawl destination, it's entertaining to grab a front row seat and people-watch. Inside, concrete walls are industrial chic, and out back, there's a popular (and cozy) patio for tasty craft cocktails under the stars.Price sample: Cocktail: USD 10-12 Open Hours: Tue-Sun: 2pm - 2am Address: 516 Fremont St Phone: +1 702 868 7800 Vanguard Lounge's webpage
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