10 Vegas Insider Secrets Only Locals Know!
10 Vegas Secrets Only Locals Know
You’ve heard that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? Well today we’re breaking the silence on some of Sin City’s biggest secrets, because the best way to see any place is like a local. Here are our top 10 authentic Las Vegas outings.
- See How Life is Beautiful
Las Vegas is known for its spectacular casino entertainment, but you’d be missing out to only stay on the Strip! Life is Beautiful is a festival of music, food, art and ideas that takes place every fall in downtown Las Vegas. After 10 years in the entertainment industry, festival-founder Rehan Choudhry wanted to create something new and unique, which is clear through the community-focused feel. The festival has featured popular artists such as Major Lazer, Mumford & Sons and Kanye West, as well as many inspiring speakers including Coach Carter and Bill Nye.
- Get a Runner’s High
If you love breaking a sweat, consider heading out of the city center to the Red Rock National Conservation Area for a run. Located 20 miles west of the Strip, the area showcases beautiful views, decorated with a variety of cacti, desert wildflowers and wildlife. It includes a semi-technical 12 mile loop perfect for running through the interior of the park, as well as more than 30 miles of hikeable trails. Keep your eyes peeled for stunning views of the Aztec Sandstone which forms the Red Rock cliffs. Dating back 180 million years to the Jurassic period, these formations give you an exciting taste of time travel. If you do plan on running, schedule an early morning outing to avoid the scorching heat. Aim to be back on the Strip by 9a.m. to grab a poolside chair, and enjoy the rest of your day.
- Calling All Classic Car Aficionados
Do classic cars leave you weak at the knees? Then make sure to put the Auto Collections on your must-see list. The 125,000-square-foot showroom features over 250 cars in pristine condition. The collection includes Johnny Carson’s 1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan, which he drove to his high school senior prom, as well as the 1962 Lincoln Continental. It’s enough to make any collector consider a new addition. And if you have the budget for it, why not drive one of these beauties home?
- Feel the Need for Speed
Maybe classic cars don’t get your engine revving, but perhaps ridiculously fast Italian ones do? Satisfy your need for speed by taking a Ferrari or a Lamborghini out for a spin with Speed Vegas. Take a Lamborghini Gallardo out for a ride at $59 a lap on the city’s longest and fastest racetrack. At 1.5 miles, this track offers half a mile of straight driving, allowing you to hit faster speeds, and bringing your driving fantasies to life. With a multi-million dollar collection of exotic super-cars, this is the ultimate experience in driving luxury.
- Catch the Stars
For the astronomy enthusiast, there may be no greater pleasure than getting involved with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Offering monthly meetings and observations sessions, the community gathers for star parties, where amateur astronomers set up a variety of telescopes to look light-years into space. Though this outing requires a drive of about an hour or two off the Strip, with viewing destinations such as Death Valley, it’s the ultimate adventure.
- Earn Rewards While You Play
If you’re in Vegas to gamble, make sure to join one of the frequent gambler clubs. Most of the casinos in Las Vegas have their own clubs, which are usually linked to one another with a transferable membership card. Your rewards card will be valid at several different casinos, allowing you to collect points on every dollar you spend. Some of the clubs even offer a gift to new members, such as free play, or a special promotion on services.
- Find Food Truck Heaven
The Great American Foodie Fest is just as glorious as it sounds. Check out this 4-day spring festival to experience over 50 of the nation’s best food trucks and specialty food vendors. Showcasing delicacies from the Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel, as well as a beer garden, the fest is best attended hungry and thirsty. And don’t worry about eating too much. With a live DJ, you’ll soon be dancing off the calories!
- Discover Fine Dining
It isn’t hard to eat well when in Las Vegas, but actually choosing a restaurant to dine at is another story. With so many delicious options available, you may be tempted to point at the map with your eyes closed and let Lady Luck do the job. Instead, visit somewhere like Giada, located inside the Cromwell on the Strip and run by Emmy Award-winning celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Featuring live music and brunch on the weekends, Giada is the perfect spot to sit back, and enjoy some of the finest flavors in the city.
- Have a Heart for Art?
Then you’ll love this unique art crawl! Combining the creativity of an art walk with the flashing lights of Las Vegas, First Friday is visited by both locals and tourists alike. The art walk features a variety of artists from all over Nevada, bringing together painters, musicians, jewelers and other creatives. Taking place off the Strip in downtown Las Vegas, on Casino Center Blvd in between Colorado St and California St, the art walk offers a unique opportunity to bring a one-of-a-kind piece of Vegas back home with you.
- Sign Up for This Museum
Source: Pixabay, Viator.com
A fan favorite of photographers and hip newlyweds, The Neon Museum Boneyard showcases signs from old casinos across almost 2 acres of outdoor property. Open since 2012, the museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs. Booking required for tours.
No matter how you define adventure, Las Vegas has what you’re looking for. But don’t just follow the crowds. Put on your sunnies, and get living like a Vegas local with these top 10 alternative suggestions.
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About The Author: With over 20 years of experience, Randy Char is one of Las Vegas’ top-producing brokers. In 2013 his team surpassed records in the community and closed a landmark total of $100 million in sales. He is focused on delivering a highly personal, expert team-delivered experience for clients in the high end market.
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