Vegas has undergone numerous evolutions over the last few decades. There were the Elvis and Sinatra concert eras; there were the early-2000s bro fantasies grounded in films from Ocean’s 11 to The Hangover, and there were the carefree pool party and clubbing years. But following a nearly two-year interruption of activity and the sudden but intense resumption of tourism, what does Las Vegas have in store for the rest of 2022? Read on to find out how things appear to be looking in the entertainment capital of the world.
Gaming
Las Vegas is famous for its gigantic luxury casinos, and with regard to gaming, not much has changed. The big resorts have sprawling slot floors, legendary poker rooms, tons of table games, and so much more. But as people look for new experiences there are some underrated poker rooms that have become more popular in recent years, such as the Red Rock Resort located on the west side of the city in the beautiful Summerlin area. This is a favorite amongst locals because it’s a classy place to play poker without the busy crowds. And in addition to standard poker, they have penny slots, high-limit games, video poker machines, and other gaming options as well. Places like this aren’t as gaudy or famous as the big resorts, but they’re increasingly popular spots for those seeking out good poker and machine gaming.
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Night Clubs
Vegas’s nightlife has long been some of the best in the world. It remains the case that virtually every club and bar has its own theme and décor that make for memorable, one-of-a-kind experiences. To give a few examples, Tao at the Venetian has an enormous, 12,000-square-foot area perfect for dancing the night away. Meanwhile, the XS at the Wynn is a perfect choice for a more extravagant night out, with its decadent atmosphere and luxurious reputation. On top of this, although Las Vegas is not quite as known for its bustling music industry as the City of Angels is, Sin City also has its own vibrant music scene. For a glimpse of this, visitors can go to Hakkasan at MGM which is renowned for hosting some of the world’s most famous DJs (like Tiesto, Calvin Harris, and Steve Aoki). Should you opt for something a little more low-key, there are also countless more “ordinary” bars celebrating virtually every type of drink, décor, or atmosphere you could imagine. It’s safe to say that the Vegas after-hours vibe hasn’t gone anywhere, and won’t for some time.
Restaurants
Foodies from all walks of life flock to Vegas to dine and indulge at some of the best restaurants the city has to offer. For a delicious seafood experience, Joe’s Stone Crab offers a variety of American favorites like lobster mac and cheese, jumbo lobster tails, and of course, the famous stone crabs. And for a classic steak, dining at Las Vegas’s oldest steakhouse –– Golden Steer –– is a must; legendary figures like Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Muhammad Ali ate at this place whenever they wanted a prime-aged steak with the classic Vegas experience. If you’re feeling lucky, you can even request to sit in the same seat one of them once used! And needless to say, these are only two of many, many excellent restaurants you can visit in Sin City.
Fremont Street Experience
Particularly as younger generations have begun to put their stamp on Las Vegas, some “off-Strip” attraction areas have become more popular. This has certainly been true of the Fremont Street Experience –– which is by no means new, but which has worked its way up to becoming more of a signature attraction in recent years. It’s essentially a sort of city district or neighborhood unto itself, where there are all kinds of fun places to eat and drink, and at night there are musical performances, light shows, and more that people can enjoy simply as they walk around. Fremont Street is also home to some more casual gaming experiences, where visitors enjoy cheap slots, video poker, and the like without feeling the pressure that sometimes exists in the big casinos.
Theme Park Rides
Inarguably, no other city offers as many adrenaline-filled activities as Las Vegas does. While some rides have been on the Strip for some time now, it seems that every few years there are a few more theme park-style experiences for tourists to enjoy. The original zipline attraction is at the Fremont Street Experience and offers two choices: Zip-Zilla Zipline or the prone-style Superhero-Zoom. If you want an epic view of Vegas and a more modern thrill ride meanwhile, try the Big Shot rockets located at the pinnacle of the STRAT Hotel. You’ll be launched to a height of 1,049 feet above the ground before free-falling into weightlessness. Meanwhile, if you are into rollercoasters, try the Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York, with its huge drops, multiple loops, and beautiful view of the Las Vegas Strip. These are just some examples, but as younger travelers embrace Vegas in a more comprehensive manner (rather than just flocking to the poker tables and slot machines), attractions like these are on the up.
No matter how time may change everything, one thing is for sure: Vegas knows how to adapt, and it only seems to change for the better! There will always be something for everyone to indulge in whether you’re in Vegas for play or for pleasure.
