Travel

Las Vegas through the eyes of a local: these are the hotspots of the moment

Kiki in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas sign

Viva las Vegas. There is no city in the world that is as focused on entertaining people as this enormous oasis in the Nevada desert. It is a city that you need to learn to understand. I found out myself last year.. Important side note: even if you don't drink a drop of alcohol and don't like gambling, Vegas is a sight to behold. You will be amazed. Molly Castano knows this better than anyone. When she moved to Las Vegas in 1998, there were 405,245 people living there. Now, 2.6 million people call Vegas their home city. Holy lord, talk about expansion.

Well, if you've lived in Vegas for 22 years, you obviously know what the spots of spots are. Bring it on, Molly.

Vegas for virgins
Imagine, you're going to Vegas for the first time. What are your top 3 things to see?

  1. ‘Go to a show. You can't go home without experiencing the full experience. There are large-scale production shows, comedians, magic shows (Hans Klok!) and big artists who regularly come to Las Vegas. Check the entertainment calendars well before your trip to ensure you reserve seats. Fixing a show on the spot is not always that easy.’
  2. ‘One of the most iconic sights of Vegas that you don't want to miss: the fountains at Bellagio. The music ranges from classical, old, Broadway to pop music but trust me: whatever your personal music taste is, you don't want to miss it.’
  3. According to Molly, Vegas is so much more than just the Strip. ‘Go downtown. If you like small shops, cute restaurants, and intimate bars, then go to Fremont East. Tip: Atomic Liquors is the oldest freestanding bar in Las Vegas and an absolute favorite among locals. If you like history more, head a bit west and check out The Mob Museum.’

Vegas on a budget
Sure, says Molly. Cheaper eats in Vegas. Just look.

  1. ‘Lotus of Siam. This is a must if you love Thai and Asian food. It's quite popular, so definitely make a reservation.’
  2. ‘Best Friend at Park MGM is also a gem. Fantastic food from LA chef Roy Choi at a reasonable price.’
  3. ‘Not open for dinner, but great for breakfast and lunch: chef Natalie Young. She focuses entirely on ‘good food for good people.’

Vegas for the fancy ones
Yep Molly, we want to know. What are the top spots for a night out?

  1. ‘Mayfair Super Club at Bellagio. Just opened last month and quite an experience. It's a dinner and a show in one.’
  2. ‘Another brand new gem: Majordomo. It's a modern steakhouse, but decadent. They don't just have meat, by the way, but also very fancy seafood.’
  3. ‘In the mood for a next-level view? Then you want to go to Top of the World in The STRAT. This is a rotating restaurant where you enjoy your meal from the 107th floor (!).’ Molly suggests grabbing a drink at the 107 Skylounge an hour before your reservation.

Vegas for vegans
Okay, this category makes me personally very happy. Molly, tell us. What are the better spots?

  1. ‘Blackout Dining in the Dark. You won't know what the menu is in advance and you have to rely on your senses to figure out what you're eating because… as the name suggests: there is absolutely no light. You even have to leave your phone in a locker in the lobby.’
  2. ‘VegeNation: the first vegan/vegetarian restaurant with multiple locations. Even if you're not a vegan or vegetarian, the menu is still amazing and you won't feel like you're missing out on anything from your meal.’
  3. ‘The Modern Vegan. I love the relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant. The emphasis is absolutely on comfort food, the portions are generous, and breakfast is served all day.’

Vegas on the Gram
The lights of the Strip, the sunsets, the desert landscapes… Let's face it: Vegas has Insta potential. Where do we want to take vacation pictures, Molly?

  1. ‘If you're looking for an ‘only-in-Vegas moment’, go to the Neon Museum, which preserves and restores old neon signs. Each sign tells a story about a certain era in Vegas history and the signs are très instagrammable.’
  2. ‘Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation south of Las Vegas and the color contrast between the ‘mountains’ and the desert landscape is truly amazing. It's worth the thirty-minute drive,’ says Molly.
  3. ‘Yes, and of course we end with the ‘Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign. Your visit is not complete without it, it's iconic.’