Vegas…Again…

Just in case you needed another fix like we did…here you go…

We won’t bore you with all the repeat details of staying at Park MGM, but we will share all the awesome new things we ate, drank, and experienced!

New Experiences:

***Eiffel Tower Viewing Deck – Located at the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel and Casino, this is quite a unique experience. With tickets priced at $24.50 per person, you can go 46 stories up and see amazing views of the Las Vegas Strip sans the chaos. Open every day from 2PM to 10PM, this will give you a taste of Paris. This Eiffel Tower sits at half the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (460 Feet Vs 984 Feet), but in our opinion, this was high enough. The viewing deck allows you to snap pictures of epic views, but you are not enclosed; you are basically in a metal dog crate. You feel the wind, you feel the vibrations of the cars riding down the strip, and for us, well, it felt pretty jenky! We aren’t scared of heights, but we just didn’t feel secure. It was a one and done for us!

***Discovering King Tut’s Tomb The Experience – Located at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, you can visit this exhibit any day between 10AM and 8PM. Our tickets were $35 each. This experience takes you back about 100 years, when Howard Carter, made one of the most historical archeological discoveries of all time; The King Tutankhamun Tomb. Follow in HC’s footsteps and discover treasures, learn the process of mummification, and see a realistic replica of King Tut’s burial chamber and more!

***Cirque Du Soleil Mystere – Our final Cirque show on the Las Vegas Strip! We saved the first CDS show ever to be on the strip to be our last to see on the strip! Mystere premiered in December 1993 at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, and still remains there today! We were enamored by the show as usual, although we had trouble identifying the storyline. CDS says that the show is about, “the origins of life and the human preoccupation within the universe.” Regardless of storyline, this show features some incredible and difficult acts, making you understand why it has stood the test of time!

***Year of the Rabbit – While this was not a specific experience or location – there are decorations all over the strip for the Chinese New Year. Checking these out is not only free, but quite photo worthy! 2023 is known as the year of the rabbit, and the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. The majority of the hotels on the strip pay homage to this and have decorations spread throughout. As usual the Bellagio Conservatory Gardens does not disappoint (and expectedly went overboard), but Wynn, Venetian, Aria, and Caesars Palace had some nice displays as well.

***Horseshoe Las Vegas – Formerly known as the iconic Ballys Hotel & Casino, which opened in 1986, this hotel has now been bought out and taken over by the also historically famous, Horseshoe. In 1951, a casino was opened under the name of Binion’s Horseshoe, which today is Binion’s Gambling Hall on Fremont Street. Benny Binion was the first to offer comps to all gamblers, and not just big spenders. While the changes are currently minor, you will see new carpets, new signs, and new slot machines. More updates coming in the near future!

The carpet has the iconic horseshoes all over it.

*** Westgate Hotel – Also located off the strip, this hotel lies 2 miles off the main drag. Originally the International Hotel, this long-standing hotel opened in 1969. Switching from the International Hotel to the Las Vegas Hilton, this hotel took the Westgate name in 2014. While off the strip, the Las Vegas Monorail does stop here if you are interested in checking it out. We wanted to see it for one reason…ELVIS! In July of 1969, the King of Rock and Roll kicked off a seven-year residency here. Unfortunately, his 30^th floor suite was demolished in 1994 to create a Sky Villa (stupid move if you ask us), but we were still able to view a statue paying tribute to him and some old poster copies. Overall, the hotel hasn’t maintained much of a legacy for him, and we were honestly underwhelmed by the hotel entertainment and restaurants. For us, it was a been there, done that.

Food & Drink Highlights:

***Wakuda – Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, this place is incredible! Wakuda “captures the tension between traditional and modern Japan in a bold and thoughtful way through cuisine, design, and art.” Chef Tetsuya Wakuda is a highly celebrated chef decorated with Michelin Stars, Lifetime achievement awards, and more. With only two locations, this edgy restaurant and lounge is the only one of its kind in the United States. The second location is in Singapore.

***Aft Cocktail Deck – Located at the Wynn Hotel, this spot exudes yacht vibes. Mixologist Mariena Mercer brings inspiration from Ibiza, Cozumel, Rio de Janeiro, and Monaco into her drinks. Take a sip and enjoy the front row seating to the Wynn Waterfall, and depending on the time, the Lake of Dreams show.

***Siegel’s Bagelmania – Located next to the convention center at 252 Convention Center Drive, this is the ultimate Jewish deli. Serving all types of delicatessen foods and more since 1989. This is slightly off the strip, but is more than worth the drive, walk, or Uber. Grab a pickle, some Pinkbox Donuts, an old-fashioned soda, or just about any Jewish food you could dream of. More Bagels, Schmear, and Noodle Kugel please!!! If Jew food is your jam, you must give this place a chance. We wish there was a location near us!

***The Bedford by Martha Stewart – Located in the Paris Hotel, this restaurant is said to replicate Martha’s 1925 farmhouse. She uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients to create a classic French menu embracing the farm-to-table dining experience. We went into this dining reservation without high hopes and left with full bellies and a smile. This restaurant far surpassed our expectations. We highly recommend:

Big Martha’s Pierogis with potato filling and brown butter
House-Made Bread Basket
Upside-down Lemon Meringue Pie

***BrewDog – Located across the street from Park MGM, this is the strip’s first brewery! Las Vegas Now says this rooftop bar and restaurant is the “best view on the strip.” It specializes in Scottish craft beers, but regularly features guest brews as well. Described as craft beer paradise, BrewDog has two floors with 96 beers on tap and a wide variety of food options. This is a must-visit destination for us!

***The Peppermill – Dazzling folks since 1972 with neon lights, a fireside lounge, flamingo light fixtures, and huge portions! Peppermill is located on Las Vegas Blvd in between the Wynn Hotel and Resorts World. The owners pride themselves on reasonable prices and generous portions, and some people might even describe this place as “Denny’s on crack.” This iconic spot has been featured in music videos, TV shows, and movies – Most notably Casino, Showgirls, and CSI Las Vegas. We enjoyed the vibe and our food.

***Beauty & Essex – Located at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, this Tao Group restaurant and lounge mixes Lower East Side New York flair with Las Vegas pizazz. Since its inception in 2016, this has been one of the top spots on the strip. With handcrafted cocktails and delicious food from Chef Chris Santos, you cannot go wrong! With speakeasy type vibes, you will enter a pawn shop before opening the door to the lounge/restaurant. Our favorite menu item was the Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings!