How To Spend New Years In Vegas
In my last post, I focused on how I spent my NYE at Usher's Residency, but for this post, I wanted to focus on what else I did while I was in Vegas for those few days. I always think of Las Vegas as an extended version of Times Square. Although, I always say I am done with Vegas, I keep discovering new places or new shows when I go. For NYE, there was over 300,000 celebrating on the Las Vegas strip. I couldn’t believe it because we are still in a pandemic, but at this point, everyone just wanted to get out the house. I can’t even be mad at that.
If you’re looking for Black-owned Vegas eateries, then check out one of my older post to see where I went as well from one of my past trips.
Read more below about where I went during my stay in Las Vegas this time.
Vanderpump Cocktail Restaurant
Lisa Vanderpump brings to Vegas, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, located in Caesar’s Palace. This restautant features a hand-crafted cocktail menu and a selection of small bites making it the perfect way to start the night.
Pictured: Vanderpump Sangria
Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge
The Peppermill is well-known for its hearty breakfast dishes, which are served 24 hours a day. As of now, they close at 2am due to the pandemic. It’s also known for their neon lit lounge and booths and fruity cocktails.
Pictured: Peppermill Burger and Strawberry Margarita
Magic Mike Live
Magic Mike Live is based on the hit film starring Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey, the production features risque themed dance and strip routines from a diverse cast of performers on a vibrantly lit stage that's surrounded by seats. This is located in the Sahara Hotel.
International Smoke
International Smoke is the wildly popular collaboration between Chef Michael Mina and celebrity entrepreneur, television host, and New York Times best-selling author Ayesha Curry. This was one of my favorite restaurants during the trip because everything was seasoned so well and it was just the right amount. This is located at the MGM Grand.
Pictured: Mahi Mahi, Ayesha’s Fresh Baked Cornbread, Shape Shifter, Red Sangria
Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen Las Vegas is located in the renowned hotel-casino at Ceasar’s Palace, on The Strip near Bellagio and Cosmopolitan Hotels. Chef Gordon Ramsay is known for his meat recipes. I wanted to see what the hype was about the beef wellington dish prix fixe menu. I picked pan seared scallops and sticky toffee pudding with the prix fixe menu as well.
Pictured: Beef Wellington
Smith and Wollensky
If you’re looking for a family styled dinner, especially for NYE or other occasions, then this location would be it. You can rent out a private room, open bar and unlimited food depending what package plan you choose. This restaurant is located at The Venetian Resort.
Freemont Street Experience
The Fremont Street Experience is a pedestrian mall and attraction in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. The FSE occupies the westernmost five blocks of Fremont Street, including the area known for years as "Glitter Gulch," and portions of some other adjacent streets. You can go zip lining here as well. They have dance parties with DJ’s and other attractions depending on the occasion. For NYE, this strip gets packed! Make sure you get there early.
Bellagio Fountain Water Show
The Fountains of Bellagio is a daily experience in Las Vegas, every 30 minutes, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and every 15 minutes from 7:00 PM to midnight. In my opinion, the best time to go is at night because the fountain is lit during the show.
NYE Fireworks on Las Vegas Blvd
After Usher’s Residency at Caesar’s Palace, I had a perfect spot to watch the fireworks outside of the hotel. Each hotel on the strip has a firework show.The strip closes down around 6pm. This means you have to really figure out where you will be since the strip closes and transportation will be scarce. Ubers and Lyfts are running, however, it can be a hassle. There are trans that run up and down the strip, but that can also be a hassle as well. For some stops, you have to walk through the resort hotels to find them and just imagine everyone trying to figure out transportation after the 10 mins firework show is over.
Luxor Hotel & Casino Spa
I started my New Year off with the spa at the Luxor Hotel. It was convenient since that’s where I stayed. Since I had a red-eye back to NYC on New Years Day, this was the perfect way to end the trip.
