What to do in Vegas… Vegas can seem overwhelming with its neon lights, fast pace, and bustling crowds. Las Vegas isn't just for partying though. There's so much to do there. Building the perfect Vegas itinerary for your crew just means finding the right mix of the many variety of entertainment options that Vegas has to offer.. and not over-staying your visit ;) There's a reason it's called Sin City.

I'd recommend a long weekend, 3 days in Vegas is sufficient. More than 3 days and 3 nights in Vegas will probably be rough afterwards! Though if you're traveling from far away, you should stay longer & just pace yourself.

Don’t forget to book a place to stay. There are a wide range of both cheap hotel rooms in Vegas to choose from, as well Las Vegas luxury hotels, and everything in between. My favorite hotel to stay at in Vegas: the Cosmopolitan. 
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Here's are my suggestions for what to do in Vegas (and some tips on planning a trip there with a group!) 

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1. Catch a show while you're there.

With an unparalleled entertainment lineup, Las Vegas hosts hundreds of shows each day, catering to every taste and interest imaginable. There are spectacular Cirque de Soleil performances, Criss Angel’s MINDFREAK amongst many magic shows, hilarious comedy acts, and unforgettable musicals. 

There is surely something for everyone. I’ve seen Cirque de Soleil and fell asleep. So maybe that’s not for me (also I was pretty buzzed so maybe that had something to do with it). I also saw a “Friends” themed comedic play, and that was entertaining. There’s a really wide spectrum here. 

Planning Tips for Groups: 

• Narrow down your choices by searching on Google for “Events happening in Vegas” and select your trip dates in Google’s events calendar. 
• Pick a few that your friend’s might be interested in & post the suggestions in Let’s Jetty’s group trip planner under “Things To Do” so your crew can vote for their favorite! 

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2. Find time to walk the strip. 

A Vegas trip isn’t complete without walking the strip. I’d recommend doing this at night for first-timers.The lights, colors, and sound genuinely immerse you in all that is Vegas. The streets are vibrating with energy as people are weaving in and out. 

There are towering skyscrapers that have bright neon signs and larger than life LED billboards all screaming for your attention. Every casino boasts its own theme, from Ancient Rome to modern-day Paris, you can’t help but be mesmerized.

Also, Las Vegas is an open container state, so grab drinks to bring with you, or grab them along the way at the many bars that you’ll pass by!  

A couple of my favorites

- The Bellagio Fountains at the Bellagio Hotel are iconic. There’s a synchronized water, music, and light show that happens every 30 minutes in the evening. You may have seen it on social media, but it’s definitely better in person.
- The Venetian Resort: you’ll be fascinated at this recreation of Venice; there’s a grand canal that connects the indoors & outdoors. They even offer gondola rides! 

‍3. Go to a bougie Vegas dinner. 

You may be surprised, but Vegas has an amazing food scene. It boasts restaurants owned by many famous celebrity chefs, or by chefs with multiple Michelin stars. And an impressive number of restaurants in Vegas have Michelin stars themselves. For all the foodies, you’ll find yourself excited about it, and amazed at how many there are! 

My Recommendation for Bougie: Bazaar Meat by José Andrés

José Andrés is a James Beard award winning chef and Bazaar is known for creating meat-forward dishes that are mouthwatering. Between the creative cocktails and the artistic styling of the dishes and atmosphere, it lives up to the hype!! 

These are just a few of the amazing things you can find at Bazaar: 

• Cotton Candy Foie Gras: Somehow cotton candy paired with foie gras, served on a stick just works, with both the cotton candy and foie gras melting pleasantly together in your mouth. It’s something I’ve never forgotten, and dying to have again. 
• Liquid Olives: The liquid olive is an olive are delicate orbs of spherified olive juice, held together with a thin gel layer, sheened with olive oil that bursts open when you bite into it. It’s hard to imagine if you haven’t had it, but think about a burst of flavor in your mouth. Check out foodie.com’s description. 
• Caviar Cones with Creme Fraiche: enough said.

Note – It’s an expensive dinner. So you’ll want to be sure it fits the budget preferences of your crew, or see who’s interested before adding this to the itinerary. 

Group Trip Planning Tips:
- Send out a survey asking about people’s budget preferences early on in planning (even as soon as invites). Let’s Jetty has an easy to create survey that also includes a pre-made question that’s perfect for this.
- Pick out a few restaurants & post them on the Let's Jetty app and see which gets the most “I’m in!” reactions from your crew. 
- Ask for suggestions from the rest of the crew too! 

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3. Go see a DJ at a Vegas club (for all the EDM lovers out there)

If you’re down for the clubbing experience while in Vegas and/or fans of EDM, or just want to dance, then I’d recommend checking out what DJs are headlining at the various venues. From Calvin Harris to Tiesto to  Zedd, Las Vegas clubs have some of the biggest DJs in the world. 

As someone who’s nostalgic for my EDM festival days, I love to do it for one of the nights I’m in Vegas and usually have a great time dancing. But as someone in my early thirties I also have to mentally prepare myself for waiting in line, shoving my way through crowds shoulder to shoulder with sweaty people in their early twenties, and paying $20 for water (it’s more expensive than a drink, but you’ll need it). 

The alternative is to get a table which is expensive, but if you’re with enough people who are willing, it’s an option. Be prepared to be outraged by the prices and remember gratuity is usually automatically added. 

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4. Go see your favorite artists live in Vegas!

For those who aren’t about clubbing, but want a fun night out with your group, consider going to a concert or to see one of your favorite singers! Britney Spears got rid of the outdated notion that Las Vegas was the retirement home for once-iconic artists, and basically changed Sin City’s live performance scene. 

She's not performing anymore, but Vegas is home to up and coming artists and famous musicians who hold residencies at various Vegas casinos. Billboard.com has a list of 2024 residencies, where they’ll be taking place, and where to get tickets.  

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5. Eat Your Way through Vegas' “Food Halls” 

Because it’s Vegas, even their food courts aren’t typical. So you’ll definitely want to squeeze these stops into the Vegas itinerary! 

‍“Block 16 Food Hall” at Cosmopolitan

The food hall at the Cosmopolitan (located by Marquee) brings a bunch of famous brands from all the US into one place including Nashville’s infamous Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, New Orlean’s District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew; as well as Portland, Oregon’s Pok Pok Wing and Lardo. 

There’s also Tekka Bar, concepted from Las Vegas Restaurateur Takashi Segawa, best known for his creations Monta Ramen, Kabuto and Sushi Mon, Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake draws inspiration from the ancient gambling destination in Japan dating back more than 100 years ago, with "Tekka Ba" translating to "old gambling place." I would highly recommend the handrolls here!

And of course, check out the speakeasy there – Ghost Donkey, which features New York City roots but waves the Mexican flag with its tasting flights of mezcals and tequilas as well as craft cocktails.

I was obsessed after discovering this place for the first time. Find Ghost Donkey in between Hattie Bob's Spicy Chicken and Lardo; it’s the rear door under the Exit sign that’s easily missed. ‍

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Famous Asian Street Eats at Resorts World Las Vegas  

As the first new resort to be built on the Strip in a decade, Resorts World houses Las Vegas luxury hotels – the Conrad and the Crockford, and their more affordable Las Vegas Hilton. It’s also enormous and an extremely fun resort to visit.

Their mostly asian food court is a must visit. 

Some of the stalls actually come from Singapore, like Boon Tong Kee, which uses a Hainanese chicken rice recipe that dates to 1979 (Hainanese chicken rice is delicious); Springleaf Prata Place, which turns out flaky roti and frothy teh tarik; and Geylang Claypot Rice, which makes Southeast Asian rice dishes in a traditional claypot. 

Other stalls to sample include the truffle-rice-stuffed lechon (or “pig”) at Pepita’s Kitchen, the only Filipino restaurant on the Strip, and the Peking duck at FUHU Shack.

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6. Explore “Old Las Vegas” 

What to do in Vegas... that makes you feel like you’re really in Vegas? Check out Fremont Street, the old Strip, was paved in 1925 as the downtown area developed. The ban on gambling was lifted in 1931, which would later spark a massive casino development movement in downtown and what would later be known as the Strip.

Experience the city's rich history and vintage charm by visiting the iconic Fremont Street. From retro casinos to classic neon signs, this vibrant district offers a glimpse into the bygone era of old-school Vegas. 

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7. Experience the "Infamous" Vegas Pool Parties

If you’re looking to party or to soak up the sun, Las Vegas is also known for its day club scene. Note: if you’re on a Vegas trip, go into the pool at your own risk. I saw Calvin Harris during the day at one of these pool parties, and the entire pool was basically shoulder to shoulder people.

For me it's been hit or miss, but my favorite pool party experience so far was at Marquee Day Club at the Cosmopolitan. Vibes were good, not too crazy, and there was a good crowd that day. 

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8. Eat Good Food

It's not all bougie dinners. You can find good food all over Vegas (and a wide range). Because I love to eat, here are a few more of recommendations.

• Have brunch at Bouchon at the Venetian
• Check out the buffet at Wicked Spoon at the Cosmo
• Get the best soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung  

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