By 
Since my first time in Las Vegas last year in June 2016, I’ve been back a total of 4 times. There’s something about Las Vegas that makes you want to go back and no, it doesn’t involve drinking, gambling or partying. Did you know that Las Vegas receives an average of 42 million visitors per year? Many people would be surprised by the wide variety of activities that this city has to offer off the strip.
I went last month with my dad for four days and like always, we had a marvelous time. Here it is! My top things to do and places to eat in Las Vegas:
Pinball Hall Of Fame
1610 E Tropicana Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Take a trip down memory lane. Although I didn’t grow up playing pinball machines, my dad did. Inside this dimly lit warehouse, not only will you have the best time choosing from one-of a-kind pinball game machines, but you will also find a variety of well-known arcade games from the 80s and 90s. Get ready to spend all your quarters and not win any of them back!
Dream Racing
7000 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89115
(702) 599-5199 http://www.dreamracing.com/
If you’ve ever wanted to drive and feel the pump of driving a Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini, this is the place. Although there’s a wide variety of race car companies in Vegas, I found Dream Car to be the most reliable. This company is run by Italians with the best expertise in race cars. When you pull into the parking lot, you will be welcomed by the sleek exotic cars, perfectly lined up.
The staff was also very attentive. Before getting in the car, they talk you through the steps on how to get a good grip of the steering wheel through a simulator screen. The introduction class was very helpful. It was amazing to feel first-hand the difference between driving on a regular street and driving on a track at a break-neck speed.
As it happens, I got very woozy on the simulator. However, once I was on the track I was ready to go all out. My instructor was very attentive and encouraged me to drive faster. Although I didn’t go at a super high-speed, it was enough for me to get a good taste of the car and the overall unforgettable experience.
Neon Museum
770 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89101
This was by far my favorite activity and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Las Vegas. Since the exhibit is outdoors, I highly recommend doing this tour at night where the neon signs will be lit up and the temperatures will drop. However, we came here in August, and even at late night it was still really hot, so make sure to carry a drink with you. You’re also not allowed to walk freely, which is understandable given the fragility of the signs and broken glass from the marquees.
The exhibit was amazing. Our tour guide was very informative and you could tell she really loved the city and embodied an infectious enthusiasm when she spoke. If you know Las Vegas, you know the marquee neon signs played a huge role in the city’s development. Seeing the old signs piled up made you wonder and imagine what it would have been like to live in those glory days. This tour delivers a healthy dose of nostalgia to Las Vegas fans and neon art lovers. In the beginning of the tour, you will get a thorough description of the technology behind the signs.
Note: Tickets sell out pretty quickly so make sure to book your tour at least two days in advance. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop!
Downtown Container Park Las Vegas
707 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Located on the historic Fremont Street, this container park opened in 2013 as a means to help downtown Las Vegas expand as a shopping and entertainment destination off the strip. The park offers boutique shops, restaurants, a cute sitting area with synthetic grass and a stage decorated with string lights. Perfect for an al fresco summer night.
Skyline Helicopter Tour
2642 Airport Dr #101, North Las Vegas, NV 89032
If you’re a sucker for spectacular city night views, you must take this tour. We took it in March and was truly an unforgettable experience. Yes, you can walk on the strip and admire the glitzy, lit-up casinos, but the experience of flying over it is unbeatable! I highly encourage you to take the helicopter tour. It’s only 3 people per helicopter, and the pickup shuttle is a limousine that takes you straight to the airport, where you will be able to sip champagne in their lounge. Once the helicopter takes off, the magic happens. The view is something I can’t put into words; you must experience it yourself. Our pilot was super friendly and talkative. It’s only a 15-minute ride, but it’s great value and worth every cent!!
Gold & Silver Pawn Shop
Globally famous for the reality show, Pawn Stars, on History Channel, the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop receives an average of 6,000 daily visitors. It’s a must if you’re in Vegas. The store is a lot smaller than it looks on TV and unfortunately, you won’t see any of the cast members. However, during my last visit, while I was waiting for my dad outside, ChumLee happened to be hanging out at his candy shop located right across the pawn shop. Given the show’s popularity, they opened a plaza made of colorful shipping containers with small shops and a nice sitting area where ChumLee occasionally does meet-and-greets. After being inside for 10 minutes, he opened the tinted glass door, walked away and didn’t acknowledge the people waiting in line to meet him (umm…rude much?!) I’m not a fan of the show but my dad is, so this is a must-stop for us whenever we’re in Vegas.
With so many cool things to do, our visit to Sin City wouldn’t be complete without eating at the best restaurants. Now, here comes the good stuff!!
Leone Café
400 S Rampart Blvd #10165, Las Vegas, NV 89145
Located in the gorgeous outdoor strip in Summerlin, this café offers exceptional brunch items and terrific service. I was surprised by how nice they were even though the place was packed. They accommodated us as best as they could and the food was just otherworldly. The decoration is beautiful and will make you feel like you’re sipping your coffee on a Parisian cobbestone street.
Salutte Trattoria Italiana
11011 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135
The décor, the food, and the service were fantastic. This Italian restaurant is 20 minutes away from the strip and it’s located at the Red rock Canyon Casino. The food is fairly priced considering the upscale vibe, and the service very attentive. The interior design was decorated with beautiful marble countertops, and the space featured an open kitchen space with an adjacent bar area.
If you go there, order the Lobster Ravioli, with black and white pasta, heirloom tomato puree and sweet pea pesto. Words are not enough to describe it: creamy, buttery, super tasty. The ravioli just melted in your mouth.
KOMOL
953 E Sahara Ave E-10, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Whenever I’m in Las Vegas, I always make sure to stop here. Komol is a Thai restaurant with plenty of vegan options. Every time I walk through that door, it’s like walking into an oasis: peaceful, with calming Southeast Asian background music. Seriously, it’s like entering into another world away from the hustle and bustle of the strip.
The portions are very generous and prices are fair. The place is located on a strip mall just a few feet away from Lotus of Siam, which is supposedly the best Thai restaurant in the US but for me, Komol is the winner.
Order the chicken panang curry. Best chicken panang curry in the world!
Jamms restaurant
1029 S Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89145
If you want to have a nostalgic old-school breakfast, this is the place. Established in 1997, Jamms tagline is “enter as strangers, leave as friends”. Indeed, the restaurant’s slogan is aptly named. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by warm smiles and treated like family.
The pots of bread are spectacular, and the sunny side up eggs are always perfectly crispy.
There are so many things to see and places to eat in Las Vegas, but I didn’t want to make this blog post too lengthy. I will make a second blog post in the future, mentioning the shows and the best kept hidden gems in Vegas! What are your favorite things to see in Las Vegas off the strip?
