Las Vegas, Nevada: Fine Dining, Adventure and Shopping

The morning after I arrived at the stylish SLS Las Vegas Hotel, I woke up late, like a real “slugabug.” First things first, I was going to put a large dent in my credit card at one of the numerous shopping destinations available in the city. But which one? The resorts here provide perfect shopping experiences, offering everything I could possibly want. There are high-end shops, as well as familiar brands, so there’s something for everyone’s budget.

I opted for Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Palazzo on the bustling Las Vegas Strip. Besides having a never-ending variety of shops and boutiques, this location comes with a canal and gondolas! Many years ago when I visited Las Vegas, I’d wanted to float along and pretend I was in Italy, lying back as my gondolier serenaded me. A silly thing, I know, but since I never got to do it all those years ago, by golly I was going to do it this time. What a treat!

After shopping and a quick disco nap back at the hotel, I ventured out again to see the Las Vegas Strip from a completely different angle. With the sun down low in the sky and the city lights turned on, I arrived with anticipation at Maverick Helicopter Tours. I held my breath as we lifted into the air, but very quickly forgot my nerves. I was far too entertained by the neon light show of all the hotels and buildings playing out below me. Looking down, I imagined everyone getting ready in their hotel rooms for a magical night out on the town. The views were gorgeous! I almost didn’t want it to end!

Las Vegas is also a food lover’s paradise. For dinner, I was going to taste the best of the best at Bardot Brasserie, Michael Mina’s Parisian-style restaurant in the Aria Resort and Casino. I grabbed a seat at the bar and enjoyed the lively atmosphere while I ate delicious Mussels Marinieres and soaked up the garlic butter with a warm baguette.

I ended my perfect night with one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails, aptly named “And God Created Woman”, a refreshing gin concoction. Well, this woman was looking forward to heading back to her bed to rest up for the next day’s fun. The Entertainment Capital of the World had many more adventures waiting to be discovered.