I had always imagined what Las Vegas would be like – the dazzling lights, late nights, spontaneous weddings, and the sound of dice rolling across casino tables. No longer a day dream, having spent six days in Sin City, I can confirm that it lived up to the anticipation and then some. From the grandeur of ARIA Resort & Casino to the palatial interiors of the Bellagio and an impressive collection of dining experiences in the desert there is no shortage of things to see, do and discover. Visiting Las Vegas was undoubtedly the highlight of my summer. If you’re planning a trip here are ten experiences worth adding to your itinerary, in no particular order!
1. Sphere
255 Sands Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169
www.thesphere.com
@spherevegas
It’s hard to miss the Sphere, a colossal music and entertainment arena rising 366 feet tall and measuring 516 feet wide, just east of the Las Vegas strip connected to The Venetian Resort. Its exterior is covered in LED displays, transforming the enormous structure into everything from a giant eyeball to a glowing planet. Unlike anything I have ever seen before, it is the largest spherical structure of its kind in the world.
The venue has hosted some of music’s biggest names, including multi-night residencies from the Backstreet Boys and the Eagles, alongside performances from Adele. Beyond live music, the Sphere also offers immersive cinematic experiences. Seated among 17,600 fixed seats, my inner child struggled to contain her excitement as I watched The Wizard Of Oz. Seeing the 1939 classic reimagined across the venue’s enormous wraparound screen, accompanied by immersive sound and 4D effects, was mesmerising. From watching golden apples fall from above to the sheer scale of the visuals, it was an experience that brought a childhood favourite to life in an entirely different way. Perfect for adults and children alike, it’s worth visiting for the spectacle alone. Sadly, I didn’t manage to catch a golden apple, but you can’t blame a girl for trying.
2. Tattoos at Koolsville
1223 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104
www.koolsvilletattoolv.com
@koolsvilleofficial
If you happen to be a fan of ink or a little impulsive, as I am, I’d recommend making a trip to Koolsville Tattoo in the Arts District, a short distance from Downtown Las Vegas and away from the main Strip. Known for its distinctive pink panther themed branding, affordable tattoos and piercings, Koolsville caught my attention when I discovered it offered tattoos for just $10. Naturally, it was difficult to say no. With no appointment needed, I was sold. Considering how much a tattoo can cost back home, the price was almost too good to pass up. The staff were friendly, welcoming and quick, making the experience as straightforward as possible. If you’re looking to leave Las Vegas with a more permanent souvenir, this is one way to do it.
3. Brunch at 1228 Main
1228 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89104
www.1228mainlv.com
@1228mainlv
A couple steps from Koolsville is 1228 Main, a bakery and restaurant bringing a distinctly Californian sensibility to the more laid-back atmosphere of Downtown Las Vegas. A welcome change from the bustle of the Strip, the space feels relaxed and inviting, with warm copper-toned lighting illuminating the bar overlooking Main Street and an open kitchen that gives the restaurant a casual, neighbourhood feel. Think lemon cruffins, crème brûlée croissants and croissant French toast alongside a Wagyu smash burger and breakfast burritos. Whether you’re stopping by for something sweet with your coffee or settling in for a proper brunch, there’s plenty to choose from. It’s a particularly good stop if you want to explore a different side of Las Vegas beyond the hotels and casinos.
4. Lapis Spa & Wellness at Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, 2777 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.fontainebleaulasvegas.com
@fontainebleaulasvegas
Inside the 67-storey Fontainebleau resort is Lapis Spa & Wellness, a sprawling wellness retreat designed around relaxation and restoration. Recognised at the 2024 World Spa Awards, where it received awards including World’s Best Casino Hotel Spa and Nevada’s Best Hotel Spa, the spa features hydrotherapy pools, a stargazing lounge and an extensive treatment menu.
Among the facilities are several saunas, including an infrared sauna and the High-Energy Aufguss Sauna Experience, led by trained Sauna Meisters. As someone who enjoys a sauna, I was particularly intrigued by the latter. I hadn’t experienced an Aufguss session before and was surprised by just how intense it could become. As the sauna meister moved rhythmically through the room, using choreographed towel movements to circulate essential-oil-infused steam, the heat became increasingly immersive. There was something almost mesmerising about watching the performance unfold. What began as a sauna session became an unexpectedly beautiful and freeing experience.
5. Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Bellagio Resort & Casino, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.mgmresorts.com
@bellagio
Walking through the Bellagio feels like stepping into a world of Italian-inspired grandeur. Between its gaming floors, impressive art installations and palatial architecture, the hotel has the atmosphere of a gallery. Yet tucked within all that activity is a welcome moment of tranquillity: the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. The 14,000-square-foot indoor garden welcomed its summer 2026 display: Paradise: Nature’s Most Beautiful Creations.
Set beneath an expansive glass ceiling, the exhibition resembled a tropical jungle, with four distinct garden beds featuring more than 20,450 plants and 21 lifelike animal sculptures, some reaching an impressive 22 feet tall. Even as visitors moved between the hotel’s shops and casino floors, the gardens offered a quieter space to pause, admire the floral arrangements and appreciate the craftsmanship behind the seasonal display. It’s a reminder that some of Las Vegas’s most memorable experiences don’t necessarily come with a price tag.
6. The Vault
Bellagio Resort & Casino, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.mgmresorts.com
@thevaultbellagio
Hidden within the Bellagio, The Vault is an intimate, exclusive speakeasy-style cocktail lounge tucked behind an unmarked door beside the live gaming tables. Finding it feels like discovering a little secret within an already extravagant hotel. Inside, the atmosphere shifts to something darker and more understated.
Mohair walls, Portoro Gold marble, a 14-foot bronze-mirrored bar and an impressive chandelier featuring 80 faceted glass globes create a setting that balances old-world elegance with a more contemporary edge. The drinks offering is equally distinctive, with a collection of rare and sought-after spirits, wines and liqueurs. Among the more unusual offerings are vintage spirits dating back to the twentieth century, including 1930s Rémy Martin and 1950s Beefeater gin. For cocktail enthusiasts, it’s an opportunity to explore something a little different from the usual hotel bar offering. Whether you’re ending an evening or simply looking for somewhere away from the usual Strip crowds, The Vault offers a more intimate way to experience Las Vegas nightlife.
7. The Forums at Caesars Palace
3500 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.simon.com
@caesarspalace
Opened in 1992, The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace was among the first destinations in Las Vegas to combine retail, entertainment, and dining together under one roof. Designed to recreate the feeling of walking through ancient Rome, the shopping centre takes the traditional mall experience to a whole new level.
One of its most distinctive features is the painted Mediterranean sky overhead, which shifts through the colours of dawn and dusk on a 40-minute cycle. Combined with tiled walkways, grand arches and ceilings inspired by Italian monuments and cathedrals, the surroundings create the illusion of wandering through an open-air Roman city. The centre houses around 160 stores, including the largest Zara in North America, alongside luxury labels, contemporary fashion brands and familiar high-street names giving visitors several price points within one destination. The experience extends beyond the shops, too. Visitors can explore the 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium or catch the free Fall of Atlantis show, a nine-minute animatronic spectacle featuring towering talking statues, fire and water effects.
8. Meow Wolf Omega Mart
AREA15, 3215 S Rancho Dr, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89102
www.meowwolf.com
@omegamartusa
At first glance, Omega Mart looks like an ordinary supermarket, albeit one stocked with some rather questionable groceries. Inside, you’ll find surreal products such as Crying Onion Chips, Organic Moth Milk and Gender Fluid Sparkling Water. The absurdity of the packaging makes the whole place feel like an elaborate parody of a commercial shopping experience. But the supermarket is only the beginning.
Behind its shelves and seemingly ordinary shop fittings are hidden doorways and portals leading into a sprawling, multi-level science-fiction world. Suddenly, you’re no longer browsing groceries but navigating neon-lit landscapes, unusual installations and rooms that seem to become stranger the further you venture. Spanning approximately 52,000 square feet, the attraction offers an almost overwhelming amount to explore. Visitors can also take on the Omega Mart mystery quest, following clues and solving puzzles as they make their way through the installation. It can feel overstimulating at times, but that’s arguably part of the fun. If you’re looking for something completely different from the usual Las Vegas itinerary, this is well worth experiencing.
9. Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge
2985 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
www.peppermilllasvegas.com
@peppermillvegas
The Peppermill is a Las Vegas landmark that has been welcoming visitors to the Strip since 1972. It was also a regular haunt of Elvis Presley during his Las Vegas residency in the 1970s, adding another layer of nostalgia to an already iconic setting.
The Fireside Lounge is particularly distinctive, with its windowless, neon-lit interiors, plush crushed-velvet booths, mirrored ceilings and a dramatic fire-and-water feature at its centre. The atmosphere is further shaped by a soundtrack of pop, rock and indie favourites from the 1980s and 1990s, giving the space a nostalgic feel without taking itself too seriously. It’s the kind of place where you can settle into a booth, order a cocktail and lose track of time.
10. Gymkhana at ARIA Resort & Casino
ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
www.mgmresorts.com
@gymkhanalasvegas
Bringing the acclaimed London restaurant to Las Vegas was no small undertaking. Founded by the Sethi family, Gymkhana opened its first US location at ARIA Resort & Casino in December 2025, following years of discussions with MGM Resorts. The two-Michelin-starred London restaurant provided the blueprint, with considerable attention given to preserving its identity across the Atlantic.
Inside, the first thing that catches your attention is the interior. Rich hues of red, pink and brown run throughout the space, complemented by ornate ceiling details, statement chandeliers and decorative mirrors. Artwork, carefully selected furnishings and bespoke lighting give the restaurant a distinct character. The result is an interior that feels expressive, layered and distinctly its own. The atmosphere extends beyond the design. A specially curated soundtrack adds another dimension to the atmosphere, complementing the restaurant’s food and design. The pani puri, for instance, comes with instructions: pierce the crisp shell, fill it with chutney and spiced water, then enjoy it in one bite. It’s a small but engaging ritual that adds a playful element to the meal. But the biggest surprise for me was the lychee martini. Unexpectedly, it became a highlight of the evening and possibly one of the best I’ve had. It’s the sort of detail that stays with you long after the meal has finished.
Words by Nancy Anekwe
