A trip to Las Vegas can seem like an overwhelming experience, particularly for first-time visitors. Sin City often gives new meaning to the term "sensory overload," so it may seem impossible to truly take in all Las Vegas has to offer during a short trip. Many travelers find it helpful to devise a schedule of activities to better organize their day.
For most people, a trip to Las Vegas is not complete without at least one stop at a buffet. Vegas buffets range from a basic spread to near-gourmet meals. Breakfast is typically the least expensive meal at a buffet, so it is an ideal way for travelers to start their day. Virtually all of the major casino resorts on the Strip have a buffet, as do many of the off-strip and downtown casinos, so your hotel probably has one also. Some buffets you may want to visit include the Bellagio buffet at the Bellagio, the le village buffet at Paris Las Vegas, the bayside buffet at Mandalay Bay, the cravings buffet at the Mirage, the buffet at Wynn Las Vegas and the spice market buffet at Planet Hollywood. The food at these buffets is often first-class; for example, the Bayside buffet features a carving station, shrimp, snow crab legs and smoked trout and artisan cheeses and cold meats.
After a satisfying breakfast buffet, you are ready to hit the Strip to visit some of Las Vegas’ most famous attractions -- the casinos. Even if you are not an avid gambler, no trip to Sin City is complete without trying to beat the house at least once. For inexperienced gamblers, most of the major casinos offer gaming classes, so you can learn the rules and strategies behind table games, such as blackjack, roulette and craps. If these still intimidate you, try your luck at the slot machines. If you are a more experienced gambler, consider spending your morning in a poker or slots tournament where you can win prize money or other fun perks.
When afternoon arrives, find yourself a spot in front of the Bellagio Hotel in the center of the Strip for its unforgettable fountain show. It is a free attraction that runs from 3:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and noon to midnight on weekends. The show takes place in the large lake in front of the Bellagio and features dancing fountains that shoot as high as 460 feet in the air, according to Vegas.com. The fountains are choreographed to accompanying music and lights.
In addition to its casinos and stage shows, Las Vegas has developed a reputation as a destination for foodies. The Strip boasts a wide array of gourmet restaurants and eateries helmed by celebrity chefs. Make time to stop by one of these restaurants for a fine dining experience. Some notable restaurants and their chefs to consider for dinner include chef Joel Robuchon at the MGM Grand, chef Alex at the Wynn, chef Michael Mina at the Bellagio and chef Sage at the Aria.
Wind down the night in Las Vegas with a stop at the Mirage Resort and Casino to enjoy the nightly volcano eruption. Like the fountains at the Bellagio, the volcano is a free attraction. The show features large fireballs and smoke effects that take place over a lagoon located directly in the front of the Mirage property. Accompanying music adds to the spectacle. The Mirage’s volcano erupts every hour from dusk until 11 p.m. all week long.
